HD: Drek Segment

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The camera cuts backstage to a flashy white limousine pulling into the parking lot of the dim Edmonton arena. The sparkling luminance of the limo brightens the gloomy setting as a swarm of photographers, journalists, and reporters immediately crowd around the automobile. As the car gets closer to the camera, a glistening Italian flag proudly adorned on the hood becomes more visible. Finally, the limousine comes to a complete stop. Popping flashbulbs erupt around the limo before the door has a chance to open. Once it does, the press immediately breaks out into a frenzy as Drek Stone cooly steps out with the Heavyweight Title adorned over his shoulder. Clearly loving the attention, Drek grins as a number of microphones are immediately pushed towards him.

 

DREK

Okay, I was ready for this. Ladies and gentlemen, I have a busy night. I can’t sit here and answer questions all night. So I’ll let you ask three – that’s right, only three – questions. The first…

 

While every member of the crowd struggles to raise their hands, Drek points to one lovely lady.

 

DREK

You?

 

REPORTER #1

Yes. Drek, we obviously saw what you did at World Without End to Tha Puerto Rican. You went further than anybody thought you ever would. After being suspended last week, do you have any regrets over what you did to PRL? Is there anything you would change about that match?

 

Raising his eyebrows slightly, Drek grins at her before answering.

 

DREK

The only thing I regret is that I didn’t actually have a bullet in that gun.

 

A small gasp rises up from the throng of reporters as Drek laughs lightly to himself.

 

DREK

No, why would I regret anything? Puerto Rican Lightning was the one who asked for that match. He was the one who tried getting under my skin the entire month to throw me off my mental game. He wanted me to throw everything I had at him – and I did entirely that. I couldn’t care less if people think it was uncalled for. Bill Watts can go screw himself if he thinks I stepped over a line. I did exactly what I had to do to win, and any fighting champion should be respected for that. What SHOULDN’T be respected is someone who cries….during a wrestling match! Crying during a wrestling match?! Last time I checked, Popick, this wasn’t a nursery school. You were ashamed of yourself after that match and you SHOULD be. Not because you threw in the towel but because, instead of being a man, you let your estrogen get the best of you. See, at least I had a real man in my corner. Who did PRL have? A thick-goggled nerd with a heavy flow. If I were you, I would make sure we never cross paths again. You’re not a man, and PRL should seriously think about who he’s allying himself with if he hopes to ever make it further than where he’s been stuck the past few years. And as for PRL…

 

The reporters keep scribbling away as Drek continues.

 

DREK

PRL, you did what you could. It wasn’t enough, of course. I told you when you initially challenged me that you weren’t good enough to take the title away from me. But you certainly did try. And I respect that you did that. I respect that you felt the need to pull out all the stops against me – the Corporate Elbow with the thumbtacks, for one – and you didn’t take me or my boy Hoff for granted. You’re a smart kid, Lightning. Why you felt the need to get wrapped up in this feud the past two months, I’ll never know. Maybe you had a question lingering in your mind about your legacy that you wanted answered. Well, now you’ve gotten your answer. So I think it’s in the best interest of us both if you forget about your silly title wishes. Don’t keep reaching for the stars because you’re bound to burn your fingers one of these times. Gain your manhood back from Jaime O’Hara and walk away with your head held high. Because, like I said, you’re an intelligent wrestler. You do have what it takes to be a X-Division or a Puerto Rican or a 24/7 Champion. I don’t want to see you ruin that future by challenging me again.

 

DREK

So to answer your question, whoever you are, no. I don’t regret a thing. Watts could suspend me as much as he wants and think I’m the absolute scum of the earth. But as long as I’m showing up for my contractual obligations, as long as I’m still winning my matches, I’m still the champ. He can’t strip me from my belt, vacate it, anything. The title is still around my waist as long as I do what I have to to make sure I still remain the Heavyweight Champion. I’m still standing here, standing strong. Hoff has been partying like a madman the past two weeks. PRL is stuck fighting in a solid midcard feud with Jaime O’Hara. And Popick is crying his eyes out to a psychiatrist. Why the hell would I change a thing about what I did? Next question.

 

An older man with salt-and-pepper raises his hand to ask the next one.

 

REPORTER #2

Speaking of Bill Watts, we’ve gotten word earlier today that he’s trying to put together the Main Event of November Reign. Do you know anything about that?

 

DREK

Do I…? No. What kind of stupid question is that? You’re the one who’s bringing it up to me. What do you know about this match Watts is planning?

 

REPORTER #2

All he’s made public is that it might have something to do with a cage.

 

DREK

Heh. Yeah, because we haven’t had enough steel cage matches in the past few months. Well, I’m not exactly a novice with them. I won an Elimination Chamber match for my first Heavyweight Title. I fought The Mad Cappa in a Hell-in-the-Cell and came a second away from walking out with the win. Hoff and I beat Black T in a steel cage match and changed the face of the OAOAST only a few months ago. So whatever Watts is planning, I’m absolutely sure I have it handled. I’ve done it all and, believe me, there’s nothing he can throw at me that I would consider a shock at this stage of my career. And finally…you.

 

Michael Cole barges through the crowd of reporters with a microphone in his hand.

 

MICHAEL COLE

Boxers or briefs, Mr. Stone?! BOXERS OR BRIEFS?!

 

Drek can only stare disbelievingly as Cole excitedly waits for the answer.

 

DREK

I…can someone take care of this?

 

Two burly security guards immediately barge in and pull Cole kicking-and-screaming away from the impromptu press conference.

 

COLE

ANSWER THE QUESTION, DREK! WHY ARE YOU TRYING TO IGNORE THE TRUTH?!

 

The Heavyweight Champion shakes his head as he points to the final reporter.

 

REPORTER #3

Drek, after the conclusion of the match at World Without End, Michael Cole and Jonathan Coachman – as well as many fans around the world – were left speculating if there were any hidden motives to pulling a gun on Puerto Rican Lightning. We all know Zack Malibu did the same thing to Bruce Blank in a fit of rage a few months ago. Did you explicitly borrow your idea from him…? Were you mocking him…? Did Zack Malibu have any influence over your decision to involve a gun against PRL…?

 

Drek’s confident smirk is suddenly gone as he stares in outrage at the reporter before him.

 

DREK

I am so sick of being asked questions about this. No, of course not. I came up with the idea by myself. Zack Malibu had nothing to do with it.

 

REPORTER #3

But you have to admit the timing is a little coincidental. Both of you just happen to do the same thing only a month away from one another? Maybe you subconsciously chose to…

 

DREK

No! There was nothing to it! Listen to me now. You can try and read into my motives all you want, but there’s no point to it. I don’t give a damn about Zack Malibu. I haven’t since I came back to the OAOAST. He isn’t worth a SECOND of my time. I can’t be bothered to stare at the television when he’s on it. I can’t be bothered to look at him when he walks into the locker room. I couldn’t possibly care any less about him. He’s worthless to me. So did I steal the idea from him? Did I do it to shoot a subtle jab at him? No and no. The man doesn’t bother me in the slightest anymore. Is that good enough for you?!

 

The reporter cautiously shakes his head as Drek furiously stares out at the press. Instead of being delighted to see them, as he was minutes earlier, he’s filled with anger now. However, instead of walking into the arena to start off his night, Drek just continues to stand near the limo. Almost as if he’s pondering what to do in his head, he takes a few moments to weigh the pros and cons.

 

DREK

Ugh. To hell with this.

 

With that, Drek sits back in his car and slams the door. The bright automobile peels away as the reporters stare in shock.

 

COACH

I…I don’t know what the hell happened there. What set him off?! Come back, Drek! I like what you did to PRL! I don’t think you care about Zack! Drek, the ratings are plummeting! They’re going….well, I think we’re lower than the Tigers/A’s ALCS series now. Wonderful. We’ll be right back.