Rebecca Serra is standing by with Blade, who is smiling from ear to ear.
Rebecca: So on Meltdown, you defeated Titus with some help from Vengeance. What’s next for you?
Blade: Do you know what I hear every time I close my eyes, Becky? Do you know what I hear all the time now? The mere sound of crickets. You see, I have finally silenced all my critics, all the doubters. But do you know what sickens me?
Blade shakes his head with a look of disgust on his face.
Blade: That I still had critics, that I still had doubters before last week’s Meltdown, after all I’ve done around here. Shall we take a look at who I’ve disposed of in less than a year?
Blade starts counting the names on his fingers.
Blade: I destroyed Karnage on just my second Pay per View match. And this was Karnage in his prime, not the shell of his former self that he is now. Later that night, I dispatched of Sanna in the Lethal Lottery match and he was never seen again. Mere weeks later, I delivered the Halo that ended Zander Young’s career. Then at Kingdom Come, I beat Rush so bad his heart gave up. I guess you could say he didn’t have the heart to beat me. Ha! See what I did there, Becky? Of course you didn’t, you’ve got the IQ of a deck chair, but that’s not the point.
Rebecca looks offended, but Blade keeps talking.
Blade: And last week... I defeated the invincible Titus, leaving him in a bloody mess in the ring so Vengeance could pick the bones. My point is... Look at what I’ve done in my time here. I’ve beaten and ended the careers of some of the best in WZCW history. How can there be ANY doubt that this... is... destiny. How can ANYONE doubt this anymore? This is fate. Alas....
Blade looks downward.
Blade: There is something missing here. I need a championship belt around my waist. You see, people can forget about everyone I’ve gotten rid of. I bet none of you have even thought of Zander Young since I ended his career. And that’s understandable, he’s not very memorable. But if I had a belt... say the Elite X or EurAsian belt... Then that would act as a constant reminder to all these people of how good I am.
He strokes his chin for a moment, his signature smirk spreading across his face.
Blade: Oh, decisions, decisions, Becky... I could go for the Elite X title... Take on Austin Reynolds, who is on a delusion based high since winning the title because he beat the monster, Karnage, even though anyone who knows Karnage well enough can see that he is no longer the practically invincible force he used to be. I could be the one to bring Reynolds back down to earth... Or I could take on Big Dave, a man who I’ve taken to the absolute limit before. Perhaps I could beat him this time...
Blade looks into space absent-mindedly.
Blade: I screwed over the rWo not long ago... I’ve taken out Karnage... Destiny is pointed towards me taking you out. And who am I to argue with that?
Blade lets out a loud, hollow laugh
Blade: You see, I’ve beaten Titus, the top guy. But see, people describe you, Dave, as the best in the WZCW right now... And I’m sick of having to correct them, because I AM THE BEST IN THE WZCW RIGHT NOW. Do you have any idea how frustrating is for people to heap praise on the skills of Titus and Big Dave when I know that I am better? I’ve proven I’m better than Titus, but where’s MY praise? Where’s MY recognition?
Blade is exhaling heavily, with intensity in his eyes.
Blade: Taking on and beating Big Dave and proving that I am the best is tempting.... But taking on and destroying that deluded fool, Reynolds, is also tempting... I guess we’ll just have to see.
There’s an awkward silence for a moment as Rebecca waits to see if Blade will talk again or keep staring into space. After a few seconds, she’s breaks the silence.
Rebecca: Yes, you’re making the announcement this week, but surely your mind is still somewhat on your match with Christ Beckford? You two are familiar with each other, with him having come out on top of your match a few months back. What are your thoughts?
Blade: Beckford is a man who might put on a brave face but... At the end of the day, I believe he’s unravelling at the seams. You see, we faced each other last February in the EurAsian league. We had a brutal match, and I lost. It was a troubling time for me, I admit, my head wasn’t in the match. Now, my head and my conscience are so much clearer. But can the same really be said for Beckford? Ever since February, ever since I hit rock bottom in my downward spiral, I have risen like a Phoenix from the ashes and conquered obstacle after obstacle. But Beckford... He just seems to be floating around; in the same place he was in all those months ago, not really going anywhere. Lost at Kingdom Come... Lost at Redemption... And trust me, he will lose at Meltdown.
Blade looks into the camera, his face serious and intense.
Blade: But that’s not the only thing that should be frustrating him, that should be getting to him... Chris Beckford, the man is supposed to be a hero and a role model for kids. But look at what he did to Frankie Smith... Frankie was clearly messed up and Beckford just kept the match going... It was disgusting. Yeah, Frankie has his flaws, but he sure as hell didn’t deserve that. You can say what you want about me and all the supposedly bad things I’ve done, hitting Titus with his own belt and such... But looking at what you’ve done to Frankie, how are you any better?
Blade walks off, the end of trenchcoat sweeping behind him.
