Post by Sam Kidsgrove on Mar 13, 2022 7:49:14 GMT -5
“You’re on your own in this interview.” Zooey reminds Kidsgrove as he gets ready to leave the house, he pauses mid jacket, looking at her in confusion.
“Oh don’t give me that look, I told you this last week, remember? I’ve got an appointment with the Doctor.”
“I didn't know you were sick.”
“I appreciate how much attention you show me, but no - it’s with Em, she’s got her check up and I promised I’d come with her this time. PTSD is a complete bitch.”
Kidsgrove suddenly understands and nods.
“Yeah, of course. Give her my love OK?” He kisses her as he fixes his tie, looking at her with affection.
“Remember, charm offensive, you’re gonna be asked only about AW stuff, they won’t mention anything else. It’s literally a pre show interview about the match. Don’t worry about the sponsors and other shit, just be engaging and charming - they’ll come back when you prove everyone wrong.”
“Trust me” he smiles. “I’m gonna charm their socks off.”
One hour later.
Kidsgrove is sitting in a studio with Giles Hardworthy, who’s conducting the interview on behalf of some network execs, apparently the usual AW interviewers were not available so the network are providing their own interviewers today.
“So, Sam. Nice to have you here. Now I know I’ve got the rep of being some hardass, but honestly this is just to promote the PPV and your match, questions are gonna be softball. Just a bit of fluff, nothing you’ve not handled.” He says with a grin, the sort of grin you use when you want to put someone at ease.
“No problem.” Kidsgrove isn’t exactly new at this, so he takes it all in his stride, more concerned with how the ladies are getting on at the hospital than an interview with some network anchor.
“Final mic checks are done” says a stagehand, “We’re good to go.”
“OK, let’s go in 5.” Giles responds, instantly snapping into his game face as the countdown begins behind the camera. The intros happen, the lights settle and the interview begins.
“Giles Hardworthy here in another preview of the great Pay Per View that Action Wrestling has lined up. Today we’re joined by once famous Hollywood Star Sam Kidsgrove, a man who has a lot to prove. Tell me Sam, what does this match at BattleBowl mean to you?”
“Thanks Giles, pleasure to be here!” Sam says with enthusiasm, “This match means everything, as they all do. We have 4 extremely hungry competitors that want to make a statement going into Havoc season and make no mistake, I want it that bit more than the others.”
“Quite, as your career is in freefall and you are stagnant on both the Action Wrestling front and in Hollywood, this is a big chance for you.”
Kidsgrove smiles, to show the barbs aren’t getting to him. “Yes, it’s a big chance for all of us. It’s a massive match for me, it’s a massive match for Tatiana and John as well. Tatiana especially, I mean she’s a lovely woman, kinda reminds me a bit of Zooey in parts, she has that never say die attitude, she knows what she’s about and wants to be the best she can be. If our paths had crossed before she and Zooey would probably be great friends right now. I appreciate everything she did in Canada. As a guy who left everything at home after many years of success, I know what she's going through and the pride she must have felt when she won that TV title. I also know how she must have felt when she lost it as well, those kinda matches hurt you, in an emotional way unless you’re made of strong stuff. And, well, she’s tough from what I’ve seen. I’ll be glad to step in the ring with her.
And John Black? Well he’s never really been on my radar, so I don’t really know too much about him other than he’s a survivor. He keeps going, no matter what puts him down - he’s gonna be tough to handle, so I gotta keep myself switched on because man, that guy can take a beating and still….”
“OK, OK” Giles waves away the stock answer dismissively, this isn’t what he came for. “Tell me what you really think of these people.”
“This is…”
“No, I want to know what you really think, not some Hollywood phoney non answers that were written by Zooey, I want you to tell me what you really think as Sam Kidsgrove.”
“Phoney?” Asks Sam, with a bit of an edge to his voice.
“Yes, phoney, as with all you Hollywood types we all know that you’re fake - you don’t care for the people, the stuff about Tatiana is nonsense and you know it, I want you to tell me what you really think of these people.”
“I don’t do fake, I don’t do phoney. I’m telling you how it is.”
“You’re lying, you’re telling me what Zooey thinks. If I wanted what she thought I’d have asked for her air-headed opinion.”
Kidsgrove’s demeanour immediately shifts. His jaw sets, his eyes narrow. He speaks with a deliberate cadence, containing the anger that is welling inside of him. “First of all Giles, I don’t appreciate you insulting Zooey, if you ever do that again I am going to break every single bone in your body and leave you to die in a gutter, you get me?
And if you want my truthful and honest answer, fine, here it is.
“Tatiana is a nice girl, could she have been friends with Zooey at one point? Who knows? We’re never going to see it because after BattleBowl, when she is physically and mentally broken, when I have put her through more trauma in one match than she had in 20 years in Canada she’s going to be so broken that she’s going to go back to Vancouver with her tail between her legs and her short lived career in AW being in tatters. All she’ll have to show for her journey down south is a couple of TV titles and some wins over Odin, which isn’t exactly difficult nowadays. And what’ll happen when she’s back in Canada? Nothing, no one will recognise her, the 20 years of goodwill she had when she was there means absolutely nothing because that’s what this business is like, you destroy your body and relationships in a territory for 20 years and the minute you leave, you’re dead to them. The minute you’re too old, or not worth the money, you’re done.
In many respects Tatiana and I are similar. We’ve given our lives to something we love, we came to AW to make it mean more and in some respects, we’ve done that. Job done right? She won her TV titles, she can look back at her time here with some joy, she managed to win the most prestigious things she ever had and faced down an actual god. She can go back to Canada now and legitimately say her dreams are fulfilled.
That’s where the similarities end though, when it’s all said and done I’m not happy with how my career has gone so far. I have too many things that I want to achieve, I have a hall of fame ticket to punch and I have way too many people to prove wrong to stop. So regardless of how nice she is, she’s standing in my way, so she’s going to get hurt and I don’t give a single damn about her.
Same with John Black. That guy has been around for what seems like ever yet he’s done less in that time than Tatiana has in 5 months. If there is any poster child for wasted talent it’s him. He could be in any industry with his hustle, he could be in advertising or doing some shit with computers instead. He’s apparently a smart guy, I wouldn’t know - I’ve literally never been in the same room as him and we’ve not crossed paths in the arena. I assume it’s because he’s being a nerd on his computer pretending to be some underground lyrical genius by googling song lyrics and passing them off as his own. Who knows? All I know is this guy has never been on my radar, will never be on my radar and quite honestly even if he was relevant I’d still not want to bother myself with him.
You could tell me right now I’ve shared the ring with him and I wouldn’t remember, nor would I care. The man is a fool and in the wrong industry. I bet he can’t believe his luck that he comes back for BattleBowl and gets thrust in a 4 way with me. After all, winning this can be a great boost for him, even if I am having to fight for my career and AW management doesn’t rate me, I am still a scalp for people like John Black. Winning this can send him back to the TV title contention where he’ll just be murdered by Odin anyway because when the chips are down, John Black isn’t an underground badass, he’s a basement dwelling child.”
“I notice you avoid the subject of Cassidy, are you scared?”
Kidsgrove gives Giles a look to kill. Then laughs, dismissively.
“You’re kidding right? Cassidy is a clown. Cassidy should have done what I asked him to do in the tag team match and stayed in the back. He got himself pinned because he wanted to be the big man, he cost us both a win against the goddamn Swallowing. Now I don’t know about you but whenever I lose, especially to the likes of the Swallowing I get annoyed. I knew that Cassidy would be the weak link, I knew that he’d screw us over somehow just by being Cassidy Adler and doing what he does best. I am fed up, honestly, of talking about Cassidy Adler and I hope that after I maul him half to death at BattleBowl that I don’t have to talk about him ever again, ideally he’ll be back in retirement spending his days jerking off at Taco Bell or accosting teens for fights, rather than doing it in the arena. So no, I’m not scared of Cassidy Adler, I’m not a tween. As far as I’m concerned he should finally do what I repeatedly asked him to do lately, stay out of my way.
This goes for all three of them in fact. Either get out of my way, or I remove them from the path. Whichever way they want to do it, it doesn’t bother me. I need to win to prove my worth to the management and get my life back and absolutely no-one is going to stand in my way.”
“Sounds like you want to do more than win, sounds like you want to harm people. Isn’t that sadistic?”
“Well, that’s just for me, I need to hurt people to add an exclamation point. That’s proving to myself I am going to rip through this roster. It’s just part of doing business.”
Kidsgrove glares at Giles, daring him to ask another question. Giles quickly takes stock of the situation and takes the hint.
“Thank you for coming Sam, intense as always.” He turns to the camera. “You guys can catch Sam Kidsgrove at BattleBowl, this Sunday on Pay Per View!”
Kidsgrove walks away as soon as the cut signal is called. He checks his messages on his phone immediately, as he always does when he’s finished a project, looking for a supportive message from Zooey. They are always there whenever he’s finished an interview or a match, always seeing the positives and sending good vibes his way. Sure enough, one was waiting for him. A voice one this time. He taps the message.
“I do wish you would listen to me sometimes. That wasn’t cool.”
“Oh don’t give me that look, I told you this last week, remember? I’ve got an appointment with the Doctor.”
“I didn't know you were sick.”
“I appreciate how much attention you show me, but no - it’s with Em, she’s got her check up and I promised I’d come with her this time. PTSD is a complete bitch.”
Kidsgrove suddenly understands and nods.
“Yeah, of course. Give her my love OK?” He kisses her as he fixes his tie, looking at her with affection.
“Remember, charm offensive, you’re gonna be asked only about AW stuff, they won’t mention anything else. It’s literally a pre show interview about the match. Don’t worry about the sponsors and other shit, just be engaging and charming - they’ll come back when you prove everyone wrong.”
“Trust me” he smiles. “I’m gonna charm their socks off.”
One hour later.
Kidsgrove is sitting in a studio with Giles Hardworthy, who’s conducting the interview on behalf of some network execs, apparently the usual AW interviewers were not available so the network are providing their own interviewers today.
“So, Sam. Nice to have you here. Now I know I’ve got the rep of being some hardass, but honestly this is just to promote the PPV and your match, questions are gonna be softball. Just a bit of fluff, nothing you’ve not handled.” He says with a grin, the sort of grin you use when you want to put someone at ease.
“No problem.” Kidsgrove isn’t exactly new at this, so he takes it all in his stride, more concerned with how the ladies are getting on at the hospital than an interview with some network anchor.
“Final mic checks are done” says a stagehand, “We’re good to go.”
“OK, let’s go in 5.” Giles responds, instantly snapping into his game face as the countdown begins behind the camera. The intros happen, the lights settle and the interview begins.
“Giles Hardworthy here in another preview of the great Pay Per View that Action Wrestling has lined up. Today we’re joined by once famous Hollywood Star Sam Kidsgrove, a man who has a lot to prove. Tell me Sam, what does this match at BattleBowl mean to you?”
“Thanks Giles, pleasure to be here!” Sam says with enthusiasm, “This match means everything, as they all do. We have 4 extremely hungry competitors that want to make a statement going into Havoc season and make no mistake, I want it that bit more than the others.”
“Quite, as your career is in freefall and you are stagnant on both the Action Wrestling front and in Hollywood, this is a big chance for you.”
Kidsgrove smiles, to show the barbs aren’t getting to him. “Yes, it’s a big chance for all of us. It’s a massive match for me, it’s a massive match for Tatiana and John as well. Tatiana especially, I mean she’s a lovely woman, kinda reminds me a bit of Zooey in parts, she has that never say die attitude, she knows what she’s about and wants to be the best she can be. If our paths had crossed before she and Zooey would probably be great friends right now. I appreciate everything she did in Canada. As a guy who left everything at home after many years of success, I know what she's going through and the pride she must have felt when she won that TV title. I also know how she must have felt when she lost it as well, those kinda matches hurt you, in an emotional way unless you’re made of strong stuff. And, well, she’s tough from what I’ve seen. I’ll be glad to step in the ring with her.
And John Black? Well he’s never really been on my radar, so I don’t really know too much about him other than he’s a survivor. He keeps going, no matter what puts him down - he’s gonna be tough to handle, so I gotta keep myself switched on because man, that guy can take a beating and still….”
“OK, OK” Giles waves away the stock answer dismissively, this isn’t what he came for. “Tell me what you really think of these people.”
“This is…”
“No, I want to know what you really think, not some Hollywood phoney non answers that were written by Zooey, I want you to tell me what you really think as Sam Kidsgrove.”
“Phoney?” Asks Sam, with a bit of an edge to his voice.
“Yes, phoney, as with all you Hollywood types we all know that you’re fake - you don’t care for the people, the stuff about Tatiana is nonsense and you know it, I want you to tell me what you really think of these people.”
“I don’t do fake, I don’t do phoney. I’m telling you how it is.”
“You’re lying, you’re telling me what Zooey thinks. If I wanted what she thought I’d have asked for her air-headed opinion.”
Kidsgrove’s demeanour immediately shifts. His jaw sets, his eyes narrow. He speaks with a deliberate cadence, containing the anger that is welling inside of him. “First of all Giles, I don’t appreciate you insulting Zooey, if you ever do that again I am going to break every single bone in your body and leave you to die in a gutter, you get me?
And if you want my truthful and honest answer, fine, here it is.
“Tatiana is a nice girl, could she have been friends with Zooey at one point? Who knows? We’re never going to see it because after BattleBowl, when she is physically and mentally broken, when I have put her through more trauma in one match than she had in 20 years in Canada she’s going to be so broken that she’s going to go back to Vancouver with her tail between her legs and her short lived career in AW being in tatters. All she’ll have to show for her journey down south is a couple of TV titles and some wins over Odin, which isn’t exactly difficult nowadays. And what’ll happen when she’s back in Canada? Nothing, no one will recognise her, the 20 years of goodwill she had when she was there means absolutely nothing because that’s what this business is like, you destroy your body and relationships in a territory for 20 years and the minute you leave, you’re dead to them. The minute you’re too old, or not worth the money, you’re done.
In many respects Tatiana and I are similar. We’ve given our lives to something we love, we came to AW to make it mean more and in some respects, we’ve done that. Job done right? She won her TV titles, she can look back at her time here with some joy, she managed to win the most prestigious things she ever had and faced down an actual god. She can go back to Canada now and legitimately say her dreams are fulfilled.
That’s where the similarities end though, when it’s all said and done I’m not happy with how my career has gone so far. I have too many things that I want to achieve, I have a hall of fame ticket to punch and I have way too many people to prove wrong to stop. So regardless of how nice she is, she’s standing in my way, so she’s going to get hurt and I don’t give a single damn about her.
Same with John Black. That guy has been around for what seems like ever yet he’s done less in that time than Tatiana has in 5 months. If there is any poster child for wasted talent it’s him. He could be in any industry with his hustle, he could be in advertising or doing some shit with computers instead. He’s apparently a smart guy, I wouldn’t know - I’ve literally never been in the same room as him and we’ve not crossed paths in the arena. I assume it’s because he’s being a nerd on his computer pretending to be some underground lyrical genius by googling song lyrics and passing them off as his own. Who knows? All I know is this guy has never been on my radar, will never be on my radar and quite honestly even if he was relevant I’d still not want to bother myself with him.
You could tell me right now I’ve shared the ring with him and I wouldn’t remember, nor would I care. The man is a fool and in the wrong industry. I bet he can’t believe his luck that he comes back for BattleBowl and gets thrust in a 4 way with me. After all, winning this can be a great boost for him, even if I am having to fight for my career and AW management doesn’t rate me, I am still a scalp for people like John Black. Winning this can send him back to the TV title contention where he’ll just be murdered by Odin anyway because when the chips are down, John Black isn’t an underground badass, he’s a basement dwelling child.”
“I notice you avoid the subject of Cassidy, are you scared?”
Kidsgrove gives Giles a look to kill. Then laughs, dismissively.
“You’re kidding right? Cassidy is a clown. Cassidy should have done what I asked him to do in the tag team match and stayed in the back. He got himself pinned because he wanted to be the big man, he cost us both a win against the goddamn Swallowing. Now I don’t know about you but whenever I lose, especially to the likes of the Swallowing I get annoyed. I knew that Cassidy would be the weak link, I knew that he’d screw us over somehow just by being Cassidy Adler and doing what he does best. I am fed up, honestly, of talking about Cassidy Adler and I hope that after I maul him half to death at BattleBowl that I don’t have to talk about him ever again, ideally he’ll be back in retirement spending his days jerking off at Taco Bell or accosting teens for fights, rather than doing it in the arena. So no, I’m not scared of Cassidy Adler, I’m not a tween. As far as I’m concerned he should finally do what I repeatedly asked him to do lately, stay out of my way.
This goes for all three of them in fact. Either get out of my way, or I remove them from the path. Whichever way they want to do it, it doesn’t bother me. I need to win to prove my worth to the management and get my life back and absolutely no-one is going to stand in my way.”
“Sounds like you want to do more than win, sounds like you want to harm people. Isn’t that sadistic?”
“Well, that’s just for me, I need to hurt people to add an exclamation point. That’s proving to myself I am going to rip through this roster. It’s just part of doing business.”
Kidsgrove glares at Giles, daring him to ask another question. Giles quickly takes stock of the situation and takes the hint.
“Thank you for coming Sam, intense as always.” He turns to the camera. “You guys can catch Sam Kidsgrove at BattleBowl, this Sunday on Pay Per View!”
Kidsgrove walks away as soon as the cut signal is called. He checks his messages on his phone immediately, as he always does when he’s finished a project, looking for a supportive message from Zooey. They are always there whenever he’s finished an interview or a match, always seeing the positives and sending good vibes his way. Sure enough, one was waiting for him. A voice one this time. He taps the message.
“I do wish you would listen to me sometimes. That wasn’t cool.”