time: wednesday evening

day: october eighth

place: cork, ireland; hayfield manor.

(It's a cloudy day in Cork, but it hasn't ruined the fun. It's a moderate fifty five or so degrees. I look out our hotel window, but there isn't an answer for me out there. The answer has always been inside me. Always. Nothing too formal today, just a pair of khakis shorts and a black GUINNESS t-shirt. I hit record.)

Matthew Engel: "It's been awhile, hasn't it? You'll have to forgive me, I took the family on a vacation throughout Europe.. for a couple of reasons. One, we needed to get away from the States, if only for a bit, and spend some time together. And secondly, it was celebratory. I mean, how often do you get to call yourself World Champion? Unless you're a delusional Rob Robinson, not very often. You'll notice an unfamiliar surrounding here. We're staying at the beautiful Hayfield Manor in Cork, and we're having a great time. But I must say this, if you get a chance to go to Vatican City, don't pass it up. It never disappoints."

(A quick look out to the ocean again.)

Matthew Engel: "However, disappointment and Viktor Stone seem to go hand in hand these days. I was really dreading doing any work this week and just when I thought I couldn't take it anymore, Viktor shows up on the tele. I can understand your frustration and you can rant about how you think you should be holding this title and not me. But, nobody was called in to face Chamelion this week. In case you were too busy 'lacing up' two weeks prior, I made a challenge to our former President and World Champion. Of course, I did it with taste and intellect, and he couldn't do anything but accept. Last week, I defeated him and became World Champion. Take notes, Viktor. And of course remember the fine print in your Television Title defenses; the President gets to choose when and where you have your shot at the World Champion.

And it has been decided: October Seventeenth in London, England. I was already there on Sunday -- part of the Engel Europe Tour -- and I've got to say, they love me over there a lot more than you. And don't think for a second that you'll actually come out World Champion. I haven't come this far to drop the title to you. 

But I don't think it's sunk into your head yet that you were never part of my game to begin with."

(I itch my eye for a moment.)

Matthew Engel: "Once again, Vik, you speak of stupid assumptions. I don't care if the talient is a lie; I don't care about guys running around in ridiculous masks. Maybe I should, I am the company's champion, but I really don't. This week it's all about making sure Riona and I remained undefeated as a tag team, and survey says, that's the likely outcome. You faced a different man at Manitoba Mayhem, Vik. You faced a man that was full of paranoia and distractions. You faced a man that put up proverbial walls to the people that mattered the most. You faced a man that claimed he had no fear, but he was petrified.

He is no longer here. You are facing a man that is elite, a man that will show you every aspect of greatness. I'm not here to make you scared, I'm not here for revenge; I'm here to be the best damn wrestler I can possibly be, and I showed that last week against Chamelion. Some people call it a pure form; true determination and focus, but I'm not a philosopher. I'm here to win, and I won't settle for anything else.

I know what you're capable of, Vik, but unfortunately for you, you don't know what I'm truly capable of. Slowly and surely you'll experience that in full this week and the next week."

(A crack of the neck. Much better.)

Matthew Engel: "What I found fucking hilarious is that your partner compared Poland to Jacob Collins, and then had the audacity to brag about it. Hunter, you didn't grab anyone's attention by beating up the PWA's famous punching bag. Robinson simply handed you your first PWA win on a silver platter, and you're making yourself look a little foolish by making a big deal out of it. Take it with a grain of salt and move on, because I assure you you're not even close to being ready to face Riona at London's Burning. But hey, I understand you're all about facts. Let's talk about them, then.

Fact: your first win in the PWA was over a never-was. Good job.

Fact: you're facing the World Champion and Intercontinental Champion in your second match, two individuals that have stood the test of time here in the PWA and have a combined total of thirty-six wins, not to mention we are undefeated as a tag-team.

Fact: you're facing Riona at London's Burning, who has lost only five matches in six months.

Add them up, Hunter, and you'll see that the odds are highly stacked against you. But, I don't count you out. You're going to be a threat, and that's fine. We all thrive on new blood, and we welcome any new competition. We are the best and the brightest here in the PWA, and you're going to be toe to toe with its champion in just a few days. I can feel your self-doubt all the way across the Atlantic Ocean."

(A couple begins to yell at eachother in the next room. I'm sure there are two sides to that story.)

Matthew Engel: "It's been relaxing so far, and I'm not overly concerned about this match. We all know the deal here. It's a preview for what's to come. It's supposed to give people a better idea of how the top two title matches at London's Burning are going to take place. But honestly, how can you possibly tell what's going to happen between Viktor and I on October Seventeenth if we're not in a flaming steel cage this week? 

It's a ratings booster, this match. And that's fine; I'll dance to the front office's tune this week, but let it be known that I'll be playing my own music next week when Vik and I enter the cage. You want to prove to me why you're 'The Beast'? Prove it to me in the cage. Because believe it or not, there is a side of me that cannot be tamed.

Don't you worry, Vik. I'll be fully prepared to smash your face into burning steel all night on October Seventeenth. I will hold nothing back, and I will walk away still the PWA's World Champion. A new era has begun, and it ends when I say it ends.

I do not forgive.

I do not forget."