-|| EXODUS Pro Wrestling… a brand new Puroresu federation that has hit mainstream Japan is looking to go global. With stars like KENTA, Takeshi Morishima, Steve Corino, Giant Bernard, and Tajiri just to name a few, the possibilities of EXODUS to go international is pretty high. EXODUS officials have scheduled a press conference a few days before the monumental Genesis Gold Series begins. Participants of the press conference include EXODUS President Simon Inoki, other EXODUS officials, and a few superstars. The last person to take the mic is none other than the King of Old School himself, Steve Corino. He stands up from his seat at the far end of the platform and makes his way towards the podium. Once there, he reaches into his inner suit jacket and takes out a sheet of paper and reading glasses. He chuckles. I’m getting old, what do you expect? The people in attendance chuckles as he puts on the reading glasses and unfolds the sheet of paper. He smoothes out the wrinkles on the podium before clearing his throat and begins to speak. ||-

Before I take any questions, I have prepared an opening statement. A few short days ago, I had the privilege of sitting down with Mr. Inoki here to negotiate my contract to work for this great organization. My friends and family have been questioning my decision but I think I have done the right thing. They all ask me if I was stupid or if I had any sense at all. Naturally, I tell them all “yes,” and that all my efforts will soon be rewarded. Little do they remember that this exact same opportunity arose just a few years ago. Am I comparing EXODUS to ECW? In a way, yes, but I think I can almost damn near guarantee that EXODUS will be WAYY better funded than ECW ever was. For whatever reason, when I look at the select superstars on this platform, it reminds me that I’m back at the old ECW. But with the similarities between these two companies, there are twice as many differences. But one thing is still the same, the King of Old School is going to become the first ever EXODUS Heavyweight Champion.

Now… any questions?

-|| All the reporters start asking their questions and raising their hands as Corino scans the crowd. After what seems to be an eternity, Corino finally picks a reporter. Corino-san. You have previously mentioned that EXODUS reminds you of Extreme Championship Wrestling… do you care to explain your statement? Saying that in Japanese, of course, the translator sitting next to the podium translates the message to Corino. ||-

How EXODUS reminds me of ECW? Mainly the fan base. ECW started out with a core of devoted fans that defended the product until it died, and many fans still defend the promotion to this very day. Right now, I can promise you that there a few core fans here in Japan that are anxious to see what Inoki has to bring to the table. With this press conference, the people here in attendance has the benefit of getting a sneak-peek of some of the talent that Mr. Inoki has signed in the past few weeks to get the ball rolling. I can guarantee you this. If you think this select line-up is a blockbuster, wait a few more days and I can promise you that you won’t be disappointed. Does that answer your question?

-|| The reporter shakes his head yes and Corino starts the frenzy all over again... Question? … only to end it much sooner. Seeing as you are one of the oldest veterans on the roster Corino-san, do you plan on mentoring the younger guys as they seek utopia in the wrestling business? Again, his response is delayed by a few seconds as the translator interprets the message for Corino. ||-

Naturally, but I’m not going to hold their hand through the process. You see, never in my professional career have I took the time out and took a younger guy under my wing… it’s just not me. Instead, when I was in their shoes, I had to teach myself everything that I know! I had to go through the drills, through the pain, through the agony by… my… self. Never did I have a crutch to lean on when I needed help! So why should I be a crutch to these “young superstars?” They’re behind in the learning curve as it is! So why should someone of my caliber stoop down and show these young guys how to get things done?!

You see, the face of professional wrestling has changed since I started wrestling. The presence of gimmicks has always stayed the same, but the attitude of the style of wrestling has changed. I was trained the OLD… SCHOOL… WAY! I was trained to become the greatest technical wrestler of all time. And did I succeed in that goal? You bet your fucking ass I did. Nowadays, these yipper-snappers want to fly all over the ring, and Jack, that just isn’t me. I am old school through and through, and there’s no way to teach the young pups ANYTHING old school unless you kick their ass from pillar to post! Use suplex after suplex… hold after hold… to get the knowledge through their fucking skulls! It isn’t the fact that I don’t like the younger guys… in fact, they’re the future of this business. But when they show up and REFUSE to make themselves better… when they REFUSE the help of us veterans… that’s when I go off. One more question.

-|| Corino takes a drink out of his bottled water as the reporters once again goes into a frenzy wanting to ask the final question. He places the cap back on the bottle as he seeks out the reporters. Finally, he picks a woman to ask the final question. Corino-san, I was just wondering… do you by any chance know who you are facing off against in the first card for the Genesis Gold Series? Again, the interpreter has to translate the message for Corino. He looks over towards Inoki who speaks but one word… Tajiri. After finding out who his opponent is going to be, Corino begins to flip out. ||-

What the hell are you trying to do Simon… fucking kill me?! That crazy Tojo is liable to kick my friggin’ brains out!

-|| The crowd gasps when they hear Corino drop the “T-bomb.” ||-

What? That mother is crazy! Like none of you have ever used the word “gaijin” in a derogatory manner?!

-|| All the reporters agree simultaneously that they have never used ‘gaijin’ in a derogatory sense. ||-

Yeah, like I’m supposed to believe that.

As you can clearly see Mulan, I had no idea who my opponent for this week was… that is, until a few short seconds ago when someone decided that he wants me dead! Stupid motherfucker. But that’s alright. I’d rather find out now than to wait until I showed up at the venue. Because this way, I have more time on my hands to come up with a kick ass plan to advance in the tournament. For you see, every time he goes for that buzzsaw kick of his… all I have to do is be smart… and duck. With that tidbit of information, I’m going to be damn near unstoppable in that match against that Kamikaze fucker!

-|| The reporters on the floor are growing more and more insulted as time goes by. Seeing that this is the perfect opportunity to end the press conference, Corino takes full advantage of ending the damn thing. ||-

Before you all decide to get up and Pearl Harbor me, let me conclude this press conference with a saying of wisdom… actually it’s more of a prophecy… a guarantee. When this tournament is all said and done and over with, you people will have the rightful person at the very top of this organization… and you are looking at him. With every promotion that I went to work with, I held gold of some kind, and EXODUS won’t be any different. Here at EXODUS Pro Wrestling, you all will have the honor… no wait… the PRIVILAGE of seeing the King of Old School sitting in his throne at the very top of this organization! And that my friends is a gura-damn-tee!

-|| Corino folds his opening statement back up before stuffing it into his suit jacket. He takes his reading glasses off before making his way back to his seat at the end of the platform. Inoki says his final words and all the participants of the press conference stands up and leaves the podium. Last of course, is Steve Corino. As he makes his exit, he makes sure he gives the reporter a one finger salute raising hell in the press room. Reporters dart towards the King of Old School but a crew of security guards blocks the reporters from getting close to him. Corino laughs at his action as the scene fades. ||-