Veteran backstage interviewer Steve Blaine is standing by with the Global Champion, “The Legend” Sean Darring. There’s a warm familiarity in the air as the old friends share a laugh and smile together before the interview. But as the camera starts rolling, the mood shifts; they know it’s time to get down to business. Steve Blaine starts the interview with a professional aplomb.
“Ladies and gentlemen, our champion—’The Legend’ Sean Darring. Sean, tonight you face possibly your toughest challenge yet. You’re defending your Global Championship against not just one, but two opponents, who are also tag team partners. How do you plan to handle not just one Prime Time Athlete, but both?”
Sean Darring nods appreciatively but starts with a different note. “Before we dive into that, I want to acknowledge how great it is to be back here with you, Steve Blaine. It’s an honor to stand beside such a professional. Like all of us warriors in the ring, you didn’t let setbacks keep you down. Here you are, standing tall and ready to do what you do best. I’m proud to call you a friend.”
Steve Blaine, slightly uneasy shifting the focus to himself, responds with gratitude. “Thank you, Sean. That’s very kind of you to say.”
The Legend, acknowledging Steve’s professionalism, swiftly transitions back to the topic at hand. “As for the Prime Time Athletes, it’s not going to be easy tonight. We’re under Triangle Match rules, so only one of them can be legal in the ring at any time, but we know these guys well. They’ll come with every trick in the book and look to break every rule they can. I need to be ready for anything and everything. But one thing’s for sure—I’m not about to let either of those punks take this championship,” he says, gesturing to the gleaming belt around his waist.
Steve Blaine, absorbing the champion’s determination, follows up with another pointed question. “Not many in Global can claim they’ve defeated Sean Darring. Yet, the Prime Time Athletes have done so twice. How do you respond to their claims?”
The Legend smirks slightly before answering. “Steve, being beaten isn’t a novelty in my career; I’ve been defeated before, and that’s all right. The record books might count victories and defeats, but what really matters is the impact you leave on this business. Did you make it better than when you entered? The Prime Time Athletes might have beaten me in tag team matches, where the dynamics and stakes were different. Tonight’s stakes are unlike any other. If Jimmy Classic or Trae Larkin wants this championship title, they’ll need to bring more than they’ve ever brought before because I’m not lying down for anyone, let alone for three seconds.”
Steve Blaine nods in agreement with Sean Darring’s resolve and playfully prods, “I mean, can you even imagine one of those two with that title around their waist? Would we ever hear the end of it?”
Sean Darring shakes his head, humor lighting up his expression as he laughs. “Please, don’t scare us like that. When it comes to those two, ‘Prime Time’ is more like ‘Intolerable Time.’ Thankfully, they’ve got to get through me to take this title. And that isn’t going to happen. There’s no way I’m letting either one of them become the focal point of Global. We’ve all worked too hard to let that happen. You have my word, the only way Global becomes ‘Prime Time’ is over my incapacitated body.”
Steve, understanding the gravity of the situation, shifts the conversation to a more serious note. “Well, speaking of being incapacitated, we have to address the elephant in the room, Sean. The last time you faced the Prime Time Athletes, they left you unconscious in the ring, bloodied by that crowbar. Earlier tonight, they made it clear they plan to bring that same weapon to ringside.”
Sean rubs his forehead, his fingers tracing the scars left from that night, reflecting on the ordeal before responding. “Professional wrestling is a dangerous sport. Every time you step into the ring, anything can happen—and usually does. After Domination, I ended up in the ER with stitches and a prescription for pain medication, all thanks to the ‘message’ the Prime Time Athletes decided to send. They had a plan to hurt me before End Game, and they succeeded. But they made one mistake—they left me standing, they left me breathing. And if there’s one thing everyone should know about me—it’s that I don’t fall for the same trick twice. Tonight, I have a plan. If they want to bring that crowbar into play, I’m ready for it. I have my own ‘crowbar’ of a plan waiting for the Prime Time Athletes, and let’s just say—they won’t like it one bit.”
Intrigued, Steve Blaine leans in, his curiosity piqued. “Can you give us any hints about your plan?”
Steve Blaine nods, clearly intrigued by Sean Darring’s confidence. “I can’t wait to see the surprise. Do you have any last words for the Prime Time Athletes?”
Sean Darring carefully unhooks the Global Championship title from his waist and lifts it into view, it’s gold gleaming under the backstage lights. “End Game, everyone thinks it’s a fitting name for whatever agenda they hold. For me, it’s just another night here in Global where the stakes are at their highest and I have the honor and duty to defend this title once more. Jimmy Classic and Trae Larkin want to claim tonight will be the start of a new era—the Prime Time Era. But I won’t let that happen. The wrestlers in the back, the staff, the board, and the fans have all worked too hard to build this great company, and we aren’t about to let two loudmouths come and rain on our parade and cheat their way to the top. Not tonight, not on my watch. So you want to talk about Prime Time, boys? You want to talk about champions? Champions come and go… Legends last forever.”
With his signature phrase delivered, Sean Darring winks at the camera, his gesture sending a clear, final message.