Roleplay Number: 03 MLW Record: 01 - 01 - 00 Opponent: 'Your Teacher' Matt Striker vs. Cactus Jack - for the World Heavyweight Title Event: Genesis

The camera picture fades up and we see a large group of journalists and photographers crowded around a small stage and podium. The stage is currently empty and everyone seems to be expecting the arrival of someone important, suddenly a hush comes over the journalists and photographers as Matt Striker steps out from behind a curtain at the corner of the stage. Striker beams from ear to ear as he strides out with the World Heavyweight title over his shoulder. Striker strides over to the podium in the centre of the stage and glances out all those around him.

'YOUR TEACHER' MATT STRIKER: ' Firstly let me thank all of you for attending my very first MLW press conference, and secondly let me thank you in advance for the warm words of congratulations that I am sure you are desperate to bestow upon me. But before you do praise me let's make sure you get plenty of pictures of me and my World Heavyweight title belt. '

Some of the photographers begin to take pictures as Striker steps out from the podium stilling smiling broadly. He's certainly lapping up all the attention and takes his time returning to the podium.

'YOUR TEACHER' MATT STRIKER: ' Don't you find it funny how lat week I lectured you people on the history of warfare... and now I have made history myself by winning the MLW World Heavyweight title. It is undoubtedly an historic achievement. Now I'm sure you'll all agree that what I went through to capture this belt was incredible... not only did I have to beat three other men but I had to do it under the War Games stipulations. I had to battle inside two rings and one massive steel structure with a time limit in effect... there was so much going on that it could confuse an average man... but of course Matt Striker is no average man. Of course I am a hugely intelligent man and that's what shone through last Monday on Underground TV. Yes, it was my intelligence that won me the World Heavyweight title... not my strength, my power or even my dashing good looks. It's my intelligence that sets me apart from the rest of the MLW roster and it's my intelligence that will allow me to hold onto the World Heavyweight title for a long time to come. Now I'm sure you have plenty of questions to put to me but I'm afraid they'll have to wait, I won't be answering any questions today but feel free to address my ever so talented, new personal assistant... Miss Michelle McCool. '

All of a sudden another figure comes out from the edge of the stage, revealing herself to be Michelle McCool. Dressed in a smart and rather formal suit and skirt outfit Michelle makes her way over to Matt Striker's side. Matt Striker stands aside and lets Michelle McCool address the journalists from the podium.

'PERSONAL ASSISTANT' MICHELLE MCCOOL: ' Thank you for such a gracious introduction Matt and I too have a few words to say. I must begin by mentioning what an honour and a privilege it was that you chose me as your personal assistant Matt... it definitely doesn't take a genius like yourself to work out what an opportunity this is. And also, let me assure you that I will carry out all my duties to the highest of standards. With me as your personal assistant I want you to be able to concentrate solely on defending your World Title... I'll take care of all the other business. Business like the way that MLW is currently being run. As Matt Striker is now World Heavyweight champion he deserves to be able to have his say in the running of the company and he most certainly deserves to see these powers that be in person. A man of his stature will not be dictated to by faceless men and women who refuse to reveal their identities. As Matt Striker's personal assistant I will be demanding a meeting, face to face with the powers that be and there better not be anyone that tries to get in my way... and that includes Kimberley Page. I won't stand for any meddling from Ms. Page... she doesn't deserve to have any power in the MLW or anywhere else in the wrestling world and if she thinks she's going to exercise any of her supposed  power against myself and Matt Striker then she had best think again. I will happily brush her aside and take control of MLW myself, because I've got to make sure MLW works in the best interests of Matt Striker. '

Michelle McCool then finishes speaking and allows Matt Striker to return to the podium as she remains standing by the side of the podium. Matt Striker is still smiling as he begins to speak once more.

'YOUR TEACHER' MATT STRIKER: ' As you all can see I've made a very fine appointment, even if I do say so myself. With my new personal assistant Michelle McCool taking care of all my business matters I can concentrate on defending my title and winning my matches. That's never exactly a tough task... but this week at Genesis it'll be even simpler than usual. You see I'm facing Cactus Jack...an insane, deluded old man who's had every tiny bit of talent knocked out of his body. How exactly is he supposed to be a challenge for me? After all it's not a hardcore match, Cactus can't get by just swinging a chair around or by bringing out the thumbtacks, he'll have to do like it should be done... one on one in a straight, by the book, singles match. Yes, unfortunately for Cactus Jack he will have to compete in wrestling in it's purest form. Given that the man doesn't know a single technical hold or old school wrestling move then I'm expecting that our match should be rather comical... maybe not for Cactus Jack, but most assuredly I'll be laughing. Now personally I could sit back and watch old Cactus tangle himself up in the ropes but I actually have a grudge to bear with the man. You see he stands for everything that is wrong with the wrestling business today... he stands for hardcore, extreme, back-yard wrestling... and that simply disgusts me. For one to even claim that Cactus Jack is a wrestler is to spit in the face of men like Harley Race, Ricky Steamboat and Dusty Rhodes... those men were wrestlers... Cactus Jack is a sideshow act, to quote another real wrestler Ric Flair, the man is a "glorified stuntman". To simply categorise him beside other great wrestlers, including myself is an insult. The man has tarnished the name of our sport and I can't help but think that the men who founded our sport, those Greco-Roman athletes must be turning in their graves. They aimed to create an unadulterated and pure athletic contest which pits one man against the other... they didn't for one second contemplate the use of weapons... it would make them sick. Cactus Jack truly makes a mockery of wrestling and he can't be allowed to do that in MLW. '

Matt Striker shakes his head pausing as Michelle McCool shakes her head in unison. Matt Striker composes himself before resuming his speech.

'YOUR TEACHER' MATT STRIKER: ' You know one of the things that sickens me the most about Cactus Jack is that he tricks others into following him... he encourages others to be just as hardcore as he is and that has a negative effect on our whole business. People enter this business seeing what he's done and they want to emulate it, they want to copy him... sooner or later you get enough of those people together and then you end up with things like ECW and CZW promoting and showcasing the revolting work of Cactus Jack and his followers. Being a school teacher I've even heard the kids dreaming of growing up to be wrestlers, and who do they want to be like, is it one of the many legends of the sport or even their own teacher... no, it's some twisted, out of shape stuntman named Cactus Jack. I can't take listening to any more of that... Cactus Jack needs to step away from the ring, he's done enough damage already. Now if he isn't willing to step away from the ring out of his own choice then I'll see to it that he's never able to enter a ring again. At Genesis I get to fight for against Cactus Jack and hardcore, extreme wrestling and I assure you that I will come out on top. I will force Cactus Jack to hang up his boots and retire... he'll be forced to rusticate and secede from wrestling... and if you don't know these words Look them Up! After Genesis there is absolutely no question that the World Heavyweight Title will remain in the possession of Your Teacher... Matt Striker! '

Striker moves away from the podium as the journalists in attendance begin to bark questions at him. Striker simply walks off as Michelle McCool deals with them.

'PERSONAL ASSISTANT' MICHELLE MCCOOL: ' There will be no questions for Matt Striker today... you'll just have to wait to see him again at Genesis when he retains his title and humiliates Cactus Jack! '

Michelle McCool grins in a way similar to Matt Striker as she trots off the stage following after him.

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Taught a Lesson: Val Venis [x1] - King Booker [x1] - Steven Richards [x1] - Cactus Jack [?].