SFU Press Conference: "Not retirement, refocus"
Jan 23, 2020 8:31:49 GMT -5
Post by October Raven on Jan 23, 2020 8:31:49 GMT -5
::Corey O'Brian was standing behind a podium, with a banner reading "SOUTH FLORIDA UNITED: FLORIDA INVITATIONAL TAG TOURNAMENT" behind him.::
Corey O'Brian: Before we go onto the weigh-ins and drawings for the tournament, a couple announcements and I'll take a few questions. First, announcing the teams for the tournament; Representing Magic City Wrestling, former MCW Tag Team Champions The Working Stiffs and current champions Raiders of the Wasteland. Representing Proving Ground Pro Wrestling, former champion teams Plane Shift and Down Right Fierce. Representing Amazon-1, the new team of Ruthless Ruth Sampson and Sandra Lavender. Representing DRAGONSUPLEX Dojo, Matthew Turtle and Ryan 0. And my personal wildcard invitations, the superteam of Scott Saphyre and Michael Ferrum and the recently registered team of Robert Garavito and Mongo. There will also be a non-tournament match between The Ninth Legion and CHICKEN CLUB, with the right to decide stipulation for a future singles match between William King and current PGCW Openweight Champion Alex Kelley. Now, I'll open the floor to questions.
::Corey picks out a reporter, who stands up.::
Reporter 1: Joe Joseph with Wrestling Bystander. At the UBL Catalyst show, you didn't come to the defense of Arthur Wingate when Gauntlet Security attacked. Why was that?
Corey: I was hoping to take questions about South Florida United, but I've been asked this quite a bit. There were two reasons why I didn't get involved. The first being that DESTINY and Gauntlet Security are no longer threats to me, my family including Xander Starr, and my dojo. As I have told people in the past, there are people who need to stay out of invasions like theirs so that there's still a company left when it's over. There's a military axiom, 'those also serve who stand watch'. What that means is that one does not need to be directly involved in conflict to be serving a cause. In my case, I'm serving the UBL cause by not getting involved in the battle with DESTINY and focusing on maintaining a strong culture of competition outside of the DESTINY conflict. The second reason... my father had a health scare, thankfully nothing serious, but given that I wasn't scheduled and was already aware of Sir Wingate's announcement, I chose to stay in Florida in case I needed to take care of my family.
Reporter 2: Ruger Bodega, Art of Grappling Podcast. Any thoughts on Kurt Sanders' actions toward Alicia Gordon?
Corey: Sanders didn't just disrespect Alicia Gordon with his antics, he disrespected the entire company. I am pleased to hear that he will be facing Alicia Gordon in the tournament, because there's no more justice fitting than the target of his disgraceful sexism kicking his face in. I can think of no other person than Alicia Gordon to be the face of barrier-free competition.
Bodega: Follow up question, is there anyone you do want to face in the tournament?
Corey: Was really not looking to talk about... it's okay. While I would rather leave it up to Sir Wingate, I would be remiss if I didn't mention that Joachim and I never did get a true one on one confrontation. Other than that, well, everyone knows who my bucket list competition is.
Reporter 3: Lando Ford, SuchCulture Wrestling. Isn't 42 a little young to consider retirement?
Corey: I thought I made it clear before, but my decision to step away from championship hunts after what is now the Infinite Continuum title situation has been resolved is in no way a retirement, or preparation for retirement. But as I stated during that announcement, my body is breaking down. I can't say for sure if I'm not in my prime anymore, but if I'm not in decline now, if I keep going as I am, I will be. It's my hope that in becoming more of a special attraction in UBL as well as a reduced schedule, I can at least slow my decline, or maybe even get healthier. Not retirement, refocus. I intend to be in the ring for as long as I can physically do so.
Lando: And you say that, but you're facing top level talent in DRAGONSUPLEX Dojo, namely Chris DaMico, one of the few people to have beaten you by submission, during your prime.
Corey: I've been wanting that rematch for years. But regardless, DaMico is exactly the kind of competition I need to stay sharp for the Infinite Continuum. If I can avenge my loss to him, that's going to be a good omen for my chances in the league, especially against technicians like him. And should he beat me well... I have no intention of withdrawing from the league tournament, but I'll need to re-evaluate my preparations for it. Now, I do apologize, but we are running short on time, so I'm going to leave it to our weigh-in crew. Goodnight.
Corey O'Brian: Before we go onto the weigh-ins and drawings for the tournament, a couple announcements and I'll take a few questions. First, announcing the teams for the tournament; Representing Magic City Wrestling, former MCW Tag Team Champions The Working Stiffs and current champions Raiders of the Wasteland. Representing Proving Ground Pro Wrestling, former champion teams Plane Shift and Down Right Fierce. Representing Amazon-1, the new team of Ruthless Ruth Sampson and Sandra Lavender. Representing DRAGONSUPLEX Dojo, Matthew Turtle and Ryan 0. And my personal wildcard invitations, the superteam of Scott Saphyre and Michael Ferrum and the recently registered team of Robert Garavito and Mongo. There will also be a non-tournament match between The Ninth Legion and CHICKEN CLUB, with the right to decide stipulation for a future singles match between William King and current PGCW Openweight Champion Alex Kelley. Now, I'll open the floor to questions.
::Corey picks out a reporter, who stands up.::
Reporter 1: Joe Joseph with Wrestling Bystander. At the UBL Catalyst show, you didn't come to the defense of Arthur Wingate when Gauntlet Security attacked. Why was that?
Corey: I was hoping to take questions about South Florida United, but I've been asked this quite a bit. There were two reasons why I didn't get involved. The first being that DESTINY and Gauntlet Security are no longer threats to me, my family including Xander Starr, and my dojo. As I have told people in the past, there are people who need to stay out of invasions like theirs so that there's still a company left when it's over. There's a military axiom, 'those also serve who stand watch'. What that means is that one does not need to be directly involved in conflict to be serving a cause. In my case, I'm serving the UBL cause by not getting involved in the battle with DESTINY and focusing on maintaining a strong culture of competition outside of the DESTINY conflict. The second reason... my father had a health scare, thankfully nothing serious, but given that I wasn't scheduled and was already aware of Sir Wingate's announcement, I chose to stay in Florida in case I needed to take care of my family.
Reporter 2: Ruger Bodega, Art of Grappling Podcast. Any thoughts on Kurt Sanders' actions toward Alicia Gordon?
Corey: Sanders didn't just disrespect Alicia Gordon with his antics, he disrespected the entire company. I am pleased to hear that he will be facing Alicia Gordon in the tournament, because there's no more justice fitting than the target of his disgraceful sexism kicking his face in. I can think of no other person than Alicia Gordon to be the face of barrier-free competition.
Bodega: Follow up question, is there anyone you do want to face in the tournament?
Corey: Was really not looking to talk about... it's okay. While I would rather leave it up to Sir Wingate, I would be remiss if I didn't mention that Joachim and I never did get a true one on one confrontation. Other than that, well, everyone knows who my bucket list competition is.
Reporter 3: Lando Ford, SuchCulture Wrestling. Isn't 42 a little young to consider retirement?
Corey: I thought I made it clear before, but my decision to step away from championship hunts after what is now the Infinite Continuum title situation has been resolved is in no way a retirement, or preparation for retirement. But as I stated during that announcement, my body is breaking down. I can't say for sure if I'm not in my prime anymore, but if I'm not in decline now, if I keep going as I am, I will be. It's my hope that in becoming more of a special attraction in UBL as well as a reduced schedule, I can at least slow my decline, or maybe even get healthier. Not retirement, refocus. I intend to be in the ring for as long as I can physically do so.
Lando: And you say that, but you're facing top level talent in DRAGONSUPLEX Dojo, namely Chris DaMico, one of the few people to have beaten you by submission, during your prime.
Corey: I've been wanting that rematch for years. But regardless, DaMico is exactly the kind of competition I need to stay sharp for the Infinite Continuum. If I can avenge my loss to him, that's going to be a good omen for my chances in the league, especially against technicians like him. And should he beat me well... I have no intention of withdrawing from the league tournament, but I'll need to re-evaluate my preparations for it. Now, I do apologize, but we are running short on time, so I'm going to leave it to our weigh-in crew. Goodnight.