Post by ajknight on Sept 10, 2018 16:29:04 GMT -5
Seated in the studio across from each other are Solomon Bentley and former World's Heavyweight Champion AJ Knight.
"Ladies and gentlemen I am joined here tonight by AJ Knight. It's been a while since we've seen you here in Max Japan, how does it feel to be back?"
"Honestly, it's nice coming back here. The last month or so has been rough for me so it's good to get back on my feet. As somebody who's advocated for a strong relationship between Lion's Road and Max Japan it does make me happy to come entertain these fans here in Japan."
"Now obviously that view of yours has made you quite a few enemies both in Max Japan and in Lion's Road."
"To be fair that's the stance that's probably caused me the least trouble. The Demon Brigade and The WALL both hate my guts, but Demon Brigade just hates anyone who's not Japanese, and the WALL is opposed to me in general, so that's just one facet. The irony is that as much as they hate each other the two groups are exactly the same."
"Interesting that you bring that up because you will be representing Lion's Road alongside The WALL-"
AJ raises his hand cutting off Solomon.
"No, I'm not. Where the WALL's concerned I'll be the only one representing Lion's Road. They talk a good game about representing Lion's Road, but in execution they've proven time and again they're full of shit. See when I started talking about Lion's Road and my desire to elevate the belt, I put my money where my mouth is came over here and defended the belt. When I talk up Lion's Road as my home, and I take actions to elevate it, I prove my words and do my damndest to represent the best of what Lion's Road stands for. Now I don't always succeed, but I give my everything to do so."
"So then the Demon Brigade is the same in your eyes?"
AJ shrugs.
"With one notable exception. See Tokyo Zombie? I actually really like him, I respect him, he really does represent all the best parts of Japanese culture. Fighting spirit, hard work, honor, discipline. I think the match with him is the one that excites me the most, not just because he beat me last time, but because stylistically it's just very interesting. He's one tough son of a bitch, but then so am I. I don't know what to expect, could be a tactical duel, could be a war of attrition, but for sure it will be a treat."
"You've been uncharacteristically quiet since losing the World's Title to Matt Pulver. Rumor has it that you've been training at the Fujiyama dojo, what's that been like?"
AJ chuckles.
"Fujiyama Sensei prefers that his training methods are not discussed publicly, but I can tell you this, the big focus has been on preparing me for my World Championship rematch. While a lot of it has been intensely physical, a lot of it has been focused on getting mentally into shape. Last time against Pulver, I got into my own head and it cost me everything. In some ways I guess this tour is a bit of a tune up for that match. It's a wide variety of opponents, styles and challenges that I'll be facing down, so I think it will be a good way of preparing for that. But before I can honestly say I'm ready there's one match I need to have. One person I need to beat."
AJ faces the camera.
"And that's you Matt Pulver! See Matt last time we fought you beat me. You beat me bad, you beat me on every level. You beat me at my own game. So I need to know Matt, I need to know that I can beat you. Before I can worry about Troy, before I can worry about Billy, I need to beat you! So Sano-San, make this happen! Matt, let's do this!"
Bentley nods.
"Well there you have it fans. AJ is a man on a mission. Thank you for your time, we look forward to seeing you on this tour."
The shot fades out on AJ staring intently in the camera still.
"Ladies and gentlemen I am joined here tonight by AJ Knight. It's been a while since we've seen you here in Max Japan, how does it feel to be back?"
"Honestly, it's nice coming back here. The last month or so has been rough for me so it's good to get back on my feet. As somebody who's advocated for a strong relationship between Lion's Road and Max Japan it does make me happy to come entertain these fans here in Japan."
"Now obviously that view of yours has made you quite a few enemies both in Max Japan and in Lion's Road."
"To be fair that's the stance that's probably caused me the least trouble. The Demon Brigade and The WALL both hate my guts, but Demon Brigade just hates anyone who's not Japanese, and the WALL is opposed to me in general, so that's just one facet. The irony is that as much as they hate each other the two groups are exactly the same."
"Interesting that you bring that up because you will be representing Lion's Road alongside The WALL-"
AJ raises his hand cutting off Solomon.
"No, I'm not. Where the WALL's concerned I'll be the only one representing Lion's Road. They talk a good game about representing Lion's Road, but in execution they've proven time and again they're full of shit. See when I started talking about Lion's Road and my desire to elevate the belt, I put my money where my mouth is came over here and defended the belt. When I talk up Lion's Road as my home, and I take actions to elevate it, I prove my words and do my damndest to represent the best of what Lion's Road stands for. Now I don't always succeed, but I give my everything to do so."
"So then the Demon Brigade is the same in your eyes?"
AJ shrugs.
"With one notable exception. See Tokyo Zombie? I actually really like him, I respect him, he really does represent all the best parts of Japanese culture. Fighting spirit, hard work, honor, discipline. I think the match with him is the one that excites me the most, not just because he beat me last time, but because stylistically it's just very interesting. He's one tough son of a bitch, but then so am I. I don't know what to expect, could be a tactical duel, could be a war of attrition, but for sure it will be a treat."
"You've been uncharacteristically quiet since losing the World's Title to Matt Pulver. Rumor has it that you've been training at the Fujiyama dojo, what's that been like?"
AJ chuckles.
"Fujiyama Sensei prefers that his training methods are not discussed publicly, but I can tell you this, the big focus has been on preparing me for my World Championship rematch. While a lot of it has been intensely physical, a lot of it has been focused on getting mentally into shape. Last time against Pulver, I got into my own head and it cost me everything. In some ways I guess this tour is a bit of a tune up for that match. It's a wide variety of opponents, styles and challenges that I'll be facing down, so I think it will be a good way of preparing for that. But before I can honestly say I'm ready there's one match I need to have. One person I need to beat."
AJ faces the camera.
"And that's you Matt Pulver! See Matt last time we fought you beat me. You beat me bad, you beat me on every level. You beat me at my own game. So I need to know Matt, I need to know that I can beat you. Before I can worry about Troy, before I can worry about Billy, I need to beat you! So Sano-San, make this happen! Matt, let's do this!"
Bentley nods.
"Well there you have it fans. AJ is a man on a mission. Thank you for your time, we look forward to seeing you on this tour."
The shot fades out on AJ staring intently in the camera still.