[NPW.com] Heart of Halifax presser with Jay Stevens!
Feb 25, 2022 20:38:08 GMT -5
BRAVE1, Dusty Griffith, and 1 more like this
Post by Jay Stevens on Feb 25, 2022 20:38:08 GMT -5
Gus Arnold stands at the podium in the media room of the Scotiabank Center following the epic "Heart of Halifax" event that saw Jay Stevens make history and become the fourth man to win the NPW Cruiserweight Cup.
Gus gets the attention of the gathered reporters and then begins his introduction.
Gus Arnold: Ladies and gentlemen, it is my privilege to introduce the twenty twenty-two Northern Pro Wrestling Cruiserweight Cup winner and the next challenger for the CWA World Heavyweight Championship… Jay Stevens!
Jay enters the room to a hero's welcome. He holds the Cruiserweight Cup high as he enters, presenting it proudly to the room. He places the trophy on the table and takes a seat. The questions begin.
"Jay, first off, congratulations on your victory. How does it feel to finally have that Cruiserweight Cup victory you've been seeking?"
Jay looks to the Cup and smiles.
Stevens: This is, so far, the greatest night of my life. To be able to go into that ring and do what I do best, to show the world that I am the best… there is no greater feeling. It's even better than I could have imagined.
"You faced off against Xiaolong and Eddie Havok tonight, two men you've faced before, was there anything that surprised you about their performances?"
Stevens: Neither man surprised me because I knew they would both step their game up, I don't think they realized I would step mine up too. Xiaolong was better than the last time we squared off, he was a bit slicker and he was hungrier. I could feel it when he was chopping the shit out of me in there, he meant that and he wanted the win.
"And Eddie Havok?"
Stevens: Eddie Havok showed me that he's the real deal. I feel like I got the best Eddie Havok tonight. He was far better than before, more prepared. I think we both brought out the best of one another, I was just able to dig a little bit deeper and show that no matter how much he wanted it, I wanted it that much more.
"When Gus Arnold presented the trophy to you, why choose that moment to 'call your shot' for the CWA World Championship, currently held by Chris Card? Was this a spur of the moment decision or is this something you've been considering?"
Stevens: It wasn't really a choice I made. I was standing there with the Cruiserweight Cup finally in my hands, and all I could see was the path ahead.
Jay pauses, searching for the words to define the moment.
Stevens: I stood there and it was almost like a moment of divinity. I achieved the goal that had eluded me, what I felt was the peak of my career and, not to take anything away from my victory tonight, because it is sweet…
He looks to the Cup again, seeing his reflection.
Stevens: But once I reached that apex, the skies were clear and for the first time I found the World Heavyweight Championship in my view.
"So this wasn't something you've been planning?"
Stevens: I made it clear when I issued the challenge that I have always dreamed of being the World Champion. But I needed to make sure it was the only thing I was focused on and once this Cup was in my hands, the weight of the past lifted and I realized that I am ready.
"Jay, this is your first opportunity to become World Champion and you have a formidable opponent in front of you. Your father and uncle are both former World Champions, your teammate is also a former World Champion. What kind of pressure do you feel to live up to the accolades of your family?"
Jay sits straight up, squaring his shoulders and with a determined look on his face.
Stevens: Most people would buckle under the pressure but I've been preparing for this my entire life. It's hard not to want to live up to my father, to my uncle, to Team Danger and the legacy. But I don't feel the pressure to measure up to them, I'm not competing with them. I'm carving out my own place in that history and building upon the foundation that they built.
He takes a deep breath and lets out a long sigh of resolve.
Stevens: But it's on me to do it. Stephen Greer, Tyrone Walker, Dusty Griffith… they're not going to be there in the ring with me when I face Chris Card. Not physically, at least.
But their history and their teachings that led them to great success? Those are with me always and will lead me to the World Championship.
“So, with your future set. How about the here and now. What does Jay Stevens do after finally winning the big one?”
Stevens: I'm going to celebrate. We all deserve to enjoy this moment that we've spent three long years working toward. I plan to grab a beer or three with Dusty, Nicole plans to drink anything she can fit into the Cup itself and then, once the headaches fade, I'm going to get back to work.
The next time I walk into this room after a match, I will be the Continental Wrestling Alliance World Heavyweight Champion.
Thank you everyone.
Jay stands and picks up the Cruiserweight Cup, displaying it proudly against his chest. Gus Arnold returns to the dais and shakes Jay's hand, the two briefly pausing for pictures before Jay exits, thanking the gathered media on his way out.
Gus gets the attention of the gathered reporters and then begins his introduction.
Gus Arnold: Ladies and gentlemen, it is my privilege to introduce the twenty twenty-two Northern Pro Wrestling Cruiserweight Cup winner and the next challenger for the CWA World Heavyweight Championship… Jay Stevens!
Jay enters the room to a hero's welcome. He holds the Cruiserweight Cup high as he enters, presenting it proudly to the room. He places the trophy on the table and takes a seat. The questions begin.
"Jay, first off, congratulations on your victory. How does it feel to finally have that Cruiserweight Cup victory you've been seeking?"
Jay looks to the Cup and smiles.
Stevens: This is, so far, the greatest night of my life. To be able to go into that ring and do what I do best, to show the world that I am the best… there is no greater feeling. It's even better than I could have imagined.
"You faced off against Xiaolong and Eddie Havok tonight, two men you've faced before, was there anything that surprised you about their performances?"
Stevens: Neither man surprised me because I knew they would both step their game up, I don't think they realized I would step mine up too. Xiaolong was better than the last time we squared off, he was a bit slicker and he was hungrier. I could feel it when he was chopping the shit out of me in there, he meant that and he wanted the win.
"And Eddie Havok?"
Stevens: Eddie Havok showed me that he's the real deal. I feel like I got the best Eddie Havok tonight. He was far better than before, more prepared. I think we both brought out the best of one another, I was just able to dig a little bit deeper and show that no matter how much he wanted it, I wanted it that much more.
"When Gus Arnold presented the trophy to you, why choose that moment to 'call your shot' for the CWA World Championship, currently held by Chris Card? Was this a spur of the moment decision or is this something you've been considering?"
Stevens: It wasn't really a choice I made. I was standing there with the Cruiserweight Cup finally in my hands, and all I could see was the path ahead.
Jay pauses, searching for the words to define the moment.
Stevens: I stood there and it was almost like a moment of divinity. I achieved the goal that had eluded me, what I felt was the peak of my career and, not to take anything away from my victory tonight, because it is sweet…
He looks to the Cup again, seeing his reflection.
Stevens: But once I reached that apex, the skies were clear and for the first time I found the World Heavyweight Championship in my view.
"So this wasn't something you've been planning?"
Stevens: I made it clear when I issued the challenge that I have always dreamed of being the World Champion. But I needed to make sure it was the only thing I was focused on and once this Cup was in my hands, the weight of the past lifted and I realized that I am ready.
"Jay, this is your first opportunity to become World Champion and you have a formidable opponent in front of you. Your father and uncle are both former World Champions, your teammate is also a former World Champion. What kind of pressure do you feel to live up to the accolades of your family?"
Jay sits straight up, squaring his shoulders and with a determined look on his face.
Stevens: Most people would buckle under the pressure but I've been preparing for this my entire life. It's hard not to want to live up to my father, to my uncle, to Team Danger and the legacy. But I don't feel the pressure to measure up to them, I'm not competing with them. I'm carving out my own place in that history and building upon the foundation that they built.
He takes a deep breath and lets out a long sigh of resolve.
Stevens: But it's on me to do it. Stephen Greer, Tyrone Walker, Dusty Griffith… they're not going to be there in the ring with me when I face Chris Card. Not physically, at least.
But their history and their teachings that led them to great success? Those are with me always and will lead me to the World Championship.
“So, with your future set. How about the here and now. What does Jay Stevens do after finally winning the big one?”
Stevens: I'm going to celebrate. We all deserve to enjoy this moment that we've spent three long years working toward. I plan to grab a beer or three with Dusty, Nicole plans to drink anything she can fit into the Cup itself and then, once the headaches fade, I'm going to get back to work.
The next time I walk into this room after a match, I will be the Continental Wrestling Alliance World Heavyweight Champion.
Thank you everyone.
Jay stands and picks up the Cruiserweight Cup, displaying it proudly against his chest. Gus Arnold returns to the dais and shakes Jay's hand, the two briefly pausing for pictures before Jay exits, thanking the gathered media on his way out.
