EXCLUSIVE AFTER MATCH INTERVIEW WITH ANTHONY MARTIN

[Anthony Martin]

Inside the locker room, we find Anthony Martin sitting alone on a bench after the main event of Night of Turmoil. He’s removing his wrist tape, visibly upset, with a look of disappointment and frustration. He then starts undoing the knee brace on his left knee, a result of the attack from his former friend, Paul Harris, at Summercide. 

He doesn’t even notice Stacy Clark enter the room as she quietly sits beside him and begins to speak. 

Stacy: Anthony, if we can get a quick word with you? Can you possibly tell us how you’re feeling after your match tonight and losing your North American Championship? 

Anthony Martin, still fiddling with his knee brace, hesitates for a moment but continues to get undressed. He begins speaking without looking directly at Stacy. 

AM: Are you familiar with the phrase “the sins of the past come home to find you,” Stacy? Hm? ’Cause that’s what happened at Summercide. My past finally caught up with me. I might’ve won the match against Paul Harris, but I lost way more than that in the process. I knew one day it would come… but I never would’ve guessed it’d be like this. 

Martin pauses, clearly still shaken by the events of Summercide. 

AM: Paul wasn’t just my friend, he was like a brother to me. And he decided to throw it all away. For what? Anger? Jealousy? I never even wanted the match to begin with. I wanted us to work things out, to move forward. I wanted The Pivot to regain those tag team titles. But I guess Thomas Archer took care of all that. If Paul wanted to hurt me… he succeeded. The doctors said I should’ve relinquished the NA title. 

Martin finally turns and acknowledges Stacy. 

AM: I wasn’t going to give Paul the satisfaction. I wasn’t going out like that. I knew this wasn’t going to be easy. Everyone knows how dangerous Bash is. I’m not making excuses. He won. Plain and simple. And I own that. 

Stacy: So what’s next for you? Where does Anthony Martin go from here? 

Martin: Home. I’m going to get my mind and body right. Heal this knee like the doctors ordered. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’d like to finish changing. 

Stacy Clark: Of course. Thank you for your time.