[Recently long time theNCW.com reporter Scoops McGinty was removed from her position. Prior to her termination she conducted a final interview with NCW Commissioner “Dastardly” Doug Summers. Like many interviews, this one was conducted in real time and recorded to later be edited and converted to print. However this interview was never supposed to see the light of day. We at theNCW.com have obtained the original audio recording and have chosen to print it in its entirety, unedited and uncensored. –The Editor]
SCOOPS McGINTY: Why did you want the title off of JT Dunn?
DOUG SUMMERS: Wow, you’re just jumping right into things here, huh? [laughing] No like, “Hello Emperor, thanks for the interview?” Nothing?
SCOOPS McGINTY: We just did that five minutes ago… before I started recording.
DS: Yeah but we… I thought the interview started out uh… I haven’t been interviewed many times and um… well… you didn’t call me “Emperor.”
SCOOPS: Would you like people to call you “Emperor?”
DS: Yeah!
SCOOPS: Why?
DS: Scoops, you’re just a kid so you might not understand. I’m trying to change the way people think around here. These great wrestlers we have here, I want them to feel like they’re a part of something, not just a wrestling company but a wrestling EMPIRE! Boom, everyone’s self esteem goes up, everyone’s happier, the matches get better and better, more and more people come out to see it and we make more money!
SCOOPS: Is that the real reason?
DS: Yes! Why? What else could it be?
SCOOPS: Do you want my honest opinion?
DS: Yes, of course. I value the opinions of all of my employees.
SCOOPS: I think that it’s purely a move to boost your own ego. I think you’re a very insecure man and having people address you as “Emperor” makes you feel better about yourself.
DS: [silence] …
SCOOPS: Also, we are not your employees. You are the commissioner, you enforce the rules but no one here actually works for you. You don’t pay anyone’s salaries.
DS: That’s not true! I pay Rocco Abruzzi’s salary!
SCOOPS: You do?
DS: Yes!
SCOOPS: So either there is a wrestler on the active NCW roster who is being paid by an entity that is not the NCW ownership group, which in turn would mean he’s not actually an employee of NCW and shouldn’t be wrestling or you are giving Rocco Abruzzi a second salary, out of your own pocket?
DS: Wow, hey! So when is this interview going to start? [nervous laughter] I believe you asked me something about JT Dunn?
SCOOPS: Yes, I did. Why did you take the championship off of JT Dunn?
DS: I didn’t take the title from him. Scotty Vegas did that.
SCOOPS: Yes our new champion won after he and JT wrestled the match of their lives, on a technicality in the rule books that’s less than a year old and should have been rescinded after the match it was put into effect for was over.
DS: How is that my fault? Is that my job to go through the rule book and make sure every little rule is “correct”?
SCOOPS: Yes, I believe that is a part of your job.
DS: Well I’m going to have to check the books on that because it sounds wrong to me. Look, the point is, JT fought a hell of a match sure but at the end Vegas ended up winning. Sometimes guys win by disqualification, sometimes they win by count-out. It happens. If I had my way titles would change hands simply by who the winner is and who the loser is all the time. I don’t understand you people! I’ve been getting this question non-stop since it happened! Doesn’t anyone care we have our first ever triple crown champion! That’s HUGE! THAT’S the story here! Doesn’t anyone want to talk about that!?
SCOOPS: All right, let’s talk about that. How does it feel to see Scotty Vegas win the triple crown?
DS: It’s great! Fantastic!
SCOOPS: Really? After you spent the last couple of years chasing that same goal? I must say that shows real maturity and I am impressed. I can’t imagine how I would feel, after dedicating years of my life, coming as close as you did and then having it all slip through your fingers only to see one of your contemporaries, one of your professional rivals achieve that same goal. But you are not only handling this well but are enthusiastic about it, I’ll say it again Commissioner, I am impressed.
DS: [silence] …
SCOOPS: Commissioner?
DS: Wha? Yes. Thank you… Excuse me for a moment.
[At this point in the audio you can hear what sounds like someone walking away from the microphone, opening and closing a door followed by several minutes of unintelligible shouting, banging and crashing- Ed.)
DS: Let’s continue. Next question.
SCOOPS: Scotty Vegas is a great wrestler and competitor, there’s no doubt about that, but what do you say to the fact that since he became NCW champion he hasn’t defended his title, and in fact not been present, at the last two NCW events?
DS: He’s a busy guy.
SCOOPS: Would you show the same consideration if say, JT Dunn was still the champion? Or someone else you don’t get along as well with like a Ruy Batello or Davey Loomis?
DS: That’s a hypothetical question, and I don’t answer those.
SCOOPS: But…
DS: Next question.
SCOOPS: Do you have it in for Steve “The Turtle” Weiner? You’ve warned him twice now that he was on the verge of losing his job and you’re making the poor guy miserable thinking his head is on the chopping block. Don’t you think that’s a cruel way to treat one of your close friends?
DS: Former close friend. In my job as Emperor–
SCOOPS: Commissioner–
DS: Whatever, in my job I can’t play favorites. If Steve continues to break rules he’ll be treated the same as any other wrestler would in that situation.
SCOOPS: The fans love Steve Weiner, don’t you fear their reaction if he was to lose his job?
DS: No, the fans will find new wrestlers to love. Like me for instance!
SCOOPS: I’m sure. It’s been highly publicized that the next event on NCW’s calendar Friday August 2 in Norwood Massachusetts has been dubbed “Summers Slam”. Don’t you think it’s a bit egomaniacal to name a wrestling event after yourself?
DS: Not at all, it’s a proud wrestling tradition. I’m sure Joe Starrcade got this same question all the time.
SCOOPS: I don’t think that’s a real person…
DS: NEXT QUESTION!
SCOOPS: Some fans think you are purposefully pitting the Loomis Brothers against Ruy Batello and Lumberjake, the BLT. What do you say to those accusations?
DS: Well I can’t deny that I am putting them in a lot of matches against one another but what’s the matter with that? They’re two of the best, if not THE two best teams in NCW. They have an obligation to the fans and to themselves as professionals to go out there and compete. The fact that they are friends outside the ring should have no bearing on their matches in the ring. I’ve had to fight friends before and I made sure to put forth my best effort. It’s happened all the time through the history of our sport. These nut-job conspiracy theories that I somehow have something to gain from having these teams fight are laughable. Plus, the fans don’t seem to mind. You have to agree these four have been putting on some great matches.
SCOOPS: I’m not sure how anyone else feels but if I were in the locker room I think I would be concerned at how much you’re pushing your influence in this company. You scheduled an event in your hometown, you’ve been bringing a lot of new faces into the company like Tony Caruso, Brandon Bhem and now Rocco Abruzzi. Do you feel it’s your job as commissioner to influence the direction of the company in such ways?
DS: I thought people would be happy that I’m being so pro-active. That’s just the kind of guy I am. I’m interested in moving this company forward. Bringing us to new places, Westerly , Bristol and bringing in new faces who can contribute.
SCOOPS: Is it a coincidence that all of these new faces you’ve been bringing in are sympathetic to your cause?
DS: Not at all, they just happen to be smart people. Like I was saying, one thing you can’t argue with are my results so far. Two new locations, attendance is up, great matches night in and night out. If no one else is going to say it than I will, I’m doing a really good job!
SCOOPS: Well I think it would be tough to pinpoint the exact reason things have been going so well for NCW lately but if that’s what you want to think than who am I to stop you. Is there anything else you’d like to add before this wraps up?
DS: Yes! Everyone reading this be sure to be there in Norwood MA on Friday August 2nd for the biggest event in the history of NCW, SUMMERS SLAM! Plus there will be a special “Meet and Greet” one hour before the show starring ME, Doug Summers. Tickets are just a hundred and fifty bucks and we still have plenty left! In fact we haven’t sold one… but I blame our marketing department for that. I’m sure demand will pick up as we get closer to the event!
SCOOPS: That’s interesting, who else will be at this Meet and Greet?
DS: No one, it’s just me.
SCOOPS: Well that explains the advance ticket sales… in any event, thank you for your time Commissioner.
DS: You’re welcome! Great interview Scoops, you are a valued member of the NCW team.
[At this point Summers assumed recording had stopped but Scoops kept the tape rolling and we have some additional dialogue -Ed]
SCOOPS: Thanks again, I think that went… well it certainly went.
DS: Yeah Scoops I’ve been meaning to talk to you about this and now seems as good a time as any so… we’re going to have to let you go.
SCOOPS: What!? Why?!
DS: I’m thinking of going in a different direction with our website from now on. Maybe I’ll do them! Either way this isn’t really a job for a high school kid. Thanks for your years of service and we’ll send you your last paycheck later this week.
SCOOPS: But I don’t get paid for this! It’s just for school credit.
DS: Well I can’t fail you for four years of service… but I will have to give you an incomplete. I’m sorry, I wish there was some other way.
SCOOPS: What do you mean, “you wish there was some other way”? There is another way, you could not fire me!
DS: Yeah… my hands are kind of tied here. I mean I already told Rocco I was going to fire you and I’m sure he’d make fun of me or something if I didn’t’ follow through with it.
SCOOPS: That’s completely idiotic.
DS: Well, agree to disagree. Here I’ll have Richard show you out. Pacifico can you remove this child from my office? Oh and take her tape recorder too… to the dumpster.
[At this point the audio cuts out]
