Responsibility

[Ben M]

OOC: It felt weird writing an RP as the interim CEO! But I'm pleased with how this turned out and I hope you all enjoy reading it. Good luck to everyone involved :)

It had been a very busy few weeks for Chris Jericho since taking on the responsibility of interim CEO. In truth, Jericho felt overwhelmed by standing in for Wes Ikeda while Wes recovered from the shooting... but, determined not to let down his best friend when he needed him most, Jericho was taking everything in his stride and working hard to do the best job possible as Wes' stand-in. However, with the weight of the world on his shoulders, Jericho was looking forward to getting back to what he did best - wrestling. Compared to being the interim CEO, Jericho felt almost no pressure going into his match at Survivor Series. However, before he could step into the ring, there were still a few matters he had to take care of. As Jericho sat in his office, going through paperwork yet again, he was interrupted by a knock at the door. Looking up, Jericho responded to the knock.

Chris Jericho: Come in!

The door opened and Jim Ross entered. In his new role, Jericho had grown accustomed to addressing people more formally. But he greeted JR warmly - like an old friend.

Chris Jericho: Jim! How are you?

Smiling, Jericho offered his hand to JR. JR shook Jericho's hand before taking a seat. Jericho could tell JR was uncomfortable about this meeting - whether it was because of the way Vince McMahon had treated him in the WWE, or simply because he didn't know how to act around his new interim boss, Jericho wasn't sure.

Chris Jericho: You're probably wondering why I asked you to meet me...

JR nodded, removing his hat.

Chris Jericho: You seem worried, Jim. Relax! You have nothing to be concerned about, I promise. The reason I wanted to speak to you is because I'd like you to interview me before Survivor Series. Is that okay?

JR seemed to relax almost immediately. He nodded.

Jim Ross: Of course, sir! It would be an honour! But why me?

Chris Jericho: Okay, first of all... you never have to call me sir, JR. I appreciate you showing me respect but I will always respect you more than you could ever respect me, so "Chris" is fine. As for your question, there have been a lot of questions thrown my way since I was announced as the interim CEO. I've had calls from CNN, NBC, TMZ... everyone wants to interview me now that I'm running the EBWF. It makes me uncomfortable, to be honest Jim. Between you and me, I had no idea that if anything happened to Wes, I was next in line to run this place. And I know it's only temporary, but that hasn't stopped me from feeling under pressure.

Jericho sighed. He took a sip of water before continuing.

Chris Jericho: I know I'm going to have to respond to those calls for interviews, JR - Richard and Lynne have told me as much. But before I let anyone from outside the EBWF interview me, I need to talk to someone on the inside. And there's no one I trust to interview me more than you. I won't tell you what to ask or what not to ask - I'll leave the questions to you. I just need to be prepared for the fact that anything I say publicly now, I'm not saying as Chris Jericho. I'm saying it as the interim CEO of the EBWF.

JR nodded.

Jim Ross: It would be a pleasure to conduct your first interview as the interim CEO, Chris.

Chris Jericho: Thank you. I've got some more paperwork to do, so could I meet you in the interview room in an hour?

Jim Ross: Of course! I'll see you there.

JR got up and shook Jericho's hand before making his exit. As Jericho got back to his paperwork, he thought to himself that the next sixty minutes could not go quickly enough.

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A busy hour followed before Jericho joined JR in the interview room. The room was well-lit and Jericho was putting on a relaxed front in an attempt to hide the stress he felt as interim CEO. He sat back on a long brown couch as JR sat across from him in a black armchair. The camera started rolling and JR began to speak.

Jim Ross: Folks, with me at this time is none other than the EBWF interim CEO, Chris Jericho. Chris, I think it's fair to say that the EBWF and its fans were caught off-guard by the news that, in Wes Ikeda's absence, you were to take on the role of CEO. Was it a shock for you too?

Chris Jericho: It really was, JR. Wes and I have always been good friends and he's told me on more than one occasion that when I retire from wrestling he'll have a job waiting for me at EBWF headquarters... but to be named as the interim CEO is something I never expected, especially not at this stage in my career. I wish to God I didn't have to take the role on, given the circumstances, but at the same time I'm honoured to have been given the responsibility and I promise I'll make sure that the EBWF continues to thrive despite Wes' absence.

Jim Ross: You've been unusually quiet since you were announced as the interim CEO. Is that because you've been so busy getting to grips with your new role?

Chris Jericho: Of course. Now that I know how much Wes deals with in the day-to-day running of the EBWF, I'll never accuse him of slacking again! But, having worked night and day for the last few weeks, I'm confident that I'm fully up to grips with my newfound responsibility. I just hope now I can find the time to sleep!

Jim Ross: In spite of how busy you've been, you've found the time to wrestle at Survivor Series - the first pay-per-view you'll oversee as the interim CEO. You'll be leading Team Jericho in a ten-man elimination match against Paul Heyman's coalition and you've announced that all the surviving members of the winning team will receive title shots. In essence, you've combined your role as interim CEO with your more familiar role as a wrestler by booking yourself in a high-stakes match. What do you think that says about your management style and will this be the first of many matches we see you competing in while taking on the role of CEO?

Chris Jericho: My management style will be the same as my wrestling style, JR. I'll go all out and give nothing less than one hundred percent. I want the EBWF to deliver the best wrestling shows possible and if that means booking myself, so be it. But at the same time, I am aware of the fact that it would be inappropriate of me to wrestle regularly as the interim CEO. Not to mention that I'll be too busy. When I'm needed in the ring, I'll lace up my boots, but expect to see me in a suit most of the time.

Jim Ross: What makes you think your match at Survivor Series was needed, with all due respect?

Chris Jericho: Two things, JR - tradition and proving myself. I'm a big fan of Survivor Series as a traditional pay-per-view and there was no way I would let the event pass without booking at least one elimination tag match. It became necessary to book myself when Paul Heyman questioned by leadership ability. I hope that by leading a team to victory against Paul's Coalition, I can shut him up - but I won't hold my breath.

Jim Ross: Does that mean you're not confident about winning?

Chris Jericho: No JR - it means I'm not sure it's possible to shut Paul Heyman up. I'm very confident about winning.

Jim Ross: You'll be teaming up with The Miz and AJ Styles, both of whom you've had run ins with in the past. Will that affect the unity of your team or have the three of you managed to put your differences aside?

Chris Jericho: JR, before I answer your question I'd like to mention the other two members of my team - the former Tag Team Champions, Trent Barreta and Zack Ryder. I understand why you were focusing on Miz and AJ but it was disrespectful of you to overlook Barreta and Ryder. As for your question, it was easy for me, Miz and AJ to put our differences aside because there's one thing we have in common - we all have huge egos. We all want to win and for that reason, we won't let our dislike for one another affect our teamwork. But the biggest thing that everyone on my team has in common is that we're all very talented wrestlers. There is no doubt in my mind that me, Miz, AJ, Trent and Zack are better both collectively and individually than Team Heyman, which is why I'm so confident about winning.

Jim Ross: Would it be fair to say that you don't have much history with the five members of Team Heyman - Mr. Anderson, Daniel Bryan, Bully Ray, Seth Rollins and Dean Ambrose?

Chris Jericho: It certainly would and thank you for taking the time to mention all five members of Team Heyman. Of course, I'm familiar with all of my opponents as even before I became interim CEO, I paid close attention to what was going on in wrestling both inside and outside the EBWF. Anderson has been here for a while now and while he's been lurking outside the main event, he's never managed to break into the top bracket. He probably sees Survivor Series as a chance to do that but I'll make sure he leaves San Antonio disappointed. Daniel Bryan is undoubtedly the most talented member of Team Heyman and I look forward to stepping into the ring with him. If I was facing Bryan in a one on one match, it would be a candidate for Match of the Year... but unfortunately, I don't think much of the company Bryan keeps. I lost a lot of respect for Bryan when he joined the Coalition and I have no problem beating up anyone who aligns themselves with Paul Heyman. I remember when Bully Ray was called Bubba and he was a blubbering idiot. He may be leaner, he may be meaner and he may no longer blubber, but he's still an idiot. He isn't as tough as he makes himself out to be and if I get the chance to "stand up" to Bully Ray tonight, it would be my pleasure. Last but not least, the Tag Champions. As a number of people have remarked, Ambrose and Rollins are an unusual pairing. I've noticed that Rollins seems to be leaning more and more towards Dean Ambrose's way of thinking, which is a shame - I thought Seth was smarter than that. The two of them have done well together and have already left their mark on the EBWF. I'm sure they see Survivor Series as a chance to make an even bigger mark... but if I don't stop them in their tracks, I'm sure Mike, AJ, Trent and Zack will.

When Jericho finished speaking, there was a brief pause before JR asked his next question.

Jim Ross: It goes without saying that you prefer being in the ring to being backstage, doesn't it Chris?

Jericho nodded.

Chris Jericho: So did Wes. He had to hang up his boots before he was ready to run the EBWF and despite the fact that he longed to be a wrestler, he pushed his dreams aside and focused on being a damn good CEO. The least I can do is do the same for him while I'm in charge. I don't know when I'll be wrestling next after Survivor Series, so I can guarantee I'll put on one hell of a show. But make no mistake, for as long as it needs to be, my focus will be on putting on the best show I can from the gorilla position.

Jericho had said everything he needed to say and JR was out of questions, so the interview finished there. The time Jericho spent in the interview room had been far more enjoyable than the time he'd spent in his office and he knew being in the ring would be the most fun he had all week.