TCO: Dre, thanks for taking the time to sit down with us today, I really appriciate it. We are going to try to be a little "hard hitting" and "edgy" so any question you are not comfortable answering, just give us a "next question".
DRE: Very nice .. I can see this being a very fun "ask the vets" kind of thing in the near future. I hope this is being sent to previous participants and champions as well.
TCO: I am hoping that I can just get the 15 interviews done with the WC participants. If we get a good response, I can see us turning this into a regular feature. Back to you though! For those readers who do not know you, or how you came to compete for this year`s world championship, tells us your story.
DRE: I`ve played and created netdecks for a few card games (one of which was Pokemon`s Haymaker deck .. sorry) before playing Raw Deal. My friend Pat got me into the game around SummerSlam, mainly `cause he`s a HUGE wrestling fan and I think he wanted someone else to get into the game with him. I played because the Hurricane had just come out and I was a huge fan .. and because he paid for pretty much everything (thanks, man). We sucked for a solid year and completely tripped out when we found a Manager Interferes in a random box of stuff (yeah, we were that bad). I finally started winning games with another of my friends` decks and began to understand how Raw Deal`s card interactions worked. From there, I started winning tournament after tournament (slowly at first, though) and I`m finally playing in the World Championships.
TCO: We are now just two weeks before the World Championships, do you know who you are going to use?
DRE: Haha, no idea. I do know that I`m using Test for the Revolution portion of the tournament (not John Cena, like I said .. sorry).
TCO: What decks do you feel are your biggest threat?
DRE: I`ve got a list of decks that I worry about. I actually have a complex little process for figuring out any of my decks` weaks and I carry around a notebook in case I think of anything fun. Assuming I have a good deck and better luck, I won`t have to worry about any decks in Detroit.
PSYCHO: Hey... can I have $5?
DRE: No
TCO: If you win the World Championship, you get to make your own card. Do you have plans already for what card you’re going to make? Are you willing to share it with us?
DRE: The DREaded Ax Kick
Assault: Core/Reversal: Special
F: 10
D: 6
Can only be packed when you are not packing HEEL or FACE cards.
Reversal: any card that would allow your opponent to search his Arsenal for any number of cards, discard any number of cards from your hand, or remove any number of cards from the game.
TCO: Has the late announcement of the formats for the worlds impacted your preparation at all?
DRE: Not really. I planned on having to make a deck for all 3 "main" formats anyway.
TCO: Raw Deal seems to be becoming more political over the last year. Has this impacted you at all, do you see this impacting you at all?
DRE: Not yet, but I`m pretty sure it will end up affecting me after this year`s tournament.
TCO: One last “hot button” question – what are your feelings on Revolution?
DRE: The set, I like. The format, I hate. Simple as that. Maybe I`ll like it once more superstars are introduced and I get more practice, but for now, I freakin` hate the format.
PSYCHO: No seriously... can I have $5?
DRE: No, damn it. Stop asking.
TCO: The Mark Laroche Xperience – a great party, or the greatest party?
DRE: Haven`t had the pleasure. I like the guy so far, though.
TCO: Besides yourself, is there someone that you’re cheering for this year at the World Championships?
DRE: No. I`m sure they`re all nice guys and everything, but until the tournament is over, f*ck them :p (no, I`m not that mean .. I actually like just about everyone I`ve met through Raw Deal).
TCO: What are your plans for the future?
DRE: I thought I already wrote my college essays .. anyway, I plan on taking this tournament and putting that on a resume or, maybe, a college essay in a school that I`ll be able to stay at for more than a year.
TCO: Which is better, Cake or Pie?
DRE: Pie. I hate cake. And, of course, there is my usual man-whore reference.
TCO: Will the Saints make it to the Superbowl next year?
DRE: Hell no.
TCO: The soapbox is yours. Are there any parting comments you’d like to share?
DRE: Nah. I`m on TCO enough. I don`t need to make an official statement of any sort, I talk on there enough.
TCO: Thank you for taking the time to chat with us today.