The camera comes on to reveal the very familiar basement/training area of the Dragon's Den, the home of the Damone family. In the weight training portion, Jarel is shown, clearly well into his workout. Standing over him is Marcus Damone, his son, spotting him on the bench press.

"I think it's fair to say you're due for a break." Marcus helps set the bar as Jarel finishes one last rep.

The Dragon sits up, a light layer of sweat covering his skin. "Only until we get in the ring. Where's Blaze?"

"Helping Adrian. Unc is heading down with JR."

Jarel nods, "Grab me a bottled water. Time to get this interview started."

As Marcus follows directions, Drako leads Jim Ross down the stairs.

"I have to say thanks champ for allowing me here today."

Drako smirks. "I have no beef with you. Besides, this is for Jarel and the old man gets what he wants most of the time. You were the right person for this."

As they reach Jarel, the Dragon remains sitting on the bench, still easily as tall as the announcer and extends his hand. JR shakes his hand respectfully.

"Glad to have you here, JR. Welcome to the Dragon's Den."

JR looks around. "This is quite the setup you have here. I know we saw this from the videos of you training with Salem but it's even more impressive in person."

"It's just a gym. But let me show you around a bit before we get back to training." Jarel looks to Drako. "You two mind setting up in the ring?"

Drako signals to Marcus to follow him. Jim Ross elects to get his first question out of the way.

"You've always been a rather private man. What prompted you to allow this insight into your home?"

Jarel leads the way walking around the gym. "Well, the family is more of a democracy now. Drako started letting people in here and after Salem's stay here, why be so secretive?"

The two end up in front of the training ring.

JR: So before you continue on training, there is a question I have to ask. Why this match? Of all the people behind the scenes who have asked you to step back out of retirement, why this match?"

Jarel stepped up onto the apron. "Well, let's be honest, what other match was left undone for me? Who else has my tenure in this business? Who else has a name that comes up alongside mine? Who else are the fans and the wrestlers in the back wondering what would happen if I faced them?"

The Dragon steps into the ring to begin to train. The world champion is here to referee as the Dragon faces off in this session with his son, Marcus. The workout begins, going through wrestling drills, lockups, hitting the ropes, etc. Sped up and highlighted for those watching. When a break comes, we find Jarel sitting on the apron to talk to JR.

JR: I can see that you're really putting in the work here to get back in ring shape. This is important to you.

Jarel takes a towel handed to him from Marcus to wipe the sweat from his face before responding. "I stay in shape. Decades of wrestling makes it hard to just let yourself go. I'm as cut as ever. I still have the power. I come down here and I train with the family, the younger ones who are still wrestling. I get in this ring every time and put in the work out of habit, out of a love for what I do and a need to make sure that I've passed down every tool possible to this family as they go on to make their names. That being said, I'm putting in more work here with you watching because I take this very seriously. I am a man of my word and I promised Chrono exactly what he asked for. he doesn't want the patriarch content to sit back in retirement and rest on his laurels. He wants the Dragon. he wants the Godfather of Hardcore. It would be insulting to give less."

JR: What do you say to those that question this being a standard match? Especially with you being more known for your hell in a cell matches?

Jarel takes up a bottle of water and takes a swig before responding. "Standard? There's something this generation has missed. Ever match doesn't need a gimmick. Could I have suggested hell in a cell? Sure, but that makes it seem like I need an advantage. That implies a level of hatred that doesn't exist here. See, hell in a cell is meant to end a feud. It's meant to cap off a bloody and personal war. And sometimes to test a protege. Did we need that here, JR? For our first ever one on one match? No, we didn't need a cell, we didn't need to throw out the rules. We don't need a cage or weapons. The weapons are these right here." The Dragon raises his fists. "See this is about the big question, what if? This is a need for us as men, as wrestlers, as fighters, to know who's better. That question alone is all the stakes we need. The match is special enough."

JR: Does that mean we're just going to see some standard wrestling?

Jarel smirks. "You might see some standard stuff, but lets be real. You've watched a lot of our matches, JR. It's going to be something to remember, that's all I can promise. What I've shown you today, it was training. But what's that old saying? It's all fun and games until someone gets hit in the mouth."

JR: Before I let you get back to your training, I guess there's just one more question. How does this all end? What outcome are you really seeking here?

Jarel has to take a moment to ponder his response. "What I'm seeking here is the answer to the question and the end to a chapter in history that was never supposed to have a conclusion. See, taking this match, breaking my vow and stepping out of retirement, well, one could say that it leaves me in a position that makes the name of the show most appropriate. Unforgiven. And if that's the case, then I'm going to go all out. The man that I was, the monster that I became over the decades, and the man that I am now refuses to give less than my best, to accept less than victory. What I'm seeking, JR, is a fight, a battle, a war. When the Dragon meets the God of Time, you can't expect less, even within the confines we've agreed to. Unforgiven will be unforgettable."

Janelle enters the shot now, with some paperwork in hand. "Sorry to interrupt, but the contract for the match is here."

Jarel takes it and the pen she offers, looking it over before signing it. "Not interrupting at all. Here, send it back. JR, feel free to hang around and watch if you like. I'm getting back to my training."

Marcus leans on the top rope. "Ready for round 2, old man?"

Jarel narrows his eyes. "I'm going to chokeslam a child."

Marcus smirks. "That's the spirit."