Pre-MLG Dallas Interview with KH Showtime

                                  

Name - Frank Occhione aka KH Showtime (Twitter - KHShowtime)

Age - 24
Fighting Out Of - Kombat Houston

Years Competitively Gaming - 1

Character(s) of Choice - Sonya and Reptile

Major Accomplishments - Top 8 at MLG Raleigh and winner of The MLG Breakout Player Award

Showtime's 'Hit List' for MLG Dallas - http://testyourmight.com/threads/kh-showtimes-mlg-dallas-hit-list.24728/

Hello again Showtime, how have you been since your last tournament appearance at MLG Raleigh?

I’ve been well just working a lot lol. I’ve been to a few local tournaments here and there.

Do you feel that you have leveled up your game since then?

Absolutely, a lot of the KH members have been training hard for Dallas and leveled up a lot.

You used both Reptile and Sonya at MLG Raleigh, should we expect more of the same out of you at MLG Dallas?

You can expect Sonya for sure. I’ve been in the lab with her a lot since Raleigh.

How much time have you put into practicing Mortal Kombat in preparation for MLG Dallas?

Well at first when the arena wasn’t cancelled just yet, we were training hard. I wanted to win it. We have had about 1-2 sessions a week to prepare for Dallas

Is there anyone from Kombat Houston (KH) that you think will surprise a lot of people when it comes time for MLG Dallas?

Scar of course but that pretty much out there. I feel like KH Lumberzach's Cyrax has leveled up a lot. If his execution is on point well definitely see some upsets.

I understand you have sparked up a feud with xmygodx, can you inform me of the background of this conflict?

I was playing a match vs. KH Gamerblake, mygod was recording it behind us. But not only was he recording, but he felt the need to scream Showtime’s Reptile is trash blah blah blah while I’m playing. I’m a salty player when I lose I’m pretty sure the community knows this, so I was even more salty at him doing this. So I called him out and he ran never played me. So at Dallas he better hope were not on the same side of the bracket because he’ll go home early this tournament.

You have come a long way since MLG Anaheim, how does it feel to have your name thrown in there with the greats of the Mortal Kombat Community?

Feels good, feels like the time I’ve put in is paying off; the high expectations help me do better during tournaments. I definitely don’t want to be a onetime top 8 finisher and not do it again.

Is there anyone you are looking forward to going up against at MLG Dallas?

A lot of players, this could be the last time all of these regions are together in one building. I’m trying to get as many casuals in as possible. If I have to choose I want to play Pig of the Hut again as well as Maxter.

Where do you expect to place at MLG Dallas when all is said and done?

1st, shit the background to my phone right now is the championship trophy.  KH is thirsty for this and not taking it lightly at all.

Do you think people will still overlook you despite how well you performed at MLG Raleigh?

People think what they want, since Devastation 2011 I’ve been going to majors for this game. I’ve put my time in, but I like when people sleep on me because it makes the win that much better.

How did it feel to be honored by MLG for your accomplishments at MLG Raleigh with the Breakout Player Award?

It was a big surprise, I didn’t even know MLG did this until they handed me that trophy. Hard work pays off and MLG is great for showing certain players that they recognize their hard work.

Which character to expect to use more often at MLG Dallas, Sonya or Reptile?

Sonya, even though I started my tournament life with Reptile, Sonya is my main now.

After watching your performance at MLG Raleigh, is it safe to say that you are generally comfortable with the Kabal match-up? How do you match-up against Kenshi?

We have been working hard against Kenshi, not 100% comfortable with the match yet but I’m getting there. 

Are you more comfortable using Sonya in the Kabal matchup over Reptile?

Yes, I am "well schooled in Kabal" as Tom Brady said, Sonya is my pick for any match in the game especially vs. KUH BAWL.

What is it like to play against a fellow KH member at a major tournament? Do you have any particular strategy for this particular situation?

It sucks, 3 of us went to Anaheim and we all played each other in the beginning of the tournament.  No special way to deal with it except to just play solid and get super salty if you lose lol.

Do you believe that MLG Dallas will be the last stand for competitive Mortal Kombat play before ‘Injustice: Gods Among Us’ releases?

I hope not, I’m really trying to make it to NEC, and if my performance at Dallas is good I’ll be there for sure. I would love to see MK live on but I personally think this will be the last $16k pot for MK.

Based on the characters that we’ve seen so far for Injustice, which are you most interested in?

Green Arrow, he looks so dirty with his arrow combos. So much swag ill for sure be playing him, or at least until I see the rest of the cast

If Mortal Kombat makes the EVO 2013 lineup, will you be making the trip to Las Vegas?

Yes, I kick myself all the time for not going to either EVOs that MK was at. Each time was just shitty timing for me.

Would you travel to EVO to play Injustice if per chance, Mortal Kombat does not make the final cut?

Of course, I’ll be at EVO 2013 for injustice, and if Playstation All-Stars is there I’ll be playing that too.

Who do you believe are the 5 best characters in Mortal Kombat?

My top 5 in no order are: Kabal, Kenshi, Sonya, Freddy, and Kung Lao.

Before we wrap this up, is there anything that I left unsaid that you would like to cover? Any last words for hype or shout-outs?

Shout-outs to everyone in KH of course, shout-outs to everyone supporting MLG and coming to Dallas. I put a hit list up on TYM of the players I want to play and beat. I will be coming for blood this MLG and plan on winning. Shout-outs to the team battle were doing too that should be extremely hype.

Thanks for the time once again, best of luck at Dallas and we look forward to another interview in the future.

Follow me on Twitter @NRC_CRUM

Photo and video credit to Major League Gaming