Post by Kenji on Mar 4, 2024 11:25:27 GMT -5
{{When dialogue is like this, it's being spoken in Japanese}}
THE MILLS PARK HOTEL. YELLOW SPRINGS, OH, USA. FEBRUARY 28th, 2024…
As the scene begins to fade in, we find ourselves in the function hall of The Mills Park Hotel as the week's festivities of “TurnbuckleCon” are coming to the business end. Wrestlers, Managers and all kinds of Promotion authority figures have tables set up, or are speaking in some of the side rooms. As we pan around, we find Sebastian Blake walking around the convention speaking with old friends, fellow talent and fans.
Blake looks across the hall, to a table occupied by WGWF newcomer, Kenji Miyamoto. Sebastian saunters to the table, looking around and smiling as he removes his shades, tucking them into the breast pocket of his suit jacket.
THE MILLS PARK HOTEL. YELLOW SPRINGS, OH, USA. FEBRUARY 28th, 2024…
As the scene begins to fade in, we find ourselves in the function hall of The Mills Park Hotel as the week's festivities of “TurnbuckleCon” are coming to the business end. Wrestlers, Managers and all kinds of Promotion authority figures have tables set up, or are speaking in some of the side rooms. As we pan around, we find Sebastian Blake walking around the convention speaking with old friends, fellow talent and fans.
Blake looks across the hall, to a table occupied by WGWF newcomer, Kenji Miyamoto. Sebastian saunters to the table, looking around and smiling as he removes his shades, tucking them into the breast pocket of his suit jacket.
Sebastian - {{You know, Kenji San, you don't have to do these things, here in America}}
Kenji - {{Oh I know, but you know I enjoy it. I like interacting with the fans, even if I can't speak the language yet…}}
Sebastian - {{So, the intention is English classes?}}
Kenji - ...Yes, absolutely.
Kenji smirks at Blake to see his reaction to the English being spoken and Blake is impressed, even if just a small phrase.
Sebastian - {{Well done, Kenji have you already started?}}
Kenji - {{No, not yet. I was going to ask if you'd look around for places close to my new place now they've got it sorted?}}
Sebastian - {{Of course, I'll check around once we're done here. You know I still haven't congratulated you, on your debut win against John Blade}}
Kenji - {{Thank you, Sebastian San. He was tougher than I envisioned him to be, but I got the job done}}
Sebastian - {{You did, so… How are things looking here, Kenji?}}
Kenji - {{Quiet, I have had a few autograph hunters and people wanting photographs, I assume seeing my WGWF debut but I don't think many watch the JIWC circuit here}}
As if on cue, a female voice is heard behind the pair.
Voice - Excuse me, Mr. Blake?
Sebastian turns to find a young woman with bleached blonde hair dressed in black jeans and a t-shirt with Kenji’s image on it, smiling up at him.
Sebastian - Oh hey… Erm where did you get that t-shirt? Is somebody selling knock offs?
Girl - What? Oh, no this is from Osaka, when Kenji made his debut for All-Pro Japan.
Sebastian - Oh? Big fan are you? {{I think she's a big fan, Kenji San}}
Kenji - {{She is? In this small American city?}}
Sebastian - Kenji thanks you, but is surprised living in a small city here in the US you really know him.
Girl - I'm not from Yellow Springs, Mr. Blake, or even Ohio, in fact I'm from Korea but currently living in Queens County, New York. I studied for three years in Japan which was how I caught so much of Kenji’s progression.
Sebastian - That’s awesome and you've travelled all the way from New York to be here today? I didn't catch your name by the way?
Girl - I did, yes and to see Jack “The Mack” Truck, but mainly Kenji and my name is Ari, Ari Tae… Could I get a photo?
Sebastian - Well it's nice to meet you, Ari… {{Her name is Ari, she'd like a photo with you…}}
Sebastian moves out of the way for Ari to come through as she hands Sebastian her phone and Kenji stands.
Kenji - {{Of course, come through Ari}}
Ari - {{Thank you, Kenji. Are you well?}}
Sebastian snaps a couple of photos on Ari’s phone, handing it back looking somewhat surprised.
Sebastian - {{You speak Japanese??}}
Ari - {{I told you, I spent three years studying in Japan}} I can't wait to see you guys at the next Smash show!
Sebastian - Oh we don't know if Kenji will be involved on the next show yet.
Ari - Oh he is and in a big way, the card was announced on a Podcast this morning… He faces Clyde Newton and if he beats him he's guaranteed a shot at the WGWF X-Division Title.
Sebastian - I'm sorry, are you serious?
Ari - Oh, very. You guys didn't know?
Kenji - {{Guys please? We all speak Japanese, but only the two of you speak English, remember?}}
Sebastian - {{Apologies Kenji San. Ari here says you've got a match on the next edition of Smash}}
Kenji - {{I have? Against who?}}
Sebastian - {{The X-Division Champion himself, Clyde Newton. And you must have impressed the office because if you beat him, the shot at his belt, will be yours…}}
Kenji stands, nods and bows towards Ari, then does the same with Sebastian, before sticking out his hand, which Sebastian shakes.
Kenji - {{Thank you, Sebastian San… You got me here and already I'm potentially getting a chance at a belt…}}
Sebastian - {{Oh no, you did that… You've done all this and thank you for bringing me on board.}}
Ari - Guys I feel like I'm interrupting a moment so, I'm going to take my 8x8 and get on out of here. {{I will see you both, on Smash!}}
Ari slaps hands with both Kenji and Sebastian, followed by bows with both and as she leaves Sebastian and Kenji turn to see a huge line building at Kenji’s table.
Sebastian - {{Better get to work, sport…}}
KENJI’S NEW HOUSE. GARDENA, CA, USA. MARCH 1st, 2024…
We fade back up to an extremely sunny day in Manchester Square, Gardena, as a removal truck pulls away from a house where Sebastian Blake and Kenji Miyamoto are sitting on the hood of a car, Sebastian smoking a cigar and Kenji taking in the area…
We fade back up to an extremely sunny day in Manchester Square, Gardena, as a removal truck pulls away from a house where Sebastian Blake and Kenji Miyamoto are sitting on the hood of a car, Sebastian smoking a cigar and Kenji taking in the area…
Sebastian - {{Okay, I need you to be honest with me, this was your idea wasn't it?}}
Kenji - {{What? Getting a place in a prominent area for Japanese American citizens? Of course it was. Did you think WGWF put me here?}}
Sebastian - {{Not really, but wanted to be sure… You missing home already?}}
Kenji - {{Of course, but it's not the real reason behind getting my house here. I figured if I'm going to be learning the language, what better place to do it, for free?}}
Sebastian - {{That is a valid point, but also I happen to know that due to this location, there are a few English classes around so we'll get you set up. Listen someone's going to be here in about five minutes, her name is Yasami Tanaka from J Sports, they wanted to cover a post match interview from your debut}}
Kenji stands, smiles as he claps his hands and rubs them together, pointing to the house.
Kenji - {{Then I'm going to grab some food and sort the office space out, want to join me?}}
Sebastian stands up straight, smirks as he stubs out the cigar, pats Kenji on the shoulder and the two of them head into the house together…
Around half an hour passes and we're focused now on Kenji’s not quite finished home office. A nice little setup with shiny white desks going all around the wall with PC’s, gaming consoles, the works, two plush computer chairs sit opposite one another and at this stage they're both occupied, one by Kenji Miyamoto and the other by J Sports head interviewer, Yasami Tanaka. A camera and hot lights are focusing on both.
Around half an hour passes and we're focused now on Kenji’s not quite finished home office. A nice little setup with shiny white desks going all around the wall with PC’s, gaming consoles, the works, two plush computer chairs sit opposite one another and at this stage they're both occupied, one by Kenji Miyamoto and the other by J Sports head interviewer, Yasami Tanaka. A camera and hot lights are focusing on both.
Yasami - {{Thank you guys, yes I'm sat here with WGWF Debutant and Japanese native, Kenji Miyamoto, who this past Monday night on the Smash brand beat John Blade to start his full time career in the WGWF at one and zero. Kenji, thanks for joining us}}
Kenji - {{You're welcome, Yasami San… Thank you for having me on the show}}.
Yasami - {{The pleasure is ours, firstly I would like to send congratulations your way for your display and ultimate victory, over John Blade on Monday Night Smash earlier this week, were you happy with your performance?}}
Kenji - {{Yasami, I'm always of the belief you can go a step further and higher in any capacity, no matter how long you've already been doing it, except if you don't want to. So I will always learn and move forward with those lessons. For example against John Blade there were a few mistakes I made but many he did and which I did not counter quick enough or take advantage of, so moving forward that is my goal.}}
Yasami - {{That is understandable but the truth is you finished that match rather impressively, with a Killshot, and look to move on here, in the WGWF, so what is next for you?}}
Kenji - {{Next up I've not long learned that I'll be facing the current X-Division Champion, Clyde Newton, in an Eliminator match whereby if I win, I become the number one contender to his X-Division Championship…}}
Yasami - {{Wow that is pretty amazing, Kenji… But if we can rewind a little, are you able to tell us how this all came about? From the local dojo, to the WGWF…}}
Kenji - {{Of course, the answer is Junko Souma.}}
Yasami - {{Junko Souma is the reason you've transcended into Wrestling in the US?}}
Kenji - {{Essentially, yes. She was one of the first of my country's people in my generation to make that move to the US and although I didn't sign with the same company as Junko, I didn't sign my contract easily. But Junko’s movements are what inspired me to make the same move}}
Kenji turns and takes a bottle of water from the desk, cracking the lid and swigging back a few mouthfuls whilst Yasami looks through some notes.
Yasami - {{You said that you didn't sign your contract easily, Kenji San… So what was it about The WGWF that made you choose them? And why specifically the Smash brand??}}
Kenji - {{I had a lot to discuss with family when deciding who I'd be sending tapes out to, which companies I'd approach and I was very selective, Yasami. However The WGWF was one of the top companies and once Jonathan Barrows saw my tape he contacted Sebastian instantly and offered me a contract which I took right away and here I am…}}
Yasami - {{And here you are indeed, Kenji San… And we're sure that we're going to be seeing a lot of you in the coming weeks, months and years beginning this coming Smash where you take on Clyde Newton for a chance at his X-Division Title, we wish you all the best with that and your future!}}
Kenji and Yasami bow to each other while seated as the scene begins to gradually fade…
THE NATIONAL CIVIL WAR MUSEUM. HARRISBURG, PA, USA. MARCH 3rd, 2024…
Kenji Miyamoto and Sebastian Blake are walking around the National Civil War Museum, in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Whilst Blake is knowledgeable on the goings on in that time, Kenji is taking it all in…
THE NATIONAL CIVIL WAR MUSEUM. HARRISBURG, PA, USA. MARCH 3rd, 2024…
Kenji Miyamoto and Sebastian Blake are walking around the National Civil War Museum, in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Whilst Blake is knowledgeable on the goings on in that time, Kenji is taking it all in…
Sebastian - The American Civil War… A four year battle that raged throughout the entire United States and a very important topic that should be learned by those, like Kenji, who come to America for more than just tourism… But Kenji is one of the few who knows all too well what that kind of history does to a society, an entire country…
The Japanese had The Boshin War to deal with and whilst it did not last anywhere near as long as The American Civil War nor was it for the same reason, the fallout and influence on both sides of the coin on either continent had a paramount effect, even leading into the current day… And the same could be said for all wars, all battles, all conflicts, from The Trojan war, to the first, second and even third Punic Wars… From the Hundred years War, to Bleeding Kansas… World Wars one and two, with the Japanese-Sino War in between, to both the Bosnian and Kosovo conflicts…
We pan around to find Kenji looking at some photographs from The Battle of Gettysburg and notice him holding a device in his hand and wearing a pair of headphones which are obviously translating the narration and description to Japanese. Sebastian watches him for a bit before turning back.
Sebastian - You see, war affects all people, all cultures, all regions in all countries in some way or another… For one reason or another, that is going to make no difference on April 20th, when WrestleWars kicks off. But before that, Kenji has to walk into Smash for only his second match here and face Clyde Newton in an eliminator style match to see if Kenji is deserving of a shot at the WGWF X-Division Championship and believe me when I tell you, that Kenji San, is ready to go to war to make that point!
But the difference in this battle is that you, Mr. Newton will have all the help you need with your Amber Mansley’s and your J Mont’s; Kenji on the other hand will have to face you alone, not because he chooses to but quite frankly, Mr. Newton, he has no other choice but do you know something? He is okay with that… He is okay because he isn't afraid of you, he isn't afraid of The Fortunate Ones, he isn't afraid.
You should listen up and pay attention Clyde, because Kenji San and myself are about to impart some reality checking wisdom upon you served colder than an ice bath. You've spoken about being the Primetime of Professional Wrestling when all we see is a second rate egocentric fraud trying way too hard. You've spoken about levels? About being the originator? We can only assume you're living in some kind of bubble where you believe you're the only one in your chosen profession. You're not. You're an A4 photocopy done a thousand times over, Clyde… You are a clone, a carbon copy, a cheap imitation giving off Etsy vibes, capice?
Kenji stops, turns to Sebastian and points to an entrance into a field artillery exhibition. Sebastian nods and gives Kenji the thumbs up.
Sebastian - I've watched you, Kenji has watched you, for a while before he spoke to Jonathan Barrows and we've seen you call people out whilst hiding behind your words, the microphone and your friends and that is why Kenji made the point to be sure it was your name he spoke when he called anyone out after arriving here. Because Kenji doesn't like bullies, Clyde, especially cowardly ones and trust me, you are a coward.
You may like to think you talk the talk AND walk the walk Clyde, but as much as I wholeheartedly agree you definitely do have the… Gift of the gab… As they say, your walk is a little crooked my friend. You don't have the fortitude, the gumption, to finish the job here… In fact I don't believe you've even got the keys to start the engine. Wars are fought and won on the battlefield and Smash is the battlefield except this isn't the war, is it Mr. Newton? This is just the preliminary battle that leads to the true war which will come after, when Kenji takes you on, for the WGWF X-Division Championship…
When you speak about Amber Mansley and J Mont, you do so as if you're all on equal footing but we know that isn't the case, don't we Mr. Newton? Because without The Fortunate Ones, you'd be just another name on the roster, without Joe Montuori, Clyde Newton would just be another John Blade and without an opponent to challenge you for that belt, like Kenji Miyamoto, you'd be just another kid in your living room holding up some store bought replica, speaking to a mirror with vocally piped in fan reaction…
Kenji looks towards Sebastian, shaking his head and smiling.
Kenji - Kare wa tada no zunō no no orokamono desu.
Sebastian - You speak of your time in the Military but I can guarantee you don't truly know what it's like. You claim you were shot in the line of duty I would wager the bullet grazed you and you've been crying about it since… Try being part of the JSDF, try doing what Kenji did for many years, try going through what he did.
You have spoken about respect, Mr. Newton, but respect is earned… You talk about being a champion, but champions inspire, Clyde, champions uplift and they lead by example. All you appear to have done, is sow division and discord…
So you go head Clyde and you talk your talk as predictable as you are because Kenji knows exactly what's coming. Keep pretending to be something you're not, whilst showing everybody what you truly are. Once Kenji gets past you on Smash he will continue along the path of integrity and honor and then he'll meet you again. This time for “your” X-Division Title. Remember something though Clyde, when we first came into The WGWF, Kenji made the point that titles were secondary, he was here to clear the promotion of toxicity and negativity but if the belts come so be it.
The X-Division is where Kenji Miyamoto can keep an eye on the unsavoury characters who are trying to rule the roost in The WGWF, and that begins with you Clyde and The Fortunate Ones. Kenji San will begin from the top of the poisoned tree and work his way down… Because there is a lot of trash to clear from this place and there will be plenty of time to do it but once the main ticks and leeches are removed and the puss drained, it'll be that much easier!
Sebastian Blake backs away slowly pointing at those watching, heeding his words. He turns, pats Kenji on the shoulder and the duo continue through the exhibition as the visual becomes clean static.