NJFC presents FIGHTING Spirit (Night Two)

[James Peterson]

NEW JAPAN FIGHTING CHAMPIONSHIP

PRESENTS

. . . 

FIGHTING SPIRIT

LIVE FROM KORAKUEN HALL

**

Freeview Match

Dojo of Dragons

Daisuke Chono, Arashi Takeda & Akira Marufuji   vs   Kazushi, Hiro Yoshiuni & Masayuki Asami 

Freeview Match

Dojo of Dragons

KOJIMA vs Naoki Ojima

**

Match One

Singles Match

Joe Stanton vs Ricky Valero 

Match Two

60 Minute Iron Man 

Chris Crippler vs Storm

Special Attraction

Singles Match

Chris Madison vs Cosmo Cooper

Match Four

NJFC Global Championship 

Cinderblock Canvas

Aokigahara Zombie vs Anastasia Hayden (c)

Showcase Match 

NJFC World Heavyweight Championship

Singles Match 

Chandler Scott vs Jack Tillman

Main Event

FIGHTING Spirit Tournament Final

Singles Match

Craig Anderson vs Ryan Henderson

* * *

[James Peterson]

JOE STANTON

There's enough time between wrestlers that there's a faint buzz of electronics and indistinct chatter from the reporters heard, noticeably they quiet down when the IJPW Death Crown Champion walks out in his maroon suit with scarlet tie and he approaches the podium. Placing the championship down so it hangs over the front of the podium for the gathered journalists and members of the press to see, he slouches against it too, propping himself up with his left elbow & waving at a few people in attendance. A quick scan of the crowd leads him to point at a gentleman front & center.

Puroresu Magazine: "Mr. Stanton, Mr. Stanton, you have been fighting for many Japanese promotions recently. How does it feel to be apart of NJFC and what separates it from the others?"

Subtitles appear for those viewing this after the fact to explain what the reporter is saying. Pursing his lips, the Scarlet Speedster gives this some thought. Idly rapping his knuckles against the championship sitting on the podium.

Joe Stanton: "Japan has been good to me, always has been. When I was a no-name in the first few years of his career trying to break out of the Midwest scene, Japan brought me in, I trained at a dojo not unlike the one NJFC has, I perfected the punch everyone knows me for now in Nagoya. The country, its wrestlers, its promotions have always had a special place in my heart. When I became a free agent it seemed like an obvious choice that I would put my feelers out to see if any promotions in Japan would be interested in me returning to this style of the sport. DTW, IJPW, KAMIKAZE Pro with their Evolution brand, they all reached out to me and I'm very grateful not only the reception I've received from the fans but from those promoters too. Everyone has been very generous, very kind."

Similarly subtitles appear below Joe Stanton when he talks their native tongue. Pausing, he scratches at the side of his nose and he looks down at the IJPW Death Crown Championship.

Joe Stanton: "But in DTW and IJPW it's more about highlighting my hardcore style, yeah? In KAMIKAZE Pro, my current goal there is tag team wrestling with my dear friend Aaron Gresham, some of you may know him as The Dream."

There's a slight reaction to that name from the otherwise usually reserved reporters.

Joe Stanton: "My goal in every promotion I have agreed to fight for has been to give myself, and the fans, a new experience. Fighting men and women I've never fought before, and in a lot of cases they're people I've always wanted to tangle with that due to prior obligations it was impossible to do so till now. NJFC is no exception, my goal here is to highlight the parts of my style that are not so much about hardcore but about my hard hitting, powerful style I employ in every match I'm apart of. It's about setting my sights on several other big name talents and having the pleasure of testing myself against them in combat, producing the best possible match the two of us can. Stagnation and repetition are the forefathers of ruination."

While that reporter is busy jotting stuff down, it's worth noting others are too. Stanton scans the crowd and he points to another to stand up.

Indy Illustrated: "Many would argue you will certainly be tested in your debut match, thoughts on your opponent, Ricky Valero?"

There's an unique sort of gleam in the One Punch Man's eyes when his opponent's name is mentioned and though he tries to stifle it, there's a distinct smirk forming on his features.

Joe Stanton: "If you've been in this business for more than ten seconds there's a very good chance you've heard of Richard Valero, I first heard of him what has to be a few years back now and been a fan of his work since then even after his transition into a more purely technical style. His style is a good balance to my own and it's going to be interesting to see how we adapt to one another when it comes bell time, who can get the better of the other. Say what you will about his questionable attitude but the man knows how to bring out the best in both his opponents and himself, having put together a back catalog of matches that reads like a who's who of the professional wrestling industry and even more impressively he's won most of the ones that have mattered. With a card as stacked as Fighting Spirit is it's easy for matches to get lost in the shuffle, but I genuinely think he and I are capable of producing something that could be the most talked about bout of the night."

Stanton scoops up the IJPW Death Crown Championship, putting it on his shoulder to rest.

Joe Stanton: Don't misunderstand me either, I know that's a tall order with some of the matches, some of the talent and some of the stakes involved in the other matches. This is going to be an incredible show, and I feel privileged to be apart of it and get to see some of these matches firsthand. But I believe what I believe every single day about my abilities and I'm going to strive to do what I strive to do every single time I walk through that curtain, give them the best damn fight they've ever seen and continue to elevate not just my opponent and myself but pro-wrestling as a whole. In closing though, I have this message to God..."

Striking a dramatic pose, the Scarlet Speedster adjusts the championship on his shoulder and he handles the podium's microphone with his right hand.

Joe Stanton: "What's a God to a non-believer who don't believe in anything?"

Stanton winks knowingly and waves to the press with a smile before departing.

RICKY VALERO

(Next to enter the conference room is none other than the self-proclaimed “Franchise” Ricky Valero. His confident swagger is unmistakable, as the well-dressed gaijin takes his place at the table.)

TOKYO SPORTS: Ricky-san, first and foremost, welcome back to Japan. It’s been awhile since we last saw you in a NJFC ring, so it’s great to have you back!

(A subtle smirk cracks across the American phenomenon’s face as his blue eyes pierce through the Tokyo Sports reporter. He sits up in his seat now, adjusting the microphone to the appropriate height.)

RICKY VALERO: Thank you sir! It’s always a pleasure to come back out here and remind you all of what real talent looks like after you’ve been subjected to the likes of people like Owen Gonsalves, James Edwards, and Chandler Scoff for months on end. Korakuen Hall has always been my favorite arena to compete in, so I’m excited to climb back into an NJFC ring and put on a good show for the fans here in Tokyo.

(The reporter hesitantly nods in response to Ricky before proceeding with his question.)

TOKYO SPORTS: Hai...With that said, you are scheduled to open the evening in a one-on-one battle against NJFC newcomer, Joe Stanton. What are your thoughts on your opponent?

(Ricky chuckles, taking a moment to digest the reporter’s question and respond appropriately.)

RICKY VALERO: My thoughts are that Joe Stanton is one tough S.O.B. I have to give the man credit. He’s been around the block, doing this nearly as long as I have, and I think he’s a huge addition to the NJFC cards going forward. If nothing else, he’s going to entertain. He’s not exactly a jack of all trades, but he’s about as close as one can get, and that pretty much guarantees that, no matter who he steps into the ring with, he’s going to put up one hell of a fight and the fans are going to go home happy. That’s why we’re here, isn’t it?

(He shrugs his shoulders.)

RICKY VALERO: Honestly, I’m excited to share the ring with Joe Stanton. It’s been a long time since I’ve stepped foot in the ring with a guy as unpredictable as he can be. I’ve done a lot of prep for this match, because I know I have to be ready for any variation of Joe Stanton once that bell rings. I know he’s going to give me a run for my money, and I’m ready to get in there and throw down.

(He slouches back in his chair, grabbing hold of his water bottle and taking a deep swig.)

SPORTING NEWS JAPAN: So, do you believe you will beat Joe Stanton?

(Ricky bites his tongue and his eyes grow wide as he’s stunned by the abruptness of the young Sporting News reporter’s question.)

RICKY VALERO: And straight to the point you go. I said Joe Stanton was a tough S.O.B. I didn’t say he had a chance in hell of beating me.

(Valero flashes a sheepish grin as some disgruntled mutters echo throughout the conference room.)

RICKY VALERO: I say that as humbly as I possibly can. Joe’s going to give me a hell of a fight, I guarantee that. But that ring, Korakuen Hall...that’s my domain. And I don’t give a damn if it’s Joe Stanton, Godzilla, or Jesus Christ himself, I’m going to fight to defend my domain with everything I have in me. Nobody and nothing is going to knock me off this pedestal. The Japanese wrestling scene made me. From a green teen with no personality or direction, it chewed me up and spit me out. It made me a competitor; a warrior; a champion. I might be 35 years old now, but make no mistake about it, I am better today than I ever was before because of my time wrestling here in Japan. Because of my failures. Because of my triumphs. And goddammit, there have been a lot of triumphs. FIGHTING SPIRIT, Korakuen Hall, Saturday, March 3rd, you can add another triumph to the list.

(He slouches comfortably back into his chair once again.)

PURORESU DAILY: Would you say your legacy here in Japan is on the line going into this match, Ricky-san?

(His eyes narrow and he stares daggers at the Puroresu Daily reporter. He shakes his head.)

RICKY VALERO: My legacy here in Japan is solid concrete. From Rising Sun Wrestling to Puroresu United to NJFC, I am an icon and there is nothing that can erase that. I have earned my legacy, and there is no chance in hell, I’m going to allow Joe Stanton or anyone else come into Korakuen Hall and take that from me. Joe’s coming into this match looking for a war and it’s a war he’s going to get.

(He turns now and looks directly into a nearby camera.)

RICKY VALERO: Unfortunately for you, Joe, you’re simply outgunned and unprepared for a battle of this magnitude. A smart man would just stay in the back and forfeit, but I know you have too much pride for that. So let me tell you right now that I do respect you. I do respect what you’ve done inside the squared circle. But let me tell you that right now...because when I’m done handing you the beating I’m going to give you inside Korakuen Hall on Saturday night, people are going to doubt just how true that statement really is. People are going to question if I even really value another human life besides my own. Because Joe, I don’t care if it takes everything I have in my arsenal, I don’t care if I have to spill every ounce of your blood, I will leave Tokyo victorious.

(The reporters were silent.)

RICKY VALERO: It’s game time baby…

(That trademark smirk returns.)

RICKY VALERO: Are you ready?

(With nothing more to say, Ricky sat up from his seat and headed straight for the exit.)

[James Peterson]

Joe Stanton vs Ricky Valero

The opening bell rings and both Stanton and Valero slowly approach the center of the ring. Stanton extends his hand towards his opponent, but Ricky Valero dismisses his attempt at sportsmanship by simply laughing as he looked down at his open palm. Instead, he countered with a slap to the face that drew a reaction from the live audience. They lock up with a collar and elbow tie up but Stanton quickly transitions to a standing side headlock. Valera drives Stanton back to the ropes and shoves him off. Stanton runs across the ring and rebounds, deliver a stiff shoulder into the sternum of Ricky Valero. With Valero on the mat, Stanton runs towards the ropes and comes charging towards his opponent. Valero rolls under the feet, forcing Stanton to hop over him. As Valero rises to his feet, Stanton has already bounced off of the ropes. Valero quickly leapfrogs over Stanton and then tries for a clothesline on the rebound. Stanton ducks under, secures the waist and then slams Ricky Valero down with a German suplex!

Stanton allowed for Valero to rise to his feet. As he was pushing up to his feet, Valero exploded up with stiff knife-edged chop. Staggering back clutching at his chest, Stanton tries to cover up but the knife-edged chops keep coming. Valero backs Stanton into the corner and then whips him hard across the ring. Valero chases and quickly nails Stanton on the chin with a running forearm smash in the corner. Valero slides through the ropes after connecting and stands on the apron as Stanton hits the canvas. Valero grabs the top rope and leaps up, springboarding into a huge leg drop! Valero laid across the chest of his opponent and barely got a two count.

Stanton wisely rolled under the rope and laid on the apron as he tried to collect himself. Valero marched towards his opponent, bent over and tried to pull him to his feet. Stanton kicked up and caught Valero in the side of the head, sending him stumbling backwards. Stanton rises to his feet and then ducks under another lariat attempt. Stanton jumps up into a standing backflip and hits a flash kick that drops Valero to one knee. Stanton quickly secures a front face lock and drags Valero towards the ropes. Stanton leaps up, pushes off of the top rope with one foot, and spins into a rope assisted tornado DDT! Stanton rolls Valero over and tries to steal a victory but only gets a two count.

Stanton dragged Valero to his feet and held him with a side waistlock. He Valero up for a gutwrench suplex but Valero was able to slither loose and counter with a roll up. Stanton kicks out after one but as he’s on his knees trying to get back up to his feet, Valero charges in with a jaw shattering shining wizard. Valero lifts Stanton up, hoists him above his head, and runs towards the corner, tossing him into the turnbuckle with a Turnbuckle Powerbomb. Stanton caves to the mat and then rolls out of the ring. Valero hops out onto the apron and stands at the opposite ring post. As Stanton pulls himself up, Valero charges and connects with a running soccer kick that drops Stanton instantly.

Valero drops down to the arena’s floor and slowly pursues Stanton as he crawls along the mat. Valero pulls Stanton up and goes to whip Stanton towards the guardrail but he counters and Valero crashes hard into the the steel. Stanton charges but Valero ducks and rolls out of the way. Stanton manages to improvise as he leaps up onto the guardrail and flips backwards with a moonsault that takes out Ricky Valero! Stanton picks Valero up and brings him towards the apron to roll him into the ring but Valero explodes and drives Stanton back first into the ring apron. Wincing in pain, Stanton is then rolled into the ring with Valero following directly behind him.

Valero struts as he circles around Stanton, toying with him as he pushes him back to the mat with the sole of his boot. Valero finally brings Stanton to his feet but is caught off guard with a flurry of strikes that backs him into the corner. Stanton runs across the ring to the opposite corner and lines up his target. He sprints across the ring and flips using a handspring. Before he could connect with the kick he was looking for, Valero stumbles out of the corner and dropkicks Stanton in the ribs out of mid air!

Stanton holds onto his ribs as he uses the ropes to pull himself up to his feet. Valero closes the gap and chops away at his legs with stiff kicks. After getting him down to a knee, Valero targets the ribs but Stanton catches it. Stanton pushes to his feet as Valero tries to hop away. Standing in the center of the ring, Stanton pulls Valero in close and then drives him down onto his shoulders with a Uranage slam. Stanton stalks Valero as he crawls towards the ropes. Valero struggles to his feet but before he could turn around, Stanton leaps up onto his shoulders and drives him head first into the canvas with his Anarnacirruh (Reverse Hurricanrana). Stanton quickly makes the cover but only gets a two count.

Stanton drags Valero up to his feet, but before he could muster any offense, Valero fights his way free. He lifts Stanton up onto his shoulder with a fireman’s carry and drops him down with his Thy Will Be Done (Ushigoroshi). Valero collapses as well and crawls to make the cover but Stanton gets out at two.

Valero catches his breath and then drags Stanton to his feet. Stanton drives his elbow repeatedly into Valero’s gut, breaking free from his grasp. He quickly drives Valero down with a swinging neckbreaker. Both men are slow to their feet, but get up at the same time. Stanton tries for a lariat but Valero ducks under. Stanton turns around and is whipped towards the ropes. Valero tries to leap frog Stanton, but he catches him in the air. Stanton spins Valero around and sets him up for his tombstone piledriver. Once again, Valero wiggles free and slides down the back of Stanton. Valero cinches in a cobra clutch and slams him backwards with The Franchise Tag (Cobra Clutch Suplex). The ensuing pin attempt gets Valero a count of three for the win!

Winner: Ricky Valero in 14:23

[James Peterson]

30 Minute Iron Man
Chris Crippler vs Mark Storm

A rivalry that has lasted for almost a year now. One that stems from SKYFIRE Wrestling and has followed them all around the world. It's brought them to Japan. Chris Crippler stands across the ring from Storm with a look of hatred in his eyes as Mark Storm leans back against the ropes, a smug look on his face as the outside of the ring begins to crowd with his Dogs of War allies there to support him. He looks on to the outside and nods his head to his crew consisting of; Mitsuo Shimada, Joseph White and Chris Constantine - Jack Tillman obviously preparing for his match later on tonight. Storm then turns to face Crippler and walks to the middle of the ring. He then extends a hand to his rival with a show of respect. Crippler knows this trick. He chuckles and walks up to Storm slapping his hand away. Storm then pauses for a few moments before turning back to Crippler and waving his imaginary gun in the air before directing it at him. Crippler grabs his hand, pulls away this imaginary gun and breaks it using his imagination too, slamming it down on his knee and tossing it aside, to the adulation of the fans.

The bell rings and the two men continue to exchange barbs in the middle of the ring. They both back up to their corners before immediately rushing back to the center of the ring and engaging in a brawl that involves multiple strikes being connected to one another. It's quick, it's powerful and it's almost painful to watch. The strikes are stiff and neither man seems to be letting up anytime soon. Storm then takes off to the ropes and looks for a lariat. But Crippler barely staggers backwards. Crippler then takes off to the ropes and looks for a lariat on Storm but Storm barely staggers. Both of the men then run off to the ropes and come back looking for a lariat but they both stagger backwards after hitting each other. Storm then runs towards Crippler and ducks underneath his arm, springboard off to second ropes and looks for the cutter but Crippler grabs him by the waist and holds him there, before launching him backwards for the German suplex. Crippler then begins the ground and pound game and with every pound there's a message and each message gets more vicious than the last. Crippler is laying into Storm like he's an experiment. The referee has to drag Crippler off of him once Storm reaches the rope for the break.

Storm and Chris Crippler lock up in a collar and elbow tie up before Crippler slams Storm to the canvas via a side headlock take down. Storm slips out and transitions Crippler into an armbar which Crippler slips out of that almost as quickly as it is locked in. Crippler gets Storm locked into a reverse chinlock and digs his knee into the spinal cord of Mark Storm. Crippler pulls Storm to his feet and throws him into the ring ropes. Storm returns and connects with a spinning heel kick to the face that knocks Crippler off his feet. Storm is quick to step onto the ring apron while Crippler climbs to his feet and Storm attempts a springboard crossbody and he's nailed by a vicious European uppercut from Chris Crippler. The crowd gasps at the sight of Crippler standing tall over his seeming lifetime enemy. Chris Crippler drops a quick elbow and then makes a cover but it's only the two.

The ref signals it's a definitely two and Chris Crippler just gives him the stare down while he pulls Mark Storm to his feet by his hair. Chris Crippler walks Storm over to the corner and slams his head against the top turnbuckle before grabbing his arm, wrapping it around the top ring cable and wrenching back on the awkward positioning of the wrist. Storm shouts in pain and Crippler silences him with powerful forearm strikes to the shoulders blades and neck area of Mark Storm. The ref steps between the two after a five second count and Chris Crippler follows orders. Mark Storm turns around in the corner, now facing Chris Crippler and he's immediately clobbered with a running European uppercut from Chris Crippler. Chris Crippler pins Mark Storm after he falls to the canvas but only gets the two count again.

Your Hero and Mine rolls to the outside of the ring and Crippler follows, only to run into Joseph White and Shimada who are blocking Crippler from Storm. Crippler then grabs a chair from over the railing and looks to strike both of the men but they scurry out of the way, Storm is back up on his feet and he kicks Crippler in the gut before slamming him down to the outside with a snap DDT. Storm brings him back up to his feet and Irish whips him into the railing. He then runs over to him but Crippler moves out of the way. Storm manages to leap up onto the railing and backflip behind Crippler, grabbing him in the process and slamming him down with a moonsault inverted DDT. The fans applaud in appreciation but they quickly turn into jeers as Storm mocks Crippler, bringing him back up to his feet and slamming his head against the apron. He then grabs the chair that Crippler had a hold of earlier and looks to strike him. Crippler moves out of the way and the chair hits the apron, rebounding and hitting the head of Storm who staggers in position. Crippler runs over to him and delivers a front drop kick that has Storm falling back into the ring post.

Crippler grabs him and rolls him into the ring before jumping up onto the apron. He has Shimada and White grabbing onto each leg so that he can't move. He tries his best to fight them off but he just can't. Storm then runs over to the ropes by the padded corners and springboards off of them, before flying towards Crippler onto the apron and landing a dropkick on him, with Crippler falling hard on the outside. Storm then rises to his feet and smiles, looking to the outside before looking back to the ropes. He heads to the ropes, bounces off of them before heading to the opposite set and front flips over the top rope and lands on Crippler on the outside. He brings him back up to his feet and rolls him back into the inside and climbs to the top rope too. He performs a frog splash off the top but only gets the two count.

Using the ropes, Crippler makes it to his feet by the corner and Storm runs towards him looking for a big splash but Crippler catches him, turns him around and delivers an exploder suplex into the padded corner. He goes for the pin afterwards but Shimada grabs the leg of Storm and places it on the bottom rope. The referee points at the foot and Crippler can't believe it! He saw Shimada move the foot of Storm and the referee is claiming that he didn't see it! Crippler argues with the referee and this allows Storm some time to recover. When Crippler turns around he is met with a powerful bicycle knee that sends him down to a knee. Storm then points his gun at Crippler and shouts, "YOUR HERO!" he runs off to the ropes - bounces off of them and shouts "AND MINE!" and delivers another bicycle knee on Crippler before toppling him for the pin. But he only gets the two! Storm can't believe it either! Storm then grabs Crippler and brings him to his feet, fireman carry position, looking to end this with his finishing Dystopia but Crippler rolls down his back. ENZIGURI KICK! Storm staggers back into the ropes... BICYCLE KNEE! Storm then connects with a kick to the thigh, forearm, slap, spinning backfist and looks to complete the sequence with a discus lariat but Crippler ducks under, Storm turns around and is sent crumbling down to the canvas with a lariat that turns him inside out! Crippler brings him back up and finishes him with the Crippler DDT for the first fall of the evening!

Crippler 1 - 0 Storm

As soon as Crippler gets off of Storm, the bell rings to mark the end of the match as a whole! Thirty minutes it's up and finally Chris Crippler has managed to do it! He's managed to topple Mark Storm and defeat him! Crippler doesn't bask in the glory though. He's surrounded now. The Dogs of War enter the ring and begin a beatdown on Crippler. Each man laying into him with ferocious boots as Mark Storm recovers back to his feet. Storm tells them to stop and they do. Storm then grabs his American Justice title and shoves it in the face of Crippler before exiting the ring alongside the Dogs.

Winner: Chris Crippler in 30:00

[James Peterson]

COSMO COOPER

(As Ricky exits, the party quickly livens up as Cosmo Cooper comes walking—or strutting through the door to the far side. He has on his round sunglasses and the 4CW Tag Championship is tossed over his shoulder. He comes to a stop at the front of the room and gives a quick wave with a smile before he settles in and places the 4CW Championship in front of him. He clears his throat for opening statements.)

COSMO COOPER:I’ll be honest with you, guys. I’m tired as hell. Less than 24 hours ago I defended the 4CW Tag titles successfully. First time in a long time it had been defended—let alone in a triple threat match so I’m pretty stoked. But I went from Houston to LA and now to Japan… so I am beat. But you guys know what I’m here, and like, NJFC knows that I’m going to show up and give them the best performance I can… and not only that I have to step back in a ring with a man who I respect. So fire away… not promising I’ll be coherent.

(There’s a smattering of laughter as Cosmo lowers his head. Some hands shoot up and Cosmo nods around to one of the reporters. It’s Japanese, so Cosmo waits for him to finish before a translator starts.)

SPORTING NEWS JAPAN:Cosmo, you’ve got to step into the ring with Chris Madison several times now within the confines for a 4CW ring. Do you think seeing him, mixing it up with him in multi-person matches helps you in a singles match?

(Cooper rubs his hands together as he leans back in the chair.)

COSMO COOPER: I think that’s a great question. Technically, and I mean I am being very technical here… but we are 1-1 against each other in these matches. Madison got a win over me in an Octane vs. Adrenaline match… I got a win over him just what feels like hours ago in a 4CW Tag Title match, but he and I both know none of those count… here’s the thing about Madison, man. He’s really, really, really fucking good, okay? I don’t care if he loses 100 matches, I’d fear him when he stepped into the ring. He’s a legend. If anyone carries the weight of losses into the punches of the next match… it’s Madison. So no, I don’t think it gives me an advantage… he’s been doing this a lot longer than me. I think that gives him an advantage. Okay? He’s been around the block. I respect him, and I’ll be honest and not try and talk a big game.

NJFC AMERICA: So, if you don’t think that gives you an advantage… where do you think you have the advantage over someone like Chris Madison?

(Another nod comes from Cosmo as he twists his hat around backwards, speaking into the microphone.)

COSMO COOPER:Mads has seen a lot of miles, right? I’m a little over two years deep into my professional career. I can handle the grind—I embrace the grind. I embrace the lack of sleep. I welcome that feeling, you… like the feeling you get when everything seems like a dream because you’re running on fumes and you’ve got to go out and put on a five star match… right? GCW, CWC, 4CW, SAP… the grind doesn’t end for me… and I’m undefeated here in Japan… I don’t know if Madison has the same ‘get up and go’ mentality… how many times has he done this? How many times can he keep like, crawling back up to get knocked down again… we will see… I’m tired, but I’m ready to go. I’m ready to shoulder the pressure NJFC is giving me. I love it. This is how I thrive.

(Cosmo looks back around the room. He waits for another Japanese reporter to be translated but he respectfully listens.)

PRO WRESTLING REPORT MAGAZINE JAPAN:If you are able to beat Madison, that would put you with wins over some of the best in the sport. Ricky, Harter, Craig Anderson just to name a few. Do you see yourself in a positioning for a championship if you’re able to pull off the upset?

(It takes a while for Cosmo to answer, he has his arms crossed over his chest. Finally a smile appears.)

COSMO COOPER:Hey, like… I’m not the one making matches… and honestly? I’m perfectly fine with filling a spot and being the special attraction match. You can hear the fans when I come out… they love me. Plus, I’m not getting ahead of myself. It would be the absolute biggest win of my career if I can knock off Madison, and I know I said that against Dom but it’s true. The opponents get bigger, and I just keep mowing through them. I love Madison. I respect Madison. I strive to be the name he is today… but when it comes to winning and losing… you can’t have friends. You can’t have people you… like… you respect. You’ve just gotta’ take care of business.

(Glancing at his watch, Cosmo nods. He waves to the crowd.)

COSMO COOPER:Listen, I love y’all so much. I appreciate you guys for accepting me as your own the way you have but I gotta’ go grab some food and get some sleep. I promise you… this match is going to be worth every minute of travel… every minute of lost sleep. I’m not going home without a war… and I know Maddy is watching… and I know he’s back there about to come speak… Madison… bring it… because you know I am…

(He posed for a few pictures with his fists up before he waved and walked off the stage.)

CHRIS MADISON

(The revolving door of talent continues to step up to the podium in order to field questions from the media leading into New Japan Fighting Championship’s Fighting Spirit. The crowded floor of journalists begins to anxiously talk amongst themselves as Chris Madison emerges. Much more casually dressed than a majority of the competitors on the docket, Chris stepped up to the podium in a pair of blue denim jeans, a royal blue t-shirt that reads, “IFC -vs- Everybody”, and a flat brimmed New York Mets baseball cap. In his hand, a small styrofoam cup of coffee that he places down after taking a sip.)

CHRIS MADISON: “Pardon me if I seem a bit groggy, but Jeb Fisher tried to cave my head in with the sole of his shoe two days ago.”

(Chris cracked a smile as a way to let the audience know it was okay to laugh at his attempted joke.)

CHRIS MADISON: “In all seriousness, it’s truly a honor and a privilege to once again be standin’ up here in front of all of you. Unlike my counterpart, who lost a day somewhere in his travels, I was able to take a day to rest before I flew into the country late last night.”

(Madison looks down at his hands and mouths, “March first, March second”, as he pops his index and middle fingers up out of a closed fist.

CHRIS MADISON: “With 4CW’s Retrograde behind me, I have to keep my feet moving forward. immediately followin’ this press conference because I have to be in Montreal Saturday night for two gruelin’ matches! And then I fly back here for Sunday’s action. Five days, four matches, three cards, and one press conference… Not too bad for an old man who is constantly being questioned whether or not my body can hold up to the rigorous schedule.”

(Of all the familiar faces that fill the press conference floor prior to each NJFC show, Ryoku Naito, was the first to rise to their feet and fire off a question at Chris Madison as he took another sip of the coffee that he brought to the podium with him.)

RYOKU NAITO: “Based on that statement, it seems pretty safe to say that you’re in tune with a lot of the criticism that seems to follow you as of late. Criticism which has been sparked by your recent track record. How does that affect you going forward?”

CHRIS MADISON: It doesn’t… You can’t let it… We always harp on the negatives but ignore the positives. Sure my second run in 4CW has been pathetic. To label me mediocre would be extremely kind. Even here, under the NJFC banner. I worked so hard, put so much into the Pride Of Puroresu Crown tournament; and what do I have to show for it? Chandler Scott beat me with the Heavyweight Championship up for grabs and then we wrestled to a sixty minute draw in the rematch. I’ve hit a ceilin’ and can’t seem to find the strength to push through. But that’s all people want to talk about… Try and push me out of the door while completely ignoring the fact that for a little over a year I have been a mainstay in FGA’s Pride Championship division - winnin’ it twice durin’ that span and givin’ it purpose once again. But that doesn’t fit the washed up narrative that everyone wants to push. Wins and losses don’t define me as a competitor. It’s what I can do when I step through those ropes from bell to bell that my opponents need to be concerned with, and if you think I’m runnin’ on fumes, the only thing you’re doin’ is handicappin’ yourself...”

(Ryoku Naito sits down, jotting a few notes onto a pad of paper as he sat. Madison takes scans the room while taking another sip of coffee. He locks eyes with the ever-eager Rachel Kenshin, and gives her a nod of the head.)

RACHEL KENSHIN: “There’s a sense of familiarity between you and Cosmo Cooper, having faced in 4CW just a couple of days ago and a few months back. What can NJFC fans expect out of this matchup between the two of you?”

CHRIS MADISON: “A match unlike anythin’ they’ve seen from us before. We’ve shared the ring before, but never really had the chance to go mano a mano without anyone else playin’ a role in the match. Fright Night… War Games… it was a four on four that ended when Lauryn Wolfe locked my Peruvian Necktie onto Sativa Nevaeh. The other night, triple threat for the 4CW Tag Team Championships, he pinned Boston to retain the straps. We’ve had spurts throughout these matches but have never really gotten to clash without our focus strayin’ away. Stylistically, I think we’re pretty similar: we both utilize various suplexes and tosses in our arsenal, we both are well versed in submissions, and the both of us can straight up bang with the best of ‘em. No matter how this match plays out, NJFC fans are goin’ to be beggin’ for more!”

(Rachel bows her head and mouths thank you as she takes her seat.)

CHRIS MADISON: “No… Thank you for takin’ it easy on me this time around.”

(Chris looks around the room again, this time pointing towards Shelley Silver who is sitting at the far end of the front row.)

SHELLEY SILVER: “Cosmo Cooper has had quite some run so far in NJFC picking up wins over Craig Anderson, James Edwards, Ricky Valero, and Dom Harter. What would a win over you mean for Cosmo’s NJFC career?”

CHRIS MADISON: “Cosmo is an absolute stud. For a guy who has only been wrestlin’ for about two years, the kid has built up quite a résumé - not just in NJFC. I mean think about those names that you just rattled off. Every last one of them are gifted competitors, established in different promotions across the globe. Add my name to the list and it would be hard to deny the kid a shot at Chandler or Jack for the Heavyweight Championship. But here’s the thing… He’s in the middle of runnin’ through this industry like a runaway train. Every promotion out there wants a piece of this kid. Anyone who’s anyone, wants a chance to stand across the ring from this kid. But when push comes to shove, Cosmo doesn’t need this win. Win or lose, he’s still got the entire wrestlin’ world in the palm of his hand.”

(Shelley drops down to her seat, pressing stop on her recorder and stuffing it into her pants pocket.)

CHRIS MADISON: “Doumo arigatou. Dewa, mata chikai uchini.”

(Madison picks up his cup of coffee and takes a few steps away from the podium, walking into the waiting arms of his manager, Frankie Morrison. Frankie looks down at his watch and tries to rush Madison off as he waves to the crowded room.)

[James Peterson]

Cosmo Cooper vs Chris Madison

Battle of the heavyweights. It was only a matter of days ago when these two found themselves opposite the ring from one another and here they are again, but this time, it isn't a tag team contest. It's a battle between two of the best heavyweights in the world right now. Cooper offers a hand to Madison who stares at it for a moment before finally accepting the handshake. They back up to their corners and the bell rings for the match to start. Both men approach the center of the ring and Cosmo extends a hand out, proposing that the two engage in a knuckle lock. They engage in the battle of strengths with Madison coming out on top and pushing Cooper back into the ropes. The referee begins to count Madison down and he gradually releases him but Cooper then grabs Madison and has him on the ropes now, holding him against it. The referee begins to count Cooper down and he gradually releases him too but then fakes a strike and simply pats him on the chest, a smile on his face afterwards as he backs up to the center of the ring. Madison comes off of the ropes and the two engage in a collar to elbow with Madison quick clinching Cosmo and forcing him back into the padded corner. He forces his head down and begins to send knee's into the head of Cooper!

It's extremely hard to watch and Cosmo is struggling to get out of it. Madison finally stops with the knees and Cooper lifts his head up, Madison may have just broken his nose as blood begins to trickle down the nose of Cosmo, who runs his fingers through his hair. Cooper then heads over to Madison and pushes him down to the canvas. Madison chuckles and gets to his feet, pushing Cosmo down to the canvas afterward. Cooper then gets up and delivers a series of open palm strikes and looks to complete it with a spinning back fist but Madison ducks under his arm before kicking Cosmo in the knee. Cosmo stays on his feet but he does struggle to do so. Madison delivers another kick to the knee of Cosmo. But he still stays on his feet, hopping on one leg now. Madison delivers another kick to the knee and this time Cosmo his the canvas and Madison mounts on top of him, delivering strikes to the head of Cosmo, who's trying with all of his might to block the strikes coming from Madison. Madison is ferocious with his strikes and manages to connect with several of the strikes he throws at him. He then locks him in a headlock from his grounded position. Cosmo stretches his legs out and manages to reach the ropes.

"Mayhem" Chris Madison gets to his feet and watches Cosmo as he clings onto the ropes and uses them to help himself up. Madison grabs him from behind and drops him with a German suplex. Cosmo rolls back up to his feet and looks at Madison like a mad man on coke. He doesn't look happy. Not, one, bit. Madison looks to strike Cooper but he ducks underneath his arm, wraps his arms around his waist and hits Madison with a German suplex of his own. He still has his arms around his waist and rolls back up to his feet with Madison. He tries to lift him again but Madison uses his strength to power himself back down. He then elbows Cosmo in the side of the head until Cosmo releases him completely. Cosmo the runs towards Madison but he lifts him up, spins him round, and drops him to the canvas with a spinebuster, a pin follows but only the two count! Madison then mounts on top of Cooper and delivers several elbows to the nose directly, trying to further damage it. Cooper manages to reach the ropes and Madison gets off of him, bringing him back up to his feet afterward. He leans him against the padded corner and an Irish whip attempt, Cooper reverses and Madison hits the padded corner. Cosmo sprints over to him and a big splash in the corner! Madison stumbles out of the corner as Cooper runs towards the ropes. Cosmo comes off of the ropes and is immediately hit by a bicycle knee by Madison. Cosmo is now on his knees. Madison heads to the ropes and bounces off of them, Cosmo springs back to life with a bicycle knee of his own! Cosmo then hooks one leg and lifts him up with a belly to back bridging suplex! Madison kicks out at two!

They lean into each other as they try to get back up to their feet, both exhausted with what's already been a hard hitting match. Cosmo then strikes Madison with an open hand. Madison returns one. Cosmo with the forearm, Madison returns one. Cosmo then heads to the ropes, bouncing off of them and looks to shoulder barge Madison down to the canvas. Madison is unaffected. Cosmo goes back to the ropes and looks for another shoulder barge. But Madison is still unaffected. Cosmo heads to the ropes again and this time, Madison catches him with a flying armbar! He has him locked in! The flying armbar that has sealed the fate of many before and it could do the trick again, right here! Cosmo uses his three hand to stretch toward the ropes but it isn't working! Madison has him in tight and in the middle of the ring, pulling back on the arm and Cosmo in wincing in pain. He scoots his legs... and he does so again, and again... and with a stretch, he manages to get his foot on the bottom rope!

Applause for Cosmo ring through the arena. Madison gets to his feet and grabs Cosmo by the waist. He brings him up and rolls backwards, before hitting a bridging German suplex but Cosmo kicks out at two. Cooper rolls to the outside and lays there for a moment. Madison then looks at him and looks at the ropes. He takes off to the ropes and bounces off of them before running toward Cooper who's being looked at by one of the Dojo of Dragons graduates.

REPLAY BOARD

Madison soaks in the cheers.

He then brings Cooper up and rolls him to the inside before rolling himself in too. He watches Cooper, waiting for him to get to his feet as he knows that the end is nearing. Cooper turns and Madison for the Peruvian necktie but Cosmo runs into the padded corner with Madison on him, smashing the back of Madison against the corner and breaking the hold. Madison then stumbles out of the corner. Cosmo wraps his arms around the waist of Madison and performs his signature belly to belly suplex! The fans are going crazy! Cooper then grabs him and scoops him into a tombstone position!

Madison leans back and now has Cooper in the tombstone!

He drops him on his head! He then picks him back up by his hair, rear waist lock while trapping one of Cooper's arms. Madison pulls on his his arm by the wrist and forces him to spin around. As Cooper does a full 360 spin, Madison spins himself round and looks for the elbow to the back of the head, Cooper ducks! He turns him round and scoops him back into the piledriver position, spinning himself around and jumping before planting him down on the canvas and covering for the one, the two and the three!


Winner: Cosmo Cooper in 16:13

[James Peterson]

ANASTASIA HAYDEN

(Up next is the NJFC Global Champion Anastasia Hayden. She’s definitely not dressed to impress as she’s sporting a “Bloody Best Friends” hoodie, a pair of yoga pants, and of course, a bandage on her forehead as a reminder of her match against Bronx Valescence a few nights ago. The loss is still bothering her and it’s evident that she doesn’t want to be standing in front of the podium; further driving that point home as she lazily throws down the Global Championship onto the stand.)

ANASTASIA HAYDEN: “I guess this is the point where I put on some goofy smile, say something stupid, and open up the floor for questions...but I’m not really interested in hearing what any of you have to say. The last forty-eight hours haven’t been the best for me and having to travel all the way out here on top of that? I’m just going to make it simple and save everyone the hassle.”

(The reporters in the room look at one another, a bit confused as Ana carries on.)

ANASTASIA HAYDEN: “I hear the same questions every time. ‘Ana, how do you think you’re going to do?’ ‘Ana, you just lost in 4CW, how will that affect you heading into this match?’ Just save your breath. The answer is always the same and it’ll never change. And that is? I don’t care. I don’t need to tell you what I’m going to do because I show what I do.”

GLOBAL WRESTLING BLOG: “But this is a cinder block match.”

(Ana’s eyes scan the room for the brave voice, but no one wanted to stand and take credit for it; prompting a roll of the eyes from her.)

ANASTASIA HAYDEN: “Look, I just competed in a steel cage ladder match...my body has been through hell and I’m here in Japan forty-eight hours later ready for this match. So let me ask you...have I given any indication that I give a fuck what type of match this is? What do I do? Should I stand here and tell you that’s it’ll be dangerous, it’s gonna hurt, or some bullshit like that? Do I need to spell it out for you?”

(She’s silent, perhaps waiting for a response from the reporter, but there’s just more silence.)

ANASTASIA HAYDEN: “Aokigahara Zombie is dangerous, this match is dangerous...but I don’t give a fuck. I’m the NJFC Global Champion and I’m telling you right now...I don’t give a fuck. This belt? It doesn’t mean a damn thing to me, but as long as I’m holding onto it, I hope you understand that no matter how dangerous you perceive someone else to be or how dangerous this match is...there’s nothing on this Earth more dangerous than Anastasia Hayden.”

(For the first time since walking into the room, there’s a slight smirk on Ana’s face.)

ANASTASIA HAYDEN: “I’ve never stepped foot onto a cinder block canvas, but I’m not going to lose sleep over that. This? This is nothing to Aoki, so why should I be nervous? I know he’ll be hungry for the Global Championship, I know he’s ready to break my neck for this belt...but you know what, Aoki? Do it. Try your best. Because that’s what you’re going to need to do in order to take the NJFC Global Championship away from me. I might be the champion, but I’m stepping into your domain. I’m not getting a home field advantage, but I don’t give a fuck.”

(The smirk fades and a look of determination takes over.)

ANASTASIA HAYDEN: “Because anytime I step into a ring, regardless of what it’s made out of...I like my odds. I’m still going to win. I guarantee that, Aoki. It doesn’t matter that I just lost to Bronx. It doesn’t matter that I probably won’t even be healed up for our match. I’m still going to find a way into that ring, give a hundred-and-ten percent, and I’m going to walk out of there with this worthless championship dragging along behind me.”

(Ana’s last sentence prompts a reporter to raise their hand and her eyes narrow, shooting a cold, unforgiving glance at the man, but he doesn’t back down. She just sighs and nods.)

PURORESU ONLINE: “Ana, why are you so invested in defending your NJFC Global Championship if it isn’t worth anything to you? You’re egging on Aokigahara to try and break your neck for a championship you just referred to as worthless. Why take the risk?”

(Ana scoffs at the question.)

ANASTASIA HAYDEN: “I take the risk because wrestling is my job. I’d take this risk with or without the Global Championship on the line. I don’t ask for these titles, they just end up coming my way. They burden me, but I don’t let them hold me down. Everyone else gets so caught up in the glitter and gold of these things...but I see them for what they are. Worthless. So I’ll take the risk of having my neck broken against Aoki because I’d do that regardless; belt or not belt.”

(She grabs the NJFC Global Championship and holds it up, an annoyed look on her face as she does so.)

ANASTASIA HAYDEN: “If this is what Aoki wants? Take it. I’d be overjoyed if he was able to take the NJFC Global Championship away from me...but he won’t. No one will. So I’ll carry this belt with a smile on my face because I know that no one will ever be able to achieve their cute little dream of being a champion...not on my fucking watch. So cinder block canvas or not...it doesn’t really matter because I’m still leaving as the NJFC Global Champion.”

(Ana lowers the belt, giving one more cold glance around the room.)

ANASTASIA HAYDEN: “And there isn’t a fucking thing Aoki or anyone else can do about it.”

(With that, Ana takes her leave from the podium, the NJFC Global Championship dragging behind her as the next wrestler is set to show up.)

AOKIGAHARA ZOMBIE

(Now it's time for Aokigahara Zombie. He walks in with his KAMIKAZE Pro Evolution Title on his shoulder. He sets the championship down on the table. He looks around for the drinks and shrugs when he sees the water.)

AOKIGAHARA ZOMBIE: I'm here for the NJFC Global Championship. Ask me anything.

TOKYO FIGHT: Why have the Zombies chosen you to fight Anastasia Hayden for her title? Isn't Tokyo Zombie a member of this roster?

AOKIGAHARA ZOMBIE: Tokyo Zombie is choosing to focus on the temple, or his group of trainees, or his new friends. I don't really know. We didn't really choose this match. This match chose us. It chose me. I have been raising my profile since I started fighting more in Japan. I am having so much fun.

PRO WRES UNITED: Has Kimitsu Zombie been in contact with you about this match? What did she have to say about Anastasia Hayden?

AOKIGAHARA ZOMBIE: Yeah. I wanted to know how heavy Anastasia Hayden was so I asked her if I would have any problems picking her up. She told me that I would have no problems. You might think that someone like Anastasia Hayden would be easy to pick up, but there is nothing to stop her from kicking and scratching. Maybe she will go for my eyes or try to bite my nose off. Do you think she will? I believe she has about three seconds to rip one of my eyes out. I don't know if it will stop me from smashing her head into a cinderblock but I will feel it after. Kimitsu didn’t think I would be able to pick her up just like that but I think I can get her. Anastasia Hayden is tired.

SIX STAR LARIAT BLOG: Are you referring to the match Anastasia Hayden has just had in 4CW? How do you think this match will affect her mentally and physically.

AOKIGAHARA ZOMBIE: This is a tough question. I don't know anything about how she thinks. Kimitsu told me Hayden doesn't care about anything but fighting. This gets me happy but I should not assume to know someone until I get them in the ring. Fighting is the only true way to really get to know someone. Sorry, guys, but it's true. I saw her match and I see that she is a great fighter. She fights with purpose. I will feel what this purpose is on Sunday. Anastasia is one of the best and has shown it. This loss is just another bump for her. If I have any luck at all it is this bump that motivates her not to lose this match. That would make her perfect to me. If someone doesn't want to lose the match then they will be desperate to try anything. Desperation is innovation. I imagine that she will be extra ruthless and will ignore the fatigue.

SIX STAR LARIAT BLOG: How are you feeling going into this match?

AOKIGAHARA ZOMBIE: Me? Oh I'm always good. I am going to be relaxed for this match as I've had enough time to recover from the Kamikaze tour. I am training for my next few matches and this match is my top priority. She is very talented and I get goosebumps thinking of how I can engage in her violence. I won't be getting her at 100% like you said but like I said, that is sometimes preferable. Hayden is in fight mode already. I am relaxed and refreshed, but I need to get my blood up. No training session will compare to the chaos of a real wrestling match.

NJFC MAGAZINE: Anastasia Hayden says she does not care for her title or any other title. How do you value the NJFC Global Championship.

(Aokigahara takes his belt and slams it down on the table. Then he smacks it with his hand.)

AOKIGAHARA ZOMBIE: This title is great. When you get a championship belt everyone wants to take it from you. That leads to so many conflicts. When I got this KAMIKAZE Pro Evolution Championship I was elated. I've gotten more challenges than compliments. This keeps me busy and helps me move. Anastasia Hayden is very good and she might not want the title, but I will show her its value when I take it from her. I have big plans for these two titles. I can face everyone in NJFC as well as Kamikaze Pro whenever I want. She could have had a chance to do this but she doesn't think right. Her championship is a key to so much pleasure.

USA PURO NEWS: Okay, I must ask… do you get turned on in matches?

AOKIGAHARA ZOMBIE: Have you ever been stabbed?

USA PURO NEWS: No, sir.

AOKIGAHARA ZOMBIE: So you don't get journalized when you start and you don't have a match when you decide to cover sports. We'll need to do something about that… anyways, I do not get turned on in matches. FIghting is so unpredictable that you don't have time to get a boner. I love professional wrestling because it lets me get my stress down. I also provide the same opportunity to my opponents. So if I smash Anastasia's head into the cinderblocksand she happens to bleed or get her skull smashed, I will expect the same treatment.

You want to know what else? The only way I will be angry with her is if she lets all of the distractions around her not give me her all. I don't demand her body be at 100% because no one else's is. What I do demand is that her spirit be full and hearty. If she is angry for the loss or for having to defend her title, then all the better.

This is for her. Hayden: Bring me your burdens and all that angst. I will free you from these and take them on myself. The winner will be the one that can survive the weight.

(He walks out)

[James Peterson]

Match Four

NJFC Global Championship 

Cinderblock Canvas

Aokigahara Zombie vs Anastasia Hayden

Both competitors receive a huge reception as they make their way down to the ring. Whilst Anastasia Hayden is not exactly a fan favourite, she is showed the respect she deserves as the defending NJFC Global Champion. She hands the title over to the official, who calls for the bell. The two competitors look down at the mat, which is made entirely of cinderblock. It's very different from the canvas that they're used to. Aokigahara Zombie seems to be more at home in this scenario than Ana, as he gains the upper hand early on. A feeble attempt at a collar-and-elbow from Hayden gives him the advantage, and he makes the most of it. A sit out jawbreaker sends Ana face first into the cinderblock, instantly leaving a graze. He places an elbow on her torso and pulls her into an abdominal stretch. Hayden yells out in pain, knowing that she has no way of reaching the ropes. Instead, she works her way out of the hold by climbing to her knees, and then to her feet. This allows her to spin around and reverse the pressure on Zombie's wrists, which forces him to break the hold. For good measure, she elbows him below the ribs.

Aokigahara clutches at his stomach, gasping for breath. Ana capitalises with kicks. Lots of them. Ana kicks, after all! A hook kick is followed by repeated kicks to the face, eventually dropping him to a seated position. From here, she naturally moves into seated back kicks. This makes Zombie drop to a prone position on the canvas, and gives Hayden the opportunity to scale the turnbuckle. She leaps from the top rope, connecting with a diving double foot stomp. She goes for a cover, hooking both legs for extra leverage. But it leads to a kickout at the count of two.

Ana grabs hold of his arm and pulls him in for an armbar, trying to put on as much pressure as she can. But it doesn't achieve the desired outcome, as Aokigahara powers out of it. He raises to a knee, and pulls Ana up with his arm before smashing her against the concrete. The impact can be heard on her back, as she immediately rolls around in agony. Zombie lifts her back up to her feet though, and slams her straight back down with a powerbomb. Anastasia Hayden, understandably, seems completely out of it. But for some reason, Zombie opts against going for the cover. Instead, he locks her into a single leg Boston crab. The pain on Ana's face tells a story, and it only increases as she has to drag herself along the cold, hard surface. She gets her fingertips to the bottom rope, forcing the break. She then rolls out of the ring, in order to catch a breather.

Aokigahara follows her outside and grabs her wrist, dragging her along the sparsely padded flooring. Ana can be somewhat relieved that she's being dropped outside the ring, because it's a considerably softer landing. A running bulldog takes Hayden down again, but Zombie's not done there. He pulls her up again, but this time Ana is able to fight back. She drops him with a Northern Lights suplex, back-first onto the floor. She staggers around the ring, before rolling inside. Ana demands the official to start counting; almost berating him, in fact. He does start counting, and when he does so Aokigahara starts to show signs of life. He gets to his feet at the count of ten, but isn't able to keep his balance and immediately falls back down again. Panic begins to set in when he isn't to his feet at the count of seventeen, but somehow he's able to rapidly pull himself up and under the bottom rope before the count of nineteen, breaking the count.

A frustrated Hayden climbs to the top rope again, and awaits Aokigahara reaching his feet. When he does so, she leaps off for a diving crossbody. Unfortunately for her, Zombie catches her in mid-air and turns it into a bearhug submission. He squeezes the air out of her, trying to get her to give up or pass out. When neither of the two happens, he slings her aside. He picks her up, setting up for his “To The Lost” backdrop driver finisher. BUT NO! ANA LANDS ON HER FEET! Somehow, Hayden manages to reverse the move by landing on her feet. Zombie is on his knees, still not entirely sure about what happened. Anastasia makes sure he's quickly aware though, delivering a switchblade kick to the back of his neck. He drops against the cinderblock, but immediately crawls towards the corner. When he pulls himself to his feet, Hayden is quick to strike with a corner Yakuza kick. Zombie stumbles forwards, but doesn't drop to his feet. Anastasia jumps onto his shoulders for going for “Black Star”, her signature reverse frankensteiner. Zombie lands right on his head, and she goes for the cover. BUT NO, AOKIGAHARA ZOMBIE KICKS OUT! Ana begins to ask questions of herself, wondering what she has to do to put him away. She pulls him up, his head cut open at this point. She drops him on his head one more time, this time through a fisherman DDT. She goes for another cover, and he kicks out again.

Irritated, she climbs to the top rope again. Since the diving crossbody attempt was unsuccessful last time, she tries again. When he gets to his feet, she launches herself at him. But Zombie catches her again, this time immediately going for “To The Lost.” Somehow though, amazingly, Anastasia Hayden lands on her feet for a second time. Ana hops onto his shoulders and once again takes him down with a reverse frankensteiner. She's not taking any chances this time though, as she follows up with a running single leg dropkick – her “She Was Only Seventeen” finisher. Battered and bruised, Ana drops against him to make the cover. The referee drops down to count the one... the two... and the three!

The bell rings and Anastasia Hayden can barely move. She is helped to a seated position by the official, who then hands her her NJFC Global Championship. She struggles to her feet, looking back at Aokigahara Zombie who has also got himself to a seated position. These two came for a fight, and they certainly got one. Ana rolls out of the ring with her Championship still intact, while Zombie is applauded by the crowd as he makes his exit.

Winner: Anastasia Hayden in 16:44

[James Peterson]

-Walking into the press room is Jack Tillman. Dressed in a custom made black suit, Jack has both the NGW Five Lakes and the CWC Junior Heavyweight Title on both his shoulders. The reporters start to mumble to one another as Chris Constantine, Jacks manager, is nowhere to be seen. Jack places both titles on top of the podium so that they can be seen. Jack stares at the sea of reporters without a care in the world as he starts to speak.

Jack Tillman: Constantine can’t make it so go ahead and ask away.

The reporters are stunned because it’s the first time that Jack has been up on the podium by himself. Jack does his best to keep the chatter down as he points out his first question.

Japanese Sports Reporter : Over in CWC, for you to hold the CWC Junior Heavyweight Title you must weigh 205 or less. But for NJFC you need to weigh 220 or more to be the NJFC Heavyweight Champion. Are you worried about making weight with your title match against Chandler Scott or is it something you’ll be able to handle?

Jack Tillman: It’s just a diet and exercise thing. If I need to lose weight there’ll be foods that I’ll eat and foods that I won’t eat. Same with my weight training and cardio. We’re only talking about fifteen pounds so it’s not that extreme as say gaining and or losing 50 pounds . It’s going to be a struggle at times but I’ll make it work.

American Sports Reporter: Chandler Scott has held onto the Heavyweight Title since July of last year. With all the title defenses and big named opponents he’s beaten, do you think you’ll be able to stand a chance against Mr. Scott.

Jack Tillman: With all do respect to Chandler Scott with his title reign and all his victories...... I don’t think he fits right for NJFC. And I say this because it all boils down to the whole Japanese vs. Gaijin debate that’s been going on for months now. You want to know why the officials of NJFC don’t like Chandler Scott? It’s because he shows up for a couple of days in Japan, does his media tour, has his match, takes his pay day, and then he takes that Heavyweight Title and goes back to the states with it. Now the NJFC officials won’t say it to his face, but I hear the chatter. I’m one of the few Gaijin here that knows the Japanese language so believe me when I say the native higher ups would love to see Chandler Scott lose. They may smile and shake his hand but they’re cursing him every second he carries that title.

Independent Sports Reporter: So would they accept you as champion then in your opinion? I mean you’ve been with the company since day one. You were a participant in the first ever NJFC show. You’ve been through the Dojo. Your just as much NJFC as anyone else on the roster. Gaijin or native.

Jack Tillman: As I said in the interview done by NJFC I don’t think the higher ups wanted to see a Gaijin be one of the first graduates of their Dojo. But I’ve done everything I can to be accepted here. I can speak and understand the language. I’ve graduated from the NJFC Dojo like you said. I’ve assimilated into the Japanese culture and I show it as much respect as I can. When it comes to myself and the rest of the Gaijin that are active members of the NJFC roster, the difference is that I’m in Japan for at least half of every month. In March alone I’ll be in Japan for most of the month. Firstly I’ll be representing NJFC for the IJPW Strong Crown Title Tournament that’s being held in korakuen hall. Then I’ll be participating in a two week tour with Kamikaze Pro where the final night myself and Devin Hearst will be competing for the Tag Team Titles. And then I have this title match with Chandler Scott. So the higher ups may not like me but I can promise them and everyone listening that the NJFC Heavyweight Title will stay on Japanese soil more often than what it has been from past and current champions.

Japanese Sports Reporter: Do you have any final words for Chandler Scott?

Jack Tillman: I mostly have Chris do these press conferences because I’m a fighter. I let my talking happen in the ring. Being in this suit and talking to strangers isn’t my thing. But this match is special. It means a lot more to me than any other match I’ve had since I graduated because it’s everything that I’ve worked towards to. While at the Dojo I was told every day by the natives that I wasn’t going to make it. That I would never get a NJFC title. And yet here I am. An opportunity of a life time is in my hands and I’m not going to let it slip. I’ve paid my dues. I’ve been wrestling all around the world and gained multiple titles during my travels. It’s all lead to this point. This moment. And I’d trade in all my past, present, and future titles......all just to be able to call myself NJFC Heavyweight Champion because it would finally shut up everyone that ever doubted me. Either it be here in NJFC or anyone outside of NJFC.

I’m not going to BS Scott so I’m going to make it nice and short. We’re going to beat the piss out of one another. But on March 4th I’m walking out of Fighting Spirit as Heavyweight Champion.

(Up next to the podium is Chandler Scott. The GPC World Heavyweight Champion surveys the room before adjusting the mic.)

CHANDLER SCOTT: Before we get to the questions, I want to address something Jack Tillman stated a while ago. He stated that being in suits and talking to strangers "wasn't his thing". Uuuuh yeah, I could tell. Because for all that time that you were up here, you weren't saying much of anything. What you should have done was waited for Constantine to get here and do what he does best. Meanwhile, all you had to do was sit back and wait to do what you do best. Though here's the thing. That one thing that you're good at? I'm better at. And you'll find that out the hard way come March 4. First question?

(One of the native reporters raises their hand. Chandler waits for the translation before answering.)

SPORTING NEWS JAPAN: Chandler, how do you rate Mr. Tillman as an opponent?

CHANDLER SCOTT: With me being apart of NJFC, I've been aware of Tillman for some time now. The wrestling world is just now getting hip to what the Dogs of War bring to the table. A lot of the wrestlers that are up here on this panel today? We've known about the Dogs of War for months now. We've heard their war cry. We've seen the formation of this group from the ground level. To see what they started out as to the transformation of what they are today?

(Chandler applauds.)

CHANDLER SCOTT: And that's not a condensing clap, either. That's a show of respect to what this man has accomplished. That's a show of respect to the movement that he has helped usher in. Jack Tillman is the reigning NGW Five Lakes Champion and CWC Junior Heavyweight Champion. These are things that cannot be discredited. With the Dogs of War, he won both the Lucha World Cup and the Weekend of Trios tournaments. These are things that cannot be scoffed at. Tillman is apart of the hottest act in all of wrestling. But I, alone, am one of the best in the world. Tillman has accomplished many great things. But when he steps into that ring with me on March 4th? He won't be flanked by his fellow Dogs. When that bell rings, he won't have the security of tagging out to a Hearst or a Storm. He's going to have to do it on his own. Will he rise to the occasion? Will he freeze up? We both believe we know the answer. At Fighting Spirit, you'll find out which one of us was right.

(Another hand goes up. Once the question is asked, Chandler waits for the translation.)

TOKYO SPORTS WEEKLY: Jack Tillman has been outspoken in his thoughts about the Dojo and NJFC Officials. Do you at all sympathize with him?

(He shakes his head no.)

CHANDLER SCOTT: Do I sympathize? Absolutely not. I don't care about his issues with the system. I don't care about his issues with management or the Dojo. I'm not here to entertain his gripes. I'm here to continue making this...

(Chandler taps the GPC World Championship with his finger)

CHANDLER SCOTT: ...one of the most sought after prizes in our sport. If he wants some friendly advice? I'd say get a grip. Grow up. Get the hell over it. I mean really, who cares about how the Dojo treated you? You're here now on the big show. Who cares how these officials see you? You're no longer someone whose name only exists on this side of the world. Jack Tillman is a name that rings throughout this industry because of the work you put in between those ropes. Yet he still wants to walk around here with his bottom lip out? You may think Tillman is bent out of shape now. But wait until March 4th, when I give him something to really complain about.

NJFC AMERICA: Jack Tillman said that he doesn't think you're a good fit for NJFC. Your thoughts?

CHANDLER SCOTT: You know, Tillman says he's not very good at this whole "talking" thing. But he's not stupid. He threw that comment out there, then quickly tried to make it seem like the officials have that belief. If you ask me? I think Tillman himself  believes that I'm not a good fit for NJFC. I think he feels the same way about me that Chris Madison does. And I get it. I wasn't a Day One guy like him. I got here because of my name unlike Tillman, who had to cut his teeth in the Dojo. I got the invite into NJFC because of my name. Unlike Tillman, who feels like he's had an uphill battle since the very beginning. But you see, I didn't go coast to coast in the Pride of Puroresu Cup because of my name. I went undefeated because of my skill. I didn't win this championship because of my name. I won it because of my skill. I don't sit here, some 7-8 months later still champion because of my name. I'm still champion because of my skill. The bottom line is that Jack Tillman doesn't care about this championship. He doesn't care about what this championship represents. He doesn't care about the honor and the privilege that comes with wearing this championship. He only wants his belt so that can thumb his nose at the higher ups.

(He shakes his head)

CHANDLER SCOTT: I didn't work this hard and for this long just to see this title become some prop for him. I refuse to let this championship become apart of his little pissing contest with the office. So I'm going to go into Fighting Spirit, uphold the honor of this championship and successfully defend it... like a champion befitting of NJFC is supposed to do!

(Chandler places the championship across his shoulder and poses for a few pictures before exiting the podium).

[James Peterson]

Showcase Match 

NJFC World Heavyweight Championship

Singles Match 

Chandler Scott vs Jack Tillman

A champion who has overcome the odds before and finds himself with an opponent who has the odds on his side. Whilst Chandler Scott is the World Heavyweight Champion, people are wondering whether he is the right fit for the company and it's even been pointed out at the press conference a couple of days back. He hasn't solidified himself as the "ace" of the promotion yet but a win tonight over Jack Tillman, someone who graduated from the Dojo of Dragons, may just do that for him. Tillman on the other hand is predicted to win this one. That's what the polls say coming into this match. And you can't blame them because everywhere he's been, he's dominated, conquered and won championships.

He has his championships in full display as he comes out from the back. Around his waist his Five Lakes title from New Generation, draped on his shoulder is the GOL! Trios Championship and on his other shoulder, is the CWC Junior Heavyweight Championship - perhaps the most prestigious out of the three. He comes out to a frosty reception, a few applause but also a few jeers as you know he's affiliated with the Dogs of War. Chris Constantine follows behind him as Tillman enters the ring and shows off his shiny championship belts. Next out is Chandler Scott and he comes out to applause and cheers, more than Tillman, and he greets the fans with a couple of high fives as he makes his way down. Around his waist is the championship that they'll be fighting for. The championship that Tillman has wanted all along.

The NJFC World Heavyweight Championship. Scott hops onto the apron before entering the ring and lifting himself up onto the second rope, unbuckling his belt and lifting it above his head. He then jumps down and the two men share a glare from across the ring. For once, the champion is the underdog in this match and that's rare. Whilst Chandler has the fans on his side, that doesn't change the fact that the majority of them believe that Tillman will be the one leaving the Korakuen Hall with the World Heavyweight title in his possession. 

The bell rings and both men begin to circle the ring. They both look focused, with Tillman oozing with arrogance and confidence whilst Chandler is just stern and his eyes are only on Tillman, who stops and looks at the crowd. He then runs his finger through his throat and points at Chandler, signaling that he's going to rip him apart but Chandler keeps a straight face, and the two men proceed to circle the ring. They lunge forward with a collar to elbow tie up and Tillman is quick to get in behind Chandler, a rear waist lock - but then Chandler grabs his arm and wrenches it round, pulling down on the wrist. Tillman slaps his wrist free before slapping Chandler in the face, disrespectful. Chandler's face is away from Tillman and the fans "oooo" as Chandler bites his lip. Tillman then walks up to him and turns his face around, another slap to the face connecting. Chandler is building up with rage, but maybe that's the purpose of Tillman, maybe that's why he's doing it because he knows, it's going to force a rash decision by Chandler. Tillman turns him back around and goes for another slap but Chandler grabs his hand and shakes his head sideways.

But Tillman knee's him in the mid section and clubs him over the back, forcing him back into the corner and proceeding to deliver a series of strikes on Chandler. Tillman delivers several forearms to the face of Chandler before an Irish whip sends Chandler to the opposite corner. Tillman then runs towards him and looks for a back elbow but Chandler moves out of the way and runs towards the ropes. He bounces off of them and has to skip over Tillman, who looks to trip him up. Chandler bounces off of the ropes again and Tillman leapfrogs over him. Chandler doesn't head to the ropes again. When Tillman lands on his feet, Chandler turns him round and connects with a couple of strikes of his own, a European uppercut sends Tillman down and rolling to the outside.

Consulting with Constantine, Tillman looks at Chandler and he doesn't blink at all. He then rolls himself into the ring but once he see's that Chandler is heading over to him, he rolls back out. Chandler then invites him in but Tillman declines, waving his hand and walking away. Tillman then leaps onto the apron and Chandler heads over, Tillman jumps down and Chandler begins to complain to the official. Tillman then rolls himself back into the ring and the contest continues. They both lunge forward for a collar to elbow but Tillman side steps in the last minute, taking a page out of the book of Mitsuo Shimada. Chandlers frustration is growing. Chandler then turns Tillman around but Tillman rakes his eyes him in the eyes. Tillman then grabs him, Irish whip to the ropes - Chandler bounces off of them and Tillman lifts him and drops him with a flap jack that he quickly transitions into an ankle lock. He tightens the hold, dropping down to a knee and making sure that Chandler feels to the full affects of the hold. Chandler winces a little but makes his way to the ropes, clinging onto them to break the hold. Tillman doesn't let go! The referee counts but Tillman still doesn't let go. At the referee's final count he does and he holds his hands up in innocence, before returning to work on Chandler. Stomps on the both ankles, both arms and then the final one on the head, drops down to cover but only the one. 

Tillman grabs him and throws him to the outside of the ring before climbing up to the top rope. He positions himself before flying off with a frog splash onto Chandler, a rare high-flying move from "The Ripper" and the fans applaud him for his efforts. But those cheers turn to boo's as he gets to his feet and showboats, mocking Chandler and laughing at him as he struggles to get to the railing. Once he does, Tillman grabs him and throws him into the ring steps. Tillman then runs towards him and looks to knee him further into the steps but Chandler moves out of the way and the knee of Tillman hits the steel steps. He grabs onto it and is in obvious pain. Chandler then picks him up and Irish whips him hard into the railing. He follows this up with a drop kick to Tillman that sends him over the railing and into the fans. Chandler then stands up on the railing and leaps onto Tillman with a frog splash of his own on Tillman, the two go crashing into a set of chairs. Chandler picks him up and ushers him back into the ring whilst climbing up to the top rope. He flies off, looking for an elbow drop but Tillman rolls out of the way.

It's that arm again! The same arm that Madison injured back a while back! 

"The Ripper" see's him tending to his arm as he sits up. He runs towards him and hits him with a drop kick before grabbing his arm and lying it across the canvas. He drive his knee into it, elevated his knee before slamming it down on the arm of Chandler! He does this again! And again! And again! He picks Chandler up and leans him against the corner. Irish whip into the opposite corner and Chandler crumbles back down to the canvas, clutching his arm as it hit the padded corner before he went down. "THIS IS YOUR CHAMPION?!" Tillman shouts. He grabs him by the hair and see's that a camera is looming toward him. He then grabs the face of Chandler and asks the question again: "THIS, IS YOUR CHAMPION?!" he picks him back up and delivers a snap suplex to Chandler, hooking the legs afterwards, but only the two. Jack then proceeds to stomp on the arm of Chandler. The referee is forced to intervene and drags him away from Chandler. Jack then comes back and grabs Chandler by the head.

Leaning him against the padded corner and connects with several back elbows to the head. Chandler stumbles out of the corner and Tillman heads to the ropes and looks for a Mafia Kick but Chandler sidesteps, a snap DDT afterwards! He covers him afterwards but only the two count. Chandler then gets to his feet and feeds off of the energy of the crowd, nodding his head in appreciation as they begin a chant of his name!

"CHAN - DER - LER!"

"CHAN - DER - LER!"

"CHAN - DER - LER!"

The multi-champion helps himself up via the ropes in the corner but has no reply for the flying back elbow smash that Chandler greets him with. Chandler then allows him to stumble out of the corner before performing a tilt-a-whirl sideslam, pinning him but to no prevail again. Chandler grabs him and lifts him back up to his feet. He lifts him up into a vertical suplex position and holds him there before slamming him back down to the canvas! He isn't done! He rolls back and has him back up too, a vertical suplex position - and SLAM! Another vertical suplex connects! For a third time the champ is back up but this time it's a quick snap suplex into the padded corner and Jack rolls onto the apron. Chandler heads over to him and grabs him, lifting him up but Jack then wraps his hands around his neck and pulls him down, dropping to the outside in the process as the neck of Chandler is sprung onto the ropes and he spirals backwards, holding onto the front of his neck. Jack then gets back up on the apron and springboards his way into the ring. Chandler manages to meet him with a pinpoint drop kick! Chandler hooks his legs... one, two but not the three! Chandler then picks him up and positions him on his shoulder, looking for a fireman neckbreaker - but Jack rolls down his back, PELE KICK CONNECTS! 

Rocked, Chandler is struggling to stay on his feet and he stumbles sideways. Jack then grabs him and performs a brainbuster onto his knee known as The Martyr! He hooks his legs for the one... the two - but not the three! Jack wipes the sweat from his face and grabs Chandler from the waist. Deadlift up and drops him with a German. KICKOUT! He picks him up again and this time it's a Dragon Suplex! KICKOUT! Jack can't believe it but he carries on, picking him back up, wrist clutch - spins him back out, Chandler comes back with a roaring hammer to Jack, but like before, Chandler is also affected by the move! He falls to a knee and so does Jack. The two men facing each other and exchanging strikes from their kneeling positions. One after the other, the other always harder and Tillman emerges the victor, ducking under a strike attempt, Chandler turns around...

"LARRRRRIIIATTOOOOOOOO!"

Jack grabs his arm and lifts him back up using it. He then hits him with the Blitz! Not the full ballroom blitz (rainmaker) but one that sets him up for it. The fans in the arena are now restless. Chandler looks out of it! This is it! This is Jack's crowning moment!

He lifts him up, wrist clutch - spins him back out, Chandler ducks underneath his arm! He turns him around!

CHANDLER REIGNS SUPREME OVER NEARLY EVERYONE! 

REPLAY BOARD

He avalanches over him for the one, the two and the eventual three for the win!

Winner: Chandler Scott in 19:13

[James Peterson]

CRAIG ANDERSON

“I've been here before.”

Craig Anderson is stood in Tokyo, Japan. Perched upon a glass balcony, he peers down at the city that has become synonymous with so many things. He looks at all the large billboards, advertising global companies such as Nintendo and Sony. For such a small company, Japan has such a huge global presence. Tokyo is the most populated city in the world, and it's easy to see why.

“I've been here before. So why do I feel like I'm in uncharted territory?”

Craig soaks everything in. Tokyo is unlike anything he's ever experienced at home, and it's always a special feeling whenever he gets to come here.

“I've been to Tokyo; I've been to Japan; I've been to NJFC. I've done all of this a few times now. I love this country, and this culture. But this time, something is different.”

On one of the electronic billboards, an advertisement for NJFC FIGHTING Spirit flashes onto the screen. Craig focusses on it – or, rather, somebody featured on it.

“Look at that. An NJFC poster. There's Jack Tillman, there's Chandler Scott. Shimada, Ana, Cosmo. All the people you'd expect to be on it, are on it. And then you look down there, at the bottom. There's me: Craig Anderson. I made the poster. Me!”

Craig seems rather chuffed having made the cut, fighting off the urge to smile from ear-to-ear.

“It shows that my hard work is not going unnoticed, and that 2018 really can be my year. But do you know what else it shows? It paints me as one of the favourites to win this tournament – and to me, that's a strange feeling. Surreal, almost.”

Craig takes one last look at the poster, letting the feeling truly sink in before the billboard flashes onto the next slide.

“I'm not complaining. I've worked my entire career so that people would truly appreciate my work, and I feel like I'm finally getting there. It feels great. But at the same time, that 'favourite' tag has never done anyone any favours. It puts more pressure on them, and it comes with no added benefits. By being one of the favourites, the other competitors in this thing will be watching my every move. Every slight weakness in my game will be exploited, every strength neutralised. It makes things a lot harder. But do you know what I say to that?”

Craig reaches up and turns his cap back-to-front, stepping back a few paces and standing up straight.

“Bring it on!”

Craig's body languages welcomes the challenge that is in front of him, and his facial expression has the confidence to match.

“I've walked in to NJFC events and tournaments before, and up until now I've always been an underdog. I've never been mentioned as one of the names expected to go the distance. But whether I'm the underdog or whether I'm the favourite, it really makes no difference to me. I'm here to win the FIGHTING Spirit tournament, and the NJFC Junior Heavyweight Championship. All that's standing in my way... is fifteen men and women all with the same goal!”

Craig reaches into his back pocket and pulls out his phone, before holding it up. On the screen is an image of a man. Not just any man, either.

“The first one up? Jason Hunter.”

Craig looks at his screen, before putting his phone back into his pocket.

“Jason Hunter is a man who, if I'm being honest, I'd not heard of until recently. That's not me slighting him or his accomplishments in anyway. The wrestling world is so vast now that I physically cannot know everybody. But you can beat your backside that the second the bracket was released, I poured every spare hour I could into finding out about this man. I found out everything I could. I've watched his matches, his promos. I've read reports about him, fan tweets about him. I used whatever material there was available, because to make it at the top of this business you need to do your homework. It's one thing to step into the ring and kick really hard. Sure, it's about strength and skill and power. But there is nothing more powerful than the human mind – and by going in unprepared, you put yourself at a grand disadvantage.”

Craig is handed a notepad from somebody off-screen, and he holds it up. He begins to flick through the pages, showing pages and pages of detailed hand-written notes.

“Do you see that? All of that? That's just everything I wrote down about Jason Hunter. I've got fourteen other notepads just like that one!”

Craig chuckles for the briefest of moments, as he hands the notepad back.

“But out of all the notes I made about Jason, do you know what one thing stands out, and worries me the most? He was in a bad car accident. Doctors thought that he would never walk again; his hopes of ever wrestling again were crushed. Yet, somehow, here we are today. He didn't accept his fate. He didn't give up, he kept on going. Not only is he walking, but he is competing at the absolute highest level. Physically, he is strong. Mentally, he is even stronger. All the traits and characteristics you need to be a success in this tournament, he possesses. If I truly am a favourite to win, I'm going to have my work cut out for me to get past him!”

Craig grabs hold of the camera and turns it around, pointing to the pile of notepads that he was referencing earlier.

“Even if I do get past him, though... my work is far from over!”

Craig turns the camera back round to face the city of Tokyo. He focuses on Korakuen Hall for a moment, before placing his hand over the lens.

Fade to black.

RYAN HENDERSON

FEBRUARY 28, 2018 - CLEVELAND HOPKINS INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

The sound of a phone's recording function is heard turning on as Ryan Henderson smiles into the camera, looking around briefly before turning his attention back to the camera, licking his lips as he begins speaking.

RYAN HENDERSON: “It's very early in the morning, about 5:30 am to be exact and I'm here at the airport waiting for my flight to Tokyo. I'll be honest this is actually my first-time ever going to Tokyo, I've never wrestled there and honestly I'm very much looking forward to it. Especially considering who is all in this tournament, I mean you've got Michael Kelly, Samantha Tolson, Craig Anderson, Owen Gonsalves just to name a few. I keep getting asked wherever I go who I'd like to face in the tournament. Obviously I'm facing Tolson in the first round and if I can get past her I'll likely be facing either Joseph White or Michael Kelly. I'm familiar with both Tolson and Kelly as of course the three of us are apart of Sixth City. I know the three of us compared to the others are most likely not going to be at a hundred percent after having just competed the other night at the Sixth.”

Ryan looked around again as he continued.

RYAN HENDERSON: “There's a reason why I entered this tournament, I want to show everybody that I am a world renowned competitor and athlete. You saw my athleticism on display during the show in Cleveland and that's only the tip of the iceberg right there. During this tournament expect to see it on display even more and trust me I'm gonna put everything on the line in order to survive the first night and then go on to become the new Junior Heavyweight Champion in the main event with the entire world watching. Now if I had to choose who I'd like to face in the finals, a week ago I'm not sure if I'd be able to give you an answer because every single person in this tournament has so much talent and I'd absolutely love to step in the ring with anyone of these competitors. But after the other night, I think it would be quite something if ended up being myself and Michael Kelly facing off in the finals or possibly me facing off against Craig Anderson in the finals. I'd love to face either one of those men in the finals and put on a show for the fans. So we'll see if that will indeed be the case, right now I'm focused on getting past Samantha Tolson. I know I'm gonna have to use damn near everything in my repertoire in order to beat her.”

Henderson scratched his beard a bit before running his hand over his bald head, letting out a deep breath.

RYAN HENDERSON: “It's been quite a few years since I've really accomplished anything and I know deep down that I really want this. I want to represent not just Sixth City Pro, but I want to represent NJFC as it's Junior Heavyweight Champion. I'll defend that title anywhere and everywhere and against any Junior Heavyweight. That's the type of competitor that I am and the type of champion I intend on being. I'm here to prove to the entire world that I am one of the best Junior Heavyweights in the world and the one who stands tall at the end of this tournament will of done just that. I've got my family behind me, I've got my hometown of Cleveland behind me, I've got a lot of pressure on my shoulders going into this tournament and I'm fine with that. I thrive under pressure like that and I'm gonna go out there and show everyone what I've got.”

Ryan flashed a small smirk.

RYAN HENDERSON: “When I refer to myself as the King of Flight, Mr. No Limits. It's not so I have a catchy nickname, it's the truth. I have no limits and there isn't anything I won't risk in order to win. I'll put my body through hell in this tournament just for the one chance to walk out of the Korakuen Hall as the brand new Junior Heavyweight Champion. I'm willing to risk it at all, the real question is are every other competitor in this tournament willing to do the same for that same one chance.”

[James Peterson]

Main Event

FIGHTING Spirit Tournament Final

Singles Match

Craig Anderson vs Ryan Henderson

There's a buzz in the arena unlike anything we've seen before. It's time for the final. The match that we've all been waiting for. First out is Craig Anderson, who comes out from the back holding a union jack flag and draping it on his shoulders as he makes his way to the ring. He slaps a couple of hands on his way to the ring before rolling himself in. He then climbs the ropes and displays his union jack above his head, nodding his head at the same time. He jumps down and crouches in his corner. Out next is his opponent Ryan Henderson, who comes out to a similar reception. Henderson looks focused as he makes his way to the ring, acknowledging the fans with head nods and a couple of slaps to those in the front rows. He then climbs the ring steps and watches Anderson before entering the ring and crouching down in the opposite corner.

The NJFC FIGHTING Junior Heavyweight Championship is passed to the referee who holds it above his head, applause ringing through the arena afterward. He then passes it back to the outside of the ring and the title is placed on the judging table. The referee quickly explains the rules to both of the men but they're not focused on what the referee has to say. They're looking at each other, knowing that the only person who's getting in the way of what they've been working towards, is each other. The referee then asks whether the two men have any questions. They both so no and approach the center of the ring and shake hands. Applause again for both men as they back up to their corners.

The bell rings and the two men scout each other from across the ring. Henderson begins the walk and he holds onto the ropes whilst doing so whilst Anderson watches him, also moving around at a slow pace. The energy in the arena is at an all time high, despite all the five star matches we've already seen, you'd think that these fans would be a little tired by now. But their energy has been saved for this one and you can tell by the noise in the arena that they have a lot of it left. The two get closer to one another before lunging forward for a collar to elbow lock up in the middle of the ring. It's Henderson who comes out on top by grabbing Anderson by the arm and wrenching it round, he has a tight grip and he forces Anderson down to a knee. Anderson then rolls forwards before bridging himself backwards with a headstand, twisting his body around, rolling through, headstand kip up, wrenching the arm of Anderson - yanking it down, before dropping down to the canvas and swinging his foot backwards, his foot hits Henderson and he's taken cleanly to the canvas. Anderson then grabs his leg and has a firm grip on his ankle. Henderson uses his free leg to kick Anderson backwards before kipping up himself. Anderson runs towards him and Henderson sunset flips over him, and rolls him for the pin - only the one! They both get to their feet and look at one another, with the fans applauding both men.

There's a smile shared between the two. They know each other. Despite never sharing the ring together, it's like they've done this dance before, it's like they were made to share the ring together. They circle the ring again and a collar to elbow lock up see's both men jockeying in position for a while. Anderson then slaps him into a side headlock and tightens the hold. He lowers himself to a knee, using a low center of gravity to keep his opponent down and struggling. Henderson begins to strike him repeatedly in the sides, pushing him back into the ropes and launching him to the other side of the ring. Anderson comes back and delivers a clothesline to Henderson, looking at the fans afterwards and spreading his arms out wide - unaware that Henderson immediately kipped up afterwards, and the fans are applauding him because of that. Anderson realizes that the applause isn't for him and he turns to face Henderson, finding out that he's back up on his feet and has his arms spread out wide too. Anderson then runs towards him and Henderson catches him with an arm drag take down which he transitions into an armbar, the fans applauding afterwards. Anderson fights his way back up to his feet and forces Henderson back into the ropes, irish whip attempt - reversed, and Anderson bounces off of the ropes, and is forced to leap over a bent over Ryan Henderson. Henderson then turns and runs towards him, with Anderson helping him along the way and patting him on the back as he runs to the ropes. Henderson bounces off of them and this time he's flipping forward over a bent over Anderson and wrapping his arms around the waist of Anderson. A German suplex attempt but Anderson lands on his feet, Anderson goes for a roundhouse kick on Henderson but he rolls under. Henderson then goes for a spinning heel kick on Anderson but he limbo's under. Both men then take off to the ropes, handspring off of them before flipping backwards, landing on their feet and turning to face on another in unison.

REPLAY BOARD

There's a round of applause that feels like it it's going to last a lifetime. This isn't just a wrestling match. This is art. They both get to their feet and return to circling the ring, eyeing each other out before approaching the center of the ring. It's Henderson who pushes Anderson back with one hand. Anderson turns away from him and looks at the crowd with his hands on his hips, a look of disgust on his face. He turns to face Henderson and pushes him back with both hands and Anderson staggers backwards, getting a bite of his own medicine. Henderson then turns to face him and kicks him in the gut before clubbing him round the back. He then straightens him out and delivers a right hand to the jaw that sends a clapping sensation echoing through the arena, the fans forced to cringe as they watch. Anderson goes down to his knee as he tends to his jaw, popping it back into place before walking back and leaning against the ropes. Henderson goes over to him and delivers a couple of uppercuts, just to make sure that the jaw of Anderson is definitely out of place, and it honestly could be. With the ferociousness behind the strikes, it's hard to tell whether he may have broken his jaw or not. Anderson then gets counters with a two finger poke in the eye and Henderson stumbles backwards. Anderson says "How did you like that?" with a smile on his face. He turns him around and slaps him hard on the chest, with the strike being felt by everyone in the arena. Henderson struggles to keep his emotions in, the look on his face tells you everything.

Henderson then blocks a strike attempt by Anderson and comes up with a combination of his own. A kick to the thigh, multiple slaps on the chest, a stiff forearm and he discusses his way round for the lariat but Anderson ducks underneath it, he then goes for the pele but Henderson grabs his leg and now has him in the ankle lock submission! Anderson struggles to reach the ropes, scrambling with everything he has in him, and he's able to turn himself around, reel's Henderson in before pushing him back. Henderson falls backwards into the padded corner. Anderson then runs towards him but Henderson throws him up and over onto the apron, Henderson looks to strike but Anderson gets there first before springboard back into the ring, wrapping his legs around the neck of Henderson, and dropping him with a rana that sends the fans into an ovation of cheers and applause. Anderson covers but to no prevail. Henderson rolls to the outside to recover and Anderson looks to the fans, knowing that they're going to approve whatever he has planned to do. He runs towards the ropes and bounces off of them before running toward Henderson, who moves out of the way just in time. Anderson slingshots his way onto the apron nevertheless and watches Henderson, he then runs across the canvas and when Henderson turns around, kicks him on the chest! Henderson goes down to the floor immediately afterward. 

Anderson holds onto the ropes and feeds off of the energy of the fans before dropping down to the outside. He picks Henderson up and leans him against the railing. He then runs towards him, with Henderson springing back into lift with a forward drop kick that sends Anderson flying backwards. Henderson then goes over to him and picks him up, deadlifting him up and dropping him with a German on the outside. He then climbs the ring ropes and stands on the apron, waiting for Anderson to get back on his feet. Once he does, he runs across the apron and performs a shooting star on Anderson! The two going tumbling down on the outside. Henderson grabs him by his hair and rolls him back into the ring. He preps himself on the apron as Anderson gradually gets to his feet. Henderson then springboards onto the top rope and flies towards Anderson, who delivers a drop kick to the chest of Henderson and covers! BUT NO! Only the two count! Anderson buries his head in his hand. He then picks Henderson up and leans him against the padded corner. It's here where he connects with a combination of blows; from stiff knife edge chops, to savage forearm strikes before an Irish whip to the opposite corner has Henderson falling to a seated position in the corner. Anderson runs towards him and looks for a hesitation, Henderson rolls out of the way and Anderson connects with no one. Henderson waits for him to get back to his feet before rushing over, a head scissors takedown attempt but Anderson cartwheels onto his feet. Anderson then goes for a rana, but Henderson cartwheels to his feet. They both run at each other and look for a lariat, both connecting both neither man falling. 

At the same time they strike each other with another lariat. No one falls. And another. Henderson then drops down to his knee and delivers an uppercut to Anderson who falls backwards into the ropes. He comes back with a resurgence of life before shouting, "FOR HARAMBE!"  and BANG! "KICKS OUT FOR HARAMBE" superkick connects! Henderson does well to stay on his feet... falling back into the ropes. Coming back with a spinning back kick to the mid section. He takes off to the ropes and Anderson follows him. Henderson stops in his tracks once he realizes that Anderson is following. Anderson bounces off of the ropes - BICYCLE KNEE by Ryan Henderson! Henderson then follows this up with a rolling thunder and follows this with a standing frog splash, hooking the legs of Anderson afterward but only getting the two count. Henderson then proceeds to kick Anderson in the face. This infuriates Anderson. But he takes them well and eventually gets up to his feet.

The two men then engage in a brawl of strikes going everywhere. Anderson then drops Henderson with a low drop kick to the knee. He then delivers a spinning heel kick before lifting Henderson up and shouting "RICH TEA TIME MOTHERFUCKER!", his signature “Rich Tea-Bone Suplex” being delivered! He covers but to no prevail. He then looks to the ropes and quickly scales them. Henderson kips up to his feet. He says, "What's Up?" and Anderson looks down at him in shock. Henderson then jumps up to the second ropes and wraps his arms around the head of Anderson, dropping him down to the canvas with a DDT! He hooks the legs for the one... the two - but no quite the three! Henderson picks him up and lifts him up onto his shoulders, looking for his Final Eclipse. Anderson slides down his back and surprises everyone when he delivers his “Zig-a-zig-ah” , an inverted swinging DDT! He covers for the one... and the two... and the three! NO! Henderson kicks out. Anderson then climbs the ropes and positions himself. Corkscrew shooting star, but NOBODY'S HOME! Henderson awaits for him to get to his feet, fireman carry - no Anderson slides down the back again, "KICKS OUT FOR HARAMBE!" He climbs the ropes yet again and positions himself... he leaps off and this time, he connects! ONE, TWO, AND THREE!

The bell rings. 

Streamers begin to fill the ring. 

The NJFC FIGHTING Junior Heavyweight Championship is given to Craig Anderson who can hardly stand. He's also given the FIGHTING Spirit trophy and Anderson cradles both of them. Henderson sits up and watches and Anderson see's him looking. Anderson drops his titles and extends a hand out to Henderson. Henderson grabs it and reels him in with the two men embracing one another with a hug. 


Winner: Craig Anderson in 23:20