Global Takeover

["The Iceman" Konrad Raab]

It was very clear to everyone that Konrad is coming out with some cuts on his face after the fight he had with a Supreme Championship Wrestler called Regan Street on Saturday night. Of course questions have been asked lately on why Konrad didn't attend the last press conference as he explains that and the cuts on his face after taking a sip of water.

Konrad Raab: "Before I explain my absence in the press conference, l want to say something on what you all see right now is not down to the cage match I had with Gia, it was in fact a hardcore match against Regan Street on Saturday. I've been in hospital since Saturday night and only was discharged on Tuesday so I had to rush to get here. My absence last time was all because I don't approve of any sort of cage matches unless there's a reason for me and my opponent to compete in them. I was so frustrated not because of a loss, but because of having to fight in a situation I didn't like and am I proud for busting Gia open? No I'm not because that's not the wrestler I aim to be in NJFC and I apologise you had to see that side of me and it won't happen again."

It was clear how hurt Konrad was with him holding his ribs as he knew he was going to have pictures taken even with messed up ribs and back.

Konrad Raab: "Now I get onto the tag match itself with Mark Storm as a partner. This is honestly the first time me and Mark have been in the same ring together. I know what he's achieved in the wrestling business and he came to NJFC around if not at the same time as me. Mark came here because just like me, we respect the Japanese wrestling tradition and honour it brings for us. Mark Storm is a great tag partner who I've got nothing against and I respect him in and out of the ring as well."

It was very hard to even speak for Konrad cos each time he breaths, his ribs hurt as he takes more sips of water, trying his best to hide the pain from everyone, but he couldn't.

Konrad Raab: "Of course saying that, we're facing against a team whom been together for quite sometime in NJFC, Asuka Yoshiro and Kojima. There's not really a lot I can say about them, but I'm still gonna take them seriously cos that's the kind of guy I am. I don't trash on wrestlers I don't know very well if at all, but although they can exploit my ribs and my back being more messed up then they are, I won't let it stop me from wrestling, especially when I do matches regardless if I dislike them or when I'm injured, but I know they'll bring the fight against me and Mark Storm."

Had to stop as he was in pain and cos it was almost too much for him to cope and that there's no information on the wrestlers he's facing with Mark, he'll take one last sip of a drink before saying his final words.

Konrad Raab: "But me and Mark will tear the house down with these guys and win the match because especially in my case, I need to prove I can still win matches in tag matches and this match really was given to me because of the dedication I've shown in NJFC company and for Mark, he wanted to come back and prove himself he still has what it takes and he still does just from hearing about him, but Asuka and Kojima, we'll be ready for you guys and prepare yourselves for a good old fight cos we know how talented you both are obviously, but we need to see what you can do against the more experienced wrestlers like me and Mark. I'll leave you all with this to say, Asuka and Kojima, prepare to be Iceinated by The Iceman and The Storm man."

It was clear Konrad couldn't continue the interview as he takes one last sip of the water before he leaves the press conference room and goes back to the hotel room to rest his ribs and goes straight off to sleep.

[Otaki]

act 2

Here we are, in Tokyo Japan for the Global Takeover press conference. Why is the conference for an event in Osaka take place in Tokyo? That question may be important to a few journalists but the moment The Emo Princess enters the conference room all their attention and questions turn towards the messy looking competitor as she stumbles past each seated tournament entrant towards the podium, her breath being both savage and bewildered with each step. Once she arrives at the podium Otaki turns to face the sea of questioning people and leans in towards the microphone, her dirty looking hair brushing against said item.

“I know-”

Otaki’s words were immediately interrupted by the cheers of those delighted to hear some Japanese come out of the Purple Haired Dynamo’s mouth. It did crack a mere grin from the corner of the Englishwoman’s mouth, but it was both tiny and only a flash moment as The Emo Princess immediately glares dead ahead straight afterwards.

“I know that you lot will have questions about this tournament to crown the new NJFC Global Champion-”

The milky skinned woman takes a moment to glance her misty eyes towards the direction where her fellow contestants have both entered and exit

“-but we am not here to answer any questions. We are only here to deliver our warning…”

She takes a momentary deep breath while slowly lowering her head down. After a couple moments the twenty-two year old contestant raises her head back up with a look of death written all over her youthful face.

“Whoever I was…winner or loser…is dead…but I stand before you reborn because of my martyrs and it is with my martyrs that we’ll not merely win the NJFC Global Championship. We will use every lifeless body from this tournament – be them our first casualty Ace King, the man who ran away from EWC Jack Tillman or even one of those local competitors – to light our Fiery Bonfire Torch of Destiny…

And with our Fiery Bonfire Torch of Destiny in our hands we’ll infest NJFC…

Step-by-step, our plague will choke all of them.
Step-by-step, our curse will drain them dry.
Step-by-step, our disease will claim them all.
And our endemic cannot be stopped.

Be them multiple time Champions, people with multiple monikers…or even those with multiple biscuits in their mouth-”

Otaki takes a momentary pause to glance over towards Craig Anderson, one of the few fellow English people in this contest, before continuing.

“-none of them can never stop our infection. Ace King is experienced with the highs and lows of chance but the only thing worth betting is how unable he’ll be of walking out of the Osaka-jō Hall after we’re done with him. The representatives of Japan are honourable warriors of high skill but they’re simply the Takeda Clan to our Three Thousand Worlds. Devin Hearst is undefeated but he is merely one man while we are many…

…many brothers…

…many sisters…

…many mothers…

…many fathers…

…many broken bodies…

…many tortured souls…

And we martyrs have had enough!”

Suddenly The Emo Princess slams her right hand down like a hammering fist down upon the microphone attached to the podium, breaking said piece of equipment in the process as the short woman snarls and growls a little.

“It is time for those fifteen others to be thrown to the ground. It is time for those fifteen others to be grounded to the dirt.

…to be spat on.
…to be looked down upon.
…to be broken.
…to be tortured.

And we will be the ones throwing, grounding, spitting, looking down, breaking and torturing each and every one of them for we will be the one leaving as the NJFC Champion…

And anyone who tries to stand before us…

Will fall before us…”

Moments after saying her warning Otaki shakes her head before starting to stagger herself out of the room, ignoring both the people trying to ask her questions and the technical crew rushing past to fix the podium’s microphone in time for the next person to answer any questions.

[chrismadison]

James Peterson clapped his hands as he approached the podium, flashing that plastic smile while nervously hoping the press conference for Global Takeover continues to go off without a hitch. To keep things rolling forward, without further ado, ladies and gentlemen, Chris Madison", he introduced as he turned his body towards the curtain and continued to clap. The live audience rose to their feet and joined in with the round of applause, welcoming Madison to the stage.

Camera flashes shot off one after another as Chris emerged from behind the curtain. He took a few steps onto the stage before unfastening the FGA Pride Championship from around his waist and hoisting it into the air above his head. Frankie Morrison stood a few steps behind his client, clapping his hands and nodding his head in approval. Frankie moved towards the table on the stage. He pulls out a chair and sits down, not realizing that Chris has stopped, staring off at a poster that displayed the graphic for his upcoming match against Mitsuo Shimada.

Madison grits his teeth and turns towards the podium, drawing a lull from the crowded room. Chris places his hands on the sides of the podium and leaned forward towards the microphone that was attached. "The last time I stood up here in front of all of you I warned not only Owen Gonsalves, but anyone wanting to test themselves against me that I'd brutalize anyone foolish enough to get inside of that ring with me. Apparently my warning fell on deaf ears, because during a five-star quality match against Owen, Mitsuo Shimada popped out from behind those curtains, being the megalomaniac that he is, and tried to make things about himself. He then made the unwise decision to come down to that ring after I put Owen Gonsalves down and attack me from behind. The man that called me a coward because Frankie Morrison may overstep his boundaries on social media waited until the end of a thirty-five minute match to stand toe to toe with me. Up until now, all of my matches for New Japan Fighting Championship have been about the pure competitive nature of this sport that I love so much. But Shimada has made this about more than proving who's the better competitor... He made this personal", Madison grunted irritably.

NJFC's own, Shelley Silver rose to her feet with a pen and pad in hand. She rose the pen up into the air, catching the attention of "Mayhem" Chris Madison. "Excuse me Chris, but it sounds like Shimada has done exactly what he had hoped. He got under your skin, and in turn, may have altered the way you're approaching this match", she pointed out before slowly sitting back down on her chair amongst the floor filled of journalists.

"The problem is that Shimada thinks he's got an understanding of who I am. What he doesn't understand is that at A New Hope In Tokyo he opened Pandora's box, he sealed his fate. I'm not the kind of guy to play games with. Over the last two years, less than a handful of people have found themselves successful over me in a match; a nearly impossible task. Shimada has never been out of the Japanese independent circuit. He's a guppy compared to the sharks I've swam with. At Global Takeover, I'm going to humble Mitsuo Shimada on night three, showing him that he's no king... He's not even the court jester! I just hope that Mr. Peterson has an alternate set aside, because he's not going to be able to compete for the Pride Of Puroresu Crown", Madison declared as he tightened his grip on the sides of the podium.

Without differentiating herself from the crowd, Rachel Kenshin blurted out, "you and Mitsuo Shimada are both in the same bracket for that Pride Of Puroresu Crown, giving us a preview of sorts. Is there a better way to solidify himself as one of the favorites going in than defeating you at Global Takeover?"

Madison smirked at the young interviewer's question. His left hand rose from the side of the podium and came across the side of his face, raking at his scruffy beard with four of his fingers. "Looking at it from an outsider's perspective, no... There's no better way to jump to the front of the pack than beating me at Global Takeover. Considering the field, he's relatively unknown. You've got guys like Knox and Cashe, the reigning GPC World Tag Team Champions, world renown athletes like Bryan Williams, Bryan Laughlin, Ricky Valero, Coda, Mark Storm, and James Edwards. Beating me before this thing gets underway is a surefire way of becoming one of the favorites", he reluctantly admitted.

Before another member of the press could spit out another question, Frankie Morrison reached out onto the table and grabbed a hold of the microphone that was laying in the center. "We've got no one else to blame for this mess besides me", Frankie sighed, lowering his head as the guilt weighed down on his shoulders.

"No... We're not doing that Frankie", Chris shouted while looking at his manager. "Shimada wants a fight, that's what he's going to get. I never asked to be one of the names NJFC could build around. Unlike him, I don't walk around the place claiming to be king. I'm here for you people, for the fan base that revitalized my dying career. Shimada wants a fight? I guarantee that I hit harder than anyone he's been hit by, my slams and suplexes drive you down onto that canvas with more force than you've ever felt, and my submissions feel inescapable. Shimada, I'm your fucking nightmare and the only one you have to blame for the hell you're about to go through is yourself!"

Madison took a step back from the podium, glaring at James Peterson who began to approach. He exited off stage with Frankie Morrison taking on the more professional duties of waving to the crowd and shaking hands with the owner of NJFC before stepping through the curtains.

[biancareed]

From behind the competitors, a projection screen drops down and a young woman with purple hair sits in the center of the shot with an iPad on her lap. The words “RECORDED EARLIER” flash beside a blinking red dot.



She’s clad in her ring gear with a RISE Pro hoodie over it and when she looks up from the iPad, she gives the crowd a million-dollar smile and waves at them.



“Kon’nichiwa Nihon! Scheduling conflicts kept me here in the United States for this press conference, unfortunately, but Shelley Silver was a darling and sent over some questions for me to answer for you tonight. I don’t know if anyone’s given thanks to Shelley but if you haven’t, make sure you do. Girl works hard at her job and she’s a pleasure to deal with. Anyway… for those of you who may have missed my recent appearances in another Japanese promotion, DIVINE Pro, allow me to introduce myself: Bianca Reed, currently representing RISE Pro Wrestling and Femme Fatale Wrestling’s Future Shock brand.”



Bianca winks at the camera and glances down at her iPad.



“So the first question I’ve been asked is how I feel about taking on Devin Hearst in the first round of this tournament. He was the inaugural Global Champion here in NJFC, and I can only imagine what winning this title back means to him…



Unfortunately, he’s going to have to wait a little longer to find out, because he’s not the only one in this match hungry for a win. I have a lot to prove to myself and to everyone watching this tournament, and I don’t intend to be cannon fodder for Devin Hearst’s march toward glory. Because once my name got announced, this tournament became about one thing and one thing only - me and my first championship win. Devin Hearst is a man to be . respected, sure, but not one to be feared. Luckily, as someone training at the RISE gym in Detroit, I’ve not only had access to some of the greatest names in the business, but one of those names happens to have been a former stablemate of Devin’s. So you can bet that I’ve been working with her particularly these last few weeks, learning all I can about Devin’s in-ring work and how a girl half his size can possibly pull off a win here.”



Seeming satisfied with her answer, Bianca scrolls through the email, tapping her chin with a manicured finger as she searches for her next question.



“Aha, here we go! Next up, I’ve been asked about whether or not I’d come back to Japan to defend my title, should I happen to win it. And the answer there is yes, of course. My family and I may be gaijin, but several of them have trained and worked here. And one, my cousin Trevor, was on his way to greatness before some crazy chick brained him with a lead pipe. So yeah, I want to come back here to defend my title. I want to work here, and train here, and gain the experience that so many other wrestlers have. I’ve traveled all over the world, but Japan is basically a mecca for the wrestling business and I don’t think I’ll feel accomplished as a wrestler until I’ve really had a chance to get to know this country and the people. And honestly I think the people of Japan could use a little more Bianca Reed in their lives - just like everyone else in the world.”



There were several questions related to her comments about Nagasaki as related to members of the Ayano family, but Bianca conveniently chose to skip past those in favor of ones that had more interesting and more relevant answers.



“Here’s a good one - how do I think I stack up against all the other competitors in this tournament? I mean, on paper it’s pretty mismatched. I’m the youngest, the smallest, and the one with the least experience. It’s been just over a year since I made my professional debut, and in a lot of respects I still have a long way to go. But what I may lack in experience, I make up for by being a student of the game. You can’t teach work ethic and there isn’t anyone who can claim that I don’t work for everything I’ve gotten in my life. I don’t have other achievements and titles to brag about like the other competitors in this tournament.



What I do have, though, is talent. I can think on my feet, I can make adjustments as needed, and frankly? I’ve lived my whole life with people telling me that I’m trash, that I’m nothing, that I should just give up and go home because I can’t do it. And I’ve lived my whole life proving those people wrong. It may not be orthodox, it may not be what you expect, but Bianca Reed will always get the job done. I know what I’m about, and what I’m about right now is that Global Championship. That pretty baby’s gonna get some sweet frequent flyer miles between Japan and Michigan, let me tell you. I am just as good if not better than the rest of these names, and I’ll prove it by stepping over all of them on my way to getting my hand raised in the final match.”



Glancing down at the iPad once more, Bianca’s eyes went wide.



“Well, looks like that’s all we’ve got time for! Thanks again to Shelley and if you have any more questions, please refer them to my agent, Carson Black. Thank you!”



She blows a kiss to the camera and the screen goes blank, rolling up for the next competitor.

[Sears by Blood]

J e s s i c a | N i t o h 

Nerd Paladin, Level Up! 

Press Conference File 001: The Paladin Awakens! | パラディン目覚めます! 

thump-thump... thump-thump…

Butterflies seem to play with Jessica’s heart. She’s been watching the press conference for New Japan Fighting Championship’s Global Takeover unfold. She’s waiting for her turn and yet her nervousness refuses to go away. Different wrestlers, rookies and veterans, exclusive to this company or representing more than one. She realizes that some of them are in the same tournament bracket as hers. Those are the ones she studies carefully, but the constant beating of her heart is distracting.

thump-thump, thump-thump, thump-thump…

She nearly jumps out of her chair when she feels a hand on her shoulder. Upon seeing who it is, however, she manages to exhale, not realizing she was holding her breath almost the entire time. "M-mein liebe."

"Wǒ de ài." Geki Nitoh offers his wife a smile and he brings his other hand up to gently massage her shoulders. “I know this is your first press conference, but you will perform admirably. I am right here, okay?”

“O-okay.” Jessica breathes easier as her husband massages some of the tension away. She leans into his touch, looks up to him, and he leans down to kiss her sweetly.

“Misu Jeshika, sugi wa anata!” One of the female crew members calls out to Jessica after the kiss has been broken. Jessica and Geki look to her and she gestures to the stage with a smile.

“I guess I’m next…” Jessica takes a deep breath, lets it out slowly, and rises to her feet.

Geki flashes her a confident smile. “Good luck, my love.”

She looks back to her husband and smiles in return. “Thank you.” She then faces forward and approaches the stage when her introduction begins.

“Ladies and gentlemen, representing Spirit and Pride Wrestling and returning to New Japan Fighting Championship, the Nerd Extraordinaire Jessica Nitoh!”

There’s an English-to-Japanese translator as well. The press offers a respectful applause and the photographers take pictures while Jessica walks over to the podium. She adjusts it to her level, considering her fellow wrestlers are taller than her, and she politely bows her head.

“Arigatōgozaimashita!”

And people teased her for speaking fluent Japanese… How pathetic they are now.

“Thank you! I-I’m very happy to be back in the Land of the Rising Sun, Japan! I’m also super excited for the revival of NJFC and the start of the 2017 Global Championship Tournament! So, without further ado, shall we start with any questions?”

She offers a bright smile and watches as Shelley Silver rises to her feet and speaks up.

“Mrs. Jessica Nitoh, Shelley Silver on behalf of NJC. First of all, congratulations to you and Mr. Geki Nitoh on your new life together!”

“Thank you very much!” Jessica beams.

“You’re welcome. Now, if memory serves, you were a part of this company for a short period of time before. How does it feel to return? Are you prepared for the tournament?”

“Ms. Shelley, it feels wonderful to be back. NJFC was the first company to allow me to compete in Japan and I was incredibly honored.” Jessica glances to the side to see Geki looking on from behind the curtain with a smile. She faces forward again and nods. “My husband and I train every single day. Wrestling may not be in our blood, but it is in our hearts. We love this sport and we work hard for it. I’m ready for the Global Championship Tournament to begin.”

Shelley nods approvingly and takes a seat. Rachel Kenshin rises up and presents a question of her own. “Rachel Kenshin, also representing NJFC. Jessica-chan, how do you believe you will fare against your first opponent, Benny Stevens?”

“Well Ms. Kenshin, I’ve done a little bit of research on Benny, and I know he’s no pushover. He was the last UWA Pride Champion. He’s a daredevil, he’s skillful and brutal. He has a lot more experience than I do. Hell, almost everyone in this tournament does. But I can’t lose in the first round. No matter how much Benny wants this, I want it more. I want to be a champion again. I need to be a champion again! It doesn’t matter who I face… I need to survive this storm and win!”

thumpthump, thumphthump, thumpthump

Jessica’s heart is racing again, but for better reasons now. Rachel speaks up again. “There is the possibility of you facing your best friend and mentor, Ricky Valero, in the semi-finals of the first night. Are you prepared for that?”

She expected this question to come up. She breathes deeply and offers a warm smile. “Hai. Ricky-sensei and I have known each other for over two years now. He took me under his wing after my first mentor, the Strong Style Saint Jaime Alejandro, went on medical leave. I am his best friend and protégé. If we do face each other in the tournament, it wouldn’t be the first time. He defeated me last time, so I’ve gotta make it one-and-one and win.”

While Rachel nods and sits down, Shelley rises up one more time. “Mrs. Nitoh, with so many wrestlers competing for one championship, what makes you stand out from the rest? What is your drive to become the next NJFC Global Champion?”

“My heart.” Jessica doesn’t miss a beat. “My heart is like a beating drum and my blood is flowing with passion for the sport that I love. The fire inside me will burn for the entirety of this tournament and I will wrestle honorably with all my might. Jessica Nitoh the Paladin has awakened and I will not stop! Roll initiative, level up, and game on!”

Everyone applauds for Jessica and she politely bows. She thanks everyone in English and Japanese before she dismisses herself to join her husband in an energetic yet loving embrace.

[Saving data. Do not remove memory card. . . ♥]

[Owen Gonsalves]

With a heavy exhale and, as usual, a sip of water, Owen Gonsalves claps himself onto stage, brushing past a relieved Jessica Sears who he had been jittery prior to going up herself. Owen smiles in her direction before swiftly turning his attention to the crowd, donned in his blue Submission Alchemist sweater and black jeans, he's a little on the tired side having been in the sky more than usual lately due to committments.

James Peterson: "Ladies and gentlemen, another participant in the Global Takeover tournament, Owen Gonsalves!"

The introduction causes for a large round of applause from the crowd, similar to the one Chris Madison had gotten earlier in the night as well. Owen respectfully bows towards the audience as the cameras flash, grabbing shots that are sure to be placed all over wrestling magazines throughout the country. Gonsalves waves out to the live crowd before standing behind the podium.

Owen Gonsalves: "Konbanwa! Thank you very much for the ovation."

And without any hesitation, the first person is ready and prepared with a question.

"Yuji Urihiro from Puroresu Weekly, congratulations on the critically acclaimed main event at A New Hope in Tokyo! I was just wondering what your thoughts are on the events that happened after the match with Mitsuo Shimada?"

Owen Gonsalves: "Thank you very much, uh it was a true honor to step in the ring with Mayhem. As for Shimada, he will get his, I've told him this over Twitter and I'll tell it to him to his face, I plan on getting him back for this pop-up powerbomb in Tokyo."

There's a quite cheer from the crowd who have quickly come to despise Shimada for his actions. Owen smiles and sips his water as he awaits the next question. Shelley Silver has the microphone in her hand as she waves out to catch Owen's attention.

Shelley Silver: "Owen, Shelley Silver representing NJFC, we heard from your first round opponent in the Global Takeover tournament, Hiroyoshi Suzuki earlier and when he was asked how he thought he'd fair against you he credited you with pushing Chris Madison to the limit and even believes you'll push him to the limit but ultimately that this won't be your moment of clarity and that it is his time now. What do you have to say to that?"

Gonsalves smirks a little as Silver speaks before slowly nodding as he pieces his answer together.

Owen Gonsalves: "Suzuki is part of the reason why I came here to New Japan Fighting Championship. You see I don't just want to face the best in Australia or America, I want to face the best all over the world and Suzuki is one of the best homegrown talents this country has to offer. Madison was on my list and he's fantastic, but I came to Japan to fight Japan's best, whether it be Hiroyoshi Suzuki, Mitsuo Shimada, Takashi Shinobu or any other of Japan's own...I came here to fight them and prove that I can hang with some of the toughest motherfuckers in the wrestling industry."

"So, I am so glad I get to face Suzuki in the first round of this tournament because as much as I respect him, and as much as I have studied how hard he's worked in the dojo and how hard he's worked to perfect his craft, I have been working just that much harder in travelling all over this planet to perfect mine so there isn't a doubt in MY mind that I'll be making a statement in beating one of the top competitors Japan has."

There's fire in his eyes as he emphasizes the final words in his answer by slamming his closed fist into the podium, the sound exaggerated to a loud thud thanks to the microphone attached to the podium.

"Kairi Nakano from Pro Wrestling Dirt Japan, a lot of the participants in this tournament have mentioned your name as someone they desire to face, so the question has to come to you eventually, what are your thoughts on the field and who stands out to you as someone you'd like to have another classic match in Japan with?"

Gonsalves chuckles at the mention of having another classic in Japan, sheepishly scratching the back of his head.

Owen Gonsalves: "I don't know about having another classic, if it means I have to get my head caved in like I did in the match with Madison then I'd rather stay far away from classic matches. But in all seriousness, the field is a who's who of top talent from all over the globe really. Of course, I've been playing close attention to the men on my side of the bracket...I owe Ricky Valero an ass whooping for all the trouble he's been causing, also would love to lock up with a Bryan Williams or Jack Tillman. However that other side of the bracket is deadly as well, top names like Devin Hearst and Ace King stand out but man...I haven't faced Craig one on one, and there's the unpredictability of Toshikazu who was a late addition but I assure you that no matter who I face, the result will be the same..."

Gonsalves pauses for a moment, the smile fades and he leans in really close to the microphone to make sure everyone hears exactly what he says. 

Owen Gonsalves: "...By the end of this three night tournament, Owen Gonsalves will be your NJFC Global Champion and they'll all know damn well that Owen Gonsalves cannot be destroyed!"

And with that Owen steps away from the podium, more journalists and reporters desperately try to fire off last minute questions but Gonsalves is done for the night, turning his back to the crowd and pointing to the large banner behind him with all the faces of those involved in the tournament before his waves to the crowd and makes his leave.