Post by Craig Anderson on May 15, 2017 23:59:33 GMT
We open the scene in the streets of Tokyo, Japan - specifically, outside the Tokyo Dome. Hardly the most suitable location for a promo, given all the background noise and distractions, but Craig Anderson chose it specifically. He stands out in the open, with the Tokyo Dome in full view behind him. Uncharacteristically apprehensive, he takes a couple of steps forward.
"For most of my time in Japan, I've been planking on benches and looking for a real-life Pikachu. I've yet to find one. But I didn't come here just to mess around, even if it would be dope to fly home on a Fearow. The fun and games are over."
He smirks; briefly, an image of him winning the Global Takeover tournament forms in his mind.
"I'm here to ply my trade against some of the best wrestlers in the world... and Owen Gonsalves is here too. I'm kidding. Sorry, Owen. We're all here for different reasons. For some, it's to win the tournament, to get that satisfaction that comes from winning a shiny, gold championship. Some are here not with the intentions of winning the Global Championship, but to deprive others of the opportunity of earning it for themselves. For me though, while I would absolutely love to win the entire thing, I'm out here to prove to the wrestling world that there is more to me than biscuits and terrible one-line jokes."
With each spoken word, Craig's confidence grows. He looks at his surroundings, before turning and pointing towards the Tokyo Dome.
"When I was asked to cut a promo for the event, my initial thought was to do it from the comforts of my hotel room. That way, I'd have no interruptions. But instead, I chose to do it here; outside the Tokyo Dome. Maybe I'm mad - to be honest, I probably am - but trust me, there's a reason I chose here. Of all places."
"Tokyo is the most-populated city in the world, and the Tokyo Dome has hosted many memorable puroresu events. So, there's a very good chance that at least one of the hundreds of people that have walked past me since I started recording this is a professional wrestling fan. So, why is it that not a single one of them has approached me and asked for a picture, or a photograph? It's because nobody in Japan knows who I am. To them, I'm just your typical gaijin. Don't get me wrong, I'd love it if suddenly a swarm of wrestling fans approached me, but in many ways, I think I prefer it this way."
"Nobody knows who I am here, so that means that there is no pressure on me to win this tournament. That means that I'm able to focus on stepping into the ring and doing what I do best. But, of course, having no pressure on me means absolutely nothing if I do not prepare. It's not as though I'm stepping up to do a solo routine; there's a very tough opponent I need to get past first. Then, hopefully another. And another. And another."
With what felt like the entire population of Japan passing him by, Craig continues to feel like a small fish in the ocean.
"It's by no means going to be easy, though. Takashi Shinobu is no push-over. He knows a lot more about wrestling in this country than I do, that's for sure. But, interestingly, he also considers himself an underdog. Seldom have I been in the situation where both I and my opponent are considered the 'underdog', but I'm not fazed in the slightest. We all love an underdog story; they make for a great movie. Imagine a tale about a young Englishmen, on his first ever visit to Japan, coming in and winning the Global Championship. Now that's a story!"
"Should I get past Takashi, and I intend to do so, I will then go on to face either Bianca Reed or Devin Hearst - the latter being a former Global Champion. Did you know that he never actually lost it? Gosh, he really should mention that more often."
Craig chuckles slightly; the many times a company closed as soon as he won their main title coming to mind.
"You see, Devin, here's the thing. I couldn't care less whether you lost it or not. I mean, it's great that you're a former Global Champion and what not, but you're in this tournament just like the rest of us. If you're expecting us all to just lie down and let you reclaim what isn't actually yours, you're sadly mistaken.
I'll be doing rather the opposite: putting on one of the greatest matches of my career. I've sent you an invitation, Devin. But you'd better accept it quickly, or else Bianca might sneak in first!"
"In this tournament, though, are many potentially fantastic matches. I'd absolutely love to meet Owen Gonsalves in the final, in what would be a long-overdue match between the two of us. But honestly, it will be an honour to face off against any of these talented men and women. I've honestly not seen many greater lineups of talent than the one scheduled to compete over three huge nights in Osaka. We've got former Champions, current Champions and even future Champions. I cannot wait to share the ring with as many of you as I possibly can, and even if my contract isn't extended beyond this event, I'm going to make sure I leave a lasting impression!"
Craig walks slowly towards the camera, preparing to end the recording.
"Oh, yeah. One last thing, before I go..."
He takes a pause to clear his throat and mind.
"....dive!"
"For most of my time in Japan, I've been planking on benches and looking for a real-life Pikachu. I've yet to find one. But I didn't come here just to mess around, even if it would be dope to fly home on a Fearow. The fun and games are over."
He smirks; briefly, an image of him winning the Global Takeover tournament forms in his mind.
"I'm here to ply my trade against some of the best wrestlers in the world... and Owen Gonsalves is here too. I'm kidding. Sorry, Owen. We're all here for different reasons. For some, it's to win the tournament, to get that satisfaction that comes from winning a shiny, gold championship. Some are here not with the intentions of winning the Global Championship, but to deprive others of the opportunity of earning it for themselves. For me though, while I would absolutely love to win the entire thing, I'm out here to prove to the wrestling world that there is more to me than biscuits and terrible one-line jokes."
With each spoken word, Craig's confidence grows. He looks at his surroundings, before turning and pointing towards the Tokyo Dome.
"When I was asked to cut a promo for the event, my initial thought was to do it from the comforts of my hotel room. That way, I'd have no interruptions. But instead, I chose to do it here; outside the Tokyo Dome. Maybe I'm mad - to be honest, I probably am - but trust me, there's a reason I chose here. Of all places."
"Tokyo is the most-populated city in the world, and the Tokyo Dome has hosted many memorable puroresu events. So, there's a very good chance that at least one of the hundreds of people that have walked past me since I started recording this is a professional wrestling fan. So, why is it that not a single one of them has approached me and asked for a picture, or a photograph? It's because nobody in Japan knows who I am. To them, I'm just your typical gaijin. Don't get me wrong, I'd love it if suddenly a swarm of wrestling fans approached me, but in many ways, I think I prefer it this way."
"Nobody knows who I am here, so that means that there is no pressure on me to win this tournament. That means that I'm able to focus on stepping into the ring and doing what I do best. But, of course, having no pressure on me means absolutely nothing if I do not prepare. It's not as though I'm stepping up to do a solo routine; there's a very tough opponent I need to get past first. Then, hopefully another. And another. And another."
With what felt like the entire population of Japan passing him by, Craig continues to feel like a small fish in the ocean.
"It's by no means going to be easy, though. Takashi Shinobu is no push-over. He knows a lot more about wrestling in this country than I do, that's for sure. But, interestingly, he also considers himself an underdog. Seldom have I been in the situation where both I and my opponent are considered the 'underdog', but I'm not fazed in the slightest. We all love an underdog story; they make for a great movie. Imagine a tale about a young Englishmen, on his first ever visit to Japan, coming in and winning the Global Championship. Now that's a story!"
"Should I get past Takashi, and I intend to do so, I will then go on to face either Bianca Reed or Devin Hearst - the latter being a former Global Champion. Did you know that he never actually lost it? Gosh, he really should mention that more often."
Craig chuckles slightly; the many times a company closed as soon as he won their main title coming to mind.
"You see, Devin, here's the thing. I couldn't care less whether you lost it or not. I mean, it's great that you're a former Global Champion and what not, but you're in this tournament just like the rest of us. If you're expecting us all to just lie down and let you reclaim what isn't actually yours, you're sadly mistaken.
I'll be doing rather the opposite: putting on one of the greatest matches of my career. I've sent you an invitation, Devin. But you'd better accept it quickly, or else Bianca might sneak in first!"
"In this tournament, though, are many potentially fantastic matches. I'd absolutely love to meet Owen Gonsalves in the final, in what would be a long-overdue match between the two of us. But honestly, it will be an honour to face off against any of these talented men and women. I've honestly not seen many greater lineups of talent than the one scheduled to compete over three huge nights in Osaka. We've got former Champions, current Champions and even future Champions. I cannot wait to share the ring with as many of you as I possibly can, and even if my contract isn't extended beyond this event, I'm going to make sure I leave a lasting impression!"
Craig walks slowly towards the camera, preparing to end the recording.
"Oh, yeah. One last thing, before I go..."
He takes a pause to clear his throat and mind.
"....dive!"
