Pride of Puroresu Crown

[クリス・クリプラー]

It had been a long journey to Japan from Mexico but Chris Crippler had finally made it. Wearing his custom black suit with maroon shirt and black waist coat, his long hair untamed with the natural whispy brown curls, standing in the hallway waiting to be called upon the press room for NJFC. Looking down at the floor and at the championship in his hand, doing a long exhale of breath to calm the nerves at his first press junket in Japan in twenty years, Chris glances up to the ceiling to avoid making eye contact with any of the press or staff wondering past him. A tap on his shoulder doesn’t break his concentration until the person taps his shoulder again.

Chris Crippler: What do you want?

The young Japanese man stands holding a headset and box, holding it out for Chris to take, who obliges and places the headset on his face and pressing a button on the box.

Chris Crippler: Not sure why no one else is wearing these, to help with translation, if it is good enough for the UN and the EU then it’s good enough for me.

Chris places the box into his suit jacket pocket and looks at the young man.

Chris Crippler: Ask me a question

Young Japanese Gentleman: このトーナメントに勝つと思いますか？(Do you think you'll win this tournament?)

Chris looks in utter shock as the translation comes through into his ears as あなたの妻は後ろからそれを好きですか？ (Does your wife like it from behind). He takes the headset off and throws it down the hallway, adjusting his suit jacket as the PA for NJFC steps out to indicate its Chris’ time, Chris turns to the Japanese guy who is holding two streamers and walks just behind the wrestler. Chris steps out onto the stage with lots of cameras flashing, the Japanese gentleman throws the streamers up to the bewilderment of the journalists, Chris looks around to see the shocked looks before looking at the guy who throw them with distain. He shakes his head disapprovingly and steps up to table and sits down, placing the silver championship belt on the table next to the microphone, glancing around at the audience who settle down with the photography and the NJFC PA points at one journalist who obligingly stands up.

Takedo Hamati: It has been over twenty years since your last appearance in Japan. Why have you chosen to return now and why New Japan Fighting Championship?

Chris Crippler: The only reason I stepped back into the limelight was because Skyfire Wrestling titillated me, it was something I was interested in and overall believed the product , New Japan Fighting Championship is exactly that and when I was approached to appear.. I couldn’t say no.

Takedo sits down with the PA pointing to the first lady of chaos, EWC’s Friday Night Rampage competitor Shelley Silver, who stands up flicking her brown hair back before smiling towards Chris.

Shelley Silver: I’d like to ask you what your initial thoughts where when you were informed about who you’d be competing with in block B, Raindrop?

Chris mouths the word ‘Raindrop’ before putting a fake smile on prior to answering.

Chris Crippler: I think it was along the lines of ‘Bugger me’. But this is for the Pride of Puroresu Crown, round robin style tournament to crown the GPC World Heavyweight Champion, it isn’t going to be a walk in the park and with the likes of Shelton, Laughlin, Madison, Pariah, LaVey, Cashe and Black to highlight the talented Gaijin with Hiroyoshi Suzuki, Kyo Natsumi, Mitsuo Shimada and Shiro Ibushi representing the so-called locals. It is going to be tough but after three decades in this industry I have the fight and desire like my younger counterparts!

Shelley sits down and the PA points towards another female.

Rachel Kenshin: You said you’ve been wrestling for over thirty years, do you think your age will prove to be a crucial factor in this tournament, especially when you’ve got the likes of the current EWC International champion, current GPC World Tag Team champion, also your rival in Skyfire Wrestling who competes in multiple promotions and holds the Honor Wrestling Championship?

Chris pauses for a moment.

Chris Crippler: It is true that there are talented wrestlers in this tournament, both in block A and B, who are reigning champions in their promotions and compete at a high level wherever they compete. My age has restricted me to my appearances in Skyfire, recently wrestling for GOL in their Super Falcon Cup tournament, my body does take longer to heal and with each match being either four or five day intervals.. I’m going to be in a lot of pain. I’m not going to be at their level but that isn’t being defeatist. That is the reality of it but I’m still going to do everything in my power to progress forward towards winning this tournament.. and winning the World Heavyweight Championship!

The PA indicates one last question as he points to Ryoku Naito.

Ryoku Naito: Do you believe you can truly do that, after hearing your comments about your age, wouldn’t that be your Achilles Heel that everyone will exploit?

Chris snorts.

Chris Crippler: I enjoy proving the doubters wrong! You should be asking the others what it’ll be like being beaten by someone twice as old as them…

Chris smirks as he stands up from the table and holds his hand up to thank the journalists, grabbing hold of the Skyfire Championship belt with his free hand, Chris then heads back off the stage and back into the hallway.

[Triple T]

(A young man approaches the podium. He’s dressed in a black suit with a red shirt and black tie. He unbuttons the sport coat button and removes the black sunglasses he was wearing, placing them in his inside pocket. With a smile on his face, he looks out at the fans and media in attendance. As the camera flashes die down he begins to speak.)


Triple T:(Bowing) Kon'nichiwa. My name is Terrence Tillman, or as most of you know me, “Terrific” Terry Tillman or Triple T. I wanted to say that this moment is one of humbleness and honor. I would like to personally thank each and every one of you for coming out today. Thank you to James Peterson for inviting me to this amazing event and giving me this incredible opportunity. The NJFC staff has been nothing but hospitable. And I look forward to competing in this tournament.


I realize that most of you as well as the majority of the participants in this tournament know little about me. I’m a guy that as a kid fell in love with this sport. I grew up watching wrestling and seeing the stars of that day as super heroes. Amazing feats of strength, mind blowing athleticism. Week after week these guys made me believe that anything was possible. They inspired me to be great at whatever I decided to do. But it wasn’t until my grandfather passed that I realized that what I wanted to do was be a professional wrestler. And I’m not here to win the sympathy vote and tell you the story that you can go a read on my bio somewhere on the internet. But I will say that he reminded me of how much wrestling meant to him, and how much it meant to me. I trained long and hard, with no real guidance. It wasn’t until I met an old retired wrestler, now used car salesman named Charles Corvan otherwise know in the early 80’s as CoCo Savage that I was trained the correct way and set on my path.


My career has been pretty localized to only a few companies and sections of the United States. I started in a developmental brand connected with Frontier Grappling Arts in North Carolina called Lion’s Den Fighting Championship or LDFC for short. I was the first student to graduate all three stages of training. I was on every show, match or not. I fell in love with the excitement, the electricity, and the fans. And have the honor of participating in the brands first and last match. From there my career took me to the west coast where I wrestled for Glitz Glamor and Glory, the 3GW, another affiliate of the FGA that started after Lion’s Den closed. Again I pushed and fought to be the best facing off against the top names in the company before it was absorbed by FGA which is now my home.


In the midst of this I signed a contract with Spirit and Pride Wrestling alongside my brother and my cousin the current SAP National Champion Vince Steel. Again doing all I can do to face off with the best of the best, to learn and to grow in the sport. To me that’s what its’ all about. Being the best you can be day in and day out, match after match. And now just shy of three years in the business professionally, I have the opportunity to become the new GCP World Heavyweight Champion taking on the best of the best of the best. I get goose bumps just thinking about it.


As I stand up here tonight looking out at all of the media, the fans, as well as the competitors, I can safely say that this moment right I am exactly where I am supposed to be. I am standing in the presence of greatness, and that means I did exactly what I set out to do. This…this is something special. This is history in the making. And I’m telling you now…with all the respect in the world to the rest of the competitors. I am here to make history. I’m walking in this tournament the guy that few know, and walking out the GPC World Heavyweight Champion!


Yes I know there are legends here, champions, present and future Hall of Famers. Some of you walking around here with the hardware right now. And I’m sure your respective brands and companies think vary highly of you. But the sheer fact of the matter is this none of that intimidates me. See where most people look at your your long list of accolades as something to be careful of. I see it as a challenge. I see it as another way to elevate myself. The way I see it, that may have got you to the dance, but you are going to have to work to take the Prom Queen home.

I think I’ve gone on long enough. At this time I would love to hear from you guys out there. Anyone questions?


Yes you…


Rachel Kenshin: Mr. Tillman, first of all welcome to NJFC. We are so happy you are here to participate in this tournament. You seem very confident in your ability. But there has to be competitors in this tournament that you see as possible problems on your quest for the title. Can you give us some of those names?


Triple T: Oh absolutely. Truly, everyone is going to be a “problem”. I mean take my first 4 matches. First Mark Storm…the guy was just up here and he is everything he says he is. I just watched him fight to a draw with James Edwards just last week. He’s a bad man and he’s just the beginning.


Next,Chandler Scott. The man is FGA royalty, the inaugural inductee to the FGA Hall of Fame.

[Triple T]

He’s done it all and love him or hate him he is respected by everyone. Although I do have to correct one thing. I’m the Premier, Top Tier, Pound for Pound Best Around. And understand it’s not putting me on the ground you need to worry about…it’s keeping me there.


Owen Gonsalves is next and I'm a fan of this guy. He has a style in the ring that is super impressive. Gonsalves owns the air, it’s his forte. A style that I’m positive I will match up well with. Bottom line we are blowing the roof off the building. That is a guarantee.


And finally Akio Tanaka…Forth man, forth distinctly different style. I don’t know a great deal about the man but I know from what I’ve seen he hits hard…and he hits often. But that’s okay…I can take a hit. I hope Tanaka can as well.


The facts are simple, my first four matches are going to push me to my absolute limits. And they are just the start. But that little ditty about me being the “Pound for Pound Best Around” isn’t just a tag line to sell t shirts and making cool sound bites. It’s what I am. It’s what I live. I believe with every ounce of my being that I can walk into the ring with anyone and beat them. You can be a 5 time champion, a Hall of Famer in 10 companies, walk around with title belts falling out of your ass, won first place in a butter churning contest at the state fair, it doesn’t matter. I am the future of this business and I'm winning the Pride of Puroresu Crown.


Shelley Silver: It’s unrealistic to think anyone would sweep their group, going undefeated given the caliber of wrestlers here. How will you handle setbacks in the tournament?


Triple T: That’s a defeatist attitude. Going in preparing to lose and wondering how to turn it around? I have a remedy for that…I…don’t…lose. Now before someone goes  and checks my matches to debunk my statement, my wrestling coach once told me after a bad showing at a meet, “Terry, from here on out, you will never lose again, you either win…or you learn.” That stuck with me to this day and it’s the mindset that anyone that wants to make it in this should have. I may not get the win every time, but as long as I learn from it, and can take something and use what it to make me better…I will never lose again.


Takedo Hamati: Regardless of the outcome of this tournament, year from now, what do you want people to say about you as a wrestler?


Triple T: Damn…I was expecting a question about my favorite holds or something. No seriously my one goal is to leave this sport and this industry better than when I found it. I want to elevate the sport that changed my life and see it change the lives of others. Some people want to win all the titles they can, and the fact of the matter is if you hold 10 championships in companies that pop up and die in a couple of years, what did you really do? If you come in, make a ton of cash and then vanish when your stock goes down, you are killing the sport. I want to make any and every title I win mean something. I want to be able to pass on what I’ve learned and experienced with the generation that will eventually replace me. I want to be a superhero in the eyes of a kid sitting in his grandfather’s den on a Saturday morning.


Ryoku Naito: If you could tell the fans here and at home as well that may not know you, why you will be the one taking home our crown and title.

Triple T: In the states we have a saying, “Nothing to lose, Everything to gain”. That is basically what where I am right now. I am a relative new comer in his first international tournament going against some of the greatest of all time. If I crash and burn, no one will speak ill of me…no one that matters anyway. No it will be more along the lines of “he’s just getting started. He will be better next time.” And I’ll fly back home, go back to my brands and continue to do what I do. But on the flip side of that same coin, I can shock the world and win the whole damn thing becoming the pinnacle of wrestling damn near overnight! I’m playing with house money as they say! So to answer the question, what you are about to see is a man letting it ride night in and night out. A man that can do it all in the ring and will because I don’t know how to do it any other way. A man that isn’t out for his next conquest to add to his collection of accolades, but whose goal is to bring prestige and honor to every piece of gold he touches.


Ladies and gentleman, I have fought all my life in some way or another. I have pressed and pressed and stumbled and got back up more times than can be counted. And I have traveled across the United States and finally across the globe to stand at this podium and say with the belief of a saint seeing an angle for the first time that TRIPLE T IS IN THE BUIIIIIIILLLLDIIIIIINNNGGGGGGG! And I will be your new GPC World Heaveyweight Champion!


My times up…I’ll see you in the ring.


(With that Triple T puts his sunglasses back on and hypes up the fans a bit before exiting the stage.)

[Amis FN Shelton]

"Alright, alright...."

Everyone's attention turns towards the stage as Amis 'FN' Shelton appears onto the stage. Amis is dressed in a smart casual fashion with a blazer jacket sitting on top of his white t-shirt, complimented by black coloured jeans and a pair of lace pump shoes. To top it all off, the EWC International Championship is draped onto his right shoulder. Shelton moves towards the podium and positions his championship neatly on the desk. After taking a few seconds to relax himself, the EWC International Champion leans forward.

AMIS SHELTON: "Finally, this place is beginning to fill up!"

Amis smirks and unscrews the cap from the complimentary bottle of water, taking a sip before continuing.

AMIS SHELTON: "My first Pride of Puroresu Crown series, how exciting! Before I get to any questions, I feel like an introduction is in order. Judging by the lack of clicks coming from your cameras and the fact that only one guy has mentioned my name thus far, perhaps I owe it to you people to remind you exactly who I am.

My name is Amis Shelton, the current EWC International Champion and the greatest wrestler to ever appear on weekly mainstream television every Monday night, including a couple of days ago. So for you peons that don't quite get it, I wrestled on Monday, flew here on Tuesday and here I am on this fine Wednesday gracing you all with my presence. I could have just of easily called in via satellite like those other two jabronis but that just wouldn't sit right with me. By showing up tonight, albeit jetlagged as fuck, I'm displaying my intent to take this as a serious competition and to prove two things.

1. Most of the people competing in this series are overrated.
2. Amis Shelton deserves to be mentioned in the same breath as some of the greatest to ever wrestle."

A smirk appears on the face of the Dream Eater.

AMIS SHELTON: "So now that I've introduced myself, I bet you're all burning with questions right?"

RACHEL KENSHIN: "Rachel Kenshin, NJFC---"

AMIS SHELTON: "Nope."

RACHEL KENSHIN: "What?"

AMIS SHELTON: "Look lady, you've just been punched square in the face by some psycho chick for hitting on her man and now you want to continue like nothing ever happened? You're a bloody mess, go get yourself cleaned up for crying out loud. Are you out of your mind? Next question."

A dejected Rachel Kenshin walks off to finally get some first aid, Ryoku takes the opportunity to chime in.

RYOKU NAITO: "Amis, is there anyone in your group that you are looking forward to facing?"

AMIS SHELTON: "One name springs to my mind instantly, that being Jason Cashe. As you all just heard a few moments ago, he's wild no doubt. But he's also been around for a long time and won many titles everywhere he's been. Shelton versus Cashe has interesting written all over it and it's honestly baffling to me that our paths have never crossed, considering how long we've both been in this industry. We could tear the house down and have the match of the series but with that being said, it's a match that I'm planning on winning."

Naito nods and sits back down, allowing fellow fedmate, Shelley Silver, to pop up. Amis looks at her with a warm smile.

SHELLEY SILVER: "Amis."

AMIS SHELTON: "Miss Silver, left the boy toy at home this time have we?"

Silver rolls her eyes but continues on with her question.

SHELLEY SILVER: "The EWC has just kicked off it's European tour and considering your 'popularity', one would assume that you're joining this tour as well as competing in this Pride of Puroresu Crown series. Don't you think that the stress and physical fatigue will end up being a disadvantage?"

AMIS SHELTON: "Interesting. Let me ask you something, Shelley. Do you know what happens on July 30th?"

Shelley shakes her head.

AMIS SHELTON: "July 30th is the last of many flights in and out of Japan. On that flight home back to Illinois, I plan on having not one but TWO Championships with me in my suitcase. The EWC International Championship and the GPC World Heavyweight Championship, along with the PoP Series Crown. I knew what I was getting myself into when I signed the contract to fight in Japan and believe me, if there's anyone that can manage a busy work load it's Amis Shelton. You and your ex-boyfriend over there should know that better than anyone."

Amis points towards Mark Storm with Shelley Silver taking exception to the last few words of that answer. Amis doesn't hang around however, he picks up his International Championship and takes his spot on a vacant seat.

[bryanfnlaughlin]

Walking up the steps to the side of the stage Bryan, with his Hollywood Pro Television Championship in he last step and takes a deep breath and looks around the room to see the members of the Japanese wrestling media in person. A few flashes go off in the room as others hold up their cell phones to capture the moment if Bryan Laughlin's return to the country. Making his way to the seat with his nametag in front of it Bryan sits down and places his TV Championship in front of it making sure it's prominently displayed


BRYAN LAUGHLIN: Before I take a few questions I'd like to take the moment to say a few things. First of all I'd like to thank James for the accommodations given to me in order for me to take questions via Skype and fly over here the day after my successful title defense. I'd also like to thank all of you for being so understanding and I hope by no means do you think I was showing disrespect by not being here. I am taking this tournament very serious and using it as a metphorical soap box to stand on while I tell the world that I'm back. Since I took questions I've paid close attention to the other competitors and done substantial background checks on the majority of them. 


Bryan reaches over to one of the water bottles left for him to wet his mouth as he continues 


BRYAN LAUGHLIN: What I've found is that although many of them have established backgrounds I couldn't find it in me to have had any fear stricken into me by the results. I didn't expect to come into this tournament with men and women who are unknown in this industry. We've all got claims to fame and championships to display. We're all here for the same reason. To be the last one standing and challenge Bryan Williams for the Global Championship and be recognized as the elite talent in Japan in the most prestigious company in this country. The only difference is while the majority of my competition has spend their careers traveling from one place to another trying to spread their brand I remained as a loyal talent to the men who signed my checks as a franchise player that a company could rely on to put the business on my back. So, that being said whadd'ya got Ms. Silver?


SHELLEY SILVER: Mr. Laughlin, good to see you in person. You just mentioned that you were loyal to the companies you worked for and previously you had said you planned on trave-

Leaning into the microphone Bryan cuts her off 


BRYAN LAUGHLIN: I believe I said Hashtag - Grapsin All Over The World

Ms. Silver's eyes narrow as her demeanor tells the non verbal story of her annoyance

SHELLEY SILVER: Right, well flash forward to if you do win Pride of Puroreso will you have time to fit a match against your friend Bryan Williams for the Global Championship into your busy schedule?

The annoyed body language has transitioned to Bryan now as he raises an eyebrow and leans forward on the table then returning the narrow eyed stare 

 
BRYAN LAUGHLIN: I'm not sure what you're getting at? I just got done saying that loyalty is the most important thing to me in this industry and because of the opportunity James Peterson has given me to compete in Pride of Puroresu I would make it a priority to return to NJFC and compete against a good friend and fellow Killer Bee, Bryan Williams. I could sit here and make this about me but were all here to compete under one banner. 

There's an awkward silence as the two remain deadlocked in a stare, breaking the silence with a deep breath Bryan sighs loudly before pointing to Ryoku Naito

SHELLEY SILVER: Congratulations on your successful title defense in Hollywood Pro, speaking of that promotion, you've been recently competing as an alter ego. a Broken McLAughlin. Will we see Broken Bryan here in Japan for NJFC Pride of Puroreso?

With a slight laugh Bryan holds his hands out, looking as if he is visually weighing his options

BRYAN LAUGHLIN: No. Broken McLaughlin is always a part of me. It's not something I magically made up one night on a drug binge. It's the goofy part of me that I finally let come out when I saw the perfect opportunity. A promotion that was planting their flag in the same city that a bunch of self righteous movie elitists who decide each other's future live and socialize in. It was perfect timing, and luckily I've found success. Further proof that no matter who or what I am on any given day I'm still one of the most talented wrestlers this industry has seen. I don't have some fancy family lineage or connections to anyone higher than the guy who cooks my food in catering. Some would prefer to use Broken as an example why I'm not built to be the franchise, but I just proved to you why it's the exact opposite. The previous management at Hollywood Pro hated it, and I don't know if you guys get the news over here but he's out and a new director has been slated to continue the story in their vision. 


Love me or hate me you can't deny that in that ring I am damn good whether I'm Broken, calling myself the devil, or throwing superkicks until my groin gets tired. Pride of Puroreso is my coming out party -- not a birthday party fit for a broken clown.

Pointing to an eager Takedo Hamati who has a smile on his face, Bryan takes another sip of his water bottle

TAKEDO HAMATI: Bryan, hello. Besides the tournament, would do you look forward to the most being in Japan

With an audible 'hmm' Bryan scratches his chin

BRYAN LAUGHLIN: I want to scuba dive and find Godzilla.. thanks guys

[James Edwards]

The massive echoes of heavy boots hitting wood form a nice rhythm as James Edwards strides through the curtain with an uncharacteristic aura of assertion. His dress is casual; he carries a large jug of water and bows respectively to the company officials and journalists. James sets his water on the stage and takes his spot at the podium.

James Edwards: I'm gonna skip the formalities. Y'all already know I respect the field, the company, this country, and its culture. The last time I stood up here, I played it safe, mostly because I was nervous. I'm sure the folks sitting here earlier this month saw me shaking behind the curtain before I came stumbling out. A couple of them with eagle eyes just might have seen me hesitate even when I seemed composed. Then again maybe that is just my hope, that a few people will be able to tell the difference between bullshit and the truth because today I came here with the intent of throwing safety to the dogs and saying that there won't be a repeat of what happened in the Global Takeover tournament.

The crowd buzzes in anticipation of a juicy gossip bomb. James takes a long pull from his jug and then continues.

James Edwards: Call it blind rage, giving into petty disagreements, or losing focus, but everything in my fight with Bryan Williams was centered around landing the Gospel. I wanted to feel my boot crack his skull. Why? That's easy to answer; I didn't like that he disrespected me or acted like I was a footstool for his coronation, but he outsmarted me, and he beat me. I don't like that either, but it is something that I have to accept, the same way that I have to live with another fact I can't stand.

The media hounds type onto their phones and laptops with the certainty their editors will love these tidbits. For his part, James remains coy, more stone-faced than anything.

James Edwards: The second Bryan rolled my shoulder back on the mat for the three-count, I gave another example to everyone who thinks I put up a good fight and never finish the job; that I'm a nice name to have on the card, and nothing more. Sometimes they pat me on the head, while their music plays and they want to act humble for the cameras, lean down and tell me that my time is gonna come. All of that, the words and the empty gestures ain't gonna stop until I reach up, grab the moment by the throat, and make them stop.

The fervent typing continues with the hope that this leading to a sound bite that will generate clicks to justify pitching a pet project that has rattled in their minds for months. Again, James takes a quick drink from his jug while his face remains impassive.

James Edwards: I don't wanna to win this tournament or the title just to say I've done it. Those kinds of accomplishments have come and gone for me. I don't need them to validate my skill set, I've won enough fights to prove I'm dangerous between the ropes. I want victory in the PoP to silence my critics. I want it to show my time isn't later it's now. I want it as my ticket for my consideration as one of the best wrestlers in the world. Make no mistake about it; I know what's coming is beyond difficult. The names in A and B block are legendary, but that's why I'm to compete: to fight and knock out legends, and when I do I'll have the credibility owed to me in the fighting world. I ain't gonna cheat, complain, or be bitter if I lose, though. That's my one promise before the tournament gets under way. You have my word. So any questions?

A sea of hands rise. It appears James is going to be here longer than he anticipated.

[Tommy Knox]

VOICE: HORY CHET IT'S GODZIRRA!!!

A loud voice from the back of the room grabs everyone's attention as they quickly turn a complete one-eighty to see where it is coming from. Look no further than one half of your GPC Tag-Team Champions. leaning against the doorway with one hand propped against it, Tommy Knox looks over the packed room with the championship hanging over his shoulder. The reaction drawn from the crowd is anything but pleasant as the one man who time and time again has disrespected their country, or even called it another, looks back at them with a shit eating grin stretched across his face. Pushing himself away from the doorway and standing straight up, he proceeds to walk through the sea of media personnel, parting the ocean.

TOMMY KNOX: Lighten up, damn.

As he approaches the podium, several members of the media begin conversing among themselves, even pointing at the near two foot piece of toilet paper attached to the bottom of his shoe. Stepping up onto the platform, the piece of toilet paper detaches from his boot and hangs over the edge as Knox moves along to the podium. Before he can even get settled, Ryoku storms to the front of the crowd.

RYOKU NAITO: Mister Knox I have question and you answer now!

TOMMY KNOX: The fuck?

Removing the championship from his shoulder, he slams it onto the podium before turning his direct attention back to Ryoku.

TOMMY KNOX: Listen here. Question time is over!

His feet then shuffle as he quickly darts in Ryoku's direction. As he closes the gap between the two, his eyes catch a glimpse of the toilet paper hanging over the edge, forcing him to abruptly come to a stop within inches of it.

TOMMY KNOX: Come on, dude! Really? You here to throw doodoo paper at me?!

Kicking his foot forward, the bottom of his boot catches the paper and as his leg extends forward, the soggy paper flies in Ryoku's direction before crashing against his face and clinging onto it.

TOMMY KNOX: BOOYAH!!!

In that very moment, the entire room turns against Knox as the boos rain down upon him.

TOMMY KNOX: Let's go ahead and get down to business. I answered a few questions for you all earlier and you all just want more. Keep it up and you gonna get the Marshawn Lynch treatment. Before I go silent and let my actions speak for me in the next few days, let's be real for a minute.

Holding his arms out to the his sides, he looks over the disgruntled crowd for a short moment before continuing.

TOMMY KNOX: All you people do, and yes, YOU PEOPLE, is ask, ask, ask. Why this? Why that? What does this tournament mean for you? Blah blah fuckin' blah blah blah. Let's just cut the shit and get right down to it. Each and every single one of us competin' in the Pride of Puroresu Crown came here for one thing and one thing only. We all want to prove that we're the fuckin' best out there. Twenty-four people in all broken down into two groups all fightin' to be in the championship match. And before I continue, let me be honest for a fuckin' minute. This group I'm listed with is a fuckin' joke!

Gasps escape from everyone's mouth as his words echo throughout the room.

TOMMY KNOX: What? Am I wrong? Group A does have Chandler Scott but come round three he's all alone in the dark countin' to three and at that moment, this mother fucker right here, ME, will be towerin' over him with my arm raised high for all of you lovely people here tonight who I know will be watchin' with your eyes glued to that ring! Only other name stickin' out to me in my group is Owen Gonsalves and that's because of one person I wished I was grouped against. Hey Madison, remember me pal? Be sure to watch round four closely and learn a thing or two about puttin' Owen away in a timely fashion. R.I.P. Blackhand - it's all dPEEg mother fucker!

Turning in place, he then walks along the edge of the platform, passing by the front of the podium, and traveling to the other side.

TOMMY KNOX: Group B we have names like John Pariah--nevermind, I must be fuckin' retarded. We have names like Chris Madison, Bryan Laughlin, and my boy, the other half of the dPEEg TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS OF THE , Jason Cashe! Three men who I would love to face in this tournament but I guess I'll have to settle for my homie when we meet in the final match to decide your GPC dPEEg World Heavyweight Champion. Not you Madison, I was talkin' about my other homie without the puppet pullin' the strings. Hi Frankie!

Looking to the nearest camera, he waves with a smile from ear to ear on his face.

TOMMY KNOX: In due time I suppose. But let's get on to my first two opponents shall we. Rounds one and two I'll square off with Ken Hideyoshi and Asuka Yoshiro, local names if you will. Much like a lot of the names I see listed in this entire tournament. Just makes me fuckin' laugh. While you people hold your noses high as I pass by, someone who showed you all what tag-team wrestling is all about last year I might add, you praise these guys just because they're local names and from this mother land we call Sri Lan--scratch that, Japan. That's fine though. I know you're all familiar with the atomic bomb and this tournament will be my Hiroshima. From those murky waters GODZIRRA will rise and all you little people shall see first hand that I'm not just a tag-team wrestler, I'm the mother fuckin' AMERICAN HIGHLIFE!

With a smile, he grabs the championship and hops down from the podium, forcing his way through the compact crowd.

[James Edwards]

Out of the mass of hands, James decides to throw a bone to Rachel Kenshin since he didn't give her a question at the last presser.

Rachel Kenshin: James, you are one of the smaller competitors in this tournament, do you think that puts you at a disadvantage?

James fights the urge to snap. This kind of question irritates him, and it is evident by his body language.

James Edwards: No I don't. Anyone who thinks that hasn't done a bit of research into my past. I've knocked and choked out guys bigger than me on more occasions than I can count.

Rachel immediately raises her hand again. James ignores her and nods in the direction of Shelley Silver.

Shelley Silver: You mentioned the bevy of established fighters in both blocks, which do you think will be the toughest to compete in?

James laughs, pleased at the softball question and Silver's willingness to ask it for the chance at another.

James Edwards: For the sake of not pissing the guys in my block off, let's go with A right now, but I reserve the right to change my answer down the line.

Seeing his lightened mood, Rachel Kenshin's arm beats every other media figure in the room's into the arm. Naturally, James picks Shelley Silver.

Shelley Silver: Is there anyone you are keen on facing?

Edwards nods.

James Edwards: Chandler Scott.

Shelley Silver: Why is that?

James Edwards: Because I think he is the best fighter in this tournament. You don't get to the top of the Frontier Grappling Alliance twice without being that damn killed. If I beat him, then the paradigm of the competition will change overnight.

Shelley Silver: What if you lose?

The Burning Heart looks pensive for a moment.

James Edwards: I don't plan on going out my back that night.

An uncomfortable look graces James' face. He knows what he said and will live or die by it. He points towards an unfamiliar face, Ryoku Naito.

Ryoku Naito: Do you have any thoughts on your opponents in the opening rounds of the tournament?

James holds up a finger and fishes out a crumpled piece of paper, and it places on the lectern.

James Edwards: Yes I do. Up first I have Konrad Raab. I fought his brother when I was in Fight One, twice. I split those fights and obviously talent runs in their blood. Konrad is strong, dedicated to his craft, and has a championship pedigree. I'd be stupid to overlook him just because he doesn't have the buzz wrestlers like Scott or Tommy Knox have. Next, I have Owen Gonsalves. Owen and I had the pleasure to fight against each other earlier this month in FGA. I think he's the most skilled grappler I've ever seen. I struggle against guys like that. Honestly, I'm more concerned about facing him than any of the other three because of that. Then there is Asuka Yoshiro. Obviously, I don't have a history with him. The man is big, experienced, and looking to defend his home turf. It won't be easy to beat him either. Finally, there is Mark Storm. He and I fight in the same companies, have similar styles, and have fought each twice in the last week. I have a lot of respect for him and look forward to finally putting him down.

Ryoku Naito: What do you mean by "put him down."

James Edwards: I couldn't beat Mark twice back in the States when I had the chance. That doesn't happen to me often. It's just a matter of pride wanting to finally beat him.

Ryoku Naito: Will you finally best him?

James hesitates and then nods at no one in particular.

James Edwards: Damn straight I will.

Edwards moves his gaze from Naito, and towards another Japanese gentleman, he has not interacted with before, Takedo Hamati, ignoring Rachel Kenshin once again.

Takedo Hamati: You seem very prepared in comparison to some other fighters in the field, why is that?

James Edwards: I'm not the best athlete here. I'm not the largest or even the hardest hitter, which is a rare occurrence for me. I can be the most prepared and the smartest, though. Winging it is not cutting it for me anymore. If I wanna bring the belt home, I need to know everyone else better than their parents do.

Takedo Hamati: Do you have notes on the rest of the wrestlers competing?

James Edwards: I do.

Edwards' gazes at the back of the room.

James Edwards: The folks in the back are telling me I have time for one more question.

The only reporter to raise her hand is Kenshin. Reluctantly, James calls on her.

Rachel Kenshin: James, why the change in attitude and preparation?

James looks straight at her and does not hesitate for a second.

James Edwards: Being overlooked and failing on the biggest stage over and over makes a man reconsider his priorities. It makes him hungrier and more open to things than he has been in the past. More than anything, I don't wanna leave any doubts about who the best fighter in this tournament is when the dust settles.

And with that James gathers his belongings and makes a beeline for the curtain, a smoldering look of determination in his eyes.

[クリス・クリプラー]

As Chris Crippler heads out of the journalists room and back into the hallway, he stops with an indecisive look upon his face, the NJPC PA looks up and down the hallway looking for the next wrestler but Chris pivots on the spot and heads back into the room to the PA’s dismay. The PA follows him in saying inaudible stuff towards Chris, who steps onto the stage with the Journalists murmuring amongst themselves, dropping the belt on the table and sitting back down as the journalists settle down. The flustered PA steps off the stage and begins to speak to someone offstage, Chris clears his throat and unbuttons his suit jacket, instead of looking for questions he moves the microphone closer to him and smirks.

Chris Crippler: See I thought I was to come here and speak my mind, right? I only got a few questions and ushered out and when I stood out there I felt violated.. like I hadn’t got my point across and that was the whole point of these things, or am I wrong?

The journalists mumble between themselves, the PA steps back and points at someone but Chris grabs the bottle of water to his right and throws it at him, the bottle hits the guy in the chest and he looks appalled as some of the journalists gasps.

Chris Crippler: Look we had monkey see monkey do! I’m talking and I don’t need the media fools! I saw Bryan Williams control a robot and you all listened, Konrad Raab sent a vt to his allotted timeslot, so being here in person and you get ushered away like a fan.. I don’t think so!

He picks up the championship belt and holds it up via the main plate.

Chris Crippler: I am the Skyfire Champion! I’m not a part of any big promotion like EWC or 4CW, I gave up the ghost on being a big named wrestler a long time ago, my legacy is remembered by those who truly appreciate wrestling’s past. I’m not here in the NJFC to recapture former glory or to be the man I once was, that is a distant memory as I’m a shell of that former self, I’m here to make sure that each and every one of my competitors knows that age is a number and that Skyfire Wrestling is the promotion to watch!

Chris props the championship belt up and sits back in his chair.

Chris Crippler: And it starts with Amis Shelton. A man who has recently captured the International Championship in the EWC, a person who believes he is the best thing for Monday Night television, a person who believes he is walking out champion come the end of the tournament. He mentioned Ace King informally, right Shelley?

She gives Chris a daggered look.

Chris Crippler: He was looking forward to the match with Jason Cashe, yet no mention of me or anyone else really, I know the EWC is a big promotion but we’re all here as we’ve proven ourselves worthy of this opportunity. Dismissing me and focusing on those from big promotions will be your downfall, you won’t see me coming Amis, like most who doubted my ability or dismissed me as a threat have all been left licking their wounds! I will defeat you, Shelton, then you’ll might question your position as the best Monday Nights have to offer!

Ryoku Naito stands up poised to ask a question but Chris holds his hand up to stop him.

Chris Crippler: Look sunshine, I’m not here to start a fight, but if you didn’t quite get we’re not doing the whole monkey say and monkey answer thing, I’m going rogue so sit down...

Naito sits down.

Chris Crippler: A few days pass and then I’ll wrestle Chris Madison, then the Hollywood Pro Television Champion Bryan Broken Laughlin.. A man who will be wrestling a bear called Salsa Bear-De.. I hope the bear doesn’t rip your limbs out to give your ‘Broken’ moniker some meaning! I want to defeat CWC’s big attraction like I will defeat EWC’s international star! I’ll then wrestle three of the Japanese natives before wrestling someone who’s pretty much helped put 4CW on the map, winning countless titles and defeating countless legends in the game, making appearances wherever the hell he likes and capturing gold like a bit of metal to a magnet. Most of the guys have mentioned you, Cashe, to being the one they like to wrestle and beat. Am I adding my name to that list too, obviously I am otherwise what is the point of all this, I need to beat Cashe in order to get the points and I’ll do that to add EWC, CWC and 4CW to the list who’ll fall at the hands of little Skyfire Wrestling Champion..

Chris looks around the room to see the reporters holding out their phones, recording every word being said, cameras focusing on him (both on tripods and handheld), men and women just looking towards him as he creaks his neck.

Chris Crippler: By the time I wrestle Slade, John, Seifer and Shiro Ibushi I would have qualified for the final stages of the tournament! I am not going to leave with my tale between my legs, allowing the excuse of my body and age to get me down, wrestlers have hidden injuries and continued to wrestle.. I’m going to wrestle and fight my way to the finals of the Crown tournament. I’m going to walk out holding the World title in one hand and the crown trophy in the other! Skyfire Wrestling WILL be recognised for being the future and it starts with wrestling past!

Chris gets up from his chair, snatching his championship up and draping it over his shoulder, Chris walks out of the room.

[chrismadison]

(James Peterson continues to play the role of chairperson of the press conference and introduces Chris Madison to the live audience. Madison struts onto the stage with his FGA Pride Championship draped over his shoulder. He pauses for a moment, looking over the crowd, before raising his free fist up into the air as high as his chin and snarls as the photographers rapidly snap shots. Frankie Morrison stands off to the side slightly, applauding his client before the two take their positions at the table. Frankie Morrison lifts up one of the microphones and addresses the crowded room.)

FRANKIE MORRISON: I’m sure you all are chomping at the bit to get your questions answered by my client. But before we get to them, he wanted to address a few things...

(Frankie places the microphone back down as the journalists mumbled to each other. Chris stood the FGA Championship up to his right so the main plate faced the audience. He grabbed the microphone from in front of him and looked down at the table to his left.)

CHRIS MADISON: The GPC World Heavyweight Championship would sure as hell look good positioned right there next to me, wouldn't it?

(The crowd’s mumbles grew in volume as Chris let that image of him sandwiched in between two championship belts sink in.)

CHRIS MADISON: But before we get to the Pride of Puroresu Crown, I want to address the elephant in the room. I'm sure a lot of you have questions for me about Mitsuo Shimada and our match at Global Takeover. Mitsuo Shimada thought he was going to leave his mark on NJFC at my expense. In his eyes, I was the marquee matchup; I'm the pinnacle of talent that the powers that be are promoting. I'm not quite sure where this sudden feeling of resentment stems from. I've never expected to be treated differently, nor do I feel like James Peterson has shown any favoritism towards me. I've grinded seventeen hard years in this industry, always rising to the occasion and putting everything I have into every fight. My tenure in NJFC has been, and will continue to be, no different. Shimada talked a good game leading into our match. He painted this picture of a primadonna that thought he was entitled to the world, choosing when and where he’ll fight, but the only thing that he proved was that no matter how much he tilted the playing field in his favor, he couldn’t beat me! And if Shimada thinks that after the stunts he pulled that I'm going to just up and disappear, he's sadly mistaken!

(Madison paused as he grabbed a bottle of water from the table and untwisted the cap. He threw back a quick swig and continued on without skipping a beat.)

CHRIS MADISON: We’ve got ourselves a second date on July 15th to close out block B. You better believe that night is circled on my calendar in bold, red, sharpie. This is no longer about a young guy in the business looking to make a name for himself. Shimada, you took this to a different level; this became personal the second you had Devin Hearst and Jack Tillman come to the ring and try to get the job done for you; the job that you were harshly reminded that you couldn't get it done. Thankfully Kento Nagata and Hiroyoshi Suzuki had no intentions of letting you three disgrace the NJFC name any further. However this Pride of Puroresu Crown tournament plays out, you better believe that by the end of it, I’m going to make Mitsuo Shimada regret the day he set his sights on me!

(Chris tossed back another swig of water and stared out to the crowded floor, before twisting the cap back onto the bottle and setting it off to the side.)

CHRIS MADISON: He’s a hypocrite and an attention whore. Shimada wants everything to be about him. He doesn't care about promoting NJFC. He doesn't care about doing his part to ensure NJFC’s life. That's the difference between someone like him and someone like me. For him this is a platform for him to get the recognition that he'd otherwise not get. For me, I'm using my experience and notoriety with the intentions of kicking down some of the walls of the wrestling industry and shoving NJFC down their throats. Deep down he wants to believe that I'm just some gaijin who's got his mind on running away; that couldn't be any further from the truth. NJFC is every bit of my home as FGA. I'm in this for the long haul. And that long haul includes fighting through the stacked talent pool of block B, taking on whomever survives block A, and winning that GPC World Heavyweight Championship!

(Chris places the microphone down onto the table and nods over to Frankie Morrison. Morrison had been twirling the microphone in his hand since he first addressed the journalists and smirked as his client ranted about one of his key opponents in this upcoming tournament.)

FRANKIE MORRISON: But enough about Shimada, am I right? This GPC World Heavyweight Championship is about more than Chris and Shimada settling their issues. There's a ton of little stories intertwined that are just as intriguing, if not more. This Pride of Puroresu Crown has created matchups, and possibilities thereof, that wrestling fans across the globe would probably not get to see. Chris Madison versus John Pariah? A one on one with a man he considers a brother, Jason Cashe? And let's not forget the dream matches that could come out of the finals when Chris makes it there: Chandler Scott, James Edwards, a rematch of the instant classic against Owen Gonsalves, Mark Storm, and long time tag team member, co-creator of the Black Hand, Tommy Knox! I think it's fair to say we can open the floor and let you ladies and gentlemen get those questions firing.

To be continued…

[chrismadison]

(Frankie Morrison places the microphone down onto the table and motions to the crowd that they can now proceed with the questions they've been itching to ask Chris Madison. The curator working the floor quickly sees the room full of journalists shoot their hands up in unison. He combs over the crowd and points to Ryoku Naito first.)

RYOKU NAITO: Thank you Chris for addressing the Mitsuo Shimada situation. I'm sure the majority of us planned to pepper you with questions about him. With that out of the way, I have to ask you if you think that situation will be a bit of a distraction as you fight through your block.

CHRIS MADISON: Not at all. I know that we have our date set in stone. Shimada isn't going to be able to escape what's in store for him. If I were to let him and my urges to pummel his face into something unrecognizable effect how I perform throughout this round robin tournament, he wins. There are too many talented guys in this thing to solely set my eyes on Shimada. Hell, just look at night one! I'm opening up against a guy who doesn't ever get enough credit!

RYOKU NAITO: You're referring to Bryan Laughlin…

CHRIS MADISON: Sure am. Every match is as big as the next one throughout this thing. You want to establish the momentum in your favor from opening night. That's no easy task when you're standing across the ring from someone of Laughlin’s caliber. We faced each in 4CW, during my undefeated run; he was hands down one of the toughest opponents I faced over there. Absolutely a sleeper pick for block B. And while we’re on the topic of Bryan Laughlin…

(Chris turns towards James Peterson who standing off to the side, against the wall, with his arms folded over one another.)

CHRIS MADISON: If anyone has the power to make this happen it's you. I know he made mention of people’s hatred towards death matches earlier in the week. We both have similar starting points in our careers. Him with death matches, me with the extreme wrestling movement that wreaked havoc in the early two-thousands. I say, if Laughlin is up to it, we start block B with a literal bang. Give us the opener on June second and let's make it a death match; pay homage to a lost artform that was widely popular throughout Japan!

(The room once again threw their arms up into the air, trying to get their questions answered. The next reporter is called on Shelley Silver.)

SHELLEY SILVER: You’ve mentioned some of the bigger names in your block: Shimada, Laughlin, Cashe, Pariah. But there are other people that you’ll have to face off against: Chris Crippler, Amis Shelton, Seifer Black, Kyo Natsumi, Shiro Ibushi, Hiroyoshi Suzuki. Anyone in particular that you’re looking forward to fighting?

CHRIS MADISON: I always enjoy squaring up with new faces. New challenges have a way of lighting that fire a bit more than usual. Each and every one of my opponents are going to get my full attention leading into our matches. It doesn’t matter who you are. But if you’re asking me to point out one name that I’m looking forward to mixing it up with, it’s John Pariah. The man has built himself quite the following, mostly because of his work in PWX. We’ve never been in the same company at the same time. This match has never been a possibility until now and I’m sure we won’t disappoint the fans!

(Shelley Silver sat back down in her seat and as she descended, the remaining journalist once again reached towards the ceiling. Rachel Kenshin is pointed to by the curator, giving her the platform to ask her question.)

RACHEL KENSHIN: I don’t think it’s any secret that there is a long withstanding relationship with Jason Cashe. The two of you go back a long time. He owns the rights to the only blemish on your 4CW record, a planned double count out. Are we going to finally see Chris Madison versus Jason Cashe?

(Chris lowered his head momentarily and chuckled to himself.)

CHRIS MADISON: When Cashe and I were scheduled to fight in 4CW the circumstances were completely different. We were carrying a dying stable that was feuding with the owner’s golden boys on our shoulders and the matchup was made out of spite because of an incident at a HOW show. Perry Wallace tried to use me as a tool to punish Cashe for his actions. Cashe is like a brother to me. Scrapping isn’t the problem, it’s doing it at someone’s else's expense. When that bell rings and we’re standing across the ring from one another, you better believe there’s going to be fireworks. He’s one of the best in the business, whether he want’s to believe it or not. He can beat anyone he stands in front of; he’s proven that time and time again. He can adjust to his opponent's skill set better than anyone in the business. I think we have time for one last question...

(Rachel Kenshin took her seat and the rest of the room anxiously waved their hands, trying to get picked for the final question.)

TAKEDO HAMATI: Jason Parker Davidson was the only person to hold the GPC World Heavyweight Championship, defeating John Pariah to win the belt. How will the winner of the Pride of Puroresu Crown compare to the former champion?

CHRIS MADISON: You’re not going to get a fair comparison. JPD was never given the chance to defend the strap, build any prestige behind his title reign. He’s a hell of a talent, but who ever wins this thing is going to be given the opportunity to erase the mistakes that NJFC made the first time around with JPD at the top of the mountain.

(Chris pushed up to his feet and grabbed his FGA Pride Championship. He made his way over to James Peterson, waved to the crowd, and then shook his hand before walking off stage with his manager behind him every step of the way.)

[嵐をマークする]

(Mark patiently allowed others in the press room to have their time before emerging back onto the scene, water bottle in hand as he walked up onto the podium. He shuffled his championship belt further up his shoulder, showing it off as cameras flash and eyes fixate on him. This was his moment, his time in the spotlight and he wasn't going to waste it. Everyone else had said all they needed to be said. He'd made his introduction but now it was time to follow through with answering some questions.)

MARK STORM: Now... any questions?

(He poised the question in Japanese and a sea of hands emerged from the room. He looked at Shelley Silver, long time friend & admirer and nodded towards her, a smile planting on both of their faces as she rose from her seat.)

SHELLEY SILVER: Mark, as you said previously you're used to the work load. Is that something you believe you'll have over your opponents? The familiarity of wrestling on a regular basis whilst others aren't so used to it? Or do you think it'll be your downfall? You've already wrestled an abundance of matches this year, your body must already be in tatters - no?

(The funny thing was he'd become accustomed to those sort of questions. Whether his body was beaten up, far too gone from accomplishing anything great and reaching the heights that he was destined for. He chuckled, knowing that Shelley knew the answer but it was her job to ask the question for those not too familiar with him.)

MARK STORM: This tournament is unlike anything else I've ever experienced. Matches on top of matches, a few days rest and then you're back at it again. As you said, I'm used to the hectic schedule, I've become accustomed to it - it's part of the job whilst others in my group, they're not too familiar with it. Of course it's an advantage. I'm able to sustain the highest levels for a long period of time.. towards the end of the tournament, will that falter? It may be. I'm not a superhero, I know that eventually fatigue will play it's part, and that'll be for all of us. But in those times of tiredness, we have to adapt to other styles and luckily for me, I have a lot in my arsenal. It becomes a game of chess, a game of tactics, slowing the matches down, dictating the tempo. I have no issue with doing so if I'm the benefactor.

But just because I'm used to the hectic schedule doesn't mean my opponent won't bring it. Because look at that group. You've got a group of competitors who are hungry, determined and will do everything in their power to ensure victory. They've been training for this, as have I - so I'm sure they'll be able top step up one required, and that'll be every single night we're between those ropes. 

(Finishing his sentence, the hand of Rachel Kenshin shot up and Mark nodded his head towards her.)

RACHEL KENSHIN: You've got a host of champions and legends in their own right in your group. Is there anyone in particular you're really interested in facing?

MARK STORM: Owen Gonsalves is someone I've been wanting to step into the ring with for quite some time. I'm really looking forward to what we'll create inside that ring. We have a lot in common in terms of style, same goes to James Edwards - a man who I've had the pleasure of sharing the ring with. But if there was anyone I'd really like to put one over, it would have to be Chandler Scott. We faced last year and had one heck of a battle but he managed to best me. It was an instant classic and I'll be looking to replicate that, only he won't be the one emerging the victor. It will be me. 

But before I can think about Scott who comes at a much later date I have to think about the likes of Terence Tillman and Konrad Raab. Yuji Misawa and James Edwards. Tillman could very well be the underdog in this series. Someones who spent time in the developmental system over in Frontier Grappling Arts but has blossomed into one of the deadliest in the game. Those in Japan may not be too familiar with him but I've shared a locker room with the man, I've watched him week in and out and I can honestly say it won't surprise me if he manages to pull off some upset victories. That however, won't be the case with me. Konrad Raab is someone I teamed with a couple of weeks back. I have a lot of respect for Raab and everything he's done in this profession. Partners turn opponents and unfortunately, this is a doggy dog world and I'll do everything in my power to ensure that he isn't pinning me down on the canvas or tapping me out. I'll make sure that it's me emerging the victor. Yuji Misawa, someone who people should be taking a lot more seriously. I've seen his list of accomplishments and he is going to be someone that everybody will remember after this series. I know him on a personal level. We toured Japan together and we tore it up but like Raab, this isn't a tag team competition. This is a competition where its about me, myself and I. No one else. And Edwards? Well, Edwards knows very well that it is a very tough job to put me down. He hasn't done it yet but I'm sure he's craving it, as am I!

[Akio Tanaka]

Making his presence known within the Road Shows and dark matches, Akio Tanaka had created quite the reputation for himself. Not enough to be posed as a threat, to to everyone else in the room who'd reject visiting a conversation about him, or even uttered a word. They'd avoided him and he was angry about that fact, it was written all over his face as he walked up onto the podium, shaking his head sideways.

AKIO TANAKA: Anata wa watashi no koto o shinjite imasen ka?

He asked whether anyone had any faith in him and the room remained silent, all eyes now on Akio who had again changed his style. He looked down at the microphone and shook his head once more. The fact that he wasn't mentioned as a threat or a potential victor of the series, it was burning him inside out. Much like Mitsuo Shimada, he'd become annoyed at the influx of talent, gaijan talent, who'd probably leave as soon as the series had come to a close. He smirked, taking his time to return to his speech.

AKIO TANAKA: You are all fake. 

Speaking in his native language, the first to do so. That mere fact shattering him with surprise. 

AKIO TANAKA: Do I have your attention now? You're all fake. Every single one of you in this room. Let me get a show of hands, how many of you are actually from here? I'm curious to know. How many Japanese people have we got in the house? 

A couple of hands shot up, but not enough to be impressed by. 

AKIO TANAKA: Everyone wants to thank James Peterson for creating something special. Because that's what this promotion is, right? It's special. Or at least you and the rest of these kiss assers before me claim it to be. But in fact, that's far from the truth. Do you want to know what I think about this promotion? My honest truth? Is that this promotion has been overhauled and James Peterson is to blame!

Pointing at James, he stopped. All eyes, as well as the camera, shifting over to him. 

AKIO TANAKA: So I'm not going to thank you James. This has been your plan all along. Creating a North American wrestling promotion in Japan and everybody wants to thank you for it, because they know you're going to give them a shot. You're going to give them a chance. You don't care about the natives. You don't care about me, heck, half of the staff are out of jobs now, no thanks to you. So to you, I say up yours.

The Pride of Puroresu Crown. You thought you could win me over by putting me in the series, huh? I accepted because I had to. It's my duty to represent my country, in a promotion where I am a foreigner when in actual fact, I am a God and you'll soon know that James. You and everyone else who stepped up onto the podium will know that Akio Tanaka, is a wrestling God. Now, I'll be honest - there's a lot of great talent involved in the series but those "great talents", they're fake too. Mitsuo Shimada was preaching it from the rooftops and none of you wanted to listen. This promotion, it's destined to fall under these superstars that James Peterson has chosen to anchor into the next level. He's a chosen cowards, people who will eventually bail, it's a cycle that will never end. Me? I'm not going anywhere. This is my home and this, is my kingdom. Look at what I've done already, in the matches I've been involved in - I've obliterated my opponents to the point where Peterson had to put me in this series. He didn't want this. But he had to. If it was up to him, he would've got another import from that stupid Four Corners of Wrestling or Frontier Grappling Crap. 

Getting ahead of himself he brought himself to a pause, breathing heavily and relaxing himself.

AKIO TANAKA: My group. Does it even matter? Does any of this even matter? I'm standing here and I'm asking myself if any of this is even worth it. Because somehow, someway these assholes will wiggle their way through this tournament and end up winning the most prestigious titles in Japan. Or at least, you people claim it to be. But what's so prestigious about a title that was abandoned? Not once, but twice. What's so prestigious about a title that has minimal history and has never even been won by someone from the nation? Huh? A title that was never defended! A title that you claim is so formidable but you're so far from the truth! It's a poison and it needs to be cleansed! Cleansed from all of it's dirt! All of it's baggage! It needs to be brought back to a righteous path! IT NEEDS TO BE AROUND THE WAIST OF AKIO TANAKA, THE GOD OF WRESTLING! 

Despite his negativity, Akio managed to attain applause as he yelled, looking up at the heavens. 

AKIO TANAKA: DON'T APPLAUD ME! YOU WON'T BE APPLAUDING ME WHEN I DIMINISH THE DREAMS OF YOUR HEROES! YOU WON'T BE APPLAUDING ME WHEN I WALK AWAY WITH YOUR BELOVED JEWEL, YOUR TITLE THAT YOU RATE EVER SO HIGHLY! YOU WON'T BE APPLAUDING! YOU'LL BE BOOING BECAUSE YOU NEVER WANTED IT ON ME! YOU WOULD RATHER PARIAH, OR MADISON, OR CASHE, OR KNOX - A GUY WHO THINKS THIS PROMOTION IS IN ANOTHER PART OF ASIA, AND FOR CRYING OUT LOUD, NONE EVEN SPEAK THE LANGUAGE! WHAT YOU PEOPLE NEED IS ME! BUT I'M NOT WHAT YOU WANT! BUT THAT'S WHAT'S GOING TO MAKE THIS VICTORY, THIS TRIUMPH, SO - MUCH - SWEETER!

He wasn't here for questions. He left the podium immediately after finishing his sentence.

[Yuji Misawa]

(Up next is Yuji Misawa, who comes out to a massive pop from those in the room who had evidently lightened up after that onslaught of words delivered by Akio Tanaka. Misawa bows as he reaches the stage, allowing a grin to stretch from ear to ear as he poses for the cameras which flash before him. Being the Ace of Japan is a mission he'd been on for far too long, culminating with this moment in the spotlight - a moment he cherished as he takes a step up onto the podium and plants his hands on the sides of it, looking at the faces in the room with another warm smile. From just looking at him you could read his character or at least make assumptions of how you thought he was, as in the person not the competitor. Yuji Misawa had created a brand for himself throughout all of Japan, becoming a household name within in the wrestling scene and bolstered a number of title wins. Following the closure of his beloved WAR Wrestling from Tokyo, New Japan Fighting Championship had secured the signature of Misawa on a regular term basis meaning he'd be competing throughout the year in a variety of shows. This in itself, was big for the promotion.)

YUJI MISAWA: This is for the doubters. The ones who said that this promotion would perish and that it would be closed in a matter of weeks. Thank you, because hatred and disregard, it's fueled us to become stronger. We are now a stronger entity because of your devotion in doubting us. Thank you. 

(A smile once again etches his face as the room explodes into a frenzy of applause. He nods his head, allowing the applause to die down before continuing.)

YUJI MISAWA: This is um.. something different for me. Coming to this promotion first and foremost and now delving into the Pride of Puroresu Crown with a list of names credible beyond my imagination. You can't tell me that this promotion hasn't rose to the top of the wrestling industry. If you try and argue against, you're wrong. This promotion has become the center of everything, a global promotion but people mistake that. From the outside looking in, people believe this is a promotion built to benefit the gaijan, as Akio stated before me. I believe he's wrong. I believe that this is a promotion of a global commodity, bringing all races, nations and talents alike to one place. Puroresu, is the art form that originates here in Japan and those participating in the series, they know that. They respect that. And what these matches promise to be is hard hitting, fast and competitive. It's the puroresu way of wrestling and that's what this series is all about, representing a way of wrestling we've all become accustomed to, and we shall honor.

(Following the sentence is applause from the press and fans.)

TAICHO TAKAHASHI: Yuji, Taicho Takahashi from Tokyo Sports, pleasure to meet you first and foremost. Akio has already talked about this promotion being influxed with a ton of North American talent as well as other nations. Names that are global. Your name here in Japan is big but from a global standpoint, do you see yourself as an underdog coming into this series? 

(An underdog. Something he hadn't been labeled since the beginning of his days almost eight years ago. Eight years on, the word underdog reappears and he has to think about his answer for a moment.)

YUJI MISAWA: I'm not an underdog. 

(He says vaguely, with honesty.)

YUJI MISAWA: But I'll play the role of the underdog if that's the story people want to tell. If that's what I'm being labeled as then so be it, I'm the underdog. Now, a lot of people may not be familiar with my work if they do not tune in with Japanese wrestling. But what they need to know about me is that everything channels from the heart. I put my heart on my sleeve and give it everything I've got. That's something I've been doing from the beginning of my days and something I'll be doing until the very end. It's what makes me the heart of puroresu. It's what makes me the heart of this promotion. It's what makes me the heart of Japan. If there's anything promised within a match, it's that Yuji Misawa is going to put everything he has in him, every ounce of energy in order to ensure that he secures the victory. I've been doing this for a very long time and just going by the names in my group, I haven't faced any of them. So I'm going to be a surprise to them and they're going to be a surprise to me. We can watch tapes of one another and try to convince ourselves that we know each other like the palm of our hands but when the bell tolls, it's unfamiliar territory and none of us will be fully prepared for each other. But I'll do my up most best  to use my training and my strengths to my advantage in order to best whoever steps in the ring with me.

["The Iceman" Konrad Raab]

It was that time again of Konrad actually being on stage this time and he done this second press conference video as out of the respect on fellow competitors who were willing to find time to be here and say their thoughts, but although Konrad's already done that, something caught his attention when it came to Owen Gonsalves when he was consistently asked about it since he arrived in Japan as he gets right down to address the situation of what he said.

Konrad Raab: "I don't usually respond to the comments people made cos it's not my kind of thing, but I do want to respectfully say something to Owen Gonsalves as to why I was absent the first time around. The reason being is because I only found out on Sunday I was signed up to be in the Taking Hold Of The Flame rumble by a backstabber who was my trainer Chris Richards. I had to be on Breakdown to address the situation to let the world know what had happened. I wanted to be here actually, but it's something I had to do. I understand you was upset, but things happen that go out of my own control for me to not be here first time around. I'm not even talking to Chris right now because of what he done, but I'm very much committed to being here, especially my entire time of wrestling after Sunday will be in Japan which even my back up trainer Tristen Obrien knows about and hopefully sort out him being my full time trainer and I'll prove that to you in our match because that's what wrestlers do."

Only a few last short words go out to everyone in the tournament series as he says this.

Konrad Raab: "I know I should talk about my opponents on what they've done in other companies, but I rather see what they got in the ring to find out how good they are because the end of the day, that's what matters rather than talk about their achievements and what they've done, but I've said everything first time around and I'm sticking with that because the truth is I'm not familiar with all of my opponents still cos of my lack of time on researching them properly, but now I'm here, I finally get the time to learn about my opponents before the matches take place themselves. Regardless if they hate or like me, I respect everyone in this tournament series and can't wait to see what all of you bring to the table as I've said 1st time around. I'll see you all very soon in the ring."

It's very well known Konrad isn't a fan of trashing his opponents whatsoever as he knew what he said is what he's sticking with as he leaves for the next person to come on stage while he heads back to his hotel room in Japan, being satisfied on what he said to everyone in his videos.