A New Hope in Tokyo 23

[James Peterson]

Date: Friday, 26th May.
Location: NJFC HQ, Tokyo, Japan.

The scene opens with the NJFC president and owner, James Peterson, stepping out onto the podium.

JAMES PETERSON: "Ladies and Gentlemen, it is my privilege to announce to you all that New Japan Fighting Championship is back and we're better than ever. Since 2016, we've hosted some of the greatest matches in this industry, with a host of talent from all over the globe, battling it out here in Japan. In a few days at A New Hope from LIVE from Korakuen Hall, a new NJFC Global Champion will be crowned!"

He pauses, as a translator repeats his words. 

JAMES PETERSON: "Without further ado, allow me to introduce to you all to some of the competitors who will be battling it out for the NJFC Global title. Introducing first, a returning star who's graduated from the Dragons Dojo... Takashi Shinobu!"

The first one up and out is The Golden Ace, Takashi Shinobu, who's sporting his JROK Trio's Championship around his waist. He smiles as he gets to the podium, posing for a few photographs before licking his lips to speak. 

TAKASHI SHINOBU: ("It's a pleasure to be back here on this stage, competing for New Japan Fighting Championship, once more. From my humble beginnings here, I've managed to go on and broaden my horizons on the international stage, where I've delivered. In the United States, Mexico, the United Kingdom, I've gone out, honed my craft and become a better wrestler for it. The Golden Ace is back in NJFC and I'm back to claim my spot at the top of this company. As the Ace, of this company.")

He pauses, allowing his words to simmer. As he does a hand shoots up and he nods his head toward the female reporter. 

RACHEL KENSHIN: ("Rachel Kenshin here for NJFC online... what are your thoughts going into this Heavyweight fatal four-way match, is there anybody in particular you're weary, even as a potential opponent if you were to make it to the finals?")

TAKASHI SHINOBU: ("The world will be watching A New Hope in Tokyo, and I intend to put on quite the display. My thoughts are simple... I want the best for NJFC, I want to be a global ambassador for this company. To do that, I have to beat some of the very best in the business, but that isn't something I cower from, it's something I invite. I revel in opportunities like this! As a homegrown graduate from the Dragon's Dojo, I feel as if the weight of this company is on my shoulders, despite what anyone might say or think, I feel as though I'm the one who has to take the mantle.

I know that the opponents in my field are very talented, they're accomplished and they're hungry to achieve more. Hiro Omigawa is someone who I am very familiar with. Training under the tutelage of Murakami at the Vicious Weapon Dojo... but he is someone, like me, who has ventured out of Japan and gone on to have success elsewhere. He's building his name, he's knowledgeable of different styles and techniques, lucha libre, catch-wrestling, hardcore, you name it, he's knows it all. And that's what makes him a vicious weapon...")

TAKASHI SHINOBU: ("Then there's Brennan Devlin, the self proclaimed Face of Wrestling, who comes from the States and has dominated every promotion he's been in. He's arrogant and cocky but he backs it up with what he's able to do in the ring. I know he'll be bringing a lot of eyes to our product and that's all well. But what Brennan needs to understand is that this is my company. The throne isn't meant for someone like him... nor is it meant for Ricky Valero. And no, this isn't because they're gaijin, it's because they don't represent what this company means, what this company is.

They'll lie, cheat and go beyond the rules to attain victory, and that for me, isn't what this company is about. Ricky Valero has been here before too, and he's someone who I've wanted to face for a very long time. He's accomplished a lot and is a veteran of the game. I'm thrilled to see him back here so I can punch him in his face. I could talk about the other four-way, but to be honest, I have my attention on making it through this match. I know that they're talented competitors too, but my head is focused on what's in front of me. Destiny awaits, one way or another!") 

As Shinobu leaves, Peterson is back to introduce the next competitor. 

JAMES PETERSON: "Ladies and Gentlemen, Hiroki Omigawa!"

It didn’t take long for Hiro Omigawa to become acclimated with the attention. He stood in front of the podium with a proud look on his face. He removed his sunglasses and rested them on top of his head.

HIRO OMIGAWA: (“I’m not as decorated as some of my opponents, I’ll admit that. I am a recent graduate from the Vicious Weapon Dojo while the other three men are skilled veterans who have been in this business for years now. I see Brennan Devlin, a bonafide star in the world of professional wrestling. A man who has proven to be one of the world’s best wrestlers time and time again. I see a man like Ricky Valero, a man who has done nothing but deliver each and every time he’s in that ring. I see a man like Takashi Shinobu, the leader of The Shinkansen at HyperFight. A man who, despite being out of action for a few months, came back and is better than ever.")

Omigawa takes off his glasses and places them on the table.

HIRO OMIGAWA: “I see these three men and I truly believe that I am better than all of them.”

He smirks.

HIRO OMIGAWA: “I know I’m a rookie. I know that there are people who are in this company who see me as just a new guy who is here for just the experience. But that is not true. I am the prize graduate of the Vicious Weapon Dojo. I am a member of the Murakami Office. I am the Glorious Weapon. Everywhere I go, I immediately find myself at the top of the card. And that’s because of my work ethic. It’s because of my natural, God-given talent. And most importantly, it’s because I am an advocate of the Hyper Force style. I will become the NJFC Global Champion, and defeating these three men will set me on my journey. I invite you all to watch as I prove to New Japan Fighting Championship that I am the inevitable ACE of this company.”

With that, Omigawa bows, puts his glasses back on, and walks off.

JAMES PETERSON: "Ladies and Gentlemen... Brennan Devlin!"

Brennan Devlin soon wandered out before the press conference with his girlfriends, Keana and Elisha with him, while Holliday Sinclair and Avalon Vega, his security, appeared in the background making sure nobody got their hands on their boss. Devlin wore cheetah print pants, an orange bandana, sunglasses, and a white jacket with a ‘Cheap Slut, live in Japan’ shirt underneath as he approached a seat and plopped down, his ladies taking a seat near him. He leaned against the podium, tapping the microphone.

BRENNAN DEVLIN: “Is this thing on?”

He began to tap the microphone repeatedly, looking a bit annoyed as he peeked over his sunglasses.

BRENNAN DEVLIN: “You guys can’t afford the good microphones, huh?”

He adjusted himself and leaned back in his chair, glancing around at everyone while he pulled the microphone off the podium and held it up to his mouth.

BRENNAN DEVLIN: “You know I’ve never got to do one of these things before, so forgive me if I’m a little out of it, someone’s probably got some questions and I love talking about myself, so… go.”

Devlin tapped his heel against the podium as he waited for someone, anyone to come around and ask him a question.

RINGSIDE REPORT: “Hello, I’m Marvin Dinkle with Ringside Report.”

BRENNAN DEVLIN: “Dinkle. Ha.”

RINGSIDE REPORT: “Yes. While lately you’ve mostly been working in your companies Christ Centered Wrestling and Satan Slanted Wrestling, this is one of the first times you’ve ventured out beyond your visits to APEX Wrestling, where you held the Worlds Championship for sometime, but otherwise, you rarely step out into the wider wrestling world these days. What made you come to NJFC?”

Brennan nodded as he blew a bubble with his gum, then spun his chair around and finally contemplated an answer.

BRENNAN DEVLIN: “I’ve done everything almost, everything I’ve ever wanted to do, to the point I had to find new things I wanted to do. So I started looking at professional wrestling as a whole and plotting out a course of action. Then, there comes the NJFC. You look at some of the industries best, some of those that are spoken of in legend, my old ‘pal’ Ana Hayden, Cosmo Cooper — rest in peace granny Cooper, love ya, hell Michael Kelly was here — probably got seven Japanese sluts pregnant while over here, Raab even walked these halls. So, why them, and not me? I have an ego bigger than Alyssa Graces’ ass, Dinkle. If they can do it, if they can succeed, I’ll exceed that.”

He knew various types of people and persons had walked in the doors, and he wanted to not just be in the race, he wanted to edge ahead of them and that meant coming here, it meant not just being in the conversation, but being the conversation.

JAPAN GRAPS: “So, you’ve come to NJFC, and you’re immediately pushed into a situation where you can fight for an opportunity at the Global Championship, which has now evolved into a situation where all of this happens in a single night. Why in particular out of everyone involved in this, did you single out Myojin?”

BRENNAN DEVLIN: “Is it bad if I suggest Myojin is the most sensitive? Myojin is the one who was most likely to take the bait. They wear their emotions on their sleeve, they let things bother them, you can tell based on a simple Twitter interaction and if there’s one thing I like to do, it’s pick at people to get the eyes on myself. I’ve paid attention to Myojin and their work in Kings Road, they’re great, and if they win their way to face me? I’ll love proving how much better I am.

But all the same, Ricky Valero? He’s been around, I’d adore slapping him around and getting some gold to my name. Ojima’s a fun one. Lily Blaise surely has something she wants to prove. I’m fascinated by everyone involved and I’ve watched a little bit of everything about them all. The one thing everyone in this has in common? If tonight even starts to be their night, the moment they step in the ring with me, it won’t be any longer.”

Then another gentleman wandered up to the podium.

BARKSIDE OF THE RING: “What do you have to say to the members of the community who adore you within the furry fandom?”

BRENNAN DEVLIN: “No comment, next question.”

Pause.

NJFC EUROPE: “So, if you win the NJFC Global Championship, if you succeed in this, what is the next goal, and the one after that? What is your overall mission statement for your visit here into the NJFC fold?”

BRENNAN DEVLIN: “I want everything, that’s my mission statement, that’s my goal. I’m going for the Tags, I’m going for the Heavyweight, I’m here to put my hands in every cookie jar and take a little bit of everything. I’m here to collect what I’m owed by professional wrestling.

All you people watching in the back, in the arena, at home, across the wrestling world I’m sure you think that you’re going to be the difference maker in all this. That you’re going to play the hero, that you’re going to swerve out of your lane and speed up, come catch me and end my ride before it gets going. But you might think you’re living life in the fast lane, but going against me is like living in oncoming traffic.

I’m here to elevate this fucking company higher than any of that ass weed Cloudy sells ever could and when the end of the night comes and you have more eyes on this place than you’ve ever had before as I stand your Global Champion. Say thank you, say thank you Brennan Devlin. You did this. But as far as any more questions, I’ve already been paid, I gave you three and that’s three more answers than I usually give anyone for this kind of money. So I’m going to go bang Keana and Elisha in strange places, maybe see if Avalon can crush an arcade machine with her thighs, and be merry.”

Devlin stood up, wrapping his arms around Keana and Elisha who both kissed him on the cheek for the cameras, before the entourage of Brennan Devlin complete with Keana and Elisha, and security Holliday and Avalon in tow all wandered out of the area.

JAMES PETERSON: "Ladies and Gents, MYŌJIN!"

MYŌJIN sits with their legs crossed, on top of the table before them as a few cameras flash. Dressed in a simple, all-black suit with a black dress shirt that's collar was unbuttoned, they seemed focus on their nails for a few moments before picking up a microphone- turning back toward the camera and many seated.

MYŌJIN: Korera ga dorehodo taikutsu ka shitte imasu ka? (Do you know how insanely boring these are?)

The Shining Star simply asks, sitting up right into a more polite and focused position. Their hand lazily tilting the microphone around in a circular motion before bringing it to their lips once more.

MYŌJIN: (Press conferences, I mean. I still struggle to understand the importance of them. Yes, they're to help garner interest and hype for upcoming events but… What really is the point? Everyone's always just saying the same things. Does anyone really want to hear variations of “I'm going to win because I'm the best!” from multiple people who aren't actually that?)

MYŌJIN: (How about I tell you something different? New Japan Fighting Championship is back, some old faces have returned- and plenty of new ones are here as well. I'm one of the latter. Winning the Global Championship isn't the only thing that matters at New Hope, it's also about setting the tone.)

MYŌJIN: (Whoever wins that title, whoever makes it even to the finals of the night will have a unique opportunity: they get to be the basis of NJFC's future as the very first champion crowned in this revival. I'm not sure if anyone else has thought about that- but I have since the match was announced.)

A small smile appears on the Shining Star's face as they lean forward in their chair.

MYŌJIN: (I want that person to be me, obviously, because it'll be an experience I've never had before- one that I believe could lead to my evolution as a pro wrestler. So I will make sure that is me. I will fight whoever I need to, and I will show the proper ferocity I think embodies NJFC's spirit as a newcomer to the promotion. All that said? I still think talking is pointless. You all will understand me better once you see me in action.)

And with that, they stand and sit the microphone down. MYŌJIN steps away while readjusting their black blazer.

JAMES PETERSON: "Introducing next, Lyra Nickols."

Lyra walks up to the podium. She leans in, looking as though she's about to say something. But she doesn't, rolling her eyes as she scoffs before abruptly leaving the the podium. As she exits the room, she looks at a nervous James Peterson, shrugging her shoulders.  

JAMES PETERSON: "Right, well, that's Lyra Nickols, ladies and gents... that should be all from those involved in the Global Championship showcase matches. I wish them all the very best of luck on Sunday and I'm very sure it's going to be a night to remember for this company."