Post by Fujiwara Masaki on Aug 4, 2016 15:07:27 GMT -6
The roar of the crowd filled the arena as an exciting wrestling match built towards its final explosive payoff. But this time, Jon Kellar was not in the ring, but watching.
The newly crowned GPC World Heavyweight Champion watched quietly as Fujiwara Masaki climbed to the top rope, before finishing off his opponent with a picture perfect Moonsault. Kellar never understood the appeal of high flying wrestling as a tactic, but when he had to admit, when pulled off by a master it did look pretty spectacular.
The referee counted the three, and the crowd all rose to their feet to applaud. Kellar rose slower, but applauded harder.
Sean: You really think you can persuade him?
Kellar turned towards his manager and trainer.
Kellar: Have a little faith Sean...
Sean: I'm not sure it's faith we need...
----
Backstage, Kellar walked the corridors of the arena, with Sean following just behind him. A few corners later, they found themselves at Masaki's locker room, and Kellar knocked on the door.
Fuji: <Come in>
Kellar pushed the door open. Fujiwara was standing in front of his locker, just slipping a t-shirt over his head.
Kellar: <You're a difficult man to get hold of>
Fuji turned around
Kellar: <That was a fantastic performance out there. I'm happy to see you haven't lost a step.>
Fuji: <Jon Kellar.>
Kellar: <I didn't think you'd remember me.>
Fuji: <Of course I do. A few years ago, when GZW2K1 came to Japan. You were over here promoting a show and my brother and I were negotiating with UJW...>
Kellar: <You have a good memory>
Fuji: <You seemed like a giant back then>
Kellar: <It was a different time>
Fuji: <But those times are here again, I hear. Congratulations.>
Kellar smiled
Kellar: <Thank you. I'm not just a champion though, I'm a promoter>
Fuji: <So I hear... you're working out of a wrestling school in Atlanta>
Kellar: <Yes. It's a continuation of GZW2K1's legacy... or at least it will be one day.>
Fuji: <You have Nathan Williams and Sean Locke in the main event. It seems to be going the right way>
Kellar sighed and grit his teeth at the mention of Sean Locke. Kellar and Nathaniel Davis still needed to have a very difficult conversation about that name.
But this wasn't the time.
Kellar: <While they are... excellent choices, what I'm really after is new blood. Someone who's never wrestled stateside before. Someone...>
Fuji: <No>
Kellar: <You haven't even heard my offer>
Fuji: <I don't need to. My life here is good. I have good offers, good matches, and the people love me. Why would I risk all of that by moving to the States?>
Kellar: <It's a show for a Children's Hospital>
Fuji: <I'll send a cheque>
Kellar: <But think how fantastic it would be if you were on the banner. I've even got the perfect opponents for you.... ever hear of Sawtooth Grin and Hevvhocorrvpts?>
Fuji: <Who hasn't? They're big over here. But throwing me into a Handicap match isn't exactly a selling point>
Kellar: <Who said anything about a Handicap Match? I'm talking tag team action here. Two great teams from the land of the rising sun going head to head>
Fuji frowned
Fuji: <I don't tag with anyone, not anymore>
Kellar: <I know. You only had one partner, your half-brother...>
Fuji: <Nakashima is my brother... there's no "half" about it. He's the only partner I've ever had, and that will not change.>
Kellar: <Well then you should definitely come to America, because he's your partner>
Fuji raised an eyebrow. Sean's eyes, meanwhile, widened considerably.
Fuji: <You're lying, we haven't spoken in years.>
Kellar: <And that's why I'm here. He would have come himself, but he was worried about how you'd react.>
Sean: Jon... what are you doing?
Fuji: <Worried? That doesn't sound like him...>
Kellar: <Well... It has been a long time. He's changed, and he's ready. Think of it, the Sons of Gold reunited.>
Fuji sighed
Fuji: <It's impossible. Nakashima would never be able to let go of what happened>
Kellar: <Then why would he send me? He wants to bury the hatchet, or sword, whatever the Japanese expression is.>
Fuji: <If you're lying?>
Kellar: <Would I lie to you?>
Fuji sighed again, Kellar put his arm around him.
Kellar: <Try to picture it, the Sons of Gold, reunited. Nakashima and Fujiwara together again, opposite one of the most dynamic tag teams in Japan. All I ask is that you do it under my roof, at Underground Zero's flagship show. A favour for reuniting you with your ha... with your brother.
Kellar reached into his pocket and fumbled around for a bit. He found the contract he'd been carrying all evening, and showed it to Fujiwara.
Kellar: <I hate to press you but, this deal really is time limited. If I can't count on you then I'll have to find another tag team.>
Fuji looked at the contract, then back up at Kellar.
-----
The next morning, Sean and Kellar found themselves walking away from Kellar's Tokyo Apartment and Dojo. Kellar had a spring in his step as he made his way through the Tokyo streets.
Kellar: One down, one to go...
Sean: I can't believe he signed. Your gift for bullshit never ceases to amaze me Jonny Boy...
Kellar: You'd be surprised how often it comes in use...
Sean: What happens when he finds out we haven't got Nakashima... in fact we don't even know where he is.
Kellar: You worry too much, you need to start drinking again. Everything's going to be fine...
Sean rolled his eyes and stopped
Sean: Jon... a word...
Kellar stopped and turned
Sean: You're a World Champion again, and I know how long you've waited for that. You beat Konrad Raab in an amazing match and I know Raab wants to come and join you and everything's coming up roses... but just remember... your luck and your talent for bullshit is only going to take you so far... there's a lot of hard work ahead.
Kellar smiled
Kellar: You sound like Sarah.
Sean: Someone has to... now how are we going to find Nakashima?
Kellar smiled again. He reached into his pocket and waved his phone.
Kellar: I already have...
Sean: Really? Where?
Kellar tapped his nose, then turned on his heel and walked off towards the road. He raised his hand.
Kellar: <Taxi!>
The Taxi pulled up, and Kellar opened the door. Sean stepped in and Kellar followed.
Driver: <Where to?>
Kellar smiled at Sean
Kellar: <Fuchu Prison>
Sean turned and glared at Kellar; his Japanese may not have been as good as Jon's, but he knew those two words.
Sean: Oh good...
The newly crowned GPC World Heavyweight Champion watched quietly as Fujiwara Masaki climbed to the top rope, before finishing off his opponent with a picture perfect Moonsault. Kellar never understood the appeal of high flying wrestling as a tactic, but when he had to admit, when pulled off by a master it did look pretty spectacular.
The referee counted the three, and the crowd all rose to their feet to applaud. Kellar rose slower, but applauded harder.
Sean: You really think you can persuade him?
Kellar turned towards his manager and trainer.
Kellar: Have a little faith Sean...
Sean: I'm not sure it's faith we need...
----
Backstage, Kellar walked the corridors of the arena, with Sean following just behind him. A few corners later, they found themselves at Masaki's locker room, and Kellar knocked on the door.
Fuji: <Come in>
Kellar pushed the door open. Fujiwara was standing in front of his locker, just slipping a t-shirt over his head.
Kellar: <You're a difficult man to get hold of>
Fuji turned around
Kellar: <That was a fantastic performance out there. I'm happy to see you haven't lost a step.>
Fuji: <Jon Kellar.>
Kellar: <I didn't think you'd remember me.>
Fuji: <Of course I do. A few years ago, when GZW2K1 came to Japan. You were over here promoting a show and my brother and I were negotiating with UJW...>
Kellar: <You have a good memory>
Fuji: <You seemed like a giant back then>
Kellar: <It was a different time>
Fuji: <But those times are here again, I hear. Congratulations.>
Kellar smiled
Kellar: <Thank you. I'm not just a champion though, I'm a promoter>
Fuji: <So I hear... you're working out of a wrestling school in Atlanta>
Kellar: <Yes. It's a continuation of GZW2K1's legacy... or at least it will be one day.>
Fuji: <You have Nathan Williams and Sean Locke in the main event. It seems to be going the right way>
Kellar sighed and grit his teeth at the mention of Sean Locke. Kellar and Nathaniel Davis still needed to have a very difficult conversation about that name.
But this wasn't the time.
Kellar: <While they are... excellent choices, what I'm really after is new blood. Someone who's never wrestled stateside before. Someone...>
Fuji: <No>
Kellar: <You haven't even heard my offer>
Fuji: <I don't need to. My life here is good. I have good offers, good matches, and the people love me. Why would I risk all of that by moving to the States?>
Kellar: <It's a show for a Children's Hospital>
Fuji: <I'll send a cheque>
Kellar: <But think how fantastic it would be if you were on the banner. I've even got the perfect opponents for you.... ever hear of Sawtooth Grin and Hevvhocorrvpts?>
Fuji: <Who hasn't? They're big over here. But throwing me into a Handicap match isn't exactly a selling point>
Kellar: <Who said anything about a Handicap Match? I'm talking tag team action here. Two great teams from the land of the rising sun going head to head>
Fuji frowned
Fuji: <I don't tag with anyone, not anymore>
Kellar: <I know. You only had one partner, your half-brother...>
Fuji: <Nakashima is my brother... there's no "half" about it. He's the only partner I've ever had, and that will not change.>
Kellar: <Well then you should definitely come to America, because he's your partner>
Fuji raised an eyebrow. Sean's eyes, meanwhile, widened considerably.
Fuji: <You're lying, we haven't spoken in years.>
Kellar: <And that's why I'm here. He would have come himself, but he was worried about how you'd react.>
Sean: Jon... what are you doing?
Fuji: <Worried? That doesn't sound like him...>
Kellar: <Well... It has been a long time. He's changed, and he's ready. Think of it, the Sons of Gold reunited.>
Fuji sighed
Fuji: <It's impossible. Nakashima would never be able to let go of what happened>
Kellar: <Then why would he send me? He wants to bury the hatchet, or sword, whatever the Japanese expression is.>
Fuji: <If you're lying?>
Kellar: <Would I lie to you?>
Fuji sighed again, Kellar put his arm around him.
Kellar: <Try to picture it, the Sons of Gold, reunited. Nakashima and Fujiwara together again, opposite one of the most dynamic tag teams in Japan. All I ask is that you do it under my roof, at Underground Zero's flagship show. A favour for reuniting you with your ha... with your brother.
Kellar reached into his pocket and fumbled around for a bit. He found the contract he'd been carrying all evening, and showed it to Fujiwara.
Kellar: <I hate to press you but, this deal really is time limited. If I can't count on you then I'll have to find another tag team.>
Fuji looked at the contract, then back up at Kellar.
-----
The next morning, Sean and Kellar found themselves walking away from Kellar's Tokyo Apartment and Dojo. Kellar had a spring in his step as he made his way through the Tokyo streets.
Kellar: One down, one to go...
Sean: I can't believe he signed. Your gift for bullshit never ceases to amaze me Jonny Boy...
Kellar: You'd be surprised how often it comes in use...
Sean: What happens when he finds out we haven't got Nakashima... in fact we don't even know where he is.
Kellar: You worry too much, you need to start drinking again. Everything's going to be fine...
Sean rolled his eyes and stopped
Sean: Jon... a word...
Kellar stopped and turned
Sean: You're a World Champion again, and I know how long you've waited for that. You beat Konrad Raab in an amazing match and I know Raab wants to come and join you and everything's coming up roses... but just remember... your luck and your talent for bullshit is only going to take you so far... there's a lot of hard work ahead.
Kellar smiled
Kellar: You sound like Sarah.
Sean: Someone has to... now how are we going to find Nakashima?
Kellar smiled again. He reached into his pocket and waved his phone.
Kellar: I already have...
Sean: Really? Where?
Kellar tapped his nose, then turned on his heel and walked off towards the road. He raised his hand.
Kellar: <Taxi!>
The Taxi pulled up, and Kellar opened the door. Sean stepped in and Kellar followed.
Driver: <Where to?>
Kellar smiled at Sean
Kellar: <Fuchu Prison>
Sean turned and glared at Kellar; his Japanese may not have been as good as Jon's, but he knew those two words.
Sean: Oh good...