ā Death Match ā
šKira Izumiš Vs. šKoji Iwataniš
Fans have taken their seats at the nearing dusk, when the large screen over left field lights up. Bellowing music plays flashbacks of last weekās show. From the highlighted action, āCome the Carnivorā by GWAR blasts from the stadiumās speakers virtually shaking the entire venue. Lights of green and bright purples flash everywhere. From all the madness, several black shirts push a large projector into centerfield. Its powerful light sends a demonic face above the stadium with several ghastly features ā paring well with the heavy metal music in the background. Fire shoots from every ring post signaling the show.
Sara Conway: Welcome New Blood faithful to Night of the Yokai!
St. Remi: PPV #2 is now in the books for this young company. And what a way to kick it off.
Sara Conway: You said it, Remi. Tonight, Derek Wellings challenges New Bloodās prodigal son, Corey Bull, for the NBPW World Title.
St. Remi: And thatās not all, Sara. IC champ Killa Kai defends his belt against Brooke Bell in a best of three bout. And newcomers Taysia Lattimore and Bryce Albright face off in a table match for the New Blood Title. Anything else?
Sara Conway: Thereās more action to follow, for sure. First, a presentation of national colors.
Floodlights hum with the presentation of colors of both American and Japan. To sing Japanās national anthem, returns Sanguine Squid the official mascot of NBPW. Fans hold their tongues at the sight of her costume.
āSakuraā¦ Sakuraā¦ ya ā yo ā aaaaaaaaaaaa!āSt. Remi: Sanguine-chan, no! That bat bastard!
Sara Conway: Folks, it seems disgraced mascot, and peopleās choice, Viktor Vampire has just kidnapped our beloved Sanguine Squid.
St. Remi: He just swoop in from a wire and nabbed her. The fiend!
Sara Conway: Security have chase but they couldnāt keep up with his repelling cables.
A spotlight trails the two mascots speeding away into the night. That giant imprint in the sky continues to laugh and make ghoulish faces to the audience.
Sara Conway: Stay right here everyone. Weāll be right back as soon as we get this matter settled.
St. Remi: Matter? That was a crime, Sara, and we the good people of the world will not stand for it!
Sara Conway: Weāll be right back.
Backstage Segment w/
Tsukiko Kitsune
Cameras cut to Haroon Dutt in a David S. Pumpkins themed jacket (and he's totally rocking it too) on the search for NBPW Owner Masuda Jubei. He is seen first looking down a corridor where black shirt scurry about their duties.
Haroon: Are we rolling? Good... good evening wrestling fans. We are currently searching for our owner at this moment, but it seems his car may not have arrived at the show as we speak. Come one, Mel, let's keep looking.
He opens a door that reads "
Conference Room 1" but only finds a few long tables and empty swivel chairs.
Haroon: In the event we do find him, we will be sure to let everyone know. I'm Haroon Dutt, back to you guys at ringside -
Voice: Whatcha doing?
He and the camera turn to see someone sitting on a ledge about ten feet above them.
Haroon: We're looking for Mr. Masuda? Have you seen him?
The young woman shakes her head.
Haroon: Mam, may I have your name?
Kitsune: I'm Tsukiko, and you must be Mr. Dutt. I've heard great things about you.
Haroon shrugs towards the camera.
Haroon: And who might you be then?
Kitsune: Oh don't you see, Haroon, I'm the new girl. But I'm not shy. New, old, it doesn't bother me anymore. What does bother me is how this company sees itself. There is a lot of evil here pretending to be your friends. Pretending that they mean well but truly wishing to cause harm.
Haroon: And are you going to stop it? Hey! Where'd she go?
With that bombshell, the cameras return to ringside with St. Remi and Sara Conway.
šBegin Death Matchš
A light show begins with all sorts of fireworks exploding above the ring. The final barrage shoots streaking shots towards that artificial moon still projecting over Yokohama Stadium. A graphic of laughing skeleton opens a door revealing a live look at the arena. Fans celebrate as a roto-camera pan across the first couple of rows. All of a sudden, a Ring Girl ghost screams into the giant videoboard overtaking the live feed. Fan clap and scream for the show title: āNight of the Yokaiā and that ominous projection over the stadium.
Sara Conway: Sorry for the delay there folks. We just had the worst scenario take place - but proper authorities are now on the case. Owner Masuda Jubei is also becoming involved as we speak.... Well, here are - and itās been a long few weeks for the company. But here weāre now. Welcome fans to Night of the Yokai presented in simulcast here and those of you online right now in America, Europe and other places abroad.
St. Remi: Thatās right Sara. And here they are to start things off ā two stars of this country. Men whoāve cut their teeth in arenas across Japan. Now they bring two sides to a coin.
Smoke can be seen as red lights pulsate throughout the arena as the music starts picking up. Kira creeps out from the back.
"(Always at the side of my beloved mama
Hey, Smile at me like always
the morning dipped in sunlight distorts your expression
My mother's neck is wrung, swinging as she hangs from heaven
Bye bye bye bye, mother...)"Kira stands at the stage as he looks up and waves with disdain in his eyes. He starts walking down the rampway now.
Oda Niko: Tonight will be a Death Matchā¦ on his way to the ring from Shinhidaka in Hokkaidoā¦ your prince of darknessā¦ Kira Izumi!
"(Without a face a gasping voice...
So rape me until you're satisfied. I'm your's papa...
Look mother is watching us from above
My Sweet mother!)"Kira starts to convulse as he makes his way to the ring. He acts as if he's going to spit up something from time to time as well as he makes his way down the ramp. He starts crawling down around the ring and acts a bit frightened and sad, as if trying to escape from something.
"(Always at the side of my HATED PAPA!
HEY, RAPE ME LIKE YOU ALWAYS DO!
HIS Eyes are wide open burning into me...)"He eventually gets to the stairs where he pulls himself up to the beat of the song and climbs to the top rope. He jumps down after looking around frantically.
"(I thrust what i hid into his neck.
Bye bye bye bye bye bye, FATHER!
Naked, crimson flowers bloom in the snow
stained with blood,
i am alone...)"Sara Conway: He was truly upset after being left off last weekās card.
St. Remi: The guy needs a W. Then management keeps him off the show. What else is there for him to do but retaliate?
Sara Conway: Trueā¦ but he viciously attacked Koji Iwatani with almost no provocation.
St. Remi: No provocation? Sara, his family goes unfed whenever they pull him off a card. They donāt have guaranteed salaries like us. They suffer in ring and get paid. Kira deserved that weekās pay. Now some ninja dude shows up to steal it from under your feet. I. Donāt. Think soā¦.
Kira spins around in the middle of the as he looks at the camera and has blood ooze out of his mouth, after he shakes violently before resting in his corner.
St. Remi: Now we find out what heās really made of ā the scab.
Sara Conway: A bit passionate about this, arenāt you?
St. Remi: Look, Sara, nothing comes between a man and his family.
he lights dim and the crowd's volume starts to hush, chatter and cheering not ceasing though as the audience watches in anticipation. Fog starts to pour out over the entrance way, from the stage and down the aisle as we hear the sounds of swooping winds over the sound system, shades of blue lighting slowly filling the arena as the music builds. The crowd's murmurs turn into a small rumble, as they realize just who is about to appear.
"Battle Theme" by The Black Mages begins to boom and echo through the arena, the back beat and rhythm syncing up with the entrance video, as it illuminates little by little, then playing normally as the music picks up. A spotlight shines down the aisle and up to the curtains, and out walks "The Shadow Runner" himself, Koji Iwatani. His silk robe tied at the waist, flows in the gentle breeze as he steps out with purpose onto the stage and Koji looks down at the ring intently.
Oda Niko: And his opponentā¦ coming to us all the way from the village of Iga in Mie Prefectureā¦ āthe Shadow Runnerā Koji Iwatani!
The crowd pops for Koji a little bit and fans reach over the barricade far as they can hoping to wish him luck on the way to the ring. Iwatani takes a deep breath as pyrotechnic sparks rain down in a symphony behind him amidst the darkness, and persisting as Koji begins to walk down the ramp.
Sara Conway: Can you forget an attack last weekās?
St. Remi: Nope.
Sara Conway: Do think itāll give him an edge?
St. Remi: Again, nope.
Sara Conway: Well the fans have certainly made their choice between them. Family or not, Kira Izumi is their villain. Call it how youād like but Kira is not winning these people.
Koji's scales a side ladder as the false moon above turns red with his name across it. Koji lowers his head, and says a small prayer to himself before continuing onto the apron. Grabbing the top rope, he collects himself before slingshotting himself up and over the top rope, both legs apart in a leapfrog, and the ring lights return to normal as his feet hit the mat. Koji bows his head to their referee, before taking his corner, and stands there for a moment. "The Shadow Runner" bows his head once more, bringing both arms in a cross-fashion across his chest, then gradually unfolding his arms, giving his signature pose as his fans whistle and cheer a bit more, taking advantage of the photo opportunity. His intensity dials down long enough for him to untie and remove his robe, handing it off to a black shirt and Koji paces the ring a bit, stretching as he awaits the opening bell. Izumi stands across him looking ready to commit murder.
Sara Conway: And thereās our opening bell! Kira wants Koji to go first.
St. Remi: Theyāre sizing each other up in the center ā oh!
Sara Conway: Izumi just gave him a huge slap.
St. Remi: Koji answers back with of his own. That was brutal stuff, bro!
Satisfied, this show of force devolves into an exchange of elbows. Koji gets the best shot and then whips Izumi across the ring. He hits the opposite ropes, and from an inverted positon, rubber bands at his opponent with a springboard elbow. It hits and wipes out Izumi. Fans erupt as he hops over the ropes for another attack. Izumi stands and takes a swing-out hurricanrana hard enough that he tumbles out of the ring.
Sara Conway: Izumi looking for space ā Iwatani is running this way.
St. Remi: Shooting star press!
Sara Conway: That wiped them both out hard.
St. Remi: Not to mention that nasty barricade. Koji hit it worse because I Izumi is already getting up.
Kira gives his opponent a big soccer kick to the ribs. He the reaches over the barricade to grab a folding chair. Koji looks up but cannot defend himself from an unprotected chair shot.
Sara Conway: Kira has taken this very personally. Oh not another ā yeesh!
St. Remi: Like I said before, donāt come between a man and his family. This is VERY personal.
Sara Conway: Heās locking the chair around Kojiās head. Someone should stop this.
St. Remi: Whereās Chadra Betts when you need her?
Sara Conway: Really?
St. Remi: A miss! He makes true on that namesake because anyone else would have had their cranium smashed in like putty.
Koji goes low and hits a desperate dragon screw to cut his opponent down for a moment. He throws the chair across the ground while looking for something for balance. Kira regains and punches Koji to the floor. As he rises, a trapped headbutt nails him back to the ground.
Sara Conway: Oh my godā¦ that was disgusting!
St. Remi: Nah, these are soldiers. Heās going under the ring for something ā heās got a toolbox.
Sara Conway: What can he possibly find in there? Thereās no need for this!
Fans boo as Kira retrieves an industrial staple gun from it. He circles his foe before going to work from the shoulder down. Each āthainkā rivets a thick staple into Iwataniās arm. After five, he tries again, only to find it empty. Koji holds his arm but cannot remove them. He yells without noticing Kira coming from behind.
Sara Conway: What now?
St. Remi: Heās just wailing on Koji. Fans are hating this ā but the Shadow Runner wonāt go down.
Sara Conway: Those are heavy strikes!
Koji gives a war cry before throwing his punches. Each has the sound of a bag of water smacking flesh. Kira shoves back and hits a stiff lariat. Koji resists it. He winds up and hits another, this one strong is enough that takes Koji off his feet. Kira transitions then to a rear naked choke.
Sara Conway: Rainson D'etreā¦ but it seems like overkill now.
St. Remi: Heās too dangerous to keep on his feet. Kira wants to be sure his that opponent does not walk out here.
Sara Conway: Our newest referee, so new in fact that he has no nametag. Well heās trying to get a submit from one knee.
St. Remi: Please, heās not going to submit this guy. Kira Izumi want to destroy this man, plain and simple. Now heās abandoning the hold for that toolbox again. What other toys might he find?
Sara Conway: Toys? This is just sickening, Remi.
St. Remi: Noā¦ itās a death match!
Sara Conway: Heās got a hammer! No! He canāt have that!
Koji goes low again, but turns him away with a rough toe kick. Kira swings high and misses, letting his opponent make a clean reversal into a short arm clothesline. Kira does an entire flip while the ring hammer flies into the ring. Koji follows that by throwing his opponent into the metal post. Izumi hits it hard. A final knee to the back sandwiches his head against that post.
Sara Conway: Cover my eyes! I canāt watch any more of this.
St. Remi: Relax, theyāre tough dudes.
Koji rallies the crowd when hops up onto the apron. Kira stands while still sobering himself after that jarring knee strike. Voices lift as he Iwatani runs and flips hitting a perfect dragonrana off the apron. Kira slams right into the announcers table.
St. Remi: That was impressive. Arenāt you glad you peeked?
Sara Conway: It was neat, sure, but these two are beyond broken. Theyāre fighting on fumes.
St. Remi: Maybe, but Koji just turned this match around.
Sara Conway: Turned it around? His bleeding all over.
St. Remi: Hey, itās not all his blood. Look, they need to get back in the ring and make this official.
Sara Conway: The sooner the better.
St. Remi: Whatever you say, bro.
Koji slides his opponent under the ropes without much resistance. He thinks about going up top again but reconsiders. He instead takes an arm and delivers a kick between the ribs. That is enough to force his opponent off the mat and looking angry. They crunch noses before breaking into another exchange. Koji chops first. Kira answers back but harder. Koji tops that. Kira does the same. After seven each, they look wobbly and their chests like a pink strawberry.
Sara Conway: Iwatani mixes it up ā he just threw an elbow. And another! This is out of hand!
St. Remi: Both are bloodied. Both are standing on spirit alone. And the fans canāt get enough.
Sara Conway: Koji takes controlā¦ is he dragging Kira over to the turnbuckle?
St. Remi: No, theyāre moving on up to the high rent district.
Koji Iwatani has his eyes on a dramatic finish. Everyone in Yokohama Stadium can sense it. He goes up first, pulling Kira along for the ride, before settling atop it all. Everything illuminates from his vantage point. Their ruckus become a shrill nothing as he readies a final move ā just then, his vision goes black.
St. Remi: Bloody mist! Izumi has him blinded in the worse way.
Sara Conway: Izumi is climbing up to meet him ā heās locking the arms!
St. Remi: Not this! Kira Driver ā91! From the top rope!
1!
2!!
3!!!Oda Niko: And your winnerā¦ Kira I-zu-mi!
Sara Conway: That was full brutality.
St. Remi: Yeah, but what other choice did they have? No one steps between a man and his breadwinning. This was all about family ā and nothing else.
Sara Conway: What about Koji? Heās still in the ring.
St. Remi: I donāt know. Cut away to something.
Sara Conway: Weāll be right back with more action, here on Night of the Yokai.
St. Remi: (on headset) Good job. I need a Fiji Water after all that.