Post by Oni Kymiku on Nov 22, 2014 21:35:55 GMT -5
The worst part about taking on an unknown, such as Anya Makarov, is the fact that I must do it in the middle of my own personal crisis. Since coming to LAW I have skirted along the edges of notoriety. I have quietly amassed a record of victories that would go right to the top of anyone’s professional resume, yet the only true notice I have drawn in recent weeks has been negative. For all intents and purposes, this opportunity that I have at Night of Glory is my very last chance to make my case to remain a part of the LAW roster. Taking on the challenge of a hot new prospect and coming out on top is my chance to show everyone that I am not one to be easily deterred or derailed by controversy…I’ll always find a way to thrive and keep moving forward.
While many people feel the need to obsess over their opponents and their past deeds and accomplishments, I feel no strong desire to pursue Makarov’s history…what she did in the past is of little concern to me. All that matters is what she intends to do at Night of Glory and how far she is willing to go to achieve it. I have demonstrated my resolve time and time again. I will push my body to its absolute limits and beyond in order to prove to my opponent and more importantly myself…exactly who I am and what I am capable of. On Sunday night, if Makarov is unable or unwilling to put her body on the line…if she is unable or unwilling to bleed in the center of the ring…she will find out exactly who and what I am along with everyone else in LAW…
My name is Oni Kymiku Shinsuzuki and no one is going to stop my rise to the top…no one…
CTN TOWERS
Entertainment Division
New York City, New York
I waited in the ‘Green Room’ just minutes before my interview with Trisha VanReardon. I wrung my hands nervously, unsure of what I was about to confront. I had insisted on coming here alone, but now I was regretting that decision. I could have used the moral support of Nyako or SoLo…hell, I would have liked to have Serizawa here if I could. Despite my change of heart, I was going to go it alone now, regardless.
What questions would VanReardon have for me? Would she just throw me under the proverbial bus and back over me a few times just for the sake of her story? A million questions like that swirled inside my head and I had answers for none of them. At a time when I should have been completely focused on my opponent, I was sweating out an interview with a royal bitch that was looking to make her bones over my rotting corpse…
…and who says that there are no redeeming qualities about the media today…
What VanReardon was doing was criminal in my estimation. To be sure, this was a creature of my own making, but she had pursued this media circus and pressed to put me in the spotlight. Maybe I should have…
“Yo! What up playa?!”
My thoughts were interrupted and I turned to see Maleek Raheem walking in with a broad grin on his face. Ordinarily I would have been angry, but under the circumstances…he was now the lesser of two evils. While I knew that he was part of the CTN machine that was threatening to grind me up in it cog-like wheels, at least he was up front about it. I could appreciate that…if nothing else.
“Raheem…you haven’t come here to tell me that the interview is cancelled have you?” I looked at him pointedly, “If you have…I might reconsider that offer you made me the other day…if you still have that camera phone.” My joke was crass…given the circumstances, but I needed to lighten the mood anyway that I could.
He smiled and gave a shake of his head. “Still got th’ camera…but this interview is still goin’ down…sorry.” It may have been my imagination, but he actually seemed to appear sorry for me…for a microsecond. I didn’t dwell on it, since it was so fleeting. “Yo! I just stopped by to let you know not to sweat this shit! Yeah, it sucks…but like I told you, this shit can be spun and you can come out of this better than you went in.”
I shook my head, incredulous of what he was saying. “This woman is going to parade me in front of the world as she prepares to humiliate me by releasing a video of me having sex! Excuse me if I fail to see the uptick on any of this!”
Raheem sighed as he walked over and sat on the makeup counter. “Point number one…humiliation doesn’t appear to be a word in yo’ vocabulary. I saw th’ video…you weren’t exactly hidin’ what you was doin’! If you ask me…looks like you was performin’!”
In this…he was certainly correct. I knew I was being recorded…but the ‘other’ half of my personality was in control and to be sure…humiliation isn’t something that it recognizes…
…not true, I am humiliated by the weakness of your actions on a regular basis since you became a part of LAW…
Despite my inner dialog, Raheem continued on, unaware of my internal musings. “Number two…you and yo’ sister are both important assets for CTN…so what sense would it make to completely destroy you?” He paused with a shrug, “I aint gonna lie…this shit might sting, but it aint th’ end.”
Well, that was a relief to hear…sort of. CTN was going to hang me out to dry…but just so long as it suited it’s purposes to do so. That was so ‘nice’ of them I thought to myself, with complete and utter sarcasm.
“Number three…” he held up three fingers, “…you got me in yo’ corner to help you use this shit to yo’ advantage! I don’t wanna brag…but a brotha be puttin’ in work when it comes to shit like this! I told you that if you put yo’ faith in me, I’d make this shit okay in th’ end...and that is what I intend to do.”
His confidence in his ability to spin this did put me a bit more at ease…but the immediate threat was VanReardon. “So…even if I believe what you say…how do I go out there with that fucking media pig and not make things worse for myself?”
He sighed, “Well…you are kinda on yo’ own wit’ that. I have ZERO idea about what she’s gonna ask. My advice…keep yo’ cool and be real. Trisha likes to push buttons cuz’ that shit sells…so just don’t let her see what gets you fired up.”
I shook my head and sighed as well. This wasn’t putting me at ease at all. “I have a match to be concerned about…I don’t have time for any of this!”
“Anya Makarov…” he said with a grin, “…fine ass Russian bitch, who looks like she can kick some serious ass?”
I arched my brow, “You know her?”
He shook his head. “Nah, but I’d like to…in the biblical sense!”
I rolled my eyes and sunk back further in my chair. “Great…that’s just fantastic.”
Raheem patted me on the shoulder. “Hey! Don’t sweat it…I’m sure that she’s all talk…hopefully wit’ a sexy ass Russian accent!” My narrowed gaze prompted him to remove his hand. He put both his hands up in surrender. “Sorry! But on th’ real, just go out there tonight and get through this shit. After that…let me worry bout’ th’ clean up…you just have yo’ match, a’ight?”
I nodded, choking down the urge to mockingly copy his ‘a’ight’ in ghetto vernacular. A knock on the door signaled that the interview was about to start. I felt the butterflies in my stomach take flight and my shoulders suddenly felt a hundred pounds heavier. Still…I managed to force myself to my feet. I looked at Raheem, “I am going to do my best not to kill her.”
“That’s all I ask playa…I’ll handle th’ rest…” he answered.
With that, I turned and headed to the door, grasping the cold knob…and not knowing what awaited me on the other side…
TRISHA VanREARDON'S HOT SEAT
22 November 2014
The show opens as the lovely Trisha VanReardon sits in a plush chair, dressed in a cream colored business suit, open at the neck to show just the right amount of cleavage. Her short skirt revealed her long shapely legs, which she delicately crossed. She smiled, showing her dazzling pearly white teeth in contrast to her bronzed tone and striking blue eyes. “Good evening everyone and welcome to the inaugural episode of ‘Trisha VanReardon’s Hot Seat.’ This show will feature numerous stars who will answer 5 of the toughest questions that you, our audience want the answers to.”
She stood up, walking over to the empty chair adjacent to her own. A bright light shown down on the seat and it almost seemed to resemble an electric chair, instead of an actual comfortable place to sit. She rested her hand on the top of the chair back. “For those stars who are brave enough to come on our show, there will be no punches pulled and no subjects off limits!”
Trisha moved back towards her own seat. “Tonight, our very first guest will be a woman who is currently at the center of a sex scandal within Ladies All-Star Wrestling. This woman is infamous for attempting to stab Crystal Hilton on live television and for crippling one-time World Wrestling Champion Nicky Silver in a previous organization. Please welcome, the woman known as Oni, Kymiku Shinsuzuki.”
Oni walked out in the bright studio lights, not looking like her usual confident self. As she walked up to the stage, Trisha stuck out her hand to welcome her, but Oni ignored it and took her place in the seat. She plopped down and folded her arms, and stared offstage, not wanting to even look in Trisha’s general direction.
Trisha shrugged as she took her seat. “Well, I guess someone one got up on the wrong side of the bed this morning, but that’s okay because you are here now and we can finally clear the air.” Trisha laced her long fingers as she eyed Oni, with a slight smirk on her face. “I suppose there is no need for any additional pleasantries…you look more than ready to get started, so…why wait?”
“For those of us who are familiar with your history in prior organizations…before you were a member of the LAW roster, you got your start in Western wrestling by attacking people from behind, gashing their flesh with barbed wire, and out and out attempts to maim and cripple anyone who crossed your path. There have been many people counted among your victims, but as I mentioned at the top of the show…there are at least two people here in LAW that you have personally done this to in Crystal Hilton and Nicky Silver. Tell us, how do you explain the change in your demeanor and your approach to interacting with the other athletes, when your history screams that this good girl persona you are piecing together here is all an act…not unlike that of your sister, Nyako, who blatantly attacked Gabby Camacho from behind on LAW #17?”
I could feel my blood start to boil as Trisha attempted to throw my sister under the bus while she questioned the sincerity of my newfound desire to be a better person. I balled my fists as I willed myself not to jump out of the chair and beat her senseless. Instead, I took a breath and did my best to answer her question in a dignified fashion.
“Look Ms. VanReardon, if you don’t believe that I am doing my best to truly be a good person and do the right thing, I’m sorry. The fact of the matter is that this is real and it is not an act. I realize that all of the things I did in my past to people…just as you specifically mentioned against Crystal Hilton and Nicky Silver were heinous, but I am doing what I can to atone for those things. I know that I can never make any of them right, because I have done far worst to people than what you highlighted…but that is all behind me and what’s ahead is all that matters now.”
I could see the incredulous look on VanReardon’s face and I wanted to punch it off, but I continued on instead. “As far as my sister goes, Nyako got swept up in the moment at LAW #17 when she used the title belt against Gabby Camacho. To be honest, tensions were running high on both sides that night. Everyone fails to mention the fact that Evie Taylor and Gabby Camacho attacked us first, before the bell even rang…but we didn’t cry about it. We sucked it up and rallied against two of the best that LAW has to offer. Yes…the match didn’t end in a victory that we can be completely proud of…but it didn’t start as one either!” I hated using their actions as an excuse, but it was the best that I had. Nyako had gone overboard at the end of the match…and it was hard to wrap my head around it knowing her as I did. She wasn’t a bad person…she wasn’t like me…she did things above board and reveled in the challenge of a good hard fight. I had to do what I could to explain this…though I wasn’t completely sure that I could. “My sister is going to be the next Marquee Champion…no offense to Camacho…but her focus and intensity is at an all time high. She is going to do it within the rules…and her win will not be a questionable one. We both respect Camacho as a competitor and as a friend. She came to our aid when we needed it against the likes of Sidney Grey and Summer St. Clair. It is for that reason that I know my sister will take on Camacho with honor and respect. I know that Evie Taylor expressed her concern over this match, vowing to be in Camacho’s corner…but she has no reason for concern. I’ll be there as well to illustrate that point.”
Trisha raised her eyebrows questioningly at the response, using it to lead into her next question. “So…you’ll be in your sister’s corner for her match…to make sure that everything remains above board, because you believe in her. If I am not mistaken, the United Sister of Asia is suppose to stand for something…or at least it was suppose to. A few weeks ago, Miyoko Oshiro…a wrestler of Asian decent had some rather harsh criticism for you and your sister, pointing out the fact that despite your apparent love of the Asian people…you left her off of your short list for USA membership…”
Trisha watched Oni’s response carefully. “After Miyoko faced your sister…she was attacked and brutally beaten by Violet…but neither you, nor your sister came to her aid. Why was that? If this USA thing is real, why wouldn’t you at least come to aid of Miyoko…even though you snubbed her? Is USA a farce like she said it was…or is it just more personal for you with Miyoko?” Trisha smiled, “As I recall…back at LAW 12, you won your match against your opponent…which would have qualified you for the Queen of the Ring…but you were injured and Miyoko got your spot in the tournament…despite losing to your sister the first time.” She narrowed her eyes at Oni. “Was this little snub of yours just to get back at her…or is it true…is USA just a lie?”
How I wanted to slap the taste right out of mouth…but…the situation with Miyoko did need to be addressed…as well as the question about USA. I took a deep breath before I finally got down to answering this question. “There was a time when this question would have gotten you dropped on your head…not because it was offensive, but because it was true. I had started USA with an agenda that was all my own. I hid my true intentions behind a guise that Asians were mistreated and overlooked in the West…” it hurt for me to admit how underhanded I had been, especially to the entire world, but it did need to be said. “…the truth of the matter was that I didn’t want a level playing field for Asian stars…I wanted an advantage for myself…I wanted chaos in the company that I worked for. I got both…but in the end, I realized that none of that was worth it. What USA should of stood for is valid…I was the one that twisted and perverted it.”
I ran a single hand through my hair, then down to the back of my neck as I paused there. I took a breath, then addressed the rest of VanReardon’s question. “As for Miyoko Oshiro, I have never borne any ill will for her and I have never snubbed her. My sister and I never asked Oshiro to join us because…like I said…USA was a perversion…a selfish endeavor that wasn’t even real…at least until recently…”
I took a deep breath, addressing a subject that I had addressed before…though not as pointedly as I was about to do again. “Seeing what happened to Oshiro at the end of LAW’s last regular show at the hands of Violet Bloom made me realize that USA needed to really stand for something…needed to be real. Oshiro…despite her dislike for me and my sister deserved better than what she got after her match at the hands of a jealous and self-serving coward! Bloom singled Oshiro out for whatever reason she’s made up inside her head…but the fact remains, for her that this entire thing as a decidedly racist slant to it that doesn’t sit well with me.” Oni quoted the witty biographical description that had been on Violet’s Twitter bio; “Kicking the ass of that Asian lass…” she paused to let that marinade a bit. “…that is how Violet describes herself for the world to see.”
She gave a nod, “USA needs to be a real thing…and it needs to stand for something…and it will. I know Oshiro doesn’t need us…doesn’t want us…but that won’t change the fact that she is our sister…if not by birth than by heritage. I won’t stand by and let anyone…especially a racist coward think that she can just do and say whatever she wants without someone standing up against her. Oshiro and Bloom can have their match at Night of Glory…but after it ends…if Bloom so much as thinks about crossing the line with Oshiro again…she’ll wish she had stayed retired from LAW!”
Trisha smirked at the answer to the question she had posed to show her lack of belief. She obviously still thought that USA was a farce, but she moved on to the next question. “We have heard you boast about your record here in LAW…crowing about how you have defeated the best that the company has had to offer without a loss. You pinned the Marquee Champion twice and you pinned the LAW Champion once…and though you didn’t actually pin Evie Taylor…you claim to have technically defeated her twice by virtue of tag team wins…wins that your sister actually facilitated and you simply benefited from. I have to question the validity of you as a legitimate competitor, making the claims that you have made, when you’ve just barely scraped by on your own in singles matches with one win and one no contest. Your biggest wins have come as a direct result of your sister’s interference. Is this what we can expect of you at Night of Glory…more interference by Nyako on your behalf to cover for your less-than stellar performances?”
This question definitely cut me to the bone and left me angry beyond all reasoning. I had been dreading this interview because I knew that it would be all about the sex video, but Trisha was going all out to get me uncontrollably angry. My jaw worked furiously as I ground my teeth, visualizing pounding her head until her brains were scattered all over the walls. I took a deep breath to calm myself…I needed to get past this…I couldn’t allow anger to get the better of me.
“I have NEVER bragged about any of my victories in LAW…not a single one! While you might want to twist my words and make me out to be a braggart, that is NOT who I am! If my wins or performance in garnering them are unimpressive to you…there is little I can do to change your mind. I have approached each and every match here in LAW with the mindset that I will do my very best, no matter the opponent. I have faced the current Marquee Champion and the number one contender for the LAW Title twice and I have won twice…not bragging…just stating fact. I have pinned the LAW champion…again…not bragging…just stating fact. Every woman I have faced in LAW has been top tier talent and I respect them all. On another day…maybe I lose every one of those matches…but I didn’t! I train hard to be the best and I want to test myself against the best…nothing more.”
I sighed, “I have only ever wanted to earn the respect of my opponents…not belittle them in order to make myself look better. The Doc, Evie Taylor, and Gabby Camacho have gotten where they are in LAW for a reason. When people speak of LAW, their names are always the first to be mentioned…my sister and I want our names to be etched there as well. I will never attempt to tear any of them down to make myself seem better…NEVER! I have more respect for them and myself to ever do something like that.”
Trisha smirked at the response, obviously not believing any of it. “Let me ask you about your sister, Nyako. Does it bother you at all that she is now the most prominent of the Shinsuzuki sisters? I mean…you conveniently failed to mention her name when you made it a point to bring up Doc, Evie, and Gabby. Truth be told, your sister is already counted among the more prominent names of the upper-echelon of LAW stars. Is jealousy the reason why you feel the need to now call attention to yourself…putting yourself at the center of controversy?"
I couldn’t help but to simply stare at the woman and blink…I wasn’t even sure if I had just heard exactly what I thought she had just said. I had regretted attacking Crystal Hilton on live television…I was beginning to think that I wouldn’t mind the consequences of stabbing VanReardon in front of a national audience.
I did what I could to compose myself…knowing that it wouldn’t be enough. I sat forward, pointing at her as I did. “Look here you self-righteous twat! Every ounce of success my sister has had in this business has been because she busted her ass and she earned it! I have never ONCE been jealous of her…I have always been proud of her and of everything that she has ever accomplished!”
It nearly gave me physical pain to say the next part; “You’re 100% right…” I could feel the tendons in my hands popping at the thought that I had to say that she was correct in something. “…my sister is in the upper-echelon of LAW talent and yes…I have been a horrible distraction to her, but not out of jealousy! I would quit the wrestling business before I EVER did anything to hurt my sister inside or outside the ring!”
A long slow smile touched Trisha’s lips as she got the response she wanted. “You know…I think I believe you, but…if that is truly the case…how do we reckon that with you making a public spectacle of yourself?”
Blurred images of the sex video played on the screen behind her and I nearly vomited. She shut it off after a few moments and looked at me, with a sly grin on her smug face. “You have answered a lot of my questions tonight, and to be honest with you, I haven’t believed a word that you have said…but this…” she pointed to the screen, “…this is the only true thing about you, isn’t it?”
She paused, waiting for me to answer her, but I was seething, so she continued on. “You haven’t changed a bit…no matter what you have said here tonight. You and your sister both are nothing like you pretend to be. What happened on the last episode of LAW is what the two of you are really all about isn’t it? Nyako is certainly going to go on to become the next Marquee Champion…by hook or by crook…she has shown as much. As for you? You aren’t at all the good girl you have been pretending to be…and everyone will see that tomorrow night when you do what you do when you face Anya Makarov. Tell us Oni…what are the odds that we all see you for what you really are when you face your opponent on Sunday…just like everyone will see when this video is released?”
CRACK!!!
Before I knew what I was doing, I was already on my feet and standing over Trisha VanReardon’s prone and unconcious body. I felt the hands on me, trying to drag me away. I didn’t fight or struggle against them…I smiled as I gave a glimpse of my true face…
…our true face…
I know that this wasn’t the way this should have ended…I had failed to maintain control of myself and I knew that there would be a price to pay for what I had just done. I had probably given the woman just what she wanted…well…maybe not the black eye…but this was what CTN wanted…it is what it always wanted.
Tomorrow night I would go to Night of Glory to face Makarov and I would forget about this night…I would forget about the video…I would forget everything, except the anger I now felt. I would save this all for the ring…I would save it all for my opponent, If CTN was going to expose me to the world…there was nothing I could do about it…and I wasn’t going to sit idly by and watch them take it. I was going to be master of my fate…and no one was going to dictate terms to me, ever again…