YOSHIO OKAMOTO
He’s yelling very loudly and he’s acting very animated as Shiori walks over to this decaying old building. “Uncle Yoyo, you can’t possibly mean this building?”
“Shiori! Shiori! This is the place I was telling you about! This is what we need.”
He opens the door and with a flourish invites her inside. “After you, boss lady,” he teases as Shiori slowly enters the building. It was largely empty, except for the rats. And the dirt.
The door closes behind them as each one of her steps echoes into the building.
“Look, we put a ring in the center right here. There’s enough room for a second ring if we need to, but I think this will work great as a training center. With nearly everyone walking out, you are going to have to find a way to bring in more wrestlers, Shiori-chan. We are going to have to train them ourselves.”
I knew he had a point. While we could afford the building, we couldn’t afford to bring anyone in to actually fix it up.
“And I know what you’re thinking. Do not worry. I will get this building into shape in no time. I need you to bring in the trainees.”
Shiori glanced over him, almost annoyed that he seemed to be reading her mind. But after a moment of consideration, she nods her head. “Deal. Have someone send the paperwork to the office and I’ll make this happen. On one condition…”
This time it’s Yoshio’s turn to look cautious, “What condition?”
With a smirk, Shiori turns and walks towards the door, “You have to train them.”
“What? Wait!”
But it’s too late as she walks out the door, leaving her uncle standing there with his mouth open. As she turns the corner, she can hear him though as he pumps his fist in the air and shouts, “Yes!” She grins as she gets into her car.
A few days later, she is sitting in her office signing the paperwork for the warehouse that will become the Dream Wrestling Academy. She’s running out of money. She’s going to have to start running shows again, which means she’s going to have to address the talent. And by talent, she means the ten or so mid to low card wrestlers that didn’t walk out on her when WrestleCraft raided their talent.
The problem, she knew, was where are they going to run shows. Every arena that they had booked had cancelled when news of the walkout occured. She needed a place to run shows. She needed to start producing a television program. She needed to do so much to get back to where they once were. But first things first.
Scene changes to the lobby of the offices for Dream Wrestle. There are maybe a dozen folks at best standing around chatting to themselves. The elevator door opens and Shiori walks out with Yoshio in two. There is a small platform set up and a podium, which she walks over and stands behind.
“Thank you for coming. I realize that times are rough right now.”
There’s a small amount of murmuring among those attending.
“First, all contracts for those here will remain in effect. But, in order for Dream Wrestle to recover, we are going to make some changes.”
Someone yells out, “If you’re bringing in outsiders to pad the roster, I’m out.”
Shiori shakes her head, “Actually, my plan has nothing to do with that, I cannot promise I won’t sign one or two additional people. But that’s not why I’m here today. In fact, what I’m about to suggest will make you even more uncomfortable, I feel.”
The murmuring among those present began to get louder.
“It’s time to elevate you to upper card status.”
It takes a moment for this information to sink in and then suddenly everyone has something to say.
“I’ve always been a jobber! How can I be a main eventer?”
“I have negative Instagram followers! How is that even possible? And you want me to bring in fans?”
Shiori holds up her hands, “Please. If I could continue I would probably be able to answer all of your questions. I am no fool. I realize that most of you are here because WrestleCraft wouldn’t even offer you money to come to their roster. They took everyone they wanted and you are what I’m left with. I understand all of that. But, some of you became professional wrestlers to be somebody. You’ve never been given that chance and now, I am giving you that chance.”
A Canadian woman raises her hand.
“How do you expect us to overcome the labels that have been placed on us by this company in the past? Everyone sees up and knows that we lose.”
CHARLOTTE WILSON
My name is Charlotte Wilson. I’ve been a professional wrestler for about five years. I’ve spent two years in Dream Wrestle.
At the encouragement of my trainers, they recommended that I come to Japan to gain some additional training. They promised me Japan was the best place to become a better pro wrestler.
When I arrived to Dream Wrestle, the training I did receive was amazing, but on the roster, I was never considered even close to top level. The talent pool here was so big, that I found myself floundering at the bottom of the card. To be honest, I was thinking of leaving. Going back home.
But, with this circumstance, perhaps this is my time.
Perhaps it’s finally my time.
Shiori is silent for a moment before answering, “If Dream Wrestle is going to move forward, and I want it to move forward with all of my heart, then every single one of you is going to have to move forward with me. It’ll be rough at first. I cannot even promise to give anyone raises. However, if we can become successful once again, I will take care of you. Every single wrestler that drew money for this company has walked out…”
“Not everyone.”
There’s a collective gasp as everyone turns towards the entrance to the lobby and standing there is a female. A graphic tells us that this is Hurricane RUKA. She walks through the door and past the others and onto the stage.
“I didn’t walk. I did listen to his offer, but that creep gave me a bad vibe. I have decided that I will remain loyal to Dream Wrestle. They were the ones who gave me a chance and Hurricane RUKA will never walk away from that. In fact, I will take a pay cut so that my earnings are no more than the others here. I feel it’s only fair and no one needs to feel slighted. The question remains, which of you will go along with me on this ride?”
Murmuring among those still there rise and then slowly one hand rises up, then another and another until all hands are raised.
Shiori steps out from behind the podium and gives them a bow, “Thank you for trusting me with your livelihood. I will try not to let you down.” She walks over to Ruka and bows to her thankfully, “Thank you very much,” she says.
“I owe your father so much. This is the least I can do,” says Ruka as