GONG!
Billy Fields: “Hello, everybody, I’m Billy Fields and I’m ecstatic to be backstage here at the Gund Arena. Joining me at this time is the representative of Shujin Yama, Sensei Abe Lincoln.
The sensei, clad in his typical tuxedo and black bowler hat, steps into the frame next to Big Joe.
Sensei Abe Lincoln: Ah! You again Billy-San!
Lincoln rubs his seedy little hands together and spits on the ground.
Lincoln: No respect!
Fields clearly spikes the camera, and searches for reassurance from someone on the other side before continuing.
Fields: Sensei Lincoln, tonight your associate Shujin Yama will compete against five other men in a bid to crown the first Premier American Champion here in Classic Wrestling. You’ve got to be feeling pretty confident going into a battle royal that would seemingly play directly into your associate’s strengths?
Lincoln: Confidence is guaranteed, mmhmm. But as you know, Billy-San, this match about more than just pretty American championship. This match about respect. This match about Shujin Yama making example of each of so-called ‘men’ in that ring.
Fields: Yes, you’ve mentioned that a couple of times over the past few weeks. Talk us through that. What is the disrespect that you and your associate claim you’ve suffered.
Lincoln: Think back, Billy-San, to very first episode of Classic Wrestling. Shujin Yama attacked in effort to give Rich K. Hunt advantage. But Shujin Yama prevailed, mmhmm. Shuin Yama won first ever main event in Classic Wrestling history. So what happened next? Do you know?
Fields: You mean in the Real World’s Championship tournament?
Lincoln: Mmhmm, Shujin Yama not in main event. And then, Shujin Yama cheated by Johnny-San. I filed complaint against Johnny-San with Classic Wrestling, but no action taken, Billy-San! This disrespect to Shujin Yama allowed to continue.
FIelds: JSN is out of the tournament too now…
Lincoln: Doesn’t matter! Disrespect allowed! Disrespect continues! Shujin Yama’s prayer altar tucked away inside janitor’s closet. How is he supposed to fit in there, mmhmm?! Disrespectful! And then, to ask Shujin Yama to team with Randall-San… Shujin Yama did not need to be defeated in order to lose. Shujin Yama was not defeated!
Fields: You’re referring of course to Randall Schwartz tagging himself in during their match against Carlos Ruiz and Vito Valentino on the last episode of Classic Wrestling television.
Lincoln: Randall-San did not listen to Shujin Yama! Randall-San disrespected Shujin Yama! And now Shujin Yama has loss on record that should not be there. But tonight… tonight Shujin Yama has chance to hold not just Randall-San to account, but all of Classic Wrestling. Five men at once? Shujin Yama works better alone.
Fields: What of this promise that he has made should he not be successful? I was there when he said it. He promised a vow of silence.
The sensei chuckles, though it sounds more like a cackle.
Lincoln: As you said, Shujin Yama very confident. But Shujin Yama very proud, and very angry. Let me tell you this, Billy-San… a quiet Shujin Yama is even more dangerous. You know how dangerous Shujin Yama is, now imagine not knowing what he is thinking. Unpredictable. Impenetrable. Shujin Yama will take vow of silence if he is wronged again. And that vow will lead to waging war on all of Classic Wrestling. If needed. But tonight… tonight it won’t be needed. Tonight is chance for new commissioner of Classic Wrestling, Griffin-San, to ensure Shujin Yama walks out as Premier American Champion. To restore order of things. The order of Yama.
And with that, Sensei Abe Lincoln walks off screen, leaving Fields alone in front of the camera.
Fields: You heard that right, folks! If Shujin Yama believes he has been cheated again here tonight, he is promising to take a vow of silence! And his associate tells us that would be a very bad thing for all of us. Let’s hope it won’t come to that! Back to you at ringside!