Matsuki Holdings Press Conference - June 2018

[OrochiGeese]

The camera opens to a press conference room in what appears to be a luxury hotel. There is a long table set-up where RYOMA, Kazuo "Chrome" Saji, and Tetsu Gushiken are seated. At the podium in the middle of the table is Miss Asako Matsuki. There are a number of reporters in the audience as well a mixture of pro wrestling and anime fans.*


[Asako:] "Yes yes, everyone let's begin! Hello to many reporters and fans! This is exciting time for Matsuki Holdings which plans to revolutionize the world of professional wrestling and animation in 2018!"


*Some of the reporters that cover pro wrestling look confused at the last statement.*


[Asako:] "My first of two announcements today is that members of Matsuki Holdings are joining the world of heroes and animation! This Fall will feature the TV debut of 'Matsuki MECH' - a hybrid of live action and animation starring the characters and voices of all Matsuki Holdings members as well as many allies from other promotions!!"

*A flurry of activity is seen from the crowd with many taking vigorous notes.*

[Asako:] "Please be excited for this! We spent all of last year preparing for this project and are ready to show some samples!! Please turn attention to the screen in back of me to see pictures of RYOMA, Kazuo Saji, and Tetsu Gushiken in their regular ring attire and then how their Matsuki MECH suits look! All MECH suit battles will be animated!"


Matsuki MECH Leader: RYOMA








Matsuki MECH: Kazuo Saji







Matsuki MECH: Tetsu Gushiken







*There is a huge reaction and almost every hand in the audience shoots up. Asako smiles at the reaction but then gets impatient as she realizes the incoming amount of questions.*

[Asako:] "I will answer five questions, no more!!"

[Q1:] "What's with the hands? Are they like...light bulbs or green screen stand-ins or something?"

[Asako:] "No! They are laser cannons! But they can also mighty morph and turn into fists of combat!"

[Q2:] "You mentioned guest stars? Like who?"

[Asako:] "Connor Cipris will be reoccurring guest star. He wrestles with Kazuo Saji in SWA. He will be a honorary member of the Matsuki MECH team. Nobu Nakazawa will make rare appearance as RYOMA sensei. RYOMA leader of MECH team but even leader need sage advice! All Joshi members of Matsuki Holdings in show too, including Yoshi Hattori and Narai Kaeo. Hae-Won and Sako have Matsuki MECH units like RYOMA, Kazuo, and Tetsu. It is five member permanent team with rest of our team, including me, working at headquarters. Connor has his own MECH unit too."

[Q3:] "Will the women have the same type of suits or more shapely ones... ?"

[Asako:] "All Matsuki MECH units are designed same way! No fan service! All members of Matsuki MECH team play equal role in fighting evil! They save world! No time for harem!"

*Kazuo Saji starts laughing hysterically until Asako hits him with a rolled up newspaper.*

[Q4:] "Okay...wait... so this is a live action show with animated robot fights? What?"

[Asako:] "First they are MECHS! Not robots, not cyborgs! MECHS! Second, you know actual place in world to get mechanical suits for real MECH fights? You get MECHS with antigravity and laser powers? No! You idiot! Of course they animated! All of the fights in the Matsuki MECH suits are animated and use voices of our team. Everything else is live action, including drama and many fighting scenes. Matsuki Holdings have top wrestlers and top actors!"

[Q5:] "Speaking of, will this abomin....uh, show get in the way of their wrestling schedules?"

[Asako:] "No! The first two seasons already done! Matsuki Holdings members ready to wrestle! I will talk about that soon. Just know that Matsuki MECH will put us on map in whole new way. Please watch every episode, buy all merchandise, and help our team be role models to the world! It's up to you to help Matsuki MECH and participate in justice!! But now we take coffee break until next announcement. Even heroes need refreshments and refreshening!

Come back in fifteen minutes or Matsuki MECH suit track you!"





*The fifteen minute break begins as RYOMA, Kazuo, and Tetsu get hounded by autographs by starstruck anime fans. Saji signs the bulk of them, especially for the female fans. Tetsu has his female fans too but is shy in dealing with them. RYOMA has a line out the door of shonen fans. Finally, Asako returns to the podium and ends the autograph session.*

[OrochiGeese]

[Asako:] "There will another time for more hero worship! But now I must announce the creation of a new 'Matsuki Mobile' show! The full card will be given soon but I assure you that all of our representatives here will be involced.  First, I would like to discuss a match that is UBL sanctioned. We are very happy that UBL has returned to Japan!"


*All of the assembled crowd give a standing ovation to that statement.*


[Asako:] "I have talked to Sergeant Yoshida and he will allow Tetsu Gushiken's first round match against JET Hamada in the Circuit Title Tournament to occur on this Matsuki Mobile show! Tetsu, come up and brag how you win!"


*Tetsu looks surprised that he was called out but Kazuo lightly punches him in the shoulder and smiles while whispering - "come on, we worked on this - do yo thang." Tetsu nods and comes up to the podium with purpose but also humility.*


[Tetsu:] "I claim victory for Matsuki Holdings because I will bring honor in a great match against JET Hamada."


*A member of the pro wrestling press corps raises his hand and Asako calls on him to talk.*


[PC1:] "Are you guaranteeing victory in your match? That is bold with the Circuit Title already on the line as an incentive, especially since JET is going to be extra motivated to beat you after the way you pinned him in the Battle Royale."


*Tetsu looks flustered at the question.*


[Tetsu:] "No, I do not mean that. I apologize. I do not guarantee that I will win the match, just that I will compete at my best. That is how I will achieve victory.  Please do not misunderstand -  I have much respect for JET Hamada which is why I targeted him in the Battle Royale, rather than leaving his elimination to chance by other, untested opponents.  JET and I have sparred before so I know what he is capable of. This may seem bold, and I mean no disrespect to the other competitors, but I have no doubt that my match with JET will be the best one of the entire Circuit Title Tournament."


*Another member of the press stands up.*


[PC2:] "There's something I don't understand though.  Honestly, this has been bothering me a lot since Base 11 suddenly aired last week. On the UBL show right before its hiatus, the April 22nd show from last year, you earned yourself a shot at the NEXUS Championship by eliminating Matt Rivers by submission in a contender Battle Royale. You didn't get the shot that night, because Brandr Hoff got it by pinning you, but Matt promised you a shot in the future. Why compete for the Circuit Title when you could have a NEXUS Title match against Matt Rivers, who would certainly honor that promise? You say that you don't want to disrespect anyone else, but isn't it disrespectful to Matt Rivers, and everyone that challenges for the NEXUS Championship, to not take a Title shot when it's given to you but compete for a completely new Title instead?"


*The crowd oohs in response. Tetsu looks flustered at this question, specifically how to answer it, but he looks over to RYOMA who motions for him to take some deep breaths. A few seconds later, looking collected, Tetsu responds.*


[Tetsu:] "It is a good question but no disrespect is intended. Matt Rivers can tell you how much respect I have for him. Although he is a rival to everyone in this group he is also a friend. There are two reasons why I am competing right now for the Circuit Title rather than the NEXUS Title. One of them will become clear in a few minutes when more of the Mobile card is revealed. But the second reason is that my ultimate show of respect to Matt Rivers is to follow in his footsteps."


[PC2:] "How so?"


[Tetsu:] "When Matt Rivers was the Field Leader of the Front Lines, he got to regularly compete against everyone in that division.  And each time he became NEXUS Champion, he defended his Title more than any UBL champion of the past. Matt's legacy in the UBL is building the worth of Championships by defending them frequently and against the best competitors. The potential to follow that legacy has been established in the Circuit Title - a Title that Matt himself had a role in designing. This is a Title meant to earn prestige by being defended. It is the Title with the spirit of Matt Rivers. Facing him would be an honor, but following his example would be the greatest achievement in my career. I want the opportunity to be the first wrestler to carry and defend the Circuit Title, and I want to bring it to Matsuki Holdings."


[PC2:] "I respect that and think you answered my question. Thanks and good luck to you."


*Tetsu bows and quickly returns to his seat, where Kazuo and RYOMA each pat him on the back.*


[Asako:] "We are currently negotiating a match for Kazuo Saji with a promotion other than UB-"


[PC1:] "So this Matsuki Mobile isn't officially Matsuki vs. Universa-"


[Asako:] "IT'S RUDE TO INTERRUPT!!"


[PC1:] "Sorry."


*Asako collects herself and smiles.*


[Asako:] "Apology accepted. And no, this particular Matsuki Mobile event is not paired with one specific group or promotion like these shows have been in the past. Rather, each match is centered around the current opportunities of each of our representatives featured. That is why Kazuo Saji will not be facing a UBL opponent. Although he is signed to a UBL contract, right now he is focusing on matches in other promotions, such as SWA where he is the Aftermath Champion. His current participation in UBL will be limited to opening shows and hosting his 'Chrome Dome' interview segment."


[PC1:] "UBL is a big promotion. There are plenty of opportunities for him there. Why hold him at bay?"


[Asako:] "Strategy."


[PC1:] "...okay. Care to elaborate on that?"


[Asako:] "No!  Moving on, I would like to call up RYOMA to announce his hopeful match."


*RYOMA stands up and moves to the podium, where he bows to Asako and then the crowd.*


[RYOMA:] "Opportunity has dawned again with the return of the UBL.  In December of 2016, Nobu and I relinquished our Universal Battalion Championships after remaining undefeated for years. I am now ready to return to my singles career chasing the NEXUS Title. Fortune favors the bold and respect is only earned when aggressive measures are taken. However, as Miss Matsuki has taught me - to truly get what you want, you must offer up something of value in return.


Matt Rivers - for the past year you have endured the cruelest fate a Champion like you could suffer. Due to the absence of UBL, you were unable to defend your NEXUS Title or watch new worthy contenders rise up to face you. Although my student Tetsu earned a shot, you defeated everyone else in your path after regaining your Championship against Joachim.


I am not the same man I was when you defeated me 7 years ago to defend your Field Leader Title. Now I am a Warrior.  But you have long acknowledged me as your toughest opponent, even from facing me at that early point in my career. It is time that we test each other again, and it is time that I come for the greatest prize the UBL offers.

I know you will defend your NEXUS Championship at Lunar Eclipse of the Heart in October. 

So I will now make more than a challenge to you for that event, but a promise. By the time we could face each other on that show, I'll be worthy to challenge for your Title because I will bring a value that will be impossible for you to resist. 

That is because, in the main event of Matsuki Mobile this summer, I challenge Geese Walker to face me.  

Matt, once I defeat Geese, you will yearn to defeat me to prove you are still the best in the UBL."


*Hushed sounds are heard from the crowd.*


[RYOMA:] "Geese has returned to professional wrestling but not to his original home in the Universal Battle League.  Therefore, if he accepts my challenge, it will not be an officially UBL-sanctioned match. That is fine.  I am not challenging him as a fellow contender to the NEXUS Title. I am challenging him so I can defeat a legend in this sport. I am challenging him as a fellow warrior whose abilities I respect.  And I am challenging him as a man whom Matt Rivers respects.


I am also challenging Geese as a wrestler who recently returned to FPCPP in top form to defeat an old rival, Sonny X. A victory over Geese Walker would prove to Matt Rivers that I am the Warrior that I say I am, and that he must defend his NEXUS Championship against me in order to move forward as the ultimate competitor that we both know he is.


However, I make one more request of Matt Rivers than just a NEXUS Title match with him.


Matt, we both watched Thunder Strike defeat Barton Miller at Base 11 last week. It is clear that Thunder Strike is as strong a competitor, a wrestler, and a warrior as he ever was before. Thunder Strike has long been thought of as Geese Walker's equal. Therefore Matt, if you grant me a NEXUS Title match after I defeat Geese, I want you to challenge and defeat Thunder Strike so that you may experience the same trial by fire training for our match as I will have.


Matt Rivers - it is time for you and I to have our next battle in our rivalry and it is time for me to finally earn my first NEXUS Championship. But, perhaps more importantly, it is also time for our generation to rise up and show the UBL that we are the main event now because we are the best, and not just because the old legends have stopped competing with a a full time schedule and mentality. A few years ago, Geese retired and Thunder Strike became the Head of UBL security. You and I have both heard the doubts as to whether the rise of men like us is due to our merit or their absence. Let us silence those voices and prove that we are the best in the UBL, and then face each other for the ultimate prize."


*RYOMA bows and then walks back to his seat.*


[Asako:] "Geese Walker, do you accept the challenge of RYOMA to wrestle him in the main event of Matsuki Mobile!? The world is waiting to hear! Maybe we even work out deal to animate you in Matsuki MECH suit for an episode too!


That's it everyone, we done! We see you soon for Matsuki Mobile!"


*The camera fades as interviewers attempt to ask questions only for the Matsuki Holdings members to leave, led by Asako. RYOMA has a more stoic than usual look on his face as he leaves.*