Post by Yujiro Fujiwara on Jul 7, 2017 9:05:11 GMT -5
*To listen to the full version of this interview, please head over to iTunes and download the latest episode of The Culture Podcast.*
Greetings everyone.
As always, I must start off with a proper introduction. For those of you all who do not know me, my name is Yujiro Fujiwara. I am a man who has traveled the world honing his craft. I am a man who was been responsible for helping to mold this next generation of wrestlers. But more pertinent to this audio log, I am the Redemption Wrestling Heavyweight Champion.
Before I touch upon this upcoming match, I feel that I must speak about my last opponent, just for a moment.
Jack Tillman, I told the world that you and I would have a match of epic portions. And while I am no mind reader, I do believe I called it, did I not? You and I stepped into that ring, and we delivered.
I do not know about you Mr. Tillman, but I am quite involved with my fans. They contact me and speak with me all the time. Do you know that my inbox reached an all time high after that match? My email was absolutely flood. And, those emails have continued to come in.
Some were saying that our match was the best of the night—some were even claiming that it a contender for best of the year.
Mr. Tillman, I’d like to say thank you. Thank you for your fierceness. Thank you for your intensity. And thank you for your effort. Others may not appreciate it, but I certainly do, yes indeed. I’d also like to tell you to keep your head up. You are a warrior, just as I am. You hate to lose, and I’m certainly sure hated having the towel thrown in for you.
However, do not despair.
I’ve taken many crucial loses here in Redemption. They sting for a time. But once that stinging has subsided, you can use those losses to build upon yourself. I implore you to do just that, sir. If you do that, and continue to work hard, then the sky's the limit for you…
—Now, let’s get down to business.
Do you believe in karma, Ms. Richards? Hmm, I’d assume woman like yourself would not. It wouldn’t fit your personal narrative. Without the thought of conviction and retribution, you are then free to cause chaos till your heart’s content..
But perhaps you should be a believer.
Ms. Richards, you and Mr. Shields pumped out a lot of negative vibes into the atmosphere. You cannot deny that. You tried to make a mockery of this company by running roughshod and doing anything that you wanted. You and Mr. Shield tried to make a mockery of this promotion with your needless shenanigans and idiotic antics. And you tried to make a mockery of me when you cost me this very championship back at Ultimate Resolve.
Key word, Ms. Richards—tried.
Tried, and yet failed.
I know that you two intended to break me. And if I were a lesser man, then perhaps you would have. Nonetheless, the cream always rises to the top and a warrior never goes out on his back—he goes out fighting.
Despite the grief you place upon me, despite the stepbacks you place in front of my feet, I was able to endure. I was able to stand tall.
And look at where I am now.
This match at Glory was handpicked by fate. It is a matter of retribution. It is a matter of comeuppance. It is a matter of you getting what is owed to you. And as you can probably imagine, I fully intend on delivering…
Hmm.
Before I transition, let me make something perfectly clear. I do not fear you, Ms. Richards. I do not fear you, I do not fear the company you keep, and I do not fear the amazing opportunity that you earned at WrestleForce.
I’ve been training harder than ever in preparation for your eventual cash in. But I’ve also been training heavily for this match at Glory. You may think of this tag team match as a bit of a precursor, if you will—I don’t plan of losing this championship until I’ve vanquished you and squandered that shot of yours.
Wouldn’t that be karma, hmm?
—And then, there is Coda.
You know ma’am, if I’m being completely honest, you remind me of Mr. Tillman. Fiery and savage with the talent to match. And I’d be remiss not to mention to mention the Japanese influence in your style.
So many positives. So much potential.
Your only fault is that you’ve aligned yourself with Ms. Richards and the like. Aye, but you do appear to be quite young. I suppose I can forgive your mirror lapse in judgement. I pray that you come to your senses soon.
Regardless, you and I shall be pitted against each other in some point during this tag team match. And you shall face the same type of fervor and vigor that your partner shall. If my match was indication of anything, it is that I shall not hold back, even if I may appreciate the person standing across for me.
Perhaps in the future, you and I shall meet in the ring one-on-one. No riff-raff. The Young Lions Champion versus the Heavyweight Champion. Hmm, that match simply sells itself, doesn’t it?
...Lastly, that leaves Mr. Cochrane.
You and I have spoken many times. There is no need for petty threats or false assurances. I know that you shall bring the fight in this match; that is all that is needed. And for that, thank you.
Well, it appears that I am out of words. And when a person runs out of words, that means he or she should shut up and act. Therefore, that is what I am going to do. Back to training.
Ashley Kruger: We are coming back from commercial break, and I’ still sitting here speaking to the Redemption Wrestling Heavyweight Champion, Yujiro Fujiwara.
Yujiro Fujiwara: It is my honor and pleasure.
Ashley Kruger: You flatter me. Now, let’s get back into the thick of things. Before the brief pause for commercials and bill paying, were telling me that it still sometimes trips you out when people refer to you as the Redemption Heavyweight Champion. Why is that?
Yujiro Fujiwara: Well, I honestly believe that said feeling of weirdness spawns from my journey here in Redemption. I’ve spoken about it many times, before I had great reservations initially about returning to the ring. However, once my decision had been made, I was determined to preform at my very best and give it all that I had in the ring. Therefore, when I came into Redemption Wrestling I had a lot of expectations that I set up for myself. And while I always had quality showings in those first few months, I definitely didn’t live up to all those expectations that I’d conjured up for myself. And in addition to letting myself down, fans and family were watching. The students of the City of Angels Wrestling Dojo watch Redemption Wrestling, to study it and to support me. I felt as if I was letting them down as well.
I remember sitting home one night as I reviewed some footage of one of my older matches. My wife was still at work. That match reminded me of who I truly was. And as I sat there, I vowed that I’d erase that man who’d come up short against Anton Chase and Trixie—I’d show the Redemptio Wrestling roster that man became a two-time world champion within his first year of the business.
However, to fully answer your question, Yujiro Fujiwara being the Redemption Wrestling Heavyweight Champion was unfathomable months and months ago, even to myself. So yes, sometimes it does trip me out, just a bit. And then I simply remind myself of my journey, what I went through, and all the work I had to put in. That normally clears things right up.
Ashley Kruger: Had you thought about quitting or just giving up?
Yujiro Fujiwara: Yes, of course. I’m not ashamed to say that thought crossed my mind a couple of times.
Ashley Kruger: So, why didn’t you just quit and run away?
Yujiro Fujiwara: Probably my pride, at least initially. No man or woman likes to be told that they can’t do something. It seemed like that every turn someone was trying to tell me that I couldn’t wrestle at a high level, couldn’t make it to the top of the company, couldn’t become a champion in Redemption. Even when I doubted myself at times, I took exception to those thoughts. I know how good I am, and what I can do in the ring. That kept me going.
And of course, I also received a great deal of support as well. My wife is one of my biggest fans; she kept me pushing. My old trainer and boss, Flex Johnson, he would speak to me and give me nuggets of advice. My family would encourage me. And the fans would show their support as well. Therefore, it came to a point where quitting really wasn’t an option anymore.
Ashley Kruger: Personal feelings aside, Matthew Shields was a champion that any upstart promotion would kill to have. He was dominant, and he was vicious. That is marketable. That sells. However, he’s not on top anymore—you are. When everything is said and done, what kind of champion will you be, Yujiro?
Yujiro Fujiwara: There’s not much I can say to dispute you there. Mr. Shields was a good champion. He performed on a high level for many, many months. Nevertheless, it is my honest brief that he became laxed and lazy. To be the best, you’ve got to constantly train to improve, strive to get better. Mr. Shield had been at the top so long, he thought he was far superior to everyone, that those simple lessons were lost upon him.
When all is said and done, people will look back on this particular Redemption Wrestling Heavyweight Championship reign and say that Yujiro Fujiwara brought honor to the title belt. People will remember a man who constantly pushed his body and skills to the limit, a man who strived to be the best that he could be. People will remember a man who fought for respect, a man who fought for the people. And lastly, people shall remember a man who gave it his all every time he stepped into the ring.
Yujiro Fujiwara: It is my honor and pleasure.
Ashley Kruger: You flatter me. Now, let’s get back into the thick of things. Before the brief pause for commercials and bill paying, were telling me that it still sometimes trips you out when people refer to you as the Redemption Heavyweight Champion. Why is that?
Yujiro Fujiwara: Well, I honestly believe that said feeling of weirdness spawns from my journey here in Redemption. I’ve spoken about it many times, before I had great reservations initially about returning to the ring. However, once my decision had been made, I was determined to preform at my very best and give it all that I had in the ring. Therefore, when I came into Redemption Wrestling I had a lot of expectations that I set up for myself. And while I always had quality showings in those first few months, I definitely didn’t live up to all those expectations that I’d conjured up for myself. And in addition to letting myself down, fans and family were watching. The students of the City of Angels Wrestling Dojo watch Redemption Wrestling, to study it and to support me. I felt as if I was letting them down as well.
I remember sitting home one night as I reviewed some footage of one of my older matches. My wife was still at work. That match reminded me of who I truly was. And as I sat there, I vowed that I’d erase that man who’d come up short against Anton Chase and Trixie—I’d show the Redemptio Wrestling roster that man became a two-time world champion within his first year of the business.
However, to fully answer your question, Yujiro Fujiwara being the Redemption Wrestling Heavyweight Champion was unfathomable months and months ago, even to myself. So yes, sometimes it does trip me out, just a bit. And then I simply remind myself of my journey, what I went through, and all the work I had to put in. That normally clears things right up.
. . .
Ashley Kruger: Had you thought about quitting or just giving up?
Yujiro Fujiwara: Yes, of course. I’m not ashamed to say that thought crossed my mind a couple of times.
Ashley Kruger: So, why didn’t you just quit and run away?
Yujiro Fujiwara: Probably my pride, at least initially. No man or woman likes to be told that they can’t do something. It seemed like that every turn someone was trying to tell me that I couldn’t wrestle at a high level, couldn’t make it to the top of the company, couldn’t become a champion in Redemption. Even when I doubted myself at times, I took exception to those thoughts. I know how good I am, and what I can do in the ring. That kept me going.
And of course, I also received a great deal of support as well. My wife is one of my biggest fans; she kept me pushing. My old trainer and boss, Flex Johnson, he would speak to me and give me nuggets of advice. My family would encourage me. And the fans would show their support as well. Therefore, it came to a point where quitting really wasn’t an option anymore.
. . .
Ashley Kruger: Personal feelings aside, Matthew Shields was a champion that any upstart promotion would kill to have. He was dominant, and he was vicious. That is marketable. That sells. However, he’s not on top anymore—you are. When everything is said and done, what kind of champion will you be, Yujiro?
Yujiro Fujiwara: There’s not much I can say to dispute you there. Mr. Shields was a good champion. He performed on a high level for many, many months. Nevertheless, it is my honest brief that he became laxed and lazy. To be the best, you’ve got to constantly train to improve, strive to get better. Mr. Shield had been at the top so long, he thought he was far superior to everyone, that those simple lessons were lost upon him.
When all is said and done, people will look back on this particular Redemption Wrestling Heavyweight Championship reign and say that Yujiro Fujiwara brought honor to the title belt. People will remember a man who constantly pushed his body and skills to the limit, a man who strived to be the best that he could be. People will remember a man who fought for respect, a man who fought for the people. And lastly, people shall remember a man who gave it his all every time he stepped into the ring.
———————
Greetings everyone.
As always, I must start off with a proper introduction. For those of you all who do not know me, my name is Yujiro Fujiwara. I am a man who has traveled the world honing his craft. I am a man who was been responsible for helping to mold this next generation of wrestlers. But more pertinent to this audio log, I am the Redemption Wrestling Heavyweight Champion.
Before I touch upon this upcoming match, I feel that I must speak about my last opponent, just for a moment.
Jack Tillman, I told the world that you and I would have a match of epic portions. And while I am no mind reader, I do believe I called it, did I not? You and I stepped into that ring, and we delivered.
I do not know about you Mr. Tillman, but I am quite involved with my fans. They contact me and speak with me all the time. Do you know that my inbox reached an all time high after that match? My email was absolutely flood. And, those emails have continued to come in.
Some were saying that our match was the best of the night—some were even claiming that it a contender for best of the year.
Mr. Tillman, I’d like to say thank you. Thank you for your fierceness. Thank you for your intensity. And thank you for your effort. Others may not appreciate it, but I certainly do, yes indeed. I’d also like to tell you to keep your head up. You are a warrior, just as I am. You hate to lose, and I’m certainly sure hated having the towel thrown in for you.
However, do not despair.
I’ve taken many crucial loses here in Redemption. They sting for a time. But once that stinging has subsided, you can use those losses to build upon yourself. I implore you to do just that, sir. If you do that, and continue to work hard, then the sky's the limit for you…
—Now, let’s get down to business.
Do you believe in karma, Ms. Richards? Hmm, I’d assume woman like yourself would not. It wouldn’t fit your personal narrative. Without the thought of conviction and retribution, you are then free to cause chaos till your heart’s content..
But perhaps you should be a believer.
Ms. Richards, you and Mr. Shields pumped out a lot of negative vibes into the atmosphere. You cannot deny that. You tried to make a mockery of this company by running roughshod and doing anything that you wanted. You and Mr. Shield tried to make a mockery of this promotion with your needless shenanigans and idiotic antics. And you tried to make a mockery of me when you cost me this very championship back at Ultimate Resolve.
Key word, Ms. Richards—tried.
Tried, and yet failed.
I know that you two intended to break me. And if I were a lesser man, then perhaps you would have. Nonetheless, the cream always rises to the top and a warrior never goes out on his back—he goes out fighting.
Despite the grief you place upon me, despite the stepbacks you place in front of my feet, I was able to endure. I was able to stand tall.
And look at where I am now.
This match at Glory was handpicked by fate. It is a matter of retribution. It is a matter of comeuppance. It is a matter of you getting what is owed to you. And as you can probably imagine, I fully intend on delivering…
Hmm.
Before I transition, let me make something perfectly clear. I do not fear you, Ms. Richards. I do not fear you, I do not fear the company you keep, and I do not fear the amazing opportunity that you earned at WrestleForce.
I’ve been training harder than ever in preparation for your eventual cash in. But I’ve also been training heavily for this match at Glory. You may think of this tag team match as a bit of a precursor, if you will—I don’t plan of losing this championship until I’ve vanquished you and squandered that shot of yours.
Wouldn’t that be karma, hmm?
—And then, there is Coda.
You know ma’am, if I’m being completely honest, you remind me of Mr. Tillman. Fiery and savage with the talent to match. And I’d be remiss not to mention to mention the Japanese influence in your style.
So many positives. So much potential.
Your only fault is that you’ve aligned yourself with Ms. Richards and the like. Aye, but you do appear to be quite young. I suppose I can forgive your mirror lapse in judgement. I pray that you come to your senses soon.
Regardless, you and I shall be pitted against each other in some point during this tag team match. And you shall face the same type of fervor and vigor that your partner shall. If my match was indication of anything, it is that I shall not hold back, even if I may appreciate the person standing across for me.
Perhaps in the future, you and I shall meet in the ring one-on-one. No riff-raff. The Young Lions Champion versus the Heavyweight Champion. Hmm, that match simply sells itself, doesn’t it?
...Lastly, that leaves Mr. Cochrane.
You and I have spoken many times. There is no need for petty threats or false assurances. I know that you shall bring the fight in this match; that is all that is needed. And for that, thank you.
Well, it appears that I am out of words. And when a person runs out of words, that means he or she should shut up and act. Therefore, that is what I am going to do. Back to training.
