Post by hammerstein on Sept 11, 2018 22:01:19 GMT -5
Sue Tsuboi walks up the dirt path to the cottage on Nokonoshima Island. The Cockspur Coral Trees that line each side of the path provide cool shade from the warm midday sun.
Though she has visited the island before, she's still taken with its beauty. Dahlias and Crimson Sage cover the meadow next to the cottage, while the sound of the waves from Hakata Bay crashing on the shore provide a calming background rhythm.
Sue walks around the side of the cottage, where she sees Jacob Hammerstein standing, watching the Bay. She feels more than a little guilty for disturbing the serenity with her camera crew. Hammerstein turns to her, a slight smile on his face.
Sue, hi. How ya been?
I am well, Mr. Hammerstein. ( Sue gestures towards the camera crew.) Do you mind?
Hammerstein shakes his head.
Nah. But let's go sit on the veranda. We can have coffee.
After a few moments, the camera crew is set up. Sue takes a sip of coffee, then begins.
Hello, I am Sue Tsuboi, and I am here on Nokonoshima Island with The American Monster, Hammerstein. Mr. Hammerstein, you had a very good J1 Summit, almost winning it all. What are your thoughts on the J1 Summit, after you have had time to think about it?
Hammerstein takes a drink from his cup and rubs his cheek.
I'm very disappointed over my loss. I had a lot of momentum goin into the finals. It just wasn't enough. People have been telling me that I won a moral victory by gaining the respect of the Japanese fans. Well, moral victories don't pay the bills, but the response of the fans made the flight home a little easier.
Yes, the crowd was definitely won over by your fighting spirit. How do you feel about the shift in their reaction to you?
It was surreal. It felt almost like Rocky IV, where he wins the Russian crowd over. Honestly, I’m humbled by their reaction. I feel as if I showed them that, despite what ZENKI and the Demon Brigade may say, not all of us are here to dishonor their heritage and traditions. To go from the fans throwing air fresheners at me to cheering and chanting my name, yeah, humbling is about the only word I can use to describe it.
Now, with the Attack of the Castle tour approaching, you find yourself teaming with those who you have rivalries against. What are your feelings on that?
Hammerstein runs his fingers through his hair, then takes another sip of coffee.
It’s not something I'm really thrilled about, but I pride myself in the fact that when I'm in the ring in a tag team match, I'm one-hundred percent a part of whatever team I'm part of. None of my partners have anything to worry about. I won't kick their asses….
Hammerstein grins slyly.
….during the match.
Is there anything you'd like to say to your opponents and partners, many of whom are engaging in the Max-J/Lion’s Road war?
Hammerstein chuckles a bit, then his demeanor turns serious.
The J1 Summit was just the beginnin. I'm ready to step it up on this tour. Whether you're my partner or my opponent, you're gonna get the one-hundred percent, undiluted American Monster.
Arnold Cunningham, you and Sprout can keep tellin themselves I'm scared, but step to me and I will cut you down.
Billy Danielson, me and you go back a ways, brother, back to The Horsemen days. But if you try to backstab me, I will turn your fuckin lights out.
Alexander Irvine, you and me got ZENKI and GRIM. If you work with me, we can beat ‘em. If you work against me, I'll kick the fuckin TRT outta your old ass.
I don't give a damn if you're reppin Lion’s Road or Max-J.
Hammerstein’s eyes burn with intensity.
I'm not a part of this war, but I will go to war against anyone and everyone on this tour that stands in my way.
The WALL can go to hell. The Demon Brigade can go to hell. And if Lion’s Road or Max-J have a problem with me, they can go to hell, too. I'm not reppin Lion’s Road, and I'm not reppin Max-J.
I'm reppin Jacob Fuckin Hammerstein.
Hammerstein downs his coffee, gets up and walks back to the spot overlooking Hakata Bay where Sue found him.
Though she has visited the island before, she's still taken with its beauty. Dahlias and Crimson Sage cover the meadow next to the cottage, while the sound of the waves from Hakata Bay crashing on the shore provide a calming background rhythm.
Sue walks around the side of the cottage, where she sees Jacob Hammerstein standing, watching the Bay. She feels more than a little guilty for disturbing the serenity with her camera crew. Hammerstein turns to her, a slight smile on his face.
Sue, hi. How ya been?
I am well, Mr. Hammerstein. ( Sue gestures towards the camera crew.) Do you mind?
Hammerstein shakes his head.
Nah. But let's go sit on the veranda. We can have coffee.
After a few moments, the camera crew is set up. Sue takes a sip of coffee, then begins.
Hello, I am Sue Tsuboi, and I am here on Nokonoshima Island with The American Monster, Hammerstein. Mr. Hammerstein, you had a very good J1 Summit, almost winning it all. What are your thoughts on the J1 Summit, after you have had time to think about it?
Hammerstein takes a drink from his cup and rubs his cheek.
I'm very disappointed over my loss. I had a lot of momentum goin into the finals. It just wasn't enough. People have been telling me that I won a moral victory by gaining the respect of the Japanese fans. Well, moral victories don't pay the bills, but the response of the fans made the flight home a little easier.
Yes, the crowd was definitely won over by your fighting spirit. How do you feel about the shift in their reaction to you?
It was surreal. It felt almost like Rocky IV, where he wins the Russian crowd over. Honestly, I’m humbled by their reaction. I feel as if I showed them that, despite what ZENKI and the Demon Brigade may say, not all of us are here to dishonor their heritage and traditions. To go from the fans throwing air fresheners at me to cheering and chanting my name, yeah, humbling is about the only word I can use to describe it.
Now, with the Attack of the Castle tour approaching, you find yourself teaming with those who you have rivalries against. What are your feelings on that?
Hammerstein runs his fingers through his hair, then takes another sip of coffee.
It’s not something I'm really thrilled about, but I pride myself in the fact that when I'm in the ring in a tag team match, I'm one-hundred percent a part of whatever team I'm part of. None of my partners have anything to worry about. I won't kick their asses….
Hammerstein grins slyly.
….during the match.
Is there anything you'd like to say to your opponents and partners, many of whom are engaging in the Max-J/Lion’s Road war?
Hammerstein chuckles a bit, then his demeanor turns serious.
The J1 Summit was just the beginnin. I'm ready to step it up on this tour. Whether you're my partner or my opponent, you're gonna get the one-hundred percent, undiluted American Monster.
Arnold Cunningham, you and Sprout can keep tellin themselves I'm scared, but step to me and I will cut you down.
Billy Danielson, me and you go back a ways, brother, back to The Horsemen days. But if you try to backstab me, I will turn your fuckin lights out.
Alexander Irvine, you and me got ZENKI and GRIM. If you work with me, we can beat ‘em. If you work against me, I'll kick the fuckin TRT outta your old ass.
I don't give a damn if you're reppin Lion’s Road or Max-J.
Hammerstein’s eyes burn with intensity.
I'm not a part of this war, but I will go to war against anyone and everyone on this tour that stands in my way.
The WALL can go to hell. The Demon Brigade can go to hell. And if Lion’s Road or Max-J have a problem with me, they can go to hell, too. I'm not reppin Lion’s Road, and I'm not reppin Max-J.
I'm reppin Jacob Fuckin Hammerstein.
Hammerstein downs his coffee, gets up and walks back to the spot overlooking Hakata Bay where Sue found him.