Post by Hammersteiner on Jun 27, 2019 19:39:27 GMT -5
Hammerstein stands in front of the mirror in the dressing room of the PolloBucket Japan Tokyo Hall, preparing for his interview with Sue Tsuboi.
As he begins straightening his tie, his hands begin to tremble, slightly at first, but soon the tremors turn to full on shakes. The American Monster battles to maintain his composure as he puts his hands against the wall in efforts to stop the trembling. After several torturous moments, Hammerstein's hands still. He inhales deeply, then exhales.
He pulls his dark gray pinstripe coat on and straightens his tie before looking in the mirror. His face is stoic, resolute. No trace of the fear he feels welling up inside him. He speaks internally, rallying his spirit for the fight.
Fuck that fear.
It has no place here.
I have a destiny to fulfill. A legacy to cement. A war to wage.
A Crown to defend.
**********
Sue Tsuboi stands on the entrance ramp, the ring behind her being set up by the MAXIMUM Dojo students. She wears her customary smile as she speaks.
This Saturday, at the PolloBucket Japan Hall, MAXIMUM Wrestling present Dynamism. Four matches, including a MAXIMUM World Tag Team Championship defense. In the main event, J1 Summit winner, The Tiradore, Chris Ravenna gets his opportunity to win the Unified World Heavyweight Championship as he faces the Champion, Hammerstein.
Tsuboi holds her hand out to welcome Hammerstein to the interview position. The American Monster steps on screen, wearing a dark gray pinstripe suit, black shirt, and gray tie. The Unified Title belt is draped over his left shoulder. The sunglasses he wears do not completely hide the bruising around his eyes, reminders of his war with Nakama. Sue looks at him and nods slightly before proceeding.
Hammerstein, what are your thoughts coming off your hardest fought battle in MAXIMUM history with Nakama, and going into your match with the winner of the J1 Summit, Chris Ravenna?
Hammerstein scratches his jaw, then looks around, like he's trying to hear something.
Do you hear that, SUE2?
Tsuboi looks around, a slightly confused look on her face.
I don't hear anything.
Hammerstein smiles and pats Tsuboi's shoulder.
Exactly. It's silence. Silence from the critics, who thought I had no chance against Nakama. Silence from Arnold Cunningham. And it's silence from the AJ Knights, the Billy Danielson's, the James Edwards, and Chris Constantine Juniors, who called my legitimacy as Unified World Heavyweight Champion into question. When the referee hit the mat the third time, they had to shut their fuckin mouths, because they knew the deal.
Hammerstein pulls his sunglasses off, exposing the bruising on his face, and the still healing cuts.
They see the scars and bruises and they know that, despite the damage done, I put down the one everybody thought was the baddest motherfucker around. I showed everybody here and around the world that if you wanted to see the baddest motherfucker in MAXIMUM, then you look at this motherfucker right here!
The Unified World Heavyweight Champion's eyes narrow.
And then, Chris Ravenna, you come out, when I'm at my weakest, and you wanna make your play. You put your hands on the crown of the King of Lions, then you threw it at my feet and told me to keep it warm for you.
Hammerstein holds the title out, towards the camera.
THIS TITLE! The title that has the greatest lineage of any in this sport! The title that I bled, sweat, and paid the goddamn price for my entire career, just for the opportunity to fight for. You told me to keep it warm for you.
The American Monster smiles and shakes his head, laying the belt back in its place on his shoulder.
I don't know. Maybe you were tryin to intimidate me. Well, if that was your goal, Ravenna, then you fuckin failed. You can't intimidate me, no matter how impressive your run through the J1 Summit was. Because, as impressive as it was, all you did was fight your way to the front of the line to get your ass kicked.
Hammerstein loosens his tie and stares into the camera, his eyes full of malicious intent.
Ravenna, you call yourself Tirador, The Shooter. Well, Shooter, here I am, take your shot. You earned it. But you better aim straight and true. You'd better make it a killshot. Because you come at The King...
Hammerstein pats the Unified World Heavyweight Championship.
...you best not miss.
His case made, The Unified World Heavyweight Champion walks off set as the camera fades to black.
As he begins straightening his tie, his hands begin to tremble, slightly at first, but soon the tremors turn to full on shakes. The American Monster battles to maintain his composure as he puts his hands against the wall in efforts to stop the trembling. After several torturous moments, Hammerstein's hands still. He inhales deeply, then exhales.
He pulls his dark gray pinstripe coat on and straightens his tie before looking in the mirror. His face is stoic, resolute. No trace of the fear he feels welling up inside him. He speaks internally, rallying his spirit for the fight.
Fuck that fear.
It has no place here.
I have a destiny to fulfill. A legacy to cement. A war to wage.
A Crown to defend.
**********
Sue Tsuboi stands on the entrance ramp, the ring behind her being set up by the MAXIMUM Dojo students. She wears her customary smile as she speaks.
This Saturday, at the PolloBucket Japan Hall, MAXIMUM Wrestling present Dynamism. Four matches, including a MAXIMUM World Tag Team Championship defense. In the main event, J1 Summit winner, The Tiradore, Chris Ravenna gets his opportunity to win the Unified World Heavyweight Championship as he faces the Champion, Hammerstein.
Tsuboi holds her hand out to welcome Hammerstein to the interview position. The American Monster steps on screen, wearing a dark gray pinstripe suit, black shirt, and gray tie. The Unified Title belt is draped over his left shoulder. The sunglasses he wears do not completely hide the bruising around his eyes, reminders of his war with Nakama. Sue looks at him and nods slightly before proceeding.
Hammerstein, what are your thoughts coming off your hardest fought battle in MAXIMUM history with Nakama, and going into your match with the winner of the J1 Summit, Chris Ravenna?
Hammerstein scratches his jaw, then looks around, like he's trying to hear something.
Do you hear that, SUE2?
Tsuboi looks around, a slightly confused look on her face.
I don't hear anything.
Hammerstein smiles and pats Tsuboi's shoulder.
Exactly. It's silence. Silence from the critics, who thought I had no chance against Nakama. Silence from Arnold Cunningham. And it's silence from the AJ Knights, the Billy Danielson's, the James Edwards, and Chris Constantine Juniors, who called my legitimacy as Unified World Heavyweight Champion into question. When the referee hit the mat the third time, they had to shut their fuckin mouths, because they knew the deal.
Hammerstein pulls his sunglasses off, exposing the bruising on his face, and the still healing cuts.
They see the scars and bruises and they know that, despite the damage done, I put down the one everybody thought was the baddest motherfucker around. I showed everybody here and around the world that if you wanted to see the baddest motherfucker in MAXIMUM, then you look at this motherfucker right here!
The Unified World Heavyweight Champion's eyes narrow.
And then, Chris Ravenna, you come out, when I'm at my weakest, and you wanna make your play. You put your hands on the crown of the King of Lions, then you threw it at my feet and told me to keep it warm for you.
Hammerstein holds the title out, towards the camera.
THIS TITLE! The title that has the greatest lineage of any in this sport! The title that I bled, sweat, and paid the goddamn price for my entire career, just for the opportunity to fight for. You told me to keep it warm for you.
The American Monster smiles and shakes his head, laying the belt back in its place on his shoulder.
I don't know. Maybe you were tryin to intimidate me. Well, if that was your goal, Ravenna, then you fuckin failed. You can't intimidate me, no matter how impressive your run through the J1 Summit was. Because, as impressive as it was, all you did was fight your way to the front of the line to get your ass kicked.
Hammerstein loosens his tie and stares into the camera, his eyes full of malicious intent.
Ravenna, you call yourself Tirador, The Shooter. Well, Shooter, here I am, take your shot. You earned it. But you better aim straight and true. You'd better make it a killshot. Because you come at The King...
Hammerstein pats the Unified World Heavyweight Championship.
...you best not miss.
His case made, The Unified World Heavyweight Champion walks off set as the camera fades to black.