Inspire (NPW RP #2)
Feb 14, 2021 23:15:51 GMT -5
via mobile
Mongo the Destroyer, Eron Hunter, and 1 more like this
Post by MYŌJIN on Feb 14, 2021 23:15:51 GMT -5
“Hi and welcome! I’m Shouta. Brother of Satoshi, obviously your teacher. You might know me as MYOJIN.”
He stood on a mat in the middle of the Kuromiya family gym, which had recently reopened to the public. In front of him were about five to ten students, ranging from older teenagers to young adults. They all sat seated with their legs crossed, watching him intently. His brother that stood off to the side was an ex-MMA fighter who had decided to start using the gym as a place to train some rookies. This was officially the first day… and Satoshi had asked the blonde for a favor- to give an impromptu seminar. After all, having an XHF champion that had been growing more and more popular ever since last year do a bit of teaching would be beneficial.
“And I’ll.. be honest, I’m still learning things myself, so I’m not sure I’ll be that great at this.” A little laugh left from his lips as some smiles and humored snorts came from the group watching,
He found himself losing focus. His mind was sidetracked- thinking about the NPW show that loomed closer and closer. Eron Hunter, for some reason, felt like he’d be a much more different opponent to fight against than anyone before- but now he was getting off track.
“Before we start today, everyone… knows what it’s like to experience failure, right? I’m sure you all have failed a test at school at one point, or maybe there’s a game that you’re playing where there’s just that one boss you can’t seem to get past. Maybe you didn’t get the job you wanted. It happens and it blows and a lot of times you can feel so down that you don’t want to try again. I’ve been there. We all have been there... And learning martial arts isn’t any different.”
“I’m letting every single one of you know right now- This isn’t Cobra Kai, none of this is as easy as it looks, and you won’t become an unstoppable force overnight. This? This takes hard work, resolve, and most importantly- passion. You’re going to get frustrated at times. You’re going to lose some sparring practices, some tournaments, and if you pursue this professionally- some actual matches. You’re going to get knocked down, that’s inevitable…”
“Though what really counts the most? Is if you get back up.”
Shouta began pacing across the mat, looking at the group that he had now caught the undivided attention of. “There’s this idea, this stigma, that if you aren’t 6’5” and built like a Greek sculpture or taking performance-enhancing drugs- you won’t get anywhere when it comes to this. If you don’t win the genetic lottery, you won't make it as a mixed martial artist… or even in my case, a wrestler. I hate that mindset greatly.”
“Sure, those things matter- but this.” He placed a hand to his chest; his heart.
“I think this matters the most. I'm not superhuman. I'm shorter than most people I've fought, I have a soft face, my body doesn't naturally build up a lot of muscle mass- but I have heart, I have ambition. I've been taken off my feet and have lost more times than I'd honestly like to admit, but I've dusted myself off and learned. It's why I've gotten this far. It's why I'll continue going- and I think that's the most important lesson I could ever pass on, more so than how to properly apply a leg lock or throw a roundhouse kick.”
The blonde then clasped his hands together, taking a few moments of silence with a warm smile growing back on his face. “Now- The pep talk is over, who's ready to learn how to effectively kick ass?”
The students all gave a motivated, loud affirmation. Shouta turned to his brother, who was grinning back at him. He had done a good job.
Sometime after the session had ended and everyone left, Shouta stood with his older brother as they closed up. “I can't thank you enough for the help today, man, seriously.”
“Hm? It's no big deal. Learning how to cut a promo helps.” He responded humbly.
“Nah, nah, I mean... You really connected with all of them. I think you really underestimate how much your words can mean to them… You know you're kind of inspiring right? XHF is a pretty big place and you're starting to really stand out more and more.”
“I saw how you connected with them today. You're inspiring, Shouta. More than you think. Fans are paying attention to what you say and what you do. Use that wisely, lil bro.” Satoshi patted him on the shoulder.
“You're giving me way too much credit.”
“You don't give yourself enough.” His older brother gave him a wink before heading to the back.
Shouta stood still thinking, processing those words. Processing those words.
Eron, you aren't wrong about our differences.
When I first started wrestling, I was doing it in search for approval. I felt like I couldn't escape the shadows that my brother, sister, and father's success cast. I saw this as a chance to finally carve my own path. To prove any doubts, coming from detractors and even my own mind sometimes wrong. This was my world. This was my freedom. It still is.
But it's more than that now though.
Where you are wrong, however, is that you think I still fight for the same reasons only. That I'm only here trying to impress my family who is already proud of my accomplishments. You don't know me as well as you think that you do.
Recently, I've learned something. That I'm not just fighting for my ego's sake, or even just for the Junior Heavyweight title's prestige to be restored. I'm here because I want to inspire. In a time where many could use hope and something to look forward to, I want to be that hope.
I've made an entire career of punching upwards and exceeding while doing it. Breaking molds and subverting stereotypes all the while being told that I'm not capable of going the distance, that I just don't have what it takes- Just to show to everyone that has tried to put me down that they I won't be stopped. It's in my nature to defy the odds in front of me. Many times I've failed to succeed, many times have I felt like the road ahead gets harder and harder to continue going down. It's felt tiring, sometimes even soul-crushing. But do you know why I haven't stopped?
Because I LOVE this.
I LOVE wrestling. I LOVE being able to put smiles on faces and leave people satisfied. I LOVE pushing myself to my limit every time I get in a ring. I LOVE fighting with my heart on my sleeve.
I'm a struggler. A survivor. A stubborn “pretty boy” from San Diego who just doesn't know when to quit. No matter what you do or what you say, it will NEVER make me give in...
And it seems like many XHF fans have resonated with that. People who have been told that they can't accomplish their dreams because of the color of their skin, who they love, and what they believe in. With every win, every defense- I see and hear their support, I see their happiness, I see that I can make people happy and let it be known that someone can do anything and be anything that they want, no matter what anyone else says. This title is more than just the physical embodiment of prestigious history, it's a platform. A platform to spread a message, a platform to make a change.
That alone makes the hits I take, the blood I spill, the injuries I power through worth it.
And there's no chance I'm letting you stop me, Eron. Your spirit is unbreakable, but as you said- You ARE beatable. You're not the only one coming into this with everything on the line. You and I? We're going to speak the language of wrestling, with our beliefs and our motivations empowering every punch and kick we throw at each other. When the dust settles, then we'll know who is truly stronger- and who is truly worthy of having this platform.
So, at Vicious Valentine"s, I dedicate the absolute hell I'll give Eron Hunter to everyone at home right now. To everyone that has believed in me, to everyone that hasn't caved in and is still chasing their dreams, to everyone that is still holding on despite how unfair life has been recently.
You all matter. Thank you for being as determined as you all are.
Every single last one of you inspire me to keep on going and to keep coming back for me.
I will do my best to win for you.
He stood on a mat in the middle of the Kuromiya family gym, which had recently reopened to the public. In front of him were about five to ten students, ranging from older teenagers to young adults. They all sat seated with their legs crossed, watching him intently. His brother that stood off to the side was an ex-MMA fighter who had decided to start using the gym as a place to train some rookies. This was officially the first day… and Satoshi had asked the blonde for a favor- to give an impromptu seminar. After all, having an XHF champion that had been growing more and more popular ever since last year do a bit of teaching would be beneficial.
“And I’ll.. be honest, I’m still learning things myself, so I’m not sure I’ll be that great at this.” A little laugh left from his lips as some smiles and humored snorts came from the group watching,
He found himself losing focus. His mind was sidetracked- thinking about the NPW show that loomed closer and closer. Eron Hunter, for some reason, felt like he’d be a much more different opponent to fight against than anyone before- but now he was getting off track.
“Before we start today, everyone… knows what it’s like to experience failure, right? I’m sure you all have failed a test at school at one point, or maybe there’s a game that you’re playing where there’s just that one boss you can’t seem to get past. Maybe you didn’t get the job you wanted. It happens and it blows and a lot of times you can feel so down that you don’t want to try again. I’ve been there. We all have been there... And learning martial arts isn’t any different.”
“I’m letting every single one of you know right now- This isn’t Cobra Kai, none of this is as easy as it looks, and you won’t become an unstoppable force overnight. This? This takes hard work, resolve, and most importantly- passion. You’re going to get frustrated at times. You’re going to lose some sparring practices, some tournaments, and if you pursue this professionally- some actual matches. You’re going to get knocked down, that’s inevitable…”
“Though what really counts the most? Is if you get back up.”
Shouta began pacing across the mat, looking at the group that he had now caught the undivided attention of. “There’s this idea, this stigma, that if you aren’t 6’5” and built like a Greek sculpture or taking performance-enhancing drugs- you won’t get anywhere when it comes to this. If you don’t win the genetic lottery, you won't make it as a mixed martial artist… or even in my case, a wrestler. I hate that mindset greatly.”
“Sure, those things matter- but this.” He placed a hand to his chest; his heart.
“I think this matters the most. I'm not superhuman. I'm shorter than most people I've fought, I have a soft face, my body doesn't naturally build up a lot of muscle mass- but I have heart, I have ambition. I've been taken off my feet and have lost more times than I'd honestly like to admit, but I've dusted myself off and learned. It's why I've gotten this far. It's why I'll continue going- and I think that's the most important lesson I could ever pass on, more so than how to properly apply a leg lock or throw a roundhouse kick.”
The blonde then clasped his hands together, taking a few moments of silence with a warm smile growing back on his face. “Now- The pep talk is over, who's ready to learn how to effectively kick ass?”
The students all gave a motivated, loud affirmation. Shouta turned to his brother, who was grinning back at him. He had done a good job.
Later…
Sometime after the session had ended and everyone left, Shouta stood with his older brother as they closed up. “I can't thank you enough for the help today, man, seriously.”
“Hm? It's no big deal. Learning how to cut a promo helps.” He responded humbly.
“Nah, nah, I mean... You really connected with all of them. I think you really underestimate how much your words can mean to them… You know you're kind of inspiring right? XHF is a pretty big place and you're starting to really stand out more and more.”
“I saw how you connected with them today. You're inspiring, Shouta. More than you think. Fans are paying attention to what you say and what you do. Use that wisely, lil bro.” Satoshi patted him on the shoulder.
“You're giving me way too much credit.”
“You don't give yourself enough.” His older brother gave him a wink before heading to the back.
Shouta stood still thinking, processing those words. Processing those words.
Eron, you aren't wrong about our differences.
When I first started wrestling, I was doing it in search for approval. I felt like I couldn't escape the shadows that my brother, sister, and father's success cast. I saw this as a chance to finally carve my own path. To prove any doubts, coming from detractors and even my own mind sometimes wrong. This was my world. This was my freedom. It still is.
But it's more than that now though.
Where you are wrong, however, is that you think I still fight for the same reasons only. That I'm only here trying to impress my family who is already proud of my accomplishments. You don't know me as well as you think that you do.
Recently, I've learned something. That I'm not just fighting for my ego's sake, or even just for the Junior Heavyweight title's prestige to be restored. I'm here because I want to inspire. In a time where many could use hope and something to look forward to, I want to be that hope.
I've made an entire career of punching upwards and exceeding while doing it. Breaking molds and subverting stereotypes all the while being told that I'm not capable of going the distance, that I just don't have what it takes- Just to show to everyone that has tried to put me down that they I won't be stopped. It's in my nature to defy the odds in front of me. Many times I've failed to succeed, many times have I felt like the road ahead gets harder and harder to continue going down. It's felt tiring, sometimes even soul-crushing. But do you know why I haven't stopped?
Because I LOVE this.
I LOVE wrestling. I LOVE being able to put smiles on faces and leave people satisfied. I LOVE pushing myself to my limit every time I get in a ring. I LOVE fighting with my heart on my sleeve.
I'm a struggler. A survivor. A stubborn “pretty boy” from San Diego who just doesn't know when to quit. No matter what you do or what you say, it will NEVER make me give in...
And it seems like many XHF fans have resonated with that. People who have been told that they can't accomplish their dreams because of the color of their skin, who they love, and what they believe in. With every win, every defense- I see and hear their support, I see their happiness, I see that I can make people happy and let it be known that someone can do anything and be anything that they want, no matter what anyone else says. This title is more than just the physical embodiment of prestigious history, it's a platform. A platform to spread a message, a platform to make a change.
That alone makes the hits I take, the blood I spill, the injuries I power through worth it.
And there's no chance I'm letting you stop me, Eron. Your spirit is unbreakable, but as you said- You ARE beatable. You're not the only one coming into this with everything on the line. You and I? We're going to speak the language of wrestling, with our beliefs and our motivations empowering every punch and kick we throw at each other. When the dust settles, then we'll know who is truly stronger- and who is truly worthy of having this platform.
So, at Vicious Valentine"s, I dedicate the absolute hell I'll give Eron Hunter to everyone at home right now. To everyone that has believed in me, to everyone that hasn't caved in and is still chasing their dreams, to everyone that is still holding on despite how unfair life has been recently.
You all matter. Thank you for being as determined as you all are.
Every single last one of you inspire me to keep on going and to keep coming back for me.
I will do my best to win for you.
