Idol of Sakura Press Conference

[Kira Izumi]

The press conference opens up with a long table in front of a backdrop with the twitter logo, SSS logo and XHF logo among other companies and sponsors logos on it. There are three chairs set behind the table with media and press just behind the cameras filming now. In the middle chair with a contract in front of her on the table sits Emi Sakata, the CEO and founder of Sakura Shoujo Stampede. To her right is Idol of Sakura, Alexis Grace. To her left is challenger Natsu Toyama. We now await their opening statements before moving on to the questions.

[Sisters of The Rose]

As "The Irish Rose" Alexis Grace sit's there at the table watching her opponent and the press waiting for her to say her piece, hell to say anything she notices the owner staring at her smiling as Emi Sakata, knows that Alexis Grace is the greatest champion in SSS. The Irish Rose" looks at the press then back at her opponent  Natsu Toyama takes a drink of the water sitting in front of her and takes a deep breath as she begins to say her piece.


" I know you all came here to see me today I am the Idol of Sakura Champion for the love of God, the longest reigning champion at that. Now you all may think that I am going to talk badly about my opponent but I'm not I actually have respect for her, she has a lot of athleticism and talent, besides that she has heart and drive. That's what this business needs more women with drive and heart, we do not need to tear each other down or belittle each other. "

The press is going crazy as they are trying to get her to answer questions, they figured on a normal Soviet Connection press conference where it would be a bashing. But it's not this time it's different Alexis Grace is different. The cameras continue to flash taking picture after picture as she speaks.

" I have been champion all over the world, I have been a champion in different sports, wrestling, mixed martial arts, I have also been surrounded by champions my whole life. But I have also been surrounded by a cloud of doubt and a cloud of misunderstanding. Ever since I joined the Soviet Connection and we took the wrestling world by storm it's been a rough ride but there have been great times too. So don't get me wrong but when Duke Kosloff left The Soviet Connection and left his cousins behind The Soviet Connection was no more. "

" That has left me thinking where do I stand now since I am no longer a member of the Soviet Connection a stable that once was the greatest stable around. Well after looking around and seeing what I have done her in SSS. It's simple I am 'The Irish Rose' Alexis Grace, the most dominant champion ever to enter this business and I am a woman who will stand alone. "

The press starts to get quite as Alexis stands up holding the Idol of Sakura Championship in the face of both the CEO and her opponents face as she speaks.

" Natsu Toyama, I welcome the challenge and I fear no one as I am a fighter, I am 'The Irish Rose' and my thorns will make you bleed. "

Alexis sits back down laying the belt down on the table in front of her waiting for a response.

[cloudverse]

Natsu measured her opponent with quiet confidence. This was her first opportunity at a major title, and she had to show her opponent that she wasn’t one to back down so quickly. Natsu leaned back, watching Alexis say her piece about how she was a champion all over the world, and how she welcomes the challenge. Natsu nods a little, taking in every word coming from Alexis Grace’s mouth. Natsu wasn’t concerned with how great the champion thought she was. She’s encountered hurdles before in her life and has managed to overcome them.


“I can appreciate the respect my opponent has shown me, and the feeling is mutual; she has shown that she is a driven champion, determined to take this brand to the next level. It’s challenges like this that motivate me, inspire me to work harder than ever before. By design I’m a child of destiny; my mother is a legend in this business, and many expect me to follow in her footsteps. But, I want to forge my path, and that starts with taking on the woman across from me for the title she’s holding.”

The press talk amongst themselves before the daughter of Manami Toyama continued.


“I may not be a world renown champion, but my journey to immortality has just begun. Champions rise...but they also fall. Right now, Alexis Grace is on the rise. She is the storm that rages through SSS and women’s wrestling in general. But I, Natsu Toyama shall weather the storm and take on all comers to the best of my ability. I am the Final Answer and for a good reason. I spent years being trained by the best while developing my style. I don’t know much about the Soviet Connection, but I know this - Alexis can stand tall without them, much like I am without my mother. In a way, we’re like kindred spirits. I can appreciate a connection like that. She may consider herself to be the one who will make me bleed, but I am not afraid to shed a little blood. I am made from strong stock! Alexis is the Idol of Sakura Champion, but I’m the Idol of the New Generation - one that will surpass those who came before!”


Natsu grins, satisfied with her retort.

[Sisters of The Rose]

The press can be heard chattering about themselves after the retort from Natsu Toyama to the Idol of Sakura champion Alexis Grace. As the cameras snap photos of the two women sitting there both with confident smiles on their faces. The owner of the company Emi Sakata stares at both women as if she knew this was the right matchup for the Idols of Sakura championship. "The Irish Rose" looks over at Natsu Toyama and smiles as she begins to speak once again.

" Natsu, that's why I have respect for you and your abilities, you have put in the work, the training and the dedication it takes to be in this business. But most of all you have the heart of a champion! "

A few of the reporters step up closer trying to get their questions heard by one of the women, to no avail.

" See a champion with a heart of a warrior, a true CHAMPION, isn't afraid to shed some blood. It comes with the cost of being a champion, and being a warrior. I have had my fair share of losses in my career, I have had my share of blood loss. I will give you some advice Natsu Toyama. "

"The Irish Rose" looks out at the press for a few seconds then back over at Natsu Toyama before finishing her statement.

" You can take this or not, to be a champion is great but to be the greatest champion you must first learn how to handle losses and heartbreak. When you learn to recover and recoup from major setbacks in your career that's when your truly ready to become worthy of being called a champion. "

" So this is what I will ask of you when we step into that ring this Saturday night you bring everything you got, no holding back. Be prepared to bleed, be prepared to go to war, prepare to lose, but prepare to learn how to become the next champion. "

"The Irish Rose" Alexis Grace leans back with a confident smile on her face as the press is going crazy over her last statement.

[cloudverse]

This wasn’t Natsu’s first time at the rodeo. She’s faced heartbreak and loss in the squared circle before. She knew one of these days it would be her time to shine - she was determined to make that day Saturday night. The press seemed to hang on Alexis’ every word. She knew she was the underdog in this scenario. It bothered Natsu none - until she proved herself, the odds would always be against her.


“Alexis, in my shoes you got to have the heart of a champion. What kind of rival would I be if I arrived with my head hanging down? I’ve been preparing my whole life for this moment! The Irish Rose versus the Final Answer! This is the biggest match of my career!


A couple of reporters leaned forward, being pulled in by Natsu’s determination and charisma.


“I like to think that I’ve encountered enough setbacks in my life. Now is the time for me to move forward in my career. This is the closest I’ve been to gold in awhile Alexis, and I don’t intend in walking out of that arena empty-handed. I appreciate your advice, but I think I got the hang of being in intense situations. Beating you won’t be easy - you will be the toughest opponent I’ve ever faced. But I shall persevere. It’s in my DNA!”


Natsu locks eyes with Alexis, showing fierce determination.

[Sisters of The Rose]

As Natsu Toyama locks eyes with "The Irish Rose" the camera started going crazy as this was the biggest photo opportunity possible for SSS. As Emi Sakata sits back watching and listening to both women state their claim to victory this coming Saturday at "Till Death Do Us Part" she has a feeling of pride come over her. She knows she has two of the best athletes in the world in her company. Alexis Grace stands back up steps up to the podium this time and begins to speak.

" Perseverance is a quality a champion needs and I hope you do, but this Saturday you will not persevere against me, Natsu. I am not trying to be cocky or overconfident I am simply stating a fact. I have worked too hard and for too long to lose now I have just begun my journey as the Idol of Sakura Champion. "

"...And to tell you the truth I am not ready to give it up just yet and will not. With that said I welcome the challenge and the competition, you will bring to me this Saturday and to the SSS and the Idol of Sakura division. "

Emi Sakata gets a look on her face as if she has an idea on her mind only on could guest what that could be. As Emi Sakata has had a lot of brilliant ideas maybe she's thinking of teaming these two women up for the tag team division or placing one of them in the World title division after the match Saturday who knows.

" But as I have stated no matter the outcome of this match you have my respect, this will be a test for both of us and we will steal the show. "

"The Irish Rose" sits back down as she picks her glass up taking a drink.