PHILADELPHIA 2ND: Hida Yakamo vs. IrishRed

[TH]

The Asian Wonder takes on the Organizer of the MBE Invasion.

Hida Beat:
Saint

Red Beat:
Timmy Windham

 

[Hida Yakamo]

An Unexpected Bonus

Irishred.

Fancy meeting you here.

I must say, I was half expecting to coast through this tournament, dispatching a bunch of nameless wrestlers who stirred nothing more in me than a desire to get back to the hotel as quickly as I could to catch the last half hour or House, M.D.

Of course, your surprising victory over one of the eighty Windham cousins doesn't really change the fact that I am going to coast through this tournament. Or that I will probably still make it back to the hotel room for some fine thespian work by Hugh Laurie and company, but at least I get a match in which I can derive some quiet amusement out of watching your grandiose plans for TEAM domination go down in flames before the Phily faithful.

We may work together elsewhere for a common goal, Red, but while I have no problem listening to you and Kaya drone on about stuff when there is something in it for me, I have no interest in listening to you babble on about your hardcoreness, or your willingness to bleed, or your penchant for pain, or whatever fun cliched ultraviolent rhetoric you have for me this week.

I mean, don't get me wrong, I don't think you are capable of any higher level thinking, anyway, so feel free to stick with what works for you. I have an IPOD to keep me interested while you babble on. Just downloaded the new Polysics album too, good stuff.
Don't worry, I'll have somebody give me the cliff notes when you're done.

 

[irishred]

Irishred wanders the streets of Philadelphia. He is dressed in blue jeans, cowboy boots, Denver Broncos leather jacket and Denver Broncos stocking cap. He speaks as he walks.

So look what the cat dragged in. It's Hida Yakamo my MBE cup tag team opponent, my gun for hire in A1E and my second round foe in the TEAM tourney.

How ya' doing Hida? I mean I know we have seen more then enough of each other the last half of this year; but how ya' really doing? I ask with genuine concern. It wasn't but a few short months ago that you were emphatically telling me that this part of your life was done. You claimed you had nothing left to prove. You let me know in no uncertain terms that this part of your life was over. Family was more important, right?

I wonder what caused you to come back not only here but in A1E. Is it family troubles Hida? Financial problems? Or is it that damn ego of yours?

I'm willing to bet it's the ego thing isn't it.

You never were one to be able to handle sharing the spotlight; especially with people you didn't put on your level.

That's how it is with you and I isn't it Hida? We can work a great match together as team mates or across from each other. We both revel in the violence. We both can work the mat. Neither of us is above cheating. But despite it all you have never put me in that elite class that you think you are in.

That's fine Hida. I don't need nor want your respect. I don't really want it. You just go on making your smart ass remarks. You just keep trying to entertain the masses with your witty remarks trying to make yourself look untouchable.

I know differently. I know the real Hida.

I've been in the ring with you. I've seen you work more matches then probably anyone else in this tournament. While you worry about watching your little soap operas and winning this whole thing in some vain attempt to recapture your past glory I'm working shows every day of the week. Every week I face the best in the business. I'm at my peak.

You are a retired wrestler reaching for the good old days.

You will not gain them at my expense Hida. I hope you get a taste of it in your Invasion match against Housefly. I hope you are able to go home to your family and say "That's what daddy can do".

But don't let them watch this match Hida. Don't let your family see your legacy spoiled by the carnage that will happen when we meet. Don't let them see the blood flowing down your face. Don't let them see you struggling to stand. Don't let them see you vainly reaching for your cricket bat only to have it used against you. Don't let them see you lying in a pool of your own blood, flat on your back with me pinning you cleanly in the center of the ring.

Tell them whatever story you need to to keep that iconic legend intact. I want to defeat you in the ring make no doubt about it; but even I'm not cruel enough to ruin a fathers image to his family.

Irishred steps into a coffee shop as the camera fades to black.

 

[irishred]

update *****. I hate this system.

 

[Hida Yakamo]

This sounds strangely familiar...

Red, I get that you are a Denver Broncos fan. You don't need to spell it out.

I get that you are certain of my grandiose all-encompassing egotism. You don't need to spell it out.

Yes, I am back in the ring again. I wouldn't be filled with a smug sense of self-gratification at your correct prognostication, though. After all, the prize for your Nostradamus-like foresight is getting your ass kicked by the Asian Wonder.

Also known as the booby prize. Congratu****inglations.

Things change Red. A few months ago I was disillusioned with the wrestling business. Content to live out a life of quiet averageness. Admittedly, with far more money and fame then you will ever experience in a thousand lifetimes, but let's not split hairs.

Of course, a few months ago, you were the new hot property fresh off your near victory in the MBE Cup finals.

And we all saw how that ended up. You getting your ass kicked up and down A1E, and coming crawling to the Asian Wonder to lend your little invasion some real life credibility.

So things change, Red.

Of course, some things are immutable and irrefutable. I am Hida Yakamo. I could add a ton more monikers and epitephs, but brevity is the soul of the witticisms I am so fond of.

And you are Irishred. For a soothsayer- not too shabby a wrestler.

And don't wory about little Takahiro, Red. He is doing just fine. And he already throws a nicer dropkick than you.

I suppose I should be worried about DCF getting a little cranky about the pile of welts I will leave you in this week, but the way you keep running your mouth off, I don't think any jury would convict me.

 

[irishred]

The camera comes into focus on a taped fist. It finally comes to rest on the face of Irishred. He is in his locker room preparing for his match with Hida Yakamo. Irishred never looks at the camera; his voice is calm and hushed.

Here is a quick lesson for you Hida one that you should have learned years ago but that your ego refused to allow you to learn.

Pay close attention Hida. I offer this as an A1E ally and an opponent who at least respects your in ring talents if not your attitude.

Redemption is not free. It must be paid back in kind.

From my return to wrestling following my incarceration to my attempt to capture the MBE cup to ensure that someone with a history in the company held it to my recent assemblage of former MBE superstars to invade A1E I have done my best to pay back this great business.

I don't expect the fans to cheer my actions. I don't expect the support of the bookers or the boys in the back. I don't need any of that either. I give back to this business because of all it has given me.

You are a taker. You do this for your own personal glory. That is all. You are quick to point out your record and your titles. You always make sure that you are announced as former MBE World Champion, US Champion, Tag Champion, Unified Champion...yadda yadda yadda.

Who cares about that Hida? Who are you trying to impress? What are you lacking in your life that you have to overcompensate for? Why can't you just be a wrestler?

Like I previously stated I respect your in ring abilities I just can't stand you personally. You are everything that is wrong with the business. You take and take and still expect wrestling to give you more.

Earn something Hida. Honestly earn something.

You just expect to be handed a pass to the finals of this Tournament. Not gonna happen Yakamo. I'm the bump in the road of your comeback.

You're not gonna get past me Hida.

Why you ask? How can I say this? How can I be so bold? Haven't I been listening to not only your claims but the predictions of many of the announcers and experts?

You have an amazing won loss record. You are a multiple title holder. You are a legend in this sport.

I'm just me.

But ya' know what Hida. That's more then enough to beat your ass. I'm me, Irishred, Blue Collar working man, the one true shooter, the man the crowd can relate with...I'm everything you aren't.

This could be billed as David vs Goliath, Legend vs Legend Killer, The Elite vs the Working Class...

But lets just call it this; The future TEAM Tournament winner against the Least from the East.

I'll see you in the ring Hida.

It's time for you to start earning your redemption in this business.

Irishred drops to his knees in front of his locker and begins to pray as the camera fades to black.

 

[Hida Yakamo]

Witty, yet misguided

'The Least from the East'

Aww Red, and you say I am the only one who uses smart ass remarks and witticisms.

Well, to be fair, I suppose calling that 'smart' or 'witty' would be a bit of a stretch.

Red, you make the same mistake that every workingman's hero and blue collar son of a gun that has crossed my path.

You assume that hard work has something to do with it. You think that if you say your prayers and eat your vitamins and work really, really hard, that you can overcome anything. That's the lie no doubt your parents told you from when you were a little foul mouthed scamp.

Well, Red, not everybody can grow up to be President. And not everybody has what it takes to stand toe to toe with the Asian Wonder and walk away with his dignity intact.

It's not fair, Red, I know. But the rules don't apply to me like they do to little old you. I am, as you say, elite. Sure, I work hard, damn hard to be as good as I am. But I have that something extra, perhaps natural genetic talent, perhaps a bit of good kharma, that's helped me along to all those titles I am so fond of listing after my name. And why you are just merely a bump in the road, if a particular amusing and mouthy one, on the way to one more championship for the litany.

And sure, it tears you up inside, as well it should. That's why you say I need to earn my way back. You want so hard to believe that I can't just step back in the ring and be exactly what I once was. After all, it took you some time back out of the slammer to get your ring legs. That's understandable for a blue coillar guy like yourself, it takes some times to get the old muscle memory going.

But I will step back through that curtain and roll under the ropes, and I will be unchanged from those peak days of Message Board Entertainment you are so pleased to revel in. I'm sure it is tough having to work extra hard every day just to be good enough to stick around in this business.

I'm sorry I can't relate to you, Red. I'm sure this forthcoming defeat will cause you to redouble your efforts one more time (well after you nurse your wounds with some of your bar's private stock) . You'll work a little harder, so maybe next time, you can not end up flat on your back quite so fast. It's the little victories, and I suppose they will have to suffice.

After all, you are just Irishred. And no matter what mama told you, that ain't enough this week.

 

[irishred]

Irishred sits in his locker room his head down. He never looks up at the camera. His voice never rises above a whisper.

Hida....Hida....Hida....

You just don't get it do you? This isn't MBE. You don't have the help of the boys in the back this time. Here you are mortal. Here you must rely on your talents alone. Here you face the man that will not and can not be defeated.

I am Irishred. I am the one true shooter of professional wrestling. I don't care if the fans are entertained. I don't care if you walk out of this match or are stretchered out of this match. I don't care if your son ever sees you healthy again or not. I have one goal in mind. One goal only...

Defeating you.

The last time we met we were saddled with two enormous ego's as tag team partners. I had the bloated and over rated Dan Ryan and you had the mysterious and equally over rated Spoiler. Not so this time.

This time you must face me one on one. This time you have no one to turn to. This time you have no where to hide. This time I take you apart.

This is Philidelphia Hida. This is a working class town. I thrive in places like this. Did you see what I did to Timmy Windham? He dished out all he could. I took everything he had to dish out. **** Hida, he tried to treat me like a Royal Fork all you can eat buffet. Where did that get him? Oh that's right...absolutely nowhere. I beat his ass just like I'll do to you.

Don't think for one minute because you decided to join my Invasion in A1E that I will go easy on you. Not for one minute. You did a great job against that Damn Fly. You taught him a lesson he'll never forget; but know this you slant eyed son of a *****. I'm not That Fly.

I chased him out of the MBE cup. I owned him like I will own you.

Look at the list of wrestlers I have defeated since my return. It reads like a roll call for the wrestling hall of fame. Cross, Paco, Fly, Duchess, Windham, Torment...you're no different from any one of them.

You are just a name that needs to be put in his place. You are nothing more then a past his prime wanna be legend that has to face a man that has never nor will never forget where he came from.

I have been through hardships you cannot imagine Hida. I have come through all of them with my head held high. I have not lost my pride. I have not lost face. I have never surrendered.

This tournament is mine to win. You call me your bump in the road. **** that Hida; I am your roadblock.

I'm the man you can't beat because I refuse to be beaten; and that is more then your lame ass has ever had to face.

When we step in that ring Hida you will finally realize that it's not the past accolades that make the man. It's what he can do right now; and quite frankly son I'm on the top looking down at you this time.

Irisrhed rises and heads for the door of his locker room.