Everyone Dies, Pt 1 (Maika)

[Utami]

The first thing we see is a black screen as an electric guitar slowly plays the Japanese folk song ‘Sakura’. On the third beat, the screen flashes the kanji for ‘Redemption’. We next see the crimson locks of Maika from behind as she stands icily still in her entrance robe.

Maika: In professional wrestling, everyone has a story. Some are more painful than others.

We see a red shaded clip of Maika standing at Utami Hayashishita’s side in Queen’s Court. Then one of Maika power bombing Mina Shirakawa out of the ring the previous year. Finally, Maika standing in a ring next to Himeka in happier times, both smiling happily. Next we see the back of Maika’s head before the camera swivels around her, revealing a determined face.

Maika: Everywhere I’ve gone, I’ve set big goals for myself. Become the best tag team partner in the world and get the gold with your best friend. Win the top title on the biggest stage. Overthrow the old order to make your unit the strongest in the world. Get the girl.

We next see the headline stating “HIMEKA ARITA RETIRES FROM PROFESSIONAL WRESTLING”. Then we see Maika get KO’d by an Academy Award Kick in the Queen of the Ring tournament. After the ref counts three, we’re back to Maika, who’s walking down a road by herself.

Maika: Unfortunately the story of my career became one of the powerhouse who can never get the job done. A girl who might be the strongest woman in the world but who can never win the big one. Always falling just short. Losing in the main event. Getting eliminated in the semifinals of the Queen of the Ring. If it’s the big time, Big Mike is gonna fall flat on her face, right?

The video jumps to Maika dead lifting a heavy weight, face scrunched up in exertion.

Maika: The world’s changed, and you’re an idiot if you think I haven’t changed with it. A new champion, a surprise return, and a golden opportunity to end that chapter of my life forever.

Next we see Maika doing arm curls with the heaviest dumbell imaginable.

Maika: I made the mistake of putting my hope in other people to get where I wanted to be.

Now Maika’s in a ring, doing pushups while drenched in sweat.

Maika: It’s time for me to write my own story. The story of Maika Style.

The three briefcases for the Feast or Famine match appear on screen, sitting atop a red velvet tablecloth.

Maika: Feast or famine, huh?

Maika steps into view, eyes locked on the briefcases.

Maika: Sorry ladies, but on Warfare I’m going to be eating well. A girl like me has to keep the protein coming to keep her muscles big and strong after all. As much as I respect all of you, I’m gonna chew you up and spit you out. You’re all welcome to come to Maika’s feast, but don’t expect me to share the desserts of victory with you. Everything I’ve wanted since I came to EBWF is waiting for me at Last Survivor, and I’ve got no problem wrecking everyone in my way to get my hands on that beanpole aristocrat. She’s going to pay for destroying my world, and the women who stand between me and my shot at her are going to end up casualties.

Maika smirks, taps one of the briefcases knowingly, then turns to face the camera. She’s got a small spiral calendar in her hand, the EBWF logo clearly visible on the cover.

Maika: It’s nothing personal. When a group of women get in my way and tell me I can’t get the job done, everyone dies. And who’s in my way tonight?

She flips the cover over and we see a picture of Natalya.

Maika: Natlya. A woman who’s been a highlight of EBWF for over a decade. Daughter of the Anvil, one of the best technicians in the history of professional wrestling. While she doesn’t wrestle as often as she used to, when she does it’s a showcase of mat wrestling you won’t find anywhere else. Look past Natyla and you end up like that coward Utami did last week. Despite all the years, she can still get it done, and she can definitely twist your body into painful shapes it was never meant to take.

Maika smiles at the thought of the challenge in fighting the Hart Dungeon graduate.

Maika: More than anyone else in this match, she built women’s wrestling in EBWF. She’s made so much history here in her career, and now she’s got a chance to make even more. Unfortunately, tonight isn’t her night. I’m not a broken shell of a woman who forgot her pride like Utami. I’ll see her skill and raise her a power she’s never met before in this ring. I look forward to the challenge of facing someone with the knowledge and experience she’s got, but I have to break her to get my shot. And that’s exactly what I’m going to do.

She flips the calendar over to an image of Becky Lynch.

Maika: EBWF’s very own movie star is also coming to dinner tonight. Everything I said about Natyla’s pretty much true about Becky too. She’s been here for a while and made everyone fear the fire she fights with and the ways she can snap your arm to pieces. She likes to ruffle feathers with her movies, she rubs some people the wrong way, and I can admire that. In wrestling you’ve gotta be yourself even if the haters cry foul.

Maika laughs a little before her face becomes deadly serious.

Maika: But she’s someone who gets high off of her own product. The more success she has in Hollywood, the more she expects to have in a ring. As good as she is, as dangerous as she is, there’s no way in hell she’s dis-arming me. When we fight I’m going to give her some more stunt work experience as I throw her around like she’s a bag of garbage. Because the idea of someone whose focus isn’t entirely on wrestling beating me? That’s complete trash. I’m going to kick the Lasskicker’s ass, plain and simple. Maybe we can go have drinks after the match - that’ll help her wash the taste of defeat out of her mouth.

Next she flips to a page with Britt Baker on it.

Maika: Long time no see, doc. Everything I said about her last summer? She’s just made me believe it even more. She hasn’t been champion for over a year but you sure can’t tell by the tear that she’s been on since our last encounter. It’s like someone called her out for her lack of focus and she took it personal. Now she’s coming out every match with her whole body and mind focused on taking down whatever opponent steps into the ring with her. You’re welcome, Britt. You took that criticism and improved every part of your already dangerous game to the point that everyone who steps up gets knocked right back down again. You’re one of the best in the world, and game respects game.

She taps the page approvingly, but soon her tone gains more edge.

Maika: Britt should’ve gotten her rematch already, sure. But even with her focus and killer instinct back, the fact that she just assumes the main event belongs to her pisses me off. She made the most of a golden opportunity years ago, she’s made herself a big name here and been champ, but she’s forgotten what real hunger is. She doesn’t know what it’s like to wake up every morning with an ache in her heart and constant questions about whether she’s all hype. Meanwhile I’ve been putting myself through hell for 10 months so I’d be ready for an opportunity like this. I’ve been starved for too long; I’m ravenous now. No amount of wins and momentum or catch phrase initials have prepared her for the hell I’m going to put her through. I put her and Liv down last summer, and now I’m going to drive her straight through that mat to achieve my breakthrough. And by the way doc, you can still take those three letters and shove them up your ass. Tonight, the doctor is out and the Empress is in.


Finally she flips to a page with Alexa Bliss on it. Maika chuckles nervously before she continues.

Maika: Alexa Bliss? Let’s just say that my opinion of you’s changed a ton since the last time we crossed paths. I know that you still see me as the muscle behind Queen’s Court, a force that made it her life’s mission to end your career. You definitely have to hate me for all the hell and suffering you and your friends went through at our hands. You’ve got every right to. I did some very bad things to very good people when I was blinded by love. And I know that means you’re going to be coming at me with everything you’ve got. All the craziest, darkest ideas in that mind of yours coming out to play because you need to get back at the woman who did those things to you. Bring it on.

She grins after those last three words.

Maika: While you see me the same, you changed my opinion of you entirely. Now I see that you are one of the toughest women in professional wrestling. So many people have come out here and tried to end you, but you just keep getting back up, dusting yourself off and coming for them. You are hard to kill, and I respect the hell out of you. I look forward to the challenge of putting you away when a ticket to the main event is on the line, and I know you’ll give it everything you’ve got. Unfortunately your best won’t be enough to stop the dawning of the Empress Period here in EBWF. I’ll take everything you’ve got and keep knocking you down until there’s nothing left to get back up. Like I said, nothing personal. You’re in my way, and when you’re in my way, you die.

She then tosses the calendar to the side and picks up one of the briefcases.

Maika: This gets me the revenge I’ve wanted for almost a year. This opens the door to the end of that flowery bitch and her damn roses. This is the key that opens the gate to the Empress Period here in EBWF. I’m not afraid to spill as much blood as I have to in order to get it started. Four of the best women in the business step up to me, and every last one is going down in a burning heap. Nothing else matters but getting the shot at Sakisama, no one else matters. So tonight, in the Mile High City?

Maika smiles ferociously.

Maika: EVERYONE. DIES.