One More Dream Shine

[Utami]

Backstage at Little Caesar's Arena, on the precipice of Gateway to Glory, Renee Young stood patiently near the interview area with mic in hand. As the camera began to roll, Arisa Hoshiki stepped into view with her leather jacket over her ring gear. A beat later Tam Nakano joined her, oddly wearing a short sleeved lavender colored boiler suit. Despite being a staple of Japanese death matches, this boiler suit had lace on its pockets and a panda shaped patch over the left breast. The EBWF Women's Championship was secured around her chest like a sash, glinting in the lighting.

Renee Young: I'm joined now by Arisa Hoshiki and Tam Nakano, who are teaming up as Dream Shine tonight for the first time in four years. Ladies, how are you feeling heading into your match against Trish Stratus and Britt Baker tonight?

Arisa smiled a little.

Arisa: To be honest, I'm really looking forward to getting back in the ring with Trish. You can talk all you want about everything she's accomplished in EBWF, all the championships, all the history, everything that she means to this company and its history. I know everyone else already has, including Britt Baker. So instead of repeating the laundry list of achievements I'm going to say this: even with all of those things, all those years under her belt? She's still got some tricks up her sleeve that can turn the tables no matter how focused you are on sending a message to her. I found that out the hard way last week, and I admit I didn't get the job done. She was better than me that night, and she's still one of the best to ever step in this ring. I'm a proud woman, though Renee. And I'm not just going to let her get that one win over me without coming back stronger the next time I get a chance to face her. Tonight I'm going to bring everything that I have and unleash it all on Trish Stratus. She lit a fire in me, and now that fire's going to burn her up in front of the whole world. She showed me I can't take anything for granted, and now I'm going to show her the same thing. This time, I'm going to put her down with my Pulsar Kick and prove to her that I deserve everything I've earned this year. And that when the time comes for a one on one rematch, I'm the one who's going to be champion.

She glances over at Tam, who raises her eyebrow in slight annoyance. The champion then shrugs it off and takes center stage.

Tam: It's funny how the more things change, the more they stay the same. When I returned to chase my Twilight Dream last year, Trish Stratus was being hailed as one of the all time greats and Britt Baker was in the main event. One year later and its all the same. Well, not all the same. Because as extremely talented as Britt Baker is, as much as she's accomplished in the ring and outside of it? I'm the one standing here holding this beautiful championship. I'm the one who's in the main event, raising the bar for women's wrestling with heart pounding title defenses. I respect her run as champion, and it goes without saying that someone like Trish deserves that respect for everything she's done in her legendary career. Let me make something clear though, for the past 295 days I have proudly carried this beautiful championship and been a shining example of what happens when you're determined and follow your dreams. In all that time, did Britt even once ask me for her rematch? I mean, she mentioned it once but she ended up just getting distracted by Utami instead. For a woman who was all about people calling their shot, she's been awfully quiet. The same goes for Trish.

She shifts the title on her shoulder.

Tam: I've been here the whole time. Where have you been? But I'm glad you both decided to turn up when I'm so close to that one last milestone of becoming the longest reigning EBWF Women's Champion in history. I really am. Because seeing two of my biggest rivals here in EBWF join forces and hoping to make a statement woke something up inside me. You're both so hungry for a taste of this gold again that I know you'll do everything you can to get a huge win tonight and leave no doubt as to who deserves the next shot. And I know I have to dig deeper than I ever have, push harder and further past the breaking point than I ever have, just to prove you wrong. Tonight, alongside my best friend, I'm going to show you a side of Tam Nakano the west has never seen. You see, when I first started out in this sport it wasn't all smiles, dancing and dreams. I debuted in death matches, I shed my blood every night and endured the worst abuse the most sadistic minds in pro wrestling could think of. I survived it. I came out stronger for it. And I learned that sometimes you have to unleash your inner monster to send a message to your opponents. Tonight that's what I'm going to do. I'm going to cave your chests in with my kicks. I'm going to rip you apart with my well manicured bare hands. When the bell rings, whatever's left of the two of you is going to beg for my mercy. It's nothing personal. I just refuse to let anyone rip away my Twilight Dream when I'm so close to making history.

Renee Young: Tam, the two of you have been more of rivals than partners this past year. While you've been EBWF Women's Champion since Fanniversary, Arisa's won the Last Survivor and Queen of the Ring tournament in order to challenge you for that same title. With how much you've been at odds, will Dream Shine be able to work together tonight?

Tam: It's true that Arisa's been chasing me for the past year, but we both know what's at stake here tonight. We're both determined to prove why we're the best in the world, and no combination of former champions is going to change that. Trish and Britt may have mutual respect for now, but as soon as this match is over they'll be at each other's throats to be the next one to come after my beautiful championship. Is that really what you'd call an effective partnership?

Arisa puts her hand on Tam's shoulder and grins.

Arisa: Trish and Britt might be on the same page for now, but they're wrong if they think they're better than the power of Dream Shine. Tam and I are still best friends, we know each other better than anyone else. When that bell rings it's going to be 2019 all over again - we're going to be so in sync that we finish each other's attacks, save each other from peril and overcome any amount of punishment they can dish out. When Dream Shine gets together, no one can stop us. What Britt and Trish might not realize is that where we come from, being rivals doesn't mean that you can't also be a perfect tag team as well. We butted heads all the time in Japan just like we do here, but when someone's standing in our way we're inseparable and unbeatable. So bring your best, ladies, because Dream Shine's about to eclipse both of you.

Arisa's hand rests on the title as the shot fades away.