Utami: I know who I am

[Utami]

On a hotel roof in Toronto, we find Utami Hayashishita looking out over the city in her extravagant entrance coat. For a moment we see what she sees - the Scotiabank Center front and center below. The site of Warfare in just a few short hours. Utami takes a deep breath, nods, and then turns her attention to the camera.

UTAMI: “Once again we’ve come around to the crown jewel of tournaments in professional wrestling. The EBWF Queen of the Ring tournament. Sixteen of the best wrestlers to ever lock up in the squared circle all with their eyes on one brilliant shining achievement. If you want to prove yourself in this sport, this is the greatest chance to do it - get through four rounds of hell and that crown is yours. No one can deny that you’re at the top of your game.”

A wry smile starts to tug at the corners of her mouth.

UTAMI: “That speaks to me in a way that I don’t think many people understand. Maybe I can try to explain.”

She takes a seat on the roof, looking directly to the camera and by extension the fans.

UTAMI: “When I first came here to EBWF I wasn’t really being honest with myself. All that talk about being the queen of wrestling and all those things I did to everyone else? That isn’t who Utami Hayashishita is or can be. That’s years of frustration all bubbling up until I reached a boiling point and decided to make my failures everyone else’s problem. That doesn’t excuse what I did to my opponents, but it does give me something to aspire to be better than.”

Utami shakes her head as the memories of Queen’s Court flood her mind.

UTAMI: “When that didn’t work I let my continuing failure destroy me. And I let someone tell me who I was, because that was easier than facing the reality that I just wasn’t the same woman anymore. Her lies were sweet like candy. Like roses. And I let myself fall into a dream where I just had to smile, be there at Sakisama’s side and not think too much about the world outside her villa.”

There’s a pause as she looks up at the sky, almost returning to that same dreamy state. But soon enough she brings herself back down to earth.

UTAMI: “Sakisama took everything from me because I let her. Even my name. It wasn’t until someone shook me like an earthquake that I remembered who I was. And now Utami Hayashshita is back. I’m not a vicious queen, I’m just me. And I’m going to finally do what I do best - rise to the top. That starts with someone I’ve fought pretty often here.”

She rises to a knee and rests her chin upon her hand for a moment.

UTAMI: “Liv Morgan, huh?”

A sigh escapes as she stands back up, seemingly restless as the tournament looms.

UTAMI: “So we’re dancing again. From the very beginning you and I have gone to war many, many times. I’ve done worse things to you than almost anyone else, and now we’re fighting again with a chance to write our name into the history books on the line. I’d guess you’re really looking forward to the chance to tear me down and put an end to my quest to become a proper queen. So let me do something I should’ve done a long time ago.”

She pulls a rose out of her jacket and holds it out.

UTAMI: “Let me give you your flowers. Because now that my mind is clear, I can see that you may be looked over by some people, but you’re honestly one of the best and most determined women I’ve ever fought. You’re willing to do whatever it takes to get the win and you’ve walked this road before. You’ve worn the crown and now you’re eying it for a second time. Liv Morgan is courageous, loyal, determined and dangerous. I look forward to meeting you in the ring as the woman I should’ve been two years ago.”

Utami lowers the rose and smiles.

UTAMI: “Utami Hayashishita, the super rookie turned undeniable superstar of joshi pro wrestling. Wherever I’ve gone I’ve made an immediate devastating impact. The world watches when I step into an arena. They hold their breath when the bell rings and I unleash my power on a worthy opponent. I promise you that no matter how many times you get up I will knock you down again with as much force as a freight train. Because I need to earn my crown the right way.. And I’m going to beat you the right way too.”

She turns away to look at the arena again.

UTAMI: “No tricks. No ambushes. Just skill vs skill. Woman vs woman. I might even say that I respect you now - but I can’t let you stop me. I’m going to wear that crown.”