Arisa Hoshiki: Destined Rivals

[Utami]

It opens with footage of the Queen of the Ring opening round matches. First we see Arisa Hoshiki squaring up against the legendary Trish Stratus, the two women staring daggers into each others' eyes. We then see several exchanges - Trish putting Arisa in a sharpshooter, Arisa nailing a flying kick, Trish landing the Chick Kick and Arisa just barely kicking out, then Arisa landing the Pulsar Kick and the ref counting three. The shot freezes on Arisa holding up her hands in victory, then transitions to Jamie Hayter facing Alexa Bliss the following week. Once more we see exchanges between the featured combtants: Alexa hitting a spinning arm breaker, Jamie catching Alexa out of mid-air and slamming her hard, Alexa hitting a DDT and getting a near fall, and then Jamie taking Alexa out with a devastating Hayterade. The ref counts three and EBWF's Lord and Savior stands tall, arm held up in victory and gaze locked firmly on the camera. This too freezes, then fades out with a flash of light, which quickly transforms into the shape of a star. This sparkles for a moment, then splits into several smaller stars which morph into the words 'SHINiNG STAR'; the graphic lingers before it fades out and we see Arisa Hoshiki sitting on the steps of the EBWF ring in an empty Pinnacle Bank Arena.

Arisa: "What an exciting first round of matchups! You can tell how much the crown of Queen of the Ring means to everyone in EBWF by how everyone not named Utami pulled out all the stops to get the win. I know that I saw first hand just why Trish Stratus is a legend of the sport, and I want to thank her for giving me her best out there. I wasn't really sure if I'd be coming to Lincoln, Nebraska to fight in the semifinals and that Chick Kick is no joke! But I found a way to keep going and knocked out one of the greatest of all time with my Pulsar Kick. It's one of the biggest achievements of my career, and I'm aiming to follow it up with an even better performance in this round. And that brings me to the woman who I seem destined to fight at every important turn in my career. Jamie Hayter, the Lord and Savior of EBWF. Once again the dream I'm fighting to make come true is close at hand, and once again I'll have to step into a ring with one of the most dangerous women in professional wrestling."

The shot switches to one of Arisa staring up at the rafters, the arena lights twinkling like stars behind her head.

Arisa: "Every time I'm aiming for something huge, Jamie Hayter's been there to throw a wrench in my plans. Or I guess it's more like she throws a lariat in my plans. Those hurt, just like every other bit of offense she can unleash at every stage of a match. Back in Japan I was on the run of a lifetime, going undefeated and holding the legendary white belt. The Grand Prix came around in the summer and it turned out not to be the Summer of the Shining Star, thanks to Jamie Hayter. The first person to beat me since I returned to wrestling. We had our rematch and I only just barely retained that title. Fast forward three years and I still can't escape fighting the most powerful opponent I've ever fought. Just after I set my sights on getting another shot at Tam, Jamie Hayter appeared and did what she always does - she used her tremendous power to try and overwhelm me, then end my dream."

We see a few sequences of that contest in January, both women nailing each other with strikes, Hayter taking Arisa out with a shoulder block, the two hitting simultaneous clotheslines, and then Arisa ducking the dangerous lariat to hit a Pulsar Kick. The scene then shifts back to Arisa, now standing in the center of the ring as her narration continues.

Arisa: "So it's no surprise that here in the semifinals of the Queen of the Ring tournament that the woman who's appeared to face me is none other than Jamie. Both of us have grown stronger since January 16, and though we've had different amounts of success it's going to be a huge challenge for me to keep pace with Jamie. While she hasn't been as dominant as she says she is, that first round victory says a lot about where she's at. Alexa Bliss gave her the best fight she could and Jamie just powered through her to score the victory. And now she's got her eyes on me. Jamie, I know what you're probably thinking knowing that you're going to fight me again. Payback. You're an extremely proud woman who remembers slights and makes sure to rebound and take people out the next time she crosses paths with them. So when the bell rings there's going to be only one thing on your mind: destroy Arisa Hoshiki and end her Cinderella dream of taking the crown for herself. We've fought so many times I can already feel the anguish my body's going to be in by the time the final bell rings. You don't mess around and you're going to take out those frustrations of the past five months on me. Fighting Jamie Hayter at the top of her game and with a grudge she's held onto since the last go around? That's a recipe for suffering and torment, but you know what Jamie? Bring it on."

Arisa stares down the camera, gaze as intense as her Dark Star days.

Arisa: "I've fought too long and too hard to let myself fail at this stage. You've had a tough year, sure, but you're not the only one. Mine's been full of the highest highs and the heaviest falls. It's been a huge struggle just to not let my failures eat away at my confidence. Every time I've stepped up to Tam Nakano and been seconds away from showing the world that I've still got what it takes to be a champion - every time I've failed to get the job done. Every time I've fought in a title match I've fought so hard that it wrecks my body. Two weeks, then two months. I've been good enough to get two shots at the title this year, and I know that another chance might never come again. This tournament might be the most challenging to win in the world, and it might be my last chance to reach the stars. And to think that I have to get through Jamie Hayter again just to even have a chance at earning that shot? It's terrifying. But it's also exciting. I know that Jamie's going to give me the very best she has, and that's going to push me to the edge. That's dangerous for you Jamie. Don't you remember what happens when Arisa Hoshiki's pushed to the edge?"

We see clips of Arisa being hit by devastating move after devastating move by every opponent she's faced in EBWF; they're followed by Arisa kicking out of those moves and nailing her Pulsar Kick on each and every one. There's another bright flash that turns into a star before we rejoin Arisa backstage at the Pinnacle Bank Arena. This part seems to be live, as the production value is simpler and she's standing near the locker room.

Arisa: "When the cards are down, when I'm backed into a corner, when everyone's counting me out and saying my career might be over, I kick back. I'm at my best when the world's against me, and tonight I'm going to remind you how bright my star can shine. Hit me with as many lariats and strikes you want, I'll keep getting up and asking for more, Jamie. We've got a hell of a history with each other and you've gotten the better of me when we're in a tournament. You're incredibly dangerous and more focused than you've been in a long time. But when the stakes are this high, I simply can't let myself lose. So I'll take everything you can unload on me and get to my feet to hit that one last kick. I'm not drinking the Hatyerade tonight, but you're going to be blinded by my dazzling Pulsar Kick. I have to beat you. And that's exactly what I'm going to do. When that final bell rings, the scoreboard's going to read Arisa Hoshiki 3, Jamie Hayter 1. And that's a promise."

She smiles as though the promo's about to end, but then unexpectedly Tam Nakano walks into the frame. While she's in casual clothes, the EBWF Women's Championship sits on her shoulder as she stops to look Arisa right in the eyes.

Tam: "Arisa.. are you sure you want to do that? I know how much this all means to you but maybe it's better if you don't wear that crown.

Arisa raises an eyebrow.

Arisa: "And why's that?"

Concern floods Tam's face as she speaks.

Tam: "You've fought me twice, and both times you've been injured. That's what happens when you push yourself too hard. You're my friend, and I don't want to see you get yourself so hurt that you're not around here anymore."

Arisa folds her arms on her chest.

Arisa: "Is that supposed to be a threat?"

Tam: "No, of course not. I just wanted to make sure that you knew how worried I was. Just promise me you'll be careful out there.."

Arisa shrugs.

Arisa: "I'll do what I have to - I want that."

She nods to the title, which causes Tam to sigh.

Tam: "Fine, do you want. Just be careful not to fly too close to the sun."

Tam walks off, and Arsia watches her go before looking down the camera. Her annoyance at the intrusion fades as she puts on a smile again.

Arisa: "Well anyway, I'm giving it all tonight to kick a hole through Jamie Hayter. Check it out!"