Shinijoshi OVA / Shinijoshi initiative thread hub

[Narumi Tsutsumi]

A small, but bustling coffee shop in Toronto, Ontario. After the madness and chaos of WrestleFest, a perfect place for someone to unwind and take a few moments to themselves. Our camera focuses on Carley California, sitting in a booth. You can tell she does not believe or care about being unassuming in public, with her bright red and black wig, her long, Christmas coloured nails and the most expensive pair of sunglasses you’ve ever seen. She looks down over them, across the table.

“I want to first thank you for meeting with my client, despite everything that’s transpired between the two of you.”

The camera turns across the table, and you’re confused for a moment as Saidie Sharpe sits on the other side.

“Why are you being so professional anyways, Carley? Talking to me as if you didn’t make me empty the dishwasher last night.”

“WELL. It was mostly all YOUR dishes! I shouldn’t have to ask— That’s not the point. We are being professional here. All of us.”

The camera pans out more, and we now see Narumi Tsutsumi sitting next to Carley. You’re pretty sure this only adds to your confusion.

“My client, Narumi Tsutsumi and the rest of Shinijoshi, would like to clear the air about what’s happened, and about One Night Encounter.”

Saidie rolls her eyes, her arms crossed.

“What is there to say? I had you beat, Narumi, and I still couldn’t get the job done.”

Where one would normally find the oni’s smile is only a stern face as Narumi takes no pleasure from the event nor much of the end of the year wrestling wise with her newfound maturity.

“You can’t allow yourself to linger on one match result. I would know.”

Narumi sighs a bit.

“What’s important is that your words did touch me. Wounded people hurt others, and it would seem I had inadvertently caused you much pain long before ONE. The honorary system was simply a haphazard thing I came up with to avoid changing the structure of Shinijoshi while trying to make you happy as one of us.”

Narumi puts her hands up accepting guilt that her plan didn’t work long.

“Originally our group was just supposed to be leaderless rookie friends building off Senshi of the Blade trying to make a positive fresh change of joshi culture in EWC, something I perhaps lost track of. When we saw there could be four of us joshi we went with the name Shinijoshi as a pun on our numbers and death. The name gave our chaotic group direction and structure people could understand. People always seek some semblance of order in chaos, and perhaps it is why people eventually, or always did, look to me when trying to deal with the fact Shinijoshi never had a leader. But I see the error in my ways and we have decided to bring a properly well thought out structure to the wildness of Shinijoshi, through Carley here. She will act as an impartial party that can keep us all in check and make sure everyone in Shinijoshi is treated fairly as full fledged members in the expansion we are doing!”

Narumi pauses and the wild smile one would expect from the oni returns.

“Plus she’s so stylish!”

Carley and Narumi grin at one another and colourfully fist bump as they turn back to Saidie for Narumi to continue.

“I hope you can forgive me for past harm, and remember all the good times you and I had together, not just for me, but for your own healing and to support the rest of Shinijoshi too. I think you’ve more than proven you have the zeal and striking ability of a true joshi fighter. We would all appreciate your support in strengthening our forces that we have planned for the season ahead.”

Saidie raises an eyebrow at all this.

“So that's it, huh? After all this you want me to get back in line and just be a part of the group again?”

Carley shakes her head at Saidie.

“You don't need to look at it like that. You are stronger with Shinijoshi, and Shinijoshi is stronger with you as a part of it. Narumi has realized the error of her ways, Saidie and wants to fix things. Don't you?”

Saidie still has her arms crossed. She avoids eye contact with them both. She also gives them a political non-answer.

“What do you mean anyway, strengthening our forces? What's that supposed to be about?”

Narumi turns to Carley who lowers half her glasses to wink at Saidie.

“The Shinijoshi Initiative”

[Narumi Tsutsumi]

Amber was so nervous about today because it was something she wanted day 1 to be working with Narumi but her ex husband told her no it wouldn’t be a good idea. Now since being with Jason he has been pushing her to do what is best for her and her career. It was like actually someone wanted to see her be successful but it felt so strange and weird. She walked inside of the Training Facility taking it all in awe as her eyes just landed on all the posters and everything hugging her bag gently. Narumi is found waiting on the ring apron inside the Shinijoshi facility in Japan.

Narumi: Welcome to the team, you’re the first I knew I had to set things right with by having you train joining the team during this break.

Just then in a flash running in towards her was Amber Lisa who smiles and stops in front of Narumi. Amber knew she was a bit late and out of breath she joined next to her still in shock with everything and her eyes went a bit big as she was entering the ring. She points to herself with a big of a soft humble smile.

Amber: Me? Are you sure about this.... ? I don’t know but then again... it would be a great honor to be working with you and the others. Jason told me I could learn alot from you and Aiya but are you really sure you want me...and it isn’t because of the fact Jason set this meeting with you?

Amber was still a bit shocked about everything as she stepped inside of the ring to test out the ropes a bit as she was listening to Narumi.

Narumi: Jason’s daughter is very cute and Aiya invited us to the Club once, but it’s not as if Jason and I close enough for him to decide who I want in Shinijoshi. I have heard people believe Shinijoshi makes rules based on race, which is simply incorrect. There are no great joshi promotions in the world without legendary gaijin and joshi of different or mixed races. If anything, how could Shinijoshi save face saying we show different sides of the joshi world if we practiced exclusionary methods that would have robbed the joshi world of the great Kongs such as Aja and Awesome? I think we can help you get to have the confidence and ruthlessness of those legends.

Just the mention of Aja you could see Amber's heart just glory right across her face. She looked at her pointing to herself with a bit of a soft smile.

Amber: You see me as being as good as Aja Kong, a woman who I admired ever since I was a little girl. I still remember the day my Uncle came home from Japan and he handed me over a vhs of her matches and I couldn’t believe someone my size was viewed almost like a God... but do you think I can even be as great as her and Awesome....

Amber looks over at her softly with a soft sigh.

Amber: I hope I do the team justice since I can tell you have so much faith in me. I WILL not let you down. I promise you I will do whatever I need to do to bring my weight so to speak over to this team!

She giggles softly as she notices how Narumi's look changes a bit, biting down on her lip. Narumi scratches at the back of her own neck a bit.

Narumi: Honestly I was hoping this was a way for us both to face some of our demons. It began with Jack using my family’s Rappu against you. It continued to get so much worse as Callie tormented you and chased you off Prime. All while I was running around claiming to be the leader of Prime. I had gold, new records, popularity and everything over the last two years, but what does it mean if I allowed the most heinous force in EWC to grow under my nose? I do apologize for you not having much help during that time.

As she was speaking it was a memory she was trying not to remember when Jack used her to send a message out towards Narumi. She never felt like it was her fault in her mind it was all The House and they target her and pick on her just like kids did in High School which is making her face a lot of her demons now. She knows this and she was ready to face them all so she can be on top so she can face Callie when she has something that Callie wants for once to take her down.

Amber: Look to be honest I am used to... been a bit invisible.... It was always like that for me growing up. ... I used to call myself invisible Amber... but to see and know you watch all of that and felt you could have helped me. That makes me feel happy to know at least someone else noticed but it all under the bridge now because I need to get myself ready to bring that new title over to our side on Paramount #39 which will not be easy to do with whoever they decide I will be facing that night. You and the gang will help me get there... I feel... “

She blushes a bit looking over at her softly. Narumi responds with a matching soft smile.

Narumi: I believe we can. Most of all, I know you have what it takes to knuckle down and help build Shinijoshi into a spectacular dynasty for the world to be truly blown away by. Amber, you are the trailblazing first member of our new Shinijoshi initiative, prepare for the hard but fun fulfilling days ahead. Or as a friend once told me when I needed it, GANBARU!.

Narumi puts out her hand to Amber as they firmly shake hands and then break into a hug.

["Headhuntress" Aiya]

Meanwhile, a few days after WrestleFest at Toronto’s El Convento Rico bar, Aiya is sitting at a table. She’s alone … at least for now. The sight of her repeatedly peeking down at her phone and tapping her feet anxiously all but reveals she’s waiting, likely for another person. A few crimson strands are tucked behind her ears, a small anxious sigh leaving her lips.

Aiya: Maybe I should have let mom accompany me here.

The words are low, murmured only in a voice audible to herself. Her eyes finally light up as, despite him wearing street clothes, a still very familiar face walks through the bar’s front doors. Aiya happily stands up and waves, helping flag the figure down so he can properly join her.

Upon closer inspection, we see it’s one half of the new tag team champions, El Pablo. Aiya gives him a grin and a polite bow of her head.

Aiya: So … I know the last time I gave you good luck, it didn’t work the best. I figured we could more properly celebrate. I know it wasn’t the X-Division … or now Hardcore title you got. But you did strip the House of some titles and I’d say that’s always a win, yeah?

A wry smirk flashes across the masked face of the Technicolour Tecnico, accompanied by a casual shrug of his shoulders.

El Pablo: Well, you know what they say: ‘if you want something done right…ask your brother.’

Aiya raises an eyebrow at the not-entirely-accurate expression, though quickly waves it off as Pablo pulls out the chair across from her and takes a seat.

El Pablo: Did you like my speech? Thought it was only right to give the X-Division a little ‘eulogy’ before they put her out to pasture.

Aiya quickly nods, giving a genuine smile to El Pablo.

Aiya: I may not have held that title ever, but I still have fought in the division. The only correct answer, in my mind and eyes anyway, would be yes. Someone needed to give it a proper send off, and it’s clear no one else was going to step up.

A grimace quickly spreads over her face as she sighs, hastily adding onto her train of thought.

Aiya: Not that I wouldn’t have done anything similar like you, but … it was more … right for you to do such a thing. It wouldn’t likely have been as sincere if I tried to do such a thing.

Suddenly, the pair’s conversation is interrupted by the arrival of a member of the bar’s waiting staff who appears carrying a tray of drinks that she dispenses to the table; sake for the Headhuntress and a bottle of Skittlebräu for the Technicolour Tecnico. Pablo smirks as he casts an eye over the label of the latter.

El Pablo: How did you know?

Aiya’s grin quickly returns as she chuckles softly.

Aiya: Oi … come on now. If I didn’t know you well enough by now, I’d be super disappointed in myself. Kampai!

The two tap the edges of their respective drinking glasses together in a toast and take a sip. Suddenly, a slightly more pensive expression crosses Pablo's face.

El Pablo: So…how’re you doing, anyway? I know WrestleFest was…an interesting show for the Shinijoshi…

Aiya nods, giving a casual shrug.

Aiya: I’m not gonna pretend I’m not still a bit disappointed.

Her smirk widens as she adds.

Aiya: But … at least Cosmo didn’t leave with that title. Sure, he’ll have the opportunity to do so. But until then, I consider the TV Title to have left in the best set of hands if it couldn’t be me. That said … I kind of want to elaborate on something you even sorta mentioned. Like you said, if you want to do something right, ask your brother.

On the note of Xavier and our last talk when I was backstage at Paramount … the alliance. It’s a good idea and all. And before I finish this offer, I’m going to say here and now that by no means am I suggesting you forget your brother. But …

Her face becomes stoic as she sets her drink down, looking right into El Pablo’s eyes.

Aiya: The fact is this. Ever since I came into the EWC in 2021, never once has he extended you this offer. Hell, when Otaki came back, Xavier was so quick to go and record in one of his promos that he would happily extend a spot to her for joining the Love Club. All to ensure we wouldn’t be able to recruit her. Yet never once have I heard him give that offer to you.

Worse than how quick he was to do this with Otaki is Jamie Love. And how’d that end? With him teaming up with the little bastard, only to get literally backstabbed the moment Jamie chose to go to The fucking House!

So, since Xavier hasn’t extended you that invitation …

Aiya points at herself.

Aiya: I am personally asking you to come to Shinijoshi. Like I said, I’m not asking you to forget nor even disown Xavier. But he’s had years to extend his hand to you. Since he’s failed to take that sort of initiative … well, that’s his loss. But I definitely think - no, scratch that - know you would be a valuable member. Hell, you can strengthen my Lucha techniques plus anyone else who wants to dip their toes into that proverbial pool.

So …. what do you say?

Pablo sits silently for a moment, evidently a little taken aback at the offer.

El Pablo: You…want me to join the Shinijoshi?

He lifts the Skittlebräu bottle to his mouth and takes a swig before setting it right back down on the table.

El Pablo: …I’m not sure I have the right, uh…equipment…

Aiya quickly shakes her head, flashing El Pablo a smug smirk.

Aiya: Don’t discredit yourself. You’ve held the X-Division … now Hardcore … title longer than any of us. You absolutely have the right tools. But more to the point, we’re not a Hooters. We never intended to be, for that matter. We just ended up grabbing the attention of women first and foremost. But we never intended to exclude men from the get-go. Nor were we going to only allow Japanese or Asian people in.

If anything, we fully intended to remedy that wrong assumption sooner than much later. It hasn’t slipped by any of us, especially Narumi, that many people seem to think that’s exactly the only kinds of people we will take in. You would be one of the most perfect examples to help show that no, we will take literally anyone. So long as they have the right mindset and just as much heart and passion to join, anyone is welcome into Shinijoshi.

Pablo smirks as he takes another drink.

El Pablo: Well, look, I don't want people to think that this is some kind of shot at Xavier for not extending any kind of olive branch himself - the two of us wishing each other well from afar is, honestly, more of a relationship than I ever expected to have with him as it is! - but, at the same time, if I’m gonna be serious about ‘taking the fight’ to The House next season, I’m gonna need a heck of a lot of numbers to back me up…and who better to be that back-up than the squad who's been battling that band of brick-and-mortar bastards since the beginning?

Like you said, you and I have already got this ‘alliance’ between us - and, obviously, I respect the hell out of Narumi, SONYA and the rest of ya…so, y’know what? Count me in!

Aiya: People are probably going to do that regardless. But you know what really matters, amigo?

Aiya gestures between the two.

Aiya: The truth of the matter, and we both know it in this case. Just keep that in mind.

Upon hearing El Pablo’s answer, The Headhuntress’s grin widens further as she gently clinks her glass against El Pablo’s.

Aiya: Hell yeah! Welcome aboard! I have no doubts the others will be just as excited as I am to see and hear this!

The two continue to drink and celebrate as the camera fades to …

[Sally Talfourd]

The café hums with the quiet murmur of caffeine-infused conversations. Bright sunlight filters through the tall glass windows casting a warm glow over mismatched furniture. It’s here that we find our EWC Undisputed Champion ‘The Last Magician’ Sally Talfourd.

Sally, adorned in oversized sunglasses and a knit beret pulled low, occupies a corner table, sipping her coffee with measured caution. Her eyes behind the glasses dart around, suspicious of every glance and hushed conversation.

“Everything going OK?” A chipper waitress with a pristine white apron leans over Sally’s table, startling the wrestler, “Can I get you anything else?”

Sally carefully places her cup on the saucer, removing her glasses to look up at the waitress, “Another coffee, and a pastry.”

“Any in particular?” The waitress rummages for a pen in her pouch pocket.

Sally cranes her neck to look around the waitress to the glass counter a few feet away, “Do you have anything with berries?”

“We have some fig puff pastries?” The waitress glances over her shoulder to the glass counter.

“Sure,” Sally picks up her cup and, as the waitress walks off, mutters to herself, “Figs aren’t berries.”

The air is thick with the rich aroma of freshly ground coffee, intertwining with the faint notes of jazz drifting from a vinyl record player in the corner. This, however, is all disturbed with a vocal and forceful, “Well well well, if it isn't SALLY TALFOURD.”

The voice cuts through the café. Nearly every conversation comes to a halt, with heads turning to see who has just disrupted the harmony. The only thing missing is the scratch of a needle across a vinyl record.

Sally looks up from her coffee, narrowing her eyes. Saidie Sharpe saunters through the café with an infectious energy, her smirk mixed with snark that's still somehow a bit sunny, a stark contrast to Sally’s guarded demeanour. As she reaches Sally’s table, she pulls out the chair opposite and plops down, undeterred.

“Could you be any louder?” Sally’s voice is guarded and hushed, “I think the cooks out back might not have heard you.”

Sadie leans back, chuckling under her breath at some inside joke only she understands, “So what if you have to sign a few extra autographs and get a few extra photos? Champ-life, right? Wow. The Undisputed Champion of EWC right in my favourite coffee shop. Crazy.”

Sally shifts uncomfortably in her seat, adjusting her beret to reveal a little more of her face. Saidie’s positive impact is already being felt. And Saidie knows damn well why Sally is there.

“Why did you want to meet?” Sally leans in over the table, her voice lowering with suspicion in her eyes, “I've got enough to worry about without anyone else trying to cash in on me now that I’m EWC’s shiny new champion. What's your angle with all this?”

“All this?” Sadie leans in, her expression sincere, “I wanted to be the first to congratulate you - again.”

“Again?” Sally eyes her sceptically, taking a deliberate sip of her coffee.

“You don’t remember? Take a second to think about who your welcome wagon was when you dropped into this company. Who was the first one who introduced themselves on your first Paramount? Who left you a Fighter Talk message as soon as it popped up? Me,” Saidie sits back with a grin, “It was me. I've known about your talent since the moment you stepped through the damn doors. Y’know. The Magic and all that.”

Sally squirms in her seat at either the mention of the Magic or her absentmindedness. It had been Saidie who welcomed Sally with open arms to EWC. For as hyped as the fans had been, it was Saidie who was the superstar who matched them. Sally rubs her hands over one-another in her seat, “You’re right. I’d forgotten.”

“I hadn’t. And I remembered you offered to finish our chat over coffee,” Saidie opens her arms to the cafe, “And so here we are.”

“Your pastry!” The waitress reappears, a beaming smile and absolutely sunny disposition. Sally makes room, shifting her coffee to the side. Noticing Saidie’s arrival, she turns to her, pen at the ready, “Can I get you anything?”

“Coffee,” Saidie responds rather bluntly.

“Cappuccino? Latte? Long black? Short…”

“Coffee,” Saidie shoots the waitress a look suggesting any hot water with a caffeine count would suffice. The message received, the waitress turns on her heels.

“You’ve got until I finish this,” Sally picks up the pastry, using it to point at Saidie, “So get cracking.”

As Sally takes her first bite, Saidie lets out another laugh, “Well, it shouldn’t take that long - if you know what’s good for you,” Saidie leans in, her voice lowering, “Shinijoshi wants you to be a part of the group, Sally. They're growing their numbers.”

Sally's eyes widen, then she goes to speak, despite a mouthful of food.

“I know, I know. Just hear me out,” Saidie is quick to hold up her hand and cut her off, “I know you're apprehensive. Trust me: So am I after what I did. But there’s some logic to this.”

Sally swallows hard, “I’d love to hear it.”

“I’m back in their fold,” Saidie looks down at her hands as they turn over a sugar packet. The light filtering through the window paints a tapestry of warmth and melancholy across the table, a moment captured in the amber hues of nostalgia, “But, like I said: Apprehensive. I know I would feel a lot better about it if I knew I had someone to watch my back.”

Sally scoffs, “So you’d have me join them to be your - what? Protection?”

“Not necessarily,” Saidie smiles, “Like you said: You’re the shiny new champion with her new shiny title belt. I’m sure you’ve realised it isn't just a great accessory. It's a target. A massive target. If you joined Shinijoshi, I’d have someone to watch my back, and you’d have someone to watch yours. More than one, if things go well.”

Saidie leans back in the chair and crosses her arms, trying to gauge Sally's reaction.

“Would it be so bad to have some allies?” Saidie’s eyes maintain unwavering contact with Sally’s, a genuine attempt to connect with her despite the cautious distance he has maintained.

“The Magic is my ally,” Sally fires off before taking her next bite.

“Allies that people can see?” Her hands dance in the air as she gestures to the people around the two wrestlers, each movement a punctuation mark in the disruptive proposition she has brought to the table. Despite the cafe's attempts to impose a tranquil atmosphere, Saidie disrupts the equilibrium with her animated gestures.

Sally’s mind ticks over with every chew. Her mind races, contemplating what a year might look like as a bonafide Shinijoshi. With a wry grin, she muttered, “Well, I did warn EWC what might happen if I won. And the landscape has certainly changed between WrestleFest and now.”

Saidie leans in forward, “What's changed?”

“Everyone will find out soon enough,” Sally quickly sits up, dropping her pastry to the plate. She dusts her hands off. A subtle transformation takes place in Sally's demeanour. The cautious lines on her face begin to soften, and her once-guarded posture eases into a more relaxed stance. She stretches out her hand, “You’ll have my back?”

The first genuine smile comes across Saidie’s face. When she reaches for Sally’s hand, it's with a quick and determined grab, “As long as you have mine.”