ZIP JAPAN Archive Thread

*fade in on the interior of Reiko and Trash's home. The dining room table is set for two with fancy silverware, candles, the whole nine yards for an elaborate but intimate dinner. Trash and Reiko are seated next to each other, finishing their meal.

Reiko: *putting down her fork* <Mmm. That was lovely, Trash. Thank you for preparing all this. It must have been a lot of work.>

Trash: <Nothing but the best for you, babe.>

Reiko: *smiling* <You're so sweet. What did I ever do to deserve you?>

Trash: *joking* <I dunno, you must have pissed off someone pretty bad.>

*Reiko laughs and a moment of silence passes.*

Trash: <Listen, Reiko. There's something I need to ask you. Something serious.>

Reiko: <Oh?>

Trash: *to himself* Now or never, dude.

*Trash pushes out his chair and gets down on one knee, producing a small box from his pocket. Reiko knows what is coming and is clearly very excited. Trash opens the box to reveal a diamond ring.*

Trash: <Reiko ZIP, will you marry me?>

*Reiko launches herself out of her chair, throwing her arms around Trash's neck and sobbing.*

Reiko: <Yes, yes of course!>

*They kiss for a long moment before Trash pulls away and grasps Reiko's hand, slipping the ring onto her finger. Reiko is still crying tears of joy.*

Trash: <I've had this ring a long time Reiko. I've been waiting for the right time to ask you.>

Reiko: *laughing through her tears* Baka-gaijin, <what took you so long? Did you think I could ever turn you down?>

Trash: <You know me, babe. Timing is everything. This seemed like the perfect opportunity.>

*Trash has a twinkle in his eye that Reiko picks up on immediately.*

Reiko: *suspiciously* <You're up to something Trash, I can tell. What is it?>

Trash: <Can't get anything past you, can I? Listen up babe, remember what we talked about the other day? Well, I called in a few favors. I've been on the phone the past couple of days, getting in touch with a ton of the talent. We can make a show happen Reiko, a bunch of the guys are all willing to come back for a one time only card...pro bono!...but I figured we needed something to celebrate. You know, a reason for putting the whole crew back together for one more kick at the can. Let's throw a huge puro engagement party!>

Reiko: *slightly annoyed* <Wait, so this was your big idea? You're asking me to marry you as an excuse to book a wrestling show?>

Trash: *tweaking her playfully on the nose* <No, you doofus, I'm asking you to marry me because you're the best person I know, and I love you. Buuuuut, if a wrestling show happens to come out of it....who's to say that's a bad thing? It's what you wanted isn't it?>

Reiko: *brightening* <Yeah. Yeah, I guess it is.>

Trash: <There you go! Come on, Reiko, you're the daughter of a legendary wrestler...and you're marrying a, er...>

Reiko: *breaking in as Trash pauses, in a slightly mocking tone* <...legendary wrestler?>

Trash: <Well I dunno about legendary, but you're marrying a wrestler who was pretty damn good once upon a time....how the hell else are we supposed to celebrate? Let's make this happen!>

Reiko: *embracing Trash in a fierce hug* <Yes! Let's do it. I love you.>

*Trash lifts up Reiko's chin and moves in to kiss her, but Reiko suddenly breaks away with a concerned look*

Reiko: <Oh my god, there's so much to do! I'll have to pick a date and book a venue, arrange travel, draft the contracts, organize the ticket sales, the press conference...> *Reiko is pacing around, suddenly in business mode as she's talking but then stops still with a stunned expression on her face* <I...I have to come up with a card!> *she looks at Trash* <I'll be in my office!>

*In a flash, Reiko rushes out the door, leaving Trash standing alone by the table, looking after her with a bemused expression*

Trash: *sarcastically* Jesus, what a romantic.

*Trash chuckles again, pulls out his cell phone and dials, sitting down at the table as it rings*

Trash: Hey, Denizen! It's White Trash, how's it going, buddy? What time is it in Canada? Really? Oh shit, sorry man. Listen, I got some news for ya....

*The audio of the conversation fades as the camera goes black*

Let's throw a huge puro engagement party!>

Reiko: *slightly annoyed* <Wait, so this was your big idea? You're asking me to marry you as an excuse to book a wrestling show?>



White Trash really is "ringing in" the New Year! 💍🤼‍♂️

*fade in from the hard camera at the back of a small hall, chairs set up before a podium up on a tiny stage. A large ZIP JAPAN logo is displayed on a video screen on the back wall. There's a loose cluster of journalists, photographers and fans, perhaps 20 people in all, but plenty of empty seats. Reiko and White Trash stand together behind the podium. As Trash begins to speak, the feed cuts to a steadicam shot in semi closeup*

White Trash: <Ahem. Thanks, everyone for coming out today, I know we kinda pulled this together last minute...but Reiko and I have a couple of very important announcements. First and foremost, I'm very happy to let you all know that Reiko ZIP and I are going to be married!>

*Trash pauses and smiles as a smattering of applause ripples through the room. Reiko is trying (and mostly failing) to conceal a goofy grin*

Trash: <Thanks. Thanks very much, Reiko is a better woman than I deserve, and we're both very excited to start this new adventure together. And we wanted to celebrate! But not just with our friends and families, we wanted to share our celebrations with all the fans, the folks out there who we've shared so much of our lives with. We both really appreciate that there are still people out there who care about ZIP JAPAN, even though we've been unable to promote any events since the summer of 2019. So we decided to throw a massive puro party, and invite back as many fan favorites as we can to put on one more proper ZIP JAPAN show, as a little gift to the fans, and to ourselves!>

*there is a short burst of applause and a few flashbulbs go off as Trash plays to the camera a little. Trash bows slightly and steps back as Reiko approaches the microphone, smiling.*

Reiko: <Hi, everyone, it's really nice to be back in front of you all. Especially when we are sharing such good news! I admit I was initially skeptical about the idea of holding another ZIP JAPAN show, but Trash really worked hard to help make it happen. He was the one who reached out to so many of the wrestlers and convinced them to return for this show. It's been a huge undertaking, but we're really pleased to announce that for the first time in over two and a half years, there will be a ZIP JAPAN live event on Friday, February 18th 2022! We'll be at the at the Saitama Superdome, and the show will also be streamed on Twitch for fans who can't attend in person.>

*another brief pause for some polite clapping and flash bulbs*

Reiko: <As incredibly quickly as this show has come together, I regret that I do not have a finalized card yet. However, I'm happy to reveal several ZIP JAPAN stars who will definitely be appearing at the event! Here are some video messages we've received in the past few days.>

*a video package begins to play on the screen behind Reiko, and the camera cuts to a direct video feed. Several wrestlers are featured, each in a short clip giving a brief greeting and offering their congratulations to Reiko and Trash, before promising to be at the Superdome on the 18th. Included are Wataru Nakajima, Daisuke Shimura, Justin Starr, The Doogan Bros, Yutaro Ichikawa, Momoe Ito, Great HAGE and Yumi Yamaguchi. By the end of the video it's getting slightly repetitive and cringey. The camera cuts back to the steadicam shot of the stage*

Reiko: <Trash and I both have a few very busy weeks ahead of us, but we're sure it will all be worth it. We're excited for the show, and we hope you all are too! Now, are there any questions?>

Journalist 1: <Yes, Reiko, do you know when the official card will be published?>

Reiko: <Well, we're still sorting out exactly who will be able to appear. It's not like when we were running two shows a month, when the whole roster was always available to me...some people just won't be able to make it, and others will be coming from halfway around the world. I should have a firm list of attendees with the next couple of days, and then I'll be able to announce the full card. However I can confirm that all 4 ZIP JAPAN titles will be defended. Anyone else?>

Journalist 2: <When is the wedding, Reiko?>

*there is some laughter at this*

Reiko: *grinning* <No firm date yet, I'm afraid. All our efforts since Trash and I got engaged have been towards putting together this event. Once the show has ended, we can begin to plan the wedding. Any more questions?>

Journalist 3: <Is this event going to have a name, Reiko?>

Reiko: <Ah, yes. I->

*a loud voice suddenly erupts from the back of the room*

<Hey, Reiko I got a question! Are you fucking kidding me?>

*the steadicam whips around to reveal Aya Mizuno, striding forward through the crowd, kicking chairs aside as she goes, regardless of whether people are sitting in them or not. Journalists and fans begin to scatter, the few photographers in attendance begin to jostle each other for shots of both Aya and Reiko while carefully avoiding Aya's path*

Aya: <This is some serious bullshit Reiko. You're getting married? For real? BLEAHHH! *she imitates vomiting* Are we actually supposed to give a fuck? You think you're someone special? Like anyone is supposed to care about two washed up losers settling for each other?>

Reiko: *angry* <What do you want, Mizuno? Why are you even here?>

*Aya stops at the edge of the stage, shouting up at Reiko*

Aya: <You little bitch! Who the hell do you think you are?>

*there is a commotion as Demon Otsu suddenly appears behind White Trash on the stage, spinning him around by his shoulder and sucker punching him in the nuts. Trash goes down in a heap, and Otsu holds him down with a boot across the neck. In the moment that Reiko turns around to see what happened, Aya strikes. She leaps onto the stage and delivers a blindside flying forearm to Reiko's head which sends Reiko reeling. Aya grabs Reiko by the back of her head and violently smashes her forehead against the podium twice, very hard. There is general pandemonium in the room, but with Otsu on stage no one intervenes. Reiko is basically out on her feet, and Mizuno is pretty much holding her up by her hair, showing off her handiwork. Reiko has a cut under her left eye that is already beginning to swell, and a deeper cut across the bridge of her nose that is streaming blood. Her eyes are rolling in their sockets and the camera flashes are continuous*

Aya: <What a joke! Reiko and Trash, you two are nothing! There's only one power couple that rules in ZIP JAPAN! And that's me and my man Otsu! You wanna get hitched and have a wrestling show to celebrate? Well guess what assholes, I'm about to ruin all that for you.>

*Aya holds up a dazed Reiko and stares right into her face*

Aya: <Fair warning, Reiko! If you and all your jerkoff wrestler friends waltz into Saitama on February 18th for a grand old time, I'll be there, and I'll hurt you. I'll hurt you bad. Me and Otsu will make sure neither you nor Trash makes it to the altar! Are you listening? You want a name for your pissant little show, Reiko? How about this: Bloody Matrimony! That's what it's gonna be for you and Trash if you've got the guts to even show up!>

*Aya gives Reiko a savage open handed slap across the face that drops her to the ground in an unconscious tangle of limbs. She looks over at Otsu and grins wickedly*

Aya: <Let's split, sweets. Our work here is done.>

*Otsu gives Trash a hard boot in the ribs before jumping off the stage and theatrically holding out his hand for Aya. She takes it daintily, stepping down off the stage with a kind of mock elegance. They walk out of the hall arm in arm, cackling like hyenas as no one dares to try and stop them. The camera fades to black as the people in attendance rush to help Reiko and Trash*

*camera fade in on the faces of Aya Mizuno and Demon Otsu in extreme closeup. Their heads, practically touching side by side, fill the screen. They are lit from beneath, etching their faces in deep shadow, and they are surrounded by darkness. Both are wearing leering grins, and Otsu's fangs are gleaming*

Aya: <Reiko, my darling, you are too funny for words. You're actually challenging us to a street fight? Adorable! You must have taken one too many knocks to your giant cranium if you honestly think you have a chance! We accept!>

*Otsu begins to nod enthusiastically, and Aya's eyes flick over to him. Her hand appears in the shot as she caresses his cheek. Otsu makes a deep, rumbling kind of purring noise before speaking in his gravelly monotone.*

Otsu: <We...will fight you....and we...will end you.>

Aya: *to Otsu* <You know, studmuffin, ever since we pissed on Reiko's little press conference last week, everyone I talk to is asking me the same damn question.> *in a mocking, whiny voice* <"Why, Aya? Why did you attack Reiko ZIP?"> *she snorts and turns back to the camera* <I'll tell you why. Because she's a fucking dork with a huge, stupid head! Because she never gave me the respect I deserved as ZIP JAPAN Joshi Champion! Because she thinks her goddamn family is God's gift to wrestling! Or maybe...maybe it's just because I happened to be in the neighborhood that day and it felt good.>

*Aya pauses and grins as Otsu begins nuzzling her neck. Aya quickly carries on, igoring Otsu as he continues*

Aya: <Why does there even need to be a fucking reason? Sometimes evil is just evil, and I'm the best there is at evil. You only need to know two things about Aya Mizuno. One!> *she holds up her index finger in front of her face* <I like hurting people, especially people I don't like. and Two!> *she raises her pinky finger, completing the Devil Horns* <I don't like Reiko ZIP. That's all there is to it.>

*Otsu chuckles deeply as his nuzzling picks up in intensity, and he starts licking the side of Aya's face*

Aya: *to Otsu* <Alright, alright, hot stuff. Geez, give me two seconds.> *she looks back into the camera* <Well, I guess it's feeding time at the zoo. Gotta go, Reiko! See you in Saitama! Bye!!>

*Aya waves at the screen as Otsu's face disappears into darkness. Aya lets out a tiny squeal as she is suddenly yanked into the shadows herself, leaving a black and silent screen that cuts quickly to static before ending*

That makes the main event official, Aya/Otsu vs Reiko/Trash in a no rules street fight!

*camera fades in on TheDenizen, standing in a poorly lit room in front of a nondescript cinder block wall, a faint blue light flashing intermittently off to one side. His beard is graying, and he's wearing a black wool cap and mirrored Ray-Ban sunglasses. A black leather biker jacket hangs open over his shirtless torso, his fuzzy beer gut protruding slightly, perfectly completing the image of "sad, out of touch old man tries to look cool". At first glance, he appears to be sweating profusely as though he's just finished a grueling workout, but if you look closely, it seems more likely that he's just dumped a bottle of water over his head and chest. That's because that's exactly what he did.*

Denizen: Well, shit fire, boys, look who's back on a ZIP JAPAN card. Listen up...Reiko ZIP and White Trash are two of my best friends in the wrestling business. They helped me get my start in Japan years ago and we've always remained close, so I'm super happy to see the two of them finally getting hitched. I was genuinely honored they asked me to participate in their upcoming show, and I was thrilled to be able to accept. I didn't even know who my opponent would be, and I honestly didn't think it would matter.

*TheDenizen strokes his beard slowly as he exhales a deep sigh*

Denizen: But holy Christ on a crutch, I wasn't expecting to be thrown into the ring with Wataru Naka-fucking-jima! A "loser leaves ZIP JAPAN" match? Look, I know that back in the day, I used to relish being a heat magnet, but being the guy who ends the 30-plus-year ZIP JAPAN career of a legend like Nakajima? Even I'm not sure I want that kind of heat. Of course, that's assuming anything I can throw at that crusty old bastard will actually hurt him. Doesn't Reiko remember Birthday Bash from 2018? I got my ass handed to me by Captain Insano Jr....a Junior Heavyweight who had already been retired for years! Nakajima is a much taller order than Insano. I mean, I appreciate that Reiko booked me against someone even older and slower than me, but still...Nakajima? *he shakes his head morosely* Maybe Reiko just thinks it'll be funny to watch me get my ass kicked....again.

*TheDenizen stops suddenly, as if realizing how much of a whining bitch he sounds like. He takes a deep breath and seems to steel himself*

Denizen: Well, it is what it is. I ain't ever backed away from a fight and I ain't about to start now. My plane ticket is already bought and paid for, so I'll be in Saitama on Feb 18th for Bloody Matrimony. I'll be in shape and ready to challenge Nakajima-san. It's probably gonna be the last time I ever get booked in ZIP JAPAN, so don't miss it!

*TheDenizen points into the camera and stands still for a moment, as if waiting for the camera fade out, but the camera doesn't fade out. After another second passes, he relaxes and his gut sags over his belt as he exhales heavily.*

Denizen: Aah, Jesus! Thank God that's over!

*He walks towards the camera, reaching for it, but as he gets close, he accidentally kicks the tripod and the camera tumbles over backwards. The camera comes to rest upside down, revealing the inside of a filthy and mostly empty pub, a neon Pabst Blue Ribbon sign winking behind the bar. The upper half of TheDenizen's face suddenly appears sideways on the screen*

Denizen: Motherfuc-

*he is cut off as the camera cuts to black*