"The Path is set before you."
(A quick fade in from black reveals an old-school promo set-up: a man and a backdrop. KERRY KUROYAMA stands in his ring gear and a black Dojo t-shirt with the sleeves cut off. The backdrop behind him is a stylized “IWF - Chain Reaction” banner, probably one of the same they had hanging outside the Moss Bay Events Center a mere few weeks ago. There’s a look of calm determination and youthful zest in his eyes as he greets the camera with a casual nod of his head.)
Kerry Kuroyama
“The Path is set before you. It stretches to the horizon and beyond.
“As you follow it, the Mission will become clearer.
“There is no end to it, but arriving upon a destination is not the goal of the Mission.
“Constant progress is all that matters.”
These are the words of our proud and honorable Iemoto... “The Undying” Rocko Daymon. They mark the first passages of the Dojo’s creed of loyalty and conviction. It took many years of physical and mental preparation to make myself ready for the ring, but only now, triumphant after my first official professional wrestling match, do I fully realize and understand the meaning of those words.
My Path has begun here in International Wrestling Federation. And my Mission? To be proclaimed the best... by any means necessary.
Good evening, Pacific Northwest. If you don’t know it by now, the name is Kerry Kuroyama... born and raised a son of Seattle, Washington, and here tonight with a few things to say to the increasing number of fans out there taking notice of IWF.
Chain Reaction was the first step in my Path, and David “The Bird” Gilbride was the first of many obstacles I must overcome. Not a great leap forward, mind you... but all the same, the first step is perhaps the most important. A career cannot grow, thrive, and influence before it formally begins. Now that it’s begun, the only thing to do is to move on to bigger and better things.
Like the Emerald City Championship... and my next opponent, fellow Seattle native “Sub Pop” Scott Douglas.
I had a chance to see Douglas in action at the show a few weeks ago, and I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t impressed. I expect a much greater challenge from him than what Gilbride gave me in the ring, but I’m kinda looking forward to that. No challenge means no growth... and I feel that what I showed the fans back at Chain Reaction Number One was merely scratching the surface of my full potential.
I don’t think that will be the case at the next show, however. Two true-blooded Seattleites are going head to head in that ring, and the winner will earn a chance to compete for the Emerald City Championship. I feel the both of us are going to put forward our very best effort and give the fans a great contest to watch... and regardless of who wins, I’m certain they’ll be satisfied knowing somebody from the hometown is going into that final round to represent them.
If you’re listening out there, Scott, then make no mistake about it... my goal is to put that belt around my waist. If that means I have to drive your head into the canvas until you stay down either by choice or by incapacitation, then so be it. I’m prepared to take it that it that far should the need arise, and you should be as well, if you truly want to represent this city and this federation as its champion and figurehead.
I’m not going to sit here and bullsh*t you about how I think I deserve it more, or how I’m in some way “better suited” to be IWF’s hometown hero. This isn’t about feeding my ego... it’s about going into that ring and seeing who really deserves to move on to that title match. If you truly desire that belt more than I do, and if you have the talent to back up that desire, then you will, in all likelihood, come out victorious, and I’ll be the first to shake your hand and congratulate you.
But there’s more at stake here for me than simply representing my hometown and touching championship gold for the first time in my budding career. I also represent my teachers and fellow students back at the Dojo, who are eager to see one of their own succeed above any and all obstacles. As long as people like Terry “The Idol” Anderson are out there calling our school a sham, I will always be driven to prove that our evolutionary form of wrestling is superior not just in the Pacific Northwest territory, but the entire world.
I feel the only thing truly holding me back at this point is age and inexperience. But with every passing day, I grow older... and with every match, I learn a little bit more. Like the creed states, “Constant progress is all that matters”... so I’ll take things one step at a time.
“Sub Pop” Scott Douglas... you’re the next step in my Path. You’re the man I must overcome to achieve the Emerald City Championship. I’d wish you luck, except I don’t believe in it... so instead, I’ll just pray that you come into that ring with strength, vision, and the will to fight. May the better man win, as the saying goes.
And to all the people out there, I invite you to join us at Chain Reaction Number Two at the Moss Bay Events Center next week. If you were left wanting to see more after the the last show, then I won’t disappoint you this time around. Until then, try to keep your head out of the rain and have a safe, savory week.
Once again, this is Kerry Kuroyama... and the Path is set before me.
(He gives the camera a simple farewell nod before it plainly fades to black.)