~With Kai~

I was booked for a match with a match against a guy named Kassius Ohno, but I heard is a heel, so I wanna make sure I'm prepared for whatever he's got in store.

When Kaori, Masami, and I made it to Full Sail, I got into my gear almost immediately because I wanted to show that I was ready to fight.

Masami offered to walk me down to the ring, but I respectfully declined because I wanted to make sure that we save our partnership idea for a later date. She understood, but when KO was out, I was ready to go as my theme played.

At the second half of the first verse, I went out, holding my title with one arm, like Minoru would when he's making his entrance, same with a towel I have in my other hand.

Now, the towel I'm holding is something special on it. I thought I might update my entrance a little bit, just to keep everyone invested.

And you see, the reason I'm holding my title like this is to show that I'm someone who wants to be taken seriously and I'm someone people don't want to mess with, so for me to hold my Championship like this is a way for the belt to have more prestige than it has right now.

And his opponent, from Yamaguchi, Japan, weighing at 229lbs, he is the NXT North American Champion, "The Prodigy", REN HOSAKO!

As I went up the steps, I stepped onto the ring apron, swept my feet, entered the ring until I was in the middle, where I laid the championship down as gently as I can go, opened up the towel to display this...

The crowd cheered as I picked up my title, put it in the corner, same with the towel, took off my jacket, and threw it outside the ring.

RING THE BELL!

The bell rang as this match started with the crowd cheering and chanting...

HOSAKO! HOSAKO! HOSAKO!

The first thing Kassius did was look for the Knockout Forearm, but I countered that by going for the Fujiwara and I had it locked in until he grabbed the bottom rope.

I didn't feel upset by that. Instead, I got up, dragged him to the middle of the ring, where I got a hold of his arm where he performs the Forearm stuck it straight up and started spreading out his fingers as far as they can go before I twisted his wrist.

As I twist his wrist, I bent it...

Oooh.

...bent his arm...

OOOH!

...and pulled Ohno's arm back...

OOOOOOOH!

...as I got on top of him and started pulling back, causing him to scream in absolute agony and pain.

Ohno was reaching for the ropes and he didn't know what I was capable of. He probably didn't do a lot of research because if he did, he'd be better off making his exit from NXT a lot sooner.

Kassius managed to make it to the rope, but after the ref counted to four, I only released one arm, before I started switching arms, very slowly, to keep the pain in Ohno's arm going.

When the ref eventually pulled me off, I immediately went onto him, yelling in Japanese, as my face was in his...

手放すところだった！ 私は私の仕事をし、あなたはあなたの仕事をします。 (I was about to let go! I'll do my job and you do yours, alright!)

Seeing him scared made me smile as I straightened his collar, wiped the sweat off the back of my neck, wiping it on his own neck, and onto his shirt, getting a laugh out of everyone as I turned my attention back to Ohno.

He was holding onto his bad arm and I looked to cause more damage, but he started punching my rib cage, looking to inflict some pain.

Once he Irish Whipped me to the ropes, I ran into his forearm!

He covered me, but I kicked out at two, mostly because he used his bad arm to "knock me out".

I rolled underneath the bottom rope and looked to take him by surprise.

I got up and he grabbed me, but I stepped through the middle rope, and performed an armbreaker while using the ropes as leverage.

Once the ref counted to 4, I released, landed on my feet, grabbed one of Ohno's legs, and pulled him out of the ring as I started to brutalize him with my forearms.

And it wasn't long before I threw him back in the ring and locked in the sleeper.

Ohno was fading fast but he was so limp, I decided to attempt to do my Brainbuster.

Remember, this guy's height is 6' 4" and he weighs 270lbs, and I never lifted guys up with that weight, but I decided to give it a try anyway.

I put him in the Suplex position, put his arm around my head, and I managed to lift him up for a quick Brainbuster!

That's 270 plus pounds, are you kidding me!

I covered Ohno and I got the win.

Once I got back up on my feet, I celebrated my victory.

Here is your winner, the NXT North American Champion, REN HOSAKO!

That young man is brutal, just as his tenure in his native country of Japan!

Ren is just a beast inside that ring, no wonder he's called a Prodigy!

If I had a nickel for every time Ren shows his dominance, I'd be a millionaire by now!

After I celebrated, this music played...

[There should be a GIF or video here. Update the app now to see it.]

So, Johnny wants to come out here and get in my face again? Well, I wonder what he's gonna say.

I'm not done with you, Ren so don't think that you're done with me!

The crowd booed and cheered as Gargano kept talking.

That match you just had inside that ring was just a fluke. A squash, if you ask me, but our match for that title you hold in your hand was for the contendership to have a shot at that!

I didn't yawn or anything, I listened intently as Johnny went on to say...

I want a rematch, but this time, for the NXT North American Championship!

I grinned and nodded as the fans were chanting "Yes" and cheering.

So how about it, you, me, in that ring, next week!

I was liking the idea. I mean, if Gargano wants a rematch for my newly won title, then no problem! I did say that I want to fight as if every match is my retirement match for this title, but there's only one thing missing.

I asked for the microphone and said, in the best English I can possibly speak...

I did say... you do not deserve... rematch...

The crowd booed, but I was about to back it up.

...but since you want it badly, I gladly accept!

The crowd popped as Regal walked out onto the balcony above some fans and the both of us looked at him, who seemed to like the idea.

You want it, Johnny? Then you bloody got it! Next week, it's Ren Hosako, verses Johnny Gargano, for the NXT North American Championship!

The fans popped again as I decided to have the final word...

Give me fight of my life, but in the end, I will have victory... because Ren Hosako is...

I pointed in the air...

ICHIBAN!

My theme played as the fans cheered and I walked into the back, leaving Johnny Gargano frozen with fear about what I plan to do the next week.

It seems like every time I cut a promo in near perfect English, people are frozen with fear because of my status as the protege of Suzuki and a former member of Suzuki-Gun. I'm not really surprised about that. I mean, if it scares people, it scares people. If it doesn't cause fear in everyone's hearts, then it doesn't cause fear in everyone's hearts.

It doesn't make a difference to me on how people feel about me speaking English. If it sounds cool to them, then it makes my day, knowing that I might become their favorite wrestler to watch.

I take great pride in making sure my character is relevant and it's something everyone can relate.

Also, there is a bit of a language barrier between myself and everyone I work with, but I promised myself, and Minoru, that no matter the race of my co-workers, I have to show that I'm someone they want to work with. I'm dedicated to being a great athlete and person because that's who I am.

I could go back to NOAH, but I just know I made a couple enemies there back in 2015, and that's okay. At least I get to go to NXT to be around my sister and my girlfriend, and I've never been more happier than I am right now.

And speaking of my girlfriend, Masami had to come to gorilla and have hearts in her eyes.

ハンターは、あなたがかかとを回す計畫を教えてくれました。 本當ですか？ (Hunter told me the plan about you turning heel. Is it true?)

うん。 私は彼に、このターンをどのように遅らせたいか、そしてどのようにヒントを與えたいかについてのプロセスを話しました. (Yeah. I told him the process on how I want to take this turn slow and how I want to give away some hints.)

好きなんですけど質問いいですか？ (I love it, but can I ask you a question?)

もちろん。 (Sure.)

あなたがかかとを向けるとき、私はあなたに加わることができますか？ 私をあなたの犯罪や従者のパートナーだと思いますか? (Can I join you when you turn heel? Think of me as your partner in crime or valet?)

おかしなことに、參加したいか聞いてみようと思ってたのに！ (Funny enough, I was gonna ask you if you wanted to join me!)

よし、入った！ (Well, I'm in!)

We both laughed and hugged and just pecked our lips as we just loved looking at each other's eyes. I just love when we do this. It makes me feel special, and I'm sure it makes Masami feel the same way.

いつ始めますか？ (When do we start?)

タイミングが完璧なとき。 つまり、私たちが畫面に表示されるたびに、それを急いだり、順番についての兆候を出し続けたりする理由はありません. 私が提案するのは、ヒントを提供するということですが、最終的に実行に移すまでは月に 1 つのエピソードだけです。 (When the timing is perfect. I mean, there's no reason to rush it nor keep giving away signs about the turn every time we appear on the screen. What I suggest is that we give away hints, but only one episode a month until we finally put it into action.)

私はその計畫が大好きです。 ご存知のように、この自閉癥は私には奇妙ですが、それはカイの頭の良さを賞賛できないという意味ではありません。 (I love that plan. You know, although this autism is weird to me, it doesn't mean I can't admire how smart you are, Kai.)

まさみさん、ありがとうございます。 (Thanks Masami.)

We kissed until someone called for me.

Ren, you're wanted in an interview.

數分後に會いましょうか？ (See you in a few minutes?)

私はここにいますよ。 (I'll be here.)

We pecked as I walked over to the interviewer to talk backstage as I couldn't wait to talk.

Once I got to where the interview was taking place, I was ready to pull a promo.

Ladies and gentlemen, my guest at this time, the NXT North American Champion, Ren Hosako. Ren, you have a rematch with Johnny Gargano next week and you seem happy with the decision by NXT General Manager William Regal. What are your expectations going into this match next week?

I was given the opportunity to speak in Japanese while there were subtitles on the screen. And luckily, this interviewer was given the instruction on making sure that she nods and agrees on anything I say in my language, which I really appreciated.

As the subtitles came on...

Gargano wants a rematch with me, but for this Championship? No problem. I have no problem with facing him again. I was taught along the way if you're the Champion, you gotta put everything you have on the line, and that includes this title.

She nodded with a smile as I kept talking...

Like I said out there, he's gonna have to step up and show me what he's got in store, but in the end, not only is the outcome the same as before, this title's coming home with me.

I decided to call out anyone who thinks that I don't serve the title nor being Champion. So, in typical Ren Hosako fashion...

And before I forget, all you people, who think that this title doesn't fit me, then I want you to do me a favor: look at my accolades, try to find something to prove that I don't deserve a beautiful championship like this one. I'm not from North America, but I will treat this Championship with the respect it deserves. All of you fans are gonna give me a hard time with it, but you gotta trust me. Just trust me, and I'll be the Champion that you want me to be.

I smirked, winked, and walked off as the camera stopped rolling as Masami just kept having hearts in her eyes.

After talking to Hunter about the match between Johnny and I, we both went our way home, but what I'm about to get in the morning is going to get me all excited.