Dreams are overrated.

27.07.21 Osaka, Japan

*The Rumble Match during the last Proving Ground didn't go as Arata would have imagined it to be. The man was not only disappointed, but also annoyed that he had let himself be deprived of the chance to face Ozymandias in such a childish way. All in all, everything was going well, as he showed himself in such a great way that no one would have any doubts that he deserved to be a winner. However, the opportunity he had at his fingertips, just vanished away. As painful as it was, the Japanese man had no choice but to move forward and see what was ahead of him in the future. This optimism was quickly destroyed by the deja vu, which hit him with such an impact that he was speechless for a short while. After all he did during Rumble, this company still underestimated his effort and what a high-level competitor he is. After a great showing, they again booked him against some jobber. For the first time, he could forgive them for such a disgrace, but slowly the Japanese man began to get aggressive. Arata simply knew that he deserved better than Daniel Ackerman. But apparently Proving Ground management didn't have enough faith in it. Which was quite funny, because they invested more in much weaker members of their roster. The thing is, no matter how much the Japanese competitor didn't like it, in the end he had no choice but to go to the ring and gain another win. He even tried to explain to himself that the road to success can be long, even though he was a person who was supposed to reach for gold quite quickly.*

*The man put off the formalities related to this match for as long as he could. He wasn't the kind of person who liked wasting a lot of time talking about people, who just didn't matter to him at all. What's more, he did not even think about what he should say to his opponent. Spontaneously, he just sat down on the black couch in his living room and set the camera up in front of him.*

*When the shot opens, the camera immediately catches a Japanese man wearing a black hooded sweatshirt, black torn jeans with a chain attached to the belt loop and black heavy boots. There is relative silence in the house, as Arata's children went shopping with their mother, which made perfect circumstances. That's why, without wasting any time, the man quickly goes straight to the point. However, before he utters his first words, he pulls up his sleeves to the elbows and rests his forearms on his knees, making himself slouch.*

Disappointment is all I feel, since I was last seen by Project Honor Universe. However, this feeling is not only because I wasted a chance for the title shot, but for many different reasons. The main one, of course, is the situation that I mentioned. After all, everyone would be unhappy to know that they were so close, but still not close enough to find themselves in a title picture. Rather, no one ambitious would be satisfied with reaching only Final 3, because at the end only the person who won is relevant. Especially that, as I mentioned recently, the competition was not too demanding, except for a few people. However, I must admit that I had a little hope that despite everything that happened, my performance opened the eyes of the management. I had a little faith that they would see that I was worth more and eventually make the right decision. Well, I'm not even surprised that this hope died pretty fucking quick. After all, what could I expect from these gaijins, huh? That they'll give me the treatment I deserve? Come on, Arata, don't forget that we are in America. With that being said, I think it's time to finally address the real problem that emerged with this week's card announcement.

*Arata puts his thumb and forefinger to the upper bone of the nose and closes his eyes for a moment. A deep sigh comes out of his mouth. After a while, Arata's gaze returns to the camera again, as the man continues his speech.*

When I saw the vision of this roster that the management had, I was almost speechless. The moment I realized what the rules are here, I was convinced that these people had nothing to do with honor. The wrestling industry simply doesn't know what that even means. For them, it's just another word that they drop at random moments to sound serious. Even if someone thinks that I may be frustrated right now, no one will tell me that you can call it honorable that Project Honor literally shits on my efort, which I put on from the beginning. These people don't even give a shit about what I did during Rumble Match. It is ridiculous that I have to face some jobber without any positive vision of the future, while people who are doing much worse than me, were handed an opportunity to be a challenger for Emmy's belt. I literally kicked her and Lance out of the match. I eliminated two of your champs out of the three who participated, and I still don't get a little bit of admiration from you. At this point, there is only one question in my head. What the fuck is wrong with you? I hope you don't think that I'm going to wait forever for you to finally get really interested in me. That's why, listen carefully. After I'm done with this little bitch at Proving Ground, me and Indy Darling need to have a serious conversation. However, he must be aware that I am not accepting a refusal. I don't want any form of comfort. I want what I truly deserve and this is another championship. I don't give a fuck how Indy is going to do that. I care even less if he gives me a match with Emmy, ​​Lance, Ozy or if he gets that goth bitch, Elena, from Fallout. It is really better for him, that he finally treats me properly, or he'll wake the monster up eventually. Scott Oasis has found out himself what it means to underestimate me. So I doubt Indy Darling will want to make the same mistake, as the consequences will be dire.

*The man pauses for a moment and runs his thumb over his blond beard. A kind of malicious smile appeared on the face of Japanese man.*

As for Daniel Ackerman, I don't have much to say. No matter how much this clown tries to get my attention on twitter, it won't change the fact that I just don't care. For me, this is just another, not very ambitious challenge that Project Honor puts in front of me. That's the fact. Contrary to what this fukcing idiot thinks, this match is in my favor, but apparently we have another person with too high self-esteem. You must be really delusional to think of yourself so well, Daniel. You have to be really crazy to believe that you are able to defeat someone like me, while having a problem to even get close to victory against talents from a lower level. You are truly a dreamer to even think in such a categories, Daniel. However, you forget that your confidence won't win you the match. Evidentlly, you don't realize that stupid and disrespectful tweets aren't a factor that will change the outcome of our match. It's just a waste of your time, that you could actually spend on preparation, just to last longer than twelve seconds this time. Of course, at this point I'm only talking about Rumble, but who knows. Your stamina does not seem to be very good. Either way, there's a huge difference in level between the two of us. You shouldn't judge a competitor by his record, but the fact that you haven't won any match doesn't make people look at you with respect. From my own perspective, I tell you that they think you're another guy in too tight pants, who thinks this industry is for everyone. It is not, and no matter how many years you are there, it won't change the fact that you are disappointment. Not only to me as your opponent, but to the whole business. All you have to do is look at these six years again and sadly admit that you see nothing relevant. It is literally a fucking black hole, because these years haven't changed anything in your career. During this time, you just wandered around like a homeless cat from one company to another with no results. You can defend yourself with the biggest excuse in the world, that wins are not the most important thing. The point is, no one in this industry does it to run between the ropes for a few minutes. Every ambitious and respected wrestler wants to build their legacy. All you have built in these six years is a castle made of Lego bricks.

Even if there are three years of experience between us, which is a lot, they are not giving you even a small advantage over me. I have beaten those who have much more years in thos indsyrtu than both of us combined and at least they were relevant to this business. That way I made myself a big money player in such a short time. While, you are someone that no one has ever heard of and you will remain so. However, people have different aims. So...If the fact that you live your dream as the wrestler you've always wanted to be, is enough to please your ego, that's fine. The point is, this is a pure sign of lack of ambition. It's also probably a lie, because I doubt that in those few years you haven't even thought about what it's like to be a champion. I doubt you didn't cry on the locker room floor in frustration after every terrible match. Nobody who cares about this industry should be indifferent to the lack of success. Therefore, even if you want to show everyone that you do not care about such important details, that make the difference between the competitors, I know that you are suffering as fuck. The fact that you can't be like one of those wrestlers you admired as a kid is destroying you. You know what's gonna be even more painful, Daniel? The fact that you will not only seal your poor fate with another defeat at Proving Ground, but that you will have to show humility to someone who never wanted to be a wrestler.

*Arata sparks with a short laugh.*

Nothing gives me more pleasure than ruining such dreamers. As far as I am a man who comes from a difficult environment and had to go through hell to get where I am, I am a realist. I know that some things are not for everyone. First of all, I realize that dreams alone are never enough, because even if you manage to get closer to them, there will always be someone better, Daniel. There will always be someone who will leave you far behind their back and you will only be able to look at them with jealousy in your eyes.

*The man covers his face with his hands again and shakes his head disapprovingly. A memory popped up in his mind that, from the current perspective, is downright pathetic.*

A long time ago I was a different man. It also seemed to me that dreams mattered most in this world. It was mine to prove that no matter where you come from, you can achieve anything with hard work. However, after a while I found out that this is not the case. As much as I value the effort, there will always be factors beyond your control that will limit you. Even if it sucks, mostly the system is the one creating your future, not you. I have found it out too many times myself. It made me hate society even more. Mainly because I was raised, that I should always get what I earnt. After a while, however, understanding also appeared alongside hatred. You know, if desire or dreams were the only thing needed to succeed, this industry would be filled with mediocre. Sometimes it makes sense to trim a couple of wings just to create a certain level. Even if it sounds brutal, there is always one rule, regardless of the era. The strongest will always survive. The one who has the best predispositions will always push through. The one whose existence has the most value will be on the top. The fat will be cut off, and in this case it's you, Daniel. You have to understand one thing, boy, no matter how much you believe that your dreams are enough motivation to beat me. You don't have the slightest chance to do it. I hope you are ready for our match, because at Proving Ground, I'll give you the important lesson that this industry is too cruel for dreamers. Sorry not sorry, but dreams are even more overrated than you in your own head.

*Shortly after these words, the recording ends and the screen fades black.*