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"Van
In Japan"
December
10th, 2003
It’s a hazy afternoon here in the land of the rising sun and it’s been a while since I’ve last written. For those of you who have been waiting I apologize for the long delay. So much has happened since the last time I checked in.
Way too much for just one sitting so I’ll update you on the most recent events. The tour before this past one, I was in my first main event: Myself, the Predator and Jason the Legend against Tengu Kaiser, Ogasawara and the big boss, Shinya Hashimoto.
Before the match I was a bit nervous but I was ready and willing to give it my all. I started the match against Ogasawara; my two six foot plus partners anxiously waited on the apron. Now keep in mind that Ogasawara isn’t so much a pro wrestler as he is a shoot Karate sensei.
So when he gave me a shoot spinning heel kick to my temple, I went down hard. My whole world went dark. I’ve never been knocked out before. It was a new experience for me. But I managed to regain my composure and was able to finish the match. It went well. And in the end it was me taking the fall.
In this business it’s not whether you win or lose, it’s all about the work. And if the work is good then it speaks for itself. After the match, I began feeling sick and began throwing up. I figured it was just a concussion but the office was a bit worried. I insisted I was okay and worked the next three nights of the tour with relatively no problem. After the tour was finished I took some time to rest and refocus myself. The office was concerned with my condition and persuaded me to go into the hospital to take an MRI.
I’m not a big fan of hospitals. I don’t think that any athlete is but I did the deed and everything was fine. I was cleared to work the next tour and all was right in the world.
The next tour was a short one; only two matches, one of which was in Osaka. During that match I was once again teamed with Jason the Legend against Tengu Kaiser and my trainer, Tetsuhito Takaiwa. The match was going smoothly and the crowd was hot. Near the end of the match, I held Takaiwa in a full nelson as I called my partner in to deliver the finishing blow. And that he did. Only not on Takaiwa who managed to break free of my grip. No, the 6'5, 260 pound plus, monster of a man hit me with a lariat at a full run square in the jaw.
And once again my whole world went black, but this time there was no getting up. I took another moonsault, stiff lariat and then a death valley driver before finally getting pinned...or so I was told. I woke up an hour and a half later in an empty room with little memory of what happened.
Two tours in a row with two knockouts in the first matches. Unsettling trend. But that’s the Japanese strong style for you. I have no ill feelings at all towards the guys who KO'd me. Accidents happen, it’s all a part of the game. I still feel incredibly lucky to be here and wouldn’t change anything for a second.
The company decided that I should be taken off the following show’s card even though I greatly protested. Honestly I felt okay but in hindsight it was probably the best decision. So that night I got the best seat in the house and watched as blood, sweat and tears flew in the ring.
Watching it as a spectator really makes you appreciate what you do and makes you
understand things from a different view. You can really see what the crowd reacts to,
what works, what doesn’t and why.
But don’t get me wrong. The no better experience for an activity than the activity itself. So I’m itchin’ to get back in the ring again for my next match.
During this last tour, the finals of the Young Lions tournament was held. This is basically a young boy tournament in which the winner rises to the next level in his career. Unfortunately, I wasn’t involved but I was happy to see Yoshito Sasaki win the crown. For those who don’t know him, he is a 21 year-old with all the potential in the world.
And it was no surprise to me that he won. But there is one young boy he didn’t beat: Me. But I’m sure someday soon, he'll get his chance. And I’ll be waiting.
On a different note, I recently lost someone dear to me in my life. One of my best friend's father died unexpectedly a short time ago. I’ve known him for a very long time and was a very important person in my life. He was there when my best friend and I were watching the WWF on TV as kids, dreaming about one day being wrestlers ourselves. He will be missed.
It only reinforces what I have always preached: that life is too short and precious to be wasted away. You may not be happy with where you are in your life at this moment. Maybe you think that everything should be going right instead of left; that things should be better. But always remember that you are alive and that every passing moment is another chance to turn it all around. Don t take one second for granted...ever.
As for me, I’m still here, living the dream. Shortly the next tour will be upon me which includes the big PPV at Sumo Hall. Jerry Lynn is coming this time around and I got a six-man with him, Steve Corino and Mikey Henderson against Tom Howard, Jason the Legend and myself which I’m looking forward to.
And after that Ill be working at Korakuen Hall, my favorite arena, on the
24th, 25th and 26st.
I won’t be home for the holidays but as they say, home is where the heart is.
And for now, my place is here. As for the future, well, time will tell.
Until next time....
Van in Japan signing off.
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