Jade got up the next morning preparing for Jasper to head to the arena. He had on a black muscle shirt & basketball shorts. Doing his hair he just hoped he could fool anyone that may be snooping around from Titan. It was tempting to travel as Shadow, but she knew it would have been possible to pass out from the heat & humidify if he went outside as Shadow. Checking everything over he grabbed Shadows gear back heading out for the arena. Reaching it he headed inside tracking down Master Mutoh.
#Good you on time.#
#Of course sir. Where can I get changed without 'them' spotting me.#
#Your old co-workers never saw you?#
#Very few.#
#Interesting, I have one corridor of the arena McMahon knows his people are not to enter. We have two room back there that we can use.# Jasper offers a bow. #You wish to change now if you want to play it safe. I plan on having some….decent food brought in for the three of us.# Jasper offers another bow before walking off with his gear. Finding the marked area he heads back grabbing the smaller of the two room marking it off limits.
He emerged from the room looking around before tracking Mutoh & his partner for the night. They were both talking over a few things when Shadow approached them. #So what the change there will be no challenge?#
Mutoh turned his head looking at Shadow. #Almost none. McMahon & I both know the fans wish to see it.#
#How is it determined the winner?#
#That may be decided between the wrestlers once we see who he picks. I will inform you before you enter the ring.# Shadow just lightly nod his head.
#Is there anyone you would like to go against? I know Suwama doesn't care. Right?#
#Of course, just want to show them how it is really done. No offence Brother Shadow.# Shadow offers a light bow to Suwama before looking back at Mutoh.
#Well Bourne, Rey Mysterio or Kidd are more my size. I won't shy a fight though. My first pick would be Mysterio.#
#Mind I ask why?#
#My last match in 2004 was against him. We never got to finish it.#
#Unresolved issues. Understandable, you remember how it was set to end?#
#Yes I was set to loose. I was champion going in, but medical reasons were forcing me to step aside for a time. I got injured before the match could finish.#
#I shall see what I can do.#
Shadow offered a bow before heading towards the front to check out the arena for that night. He walked around the ring & up into the empty stands before going to talk to one of the local techs helping the WWE crew with the final preparations. Shadow was greeted with a deep bow before he asked about warming the ring. The man nodded motioning to it saying it was all set to go. Shadow offered a small bow before heading back down towards it & sliding inside. He started to test the ropes wanting to get the feel if the ring was set differently from normal incase there was a challenge.
He didn't feel the two sets of eye watching him from the entry way.
"One the locals messing with our stuff?" Huffed Miz. "What about respect?"
"You need to earn it with these guys Mike." Replied Jericho as he kept watching the dark blur bouncing back & forth. He then smirked. "I think I know them…no can't be."
"Who? Oh I forgot you wrestled for a few years here didn't you?"
"Yeah, but I actually know them from WWE. One way to find out." Chris kept his cocky smirk heading for the ring still in his street clothes. He stopped at the bottom of the ramp cupping his hands around his mouth. "YO SHADES!" His voice boomed around the empty arena causing the figure to stop snapping his head around. Chris looked a moment seeing the new contacts. Well new if it was the right guy. The figure moved towards the side of the ring hooking his arms before flipping out over the top rope onto the apron jumping down.
"Hey Jerky." That creepy voice reaching Chris's ears shaking his head. Shadow then watched as Jericho motioned behind him & he watched as Miz made his way towards them.
"Shadow, Miz…Miz, Shadow" Shadow looked at the young man offer a very small bow. Then offered his hand.
"A pleasure." Miz blink a moment shaking his hand before looking at Chris.
"Yes that is how he talks in the ring. I see something don't change yet others do. What the world you doing here Shades?"
"I work for Muta now."
"Ah so he will have guys in attendance tonight…yep somethings never change. What happened to you after the accident, there were plenty of rumors but no official reports."
"Freak accident…broke both legs…but as you see…I have recovered for some time now. Your boss never offered me a contract back though."
"I see, would have been interesting. I never got a chance against you for real. Yeah goofing in the ring, but even that is limited."
"No offence Jerky…but I personally have my eyes on Rey." Chris nodded understanding.
"If I see him I'll let him know to try to cause some face heat between you two."
"Thanks…I'll leave you two gentlemen alone." He shook hands with Chris bowing deeper then he did to Miz & Chris returned the same gesture before Shadow walked away.
"Um ok so who was that exactly?"
"Name is Shadow. He came to WWE in 2002 when ECW was bought out. He was cruiserweight champ near the end of 2003. He was wrestling Rey the beginning of 2004 when something just happened & he passed out in the ring. He just said once he recovered Vince never tried to renew his contract. So now he is wrestling for All-Japan & Muta. One thing you will learn when we come over here. Most of our bonus matches are normally against one of the locals, which Shadow would now be considered. If he has his way…he wants to get his rematch against Rey."
"Damn, wonder if Rey would go for it?"
"Maybe I remember how worried we all were when it happened, but it hit Rey hard since he was in the ring with the guy at the time. You know like any accident you always wondering if you did something to cause it or could have done to stop it. I'll shot it by him if I see him before his match tonight. Oh well lets go get ready." Jericho turned heading for the back.
Shortly after Fans began to make it into the arena Mutoh & his delegation made their way to their seats In the front row. Shadow seated to his left & Suwama to his right. It was not overly surprising when most of the heels tried something towards Mutoh & one of the two would stand up to defend their master until motioned to take a seat. What threw some people off was when Rey come out playing up the crowd til he spotted Shadow. He made his way around the ring the long way reaching them stopping in from of him. A nod with a smile causing Shadow to slowly stand a solid look towards Rey before he headed up the stairs & into the ring. Shadow quietly sat back down watching the match between him & Miz.
After the Show Vince came out himself thanking the fans with the help of a translator. As he was wrapping up Rey actually stepped on the ramp with a microphone in hand.
"Mr. McMahon. I saw an old…" He smiled "Friend in the audience. I want to call him out…if he is up to it." Shadow's head raised standing not missing Rey's little jab.
"Go ahead Rey the stage if yours." Vince stepped out of the ring as Rey made his way down towards the ring the microphone still in hand.
"I know you saw me tonight, like I saw you buddy. So you want to come finish what we started quite some time ago?" Shadow looked to Mutoh who gave a nod of approval before Shadow stood up jumping the barricade & sliding into the ring watching Rey as he passed the mic off entering the ring. He stepped close to Shadow whispering. "Al igual que en los viejos tiempos?" Shadow nodded
"¿Te acuerdas de cómo se iba a jugar?"
"¿Has estado en mucho tiempo, pero recuerda que yo. ¿Estás seguro?" Shadow nodded again backing up as the ref rang the bell.
The Match played almost perfect including Shadow getting a few highlights. The Hardest part for Shadow was when he had to scale the turnbuckle for the one high risk move he was to perform for the match. It was the same move he had passed out on all that time ago. It was pulled off perfect getting the near fall. In the end Rey did get the pin as it was set all those years go. He offer a hand for Shadow to get up which he took standing before offering a respectable bow. Rey did the same to the cheer of the crowd he then pulled Shadow closer to him with a half hug. "Te echo de menos su hermano."
"Tell Chavo I said hello." Shadow patted Rey's shoulder before leaving the ring heading for the back.
Before Shadow could reach the safety of his room he saw Vince heading his way. "What the hell was that?"
Shadow stopped & looked towards Vince. "I would say one hell of a classic match Vince."
"You know what I am talking about."
"He challenged me remember."
"You didn't need to take it."
"What & appear a coward."
"You know better you're.."
"SHUT IT!" Shadow raised his voice so much it almost hurt his throat. He then lean closer to Vince to whisper in his ear. "You even dare think of exposing me…I will never forgive you. Remember you were already thinking of having me back…so why get bent over one match." Shadow stood up with a cool look to what of the face was seen. "Don't forget now Vince." He walked past him down the hall.
"What's the meaning if this Vince?" Asked Mutoh with Suwama in tow hearing the tail end of his disagreement with Shadow including Shadow raising his voice something Mutoh never heard before. Shadow as himself or Jasper has always spoke firmly yet softly. "You have no right to talk down to one of my guys."
Vince tried not to laugh. "They fooled you too Mutoh, surprising."
"What do you mean McMahon?"
Vince was ready to open his mouth but remember her words of never forgiving him. He closed his eyes as the color left his face realizing in the heat of the moment he may have already don't that. He then opened his eyes looking back at Mutoh that was still waiting an answer. "It is not my place, sorry. I also apologize if you feel I mistreated your...man."
"That is fine. They will be with me again at tomorrows show as well. If he is up to it…I would like to see Suwama against the one you call Miz."
"I take it with your man taking it."
"Yes…I can not have a loss at both shows. I am sure in the right situation tonight outcome would have fallen in Shadows favor. He told me before hand why he wished to face Mysterio. I gave my blessing when asked."
"I'll inform Miz of your request." Mutoh gave light bow his eyes not leaving Vince's before he turned heading for their rooms in the arena. Mutoh could not shake Vince's words. What did he mean they fooled him? Before they left the arena Mutoh informed Jasper he wished to speak with him when he first get there the next day. He bows before heading to grab a cab back to his apartment.