Chapter II: The Art Of War
Gen had wasted no time since arriving in Orlando. Every day had been a rigorous test of endurance, skill, and adaptation. The WWE Performance Center became his second home—if not his first. From dawn until deep into the night, he honed his craft, pushing his body to the absolute limit, determined to prove that he was more than just another prospect. Every training session brought new challenges, from perfecting his ring movements to sharpening his promo work, all while adjusting to the cultural and stylistic differences between Japan and WWE’s sports entertainment machine.
The transition from Japan to WWE’s style was an adjustment. The American circuit demanded a different kind of presence—bigger moments, a heightened sense of storytelling, and an undeniable connection with the audience. It wasn’t just about executing crisp moves; it was about making the people believe. Every punch had to mean something, every slam had to tell a story. Fortunately, Gen had guidance. Established stars like Trick Williams, Shawn Spears, and Ethan Page took him under their wing, each offering valuable insights on working WWE’s unique style.
Trick Williams, with his charisma and command over the crowd, taught Gen the importance of showmanship.
“Man, you can have all the moves in the world, but if the people don’t care? It don’t mean a damn thing,” Trick had said, watching Gen’s training session from ringside. “Find the moments. Make ‘em feel every step you take.”
Shawn Spears, a veteran with years of experience in both WWE and beyond, helped refine Gen’s in-ring psychology.
“Less is more,” Spears reminded him during a sparring session. “Make them wait for it. If you hit everything you got in the first two minutes, you got nowhere to go. Build the match. Make them beg for that last hit.”
Then there was Ethan Page, who schooled him on the nuances of character work and brand-building. “You’re a weapon, man. But what kind? You gotta make them see it before you even step in the ring.”
Gen took every lesson to heart. He watched hours of WWE matches, studying the legends, analyzing their pacing, their movements, their interactions with the audience. He practiced promos in front of mirrors, working to command attention with just a look or a simple phrase.
Weeks turned into months. The training was relentless. The hunger never faded. The grind had consumed him, but he welcomed it. He pushed through grueling cardio drills, worked on his conditioning, and mastered the art of blending strong-style aggression with WWE’s entertainment-driven approach. He knew he had to be more than just a great wrestler—he had to be an attraction.
Meanwhile, the world was already beginning to take notice. NXT had begun rolling out cryptic vignettes—short, grungy, and enigmatic. A lone beach at night, a campfire crackling. Papers fluttering into the flames, each one a printed render of an NXT superstar. One by one, they burned. One by one, they turned to ash. The camera lingered on the embers, glowing ominously in the darkness.
It was a message.
A hit list.
Each week, another vignette dropped. The flames grew larger, more intense. Shadows of an unseen figure loomed in the background. A deep, distorted voice whispered phrases like "The reckoning is coming" and "Only the strongest survive." The identity of the one responsible remained unknown, but the implications were clear. A storm was coming. The NXT locker room was on notice.
Then, in the latest vignette, the unseen figure finally made a move. A single hand reached into the fire, pulling one last piece of paper from the flames—completely untouched by the inferno. The camera panned in close to reveal the name written in three bold Japanese letters:
野
生
児
The screen cut to black.
Social media exploded. Who was this new force? What did the vignettes mean? Speculation ran rampant, fueling anticipation. The groundwork had been laid. The world was waiting.
And soon, they would know his name...
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NXT Heatwave was upon them.
The atmosphere in the locker room was electric. The card was stacked—championships on the line, rivalries reaching their boiling point, and a sold-out crowd eager to witness history. Roxanne Perez was set to open the night, determined to reclaim her title from Jaida Parker. Fallon Henley would defend her NXT Women’s North American Championship against Tatum Paxley. Tony D’Angelo and Joe Coffey were scheduled to battle for the NXT North American Title, while Fraxiom put their tag titles on the line against the remaining members of Gallus. And the main event? Trick Williams versus Oba Femi—two dominant forces colliding.
But somewhere in between, Gen’s moment awaited.
He sat on a bench in the locker room, mentally preparing for what was to come. His hands were wrapped, his gear prepped, his mind laser-focused. Where would he fit in tonight? What impact would he make? He had done everything he could to prepare—now, it was time to deliver.
A voice pulled him from his thoughts.
“Gen.”
He turned to see NXT General Manager, Ava, standing nearby.
“Shawn’s looking for you in Gorilla.”
His heart pounded, but his expression remained calm. He nodded, rising from the bench as Ava gave him a reassuring nod. “Good luck out there.”
Gen strode through the halls, his slippers echoing against the floor. He could hear the crowd roaring beyond the curtain. Gorilla Position was bustling with activity—producers, crew members, and talent moving around like a well-oiled machine. And there, standing by the monitor, was Shawn Michaels.
The Heartbreak Kid turned as Gen approached, his sharp eyes scanning him over.
“You're right on time. You ready for this?” Shawn asked.
Gen’s response was immediate. “Absolutely. We did the work, it's time to reap the benefits of a "NXT Takeover".”
Shawn smirked and gestured to the production team. “Cue his music.”
The sound of Je’Von Evans’ entrance theme was already fading, the crowd still buzzing from his victory over Stacks Lorenzo. Then, without warning, a new theme erupted through the speakers—a flare of treble raced through the airwaves followed by a stark roar and heavy bass that sent a shockwave of anticipation through the arena.
The audience erupted, their curiosity at a peak. Who was this? What was happening?
Shawn glanced at Gen one last time. “This is it. Make your statement.”
With his adrenaline pumping and his mind sharp, Gen kicks off his slippers then stepped through the curtain. The world had been put on notice.
Tonight, danger arrived in NXT.
And it was just the beginning...