The backstage area at DDT Pro was quiet and Maki Itoh sat at a simple wooden table, her training bag open beside her. She pulled out a stack of bills from the bag, its contents still warm from being handled. Her fingers worked through, folding and unfolding the bills, carefully counting them one by one, her brow furrowed as she concentrated. Notes in yen, crisp and new, piled up in front of her, but Maki was not satisfied until she was absolutely sure that every single note, EVERY LAST COIN, was accounted for!

The backstage environment was one she was familiar with; this was the promotion where she built her name, a place where people respected her for the undeniable force that she proved herself to be in wrestling. She smiled at the thought of how far she'd come. She wasn't just an idol. She wasn't just a wrestler. Maki Itoh was a superstar, and she fought hard as FUCK to get here! But as she paused for a moment, shaking her head with a small exhale, her smile faded. There was one thing that always rubbed her the wrong way, no matter where she was, no matter how much she achieved - - and that was people trying to ROB her of money. Maki didn't play when it came to her moolah. For her, money wasn't just a paycheck - it was a symbol. It was validation. Money was time, and Maki had spent a lot of time solidifying herself not only as a wrestler, but as a global superstar! That time deserved to be respected, and that respect had to come in the form of fair compensation. A missing yen was a missing piece of the puzzle, and Maki would never let anyone who was involved forget it.

With a sharp eye, she counted each bill again, and then once more. She couldn't believe the audacity, but she decided was satisfied with her count, and she placed the final bill back into the compartment of her bag, shut with a snap. There. Everything was in order. The world could continue...... or so they thought.

For Maki, wrestling was her life - but performing was her heart. She loved the stage, the lights, the cheers from the fans. HER FANS! The Itoh Respect Army... they were everything to her. They cheered for Maki, the cutest idol AND wrestler in the entire world with a mean streak and a head of steel. They knew she could dance, they knew she could sing and they knew she could fight. She earned everything she had, her place in the ring, her status as a beloved performer, and yes... also HER MONEY!

It wasn't about being a girl in a male-dominated industry, or the cutest princess among ugly giants. No. Maki had never let her gender, or any obstacle get in her way or determine what she could or couldn't do. She had built her name with blood, not giving an inch to anyone, whether they were a fellow wrestler or a prick of a record exec. If there was money to be made, Maki was going to take her share. And if that meant throwing down in the ring with Superman, then she was going to give it her best shot.

Tonight, Maki was scheduled to face Yoshihiko, the infamous inflatable doll, for the Ironman Heavymetalweight Championship. A match that had raised eyebrows in the industry, but one Maki knew would bring her even more cash. Yoshihiko was a joke to many, but to Maki, the match could show the world that she was capable of working with anything and everything, even in the most absurd situations. And who knows? Maybe like Maki's infamous steel head, this doll was something to be worried about. But then - the robbery. The figures didn't add up and they had to know by now that she wasn't going to stand for it.

Maki grabbed her phone, setting it carefully on the table in front of her, she knew how to make a scene, she'd seen how promos were done in the past, back when ECW was a force to be reckoned with. It didn't matter that the technology had evolved. Maki knew how to use her passion there and then, and hit them where it hurt and when it really mattered. The screen blinked, the red recording light flashing.

'the idol' MAKI ITOH: Listen up, SHITHEADS! I've got something to say, and I'm only going to say it once. You see this? This is my money. This is the payment for my hard work, sweat and dedication. And I'm sitting here, counting every single buck, making sure it's right. Because the Itoh Respect Army knows that my money means time. Time means that I'm giving you my everything! And if you can't pay for that? Then what are we doing?

Maki pauses before she leans closer to the camera, speaking directly into it with her eyes flashing.

'the idol' MAKI ITOH: For those who don't know, I'm Maki Itoh. I came here as an idol, yes. But I stayed because I found out the truth... that I am also a fucking great wrestler, and nothing and NO ONE can take that away from me! My name is already built in the walls of this business, I've bled in that ring, and I've earned every single one of my fans! But unfortunately, we have a problem. Shintaro Mutoh has failed to pay me the full amount of what I am owed! I am not here to be ignored, and I'm not here to be disrespected. I've put in my goddamn time, I've put in all the work, and yet, what do I get in return? Yes, that's right. NOTHING! So..... I am done. I am done waiting, done begging for what's rightfully mine. Tonight, I'm supposed to face Yoshihiko. Doll versus Doll. Cutest in the world versus second cutest in the world. How many people can say they've wrestled an actual doll for a championship, huh? But let me tell you something: Yoshihiko, as much as I wanted to take that championship from you, that will not be happening. Because tonight, I am announcing that I am officially finished with DDT. Forever. I'm done with waiting to be shown the respect that I deserve.

Her voice grows louder now making sure she's heard loud and clear, her lines delivered with more sass.

'the idol' MAKI ITOH: From now on, Itoh-chan will be in the BIG TIME. I've signed with someone who knows how to respect their talent, who knows how to value exactly what I bring to the table. And that someone... is ECW! That's right! Extreme Championship Wrestling, meets the cutest in the world! The place where the legends were made in blood and barbed wire. The place where the truest hard-hitters and the biggest risk-takers, LIKE ME, go! December 1st, at Barely Legal, I'll be arriving at my new home, and I'll show the world who really is the cutest! I don't need anyone's approval but my own. And from now on, no one is going to stop me!

Maki gives the camera a sharp look, the kind of look that told everyone watching that she wasn't fucking around.

'the idol' MAKI ITOH: So, lucky for you, broke whore, Yoshihiko - not only do you get to keep your championship, but you now get to be the cutest in the gutter. And as for me? I've got REAL money to make! America!! ECW!! I'll see you soon, MOTHERFUCKER!!!

She hits the stop button on her phone, a cute smile tugging at the corners of her lips. To anyone would would get to see the uncut version - Maki Itoh had, yet again, made history.

'your highness' EMI SAKURA: Itoh-chan. You are not serious about this.

From out of no where a familiar voice chimes in from behind her. It's one of Maki's mentors and friends, Emi Sakura. Maki found herself often working overseas with Emi in a tag team, sometimes against each other. Either way, the movement around here was supposedly all about respect.

'your highness' EMI SAKURA: You are wise enough to know by now that you can't just drop everything and move to America. It's not that simple. Especially to ECW. That's a different world.

Maki tilted her head to face Sakura, her confidence unwavering as she stood up to meet our Highness.

'the idol' MAKI ITOH: One thing you taught me is that here in Japan - wrestling is about respect... so where is MY RESPECT!? And where is the REST OF MY MONEY!?

Emi shook her head, a small grin cutting away from her lips as she takes a step closer to a clearly infuriated Maki.

'your highness' EMI SAKURA: Here in Japan, yes, it is about respect. But over there... it's about business. Contracts. The way they do things over there is completely different, and you should know that. You think that Mr. Heyman is going to show you respect just because you're cute and can take a beating? Well, trust me when I say that he won't care. In a world like that there are no rules.

Maki scoffed, waving her hand dismissively.

'the idol' MAKI ITOH: Then there will be no rules when I bash each and every one of their ugly faces in until I run the show! I'll show them all! I won't be afraid unleash Deathmatch Itoh-chan!

Sakura sighed, still not convinced, she looked at Maki concerened.

'your highness' EMI SAKURA: I just don't know... sure, you're strong. You're extreme. You've proven that. But what I'm saying is, Japan is different. You know it and I know it. To ECW, you'll be just another wrestler. You think the guys here are ruthless, but you have no idea. You think the man paying your check is going to take care of your hospital bills? No. Your tax bills? No. He won't care until your bones are broken, your bloods dried up and you have nothing left. And then, it won't just be standard charges coming off of your check...

Maki's expression hardened for a moment, a flicker of doubt passing through her eyes, that maybe, the grass was greener around here... but then she shook her head, her trademark smirk returning.

'the idol' MAKI ITOH: You're worried about me? Come on, Sakura-san! This is the big time, big BUCKS! ECW is where I'm ready to make my name known in America. And it's going to be the biggest name of them all! It will be the PERFECT home for me - right next to Wall Street. And this time, I'm not worried about what any big back, pig-looking motherfucker in a suite has to say about me! Just pay me my money!

'your highness' EMI SAKURA: I don't want to see you hurt. Over being one of your mentors - you are my friend, and I don't think you fully understand what you're getting yourself into. Just remember that some places don't take kindly to new talent that doesn't fit their mold, and theirs is a hard mold to fit. Whatever happens... if you do end up going over there... if that is your choice... then I know you can survive it. But it won't be easy. I just want the cutest in the world to stay as the cutest in the world, and not turn into a beaten up sack of what you used to be.

Maki's eyes soften for a brief second as she looks at Emi... but then she snapped! 'Standard charges, taxes,' Emi said was the reason for the miscalculated payment, but this was the third month running now- FUCK THIS! Enough was enough! Maki had her ECW contract signed, the ink was dried, the date was set for her debut and she felt stronger than before!

'the idol' MAKI ITOH: I don't need you or anyone to hold my hand! I'm going to prove to everyone and especially to the Itoh Respect Army that Itoh-chan belongs in ECW!

Emi watched in silence, her gaze heavy like a mother worrying over her estranged daughter as Maki zipped up the main compartment of her training bag. The tension of the unspoken words between them still lingers in the air as Maki grabs her phone, flings her bag over her shoulder and tosses a final glance back at Sakura as she walks away from her life in Japan. Her message was clear. She had had enough. Enough of the expectations, the limits, the compromises, the short payments. The future was calling for Itoh-chan.