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The show begins with Will Averil singing "Rollin" by Limp Bizkit.
Cigar and Whiskey
The next camera shot is of Toks Fale in his waterfront apartment, smoking a cigar and drinking whiskey. He sighs and says "what a month it has been".
Week 5
The next scene is at the NZ Dojo. The recruits are doing exercise drills. Toks Fale explains that he started the school in New Zealand because when he was in the New Japan Dojo they were very disciplined. He wished that he had that discipline when he was playing rugby and he feels he could have gone further. Now, he is offering to teach this discipline to younger students in New Zealand.
He repeats his quote from an earlier episode saying life is hard. but New Japan training is harder. One of the lessons from New Japan is they teach lesson through training harder. He said the recruits have done over 10,000 squats. He said that his senpai (mentor) in Japan used to tell him that I am not doing this to hurt you, he is doing this to help you. He believes this is the best way to train your mind and body.
The show switches back to Will Averil who is interviewed on his bed. He bragging and believes that he can accomplish the tasks that the Dojo will give him. He says nothing can hurt him. He explains what the Fale-san and the trainers are doing is teaching them to work as a team.
Back in the Dojo, Fale sees the recruits struggling. He sees them going through the motions. He see no motivation. He yells at them if they want this. They all scream "Hai" (yes). He tells them to get motivated. Fale says that if he tells the recruits to do something, they will ask why. He says "just f**king do it", and shakes his head.
A Clean Man
Fale addresses the recruits about the toilets in the Dojo. Fale went into the bathroom and the toilets were a mess. He said the one thing he cannot stand is a messing toilet.
A Bit of Zest
Will Averil says that when he explains his training to others, they ask him if it is a cult. He says "no" but it is a different world. He believes that he brings a bit of zest to the class, with his enthusiasm and his attitude. The camera shows Averil grappling in the Dojo struggling to get out of the grip of his opponent, looking winded. Averil says he has no athletic background, other than kung fu fighting back in the day. He knows his endurance, cardio and physical shape is not as good as they others, as a result of the drinking and smoking he used to do. He says the training is making him stronger and faster and better.
Fale continues on the toilet theme saying in Japan you can literally sleep in a public toilet because it is so clean. The manners and way life have to be clean in the NZ Dojo. He says if someone goes into your toilet and it is disgusting, that means you are disgusting. If that person walks away from the Dojo saying they cannot keep their toilets clean, they that could mean they are not training hard enough or want to be better.
The day after Fale spoke to the recruits about the bathroom, he went to check on the cleanliness of the Dojo. Someone did not flush the toilet. He was pissed. Fale took photos of the bathroom. He said tomorrow they will have a surprise. They will be doing Fale's favorite workout.
The Mountain
The next day the recruits were taken back to Mangere Hill from an earlier episode. Fale told them to run 20 laps up and down the hill. He did not care how long it takes but do it.
Fale explains that this is one of favorite places to be. He loves the view and when he returns from Japan he loves to come back and see this hill again.
Fale begins to speak on the recruits and his thoughts on them after the first month. He says Tumanako Tei or "T" shows a lot of potential. He does not complain and does what is asked of him, even if he has the least amount of experience. He has the enthusiasm which Fale likes.
Fale speaks on Dan Peru, who has enthusiasm but does not always listen. Fale believes he has the physical tool, but does not know if he wants to be a wrestler. He said Dan needs to grow up.
The next is Jake Taylor. Fale sent Jake to Japan but his New Japan contacts told him Jake was not ready. Fale understood why Jake was not ready and he respects Jake for coming back to the NZ Dojo and wanting to achieve his goal of wrestling in New Japan.
Perenise "Eli" Taito was next. Fale spoke on his background in MMA fighting. Eli is a big muscular man and the training is not hard for him. Fale says Eli needs more time in the ring and he is quiet. Fale is confident that he can get Eli to be more charismatic when it counts.
Andrew "A.V." Villalobos was reviewed next. A.V. is a returning Young Lion and spent time in Japan, like Jake Taylor. Fale says A.V. has lots of positive energy but he knows what he needs to work on to get to the next level.
Richard Mulu was reviewed. Fale says that he needs to work on his diet and discipline. In the middle of the 20 laps, Richard is limping. Fale asks if he is OK. Richard says he tripped on a rock. Fale asked if is it bad. Richard says he will tough it out.
Fale praises Michael Richards. Michael has been on tour in Japan, and he is still fighting to get to that goal. Fale respects him for his hard work and not giving up. Fale says he has not given up on Michael.
It's Just You
Fale says that around the 8th or 9th lap, that is where the recruits should be, in their heads talking to themselves and pushing themselves, step by step. That is all there is, taking the next step towards what is in front of you. Fale speaks on motivating yourself. Having the coaches, trainers and recruits cheering you on is good motivation, but at the end of the day it is just you.
The remaining recruits still running are cheered on by the coaches and those who already finished.
Rest Assured.
Fale gathers everyone in a circle and asked everyone what went through their minds and what kept them going. They gave answers which Fale said were great answers. He said it does not matter what the coaches throw at you. Keep a positive mindset and know your motivations. He said that they may question what they are doing, but Fale said rest assured I have done it too. He has to clean the toilets and the s**t work, but he is doing this to help them.
Will Averil cuts a promo on his bed.
Fale is most annoyed by Will. Fale says Will has trouble "switching on". Fale says he has seen Will "switched on", and he wants that guy.
The interviewer asks Will about his hometown of Hawke's Bay, on the eastern coast of New Zealand. Will describes it as a small town. Lots of drugs and drinking. He remembers his first wrestling match which was Sting vs. the NWO. He did not know what was going on, but he enjoyed what he watched.
Black Sand
The recruits travel to Piha Beach in West Auckland.
Will continues to explain feeling the energy of the wrestling crowd watching on television, and wanting to know what that would be like as wrestler.
Fale explains that every Saturday they travel to different parts of Auckland for training. On Piha Beach, which he says is one of the most dangerous beaches for drownings, there are big sand dunes in which the recruits can practice cardio exercises.
Bottom of the Pack
The recruits do bear crawls on all fours in the sand.
Will explains that Fale has told him to find a way, which is another way of saying find your motivation.
Fale speaks of A.J. Visage. Fale knows that he does not want to be a wrestler, but he can do other things in the wrestling business.
Will explains that there are training exercise which are so hard that he on the bottom of the pack. But he has to find a way to finish and complete what the trainers ask.
The recruits are doing frog leaping jumps. AJ Visage is so tire, but the other gather around and cheer him to finish.
Find a Way
The recruits partner up and they fireman carry each other across the sand. They then pair up and grapple in the sand.
Will says he has sent his sights on New Japan. He says that he came this far and will not stop now. He says that his goal is to become IWGP Champion. He said no ifs or buts, he will find a way.
Trainers:
Toks Fale
Tony Kozina
Mark Tui
Tangi Ropati
Recruits:
Tumanako “T” Te’i (new)
Perenise “Eli” Taito (new)
Warren Walters (new)
Will “Southside” Averil (Returning student)
Dan Peru (Returning student)
Michael Richards (Young lion)
AJ Visage (Returning student)
Lloyd Morgan (Returning student)
Richard Mulu (Returning student)
Andrew “A.V.” Villalobos (Young lion)
Jake Taylor (Young lion)
Sebastian Matters (Returning student)
Tim Hayden (new)
Mitch Shoemaker (new)
My review:
Another good episode. The shows starts in the Dojo where the recruits are lacking motivation. Fale yells at them about the dirty toilets and then the training is altered to running up and down a mountain. Some may see this as a punishment, but Fale is building a community with these men and teaching them life lessons. At the end of the episode, everyone is doing the relays in the sand. Their motivation is back.
Will Averil may be cocky and arrogant, and wants to be IWGP Champion. He was struggling at the mountain, but on the beach he was able to finish the relays. If his motivation is to be in New Japan, then these life lessons that Fale teaches will be what guides him to that pinnacle.
Fale's comments about the recruits are very honest, fair and balanced. In an earlier episode, Tony Kozina was very blunt about the attitude and work ethic about one of the recruits, however, Fale points out the positives and weaknesses. I am sure each recruit know they need to work on at this point at Week 5.
Another positive aspect about the show are the sweeping scenic shots that the camera captures of New Zealand. This show could, at times, be on the Travel Channel for all the views of New Zealand.
Please check out New Japan World and http://www.njpwworld.com, to see this documentary.
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