Daichi Nominates Chono for Ryogoku Debut in 2011!
August 28th, 2010
As reported earlier here, the eldest son of Shinya Hashimoto will make he pro wrestling debut on March 6th, 2011 at ZERO1's 10th Anniversary show in Ryokgoku Kokugikan in Tokyo, Japan. Daichi Hashimoto met at the ARISTRIST store with freelance pro wrestler, and longtime friends of his father, Masahiro Chono. Also on hand was ZERO1 President Shinjiro Otani.
Daichi is 18 years old and a Senior in High School. He used this Summer vacation to move into the ZERO1 dorms and begin his pro wrestling training. Both Chono and Otani have taken special interest in his training, scolding, encouraging and giving support.
Daichi said he wanted his debut to be a singles match, and the opportunity to face an opponent outside of this generation then appeared. Though this is an odd case of a younger player nominating a veteran, Chono was fine with the idea.
Chono said he will take personal interest in Daichi's training and he thinks Daichi can become, "...professional wrestling's version of Ryo Ishikawa."
Ryo Ishikawa is a Japanese golf phenom who was the youngest winner of the Japan Gold Tour at age 15, and has since continued his rise by playing in the Master Tournament, US Open and PGA Championships.
More announced for Tenka-Ichi Jr. Tournament 2010!
August 23rd, 2010
Two more participants have been announced for the 8th Tenka-Ichi Jr. Tournament, adding freelancer Mineo Fujita and Pancrase Mission cross-dresser Hikaru Sato. The final slot will be determined by a single match between ZERO1's Yuzuru Saito and Shota Takanishi on 9/8 a the ZERO1 ~Euro Vintage Action~ show in Shinjuku FACE.
Currently announced participation:
- Ikuto Hidaka (ZERO1)
- Munenori Sawa (BattlArts)
- Minoru Fujita (Tokyo Gurentai)
- Takuya Sugawara (Free)
- Kaijin Habu Otoko (Okinawa Pro Wrestling)
- Mineo Fujita (Free)
- Hikaru Sato (Pancrase Mission)
- Tyson Dux (Canada)
- Sonjay Dutt (USA)
- Winner of Yuzuru Saito vs. Shota Takanishi on 9/8 (ZERO1)
The tournament will take place from 9/14, 9/16 & 9/19 at Shin Kiba 1st Ring, Shinjuku FACE and Korakuen Hall respectively.
ZERO1 WRESTLER'S - Akita Taikai
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||
| FIGHT CARD | ||
| Battle Royal | ||
| Yoshikazu Yokoyama → Kenta Kakinuma → Yusaku Obata → Masato Tanaka → Ryouji Sai → Munenori Sawa → Shinjiro Otani → Ikuto Hidaka → Yuki Sato → KAMIKAZE → Kohei Sato → Rikiya Fudo → Yuzuru Saito X → Shota Takanishi O |
||
| (12:13 → Small Package Roll-Up) | ||
| Tag Match | ||
| O Shinjiro Otani (ZERO1) Masato Tanaka (ZERO1) |
vs. | Kohei Sato (ZERO1) Rikiya Fudo X (ZERO1) |
| (17:32 → Dragon Suplex Hold) | ||
| Single Match | ||
| O KAMIKAZE (ZERO1) |
vs. | Yuzuru Saito X (ZERO1) |
| (12:01 → Moonsault Press) | ||
| Tag Match | ||
| Ikuto Hidaka (ZERO1) O Munenori Sawa (BattlArts) |
vs. | Kenta Kakinuma (ZERO1) Yuki Sato X (Free) |
| (17:24 → Octopus Hold) | ||
| Single Match | ||
| O Ryouji Sai (ZERO1) |
vs. | Shota Takanishi X (ZERO1) |
| (8:59 → Sid Mouth) | ||
| Single Match | ||
| O Yoshikazu Yokoyama (ZERO1) |
vs. | Yusaku Obata X (XWF) |
| (8:12 → Missile Dropkick) | ||
Otani's Post Fire Festival '10 Interview!
August 15th, 2010
Fire Festival '10 champion and ZERO1 President Shinjiro Otani met with the media at the ZERO1 dojo in Tokyo the other day for a post tournament interview. He commented on Masato Tanaka, what his next goal is, and what was the deal with the sudden appearance of Kazunari Murakami.
"In the Fire Festival '10 in Korakuen Hall, the results I desired were finally achieved. The Fire Festival Katana has returned to its starting point. Though I was able to say it many times after winning the tournament, I want to thank everybody who backed me. This Fire Festival conquest was not possible to do this by myself, but also from the support of my fans. I will be Fire Festival champion for this year, and I firmly grasp the meaning of this. Hereafter, I want to fight!"
Q: Your thoughts on Masato Tanaka, whom you fought in the finals?
"Going back 10 years to the original Fire Festival, people have thought many finals could end up Otani vs. Tanaka. It was expected at that 1st Fire Festival, but it took 10 years before it was realized. I think that is a big deal, and I see it as an enormous sign. I am glad that I was able to fight against Tanaka in the finals at this 10th anniversary turning point of ZERO1."
"I was told that near the end of the tournament Tanaka and I had the same record for our respective blocks. I think that this also has enourmous meaning. In the last Fire Festival '10 show in Nagoya, before the finals in Korakuen, we both needed the 2 point victory to win and advance to the finals. Unlike previous years where some blocks were determined by 3-way or 4-way playoff matches, we were both able to secure decisive victories over our tournament opponents. It may be crass to say, but I feel like the Gods of Pro Wrestling led us to these finals...That's what I think."
Q: Now that you've won the Fire Festival, what is your next goal?
"I want to carry the Fire Festival Katana to different rings of pro wrestling and show the strength of the Fire Festival Champion! Each wrestler has their own style, policies and ways of doing things. Some previous Fire Festival winners have left the fire sword on the announce table when coming to the ring; bringing it out only at the time of the next Fire Festival. I want to carry it in my hand...to carry it out to many places...and once again make it center stage."
Q: After the match, Kazunari Murakami appeared. What about Murakami?
"I know about as much as everybody else. I don't know what he wants or is thinking. One moment he just appeared. However, Murakami began his long absence from pro wrestling following a match against me several years ago, and I understand he's still a little hot about that. When he appeared in Korakuen Hall I wanted him to say something, as I want to hear what he's thinking. I don't know his current intention, but I could sense his hostility through that glare and it gave me shivers. He appeared suddenly at the Fire Festival, but I have no intention of escaping any confrontation and will fight him any time. If he enters the ZERO1 ring to face me I will defeat him."
ZERO1 WRESTLER'S - Toride Taikai
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| FIGHT CARD | ||
| Battle Royal | ||
| Shota Takanishi X → Kikutaro X → Akebono O | ||
| (14:11 → Double Body Press) | ||
| Tag Match | ||
| O Shinjiro Otani (ZERO1) Akebono (Free) |
vs. | Kohei Sato (ZERO1) Rikiya Fudo X (ZERO1) |
| (12:40 → Dai Kazan) | ||
| Tag Match | ||
| Masato Tanaka (ZERO1) O Shota Takanishi (ZERO1) |
vs. | Ikuto Hidaka (ZERO1) Yuzuru Saito X (ZERO1) |
| (12:53 → Swinging DDT) | ||
| Single Match | ||
| O Ryouji Sai (ZERO1) |
vs. | Yoshikazu Yokoyama X (ZERO1) |
| (10:01 → Nachi Waterfall) | ||
| Single Match | ||
| O Munenori Sawa (BattlArts) |
vs. | Kikutaro X (Akiba Pro) |
| (8:08 → Octopus Hold) | ||
| Single Match | ||
| O KAMIKAZE (ZERO1) |
vs. | Kenta Kakinuma X (ZERO1) |
| (10:18 → Moonsault Press) | ||
Seven Participants Announced for the Tenka-Ichi Jr. Tournament 2010!
August 5th, 2010
Yesterday at the ZERO1 "Fire Festival '10" finals, several participants of the upcoming Tenka-Ichi Jr. Tournament 2010 were announced on the big screen in Korakuen Hall. This will be the 8th Tenka-Ichi Jr. Tournament run by ZERO1, and last year it was won by current ZERO1 International Jr. Heavyweight champion Ikuto Hidaka. The tournament sees 10 top Jr. Heavyweight participate in a 3 day bracketed tournament. Each participant is given one "dragon ball," and when the winner collects all the spheres from every opponent he is granted a wish.
Many of the previous winners' wishes have come true, including when Wataru Sakata won in 2002 he wished that he would be married and soon after found himself married to a famous model. Or more recent times when Tatsuhito Takaiwa asked for a shot at then World Heavyweight champion Yuji Nagata in 2008; and last year when Hidaka wished for a tag match with FUNAKI when his mentor still worked for WWE. And though it took 3 years, when Masato Tanaka dropped weight in 2007 to enter into that year's tournament he wished that ZERO1 would hold a full house event at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan. ZERO1 will hold an event next year in March at the famed Sumo Hall, but it remains to be seen how well if Tanaka's wish of a full house will come true.
Currently announced participation:
- Ikuto Hidaka (ZERO1)
- Munenori Sawa (BattlArts)
- Minoru Fujita (Tokyo Gurentai)
- Takuya Sugawara (Free)
- Kaijin Habu Otoko (Okinawa Pro Wrestling)
- Tyson Dux (Canada)
- Sonjay Dutt (USA)
The tournament will take place from 9/14, 9/16 & 9/19 at Shin Kiba 1st Ring, Shinjuku FACE and Korakuen Hall respectively.
