News Archive

ZERO1-MAX had the final show of their "Happening II" show at Korakuen Hall, including the continuation of their battle with New Japan Pro Wrestling. The semi-main event saw Ryouji Sai team with Takeo Omori against New Japan's Manabu Nakanishi and Naofumi Yamamoto. Back in January Ryouji defeated Yamamoto in the opening singles match of New Japan's "Toukon Shidou Chapter 1" show on 1/4 after mocking him and flipping him off at the ZERO1-MAX 12/23/2005 Korakuen Hall show. Last month he then called Nakanishi "rustic" and climbed trees saying he was training for the match.

ZERO1-MAX held a press conference today from the Yasukuni Shrine, the site of the "Yamato Land of the Gods Strength Festival" show taking place on April 1st. On hand were fighters Shinjiro Otani, Takao Omori, Kohei Sato, Ryouji Sai, Ikuto Hidaka and Minoru Fujita.

Otani talked with great enthusiasm about the upcoming show, happy to return for the 2nd annual visit to the shrine for ZERO1-MAX. He spoke to reporters saying there's always a chance of rain when you have an outdoor show, but laughed and assured the rain would not come on April 1st. Otani swore that he would not only get his stolen belt back from Mitsuya Nagai, but he would retain it against Omori at the shrine that night. Omori on the other hand swore it will be he walking out with the AWA title that night, and was honored that no matter what the outcome he would be fighting for the title at the controversial shrine.

Omori also commented on his 3/28 tag match along with Ryouji Sai against New Japan's Manabu Nakanishi and Naofumi Yamamoto. Omori said the fans wanted to see Omori versus the "Rustic" Nakanishi, but wondered aloud if the current "unstable" state of New Japan makes the match less exciting, though he feels there is meaning that the match is taking place in a ZERO1 ring.

Also announced for the show is the return of the drunken Chinese Kung-Fu fighter Kensho Oh (pictured at right). Oh plagued Osamu Namiguchi in late 2004, having numerous Japan vs. China "different style fights" which eventually culminated at last year's "Yamato Land of the Gods Strength Festival" when Nami finally won with a double leg crab.

Today in Sapporo was the AWA World Heavyweight title contract signing between current champion Shinjiro Otani and challenger Mitsuya "NP5" Nagai. Their title match will take place on 3/21 at Sapporo Teisen Hall, and will be Otani's 2nd defense of the AWA title. Nagai called Otani an unfitting champion during the press conference, then hit him with a sneak attack KOing the champ. Nagai then stole the title belt and announced that when he enters Teisen Hall with the title he will represent a true champion.

Also announced by Mr. Nakamura was the return of former gaijin fighter Tom Howard for the upcoming April tour. Howard left ZERO-ONE back in July of 2004, along with The Predator, to join the K-1 Kickboxing promotion. Howard, originally coming in from UPW was once one half of the ZERO1-MAX Intercontinental Tag Team champions back in 2002. Howard will get his shot at the AWA Heavyweight title on 4/9 against whoever is holding the belt at the time.

Ikuto Hidaka and Minoru Fujita met with the media for the first time today at the First On Stage offices in Tokyo as NOAH's Global Honored Jr. Tag Team Champions.

The champs were dressed in business suits and had both the GHC Jr. tag titles and ZERO1-MAX International Lightweight tag team titles in their possesion. The first thing both mentioned about their victory over former NOAH champions Yoshinobu Kanemaru and Takashi Sugiura was the pride and honor they felt winning the titles in front of such a large crowd of wrestling fans at Budokan Hall.

The champs were asked who they would like to challenge as the new Champions. They responded that they felt Kanemaru and Sugiura were very good opponents and that they would love to face them again. Hidaka said the referee stopped the match when Kanemaru was forced to tap, and while Hidaka said he could feel Kanemaru's leg bending and about to break in the Shawn Capture, he'd like to have a more "conclusive" defense against that former champs.

This triggered the question: Would you like a rematch to happen in ZERO1-MAX or NOAH ring? And would you like to face 2005 Differ Cup final opponents - KENTA and Naomichi Marufuji?

"Of course I would" Hidaka replied, saying he watched both of their singles matches on the monitor in the back during "Navigate for Evolution" and was impressed as usual. As for their confrontation taking place on a ZERO1-MAX or NOAH mat, Hidaka and Fujita said they feel they have won the right to have their first defense in ZERO1-MAX, but they are flexible.

Speaking on his string of recent losses, Hidaka said losing the ZERO1-MAX Intercontinental Tag Team titles and the ZERO1-MAX International Jr. Heavyweight title back-to-back were two of the worst days of his personal history. But he now feels much more confident winning a large prize such as the GHC Jr. Tag Team titles.

Otani then commented that ZERO1-MAX has unfairly relied on Hidaka and Fujita in 2005, as the two popular Jr. class wrestlers helped carry the company through the year. That being said, he would also like to ask of them to retain their new titles for as long as possible.

Other things covered were whether or not the pair could win Tag Team MVP of 2006, to which they said they would work as hard as the did in 2005 and let the chips fall where they may, and the huge reaction they got from the NOAH crowd from the match. Hidaka said he was very surprised at the crowds massive yell of "Shawn Capture!!!!" and the chants they received at the end of their match as they left the Hall. They vigorously thanked the NOAH fans for this.

Ikuto Hidaka and Minoru Fujita are your new GHC Jr. Tag team champions. After a fast moving and hard-hitting back and forth match that went almost 27 minutes, Hidaka submitted Kanemaru with the Shawn Capture for the victory.

Taking place at Budokan Hall for NOAH's "Navigate for Evolution" show, the match had lots of hard hitting and reversals as Hidaka and Fujita used their speed and agility along with targeted teamwork to seize the upper hand in the match. Though the NOAH fighters, Yoshinobu Kanemaru and Takashi Sugiura, scored several near falls they couldn't put the current ZERO1-MAX International Lightweight tag champs away to retain their titles.

Eventually as Fujita kept Sugiura at bay Hidaka hit a low dropkick to Kanemaru's knee and then grabbed the Shawn Capture. Kanemaru fought hard to get to the ropes but unable to reach it or break the hold and refusing to submit the Referee called for the bell, making Hidaka and Fujita the 3rd holders of the title. The crowd exploded with a loud cheer at the result.

After the match Hidaka put his belt around his waist and Fujita placed his around his neck as Tatsuhito Takaiwa entered the ring and raised the hands of the new champions in victory.

After the match Hidaka and Fujita both said it was a great feeling to win the titles at Budokan Hall in front of a packed house. Kanemaru and Sugiura intruded on their statements to say they want a re-match and will do it any time, even tomorrow if the champs want.

NOAH "Navigate for Evolution" - Match #8:
GHC Jr. Tag Team Titles:
x Yoshinobu Kanemaru (NOAH) Takashi Sugiura (NOAH)	vs.	© Ikuto Hidaka o (Z1-MAX) © Minoru Fujita (Z1-MAX)
(26:51 → Shawn Capture)

Current ZERO1-MAX International Lightweight tag team champs Ikuto Hidaka and Minoru Fujita appeared at the contract signing for their upcoming NOAH Global Honored Crown Junior tag titles match. Current holders of the titles and opponents Yoshinobu Kanemaru and Takashi Sugiura were also present. The match will take place on March 5 at NOAH's "Navigate for Evolution" show.

While the two sides initially had some positive things to say about each other, things began to break down when Sugiura brought up Fujita entering the ring on 2/17 at Korakuen Hall and commenting on how one thing they don't have to worry about with the current GHC Jr. tag champs getting cheers from the ladies. Fujita was refering to the Differ Cup back in May 2005 when they faced KENTA and Naomichi Marufuji. Fujita said he apoligizes as the "truth" spilled out unintentionally. The they then argued about how many Valentines Day chocolates they recieved from their female fans.

Hidaka also said that if they win the GHC Jr. Tag Titles they want to defend them in a ZERO1-MAX, and they want KENTA and Marufuji to be their first opponents.

Ryouji Sai was climbing trees today and claimed it was "rustic" training in preperation for his upcoming main event tag match against New Japan's "rustic" Manabu Nakanishi. Ryouji thinks he's proven himself in New Japan after his 1/4 Tokyo Dome victory over Naofumi Yamamoto and says after he defeats Nakanishi he wants to prove himself to more New Japan fighters.

Ryouji also saidhe would like to face Katsuyori Shibata of BIG MOUTH LOUD in a singles match. Ryouji will be teaming with Takao Omori against both Nakanishi and Yamamoto on the March 28th Korakuen Hall show on "Happening II."