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The "Brothers" Gone Bad! Sasuke Targeted!

November 2nd, 2007

New ZERO1-MAX Intercontinental Tag Team Champions, Minoru Fujita and Takuya Sugawara, have turned to the dark side of late.

Fujita, a former full-time wrestler for the Great Sasuke's Michinoku Pro Wrestling, had faced his former boss on October 22 in Iwate, Japan in a 6-man match pitting Fujita and Sugawara with Takao Omori against Team EMBLEM and the Great Sasuke.

Leading into the match Sasuke and Fujita has been cordial enough, exchanging greetings and agreeing on a "clean match." Following the match, which saw Sugawara pinned by Tanaka, Fujita entered the ring and picked up the microphone.

First he wished tag team partner Takao Omori luck in his (at the time) upcoming AWA World Heavyweight title defense. Then he called Great Sasuke into the ring, and the crowd was happy to see this meeting between two old acquaintances.

Sasuke entered the ring as requested. Fujita then offered his hand in a sign of friendship to shake. Sasuke slowly extended his hand, and then Fujita attacked!! Both Fujita and Sugawara continued the attack on Sasuke as Fujita continued to berate him on the microphone. This went on until Otani and Tanaka made the save and chased the "Brothers" off. Needless to say a surprising development and unusual violence from Minoru Fujita.

Two days later, Fujita and Sugawara won the Intercontinental Tag Team titles off of Yoshihiro Takayama and Kohei Sato in Korakuen Hall. A great victory for the two juniors over the large pairing of a tag team aptly named the "Tokyo Towers." The following day the new champs held a Press Conference across the street from the FIRST ON STAGE offices in Tokyo at the SAC shop.

"We wrested the titles yesterday, and now we want to boast. We took the titles from those 'Bakemono,' and we're not looking for a rematch," Fujita commented. "We defeated the 'Emperor.' Therefore, we are new emperors of the entire pro wrestling field."

"[Takayama & Kohei] have fierce power, but we are by far better looking," added Sugawara. "Their kicks are painful. Especially Kohei. We would like to team with him in the future."

"Incidentally, it is lonely for us now," continued Fujita, "So we extend the hand of friendship to Kohei."

Just then the Great Sasuke himself showed up, surprising the champions in their revelry. They quickly invited him in from the rain, where he explained he had come to the ZERO1-MAX offices to directly protest Fujita's behavior at the Iwate show.

Fujita was very humble in response to this, saying the only reason he and Sugawara won the titles from Kohei and Takayama was because of Sasuke. Fujita said they were using the match against Sasuke in Iwate as a way of studying for the title match. Sasuke was a little surprised by the reactions and treatment and congratulated the new champs who were very thankful for the praise.

Just as their reconciliation appeared to be at hand, Fujita implant DDT'd Sasuke on the desk, and then began to put the boots too him in the rainy street! After berating him and stomping on him for several minutes, the "Brothers" took their titles and left the scene yelling "baka! baka!" as they ran.

ZERO1-MAX President Yoshiyuki Nakamura, who became aware of the scuffle called down from his office window to Sasuke. Sasuke was angered, saying he came to protest and protest he will. He said he cannot permit to be embarrassed twice, and then he laid down a challenge:

"I will find a tag partner, and I will unite with him to defeat the 'Brothers.' I have been shamed again today. I was shamed in my home town, and now in Tokyo. Please book this match and set it for November 13 in Korakuen Hall."

Video of the Press Conference and beat down can be seen here (in Japanese):

Hidaka Aims For AWA Heavyweight Title!

November 2nd, 2007

At final show of the "Innovation" tour at Korakuen Hall on 10/26, ZERO1-MAX Jr. ace Ikuto Hidaka regained the AWA Jr. title from Dick Togo. This is the 2nd time Hidaka has held this incarnation of the Jr. title, last holding it in January and February of this year. On February 18, 2007 Hidaka lost the title to Tatsuhito Takaiwa.

Last weekend Hidaka came to the ZERO1-MAX offices in Tokyo to discuss his recent title victory and how he now plans on challenging for the AWA World Heavyweight title held by current champ Masato Tanaka:

"Re-capturing the Jr. title misfired at the AWA World Jr. decision battle royal in June. I couldn't believe Togo had won, and I just couldn't digest it. So I traveled to the United States in July and met with my Sensei Sho Funaka (of WWE fame), and came to realize that it was my hunger that had been lacking.

This time when I faced Togo I was ready, and though he tried everything including using weapons, I managed to oppose and defeat him. Winning against Dick Togo is larger-than-life, and I take a lot of pride in securing such a victoy."

In addition, Hidaka spoke about his appeal to face Masato Tanaka for the AWA World Heavyweight title in Osaka at the "MAX-HOLIC" show on November 10.

Hidaka has been granted his request, and will face Tanaka on November 10th at the Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium for the AWA World Heavyweight title.

Otani Comments On His 15th Anniversary!
Aja Kong! Mr. Danger Returns In Osaka!!

October 30th, 2007

Shinjiro Otani held a press conference on Sunday at the First-On-Stage (FOS) office today in Tokyo. Otani first commented on the tag match coming up at his 15th Anniversary show on November 13th in Koshigaya. Otani showed some displeasure with Nagata, asking why he hasn't made a statement yet regarding their match against Masato Tanaka and Ryouji Sai.Otani challenged Nagata to come as a great pro wrestling for his first ZERO1-MAX appearance.

Otani said he will wear the brand of ZERO1-MAX and he expects Nagata to wear the brand of New Japan Pro Wrestling and combined they should win. He mentioned how he took part in Nagata's 15th Anniversary match back on 9/9 in Chiba, Japan where Otani teamed with Nagata and Manabu Nakanishi to defeat the "Great Bash Heels" team of Hiroyoshi Tenzan, Togi Makabe and Toru Yano.

Also mentioned by Otani was a message from joshi legend Aja Kong. Aja sent a FAX to the parent company of ZERO1-MAX and Chick Fight SUN. Aja stated she wants a match against joshi pro wrestler Hikaru at the Osaka, Japan "MAX-HOLIC" show on November 10th. Aja said she didn't want a singles match.

There is a person who I want to unite with against her in a tag. I will sink Hikaru in a sea of blood, and end this now. My partner is a man, maybe you can figure it out with these clues - 'November Last Year,' 'Osaka' and 'Blood.' Does anyone understand?

On November 11 of last year ZERO1-MAX was in Osaka where BIG MOUTH LOUD's Kazunari Murakami faced Mitsuhiro Matsunaga in a no-ropes barbwire match.

During this match, Shinjiro Otani who had previously seen what happens when "Mr. Danger" invaded ZERO1-MAX back in 2005. In fact back then right before Yoshihito Sasaki dispelled him, he stabbed Hikaru in the face!

Otani also figured this out immediately.

"'November, last year.' 'Osaka', 'blood', Kazunari Murakami, Mitsuhiro Matsunaga. Matsunaga!She is saying that Matsunaga will be called as her partner!? Telephone Hikaru immediately. "

Otani got Hikarua and the line and warned her of the threat. He also said he will be her tag team partner at "MAX-HOLIC" and "...if Matsunaga does appear I will beat him down and crush him."

Hikaru was surprised at this information, though she said she was ready to face such a threat.

New Champs All Around! Tanaka Dominates Again!

October 26th, 2007

Today at the ZERO1-MAX "Innovation" tour final over 1,100 fans traveled to Korakuen Hall to see three major title matches. These included that AWA World Heavyweight title, the AWA World Jr. title, and the ZERO1-MAX Intercontinental Tag Team titles.

In the main event it was the AWA World Heavyweight title at stake as "Fire Festival" and "Tenka-Ichi Jr." champion Masato Tanaka challenged champion Takao Omori. Omori, a three-time AWA Heavyweight champion, had won the title in April when he defeated two-time champion Steve Corino in Yokohama back at the end of Match this year. Tanaka, who attained both tournament victories this year has been on his "Winner-Takes-All" mission since then, promising to win all the titles in ZERO1-MAX going all the way until the "Fire Festival" of next year.

Tanaka hit Omori with a dropkick right at the bell, and as the two exchanged chops the battle soon moved to the outside apron where Tanaka hit a corner springboard clothesline sending Omori to the floor. Tanaka, a very knowledgable hardcore wrestler, grabbed a table and placed Omori on it. As he jumped to the apron to climb to the top rope, Omori quickly rose and delivered a hard Axe bomber to Tanaka's left leg.

Now Omori jumped up to the apron, lifting the surprised Tanaka into his Axe Guillotine driver hold. As the crowd watched intently at what was to happen next, Omori dropped from the apron, slamming Tanaka head first through the table! One thing we do know is Masato Tanaka has a hard head and can take much punishment. Instantly he was back on his feet as the two brawled back into the ring. Tanaka tried to regain the initiative with a Diamond Dust, but Omori shot back with a big spinning heel kick. The champ then climbed to the top with a big knee top-rope drop, only for Tanaka to counterattack again, this time with a lariat and a brainbuster followed by his "Superfly" frog splash but only for a 2 count!

Facing off the again traded blows, with Omori unleashing with the upper cuts and Tanaka with the bullet elbow. Tanaka scored again with a falcon arrow and a hard lariat, Omori responded with an Axe Bomber and a rapid-fire Tiger suplex but also only got a two count! Tanaka then hit his Slide D elbow, a hard lariat and another Slide D for the final victory! Tanaka continues to dominate, as he becomes the 39th AWA World Heavyweight champion.

The Semi-Main event of the show saw the odd pairing of the "Brothers" tag team of Minoru Fujita and Takuya Sugawara take on the "Tokyo Towers" team and ZERO1-MAX Intercontinental Tag Team champions of Yoshihiro Takayama and Kohei Sato. Fujita swore that the natural speed, skill and teamwork of the "Brothers" would be enough the counter the large physique of their opponents.

In fact it was some innovation and trickery that worked for the junior class fighters, who after trading blows with the champs. As Fujita fought with Kohei in the ring, Sugawara had a chair battle with Takayama outside, running from the large fighter when he could and distracting him. As this was going on, Fujita managed to reverse a German suplex hold into a modified small package/neck hold to gain the victory.

The match previous to this one was the highly anticipated clash of AWA World Jr. Champion Dick Togo against his former tag partner in the FEC and former student, Ikuto Hidaka. Back on June 20th in Korakuen Hall, Togo had won the belt in a 9 man Battle Royal where he pinned Hidaka in the end. When Togo appeared he had his waist heavily taped from a previous injury. As one would expect from two of the top Junior class fighter on the entire planet the match covered both mat wrestling, fast-moving, and high flying.

Early in the match Togo, who appeared to have a hidden weapon, carved into Hidaka's head causing the challenger to bleed profusely. Togo continued to open the wound using elbows and even biting Hidaka! Hidaka was able to counter with the Iguchi bomb, and raining kicks down on Togo's chest and taped stomach. With Togo in the corner, Hidaka let lose with the Shuriken, then hit the low altitude dropkick only to grab the Shawn Capture! Togo managed to escape somehow by using the referee.

Togo then responded with a backslide, which Hidaka kicked out of only to fall directly into a crossface hold. While Hidaka was able to escape to the ropes, it was only seconds later he found himself back in the same hold and needing to escape to the ropes once again! Togo, now feeling strong and literally smelling blood hit the Pedigree in the corner and climbed the ropes to drop his patented version of the Diving Senton. He nailed it perfectly, but due to his waist injury knocked himself out of action for a few seconds, seconds Hidaka used to recover. When Togo finally crawled to get the cover Hidaka kicked out in 2!

Hidaka seeing the weakness in Togo's waist injury began to use his knuckles directly on his mentor's mid section. Togo tried to fight back with a lariat but Hidaka blocked it with a jumping knee. Here Hidaka released his new combination move, as he hit the Wild Dog kick, the Wild Dog back kick, and then finally the running Wild Dog high kick for the victory. Hidaka leapt up in victory as streamers came in from the fans supporting his victory. Hidaka had re-gained the AWA World Jr. title and it took him 10 months to do so. As he took photos with the title in the ring, his old teammate and mentor Togo showing respect came over to Hidaka and shook his hand. Hidaka, grasped Togo's hand and bowed deep, as his emotion was evident on his face.

The 3rd match of the show was a tag match pitting Shinjiro Otani and recently returned Tatsuhito Takaiwa against the somewhat part-time tag team of Ryouji Sai and Yoshihito Sasaki. Sasaki was particularly fired up, seeing this as a test leading into his 11/13 UN Heavyweight title match against his good friend Daisuke Sekimoto.

The two side fought hard, with the two wily veterans using many tricks to wear down the youngsters. Yoshihito finally had enough, and after delivering a facewash to Otani picked Takaiwa up into an Argentine Coaster and drop him, followed by a mean lariat that scored the victory!

The 2nd match was a tag with ZERO1-MAX's Kamikaze and BattlArts' Munenori Sawa versus Muga World Pro Wrestling's Hiro Saito and Katsushi Takemura. Muga World won the bout when Saito dropped the diving senton on Sawa in just under 12 minutes. The opening match was also a tag match this time with two ZERO1-MAX youngsters, Osamu Namiguchi and Shota Takanishi, facing off against Naoki Tanizaki and BIG MOUTH LOUD's Manabu Hara. Tanizaki won for his team when he nailed Shota with the Impact for the victory.

Hidaka Adds More "Wild Dog" kicks for Togo!

October 19th, 2007

Today Ikuto Hidaka had a public workout at the ZERO1-MAX dojo open to the media to show off some new offense he's developing for his upcoming AWA World Jr. title challenge on 10/26. Hidaka is already known to use the Wild Dog high kick to fell opponents, even winning several matches with it. He explained he's expanding this into a "Wild Dog Set" of kicks now. Hidaka who will be facing Dick Togo in the match has described his relationship with the champ as a "Teacher-Student relationship." Because of this he thinks Togo is far to familiar with his "Shawn Capture" and "Misty Flip" finishers for them to be effective.

Originally scheduled to appear at the workout was famous Japanese kickboxer Satoshi Kobayashi, who has played an active part in training Hidaka in kicks. Kobayashi however had to call last minute and cancel his appearance, saying he'd gotten his dates mixed up. Hidaka received the message as the workout was already underway. This didn't deter Hidaka however, who had young Shota Takanishi present with a kicking pad to practice with. Then Hidaka demonstrated the "Wild Dog BK" (Wild Dog Back Kick) and the "Wild Dog Machine Gun" (rapid-fire middle kicks) that he's adding to his arsenal. Hidaka had some trouble connecting on these kicks, often striking Shota instead. To aid him he had taped a photo of opponent Dick Togo to the pad.

Fujita & Sugawara's Tokyo Tower domination!?

October 18th, 2007

Today the "Brothers" tag team of Minoru Fujita and Takuya Sugawara decided they wanted to find one-half of current ZERO1-MAX Intercontinental Tag Team champions Yoshihiro Takayama and challenge him to a fight. This led them to the famed Tokyo Tower in Shiba Park, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan. The design of the tower is based on the Eiffel Tower in Paris, France. Despite being 8.6 meters taller than the Eiffel Tower making it the world's highest self-supporting steel tower and the tallest man-made structure in Japan.

Today we wanted to attack Takayama, so we walked around Tokyo searching from him and ended up here. Because he is huge, we thought if we searched from atop the Tokyo Tower we could find him immediately. However, he was not spotted by us.

Then suddenly they spotted a tour bus that was visiting the tower. They quickly jumped on the bus and "hijacked" it, saying they were going to take it search more for Yoshihiro Takayama and his partner Kohei Sato. The bus' driver was quickly pressed into service to hold a photo of their targets.

The two junior class fighters will face the current champions on October 26 in Korakuen Hall at the final of the upcoming "Innovation" Tour. Fujita previously held the Intercontinental Tag Team titles with Ikuto Hidaka back in 2005. Both Fujita and Sugawara are also former ZERO1-MAX Junior Heavyweight champs.