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"Genesis 2008" On the Horizon!
December 27th, 2007
ZERO1-MAX will begin 2008 in Korakuen Hall with their kick-off "Genesis 2008" show on January 1st in that world famous arena. The Main Event will be a singles match titled "Over the BEST" where the 2007 Fire Festival champion and current ZERO1-MAX Heavyweight champion Masato Tanaka will face off against Big Japan heavyweight Daisuke Sekimoto. The two fighters last met on July 16th, 2007 during Block B competition in the "Fire Festival '07". The match went the distance of thirty minutes before being decided in a time-limit draw.
Daisuke Sekimoto had a very strong year in 2007, winning the BJW Tag Team titles with Yoshihito Sasaki, holding the ZERO1-MAX UN Heavyweight title for 8 months, and finally winning the "Best Technical Wrestler" award for the year from Tokyo Sports.
Sekimoto had the following comments on the upcoming match versus Tanaka:
"I have a great chance to fight Masato Tanaka on New Year's Day. Ever since the 30 minute draw at the 'Fire Festival' opening show I've wanted to fight again. Now I want to win AND have a good start to the New Year. A victory here would be the highest start to any new year. I will fight like a madman to win."
The semi-main event will see the return of current NWA International Lightweight tag team champions, the Motor City Machine Guns of Alex Shelley and Chris Sabin. The MCMGs won the titles over a year ago and have defended them in various countries during their reign.
Across the ring from them will be the 1st Generation International Lightweight tag champs of Ikuto Hidaka and Dick Togo. Hidaka and Togo won the titles back in 2003 in the inaugural tournament of the NWA International Lightweight Tag Team titles. Alex Shelley and Chris Sabin sent the following comments to the ZERO1-MAX office in Tokyo, Japan:
"I'm excited that I can return to wrestling in Japan again. And though our opponents are strong, we won't lose as the United State's #1 tag team. The MCMGs get the crowd excited and of course will win. If the fans come out to see I promise they'll see an amazing match. Many TNA wrestlers have gone to Japan recently, be we can't be beat by any tag team. Of course we will win on 1/1, and TNA will win all their matches on 1/4 as well."
Also after some time, the tag team WILD CHILD of Takao Omori and Manabu Nakanishi return to ZERO1-MAX. Omori and Nakanishi were NWA Intercontinental Tag Team champions in mid-2006, while simultaneously holding the NJPW IWGP Heavyweight tag team titles. The will be facing the strong young ZERO1-MAX team of Ryoji Sai and UN Heavyweight champion Yoshihito Sasaki. Takao Omori commented on the reformation of WILD CHILD in 2008.
"I haven't tag with Manabu Nakanishi in over a year. Since I consider him one of my best partners and have unique communication with him I'm looking forward to it."
Also announced for "Genesis 2008" is a ZERO1-MAX vs. New Japan tag team match. Tatsuhito Takaiwa and Shota Takanishi will battle New Japan's Koji Kanemoto and Ryusuke Taguchi. This has been the first time Takaiwa and Kanemoto have clashed with each other since Takaiwa's New Japan Pro Wrestling days.
Additionally, a singles match between Kohei Sato versus El Blazer is also booked as a preview of the upcoming Tanaka vs. Omori battle that will begin on 1/14. The match is aptly titled "BIGSMALL."
Fans Choose the Team Names!
December 26th, 2007
Now that the draft has concluded and both teams are set, still acting ZERO1-MAX President Yoshiyuki Nakamura announced that he will take fans' suggestions to name the new team. As of right now they are referred to as the Tanaka Army and the Omori Army, named after their respective leaders.
Fans may send their ideas for naming both teams to the following e-mail address at info@firstonstage.jp. Deadline for suggestions is Monday, December 31st. The official names for the teams will be announced at "Genesis 2008" on 1/1 in Korakuen Hall. There will be different t-shirt design created for both teams as well, and if the name you created is chosen you will receive a shirt with your brilliant idea printed on it.
Mr. Nakamura No Longer President! Otani Succeeds!
December 24th, 2007
Previous to the final show of ZERO1-MAX's "Year End*Crossing Over" show and the player draft, it was announced that FIRST ON STAGE, the company the manages Pro Wrestling ZERO1-MAX and the joshi pro wrestling company ChickFight SUN, will be switching their leadership format.
Current ZERO1-MAX President Yoshiyuki Nakamura will resign from his post effective immediately on January 23, 2007. This day ZERO1-MAX will celebrate its 3rd Anniversary at Tokyo's Korakuen Hall. On that day, the position of ZERO1-MAX President will move to Shinjiro Otani. Nakamura said he's happy to turn the job over to Otani and has nothing but the best hopes for the future of ZERO1-MAX.
Otani added that though he now holds an additional position within the company, he doesn't plan on stepping down as a pro wrestler. Nakamura will now shift his attention on the performance side of FIRST ON STAGE. In addition, Mr. Nakamura will continue to manage ChickFight SUN as he created it and therefore won't be turning control of that company over to Otani.
Minoru Suzuki Has Jokes! Tanaka Defeats Yoshihito!
December 24th, 2007
Pancrase Mission fighter and former Triple Crown Champion, Minoru Suzuki, came to ZERO1-MAX for the first time as "Yoshihiro Takayama's X'mas Present." Leading up to the show, Suzuki had many negative comments aimed at ZERO1-MAX and the wrestler who would oppose him - Ryoji Sai.
As the match began at "Year End*Crossing Over," Suzuki showed Sai very little respect, even laughing in his face and taunting him. And while Ryouji fought hard going almost 18 minutes before Suzuki grabbed Sai in a tight sleeper hold, and drove him down to the mat forcing the Referee stoppage. Following the match, Suzuki told the fans that he had plans that night in Odaiba but was repaying "Takayama Santa" by appearing in ZERO1-MAX. "ZERO1? I think it is more like just plain ZERO," Minoru Suzuki said. "This promotion represents giant nose hairs, which naturally makes the wrestlers giant boogers."
Shinjiro Otani, who had just announced he'll be out of action nursing a shoulder injury, heard these comments and said it took all of his self control to not storm the ring:
"If no other wrestler will stand up to him, even with my injured shoulder I'll go out there. And even with a bad shoulder I'll beat him. No outsider is going to come here and act like this. I am furious at the situation..."
In the main event, ZERO1-MAX 2007 MVP Masato Tanaka faced runner-up Yoshihito Sasaki. Many people had thought Tanaka would pick his FMW protege for his teammate in the earlier draft, and he might have had not Omori picked Yoshihito first. It was Yoshihito who faced Tanaka back on May 27th in Tanaka's first return match from shoulder surgery. After a hard fought battle it was young Sasaki who came out on top with a fierce lariat.
Tanaka rallied back from that initial loss - winning the 2007 "Fire Festival," then dropping weight to win the Tenka-Ichi Jr. tournament, and finally winning the ZERO1-MAX World Heavyweight title from Takao Omori. As one would imagine this battle became just as fierce, with bloodshed and brawling. Finally Tanaka mercilessly unleashed on Yoshihito with multiple elbow shots, finally winning the 3 count with the Sliding D.
Following the match Tanaka spoke to Yoshihito on the microphone, saying kind words and adding while he didn't get Yoshihito in the draft he think he makes a fine opponent.
Team Tanaka & Team Omori Decided!
December 24th, 2007
Today previously to the final show of 2007, "Year End*Crossing Over," designated team captains Masato Tanaka and Takao Omori chose their respective teams.
They could each pick from a list of twelve wrestlers, and both Captains wanted to choose MVP runner-up Yoshihito Sasaki as their first pick.
It was Omori who won the first pick in the draft via a lottery, so Yoshihito went to Team Omori and Tanaka chose Ryoji Sai as his first team member.
One-by-one each captain made his picks, yet Shinjiro Otani's name was not announced by either side! Not until dead last was his team decided. Both Omori and Tanaka had Otani penciled in as their final choice, yet Tanaka won the lottery this time and gained Otani leaving Fugo Fugo Yumeji for Omori.
While these mind games unfolded between Omori, Tanaka and Otani in the end it was Team Tanaka who gained Otani. Another dispute was at pick #4 as both wrestlers chose Tengu Kaiser. Omori won the choice this time and Team Tanaka instead received El Blazer.
The results are as follows:
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Tanaka Army: Ryoji Sai, Tatsuhito Takaiwa, Ikuto Hidaka, El Blazer,Shota Takanishi and Shinjiro Otani.
| Omori Army | |||
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Omori Army: Yoshihito Sasaki, Kohei Sato, Minoru Fujita, Tengu Kaiser, Osamu Namiguchi, Fugo Fugo Yumeji.
The following is the order the wrestlers were chosen in. Each wrestler gave a list of wrestlers he wanted and the order. If there was a conflict the pick was chosen by a lottery.
The arrow (→) shows the alternate pick decided by lottery.
Omori Army- Yoshihito Sasaki
- Kohei Sato
- Minoru Fujita
- Tengu Kaiser
- Osamu Namiguchi
- Shinjiro Otani → Fugo Fugo Yumeji
- Yoshihito Sasaki → Ryoji Sai
- Tatsuhito Takaiwa
- Ikuto Hidaka
- Tengu Kaiser → El Blazer
- Shota Takanishi
- Shinjiro Otani
Eligible Wrestlers Draft List Released!
December 23rd, 2007
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| Masato Tanaka (Team Captain) |
Takao Omori (Team Captain) |
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Before the matches begin on ZERO1-MAX final show of 2007, December 24th's "Year End*Crossing Over" at Korakuen Hall, there will be a draft conducted. Back on December 17 ZERO1-MAX announced the plan to separate the company's rosters into two teams with Masato Tanaka as one team captain and Takao Omori as the other. Captains were chosen via a fan poll where Tanaka was voted 2008 ZERO1-MAX MVP and Omori was voted Wrestler Expected the Most From in 2008.
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It will be a standard draft system, and the teams will have until January 14th before the confrontation begins. ZERO1-MAX President has released the draft eligible list today. The 12 available wrestlers are as follows:
- Shinjiro Otani
- Ryoji Sai
- Yoshihito Sasaki
- Kohei Sato
- Tatsuhito Takaiwa
- Tengu Kaiser
- Ikuto Hidaka
- Minoru Fujita
- El Blazer
- Fugo Fugo Yumeji
- Osamu Namiguchi
- Shota Takanishi
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Chick Royal 2007 Rules Decided!
December 20th, 2007
The official final match of SUN 2007 will be at the 12/24 Korakuen Hall show, titled "CHICK ROYAL 2007." When originally announced, only those joshi wrestlers participating were revealed. Today the rules of the match were announced by ZERO1-MAX President Yoshiyuki Nakamura.
- It will be "Royal Rumble" style battle royal, adding one girl every 90 seconds.
- Elimination can be via over-the-top-rope, submission, pin fall or DQ.
- The order of entrance will be revealed as the match progresses, with each individual wrestlers' entrance music playing.
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In addition, there will be "lucky bags" placed on a table each containing a "validated" item for the match. As the wrestler enters they will each grab a bag and can use the item in the bag during the match.
Participants are: Nanae Takahashi, Natsuki☆Taiyo, Saki Maemura, Hikaru, Aja Kong, Fuka, Toshie Uematsu, Ran Yu Yu and Kana.
Tanaka Army vs. Omori Army for 2008!
December 17th, 2007
ZERO1-MAX has announced a new concept going forward into the New Year of 2008. President Yoshiyuki Nakamura announced today the plan is to separate the rosters into two teams with Masato Tanaka as one team captain and Takao Omori as the other. Nakamura explained that these two wrestlers were chosen because Tanaka was voted 2008 ZERO1-MAX MVP by the fans and Omori was voted Wrestler Expected the Most From in 2008 in the same poll. "I would like these two specific wrestlers to bear the role of leadership within the company," Nakamura revealed.
Teams will be chosen via a standard sports draft system with both Team Leaders making the picks. The draft will take place at 6:00PM on December 24th, 2007, before the final ZERO1-MAX show of 2007 - "Year End*Crossing Over" at Tokyo's Korakuen Hall. The actual unleashing of the new two team system will begin in Kawasaki, Japan on January 14th for the "Act ZERO-0" show at Kanagawa Sun Plaza.
"Although there is no telling what shape this will take, I think it's an interesting new path," team leader Masato Tanaka told the media. "Since my choices greatly concern how the future plays out, I want to be thorough to select the correct people."
On hand for the press conference was the inspirational leader of ZERO1-MAX, Shinjiro Otani. Otani commented that it was the ZERO1-MAX fans who voted and the plan was all along to have the MVP and the Wrestler Expected the Most From in 2008 to be the team leaders. Otani said there's some talk on whether or not he will be a part of the draft, or not go into either team.
ZERO1-MAX in New Japan & Union Pro!
December 15th, 2007
ZERO1-MAX will once again take part in New Japan Pro Wrestling's annual Tokyo Dome show on January 4th. This will be the first time back since 2006. "Fire Festival" champion Masato Tanaka and former IWGP Jr. Heavyweight champion Tatsuhito Takaiwa will be at the "Wrestle Kingdom II in Tokyo Dome" in a match titled "NEW JAPAN vs. The Alliance GROUND ZERO."
It will be an 8-man tag match with the ZERO1-MAX wrestlers teaming with Pro Wrestling Muga World's Yutaka Yoshie and Katsushi Takemura. Across from them will be the New Japan team of Takashi Iizuka, Koji Kanemoto, Tiger Mask and Ryusuke Taguchi.
New Japan also announced Tanaka and Osamu Namiguchi as a team for their December 23rd Korakuen Hall show titled "New Japan Best-Fly Away." Tanaka and Nami will face Takashi Iizuka and Ryusuke Taguchi in a tag team match. Tanaka was very happy to get a chance to battle New Japan in Korakuen Hall saying, "I want to ask the staff of New Japan to take caution so that the visitors in the front row won't be injured."
Also announced is ZERO1-MAX's participation in Union Pro Wrestling December 20th show at Tokyo's Shin-kiba 1st Ring. Union is a satellite promotion of Dramatic Dream Team (DDT). First Osamu Namiguchi will take on Ken Ohka in a singles match. Then current NWA United National Heavyweight champion Yoshihito Sasaki will team with Shota Takanishi in a tag match to battle Shuji Ishikawa and Chouun Shiryuu.
| Yuko Miyamoto | 726 | ||||||||||||||||
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And in a match titled "Axe Bomber's One Night Revival" Yuko Miyamoto and 726 will face Kengo Takai and Kankurou Hoshino. The "Axe Bombers" were a small group of indy wrestlers brought together by Takao Omori as a stable in late 2005. Other members of the stable were STYLE-E's Kazuhiro Tamura and former death match wrestler ISAMI.
