Home » News Archive » News from 03/20/08 to 04/05/08

Double Titles Press Conference!

April 5th, 2008

At the ZERO1-MAX press conference today at their offices and store in Tokyo, Japan, the challengers for the upcoming double tag titles match both attended the official contract signing. Current NWA Intercontinental Tag Team champions Minoru Fujita and Takuya Sugawara appeared along with current NWA International Lightweight Tag Team champions Alex shelley and Chris Sabin.

The "Brothers" of Fujita and Sugawara decided to show up very late to the event, and when they did arrive they just laughed and didn't say anything to the MCMGs. All the participants of the match commented:

Chris Sabin:

Alex Shelley:

The "Brothers" Tag team, then responded.

Minoru Fujita:

Takuya Sugawara:

A reporter than asked Alex Shelley whether he'd considering having more matches in Japan this year:

The press conference then shifted to a photograph session to commemorate the title belt signing only for Fujita and Sugawara to show a poor atitude and leading to a confrontation.

Fujita took his water bottle and threw it into Sabin's face, causing Sabin and Shelley to counterattack! Both teams began to fight and it spilled out on to the street in broad daylight! The ZERO1-MAX employees rushed to break up the scuffle as passersby ran away from the stores. Finally Fujita and Sugawara ran off, yelling insults back at the MCMGs.

The Motor City Machine Guns comments, both pre and post assault by the "Brothers" can be seen in the video below:

Fans Come Out To Support "Dangan!"

April 5th, 2008

ZERO1-MAX held a press conference today at their offices and store in Tokyo, Japan. Tomorrow is the big "Miracle Rocket - 2nd Impact -" event at JCB Hall. World Champion Masato Tanaka was on hand, and so were many supporters who brought their banners to show their support. The banner pictured above reads "The Bullet is Loaded - Masato Tanaka" and Tanaka was very pleased by the results. He commented on his match saying he think his superior speed is what will give him the edge against the "Yajin" Nakanishi.

Tanaka also touched on the "Win decisively" comment sent to him via letter by Atsushi Onita. Tanaka mentioned Onita's own appearance in New Japan 1998. He also said New Japan considers him the challenger in this match even though he's the one with a title belt. At this moment ZERO1 President Shinjiro Otani appeared to shake hands with his teammate in EMBLEM. "I'll send as much energy your way from my commentators seat," Otani said as he shook hands with Tanaka. Tanaka added that with the support of his former teacher Onita, ZERO1 President Shinjiro Otani, and all his fans he will keep in mind to thank them with a "bullet elbow on Nakanishi."

Nick Bockwinkel Comments on World Title Bout!

April 5th, 2008

Former 4-time AWA World Heavyweight champion Nick Bockwinkel was ask for his comment regarding the status of the World Heavyweight title being defended by Masato Tanaka on 4/6 versus Manabu Nakanishi.

The title belt was first recognized in ZERO1-MAX as the AWA World Heavyweight title.

Bockwinkle oversaw a match for this title back on January 22nd, 2006 when Shinjiro Otani defeated American Pro Wrestler, Steve Corino.

Message from Atsushi Onita Arrives!

April 4th, 2008

Before ZERO1-MAX, before even ECW, World Heavyweight champion Masato Tanaka was a member of the now defunct Frontier Martial Arts Wrestling (FMW). FMW was founded in 1989 by Atsushi Onita and it specialized in the hardcore wrestling and deathmatch wrestling that forged Tanaka in its crucible.

Now with Tanaka defending his title versus New Japan Pro Wrestling in the main event Pay-Per-View "Miracle Rocket - 2nd Impact -" Tanaka's former teacher and boss, Onita, sent a "secret" letter of support to the champion:

Motor City Machine Guns Arrive!

April 4th, 2008

Total Non-Stop Action (TNA) wrestlers and current NWA International Lightweight Tag Team champs arrived in Tokyo today. Alex Shelley and Chris Sabin last appeared in ZERO1-MAX on January 1st when they defended their belts against Dick Togo and Ikuto Hidaka. Now they'll be putting the same belts on the line in a double titles match at "Miracle Rocket - 2nd Impact -" against current NWA Intercontinental Tag Team champions Minoru Fujita and Takuya Sugawara.

"Since it's warmer in Japan than I thought it would be I'm very glad," Shelley told the media. "We'll win our match without fail, double our belts and return to the United States. I hope our Japanese fans and fans of TNA will continue their support."

Wrestling in Japan is my favorite," added Chris Sabin. "I also promise to double our belts when we return to the US. I'm always glad to fight for my Japanese fans."

ZERO1-MAX United Front Against New Japan!

April 3rd, 2008

ZERO1-MAX President Shinjiro Otani brought the media and the entire company roster to the office today to address the situation leading into the April 6th Pay-Per-View show "Miracle Rocket - 2nd Impact -" in JCB Hall. Otani announced that there had been some confusion in the ranks of the ZERO1 wrestlers due to the merging of the AXE ARMY and SWORD ARMY members to take on New Japan Pro Wrestling. AXE ARMY leader Takao Omori was specifically interested since he will be teamed with SWORD ARMY fighter Tatsuhito Takaiwa versus Riki Choshu and Jushin "Thunder" Liger on the show:

Ryouji Sai spoke up here, saying his AXE ARMY partner for the show doesn't "instill him with confidence" and isn't, "...the person I'd choose" in his confrontation match with New Japan. He said he feels the quality of his possible partners has been "downgraded." This caused the SWORD ARMY member in question, Osamu Namiguchi, to explode and verbally lash back at Ryouji. AXE ARMY Captain Omori was able to restrain his team member from taking physical action. Otani, who appeared downcast at this exchange quickly interjected:

Nobody moved from their spot. Omori then said he understand the situation and agreed that, "As President Otani says, it's the time to unite together. SWORD ARMY leader Masato Tanaka said he also agrees and that he believes as well in uniting by responding - "There is no objection."

Otani was very happy to hear this and said that now they can move towards focusing on defeating New Japan in JCB Hall. "I want to cement this alliance by having all the wrestlers of ZERO1-MAX united in one photo for the first time in a long time."

The result in the the main photo of this article. Also of note, Kohei Sato who considers himself a freelancer and has been aligning himself with New Japan Pro Wrestling of late, was once again absent from this required meeting.

ZERO1 vs. New Japan! JCB Hall Debuts!
Wrestling & Live Music! Uchu Sentai NOIZ Return!
Pay-Per-View!

April 1st, 2008

Wrestling fans have been talking for some time about the creation of a new structure in Tokyo Dome City designed to house pro wrestling events. The new MEETS PORT building, located next to the Tokyo Dome itself, contains the Hall that pro-wrestling fans have dubbed "Korakuen Hall 2." The event hall is actually known as JCB Hall and is a multi-tiered, reconfigurable hall able to hold upwards of 3,000 fans. Due to it's ability to be reconfigured, the Hall will be able to present not only pro wrestling but MMA, Circus, and music concerts. ZERO1 will be the first pro wrestling company to run an event their on April 6th as they present the "Miracle Rocket - 2nd Impact -" show live on Pay-Per-View (Sky Perfects Perfect Choice). The event will be show live on 4/6, rebroadcast the same day, and the shown four more times during April and May.

The event will see a massive invasion of New Japan Pro Wrestling fighters into ZERO1. No less than ten NJPW wrestlers will enter the ring to battle ZERO1 in what might be a decisive moment for company. Of special note was the late inclusion of Legendary wrestlers Riki Choshu and Jushin "Thunder" Liger to the card, adding to an already formidable New Japan Army.

The main event of the show will be a World Heavyweight title match between current champ Masato Tanaka and the New Japan "Yajin" Manabu Nakanishi. Nakanishi has been derogatory in his remarks towards ZERO1 and it's wrestlers since the initial flare-up between he and former "Wild Child" partner Takao Omori back on January 1st. He commented again following the 3/29 show after defeating Omori in a singles match, calling ZERO1 "Kuso" (shit) and saying if he can defeat Omori, what chance does Tanaka have against him as an "unworthy World champion." Tanaka responded:

Also on the card will be a Junior class collision between ZERO1's Ikuto Hidaka and New Japan's Koji Kanemoto. The two had previously met on March 2 at Korakuen Hall in a tag match which ZERO1 came out victorious as Hidaka's partner Masato Tanaka pinned Ryusuke Taguchi.

Hidaka has gone on record saying the "...opponent I want to fight the most now in the world is Koji Kanemoto." Hidaka said he also wants to defeat Kanemoto with his Shawn Capture rolling ankle hold as a tribute to his teacher WWE's Funaki. Kanemoto likewise uses a standing ankle hold as a way to put away many opponents during his career.

Takao Omori will be in the ring with several New Japan true born this day. Former New Japan wrestler and now ZERO1 wrestler Tatsuhito Takaiwa will team together to face legendary wrestlers Riki Choshu and Jushin "Thunder" Liger. While never a member of New Japan, Omori was part of Choshu's short-lived WORLD JAPAN project. Omori, who is known to not publicly speak ill of anybody, had a few derogatory words aimed at Choshu saying, "I do not admit you are legend of the professional wrestling world at all. Did not your existence make the professional wrestling world problematic many times?"

Four Korakuen Hall favorites will clash in the "new" Korakuen Hall in what could shape-up to be a violent affair. Former BJW tag team champions, Yoshihito Sasaki and Daisuke Sekimoto, will face the New Japan "Great Bash Heel" team of Togi Makabe and Toru Yano. This has been a match-up that Japanese pro wrestling fans have been looking forward to, as two fan favorites will battle the Tag Team MVPs of 2007 and current IWGP Tag Champions. Sekimoto, being a regular of LOCK UP is very familiar with these two wrestlers, while Yoshihito is always ready for a hardcore battle.

Kohei Sato has a match that leans in his advantage as a heavyweight as across from him is NJPW Junior Ryusuke Taguchi. Kohei again caused controversy following the New Japan 3/21 Chiba show when after a tag match between Masahiro Chono, Tatsumi Fujinami and Riki Choshu versus Shinsuke Nakamura, Hirooki Goto and Prince Devitt he was invited into the ring by Chono. As reported here, Chono and Kohei have formed a "Black Grand Alliance" tag match. Taguchi has also stated that if he defeats Kohei here he wants to have a singles match with Masato Tanaka, and a title match if Tanaka is still the champion at this time.

The opening 6-man, will see BattlARTS Munenori Sawa team with ZERO1 wrestlers Ryouji Sai and Osamu Namiguchi versus New Japan's Yujiro, Tetsuya Naito, Mitsuhide Hirasawa. All three of these New Japan wrestlers took part on the March 2nd 7th Anniversary of ZERO-ONE, "Truth Century Creation - SEVEN -" and all three were on the winning sides. Following his tag match on that show versus Hirasawa and Naito, Ryouji Sai went after Hirasawa, causing Shinjiro Otani to break them apart. Now will Ryouji will get his revenge?

"The Motor City Machine Guns" last returned to ZERO1-MAX on January 1, 2008 when they defended their NWA International Lightweight Tag Team titles versus the very formidable teaming of Dick Togo and Ikuto Hidaka. Now Shelley and Sabin return for "ZERO1-MAX vs. TNA Tag Summit Confrontation" double titles match! Across from them will be the current NWA Intercontinental Tag Team champions, "The Brothers" of Minoru Fujita and Takuya Sugawara. Fujita and Sugawara have relied more on their guile of late dealing with The Great Sasuke and his various tag partners. Will this approach work against one of the hottest tag teams in pro wrestling today?

That's the wrestling part, now for the "Live Music" part. Once again Japanese Visual-kei band, Uchu Sentai NOIZ will take part in a ZERO1 event. Back in September of last year, this band appeared in Korakuen Hall to help support their friend and ZERO1 wrestler Ikuto Hidaka in his Jr. title match versus Masaaki Mochizuki. Now Uchu Sentai NOIZ returns to not only play live at "Miracle Rocket - 2nd Impact -" but to possibly try their hand in the ring. All the members of the band are fans of professional wrestling and look forward to being involved.

Already the band has produced a mysterious Junior class fighter named "NOIZ" to debut at the JCB Hall. The band announced that it felt a true collaboration with Pro Wrestling was only possible if they had their own representative in a match. NOIZ will jump right into the fire, as he will battle the likewise mysterious THE*ZEST for his WWA World Junior Light Heavyweight Title. Also along for the ride will be famous Japanese TV talent and well-know supporter of Visual-kei bands - Mrs. Noriko Shoji. Born in 1934, Mrs. Shoji was a longtime news broadcaster and then variety show host. Now she is known as "Rock Mama" for her passion for indy and less-than-mainstream bands. Mrs. Shoji will be the special guest ring announcer for the title match between THE*ZEST and NOIZ.

And finally, it was announced that injured contemporaries, Shinjiro Otani of ZERO1-MAX and Yuji Nagata of New Japan, will both take their place at the commentators table for the show. While both friends and rivals in the past, when faced with the collision of their two respective companies how will they react? Will they retain their composure or quickly lose patience with each other as the show heats up?

NWA UN Heavyweight Title Tomorrow!

March 28th, 2008

Pro Wrestling ZERO1-MAX is holding it's final event of the "Whirlwind" tour tomorrow in Sapporo, Japan where NWA UN Heavyweight champion Sandy Beach will defend his title versus former champion Yoshihito Sasaki. It was Yoshihito who Sandy won the title off of back in February in Nagoya during the "Solidarity" tour. Going into tomorrow's title match, both wrestlers commented:

"Physical and mental balance are important, and so is defending this title belt. I'm proud of this accomplishment and would love to stay in Japan defending my title for an entire year. After I defend the title tomorrow I want to face Tanaka and Otani for the belt as well. That's not to say I'm overlooking tomorrow's championship match versus Yoshihito Sasaki. I will fight hard for the Sapporo fans tomorrow. I would like to add that Japan is cold country compared to my home in Hawaii."

Challenger Yoshihito Sasaki was also asked for his comments on the bout:

"It was my fault the UN title was lost. So it's my responsibility to get it back. And with this re-match I plan on taking the title back in on shot. I want to head into the next show as the UN Heavyweight champion. I also want to settle my oath with Mashimo in a singles title match."

Celebration from the Yasukuni Shrine!

March 24th, 2008

Though usually held in April, ZERO1-MAX held their annual "Celebration from the Yasukuni Shrine" on March 23rd at the Shrine's covered sumo area in front of a large crowd. The main event saw the ZERO1 World Heavyweight champion Masato Tanaka defend his title against former champion Takao Omori. As the respective leaders of the SWORD ARMY and AXE ARMY, the two last met for a championship belt on October 26th in Korakuen when Tanaka won the belt. Now Omori will try to stop the momentum of the wrestler who last year not only won the World Heavyweight title but also the 2007 "Fire Festival" and "Tenka-Ichi Jr." tournament.

The two clashed violently at the bell, and battle for a few minutes before taking it to the outside. The two brawled through the crowd, and Tanaka placed Omori on a table and dove off the top of an outdoor structure to send Omori crashing through! Tanaka then focused on Omori's right arm, the arm that delivers the powerful Axe Bomber. Back in the ring, Omori tried to retaliate with the Axe Guillotine Driver off the ring apron to the floor below but Tanaka reversed it! Omori fired back with an Axe Bomber sending Tanaka outside the ring! Making it back at the count of 19 Tanaka scored a lariat and two rapid fire vertical drop brainbusters, only to be answered by Omori finally hitting the Axe Guillotine driver!

The two rose and threw all they had left at each other, until Tanaka managed to hit his lariat and double rapid-fire "Sliding D" elbow for the victory and his third title defense. After, Tanaka got on the microphone and thanked the crowd for coming to the event in such good numbers. He said he hopes they will all return next year when ZERO1 returns to the Yasukuni Shrine.

The match previous to the main was the 6-man tag of SWORD ARMY vs. AXE ARMY, and the return of Akebono to the Shrine for the first time since March 2000. Teamed with the former Yokozuna and now pro wrestler were Ryouji Sai and Hawaii Championship Wrestling's Sandy Beach.

Facing them were Kohei Sato, Yoshihito Sasaki and Big Japan's Daisuke Sekimoto. Akebono made his return to the Sumo Area with a splash - a Super Press splash, pinning Yoshihito under his massive girth in just under 15 minutes to secure the victory for SWORD.

The 5th match of the show was the No Count-Out/No DQ/Falls Count Anywhere Showdown Match, between The Great Sasuke and the "Gikyoudai" tag team of Minoru Fujita and Takuya Sugawara. Alongside the Michinoku Pro legend was the secretive and noble Great Otani Shinjiro, the so-called "Greatest partner in the Sasuke family history." The ACTUAL Shinjiro Otani stated he had no idea who this masked man was, and was surprised somebody had the guts to actually use his name.

Due to the stipulations of this match, it broke down into crazy-confused fighting in the crowd and around the Sumo Area. The four fighters were all over the place - against walls, near the toilets, the concession stands. Weapons used included volleyballs, garbage cans, carts and even food! Returning to the ring, the "Brothers" were able to wrap The Great Sasuke in one of the blue floor mats and began to pummel him, before Otani could make the save. Finally as Fujita tried to finish Sasuke with a powerbomb, Sasuke reversed it into a roll-up and got the pinfall at 22:00 of the match.

After the match, again Sasuke and Fujita went to shake hands. As we've seen over these past months, this has been a moment where often Fujita tricks Sasuke by attacking him as he's extended his hand. The crowd chanted for Sasuke to risk it, and this time...nothing. Fujita shook his hand, though no other pleasantries were performed.

The fourth match was another 6-man tag match, and this one saw the first ever Japanese landing of the Himalayan Tiger, Bharat Bishural, of Nepal. He teamed with the mystical team of Tengu Kaiser and Tengu Baron to battle Tatsuhito Takaiwa and the two young fighters of ZERO1 - Shota Takanishi and Shito Ueda. There were several Napali representative fans with their country's flag in attendance. The match was decided when Kaiser hit Ueda with a vertical drop brainbuster for the win.

It was the Junior tag match that was in the third slot for the show. With Ikuto Hidaka and BattlArts' Munenori Sawa versus DRAGON GATE's Masaaki Mochizuki and SWORD ARMY's El Blazer. El Blazer was originally scheduled to be Hidaka's partner in the match, except Hidaka offered Mochizuki to pick "any partner of his choosing" for the match. Mochizuki promptly picked El Blazer, leaving Hidaka to scramble for a replacement. Hidaka finally chose SWORD ARMY draftee Munenori Sawa as his partner for this junior class match.

As one would expect from those involved in this match, fast action and many kicks were on the menu. Hidaka and Sawa had their teamwork down and were able to use it to their advantage, while an important miscommunication late in the mat cost it for International Jr. Heavyweight champion Mochizuki. After Mochizuki accidentally struck El Blazer, he was met with double shining wizards and then Hidaka finished El Blazer with the Iguchi Bomb for the win. After the match Hidaka challenged Mochizuki again, as it was Hidaka that he seized the ZERO1 International Jr. Heavyweight title from. He also questioned El Blazer's loyalty since he chose to team with his former DRAGON GATE "senior" then alongside SWORD ARMY.

Also on the card, Don Arakawa returned to ZERO1 to face Kikutaro in a singles match that he won in 7½ minutes with the "Sarakin Hold." Also, the lady's of CHICK FIGHT SUN opened the show as Hikaru defeated Saki Maemura with the Lanakila-H in just over 9 minutes for the win.

Previously to the show beginning, the wrestlers participating in the event prayed at the main shrine, hoping for a safe event. There were also several ceremonial duties performed from the playing of music, a priest's blessing and the lighting of the ceremonial torches.

Sasuke Attacked! The Great Otani Shinjiro Arrives!

March 20th, 2008

The Great Sasuke held and interview today at the ZERO1 offices in Tokyo to discuss his upcoming match on 3/23 at the Yasukuni Shrine. He will be in a No Count-Out/No DQ/Falls Count Anywhere Showdown Match along with The Great Otani Shinjiro versus the "Brothers" tag team of Minoru Fujita and Takuya Sugawara.

Sasuke then showed the assembled media and example of the Great Otani Shinjiro's mask. Sasuke explained how his tag partner is one of the best and will help him get back at the "Brothers." After a short statement he said he would take questions. Two shady looking reporters began to ask questions:

"Which do you like better? Sushi or cooked meats?"

"What's your opinion of today's fashion?"

"How is the weather in Morioka?"

Sasuke responded politely to the odd, off-topic questions, and then thanked all the reporters for coming. He then shook all of their hands, until attacked once again! The two "reporters" asking the odd questions were Fujita and Sugawara, once more in disguise! Fujita DDT'd him on the desk again, leaving him groggy. The "Brothers" then dragged Sasuke outside and began to stomp him!

Suddenly The mysterious Great Otani Shinjiro rushed to Sasuke's rescue! Using fast strikes and a perfect spinning back kick he quickly dispatched the "Brothers" from the scene. After helping Sasuke to his feet, the masked man gave some insight to the remaining press about his origin:

Just then a photographer discarded his cigarette butt on the pavement and Otani rushed over and scolded the surprised journalist in front of everybody. He picked up the discarded butt and placed it in his own pocket. Then the sound of plastic bottles hitting the ground was heard, and as the Great Otani Shinjiro turned to see who made the noise he saw Sugawara and Fujita running off.

As Otani dragged Sasuke to his feet, the Michinoku Pro wrestler could be hear to murmur, "It's a bit far..."

ZERO1 will hold it's annual Celebration for the Yasukuni Shrine on March 23rd at the Shrine's Sumo Area. Elementary and Middle school Students will be admitted free to the event.