Tadao Yasuda's Letter Arrives!

April 17th, 2008

A letter from Pro Wrestler Tadao Yasuda arrived today at the ZERO1-MAX offices requesting his participation in the upcoming 4/29 final show of the "Ichii Senshin" tour at Korakuen Hall.

Well known by the nickname the "Debt King" Yasuda, his life hit rock-bottom in October last year when he took sleeping pills and lit a charcoal burner in attempt to commit suicide. He was rescued in time by a friend, and after recuperating was asked by Japanese Pro Wrestling legend Antonio Inoki to get himself back in ring shape and take part on his Inoki Genome Federation (IGF) shows.

The letter was addressed to ZERO1 President Shinjiro Otani and read as follows:

The main event of the April 29 show in Korakuen has been decided as Shinjiro Otani and Takao Omori versus New Japan's Masahiro Chono and now Tadao Yasuda. It will be a 7th Anniversary of ZERO-ONE Special match, as Otani and Omori were in Shinya Hashimoto final match for ZERO-ONE back on August 31st when they won the NWA Intercontinental Tag Team titles off Hashimoto and Yoshiaki Fujiwara.

Otani's Massive Bloodshed in Yokohama!

April 16th, 2008

Yesterday Shinjiro Otani and Tatsuhito Takaiwa had their showdown in Yokohama versus Tatsutoshi Goto and "Mr. Danger" Mitsuhiro Matsunaga. Despite Otani's insistence that he would fight the bout as a pure wrestler again Matsunaga's deathmatch style, Otani was carved and busted open by his opponents. After about 10½ minutes, Otani fell to Goto's backdrop suplex for the loss. Following the match, an animated and blood soaked Otani addressed the media. The video can be viewed below, in Japanese:

World Title Bout in BJW - Tanaka vs. Sekimoto!

April 14th, 2008

World Heavyweight champion Masato Tanaka and Daisuke Sekimoto will have a title match on April 28 in Korakuen Hall for Big Japan Pro Wrestling. This will be Tanaka's 3rd world title defense in the month of April alone. The champ commented:

Big Japan Pro Wrestling Tokyo, Japan April 28th, 2005 Korakuen Hall
FIGHT CARD
ZERO1 World Heavyweight Title
Masato Tanaka ©	vs.	Daisuke Sekimoto

Otani Rebuffs Matsunaga!

April 14th, 2008

ZERO1 President Shinjiro Otani spoke today about "Mr. Danger" Mitsuhiro Matsunaga's challenged delivered the other day. Matsunaga held a press conference the other day in regards to the upcoming tag match between Otani and Takaiwa versus Tatsutoshi Goto and himself. He made his announcements from the top of a tall ladder and swore to "bury in Hell" Otani, Takaiwa and "many tatami needles."

Moreover, Matsunaga took it upon himself to mail some envelopes to Otani at the ZERO1 Tokyo Offices. Within the office Otani himself said that this type of business shows the "most fearful aspect" of professional wrestling. Otani swore he would display only "true professional wrestling" when he defeats Matsunaga tomorrow in Yokohama.

With that declaration, President Otani, who had until then been holding the tatami needles that Matsunaga had mailed him in his trash bin.

How will this play out now? With "Mr. Danger" Matsunaga swearing to bring his deathmatch wrestling to the ring tomorrow in Yokohama as Otani swears to bring only "pure" pro wrestling. Not to mention the inclusion in the match of Tatsutoshi Goto and Tatsuhito Takaiwa in the tag match.

President Otani's words can also been seen in the video below (in Japanese):

Tanaka Defeats Kanemoto! Nagata Challenges!

April 13th, 2008

New Japan Pro Wrestling's "Circuit 2008 NEW JAPAN BRAVE" was held today in Tokyo's Korakuen Hall. The main event was the planned bout of Masato Tanaka versus Koji Kanemoto for Tanaka's World Heavyweight championship title. This match sprung from the final of the 4/6 JCB "Miracle Rocket - 2nd Impact -" pay-per-view, when after successfully defending his belt against Manabu Nakanishi, Tanaka was immediately challenged by Kanemoto.

Now as the day arrived, it was Tanaka who was showered with boos as he entered the New Japan show for his match, and Kanemoto received loud fan encouragement when he entered. The match started with both men exchanging hard strikes through an intense elbow battle. Then it was brawling on the outside, where Tanaka tried to use his hardcore experience to his benefit. Placing Kanemoto on a table on the outside he climbed to the top turnbuckle to drop down on the New Japan fighter! Instead Kanemoto jumped up and threw Tanaka from his perch sending him crashing hard through the table instead!

Kanemoto kept up his attack, brining Tanaka back in the ring and trying to get an early pinfall with a Falcon Arrow. The match continued for some time, becoming a war of attrition for both men as they tried to beat each other down. Kanemoto managed to grab his ankle lock hold on Tanaka but Tanaka escaped, eventually scoring his Sliding-D elbow, followed by the "Super Fly" frogsplash which Kanemoto kicked out from. The follow-up Sliding-D2 he didn't recover from as Tanaka scored the pinfall at 20:40 of the match.

After the match, with the ZERO1 flag fluttering in the ring, Tanaka decided to provoke New Japan's Yuji Nagata. Nagata has been out of pro wrestling for a few months recovering from a health-related absence. He had only just announced his return to the ring, and now Tanaka was calling him out! Tanaka said he had issues with the way Nagata called his match versus Nakanishi at JCB, giving him no credit and making Nakanishi look good. There was some battling between ZERO1 and New Japan in the ring until finally Nagata entered and accepted Tanaka's challenge!

Also on the show, former IWGP Jr. Heavyweight champion and current ZERO1 fighter Tatsuhito Takaiwa was paired in a singles bout with upstart Ryusuke Taguchi. While much of the inflammatory remarks coming from NJPW have come from the likes of Nakanishi and Kanemoto, Taguchi has been there running his mouth from the beginning. It almost cost him his eye in Hokkaido after provoking his upcoming opponent at the time, Kohei Sato.

Like his losing endeavor versus Kohei, Taguchi tried very hard to counter the more powerful Takaiwa. The ZERO1 wrestler was booed relentlessly by the NJPW fans, especially after hitting Taguchi with a fierce brainbuster and then placing one foot on his chest for the pinfall! Takaiwa continued his relentless attack of powerbombs, powerbombs and powebombs, until finally Taguchi scored a big shot with a top rope Tiger Suplex and then his Enban Chuudoku (half-turn frog splash) for the surprise victory!

As the crowd cheered his surprise victory over a former NJPW Jr. champion, Taguchi said he doesn't think Takaiwa will be a wrestler that will feel a set-back from this loss. He also said he's willing to take on any challenger from ZERO1 right now.

"Mr. Danger" Says He will 'Erase' Otani!

April 9th, 2008

As reported on this site last month, "Mr. Danger" Mitsuhiro Matsunaga attacked Shinjiro Otani following the May 14th show in Aichi. The SWORD ARMY had gone to Aichi to battle against Tatshutoshi Goto and his "Goto Aichi Army" at the Nagoya Sports Center. Following the Main Event, the duplicitous "Mr. Danger" ran into the ring and attacked Otani, dragging him outside and throwing a fireball into his face! As this was going on outside, inside ZERO1 and DEP continued to brawl. Finally it was decided that Otani would team with Tatsuhito Takaiwa to take on Matsunaga and Goto together in a tag match on April 15 in Yokohama.

Today, Matsunaga called the press to a "strictly confidential" meeting today in regards to his upcoming match. When the reporters arrived at the clandestine spot, awaiting them was Matsunaga perched atop a 16' ladder. He swore he would try to destroy Otani in their match!

With that Mr. Danger jumped down from the ladder, flashed a creepy yet fearless smile at the cameras, and left the room.

Injury default - Yoshihito!

April 9th, 2008

Today ZERO1 announced that young heavyweight wrestler and current NWA United National Heavyweight champion Yoshihito Sasaki is suffering from a waist injury, and will be sidelined for the remainder of April.

Currently he is day-to-day and there is no scheduled return as yet. As soon as he is ready to return to action inside the ring we will announce it here.

Tanaka Vs Kanemoto Decided!

April 7th, 2008

Following the main event of the "Miracle Rocket - 2nd Impact -" show yesterday in JCB Hall, New Japan's Koji Kanemoto challenged World Heavyweight champion Masato Tanaka to a match on the 4/13 New Japan show. Fresh from his successful title defense versus Manabu Nakanishi, Tanaka told Kanemoto to "Wait silently! You're next!"

Now it has been determined that Masato Tanaka will defend his World Heavyweight title on April 13th at Korakuen Hall for New Japan Pro Wrestling's "CIRCUIT 2008 NEW JAPAN BRAVE" tour. The match will be titled "NJPW vs. ZERO1 Dead or Alive II".

Miracle Rocket Impacts JCB! Tanaka Reigns!

April 6th, 2008

ZERO1-MAX held its big pay-per-view today in the new JCB Hall in front of a full house for the "Miracle Rocket - 2nd Impact-" show. What might have been viewed as a "final battle" versus New Japan Pro Wrestling was anything but, as the hard feelings have only continued to increase. Both promotions split the victories 3-3 on the show, with World Heavyweight champion Masato Tanaka defending his title and evening the score in the main event versus Manabu Nakanishi. Nakanishi had been at the forefront of New Japan's disrespect for ZERO1-MAX ever since turning on former tag partner Takao Omori in January.

It was a hard-hitting bout, seeing Tanaka attack before the bell, dragging Nakanishi out of the ring and putting him through a table with a dive off the balcony! Nakanishi was able to fight back, throwing Tanaka around and using his strength. At one point after felling Tanaka with a jumping knee, he tried to tear the champs jaw from his skull! The ring was surrounded by both ZERO1 and NJPW fighters who often scuffled when the two combatants fought outside the ring.

At one point as the referee counted for Tanaka who was downed outside the ring and had reached 18, Nakanishi threw him across the ring and went and attacked Tanaka again! "Dangan" was able to fight back once more, powerbombing Nakanishi off the top rope, hitting a vertical drop powerbomb and the Sliding D, only for Nakanishi to kick out at 2! The crowd stayed strong behind Tanaka, even as Nakanishi overpowered him again. The referee was then injured as Tanaka was held in the Argentine Backbreaker and accidently swung into him. A Hercules Cutter later and Nakanishi went for the easy pin only for the ref to still be incapacitated.

Several tables then entered the match, with Tanaka eventually superplexing the large New Japan wrestler through a propped up table! After a huge elbow battle, followed by a roaring elbow, a Sliding D to the face, a Sliding D to the back of the head, and a final rapid fire Sliding D on the seated Nakanshi to get the three count! Directly after, Koji Kanemoto entered the ring and began to stomp the exhausted Tanaka causing another ZERO1 versus New Japan brawl in the ring. Finally Kanemoto got on the microphone and challenged the World Heavyweight champion to a singles match on April 13 for the New Japan show in Korakuen Hall. Tanaka responded, "Wait silently! You're next!"

In a match not involving the war with New Japan but an important match none-the-less, current NWA Intercontinental Tag Team champions Minoru Fujita and Takuya Sugawara faced off against the well-known TNA Pro Wrestling team and NWA Lightweight tag team champions Alex Shelley and Chris Sabin. Fujita and Suga insulted Shelly and Sabin the day before the match at the press conference.

The "Brothers" started off as you'd expect, attacking the MCMGs while the US National Anthem was playing! And while it was fast moving match with the established teamwork of both teams on display, it was the "Brothers" ultimately cheating with Sugawara's old Black Box to finally get the win.

With their victory, Fujita and Sugawara become both NWA Intercontinental Tag team and NWA International Lightweight tag team champions. This is the 2nd time Fujita has been part of the Lightweight tag champs, and the first time Sugawara has.

Interspersed between wrestling during the event were musical performances by Japanese visual kei band, Uchuu Sentai NOIZE. Accompanying them was their own Jr. class wrestler, NOIZ. NOIZ battled masked character THE*ZEST for the WWA World Junior Light Heavyweight title, all the while being supported at ringside by band members. Also on commentary at this time was 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.

The match was a quick paced, high-flying junior match that saw THE*ZEST initially looking like he might defend his title belt. However NOIZE was able to rally with the support of the band and their fans, and defeat THE*ZEST in just under 9 minutes with his "Miracle Rocket G5" finishing move to win the title belt. Afterwards Super Uchuu NOIZE entered the ring and took commemorative photos with the new champion.

The 5th match of the show was the long awaited singles contest between two of Japan's great Jr. class fighters in Ikuto Hidaka and 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. Both men vowed to try and finish their opponent with the signature ankle holds - Kanemoto with the ankle lock and Hidaka with his rolling Achilles tendon hold the "Shawn Capture."

Entering JCB Hall to the sounds of boos from the ZERO1 fans, Kanemoto set to work with hard kicks, knee strikes and attacking Hidaka's legs. Hidaka fought back, escaping various hold, responding with kicks, and going toe-to-toe with the 5-times IWGP Jr. Heavyweight champion. Eventually Kanemoto was able to cinch in a kneebar, ground Hidaka while doing significant damage. Kanemoto continued to antagonize the crowd as he beat on the fallen Hidaka, kicking and stomping his left leg. The crowd responded by chanting the name of the ZERO1 Jr. fighter!

Things seemed bleak for Hidaka as Kanemoto reigned down kicks on him, causing the referee to check his well being several times as his New Japan tormentor also continued to mock the pro ZERO1 crowd. President Shinjiro Otani, who was seated ringside doing commentary, was noticeably annoyed by what was going on in the ring and became even more angered when Kanemoto began to use the Facewash kick in the corner like he does.Placing Hidaka on the top turnbuckle he tried to go for a super Tiger suplex, but Hidaka was able to block it and fight back, scoring his own hit on Kanemoto's left leg.

Kanemoto tried to rally but missed a moonsault causing more damage to his leg as Hidaka bullseyed in on it with a low altitude dropkicks, and then exchanged kicks until almost getting the pinfall with the Uguchi bomb, and then again with a kick combination! He then went for the Shawn Capture only to have Kanemoto reverse it into a fierce ankle hold! Struggling mightily, Hidaka was able to crawl his way to the ropes! A second attempt to submit Hidaka in the same way resulted again in him reaching the ropes to break the count. Dismissively punting him from the ring, Hidaka sprung back in with a surprise Shawn Capture. Finally Hidaka scored with the Wild Dog High kick but failed to pin his opponent. One finally flurry of kicks and a Tiger Suplex hold later and Kanemoto walked away with the victory.

Two New Japan/Japanese Pro Wrestling legends took part on the 4th match of the show as Riki Choshu and Jushin "Thunder" Liger were to face Takao Omori and Tatsuhito Takaiwa. Takaiwa and Liger have a past together, battling in the NJPW Jr. ranks back in the day. Omori and Choshu also have a past, as Omori was a member of the short lived WORLD JAPAN project created by Choshu several years ago.

With this is mind, the opponents seemed to focus their attention on those they were familiar with, as initially it stated as a brawl between all 4 wrestlers. Eventually things settled down as the NJPW Legends were able to isolate Takaiwa in their corner. As they beat on him outside the ring, the New Japan referee got in the way of Omori coming to his rescue. The match began to become a back-and-forth, as both teams switched momentum, continually tagging in and out to keep everybody fresh.

The physical abuse began to take its toll on the fighters, especially as Omori and Choshu began exchanging Lariats for Axe Bombers! Almost KOing each other in the process, both Heavyweights tagged out as the two juniors rushed to the attack! Liger scored his palm-strike on the man who took the IWGP Jr. Heavyweight title from him back in 2000, and then another, lifting Takaiwa to the top turnbuckle to attempt a Frankensteiner. Instead Takaiwa reversed it into a devastating avalanche powerbomb! ZERO1 quickly double teamed on Liger, though he was able to defend himself with a flash brainbusters.

It wasn't enough as Takaiwa answered with a Death Valley Driver and almost submitted Liger with a cross arm breaker. Now Choshu, who was battling with Omori separately, intervened by nailing a hard lariat on Takaiwa which Liger followed with a powerbomb but only for the 2 count!

A final vertical drop brainbuster on the former NJPW Jr. turned ZERO1 fighter by Liger ended that match directly.

Following the match, Choshu spoke on the microphone directly to Otani who was still seated at the announce table. "Otani, come to Korakuen Hall on May 5th! Masa Chono is producing his 'PREMIUM' show, and I will have a present for you." Otani scowled back and said he would be there.

Current IWGP Tag Champions Togi Makabe and Toru Yano are no strangers to bloody battles, having won the 2007 tag team MVP awards due to their violent matches in Korakuen Hall. They also have no problem cheating or using weapons to defeat their opponents. Across from them are another popular tag team from last year, former BJW Tag Team champions Yoshihito Sasaki and Daisuke Sekimoto.

In this non-title match, the champs entered with Yano carrying a chair and Makabe carrying his trademark length of chain. No sooner had Yoshihito and Sekimoto entered the ring they were attacked! Immediately they began to brawl all over JCB hall, with the current IWGP champs using every dirty trick they know. The ZERO1 and BJW fighters are no strangers to this type of fighting and soon battled back though both their faces were bloody messes. Soon they despicable members of the Great Bash Heels removed the padding in their corner and isolated Yoshihito there. As Yano tagged in he revealed he had hidden the hammer to the ring bell in his tights and as the ref was distracted cracked Yoshihito several times with it!

The fiery Yoshihito tried to fight back, but had become weakened from the blood loss and hammer shots. Makabe and Yano continued to work him over as the blood poured out of his head. Finally Yoshihito was able to drop Makabe, but before he could tag out Makabe pulled Sekimoto from the apron. As the other members of GBH looked on from ringside, the champs continued to abuse Yoshihito, often resorting to cheap tactics.

At one point they even through Yoshihito from the ring and let their compatriots abuse him all right in front of Shinjiro Otani. When referee Abe tried to intervene he only found himself threatened by Tomohiro Ishii. Finally at last Yoshihito turned the tides and was able to tag out! Sekimoto, who had also been bloodied, quickly felled their opponent with several lariats. A big vertical suplex on Yano failed to score the pinfall. Yano was able to score a low-blow why the referee wasn't looking and tagged out to Makabe.

Sekimoto then tagged out as Yoshito entered like a man on fire. Despite his bloodied rampage, GBH was able to rally, until Sekimoto entered to hit a triple German suplex on Yoshihito and Makabe! The two former BJW champs then took turns scoring running lariats, and then dual Argentine backbreakers! Alas, once more through treachery Makabe and Yano were able to overpower their opponents when Makabe pinned Yoshihito with a diving knee drop from the top rope on Yoshihito.

Kohei Sato had one of the more lopsided matches on the card, versus New Japan Jr. Ryusuke Taguchi. Taguchi had called out Kohei on the final show of "Whirlwind" in Hokkaido and got his eye split open for this troubles. This match raised a few eyebrows, as it was practically a gimme for Kohei. Many wonder considering Shinya Hashimoto's last student has recently been aligning himself with Masahiro Chono. Even performing a press conference alongside him and appearing after a New Japan event.

If many thought Taguchi didn't have a chance here, Taguchi sure didn't think so! He used his speed to launch rapid-fire attacks on his larger opponent, knocking him from the ring early. Taguchi began to focus on Kohei's right leg, trying to cut him down to size. Taguchi was relentless focusing on the limb, negating one of Kohei's best weapons - his kicks. Eventually Kohei was able to fight back, throwing some kicks that were mostly ineffective now, and Taguchi quickly returned to controlling the match.

Perhaps getting a little brazen, Taguchi went for a rotation frog splash only to meet Kohei's extended knees. With this change in momentum, Kohei was able to use his superior strength to hit several German suplexes and finally his dead-lift German suplex hold for the win in under ten minutes.

The opening match of the show was a 6-man tag titled "Exotic Japan" and saw ZERO1-MAX wrestlers Ryouji Sai and Osamu Namiguchi alongside BattlArts' Munenori Sawa versus the New Japan team of Yujiro, Tetsuya Naito and Mitsuhide Hirasawa. Back on March 2nd at the "Truth Century Creation - SEVEN -" show at Korakuen Hall the New Japan fighters were victorious versus their ZERO1 opponents. Yujiro defeated Nami in just over 7 minutes in a singles bout, and Naito and Hirasawa won their tag match versus Ryouji Sai and Shota Takanishi when Naito pinned Shota.

Previously to the match, Yujiro was asked about the inclusion of BattlArts' Munenori Sawa in the match and he said he didn't know who he was. Sawa said that this was "fine" but when he showed up he appeared a little angered as he fought like a maniac through the whole match! Kicking, punching and attacking with relentless fury versus New Japan. All the ZERO1 fighters brought fire to their offense, though the New Japan guys were able to fight there way out of several predicaments.

The match broke down several times, with all the participants brawling around ringside. Eventually the New Japan team was able to isolate Nami and keep the pressure on him, often using double and even triple teaming and some cheap tactics! Despite this they were unable to get the decisive pinfall on him. Finally with Ryouji tagged back in, ZERO1 was able to score the win in the opening match when he finished off Yujiro with the Nachi's Waterfall diving double footstomps.