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New Japan Victorious on Eve of World Heavyweight Bout!

October 12th, 2008

ZERO1 held their show in Tochigi, Japan today with a main event pairing Masato Tanaka with Shito Ueda versus New Japan's Yuji Nagata and Mitsuhide Hirasawa. As has been reported, Tanaka and Nagata will face each other tomorrow at the NJPW "DESTRUCTION '08" show in Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan for Tanaka's World Heavyweight Title belt.

The fans in attendance were well aware of the significance of this meeting and were 100% in favor of the ZERO1 team. Neither fighters avoided contact in the match, and pulled no punches in a heated battle.

Young ZERO1 heavyweight Shito Ueda saw his first appearance in a high value match since his debut last October. He threw himself headfirst in to the action, receiving "enryo suru na" (Don't Hold Back!) calls from the crowd. Ueda commented previously to the match saying it will be "...a decisive bout for myself as well as ZERO1...Even if I am beaten, I will continue to improve!" Sadly, it was Ueda who was defeated by Yuji Nagata via a sleeper hold. Following the match, Nagata and Tanaka had more words for each other.

Also on the card, ZERO1 President Shinjiro Otani teamed with Ikuto Hidaka to face off against Kohei Sato and Minoru Fujita. This match saw a good see-saw battle between former Tag Team MVPs Hidaka & Fujita, who due to their long alliance know each other very well. The end of the match came when Otani finally pinned Fujita with the Spiral Bomb. Once again former disgruntled employee Kohei Sato, who at one point declared himself independent from ZERO1 and freelance, approached his opponent and shook hands in good faith. This has been a step forward to Kohei who as noted has been distant from the company for some time, at some times showing downright contempt for his fellow wrestlers in ZERO1. Kohei had made the same gesture on September 23rd when he was defeated by Masato Tanaka for the World Heavyweight title and shook hands following his loss.

Tenka-Ichi Jr. 2008 Tournament Participants!

October 11th, 2008

The Tenka-Ichi Tournament approaches and the participating wrestlers have been announced. The two unknowns in the tourney will be the two wrestlers who advance from the October 28th Shin-Kiba "ZERO1 PRE-CIOUS" show with will feature a Tenka-Ichi Pre-Tournament among younger fighters. Those participating in that event are: Osamu Namiguchi (ZERO1), Yuzuru Saito (ZERO1), Munenori Sawa (BattlArts), Keita Yano (BattlArts), Durango (LA Dojo), Naruto (LA Dojo), Kimbos Rice (WPF) and YaYa Brazil (WPF).

Those wrestlers who advance directly to the main tournament are the following:

• Ikuto Hidaka (ZERO1 - ZERO1 International Jr. Heavyweight Champion)
• Minoru (New Japan Pro Wrestling)
• Minoru Fujita (ZERO1 - Tenka Ichi Jr. 2006 Winner)
• Tatsuhito Takaiwa (ZERO1 - Tenka Ichi Jr. 2004 Winner)
• The Great Sasuke (Michinoku Pro)
• Takuya Sugawara (El Dorado)

WPF Challenges Again! Wrestlers Dispatched For Invasion!

October 11th, 2008

After sending a letter containing a challenge to ZERO1, the mysterious gaijin wrestling company WPF (World Premium Federation) once more contacted the company. As reported here previously WPF direct mailed a mask and their list of challenges to ZERO1. This time WPF sent an e-mail relating to their gripe regarding ZERO1 still using the AWA World Heavyweight title to represent their World Heavyweight belt. WPF also sent proof that it now possess the ZERO1 US Heavyweight title and proposed to exchange the title belts in a swap. An excerpt from the e-mail.

"...We have decided to send Mr. Wrestling 3 as our agent to bring the belt back to Japan. It's determined that we will send our assassin to Korakuen Hall on October 30th. If ZERO1 doesn't accept this they were never see their title belt again..."

WPF also announced that it will be sending two wrestlers to the TenkaIchi Jr. Heavyweight tournament to prove themselves in the Japanese arena. WPF warned that Japanese fans should be prepared to deal with their power and economic strength, and that in the near future the UPF will establish their own promotional in Japan and run pro wrestling events. ZERO announced that they would accept the challenge, and that they will be sending two wrestlers named "Kinbos Rice" and "YaYa Brazil" to invade the TenkaIchi Jr. Heavyweight tournamen along with Mr. wrestling's participation.

Mystery Parcel Arrives From America!

October 8th, 2008

A mysterious and anonymous document arrived at the ZERO1 offices in Tokyo today containing a challenge from an unknown organization calling itself the WPF. Contained within the package was an unknown wrestler's mask, and a letter challenging ZERO1. A summarized list of the contents of the anonymous document is as follows:

• The challenging company's name is World Premium Federation (WPF).
• The rebirth of the professional wrestling industry is our goal.
• There are too many professional wrestling companies in Japan, and we consider ZERO1 to be the weakest. To begin the rebirth of pro wrestling we will start by crushing ZERO1.
• Despite losing the AWA license, it angers WPF that ZERO1 still uses the AWA Heavyweight title as their World Heavyweight title.
• If ZERO1 doesn't respond at once to WPF's challenge by the end of this month, an 'assassin' will be dispatched to invade ZERO1.

The ZERO1 office staff as a whole were quite surprised as this whole situation, but were also angered by the comment calling their company the "weakest" of the pro wrestling companies. However with everybody focused on the upcoming "ZERO1 Energy '08" shows and Masato Tanaka's World Heavyweight bout versus Yuji Nagata at New Japan's Ryogoku Kokugikan show it was decided that they would wait and see what this mysterious WPF has planned...

Tanaka vs. Nagata World Heavyweight Title Interview At New Japan Office!

October 7th, 2008

At New Japan Pro Wrestling's offices today, an interview and signing ceremony was held between ZERO1 World Heavyweight champion Masato Tanaka and his upcoming Challenger, New Japan's Yuji Nagata. The two will face of on October 13th at the NJPW "DESTRUCTION '08" show in Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan. The battle between ZERO1 has raged since the beginning of 2008, and after defeating Manabu Nakanishi, Koji Kanemoto and Togi Makabe, Tanaka now has his sights set on "Mr. IWGP" Nagata. FIRST ON STAGE Representative, Yoshiyuki Nakamura also attended the signing as an observer.

Nagata and Tanaka will also clash the day before in a tag match at ZERO1's "ZERO1 Energy '08" show in Tochigi, Japan where Tanaka will team with Shito Ueda and Nagata will team with Mitsuhide Hirasawa. Their previous meeting was an indecisive time limit draw in a tag match on May 29th when EMBLEM faced off against Nagata and the New Japan "Yajin," Manabu Nakanishi. Nagata then battled in several matches versus President Otani where he came out the victor, including a tag match on June 26th and a singles match on August 29th in Korakuen Hall. Nagata commented first:

"Last year when I held my Anniversary show, I asked Shinjiro Otani to participate on my team. At this point ZERO1 and New Japan took advantage of a lose alliance of cooperation. Then ZERO1 and New Japan began to fight between themselves, however around the same time I suffered my recent injury and was unable to wrestle. Then on my return to the ring on April 13th, Tanaka called me out and since then I've been waiting for this day. Since then I haven't yet shown my fans my full revival since returning, I want to win on the 12th in ZERO1 and the 13th in New Japan with a perfect victory, and to show every body that Yuji Nagata is back in the world of pro wrestling."

World Heavyweight Champion Tanaka responded with some strong words on enemy turf in the "Lion's Den."

"I came all the way here for this lecture, shoganai. Nagata calls himself 'Mr. IWGP' but he's just more fertilizer to me. I have the belt now, and I'll have it when I enter the ring and when I leave the ring on October 13th. The beginning and the end will be the same, with one week to go before we meet I have a sense of complete fulfillment. It's also easy to tell that in physical conditioning and fighting spirit that I am superior. Nagata is already finished as if he's been pinned. He's just more fertilizer for my belt."

Tanaka was then asked who he would defend the belt against if he were to retain over Nagata. He responded that he wants it to be somebody from New Japan Pro Wrestling, no matter who it is. Nagata then said he doesn't associate himself with the type of rudeness Tanaka has shown and that in his mind "...It's not possible to be defeated. That belt will be worn by me, there is only victory." He added that if this is going to continue ZERO1 vs. NJPW that "...New Japan Pro Wrestling cannot be defeated if it's united."

The two fighters then signed the ceremonial contract for the title bout and stood for photographs as Mr. Nakamura stood between them holding the World Heavyweight Title belt. Photographers shot Tanaka and Nagata by themselves as well as the title belt. Pretty soon things broke down and the two fighters began argue and trade barbs, and Tanaka told Nagata to next time wear a necktie to the ceremony and show some respect as he stormed out. Nagata when added a few final words, saying he wants to be not only known as "Mr. IWGP" but as "Mr. World Champion."

Tenka-Ichi Jr. 2008 Tournament Announced!

October 5th, 2008

Following his successful defense of the ZERO1 International Jr. Heavyweight title versus Guido Maritato in Sapporo's Teisen hall, Ikuto Hidaka announced this year's Tenka-Ichi Jr. tournament would take place at the end of October and begining of November. The tournament would begin with a "Pre-Tournament" taking place in Tokyo's Shin-Kiba 1st Ring on October 28th to determine two of the positions in the tournament. These two will then join six more participants on October 30th in Korakuen Hall for 4 singles matches in which the victors will advance to the tournament semi-final and final in Osaka, Japan on November 8th.

Four wrestlers have already been determined to participate all of which will have spots at the Korakuen Hall show in the main tournament. Present International Jr. Heavyweight champion and one-half of the NWA Lightweight tag team champions Ikuto Hidaka is an obvious participant. 2004 Tenka Ichi Tournament winner, former International Jr Heavyweight, GHC Jr. Heavyweight and IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Tatsuhito Takaiwa has also garnered a spot. 2006 Tournament winner and former International Jr. Heavyweight champion Minoru Fujita has also been awareded a spot. Fujita's former boss in Michinoku Pro, whom he along with his "Gikyoudai" tag partner Takuya Sugawara has given the run-around of late, Japanese pro wrestling legend The Great Sasuke will make his first appearance in the tournament. The remaining two participants will be announced soon, as well as those competing for the two spots open at the October 28th show.

Previous winners of the Tenka-Ichi Tournament include Masato Tanaka (2007), Minoru Fujita (2006), Yoshihito Sasaki (2005), Tatsuhito Takaiwa (2004) and Wataru Sakata (2003/2002). Last year Tanaka dropped his weight down to under 95kg to participate in the tourney.

ZERO1 Returns to PREMIUM!

October 2nd, 2008

ZERO1 fighters Masato Tanaka, Kohei Sato and Shinjiro Otani all returned to the 4th Masahiro Chono produced PREMIUM show in Korakuen Hall yesterday in tag team action. Back in March of this year, Chono made an appearance at the SAMURAI TV studios alongside Kohei Sato to announce the formation of a new tag team between the two named "Kuroi Dairenritsu" ( translated in English as "The Black Grand Alliance").

At the time Chono said Kohei had the "Black Charisma" and "...the raw ability to shoulder the pro wrestling industry." Chono felt with himself as Kohei's benefactor and teacher he would be able to shape him into a powerful force in Japanese pro wrestling. The two made a successful tag team debut in May at the very first PREMIUM show where they teamed to defeat Shinjiro Otani and Daisuke Sekimoto, who would also reunite on this card.

This time however "Kuroi Dairenritsu" faced the PREMIUM tag team of New Japan's Riki Choshu and ZERO1's Masato Tanaka. While coming up short during the "Yuke's Cup PREMIUM One Night Tag Tournament" from PREMIUM's #2 show in June 2008, Tanaka and Choshu bounced back in the following August show where they defeated Tanaka's current rival Yuji Nagata and his partner Mitsuhide Hirasawa. Now with these two powerful teams facing off, there was not only many hard strikes but some good teamwork by both experienced teams.

In the end it was "The Black Grand Alliance" who fell as Choshu dropped Kohei with an avalanche brainbuster followed by a Tanaka "Super Fly" frog splash which only got a 2 count! However one hard RIKI LARIAT sent Kohei to the ground where Tanaka landed the devastating "Sliding-D" low altitude running elbow smash for the victory. Following there victory after shaking hands, Tanaka then made himself to the announce table where New Japan's Yuji Nagata was calling the bout alongside the regular announcers and the two had words once again!

It hadn't been since the debut PREMIUM show on May 5th that ZERO1 President Shinjiro Otani teamed with BJW's Daisuke Sekimoto as partners in a losing effort. Now the two united in the main event to face the upcoming "G1 Tag League" participation team of New Japan's Manabu Nakanishi and DRADITION's Yutaka Yoshie.

Nakanishi and Sekimoto had also feuded last summer in some very hard hitting, powerful matches. Sadly, despite going 19 minutes and with Sekimoto showing some incredible feats of strength against the 275kg+ combined team of Nakanishi and Yoshie, his team was eventually defeated when Nakanishi pinned Sekimoto with his German suplex hold after Yoshie dropped his massive girth on him from the top rope. There has been much speculation that the team of Nakanishi and Yoshie are highly favored in the upcoming New Japan G1 Tag League tournament.

Tanaka and Nagata's Collision Approaches! Tag Match Prelude on 10/12!

October 1st, 2008

ZERO1 World Heavyweight champion, 3-time "Fire Festival" champion and undisputed ZERO1 ace Masato Tanaka has had his sights set on New Japan's Yuji Nagata for some time. The two have clashed in several tag team matches with non-decisive results, including a 30-minute tag team draw back in May during the "Unshakeable" tour. Then on August 29th at the "Endless Summer '08" show in Korakuen Hall, Nagata defeated Tanaka's EMBLEM tag partner Shinjiro Otani in the main event. Tanaka entered the ring directly after Nagata's victory and delivered a Sliding-D for good measure!

Both then met again in a tag match at the 8/31 PREMIUM show, that saw Tanaka and his partner Riki Choshu defeat Nagata and Mitsuhida Hirasawa when Tanaka pinned Hirasawa. Again Tanaka and Nagata had words for each other and had to be separated from fighting right then. Following that the two traded several barbs in the media until Masato Tanaka, fed up with events, invaded the New Japan Pro Wrestling "CIRCUIT 2008 NEW JAPAN GENERATION" show in Sagamihara on 9/13 and attacked Nagata following his match. Finally Nagata relented and announced that Tanaka will finally get his wish and their singles match could wait no longer! It was then decided that Masato Tanaka vs. Yuji Nagata will be held on October 13 at New Japan's "DESTRUCTION 2008" show in Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan.

Following his recent singles victory over ZERO1 renegade Kohei Sato on 9/23, Tanaka once again took the microphone and said he wants to put the ZERO1 World Heavyweight title on the line saying, "If Nagata is 'Mr. IWGP' then I am 'Mr. World Heavyweight champion!'" Nagata then responded that he's happy to make their upcoming match a title match as it will add a little extra to the match.

Also announced will be yet another tag team bout involving both men on October 12 in Tochigi, Japan for ZERO1's "ZERO1 Energy '08" tour. Here Nagata and Hirasawa will return as a team, this time to battle Tanaka and his partner young heavyweight Shito Ueda.

Yoshikawa Promises to Avenge and Redeem BattlArts in WDB Title Challenge!

September 29th, 2008

Of late two BattlArts fighters, Munenori Sawa and Yuki Ishikawa, have both challenged for the World Dubai (WDB) Tag Team titles in ZERO1. Both Sawa and Ishikawa have teamed along with Saki Maemura in a losing effort to seize the mixed gender tag team titles from current champions Osamu Namiguchi and Hikaru. Now another BattlArts member, Yuta Yoshikawa, has sworn to not only "reestablish the honor of BattlArts" but to finally capture the titles.

"Regrettably, Munenori Sawa was defeated in the championship decisions match in July. Then President Ishikawa does...certain things...in front of the fans in Korakuen Hall last month and is defeated. On behalf of BattlArts, I apologize to the fans, the other wrestlers and especially to Saki Maemura. The recent results have seen two consecutive defeats from BattlArts. So now I will restablish the honor and prestige of BattlArts, and redeem the dishoner heaped on Maemura. Third time will be the charm! I will challenge and win the WDB Tag Team titles, and of course Maemura will be my partner! Please lend me your support, and I will give everybody a BattlArts learning experience!"

Yoshikawa will team with Saki Maemura to face current WDB Tag champions Nami and Hikaru at the October 11th "ZERO1 Energy '08" show in Kira Messe.