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ZERO1 in ProWres Expo! Tanaka & Sekimoto Win "Continent Confrontation" Tag!

October 25th, 2008

The massive "Pro Wres EXPO 2008" was held over two days and encompassing three shows from October 24th to the 25th. The show was broken into three chapters: Part 1 - Green Chapter, Part 2 - White Chapter and Part 3 - Blue Chapter. The shows were held in Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan, and saw a mixture of wrestlers from all around the world come together for the event. The main fixture of the 3 days was the "Continent Confrontation Tournament" a tag team tournament. Not only did many wrestlers from all over the world appear, several Japanese and US companies were represented including New Japan, ZERO1, Big Japan and TNA. Almost the entire ZERO1 roster took part in the three shows:

ZERO1 tag team participants in the "Continent Confrontation Tournament" saw Masato Tanaka teaming alongside BJW's Daisuke Sekimoto, Ryouji Sai teaming with 3KWrestling's Ricky Landell, and the Total Non-Stop Action team and former NWA International Lightweight Tag Team champions in ZERO!, the Motor City Machine Guns of Alex Shelley and Chris Sabin. In the end it was two heavily ZERO1 flavored teams facing each other in the finals as Tanaka & Sekimoto and the MCMGs all advanced to decide the winner of the tournament. And after a match going almost 16 minutes, it was the heavyweight team that took home the trophies as Tanaka pinned Sabin with a Sliding D despite the combined teamwork efforts of one of the most talented tag teams operating in the entire world.

To conserve space, the following results contain only the matches that ZERO1 fighters participated in:

Also on hand where special guests Danny Hodge, Steve Corino and US Referee Mike Kehner.

Ryouji Returns In Defense of ZERO1! Sights On Nagata and WPF!

October 22nd, 2008

In light of the current situation between ZERO1 and WPF, not to mention the continuing fight with New Japan, Ryouji Sai has returned to show he can be depended on in an emergency. Following the "ZERO1 Spirits '08" show in Tokorozawa Gymnasium on September 14, Ryouji made the announcement that he would be taking time off from professional wrestling for some "self-discovery." At the time he said he would most likely return to ZERO1 but didn't say when. Turns out that today was the day, as Ryouji appeared at the ZERO1 offices in Tokyo to announce his return at the upcoming October 30th Korakuen Hall show.

Ryouji has been overseas in both the US and Europe this past month both traveling and undertaking martial arts training. While he didn't reveal the name of the gym he was training out he said he had done lots of sparring and no less than three former World champions in combat sports were his instructors. He added that he wants to take the new enhanced wrestling and kick boxing techniques he's learned and incorporate them into pro wrestling. "The result of the training was substantial and I want to show the new things I've learned in the ring." Moreover, he announced he has grown as a man this past month outside of his newly learned combat sports technique as, "There were a lot of unknown things in the world to me and I needed some mental stimulation." He said that while on his trip he also took part in various volunteer animal rescue and environmental protection events.

He expressed his surprise at the audacity of the WPF, and also that Masato Tanaka had dropped the World Heavyweight title to New Japan's Yuji Nagata. He didn't learn of either events until he returned to Japan, and stepped up to say that while he thinks Kohei will be able to regain the title on October 30th if it doesn't happen he wants to "...introduce myself in the running to overthrow Nagata." Until and unless that happens, Ryouji said for now he wants to defend ZERO1 against the interloper WPF promotion saying, "I want to man the front lines and do what I can to help."

ZERO1 President Otani was also on hand and said he was relieved that Ryouji returned to help the company and that just from his short time back Otani has already noticed a change in the fighter from his overseas practice, training and searching. Otani said he will team with Ryouji on the October 30th show to battle WPF agent Mr. Wrestling 3 and whoever else is on the WPF team that day.

WPF Porsche Reconnoiters ZERO1 Office!

October 21st, 2008

With their announced mission to "crush" ZERO1, the gaijin World Premium Federation (WPF) has continued acts of intimidation on the company. Outside the offices in Tokyo today, ZERO1 employees heard the sound of a high-end sports car engine revving outside. As they looked to investigate they saw a masked man, obviously a WPF wrestler, parked out front of the office in a Porsche. The stranger only paused for a few seconds, scanning the ZERO1 offices and property across the street.

WPF has shown lots of self-confidence in their economic strength and organizational power, claiming to hold more than ZERO1. ZERO1 has decided it will soon announce what measures they will take in response to this constant harassment. On top of the visit by the mysterious Porsche driver, another e-mail was sent:

"One of our agents went to explore the situation of the ZERO1 office today. Apparently your company is very small, and our agent told us in his report that ZERO1 is by far the weakest of all the pro wrestling companies in Japan. You've seen the luxury cars that all of our agents drive. We will easily make a fortune in Japan, and as you already know you cannot match the power and economic strength of our WPF organization. It will be futile if you resist, we recommend you talk to the IMF for support."

WPF Continues to Provoke!

October 17th, 2008

The ZERO1 offices once more received an e-mail from the foreign pro wrestling company WPF (World Premium Federation) today. This is the third message from the company and contained the following message:

"In order to ascertain the championship status of Masato Tanaka, one of our agents was sent to Japan to watch his October 13th title defense in New Japan Pro Wrestling. He conveyed to us the very regrettable result that Tanaka lost the title belt in his match! Because of this ZERO1 has rendered the idea of a friendly belt exchange as we originally presented impossible. So it has become unnecessary to give the ZERO1 US Heavyweight title to Mr. Wrestling 3, the agent we've dispatched for October 30th at Korakuen Hall. I want ZERO1 to wonder if they will ever see their US Heavyweight belt again. Moreover, the new champion Nagata has also become the target of the WPF. We've informed all the world's wrestling organizations of this. With the loss of this belt, ZERO1 has truly become a company of no value.

"WPF will prove this to the Japanese fans directly on October 30th. Of course, fight money for our wrestlers, flight and hotel etc. are unnecessary. After all it will be soon that you will be just a subsidy of WPF anyway. If people need to know why the Japanese stock markets are falling, it's our retribution for Tanaka's failure. Yes, even the market is dependent on the power of the WPF!"

The WPF originally challenged ZERO1 at the beginning of this month when it sent a message laying out it's plans to bring a "rebirth" to professional wrestling by cutting the number of companies in Japan, starting with ZERO1. They also were angered over ZERO1 still using the AWA World Heavyweight title as their own World Heavyweight title and proposed an exchange of that title with the ZERO1 US Heavyweight title belt.

Yoshihito Sasaki Goes Freelance!

October 17th, 2008

Yoshihito Sasaki has been out of action since sustaining a back injury following the April 6th "Miracle Rocket ~ 2nd Impact ~" show at Tokyo's JCB Hall. In that bloody battle Yoshihito, teamed with BJW's Daisuke Sekimoto, lost to the NJPW-GBH team of Togi Makabe and Toru Yano. After discussions with ZERO1 President Otani it is determined that Yoshihito will not re-sign a contract with ZERO1 but on his return from injury will be a freelancer.

"After discussions with Mr. Otani on my future many things were brought into consideration. Focusing foremost on my medical treatment, when I finally return to pro wrestling is will be as a freelancer. Kore kara mo yoroshiku onegaishimasu..."

Kohei vs. Nagata World Heavyweight Bout Determined for 10/30!

October 14th, 2008

Following Yuji Nagata's victory of Masato Tanaka yesterday at New Japan Pro Wrestling's "DESTRUCTION '08," ZERO1 and New Japan fighters clashed in the ring. Nagata himself declared "ZERO1 is defeated" after winning the title and was confronted in the ring by Kohei Sato. Nagata was interviewed the following the day at the New Japan headquarters in Tokyo about his victory and the events that followed the match. Nagata said that if ZERO1 nominates Kohei Sato as the next challenger to the World Heavyweight title that he accepts the challenge as he wants to show the world "Nagata's full revival."

He said he's already defeated Tanaka and Otani who he sees as the top of the company anyway. Communications were immediately opened up once Nagata made this announcement and it has been determined that Kohei will meet Nagata for the title on October 30th in Korakuen Hall.Kohei, along with President Otani then held their own press conference at the ZERO1 offices and addressed the situation. Kohei, who until lately has been distant from ZERO1, is somewhat of a surprise defender of the company in this instance. He commented:

"After the match yesterday, Nagata boasted 'ZERO1 is defeated.' and grinned. Even if ZERO1 is beaten once, it is not beaten. If ZERO1 loses a match, it's not losing. Now, though I was performing as a free lancer, I came to ZERO1 from ZERO1-MAX and ZERO-ONE. I am a professional wrestler only in ZERO1. Therefore it's not possible for Nagata to say these things, I won't permit it."

Otani was then asked about Tanaka's defeat, Nagata's words and his thoughts on Kohei being the next challenger for the World Heavyweight title:

"As for Tanaka being defeated, it's a fact. Nagata said 'ZERO1 is defeated' because that was his own opinion. I want to tell you what I think - that we have been around for seven years and won't allow this type of talk. ZERO1 is not defeated. Kohei stood up for that, though I didn't know why. Now I think he rose to confront Nagata because, despite his criticism of ZERO1 and my leadership as President, he loves pro wrestling and loves ZERO1 truly. I don't know what will happen on October 30th."

Kohei was asked about his recent rebellions towards the company, including his criticism towards Otani. He said he is now back in the ZERO1 fold and criticized Otani when he was technically freelance. He added that Otani has a difficult job as both a wrestler and as President of ZERO1 and he feels bad about his comments. Otani added that he and Kohei have had their differences, and have clashed as rivals. "Once it was decided that Kohei vs. Nagata would collide on the 30th, I know who I will fully support! Overthrow Nagata!"

Kohei was then asked about the specific match-up with Nagata and what he thinks of him as an opponent:

"We both use the kick heavily in our style. Even if it's the same style, I am surely at a higher level. I am a student of Hashimoto after all. The real 'Mr. IWGP' is Hashimoto-san for me. The aura the Hashimoto-san and Chono-san have around them is not felt by me from Nagata. Nagata fails to give me a sense of tension or fear. If I take the belt, I will have done something that Otani and Tanaka couldn't do. It makes me sick that the company I've grown up in is held in such derision by New Japan. I'll get that belt back."

Otani added that every member of ZERO1 will come out to support Kohei despite what's happened between them in the past.

Tanaka Falls to Nagata! New World Heavyweight Champion!

October 13th, 2008

New Japan Pro Wrestling's Yuji Nagata has finally handed Masato Tanaka a decisive defeat, breaking the ZERO1 aces long win streak and taking the World Heavyweight title. Tanaka coming off an impressive grouping of victories going back since his return to injury has been on a collision course with Nagata for over 6-months. After many tag team matches and verbal threats the two finally decided on a day to meet for Tanaka's World Heavyweight title belt.

Both men entered the arena today accompanied by several members of their respective companies. Tanaka had with him the entire ZERO1 roster as he entered the ring with his "Fire Festival" fire katana and the World title belt in hand. ZERO1 Referee Sasazaki and ring announcer Oki Okita were given the duties to the match, and though a small "ZERO1" chant broke out in the beginning of the match the crowd was almost 100% for Nagata as they chanted his name throughout and waved banners bearing his name in the air.

The match going just over 18 minutes was an intense affair that saw hard strikes and deft counters from both men. Starting at the opening bell both men began with their trade mark strikes, Nagata with kicks and Tanaka with elbows. Tanaka then attempted to mat wrestle with Nagata, but "Mr. IWGP" was able to counter at every turn. When Tanaka eventually slapped Nagata in the face during a rope break, the crowd booed loudly, only to cheer when Nagata responded with a hard slap dropping Tanaka to the mat. He then began to pummel Tanaka in the corner with knee strikes, and when Tanaka tried to counter with a running spear the New Japan wrestler intercepted him with a front face lock to the amazement and cheers from the home crowd!

Nagata then unleashed a flurry of kicks to Tanaka, sending him to the outside where Nagata gave chase. Tanaka, a familiar brawler used this to his advantage sending him into the ring post and attacking him with a chair before snap suplexing him on the hard concrete floor. As Tanaka rushed back the ring and the referee countered the crowd booed him loudly for his tactic! Nagata was able to pull himself back in to the ring, only to face a new offensive flurry from the 3x "Fire Festival" champion. Tanaka unleashed with a running elbow in the corner, multiple brainbusters and stomping. Nagata rose at one point only to be felled again by a running elbow smash! Eventually he was able to regain composure and counter one with a snap exploder suplex!

Tanaka tried his own reversal in the corner with a tornado DDT, only for Nagata to counter back and implant Tanaka with a hard DDT! Tanaka fought back, but again Nagata responded with a brainbuster and a high knee in the corner. However after some back-and-forth battling on the turnbuckle Tanaka was again able to rally with a Sunset Flip leading to his classic "Diamond Dust" maneuver which hasn't seen use in some time! Followed by a hard lariat, Tanaka received a solid 2 count. Trying to capitalize, Tanaka then hit an avalanche back suplex and his "Super Fly" frog splash but only for another 2 count! Both men then exchanged strikes until both were on the mat as the surrounding ZERO1 and New Japan wrestler pounded the mat and yelled encouragement! Both men unleashed yet another flurry of offense on each other, going blow for blow until both men were down again! Tanaka used this opportunity to deliver a Sliding-D, only to have a follow-up blocked by Nagata who countered with a hard back suplex! The Sliding D left its mark however as Nagata's blood began to trickle down his face!

Tanaka began to rain elbows down on Nagata, again scoring the Sliding D twice in a row in rapid fire succession to Nagata's front and back only to get aanother 2 count! This time three wasn't the charm however as the third attempt Nagata caught and quickly turned it into a hard wrenching armbar as his supporter went crazy! Nagata's eyes rolled back into his head as he wrenched Tanaka's right arm until the defending champion was able to reach the ropes. Tanaka began to waver as the two traded elbow shots to the face. Suddenly, he was knocked loopy from a quick and perfectly placed enzuigiri by Nagata. A dazed and battered Tanaka was then deposited on his head with a hard back suplex! Nagata, not taking any risks quickly followed up with another back suplex hold for the 3 count and the final victory. Tanaka's long reign is finally ended by Nagata, as he becomes the 2nd ZERO1 World Heavyweight champion!

Following the match with both ZERO1 and NJPW wrestlers in the ring, Nagata took the title belt and the microphone and yelled "ZERO1 is defeated!" causing the ZERO1 fighters to rush across the ring to attack! As both sides battled Nagata and Kohei Sato faced off in the center of the ring, exchanging words.

New Japan Pro Wrestling "DESTRUCTION 2008" Tokyo, Japan October 13th, 2008 Ryogoku Kokugikan
FIGHT CARD
ZERO1 World Heavyweight Title
X Masato Tanaka	vs.	© Yuji Nagata (NJPW) O
(18:06 → Backdrop Hold)

Following the match Tanaka commented about his loss: