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Injury default - The Great Sasuke! Fujita Steps In For a "Good Friend!"
November 6th, 2008
Due to injuries sustained in his match versus Tatsuhito Takaiwa on October 30th, Michinoku Pro's The Great Sasuke has had to withdraw from the upcoming November 6th and 7th "ZERO1 Energy '08" events. This includes the WDB Tag Team title challenge match in on November 7th in Fukuoka, Japan. Saki Maemura had appealed to Sasuke personally to team with her against the current champions Osamu Namiguchi and Hikaru that day.
ZERO1 wrestler Minoru Fujita, who has been a thorn in the The Great Sasuke's side for several months, heard of this injury and offered himself as a replacement instead.
"Since my good friend whom I previously participated with in a 'friendship tag match' has been injured, I hear there is a spot vacant in the planned tag title match. As Sasuke's good friend I will take part in the match as his substitute. And when I win the title belts with his girlfriend, I will transfer possession over to him once he returns from injury. I cannot even begin to tell the fans the closeness of my friendship to The Great Sasuke without bringing tears to my eyes...I look forward to this opportunity! The good friend tag team of Sasuke and I is immortal!"
Nagata Defends World Heavyweight Title From Kohei!
October 31st, 2008
The Korakuen Hall show "ZERO1 Energy '08
Tenka-Ichi Jr. 2008 ~ Tournament" was held yesterday with the main event of Kohei Sato challenging New Japan's Yuji Nagata for the World Heavyweight title. Following Yuji Nagata's championship victory over Masato Tanaka on October 13th 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. The gauntlet was thrown down and Nagata picked it up, setting up this bout today.
The battle started off hot, even as Kohei attacked Nagata with a chair outside the ring then sat him in a chair and rained kicks unceremoniously down on him. With both fighters proponents of the kicking style, there were many hard strikes and elbows. Soon Nagata began to strike with the heavy hitting moves, a backdrop suplex, shining wizard and avalanche exploder suplex of the top rope for a 2 count! Kohei, with Shinjiro Otani, Tatsuhito Takaiwa, KAMIKAZE and tag partner Sai all cheering him from the sidelines, battled back with a Falcon Arrow, his German suplex and a cross arm breaker.
Still Nagata was able to regain his composure with more elbow strikes and an enzuigiri, staggering the challenger. Finally Nagata scored his backdrop suplex hold for the 3 count, and as he bowed to the ZERO1 crowd he was showered with booing. It was Nagata who following New Japan Pro Wrestling's "DESTRUCTION '08" show on October 13th declared "ZERO1 is defeated" after beating 3x "Fire Festival" champion and ZERO1 ace Masato Tanaka. The following day Kohei came forth, and despite his recent confrontations with President Shinjiro Otani announced he would defend ZERO1 from such insults.
So now with Kohei defeated and his V1 defense notched, Nagata once more reached for the microphone. He got as far as "ZERO1-MAX..." before the ZERO1 wrestlers charged him and he escaped the ring! ZERO1 President Otani then grabbed the microphone and yelled after Nagata:
"This isn't over! I'll absolutely return that title! It will be done!"
Following the match while interviewing with the media, Nagata was approached by Mr. Wrestling 3. The WPF representative pointed at Nagata and whispered "You have something we want." Nagata had no idea who this was and just sat there staring as Mr. Wrestling 3 walked off. The WPF had originally stated that it was angered that ZERO1 was still using the AWA World Heavyweight belt as their own World Heavyweight title. When Nagata first won the title from Masato Tanaka the WPF told the ZERO1 office that "...the new champion Nagata has also become the target of the WPF..." due to his possession of this belt.
In the semi-main event, Mr. Wrestling 3 himself made his debut in a ZERO1 ring. Teamed with YaYa Brazil, the two WPF representatives faced Team EMBLEM of Masato Tanaka and Shinjiro Otani. Mr. Wrestling 3 didn't see much action as EMBLEM focused their refined teammate on YaYa, who initially put on a spirited defense.
It was all for naught however, as Otani entered the ring after Tanaka had laid a thorough beatdown on the WPF wrestler, he scored a running big boot in the corner, followed by the patented facewash. And while YaYa tried one more comeback as the crowd chanted "Otani!Otani!" he was finally pinned in under 10 minutes by the Spiral Bomb. Following the match, Mr. Wrestling 3 said the following to the assembled media:
"The WPF will crush all Japanese wrestlers! Otani! Tanaka! You're wrong if you think you can stop the WPF! Mr. Wrestling 3! Kimbos Rice! YaYa Brazil! We are the ones who will make ZERO1 a strong company once again, and we'll prove it. More gaijin will be summoned now - CW Anderson, Bambikiller...and we will crush all Japanese wrestlers!"
YaYa Brazil, who had his mouth bloodied in the match added, "Although I shed blood this time Otani, I'll make you shed blood soon!"
Despite the World Heavyweight bout at the top of the card and the ZERO1 vs. WPF semi-main, this show was also the first full round of the "Tenka Ichi Jr. 2008" tournament. Held every year in ZERO1, this time there was a pre-tournament run to determine the final two participants done on 10/28 at Shin-Kiba 1st Ring. Certainly one of the most anticipated match-ups from today was the 5th Match that pitted current ZERO1 International Jr. Heavyweight champion Ikuto Hidaka versus New Japan's Minoru. Both fighters have a history that goes back to when they were both Jr. class fighters in BattlArts. Hidaka himself has defeated all the lower ranked New Japan Juniors like Taguchi, but has struggled against the top of their Jr. ranks losing to Koji Kanemoto earlier this year.
Hidaka wore his blue and white tights, as Minoru entered in a new costume that included kickpads. As would be expected when two of the top Japanese juniors meet, the battle was fast moving, technical, with plenty of hard kicks and impact moves. After an initial stand-off, Minoru began to get the advantage on Hidaka by stomping him outside the ring and the bringing him back inside to work over his arm. Hidaka responded by using his "Wild Dog" kicks and targeting Minoru's legs for his "Shawn Capture" leg hold.
Finally Minoru began to rain serious pain down on Hidaka past the 15 minute mark - hitting a German suplex, a Dragon suplex and the Minoru Special. Hidaka was once more able to reverse into a cross leg hold, causing Minoru to crawl to the ropes to break the hold. As 20 minutes passed in the no time-limit match both men began to amp up their attacks, trading high kicks which saw Minoru get the advantage but unable to get the pinfall. Minoru then bodyslammed the dazed Hidaka and climbed to the top rope to deliver his "Fire Ball" splash, a finisher that he originally debuted in ZERO1, to score the pinfall at just over 24 minutes. The result being that the current ZERO1 Jr. Champ was defeated in the first
round of the "Tenka Ichi Jr. 2008" tournament.
Following his victory Minoru told the media that with the remaining fighters being Minoru Fujita, Munenori Sawa and Tatsuhito Takaiwa that he feels he has an advantage to win the entire tournament. He added that he also wants to face the wrestlers who were defeated from the tournament as well.
Speaking of BattlArts, current BattlArts fighter Munenori Sawa won two straight victories at the Shin-Kiba "Pre-Tournament" on October 28th the gain his slot in the tournament. In the "Tenka Ichi 2008" Tournament itself Sawa was paired against El Dorado's Takuya Sugawara - a former co-holder of the NWA International Lightweight tag team title that Sawa now holds alongside Ikuto Hidaka. It was actually Sugawara who Sawa submitted back on August 3rd to take the titles from he and partner Minoru Fujita.
For a relatively short bout, both men fought hard as Sugawara had come prepared ready to reverse many of Sawa's attacks. Sugawara attacked Sawa's left leg, at one point even catching him in mid-Shining Wizard in a leg hold. And again when Sawa went for his Octopus Hold to submit Sugawara, Suga again reversed it almost hitting his Shiisanputa impact move on the BattlArts wrestler! Sawa recovered quickly switching to a cross arm triangle hold. Sawa then struck quickly with fast kicks, finally cinching in the Octopus Hold and one more causing Sugawara to tap out!
Following the match, Sawa spoke about winning the "Tenka-Ichi Jr. 2008" and all the Dragon Balls thus gaining himself the magic wish, "I desire a bride!"
The third match on the card was another tournament match, this time seeing Tenka-Ichi Jr. 2006 victor Minoru Fujita versus the WPF wrestler known as Kimbos Rice. Kimbos entered the hall showing much anger on his painted and tattooed body. Fujita tried some early trickery, but Kimbos counter attacked with a DDT and a reverse grounded choke. Fujita fired back with his tombstone piledriver, enzuigiri and the Sasuke Segway but couldn't put the compact and powerful gaijin fighter away.
Finally as the two exchanged strikes, Fujita pulled the referee in close and delivered a behind-the-back low blow on Kimbos, allowing him to easily roll the WPF wrestler up for the pinfall. Following the match Kimbos seemed surprised clutching his genitals in pain as Fujita walked off with his hand raised. Fujita commented afterwards:
"...I was surprised. That fellow was a pro wrestler. I thought he was just some foreign exchange student that came to Japan to study. I was surprised! Although it's regrettable that my good friend The Great Sasuke has been eliminated. I am disappointed in Sasuke. In Sasuke, I am disappointed..."
As Fujita noted, The Great Sasuke did indeed fall in the opening match of the Tenka Ichi Jr. 2008 tournament. Sasuke faced off against Jr. class veteran and longtime ZERO1 enforcer Tatsuhito Takaiwa, the winner of the 2004 installment of the tournament. This match started off grounded, as the high flying Sasuke played into the game plan of Takaiwa. Eventually Takaiwa took to the 2nd rope to deliver a powerbomb, and Sasuke tried to reverse it, only for Takaiwa to dump him on his head! Takaiwa then tried to powerbomb Sasuke on the apron, which Sasuke did reverse and used a sleeper to lay Takaiwa out so deliver a tope. With Takaiwa out on the floor, Sasuke then went to the top rope to attempt a Suicide Senton Bomb only for his opponent to move causing Sasuke to land hard again!
Despite this self-inflicted damage, Sasuke was able to roll himself back into the ring at the count of 17. Alas, he had nothing left in the tank as Takaiwa blasted him with the Death Valley Bomb and then nearly decapitated him with a lariat for the pinfall at just under 13 minutes. Following the match Takaiwa said "First of all I want to win this victory in the finals in Osaka. And that way I'll gain some love."
The opening bout was a 6-man tag of Ryuji Sai, Shito Ueda and LA Dojo's Durango versus KAMIKAZE, Osamu Namiguchi and Yusaku Obata. Ryouji's team won when at near the 10 minute mark he dropped the Nachi's Waterfall double footstomps on Nami for the win. There was also a short opening ceremony for the "Tenka-Ichi Jr. 2008" tournament including the theme of DragonBall Z's "Makafushigi Adventure" as the 8 participants appeared in the ring. Hidaka briefly addressed the crowd thanking the fans for coming and stating he will show the height of ZERO1 Jr. battles.
"ZERO1 Energy '08"
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| FIGHT CARD | ||
| ZERO1 World Heavyweight Title | ||
| X Kohei Sato | vs. | © Yuji Nagata (NJPW) O |
| (13:26 → Backdrop Suplex Hold) | ||
| ZERO1 vs. WPF | ||
| O Shinjiro Otani Masato Tanaka |
vs. | Mr. Wrestling 3 (WPF) YaYa Brazil (WPF) X |
| (9:52 → Spiral Bomb) | ||
| Tenka Ichi Jr. Tournament | ||
| X Ikuto Hidaka | vs. | Minoru (NJPW) O |
| (24:16 → Fireball Splash) | ||
| Tenka Ichi Jr. Tournament | ||
| O Munenori Sawa | vs. | Takuya Sugawara (El Dorado) X |
| (8:17 → Octopus Hold) | ||
| Tenka Ichi Jr. Tournament | ||
| O Minoru Fujita | vs. | Kimbos Rice (WPF) X |
| (12:19 → low blow/pinfall) | ||
| Tenka Ichi Jr. Tournament | ||
| O Tatsuhito Takaiwa | vs. | The Great Sasuke (Michinoku Pro) X |
| (12:48 → Lariat) | ||
| 6-Man Tag | ||
| O Ryuji Sai Shito Ueda Durango |
vs. | KAMIKAZE Osamu Namiguchi X Yuusaku Obata (XWF) |
| (9:54 → Nachi Waterfall) | ||
Sawa Advances in Tenka-Ichi Jr. Tournament! WPF Wins Representation!
October 28th, 2008
ZERO1 held their Tenka-Ichi Jr. 2008 pre-tournament event today at Tokyo's Shin-Kiba 1st Ring. Titled "PRE-CIOUS Vol.1" ZERO1 fans who purchased tickets to the October 30th show in Korakuen Hall were admitted free to this event. The purpose of this pre-tournament was to determine the finals two participants in the Tenka-Ichi Jr. 2008 tournament. The show opened with Osamu Namiguchi, a 5-time participant in these tourneys introducing the fighters to the crowd. Taking part in the tournament was Nami, Yuzuru Saito, LA Dojo's Naruto and Durango, BattlArts fighters Keita Yano and Munenori Sawa. From the promotion who has promised to destroy ZERO1, the WPF, Kimbos Rice and YaYa Brazil participated. LA Dojo's Naruto had sustained a knee injury at the ProWres EXPO but wanted to continue into the tournament anyway.
The first match of the tournament was between ZERO1's Yuzuru Saito and LA Dojo's Durango. Saito was at a slight disadvantage here, as he debuted in March of this year for the company. His opponent however has participated in New Japan Pro Wrestling, including their "BEST OF THE SUPER JR. XIII" in 2006 as Fuego. Saito showed no fear in attacking his opponent, however he was submitted by the more experienced Jr. class fighter with a cross arm breaker.
The second match saw the first appearance of a WPF wrestler in a ZERO1 ring. Kimbos Rice, wearing black tights and having a Samoan-esque war paint on his body used his power and strength over young BattlArts fighter Keita Yano with his "Killer Slice" finishing move. Former ZERO1 gaijin agent and wrestler Steve Corino accompanied him to the ring and celebrated along with him in his tournament victory.
As previously mentioned, LA Dojo's small Jr. Naruto continued in the tournament despite a leg injury. He soon learned why entering the ring injured, and your opponent knowing you're injured, often ends in disaster. Facing veteran Namiguchi, it wasn't long before Nami aimed in on Naruto's injured leg and submitted him fairly easily in just over 1½ minutes with a single leg crab on his injured limb.
YaYa Brazil was similarly painted as his WPF comrade, with the flag colors of Brazil painted on his face and shoulders. He also punctuated many of his pro wrestling moves by yelling "Ya! Ya!" before executing them. Facing him across the ring was one half of the current NWA International Lightweight Tag champions Munenori Sawa. Sawa's star has been on the rise of late, and he made fairly quick work of the PWF interloper, defeating him in under 8 minutes with his Shining Wizard.
Here on the card saw an intermission of sorts, with heavyweights and former 2x NWA Intercontinental Tag Team champions Kohei Sato and Ryouji Sai facing off against Shito Ueda and XWF's Yusaku Obata. Sai has recently returned to ZERO1 after an overseas sojourn to help the company against WPF and New Japan Pro Wrestling. Kohei has one of the biggest matches of his career in two days at the Korakuen Hall show versus Yuji Nagata for the World Heavyweight title. This match saw the heavyweight tag team unleash a series of brutal kicks on their opponents, who despite their experience fought back hard. The inexperience of Ueda and Obata worked against them as Kohei finished Obata with a piledriver in under 4 minutes.
The 2nd Round opened with the two gaijin who advanced facing each other. LA Dojo's Durango faced Kimbos Rice. This bout involved lots of technical mat wrestling as the two juniors battled back and forth. In the end it was the power of Kinbos Rice who once more secured a victory again with his "Killer Slice" move in just under 9 minutes. WPF now sends their wrestler, Kinbos Rice, to the main tournament.
The main event then saw a clash of two men who have both competed in ZERO1 for several years, working their way up the ranks. One observer said it was perhaps Nami's best match in a long time. Both men shook hands before the match and then proceeded to chop and kick each other relentlessly in what evolved into a brutal battle. Nami focused on Sawa's right leg with an ankle hold, dragon screw and the Figure-4 leg lock. Sawa was able to fight back with a missile dropkick, a low altitude dropkick and then a Figure-4 leg lock. Nami fought back with his double arm DDT and diving headbutt, as both men continued to punch and kick but were unable to score a pinfall. And while Sawa began to make gains with a jumping kick and back drop suplex, Nami tried to keep his feet. Finally Sawa scored with his "Irabu Punch" pitching punch sending Nami down and opening him up to Sawa's Octopus Hold. The same move that won he and his partner the NWA Lightweight Tag team titles won him his victory here and advancement in the tournament!
After the match, both men again shook hands once again.
"ZERO1 PRE-CIOUS Vol. 1"
|
||
| FIGHT CARD | ||
| Tenka Ichi Jr. Tournament - Round 2 - Match 2 | ||
| O Munenori Sawa (BattlArts) |
vs. | Osamu Namiguchi X (ZERO1) |
| (11:15 → Octopus Hold) | ||
| Tenka Ichi Jr. Tournament - Round 2 - Match 1 | ||
| X Durango (LA-Dojo) |
vs. | Kimbos Rice O (WPF) |
| (8:53 → Killer Slice) | ||
| Tag Match | ||
| O Kohei Sato Ryouji Sai |
vs. | Shito Ueda Yuusaku Obata (XWF) X |
| (3:25 → Piledriver) | ||
| Tenka Ichi Jr. Tournament - Round 1 - Match 4 | ||
| O Munenori Sawa (BattlArts) |
vs. | YaYa Brazil X (WPF) |
| (7:40 → Shining Wizard) | ||
| Tenka Ichi Jr. Tournament - Round 1 - Match 3 | ||
| O Osamu Namiguchi (ZERO1) |
vs. | Naruto X (LA-Dojo) |
| (1:40 → Single-Leg Crab Hold) | ||
| Tenka Ichi Jr. Tournament - Round 1 - Match 2 | ||
| X Keita Yano (BattlArts) |
vs. | Kimbos Rice O (WPF) |
| (6:36 → Killer Slice) | ||
| Tenka Ichi Jr. Tournament - Round 1 - Match 1 | ||
| X Yuzuru Saito (ZERO1) |
vs. | Durango O (LA-Dojo) |
| (6:14 → Cross Armbreaker) | ||
Tenka Ichi Jr. Tournament Press Conference!
October 27th, 2008
Tomorrow will be the "ZERO1 PRE-CIOUS Vol. 1" show at Tokyo's Shin-Kiba 1st ring for the Tenka-Ichi Jr. 2008 Pre-Tournament. All eight wrestlers participating in the Pre-Tournament came to the ZERO1 offices in Tokyo today to be interviewed. The WPF, who has continued to challenge ZERO1, finally sent their wrestlers in person to the press conference - Kimbos Rice and YaYa Brazil. Also on hand were two representatives of the LA DOJO Naruto and Durango, BattlArts fighters Keita Yano and Munenori Sawa, and ZERO1's own Yuzuru Saito and Osamu Namiguchi.
All the participants were asked for their comments leading up to the tournament:
Durango (LA DOJO): "To everybody here today, thank you. I am very happy to participate in this tournament and I mean that sincerely. I will do my best, and I will do my best so all the Tenka Ichi dragon balls can be collected. I want to advance to the finals of the tournament and come out number 1."
Naruto (LA DOJO): "Hello to all the Japanese pro wrestling fans. As a representative of Mexico in the ProWres EXPO I want to do my best to with this tournament for my country and myself. Thank you very much."
The WPF promotions Kimbos Rice and YaYa Brazil both appeared wearing masks representing Mr. Wrestling 3. Both claimed they cannot appear unmasked unless they are wearing their "war paint." They were very interested in the Dragon Balls that the Tenka Ichi Jr. tournament winners acquire for each match won.
YaYa Brazil (WPF): "WPF has a big bank account and abundant funding ability. Since WPF has brought these funds to ZERO1 while challenging, ZERO1 should return that respect to WPF. So for this tournament, all Dragon Balls should be stored by us. And though he is a well trained fighter, if he gets hit with my 'Coco Butt' he will be laid out flat."
Kimbos Rice (WPF): "That's right. WPF is going to rule all the professional wrestling organizations in the world. For us, the WPF, no expense is to great. In this tournament we will proves that WPF is the top in the world. You will all see at the end of this tournament that WPF is really rich. All of the dragon balls will be in the possession of WPF and Kimbos. And then we will all thank go - do you understand? Whoever my opponent is doesn't matter, if he tries to stand face-to-face against me he will be crushed."
BattlArts has two representatives in this tournament, Keita Yano and one half of the current NWA International Lightweight tag teams champions Munenori Sawa. As the interview began, Sawa was still not present so Yano began to do the interview himself. Suddenly Sawa rode into the interview space on his bicycle! And for some reason he was wearing one of Yano's fight costumes!
Munenori Sawa (BattlArts): "I was delayed! Isn't the Tenka Ichi Jr. tournament today!? Oh I see I've made a mistake! I thought for sure that today was a match. I thought I needed a costume so I wore Yanos..."
Despite the bizarre actions of his ally, Yano sat calmly with no surprise registering and continued:
Keita Yano (BattlArts): "I have no information or understanding of my opponent. But I consider it a huge honor to take part in the Tenka Ichi Jr. Tournament. This tournament is one from which Alex Shelley, whom I respect greatly as a teacher, raised his name. I want to be remembered as a Japanese-made Alex Shelley."
Sawa (BattlArts): "Family creed of Sawa family: Do your best and you'll get a good grade. I want to be true to this by winning the Tenka Ichi Jr. tournament. "
Both fighters were then asked what their biggest wish is going forward As the legend of the dragon balls in Japan is if you collect them all your wish will come true:
Yano (BattlArts): "When a part of professional wrestling, you can never be satisfied with your current standing. I want to fight with desire. I'm very interested in fighting in an overseas ring. I want to go to the United States, Mexico, Europe, Russia, Bulgaria, and various other countries."
Sawa (BattlArts): "It's true. I want to get married. I want a bride. By the way is it true I'll be fighting Bobo Brazil!? How old is he now...?"
Last but not least the ZERO1 participants, Yuzuru Saito and Osamu Namiguchi spoke:
Yuzuru Saito (ZERO1): "Although I don't know my opponent, I've been told that he has participated in Jr. class confrontations in New Japan Pro Wrestling. Durango is also very strong. I want to do the best I can and win through."
Osamu Namiguchi (ZERO1): "It doesn't matter who my opponent is. This is my 5th Tenka Ichi Jr. tournament. I plan on fighting like it is my final Tenka Ichi Jr. opportunity and I'm going to win the tourney."
WPF Keeps It Up!
October 26th, 2008
On the day before the "Tenka Ichi Jr. 2008" tournament press conference, the WPF (World Premium Federation) once more e-mailed the ZERO1 offices in Tokyo.
"To ZERO1,
There was an event yesterday called the ProWres EXPO that ZERO1 was busy with. Of course, we here at the WPF dispatcahed agents to the event for inspection. However, we received the report that the European players, aside from the one known as 'Bambikiller' were disappointing. Well we can announce that two of our wrestlers, Kimbos Rice and YaYa Brazil, have arrived in Tokyo for the Jr. Tournament. They will appear at the ZERO1 office for tomorrow's press conference, but for now they are relaxing in their hotel suite located in Takanawa.
"We keep reading that ZERO1 and President Otani are in a crisis. We hope after tomorrow that President Otani will settle under our influence. We will wait for his answer to putting ZERO1 under our control until the Korakuen Hall show on the 30th. If ZERO1 continues to resist us, the turbulence of the Japanese DOW (Nikkei Average) will continue the week also. Maybe the IMF will loan you money at 0%, ZERO1 should settle under our influence."
- From WPF
Both Kimbos Rice and YaYa Brazil will participate in the 10/28 Shin-Kiba Pre-Tournament for a chance to advance to the main tournament in Korakuen on 10/30.
