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In Order to Advance, Ryouji Requires Single Combat With Kohei!

November 21st, 2008

Back in December, ZERO1 wrestler Ryoji Sai announced he would be taking time off from pro wrestling for some self discovery. He travelled overseas in both the US and Europe before hearing off ZERO1's trouble with New Japan Pro Wrestling and the WPF and returning. Just before this Ryouji teamed with former Tag Team partner Kohei Sato to win the Passion Cup Tag Tournament '08. Before this victory the two had not teamed since back in 2006, a time when they had won their 2nd NWA Intercontinental Tag Team Championship title.

Now Ryouji has unexpectedly requested a singles match at the 11/28 Korakuen Hall show versus his former tag team partner. Ryouji said he wants to battle Kohei because he knows they will have a fierce fight and show the fans the new generation of ZERO1. He said he wants to show some of the new skills he adopted on his overseas training excursion, and that they can offer just as strong a battle as opponents as they can as teammates.

When told of the challenge, Kohei accepted right away. While the two had faced each other several times in the SWORD ARMY vs. AXE ARMY wars, the last time they had been scheduled in a singles match was on 11/26 in Osaka during the "MAX Around '06" tour for the United National Heavyweight Title. Ryouji won that match in his native Osaka in under 20 minutes.

ZERO1 President Shinjiro Otani commented on the battle.

"I wish to send a shout out to Ryoji Sai and his request for a singles match. Ryoji Sai needed to take some time off from wrestling and now has returned with direction and fire. I think that Ryoji Sai and Kohei Sato can have a fiery battle, similar to how they have such synchronicity as tag team partners. This is a match I'd like to see as a fan coming to the show. I'm going to suggest the title 'Beat-Out!' for this match at the ZERO1 Beat '08 show. Please come and see for yourself!

WPF Demands US Heavyweight Title Match on 11/26 in Shin-Kiba!

November 19th, 2008

On November 9th in Rochester, Minnesota USA, Mr. Wrestling 3 won the ZERO1 United States Heavyweight title from then champion King Kaluha. Following the match, Mr. Wrestling 3 announced that he would take the title back to Japan for the first time in three years, as he returns to the Land Of The Rising Sun representing the WPF on November 26 at 1st Ring in Shin-Kiba and then November 28 at Korakuen Hall. The title was originally brought to the United States back in 2007 where it changed hands several times, being defended in various promotions. The title belt also traveled to no less than six different states within the country, with title changes in Indiana, Georgia, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, South Carolina and Minnesota.

Originally the WPF had mentioned the possibility of trading the ZERO1 US Heavyweight title back to ZERO1 in exchange for the AWA belt that now signifies the current World Heavyweight champion. They re-stated their position when New Japan Pro Wrestling's Yuji Nagata defeated Masato Tanaka on 10/13 to win the title. At this point the WPF targeted Nagata himself, with Mr. Wrestling 3 confronting him following his title defense on October 31st in Korakuen Hall.

Mr. Wrestling 3 sent an e-mail today to lay down a challenge for the title at the "ZERO1 PRE-CIOUS Vol. 2" show at Shin-Kiba 1st Ring on November 26th. Mr. Wrestling 3 gave ZERO1 the option to choose his opponent from a specific list for the match, mentioning he would allow this because the WPF had already designated the challengers in the NWA Intercontinental Tag Title match and ZERO1 International Jr .Heavyweight Title match on 11/28 in Korakuen Hall.

"If you want to regain the belt that Mr. Shinya Hashimoto created, there is no other way but for you to try to take it. And while the WPF has allowed you to choose the challenger, we've determined that you may only choose from a certain selection of four ZERO1 fighters. Those eligible for the challenger are: KAMIKAZE, [Osamu] Namiguchi, [Shito] Ueda and [Yuzuru] Saito. And following the 28th event, there will be no more challenges for this title since ZERO1 is already occupied by the WPF."

"It's clear that the belt held by Nagata and ZERO1's offices will be in our possession in the near future. The WPF has learned that Nagata has gone on a training excursion to Saipan, and once he's settled into his sun bathing we will wait for a report from our Saipan agent. And when he returns we will separate him from his title. We never give up, and we have adopted a popular call in the US as our creed - YES WE CAN!"

With this challenge it will mark the first time in three years the ZERO1 US Heavyweight title has been defended in Japan since Alex Shelley, Christopher Daniels and Sonjay Dutt battled in a 3-Way battle back on November 23rd, 2005. Daniels was then stripped of the title on May 4th, 2006 due to lack of a timely defense and the title belt entered limbo. Finally it returned in the US in mid 2007 where it changed hands several times.

The ZERO1 office was quick to choose a challenger from that list - the most experienced fighter KAMIKAZE. KAMIKAZE had fought hard this Summer to get into the Fire Festival '08, and won a spot. Now he gets a shot at another possible trophy in the US Heavyweight Title. KAMIKAZE was reached for comment:

"Honestly, it's great my turn came at last. I have teamed many times with Mr. Hashimoto in tag matches back in ZERO-ONE, and have reamained loyal throughout. My opponent has declared himself as Mr. wrestling, but I aim for the top of pro wrestling. Please come to the match and support my struggle. "

WPF Announces Title Challengers for ZERO1 BEAT '08!

November 17th, 2008

WPF has again contacted the ZERO1 offices and informed them they will be dispatching 4 wrestlers to the "ZERO1 Beat '08" tour on November 26th & 28th in Tokyo's Shin-Kiba 1st Ring and Korakuen Hall respectively. Announced in their original invasion plan was the WPF's desire to win back the World Heavyweight title. Following their first sortie into ZERO1, the WPF was roundly defeated and was told that ZERO1 would "accept any challenges" from the foreign company.

WPF has now sent wrestlers to challenge for not only the World Heavyweight title but the NWA Intercontinental Tag Team Titles held by Minoru Fujita and Takuya Sugawara, and the ZERO1 International Jr. Heavyweight title held by Ikuto Hidaka. Tyson Dux will face Hidaka for his title and Mr. Wresting 3 will not only battle Nagata for the World Heavyweight title but will also team alongside Charles "The Hammer" Evans to challenge for the tag team belts.

Tyson Dux is a jr. class Canadian wrestler who has participated in two TNA World X Cup Tournaments. The WPF has claimed they "lured" Dux away from TNA and he's now one of their agents. The WPF declared that this title belt no longer suits ZERO1, as current champ Hidaka was beaten in the Tenka-Ichi Jr. tournament this year. In his first visit to Japan, Dux is charged to be the one to bring the title to the WPF World HQ.

"I've heard from Spanky and Alex Shelley that Hidaka is a great wrestler. Now I will get the Japanese wrestling fans to recognize that Tyson Dux is the top level! My job is to bring back to the WPF headquarters the belt Hidaka now hold, and increase its value. There's no doubt this belt being brought home for the WPF!"

This match will take place at Korakuen Hall on November 28th. The challenge and the comments sent by the WPF and Dux were then forwarded to Ikuto Hidaka who had some of his own thoughts. Hidaka appeared to mistakenly believe he was being challenged by boxing's Mike Tyson!:

"Well I said that I would like to challenge any foreign fighter. And while I knew the WPF boasted economic power, I didn't think they'd send Mike Tyson after me! I receive the challenge, and since my opponent is such a hard-hitting boxer I plan to stop him with some Wild Dog Kicks. I'll kick him down to size..."

Longtime NWA Intercontinental Tag Team champions Minoru Fujita and Takuya Sugawara, were also informed of their opponents and commented that while their opponents were physically bigger than they are, they aren't afraid to face them. The team of Fujita and Suga, who call themselves "Gikyoudai" (Sworn Brothers) have held the top tag titles in ZERO1 since October of 2007!

"We don't run away from challenges. However, they will probably no-show the match claiming a traffic jam or a stomach ache. We've had many challenges for these title belts and we've defended them every time. "

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Nagata Accepts Takaiwa's Challenge!

November 16th, 2008

Following his victory in the "Tenka-Ichi Jr. 2008" tournament, Tatsuhito Takaiwa was granted one wish for collecting all the tournament Dragon Balls. He announced his wish would be to face World Heavyweight Champion, New Japan's Yuji Nagata for the title belt.

Nagata was informed of this wish and immediately consented to the challenge, saying that he has defeated Shinjiro Otani, Masato Tanaka and Kohei Sato so far and doubts ZERO1 has anybody left to challenge him:

"If I defeat Takaiwa I am going to consider that victory as the full and outright domination of ZERO1. Following my victory I'll continue to defend my title, however it will be against fighters outside of ZERO1."

ZERO1 will shortly announce the time and place of Takaiwa's challenge match when it is formally determined.

Corino Chooses ZERO1 Over WPF! Imposter Mr. Wrestling 3?

November 12th, 2008

Veteran gaijin wrestler Steve Corino contacted the ZERO1 offices yesterday with a change of heart in the war with WPF. Corino had originally signaled the invasion of ZERO1 back on September 23rd in Korakuen Hall, opening the door for the mysterious WPF (World Premium Federation) to begin its raid on the company. Now after seeing the constantly shady corporate entity in action, Corino has remembered his allegiances and declared loyalty to ZERO1.

Corino said he felt WPF was to scheming and underhanded of an enemy, and thought about what it might mean if they did defeat and absorb ZERO1. When he threw down the gauntlet that day in Korakaun Hall the goal was to prove gaijin wreslters were the strongest fighters in the ZERO1 ring, adding it was not an open invitation to take over the entire company.

Through unknown means the WPF discovered Corino's message to the ZERO1, and sent their agent to his Dojo in Pennsylvania, USA. As Corion refereed a sparring match, Mr. Wrestling 3 suddenly appeared alongside Kimbos Rice and YaYa Brazil! This Mr. Wrestling 3 began to beliitle Corino's dojo, his students, and to challenge his allegiance to the WPF. Mr. Wrestling 3 said Corino was supposed to be the WPF agent in Japan. Corino came clean instantly, expressiong his doubt in the goals of the WPF compared to his initial plans. The full video can be seen below.

FMW Revival Tag Match! Mr. Gannosuke Wants To Fight Tanaka Before Retirement!

November 11th, 2008

The request for a match against Masato Tanaka arrived at the ZERO1 offices in Tokyo today from former Frontier Martial Arts Wrestling (FMW) Alumnus, Mr. Gannosuke. Gannosuke had planned to retire from pro wrestling but has now put that on hold for a chance to face Tanaka. Gannosuke sent the following comments:

"Tanaka and ZERO1, I'm irritated and my time is almost up! First of all our match should be a tag team match. I'll will bring BADBOY Hido as my partner, so you choose someone. And in December sometime maybe we can put together a singles match. I'll defeat Tanaka and Mr. Gannosuke will then retire in peak form... I'll get to quit while I'm ahead! HA HA!"

Tanaka was immediately forwarded the challenge and responded:

"I didn't plan on irritating you. You said you want to retire while you're ahead. And that you are in peak condition. Hido will accompany you with the tag match, that's no problem. If this is your team I think I will enjoy this match thoroughly with all my heart. In addition, my tag partner will be BattlArts' Munenori Sawa."

The tag match has been scheduled for the "ZERO1 Beat '08" show on November 28 in Tokyo's Korakuen Hall - Masato Tanaka & Munenori Sawa versus Mr. Gannosuke & BADBOY Hido. Gannosuke has proven to be a very proficient tag team wrestler in his long career, formally holding the FMW Brass Knuckles Tag Team Titles (3x), IWA Tag Team Titles (1x), NWA Tag Team Titles (1x), WEW Tag Team Titles (4x) and the All Asian Tag Team Titles (1x)

Mr. Wrestling 3 Regains ZERO1 US Heavyweight Title!

November 9th, 2008

Mr. Wrestling 3 once again made history as he defeated previous champion King Kaluha on Sunday, November 9 in Rochester, Minnesota to regain the ZERO1 United States Heavyweight champion.

Following the match, Mr. Wrestling 3 announced that he would take the title back to Japan for the first time in three years, as he returns to the Land Of The Rising Sun representing the WPF on November 26 at 1st Ring in Shin-Kiba and then November 28 at Korakuen Hall. The title was originally brought to the United States back in 2007 where it changed hands several times, being defended in various promotions. The title belt also traveled to no less than six different states within the country, with title changes in Indiana, Georgia, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, South Carolina and now Minnesota.

While Mr. Wrestling 3 has announced he is bringing the title back to Japan, there has been no information regarding any upcoming defenses. The WPF had also mentioned the possibility of trading the ZERO1 US Heavyweight title back to ZERO1 in exchange for the AWA belt that now signifies the current World Heavyweight champion. They re-stated their position when the title moved to New Japan Pro Wrestling's Yuji Nagata, and began to target Nagata himself instead.

Takaiwa Wins Tenka-Ichi Jr. 2008 Tournament! Wishes for Nagata!

November 8th, 2008

The "Tenka-Ichi Jr. 2008" tournament finals were held today in the Osaka Prefectural Gym #2 in Osaka, Japan. Advancing to the finals by defeating BattlArts wrestler Munenori Sawa in the semi-finals, Takaiwa seized the tournament victory for the first time since 2004. Opposing him was New Japan Pro Wrestling's Minoru who won a "Minoru Confrontation" versus ZERO1 wrestler and one half of the NWA Intercontinental Tag Team champs Minoru Fujita.

The super-dragon power exploded on Minoru with a Death Valley Driver deciding the victory at 20:48. Despite a tough situation where his opponent focused on his old knee wound and he had to fight his way through to win the final Dragon Balls.

In modern Japanese culture, the Dragon Balls are seven magical orbs scattered across the Earth that when gathered summons a dragon that will grant the possessor one wish. Therefore it was determined that the winner of the Tenka-Ichi Jr. dragon balls this year would also be granted a wish. With the victory won this day by Takaiwa he was extended this wish. His response was immediate:

"My wish is to fight Yuji Nagata!"

So Tatsuhito Takaiwa, a man who has supported ZERO1 since day 1 of the company's launch and who previously trained alongside Yuji Nagata back in New Japan Pro Wrestling, wishes to wage war against the current World Heavyweight champion. He boasted that his goal is to recapture the title which is ZERO1's highest title. The match should be scheduled in the future and we'll announce when the situation develops.

WPF Shares Plans With The Media!

November 7th, 2008

As we've seen, the WPF (World Premium Federation) is a mysterious organization from outside of Japan that is attempting to take over Pro Wrestling ZERO1. They have sent numerous messages and e-mails to ZERO1, including harassing them and even driving by the company's offices in Tokyo.

The WPF has also targeted the old AWA World title belt which ZERO1 recognizes as their own World Heavyweight title belt. This has led them to put some focus on the current champion New Japan's Yuji Nagata, even warning him following his recent defense versus Kohei Sato.

Three WPF representatives, Mr. Wrestling 3, Kimbos Rice and YaYa Brazil who all took part in the October 30th Korakuen Hall, spoke to the media following the show to discuss the company and what on earth is their true purpose. Mr. Wrestling 3 answered the questions like a gentleman and was very direct.

Why did you come to Japan?

"Japan is the country that has the reputation and recognition as having very pure pro wrestling. However we've heard that the present condition of pro wrestling in Japan is that it has been in a severe state for the past several years. We at the WPF came so that we can help with the situation."

Why was ZERO1 chosen as your target?

"ZERO1 is the weakest organization in Japan, and since we thought we could capture it easily, I chose it as our first target. I think ZERO1 is a good environment for assembling the best wrestlers in the world to carry out pro wrestling in Japan. However, to be honest, ZERO1 has shown that it is capable of delivering intense fighting. So in that regard we give them high marks."

What's your plan for putting ZERO1 under you influence?

"There's no steadfast leader in ZERO1. None of the wrestlers including Otani are capable. However here at the WPF we have excellent agents who are gathered from every corner of the world and are #1 at their jobs. Otani is uncertain and we'll drive him away. We'll install our own WPF agent as the leader and bring fame to ZERO1."

It's said WPF has abundant funds, how big is your economic strength?

"WPF is in the situation where we have infinite resources even in this current world economy. One of our board has previous experience in Japanese pro wrestling and had some fame and success. Our funds are infinite and we plan to not be cheap with our expenses for to attain our goal."

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