Home » News Archive » News from 04/10/09 to 04/26/09

Sayonara Hikaru-san and Saki-san!

April 26th, 2009

Chick Fight SUN held their final event today at the Belle Salle Roppongi with a main event retirement match between Hikaru and Saki Maemura. SUN officially began in September 2006 following a DREAM CATCHER joshi event at Tokyo's Shin-Kiba, Nanae Takahashi then announced the formation of SUN with original members Nanae, Natsuki☆Taiyo, Saki Maemura and Hikaru as the core. The new Joshi company supported by FIRST ON STAGE held their first event on October 1st, 2006 and went on to hold over 20+ shows during it's existence.

The "SUN SET ~Hikaru and Saki Maemura FINAL~" had 4 total scheduled matches. Before the show started Hikaru and Saki entered the ring and did a choreographed dance with other dancers to greet the crowd. The both thanked the fans for coming and both promised to fight as hard as they could on their retirement day before officially beginning the show.

The first match was a defense of the World Dubai (WDB) Tag Team mixed titles, with current champion Saki and Minoru Fujita versus Ikuto Hidaka and Toshie Uematsu. Saki and Fujita had won the titles back on February 26th, 2009 from the team of Hikaru and Osamu Namiguchi. Saki came to the ring in matching color with Gikyoudai member Fujita, wearing a black costume with a bandana over her left eye. Many streamers filled the ring when Saki was announced by ring announcer Okita. Being familiar with each other as tag partners Saki and Fujita were able to hit numerous double team attacks on their opponents. However not familiar with each other, Ikuto Hidaka and Toshie Uematsu are veteran wrestlers and both are very familiar with tag team cooperation so were able to respond in kind. Focusing on Saki, Hidaka and Uematsu almost got the pinfall on several occasions only for it to be broken up by Fujita.

On one such occasion Saki attempted a hurricanrana only for Uematsu to block it, catching her in mid air. Hidaka then scored a superkick on the exposed Saki sending her hard to the ground. Uematsu then bridged into a Japanese leg-roll pinfall attempt only for Saki to kick out sending Uematsu right into a Diamond Cutter by Fujita! Saki then seized the moment and used her "Never Give Up!" roll-up for the final pinfall and the victory. This was the 4th defense of the WDB Tag Team titles by Fujita and Saki as the 5th Generation champs. Now that Saki is retiring one wonders what will become of the mixed tag team titles now...

The next match saw Hikaru participate in a joshi-only tag team match. Hikaru teamed with her career opponent in Aja Kong to take on Hikaru's favorite joshi wrestler Manami Toyota and soon-to-be-retired Haruka Matsuo of NEO. These four women put on hard hitting match with several drivers and top rope maneuvers. Toyota and young Matsuo showed good teamwork using stereo running dropkicks and then stereo top rope missile dropkicks on Hikaru leading to a exploder suplex for a nearfall. Toyota then attempted to superplex Hikaru off the top but Aja quickly came to the rescue sending Toyota down hard! She then superplexed her own teammate onto their prone opponent wit Hikaru landing hard on Toyota's head!

Hikaru then began to rally over Toyota, hitting a Lanakilla-H and a Shining Wizard only for Mastuo to break up the fall! Setting up Toyota for a strike from Aja, Hikaru was accidentally hit be her own teammate! Matsuo then dropkicked Aja out of the ring, allowing Toyota to make a final run on Hikaru slamming her to the mat and then hitting a final German suplex hold for the win! Following the match an emotional Hikaru embraced her idol Toyota in the middle of the ring. She then extended her had to her partner and long time nemesis Aja Kong, who after some brief seconds slapped her outstretched hand lightly in affirmation.

The following match as a offer match from SUN's "big brother" affiliate ZERO1 with a 6-man tag. Current World Heavyweight champion Ryouji Sai teamed with former champion Shinjiro Otani and Osamu Namiguchi versus Masato Tanaka, Kohei Sato and Shito Ueda. As is well known, SUN was pretty much a part of ZERO1 since their inception, holding events with them and touring around Japan on the same bus.

The match began with EMBLEM partner, Otani and Tanaka facing each other. These two will have a singles match on 4/29 for ZERO1 at Korakuen Hall, so they didn't do much fighting but lots of trash talking. Soon it was Ryouji and Ueda facing off as Ryouji scored numerous middle kicks on the young boy's chest. Ueda fought back by quickly hitting a body slam and forcing Ryouji into his team's corner and tagging in Kohei who twisted Ryouji with a single leg crab hold. As the referee is distracted both Tanaka and Ueda took their shots on the trapped World Heavyweight champion. As Tanaka was tagged in Ryouji quickly escaped to his corner to bring in his current NWA Intercontinental Tag Team partner Osamu Namiguchi. Tanaka attacked with full force, hitting Nami hard before brining in Kohei. Nami attempted to fight back but Kohei laid in several knee kicks causing Nami to fall to the mat where Kohei went for a quick pin attempt.

Otani rushed in to break up the pinfall, forced Kohei into the corner and delivered the facewash! Here Tanaka intercepted him with a elbow when he went for one to many attempts and the match broke down into wild fighting among all the wrestlers! Left in the ring was Ueda and Ryouji to face off; Ueda charged at Ryouji yelling "Wrestler" as he charged with a hard lariat! Ryouji, not to be outdone came firing back yelling "shiro buta!" Nami then hit a missile dropkick and diving head butt as a follow up but Ueda was able to tag in Kohei. Nami threw everything he had left at the tall heavyweight even getting a 2 count, but was unable to fend of Kohei's devastating kicks and was finally felled by a final German suplex hold.

The main event finally arrived, and the single match retirement of both Hikaru and Saki Maemura. Hikaru and Saki partnered and fought against each other on countless occasions during the last year as ZERO1 travelled around Japan. It is only fitting their final match be against each other on the same day.

Before the match missives from joshi legend Jaguar Yokota and former All Japan Women's owner Takashi Matsunaga. Video messages from Hikaru's fiancee Koji Kanemoto, Kumiko Maekawa, Kyoko Inoue and Awesome Kong were also played on the big screen. Kanemoto said he regretted not being able to appear at Hikaru's retirement show as he was on tour with New Japan Pro Wrestling in Kyushu, the southern tip of the island.

There was an emotional charge in the air as the two women entered the ring for their final match. When their names were finally announced many streamer of pink, light blue and orange were thrown in the ring representing each wrestler. The two shook hands and walked to their corners to await the bell.

When the match started the two slowly circled each other before meeting in the center of the ring, grasping hands in a test-of-strength. Hikaru won and threw Saki across the ring, setting off a rapid paced match that saw both wrestlers spend all they had of their emotional and physical strength.

As the match went on both women's tears flowed as they fought, exchanging slaps and elbows as the SUN SET on their careers. Hikaru finally caught Saki as she came off the ropes with a lariat but could only get 2! Saki rose to her knees, her face in sorrow, as Hikaru charged with a hard soccer kick directly to her face causing the crowd to gasp!

As Hikaru lifted Saki up she delivered a hard slap and followed up with a German suplex hold but again on two! Hikaru charged with her remaining strength, the name "Maemura" only croaking from her tired voice as she sent her opponent into the turnbuckle with a spear. Hikaru then delivered a missile dropkick sending Saki almost flying out of the other side of the ring! Hikaru then lifted her in the air and hit one final Lanakilla-H for the pinfall victory as members of ZERO1 and other wrestlers cheered them both on from ringside.

The two embraced following their match. There was a retirement ceremony where several joshi pro wrestlers and representatives of the various Japanese women's pro wrestling companies congratulated the women on their careers. Finally bouquets of flowers were brought by both girl's mothers.

Hikaru and Saki said they both were happy with their careers and can no retire without any regret.

Lightweight Tag Title Match Signing! BattlArts Jr. Revival!

April 15th, 2009

The signing ceremony for the NWA Lightweight Tag Team championship match taking place on 4/29 in Korakuen Hall occurred in Tokyo today. It was specially planned press conference taking place at the former location of the recently closed BattlArts Gym in Koshigaya, a place described as where, "the soul of BattlArts rests."

As previously reported, following his victory over Ikuto Hidaka at the Yasukuni Shrine show last month, freelance fighter Minoru announced that since he has now won 2 consecutive singles matches over Hidaka deserves a title match. Minoru then leveled the challenge for the NWA International Lightweight Tag Titles held by both Hidaka and Munenori Sawa.

Minoru said he wants to have a match "...of the BattlArts-style and the UWF-style like we fought in our youth." Minoru said with hard-hitting opponents and BattlArts trueborns Hidaka and Sawa as his opponents he wanted to find a partner that would show the "Best of the BattlArts Jr." style in the title challenge.Minoru then announced his partner for the tag challenge as Katsumi Usuda, another former BattlArts Jr.

Since the closing of the BattlArts Gym, it has since been converted into a tea warehouse for a tea distribution company. The manager of the warehouse, a Mr. Ito, was invited as a witness to the title signing which occurred on his doorstep.

Current champions Ikuto Hidaka and Munenori Sawa appeared alongside Minoru and Katsumi Usuda. As is his standard press conference attire, Sawa showed up to the event dressed in his ring gear. He did not however bring his NWA Lightweight tag tile belt to the conference. Sawa, the only current BattlArts representative spoke first:

Former BattlArts and New Japan wrestler Minoru than spoke. Minoru joined BattlArts in 1995, transferring to NJPW in the beginning of 2001. Minoru's contract ended at the beginning of 2009 and he became a freelancer. Minoru comments:

"I've regularly appeared in ZERO for the past 10 months. I wanted to go through the fighters line-up slowly before challenging for a title. I also wanted to revive the BattlArts Jr. style like it was 10 years ago. I want to win the title belts of course but that's why I chose my partner as Usuda. BattlArts Jr. is a style that adds to the style of a usual Jr. class fighter. With the added drama of a CO knock out and the standing 10 count."

Here Minoru pointed out that only Hidaka's tag belt was present, and Sawa's was missing.

"My belt is always here in my mind!" Sawa shot back.

"If you forgot it just say so," Hidaka scolded the younger Sawa.

"This sort of nonsense is a joke," Usuda interjected. "I accepted my designation this time from Minoru. He told me the match set-up and the opponents and I immediately said 'OK.' This crew will produce an entertaining match. I have conviction. I have confidence we'll take the title. I want to create violence with Minoru against the champions team. We'll defeat Hidaka and Sawa and take the belts. I'll drink some tea, power up, win the titles and come back for more tea."

Finally ZEROs own Ikuto Hidaka addressed the media.

"1996, right at this spot is where the pro wrestler Ikuto Hidaka was brought up under BattlArts. When I separated from BattlArts due to financial difficulties, many tears were shed. Lots of emotions are packed into this place. I have become a champion, and now I return to this place, I feel honored to have the signing ceremony here. Back then I was a newcomer and Sawa was just an amateur member. Now the challengers are two senior members of BattlArts. I want to pull off a firm victory."

Ryouji vs. Sekimoto World Title Signing! Full Card for 4/29 in Korakuen!

April 12th, 2009

Champion and Challenger both appeared today at the FIRST ON STAGE offices for the signing ceremony of their upcoming World Heavyweight Title match on April 29th in Tokyo's Korakuen Hall. Ryouji Sai and Big Japan Pro Wrestling's Daisuke Sekimoto both arrived to the press conference wearing business suits to address the assembled media. Ryouji and Daisuke have met previously in some important matches in a ZERO1 ring, including last year's "Fire Festival '08" when Daisuke defeated Ryouji on the first day of the annual summer tournament.

Ryouji had won two years earlier when the two wrestlers met in the "Fire Festival '06," and while they didn't fight in the "Fire Festival '07," in March of that year Sekimoto defeated Ryouji for the NWA UN Heavyweight title. The challenge, for the upcoming match, Daisuke Sekimoto spoke first:

The day before the Yasukuni show at the free Kameido Sun Street event Ryouj Sai declared that not only would he take the World Heavyweight title and would begin a "new era" in ZERO1. Following his victory he said he felt there was a generational power shift in the company. Ryouji was then handed the microphone to give his own opinion on the match:

"There was a big reaction to my taking the World Heavyweight from Shinjiro Otani in Yasukuni. I have declared that I want to bring together various wrestlers into the whirlpool of ZERO1 and create a new movement and a new birth. Sekimoto and I need to have a heated battle that the fans like. I am no use to the movement just by winning, I have to have to show fighting spirit to the fans. I feel a big pressure to do so."

Ryouji was then asked about veteran ZERO1 fighters Shinjiro Otani and Masato Tanaka. He responded that the history of pro wrestling has always been important and that both Tanaka and Otani are "...amazing wrestlers who surpass many other wrestlers in emotional strength and technique." Ryouji added that he wants to discover a way to mentally move fans to view the young generation in the same light. He was then asked specifically about Sekimoto and their upcoming fight:

This will be Ryouji's first World Heavyweight title defense.

Also on the card will be a battle of EMBLEM, Shinjiro Otani and Masato Tanaka, in a match titled "We Are The Real Wrestlers!" Obviously a reference to Ryouji's name "Wrestler" on the hit Fuji TV reality show AINORI, and in response to his current statements about a power shift to the young generation of ZERO1. This will be the first time since August 2007 the two men have faced off in singles competition, and that bout saw Tanaka come out victorious on the heels of his "Fire Festival '07" win.

Tanaka said that the implication of a Tanaka vs. Otani match is understood by everybody, the fans, the media and the wrestlers.

"In response to this expectation, I want to have an amazing match that will exceed all expectations!"

Tanaka said that even though Ryouji and Sekimoto are scheduled for the main event, he and Otani believe in their minds that they are the Main Event.

"I want to go into this match with this feeling," he added.

Otani then spoke and reiterated that this match is easy to understand to all.

"Here, it is an EMBLEM confrontation."

He said he is in agreement with Tanaka in that he will fight the match as if it is the main event of the show.

Both men where then asked about possible future challenges for the World Heavyweight title. Tanaka said that if he defeats Otani in their singles match they he would definitely consider "...going down that road." Otani had similar sentiment, saying that fighting to win the top title is the natural goal of all pro wrestlers. Otani said he would like to get a few more wins under his belt, including versus Tanaka before he once again challenges for the title belt.

Also on the card, as reported below, will be a NWA International Lightweight Tag Title match between champion Ikuto Hidaka and Munenori Sawa versus Minoru and Katsumi Usuda. Minoru challenged for this match with the idea of a "BattlArts Jr. Style" match, and it indeed includes all original trueborn BattlArts fighters from that company's early days. This won't be the only "BattlArts" style offered on this card however, as the remaining announced matches of the show will be a series of ZERO1 vs. X, with three seperate companies taking part as the challengers.

The first match will be "ZERO1 vs. BJW" as Big Japan young lions Shinya Ishikawa and Yuji Okabayashi come to take on ZERO1's own young lions in Shito Ueda and Yuzuru Saito in a tag team bout. All four fighters will be looking to prove themselves versus their own generation in match where the combined weight of both teams is almost exactly 180kg! Following that match, the 2nd match will be "ZERO1 vs. BattlArts" where BattlArts President Yuki Ishikawa will team with young fighter Keita Yano versus Minoru Fujita and Yusaku Obata, who will be representing ZERO1 in this match. Then in the 3rd match it will be "ZERO1 vs. Soul Connection" which is the booking office that was formally El Dorado pro wrestling. Here heavyweight Toru Owashi will team with Z1 regular Takuya Sugawara to take on Kohei Sato and one half of the NWA Intercontinental Tag Team champions Osamu Namiguchi.

NWA Lightweight Tag Match Determined for 4/29! BattlArts Jr. Revival!

April 10th, 2009

Following his victory over Ikuto Hidaka at the Yasukuni Shrine show last month, freelance fighter Minoru announced that since he has now won 2 consecutive singles matches over Hidaka he "unquestionably" deserves a title match versus the ZERO1 Jr. Ace. Previous to beating Hidaka at Yasunkuni, Minoru also defeated him in singles action last year in the 1st Round of the "Tenka-Ichi Jr. Tournament 2008." However, Hidaka lost the ZERO1 International Jr. Heavyweight title to gaijin wrestler Sonjay Dutt on March 15th. Minoru then leveled the challenge for the NWA International Lightweight Tag Titles held by both Hidaka and Munenori Sawa.

Minoru said he wants to have a match that contains, "...the elements of the BattlArts-style and the UWF-style like we fought in our youth." Minoru said the BattlArts Jr. style fighting was very successful 10 years ago and want to bring it to the present time. Minoru said with hard-hitting opponents and BattlArts trueborns Hidaka & Sawa as his opponents he wanted to find a partner that would show the "Best of the BattlArts Jr." style in the title challenge.

Minoru then announced his partner for the tag challenge as Katsumi Usuda, another former BattlArts Jr. who Minoru reminded every one was the man who defeated him back on May 11, 2000 for the Independent World Junior Heavyweight Title.

Usuda was in BattlArts until 2005, when he left to join the new BIG MOUTH LOUD company. When BML closed shop Usuda became a freelance fighter but has continued to make regular appearances in BattlArts.