Saturday, March 16, 2013

[News] *BIG* NEWS UPDATE! Next Series Lineups with EXODUS + 03/15 Fallout!

Before we get to today's big press conference, there are several news items needing to be addressed since yesterday's climatic finale of the 2013 EMPEROR'S CUP tournament!

* Backstage following the main event, The inaugural EMPEROR'S CUP winner and 1st HEC Heavyweight Champion TAKU was merrily ambushed by most of the Seikigun members, who ceremoniously dosed the joyous champion in ice cold beer. Most proud was TAKU's good friend, and the man he beat in the semi finals to advance to the championship round -- Naoki Fukuda, who emptied can after can over his former "Choujin Powers" teammate. TAKU was still overcome with emotion as he digested the night's proceedings. Taking several questions from reporters, TAKU reiterated his declaration of being the absolute best pro-wrestler in the world, and vowed to prove it to anyone willing to charge his Kingdom's gates. "Bring your greatest intent, because you will unquestionably be cut down by the Choujin's Lance!" TAKU displayed his proud championship belt to the crowded group of reporters, before again declaring "THIS!" to be "The epitome of World-Class in Professional Wrestling."

On the disrespectful actions of SPIRIT International, who crashed his deserved post-match celebration to brag about their endeavors earlier in the night, TAKU officially recognized "Mr. Transcendence" Seiji Ebisawa as the #1 contender to his HEC Heavyweight Title. "If your plan was to get my attention, Ebisawa... It worked..." he told reporters. He admitted to being sick to his stomach watching what SPIRIT International did to Kazuma Fujita. While acknowledging that SPIRIT International were within their rights of the rules. However, he said their strategy was based on pure cowardice -- as they knew the only way they could defeat Kazuma Fujita was to subject him to a barbaric 4-on-1 handicap match. "What kind of man whats to earn a Title Match that way...?" TAKU sneered somewhat to himself. After taking a good, long stare at his brand new Title Belt, TAKU ended the interview by saying, "...The time for celebration is over. It's time to get serious. As HEC Heavyweight Champion -- And Ace of Kingdom of Japan Pro-Wrestling, I'll prove my words in the ring! I won't be a loud-mouthed pretender trying to intimidate people into believing in my ideology!

* Kenji Tanamura, the man TAKU defeated in the finals of the tournament was interviewed as well backstage. While frustrated with coming up short, Tanamura congratulated TAKU on his victory, and admitted complete defeat in the match. He said that he felt very confident going into the final, and even felt the Cup within his grasp -- only to be overwhelmed by TAKU's Burning Spirit. Above all else however, he stated that his experiences thus far in KJPW have been a learning experience, and admits to still adapting completely to the "Pro-Wrestling" methodology. He promised to comeback from this, and begin his Champion Road.

* MONSTER HEAD DUO's Tetsuji Kawamura suffered a shoulder injury coming out of his match with Mamoru Sekishima against "Double Goodwin," James Goodwin Jr. and "BIG" Jon Goodwin. Kawamura was beaten after being dropped on his neck and shoulder's with Junior's Power Collapse. Speaking on behalf of MHD, Mamoru Sekishima protested the presence -- and interference of the elder James Goodwin, saying his intrusion unintentionally caused Kawamura's injury.  He refused to formally complain to management however, and plans a counterattack on "Double Goodwin" soon! Kawamura is not expected to miss any time, as he's anticipated to be recovered by KJPW's next tour (more on that below.)

* TODAY, Kingdom of Japan Pro-Wrestling held a press conference from its Tokyo offices to reveal the card lineups for its next coming series kicking off on 03/29 in Kobe. As always, CEO and President Shigesato Ishiyama handled most of the proceedings. However, he was joined by a very special guest: recognized businessman, entrepreneur -- and most importantly, CEO of San Diego-based EXODUS Pro-Wrestling, Rufus Frost. Together, the two would divulge a bit more on the growing relationship between KJPW and EXODUS.

With the help of a female interpreter, Mr. Frost expressed his admiration for "Ishiyama-san," and noted he enjoyed speaking with him "in depth" after last night's event. As we'd come to find out from Ishiyama himself, the two apparently got along so well that they had drinks well into the late hours, discussing everything from casual topics to potential business ventures.

As expected, KJPW will continue to see EXODUS participation in the coming series. However, EXODUS is pulling out the stops and sending its two heaviest hitters in the form of Magnus Gunner and EXODUS's Heavyweight Champion -- the beautiful and equally dangerous femme fatal, Fiona Rourke! In addition, EXODUS will be dispatching two more of its stars for the series in "The Big L" Steven Lenton and Abby Park.

Ishiyama explained the intergender policy EXODUS proudly embraces, noting that many argue that female wrestlers can -- and should compete with their male counterparts... He admitted that the policy itself was still very controversial on the Eastern side of the globe, but said it's becoming more accepted in North America. Ishiyama himself admitted to being a fan of Rourke's in-ring work, and feels that while it would be interesting to see such matches inside of KJPW -- that unfortunately, it's still culturally unacceptable. So thus, rising female star Abby Park has been assigned to all of Rourke's bouts, and the two will only be permitted contact with each other. While seeming harsh, Ishiyama asked "Mr. Frost" to understand after his words were interpreted back into English.

At this point, Mr. Frost spoke, saying he understood what Ishiyama was saying, and that while he himself would love to see their Heavyweight Champion face the likes of KJPW's top stars  -- including its new Champion TAKU, he saw this as an opportunity to showcase Fiona Rourke to the fans of Japan, and begin their work to make Fiona truly a World Champion.

Elaborating more on their discussions, Ishiyama stated that he and Frost had stayed up until the late hours planning most of the main cards for the coming series, with the rest of the cards being finalized just hours ago. Upon hearing this, Frost chuckled to himself, noting that between staying up half the night and the jet lag, he's never felt better! In English, Ishiyama chimed in, "A LOT OF DRINK... BAD IDEA!"

The short mini-tour has a lot of important things crammed into it -- not least of which being the first round of the HEC TAG TEAM TITLE TOURNAMENT! As been hinted at several times in the few weeks, Mr. Ishiyama confirmed the commissioning of Tag Team titles coming off of yesterday's event. The belts will be determined in an eight team single-elimination tournament, with the semis and final round expected to be held in late April. Many familiar teams have entered including the HEC Heavyweight Champion TAKU reforming his former "Baka Machineguns" team with Go Taniguchi, along with "Sumo Brothers Returns," Chikao Kessin and Masafuji Yoshida. However, strong outside teams have entered as well, such as multi-time tag champions Seiji Ebisawa and Katsumi Gakusha of "SPIRIT International" and the devastating team of James Goodwin Jr. and "BIG" Jon Goodwin, "Double Goodwin"! The tournament also sees unique first-time teams such as Naoki Fukuda & Riki Ichiro, and Shino Hiriyama & Sean King. The first round matches will take place on 03/30 in Osaka, and 04/06 in Tokyo.

Speaking of which, the next "big" show on KJPW's calender is a return to Korakuen Hall on April 6th, where the new HEC Heavyweight Champion TAKU will make his first defense against SPIRIT International's Seiji Ebisawa. Ishiyama noted the tension that permeates between the two coming off of last night's event, and said he expects nothing less of an explosive match worthy of being for the HEC Heavyweight Belt. The 04/06 card will also see the second-half of the first round HEC Tag Title tournament with "Sumo Brothers Returns" facing "Double Goodwin," and Naoki Fukuda & Riki Ichiro (calling themselves, "RZ - REAL Z-TYPE") against SPIRIT Inter's Shino Hiriyama and Sean King.

Returning to the EXODUS participation, Mr. Ishiyama stated that their matches were carefully planned by both he and Rufus Frost. The group chosen to represent EXODUS in Japan is an interesting group, as one of the three is perhaps one of the most despised individuals within the company, Magnus Gunner -- who is a member of the anti-EXODUS heel faction collectively known simply as LEGION. The borderline-occult themed unit has slowly been expanding their reach, as seen yesterday when LEGION's second-in-command Kliff Ulysses fanatically displayed the faction's colors. Being the #1 contender to Rourke's Heavyweight Title, Gunner had apparently demanded to be sent along with Rourke. Though given that they won't legally be allowed to harm each other, Frost himself questioned Gunner's motives... Never the less, Frost said he would grand Gunner his wish. With a satisfied smile, Frost hoped Gunner enjoyed the KJPW talent he hand selected to be involved in their matches, noting that the "legendary" KAZUMA FUJITA will team with both Fiona and "The Big L" Steve Lenton on March 30th in Osaka to take on Gunner, Abby Park, and KJPW star Harumi Sakai. Frost was quick to point out that Abby Park was another to personally request to be sent to Japan, and noted her well-documented problems with LEGION. Frost admitted that Park was "less-than-thrilled" to be on the same side as Gunner, but said she will make the most of this opportunity.

Park isn't the only EXODUS star with an opportunity, as "The Big L" Steve Lenton has been given a shot at Riki Ichiro's formally dormant WWA NATIONAL HEAVYWEIGHT TITLE! "The Hot-Blooded Samurai" will face-off with "The Big L" on EXODUS's last stop on the tour (they're missing 04/06 to prepare for their 04/07 "Invincible" iPPV) on April 5th in Nagoya. Lenton is an incredible physical specimen, and an even fiercer competitor. His encounter with Ichiro should be nothing less than dynamic.

The tour will kick off on March 29th in Kobe, headlined by a big eight-man tag pitting the HEC Heavyweight Champion-led Seikigun team against all four members of SPIRIT International in what will be the first of many preliminary skirmishes between TAKU and Ebisawa between their fated April 6th Title Bout. The EXODUS group will formally be introduced in a special mixed tag match pitting the EXODUS Heavyweight Champion Fiona Rourke and Steve Lenton against Magnus Gunner and Abby Park.

To wrap up the conference, Mr. Ishiyama shook hands with Rufus Frost for the cameras, and repeatedly refereed to him as "my friend." The two promised bright things to come for both company's in the future!

March 29, 2013
Hyogo - Kobe Sambo Hall (1,100)
1. Shinji Uchikawa & Tsutomu Nishioka vs. James Goodwin Jr. & "BIG" Jon Goodwin
2. 3WAY Match: Kazuki Sendo vs. Harumi Sakai vs. Yukio Kisanuki
3. Chikao Kessin & Masafuji Yoshida vs. Yujiro Higuchi & Yutaka Awano
4. EXODUS Presents Special Mixed Tag Match: Fiona Rourke [EXODUS] & "The Big L" Steve Lenton [EXODUS] vs. Magnus Gunner [LEGION] & Abby Park [EXODUS]
5. MHD+Fujita vs. ARMADA: Kazuma Fujita, Mamoru Sekishima & Tetsuji Kawamura vs. Kenji Tanamura, Yuichi Miwa & Yusaku Kitajima
6. Special Eight-Man Tag Match ~ KJPW vs. SPIRIT Inter: TAKU, Naoki Fukuda, Riki Ichiro & Go Taniguchi vs. Seiji Ebisawa [SI], Katsumi Gakusha [SI], Shino Hiriyama [SI] & Sean King [SI]

March 30, 2013
Osaka - BODYMAKER Colosseum Second Hall (1,200)
1. Handicap Match: Shinji Uchikawa, Yutaka Awano & Yukio Kisanuki vs. Shino Hiriyama [SI] & Sean King [SI]
2. Naoki Fukuda  & Riki Ichiro vs. Yujiro Higuchi & Tsutomu Nishioka
3. Chikao Kessin, Masafuji Yoshida & Kazuki Sendo vs. Yusaku Kitajima, James Goodwin Jr. & "BIG" Jon Goodwin
4. Special Six-Person Tag Match: Kazuma Fujita, Fiona Rourke [EXODUS] & "The Big L" Steve Lenton [EXODUS] vs. Harumi Sakai, Magnus Gunner [LEGION] & Abby Park [EXODUS]
5. HEC Tag Team Title Tournament - Round 1: Kenji Tanamura & Yuichi Miwa vs. Mamoru Sekishima & Tetsuji Kawamura
6. HEC Tag Team Title Tournament - Round 1: TAKU & Go Taniguchi vs. Seiji Ebisawa [SI] & Katsumi Gakusha [SI]

"First Kyushu Landing ~ Symphony Pro-Wrestling"
April 03, 2013
Fukuoka - ACROS Fukuoka Symphony Hall (1,100)
1. Handicap Match: Tsutomu Nishioka, Yutaka Awano & Yukio Kisanuki vs. James Goodwin Jr. & "BIG" Jon Goodwin
2. KJPW vs. MHD: Yujiro Higuchi & Shinji Uchikawa vs. Mamoru Sekishima & Tetsuji Kawamura
3. Special Singles Match ~ SPIRIT Intl' vs. EXODUS: Shino Hiriyama [SI] vs. "The Big L" Steve Lenton [EXODUS]
4. Special Six-Person Tag Match: Naoki Fukuda & Fiona Rourke [EXODUS] vs. Magnus Gunner [LEGION], & Abby Park [EXODUS]
5. KJPW vs. ARMADA: Chikao Kessin, Riki Ichiro, Masafuji Yoshida & Kazuki Sendo vs. Kenji Tanamura, Yuichi Miwa, Harumi Sakai & Yusaku Kitajima
6. KJPW vs. SPIRIT Inter: TAKU, Kazuma Fujita & Go Taniguchi vs. Seiji Ebisawa [SI], Katsumi Gakusha [SI] & Sean King [SI]

April 05, 2013
Aichi - Zepp Nagoya (1,200)
1. 3WAY Match: Kazuki Sendo vs. Shinji Uchikawa vs. Yutaka Awano
2. Naoki Fukuda & Tsutomu Nishioka vs. Yuichi Miwa & Yukio Kisanuki
3. Kenji Tanamura, Harumi Sakai & Yusaku Kitajima vs. Katsumi Gakusha, Shino Hiriyama & Sean King
4. Chikao Kessin, Masafuji Yoshida, Mamoru Sekishima & Tetsuji Kawamura vs. Kazuma Fujita, Yujiro Higuchi, James Goodwin Jr. & "BIG" Jon Goodwin
5. Special Six-Person Tag Match: TAKU, Go Taniguchi & Fiona Rourke [EXODUS] vs. Seiji Ebisawa [SI], Magnus Gunner [LEGION], & Abby Park [EXODUS]
6. KJPW vs. EXODUS ~ WWA National Heavyweight Title: Riki Ichiro (c) vs. "The Big L" Steve Lenton [EXODUS]

April 06, 2013 (Fighting TV Samurai)
Tokyo - Korakuen Hall (2,100)
1. 3WAY Match: Kazuki Sendo vs. Tsutomu Nishioka vs. Shinji Uchikawa
2. KJPW vs. ARMADA: Kazuma Fujita, Yujiro Higuchi & Yutaka Awano vs. Kenji Tanamura, Yuichi Miwa & Yukio Kisanuki
3. Special Singles Match ~ KJPW vs. SPIRIT Inter: Go Taniguchi vs. Katsumi Gakusha
4. MHD vs. ARMADA: Mamoru Sekishima & Tetsuji Kawamura vs. Harumi Sakai & Yusaku Kitajima
5. HEC Tag Team Title Tournament - Round 1: Naoki Fukuda & Riki Ichiro vs. Shino Hiriyama [SI] & Sean King [SI]
6. HEC Tag Team Title Tournament - Round 1: Chikao Kessin & Masafuji Yoshida vs. James Goodwin Jr. & "BIG" Jon Goodwin
7. HEC Heavyweight Title: TAKU (c) vs. Seiji Ebisawa [SI]

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