[News] April Lineups! TAKU vs. Dream Catcher confirmed, HEC Tag Team Title Tournament Concludes, Super Sumo Brothers Smash!

-- Kingdom of Japan Pro-Wrestling concluded today's scheduled press conference moments ago to outline the forthcoming "KJPW Open Series ~ BRAND NEW WORLD 2013" tour, which begins on April 20th in Osaka. The tour will serve as the lead up to KJPW's next big national PPV and world-wide iPPV, "THE NEW WORLD" on April 28th at the historic Ota Ward Gymnasium in Tokyo.
 

Present for the news conference was CEO and Acting President Shigesato Ishiyama, who after only three months into his post as Company Boss has begun to show signs of aging. When it was casually brought up, Ishiyama jokingly acknowledged being a very busy man; saying that he never envisioned how much work went into running a national pro-wrestling company. However, he said that his love and passion for the sport, and naturally KJPW itself gives him boundless energy. 

 

Being the first opportunity to do so publicly, Mr. Ishiyama briefly spoke on the proceedings of KJPW's 4/06 event from Korakuen Hall. Among many things, not least of which being TAKU's successful V1 defense of the HEC Heavyweight Championship over SPIRIT International's leader Seiji Ebisawa, everyone witnessed the shocking Japanese return of Norihiro Akashi; now referring to himself primarily as the Dream Catcher. Akashi has been the subject of immense controversy dating back to even before the creation of KJPW. At one point, Akashi was indefinitely exiled from joining the KJPW roster due to feelings of most of the wrestlers themselves. However, Mr. Ishiyama confirmed what many had suspected, saying that Akashi was signed to a contract through SPIRIT International, and clarified that tensions between both sides still prevented the possibility of Akashi joining the company formally. However, Mr. Ishiyama indicated this was as much on Akashi as it was the wrestlers...

On the overall event, Mr. Ishiyama praised the efforts of the wrestlers and staff up and down; along with the fans themselves -- who he credited for providing an appropriate atmosphere for an incredible Title Match between TAKU and Ebisawa. He admitted to being on the edge of his seat through out their encounter, and felt that the elder Ebisawa would clinch the Belt in the end. However, Ishiyama scolded himself for not having more faith in KJPW's Ace -- who naturally adapted his gameplan to catch the unsuspecting challenger by surprise with the La Magistral.

Looking forward to KJPW's next big PPV/iPPV event on 4/28, TAKU will indeed make his V2 defense of the HEC Heavyweight Title against the man formally banished from not just KJPW, but the entire country of Japan; "The Dream Catcher" Norihiro Akashi. While having not seen active action in Japan in over a year, Akashi has remained a media presence in the country through his emerging side-career of modeling and social commentating. Mr. Ishiyama was even forced to admit that Akashi's participation would likely lead to an increase in attention and viewership. When it comes to pure in-ring talent however, Akashi's level as an elite cannot be denied. While many questioned his focus, Akashi became Ace of Pro-Wrestling FURY in the company's dying days in an achievement that cannot be ignored.

 

4/28 will also feature the finals of the HEC Tag Team Title Tournament. The finalists will be determined 4/23 at Differ Ariake in Tokyo as Kenji Tanamura and Yuichi Miwa or ARMADA face Seiji Ebisawa and Katsumi Gakusha of SPIRIT International, while Naoki Fukuda and Riki Ichiro face Double Goodwin in the second semi final bout.. Mr. Ishiyama stated that the freshly constructed Tag Team Belts were currently on their way to Japan via the United States in time to be shown off in Differ. In addition, the show will close with the contract signing for BOTH HEC Title Bouts for 4/28, as the finalists of the HEC Tag Team Title Tournament will sign, along with TAKU and Norihiro Akashi, who will make their Title Bout official.

Continuing its growing relationship with San Diego-based EXODUS Pro-Wrestling, KJPW will see further participation from the growing company. However, Mr. Ishiyama stated that his original picks were refused; not by EXODUS Pro-Wrestling, but by NORIHIRO AKASHI, who threatened to pull out of the 4/28 Title Match if certain wrestlers from EXODUS weren't brought for this coming series. While Mr. Ishiyama said it was his policy not to give into tactics like this, he had further pressure put on him by the HEC Heavyweight Champion himself, TAKU; who is determined to make this match happen. With all of that said, on The Dream Catcher's request, Daisuke Iwakuma and Kameron Chase of the anti-EXODUS faction known as LEGION will be joining the series beginning on 4/23 in Differ. Iwakuma and Chase are a feared tag team within EXODUS, having recently held the EXODUS Pro Tag Team Titles. They will work the remainder of the series through the 4/28 PPV.

Curiously enough about Akashi; he is designated as a member of SPIRIT International when teaming with them, but listed as a member of LEGION when teaming with Iwakuma and Chase. Ishiyama himself pointed this out, and had no idea what it meant himself.

 

The other developing story for the series is the apparent conflict between Chikao Kessin and Masafuji Yoshida; formally of Sumo Brothers Returns. It's no secret that Kessin has attempted to start something of a singles career for himself over the last several years, only to be continually pulled into nostalgic tag team runs with his good friend, Masafuji Yoshida. While the two are considered to be among one of Japan's most beloved teams, the two have not accomplished much since their peak as a team in 2006. After being knocked out of the HEC Tag Team Title Tournament, Kessin's emotions got the better of himself as he devastated the already beaten Yoshida a Back Blow, followed by the Sekai Ichi no Backdrop. While initially rejected by Yoshida, the two will indeed face off in a singles match on 4/28. While the match will go down, Mr. Ishiyama acknowledged Yoshida's unhappiness with the match, as he has no desire to fight his best friend.

For now, some cards only have partial lineups due to the ongoing HEC Tag Team Title Tournament. Though TAKU and Akashi are set to face off against one another in a series of preliminary skirmishes before their Title Match on 4/28. The remaining matches will be decided and released following 4/23 in Differ.

After going over the match cards for the tour, Mr. Ishiyama called into the room none other than the HEC Heavyweight Champion himself, TAKU! With the Championship Belt in hand, TAKU took his seat next to Mr. Ishiyama. The Champion looked more than eager to get several things off his chest. Bursting with intensity, TAKU admitted that Akashi's arrival has brought a lot of excitement to the Pro-Wrestling world. However, he promised that the Dream Catcher would be in for a Nightmare on 4/28! Acknowledging Akashi's strength, TAKU stated that this would be Elite vs. Elite; possibly even bigger than TAKU's first Title Defense against Seiji Ebisawa. However, TAKU said his spirit was never-ending, and that nothing could stop him from continuing to live the dream he worked so hard for. He confidently told the Dream Catcher to take his best shot, because he'd have to pry his dream from his cold, dead hands! 

 

Towards the end of the conference, many questions were proposed regarding the slowly-approaching 5/31 "KANSAI PRO-WRESTLING FESTIVAL 2013" mega show. Mr. Ishiyama assured that plans were ongoing for the event, Without revealing specific wrestlers or organizations, Mr. Ishiyama stated that the event has grown into something different from what was originally conceived, as the show has become something of a Goodwill Summit of many companies from all over the world to present the best possible card all for the Global Pro-Wrestling Community. The show will remain a sole production of KJPW. However, the company has acknowledged -- and embraced what the event has slowly turned into. Mr. Ishiyama politely asked fans and reporters to wait patiently for the official 5/31 news briefing to be held following 4/28.

 

April 20, 2013

Osaka - Matsushita IMP Hall (900)
1. Chikao Kessin vs. Yutaka Awano
2. Mamoru Sekishima, Tetsuji Kawamura & Shinji Uchikawa vs. James Goodwin Jr., "BIG" Jon Goodwin & Tsutomu Nishioka
3. Riki Ichiro & Yukio Kisanuki vs. Katsumi Gakusha & Shino Hiriyama
4. KJPW vs. ARMADA: Kazuma Fujita, Masafuji Yoshida, Yujiro Higuchi & Kazuki Sendo vs. Kenji Tanamura, Yuichi Miwa, Harumi Sakai & Yusaku Kitajima
5. The Dream Catcher's Arrival ~ HEC Heavyweight Title Skirmish: TAKU, Naoki Fukuda & Go Taniguchi vs. Seiji Ebisawa [SI], "Dream Catcher" Norihiro Akashi [SI] & Sean King [SI]

April 21, 2013
Kyoto - KBS Hall (900)
1. Chikao Kessin vs. Tsutomu Nishioka
2. Kazuma Fujita, Kazuki Sendo & Shinji Uchikawa vs. Harumi Sakai, Yutaka Awano & Yukio Kisanuki
3. ARMADA vs. SPIRIT Inter: Kenji Tanamura, Yuichi Miwa & Yusaku Kitajima vs. Seiji Ebisawa [SI], Katsumi Gakusha [SI] & Shino Hiriyama [SI]
4. Naoki Fukuda, Riki Ichiro, Mamoru Sekishima & Tetsuji Kawamura vs. Go Taniguchi, Yujiro Higuchi, James Goodwin Jr. & "BIG" Jon Goodwin
5. KJPW vs. SPIRIT Inter ~ HEC Heavyweight Title Skirmish: TAKU & Masafuji Yoshida vs. "Dream Catcher" Norihiro Akashi [SI] & Sean King [SI]

April 23, 2013 (TV)
Tokyo - Differ Ariake (1,800)
1. Chikao Kessin & Tsutomu Nishioka vs. Yujiro Higuchi & Shinji Uchikawa
2. MHD vs. SPIRIT Inter: Mamoru Sekishima & Tetsuji Kawamura vs. Shino Hiriyama [SI] & Sean King [SI]
3. Kazuma Fujita, Masafuji Yoshida & Yutaka Awano vs. Harumi Sakai, Yusaku Kitajima & Yukio Kisanuki
4. KJPW vs. LEGION ~ HEC Heavyweight Title Skirmish: TAKU, Go Taniguchi & Kazuki Sendo vs. "Dream Catcher" Norihiro Akashi [LEGION], Daisuke Iwakuma [LEGION] & Kameron Chase [LEGION]
5. HEC Tag Team Title Tournament - Semi Final: Kenji Tanamura & Yuichi Miwa vs. Seiji Ebisawa [SI] & Katsumi Gakusha [SI]
6. HEC Tag Team Title Tournament - Semi Final: Naoki Fukuda & Riki Ichiro vs. James Goodwin Jr. & "BIG" Jon Goodwin

April 24, 2013
Kanagawa - Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse (1,000)
* Young KJPW vs. LEGION: Shinji Uchikawa & Tsutomu Nishioka vs. Daisuke Iwakuma [LEGION] & Kameron Chase [LEGION]
* KJPW vs. SPIRIT Inter I ~ Special Six-Man Tag Match:  Naoki Fukuda, Riki Ichiro & Yujiro Higuchi vs. Seiji Ebisawa [SI], Katsumi Gakusha [SI] & Sean King [SI]
* KJPW vs. SPIRIT Inter II ~ HEC Heavyweight Title Skirmish: TAKU & Kazuki Sendo vs. "Dream Catcher" Norihiro Akashi [SI] & Shino Hiriyama [SI]

April 25, 2013
Miyagi - Zepp Sendai (1,000)
* Young KJPW vs. SPIRIT Inter + LEGION: Shinji Uchikawa, Yutaka Awano & Yukio Kisanuki vs. Shino Hiriyama [SI], Daisuke Iwakuma [LEGION] & Kameron Chase [LEGION]
* MONSTER CLASH in Sendai: Mamoru Sekishima vs. "BIG" Jon Goodwin
* KJPW vs. ARMADA: Kazuma Fujita, Go Taniguchi, Go Taniguchi & Kazuki Sendo vs. Kenji Tanamura, Yuichi Miwa, Harumi Sakai & Yusaku Kitajima
* HEC Heavyweight Title Skirmish: TAKU, Naoki Fukuda & Riki Ichiro vs. Seiji Ebisawa [SI], "Dream Catcher" Norihiro Akashi [SI] & Katsumi Gakusha [SI]

April 26, 2013
Tochigi - New Sunpia Tochigi (850)
* Chikao Kessin vs. Yukio Kisanuki
* Kazuma Fujita, Mamoru Sekishima, Tetsuji Kawamura & Tsutomu Nishioka vs. Kenji Tanamura, Yuichi Miwa, Harumi Sakai & Yusaku Kitajima
* KJPW vs. LEGION ~ HEC Heavyweight Title Skirmish: TAKU, Yujiro Higuchi & Kazuki Sendo vs. "Dream Catcher" Norihiro Akashi [LEGION], Daisuke Iwakuma [LEGION] & Kameron Chase [LEGION]

"THE NEW WORLD"
April 28, 2013 (PPV/iPPV)
Tokyo - Ota Ward Gymnasium (3,800)
* THE NEW WORLD ~ Opening Match: Shinji Uchikawa & Tsutomu Nishioka vs. Yutaka Awano & Yukio Kisanuki
* ARMADA vs. LEGION: Harumi Sakai & Yusaku Kitajima vs. Daisuke Iwakuma [LEGION] & Kameron Chase [LEGION]
* KJPW vs. SPIRIT Inter: Go Taniguchi & Kazuki Sendo vs. Shino Hiriyama [SI] & Sean King [SI]
* Special Singles Match ~ Super Sumo Brothers Smash: Chikao Kessin vs. Masafuji Yoshida
* HEC Tag Team Title Tournament - Final: Tanamura/Miwa or Ebisawa/Gakusha vs. Fukuda/Ichiro or Double Goodwin
* HEC Heavyweight Title: TAKU (c) vs "Dream Catcher" Norihiro Akashi [SI]