* With one step left before
Korakuen Hall and the HEC Heavyweight Title Match the Champion -- TAKU
and Challenger -- Seiji Ebisawa, Kingdom of Japan Pro-Wrestling stopped
in Nagoya for a show almost as important as the series finale.
With a featured Title Match in the main event, over 1,000 fans filled
the trendy Zepp Nagoya -- home of many popular musical attractions. The
venue featured a look similar to the "Symphony Pro-Wrestling" configuration from 04/03,
but with the venue's stage used primarily as an entrance, while the
ring was placed on the floor with accompanying ringside fans.
*
Kazuki Sendo faced rookies Shinji Uchikawa and Yutaka Awano in a novel
3WAY match. Naturally, the rookies united early on against Sendo --
their senpai by nearly five years. The two looked took in taking turns
attacking Sendo. A costly miscommunication would lead to Sendo knocking
both rookies silly with running kicks to the face. With Awano
momentarily incapacitated, Sendo did his veteranly duties by stretching Uchikawa. Awano tried to get the jump on Sendo upon recovering -- only to be caught with a takedown, leading to an excruciating grounded headlock!
With Awano flattened on the mat, Sendo reared up on his headlock to
pull back on the rookie's neck; inflicting more than enough pain to
force the submission!
*
The next match of the night saw the "Invincible Mastodon" Naoki Fukuda
paired with rookie Tsutomu Nishioka, whom faced the team of Yuichi Miwa
and Nishioka's rookie contemporary, Yukio Kisanuki. The match was very
high-spurt compared to the opener, with Fukuda and Miwa throwing heavy
blows early on to perk up the crowd. Naturally, neither man showed
weakness. The veteran Naoki appeared to have grounded Miwa at one point
after a snap suplex -- only for the fiery "Berserker" to pop back up and
nail Fukuda with a boot to the face! The rookies would have their chance to keep up as well, as both Nishioka and Kisanuki lit the other up with blistering chops and kicks, while mixing in exhausting rope Both not only kept the pace -- they would push it as both rookies were working a fervent sprint. Out of no where however, Nishioka cut Kisanuki off BLASTING HIM IN THE FACE with a pin-point dropkick! The shot caught almost everyone in Zepp Nagoya off guard -- most of which Kisanuki, who could do nothing to kick out of the ensuing pin attempt; giving Nishioka the first direct fall of his career! Fukuda praised Tsutomu for winning, along with Kisanuki; for his determination. He told Nishioka not to get cocky by his win, and hammered the point home by hammering a knife-edge chop into his chest...
* ARMADA met SPIRIT International for the first time ever tonight, as Kenji Tanamura and his two wards; Harumi Sakai and Yusaku Kitajima faced Katsumi Gakusha, Shino Hiriyama and Sean King. The clean-fighting, stoic ARMADA team quickly found out that their opponents weren't quite as honorable after being ambushed before the opening bell. Led by the psychotic and unpredictable and Sean King, SPIRIT International ran wild before drawing ARMADA to the outside. There, King thrived by using a steel chair across ARMADA's leader, Kenji Tanamura! After a few moments, Kitajima and Katsumi Gakusha found their way into the ring to officially start the match! While the other wrestlers continued fighting for a few more moments, Gakusha and Kitajima traded slick grapples -- ending with Gakusha blasting the youngster in the face with a beautiful dropkick! This brought the eager Shino Hiriyama in, who took pleasure in taunting and stomping Kitajima. This only motivated ARMADA's Sniper to fought back with fiery kicks, before engaging in a heavy give-and-take of slaps. After landing a savate kick, followed by a volley of step kicks; Kitajima connected with a hurricarana! After making the tag to Harumi Sakai, the two showed off nice teamwork in taking turns burying kicks into Hiriyama's body! The match soon broke down once more after Sean King came in, leading to a wild brawl outside between both sides, while Sakai and Hiriyama traded blows in the ring. Sakai looked strong after hitting Hiriyama with a kneel kick. He tried finishing Hiriyama with a Tiger Suplex hold. However, after getting an arm free and grabbing referee Haruhiro Hirata's shirt; before low blowing Sakai! Now with the go-behind, Hiriyama tried to finish Sakai with his Picture Perfect German Suplex. As he lifted however, Sakai countered with a forward-rolling cradle! The reversal apparently caught Hiriyama completely by surprise, AS HE WAS UNABLE TO KICK OUT!
SPIRIT International naturally protested the result after the match; going as far as to all corner meager referee Hirata in the corner, with Sean King in-particularly shouting for the decision to be overturned. The referee however stuck to his guns and rolled to the outside, before emphatically raising the arms of the individual members of ARMADA!
* The next match involved some heavy hitters, along with up-and-comers as Kazuma Fujita, local native Yujiro Higuchi, and Double Goodwin met Sumo Brothers Returns and MONSTER HEAD DUO. Despite the lack of finesse and grace in the ring, fans were more into this match than anything on the card thus far; particularly due to the novelty of seeing Kazuma Fujita wrestling live, and local popularity of Yujiro Higuchi, who is active among the community. Naturally, Higuchi looked strong; perhaps motivated by his hometown crowd. Fujita and and Goodwins as well played off each other rather interestingly. Fujita appeared mistrusting of the two, having had many renown --and violent encounters with their revered father, James Goodwin. However, the two showed respect to their father's greatest rival, with the younger James Goodwin pulling off his own ode to the lariat after scoring a near fall over Masafuji Yoshida. In the end however, the Nagoya native Yujiro Higuchi would sink MHD's Tetsuji Kawamura with his Double Gauge Chokeslam, giving his team the victory!
The post-match featured some interesting happenings. In addition to more trash talking between Double Goodwin and Sumo Brothers Returns before their HEC Tag Team Title Tournament First Round bout tomorrow night in Korakuen. Kazuma Fujita spoke afterwards as well, praising Yujiro Higuchi for his performance. In broken English, Fujita thanked and praised Double Goodwin as well. Pulling the microphone abruptly from Fujita -- to the shock and disgust of the Nagoya fans -- was James Goodwin Jr. In simple English, he told Fujita that while they respected Fujita, they were still Goodwins. Cutting to the chase, Junior noted KJPW's return to Zepp Nagoya on 5/14, and challenged Fujita to face in in a singles match before he begins his Retirement Road on 5/31! Fujita naturally accepted, and sealed the deal with a handshake... Before letting go of Fujita's hand however, Junior sent a eerily cryptic comment to Fujita, saying "Before you retire, Fujita... you still have to face him one more time..." With a deathly serious look on his face, Fujita nodded; understanding Junior's message clearly.
* The semi final of the night featured the final preliminary skirmish between HEC Heavyweight Champion TAKU and Seiji Ebisawa before their fated Title Bout tomorrow night in Korakuen as the two led their respective teams into battle. For once however, Ebisawa was isolated from his SPIRIT International familiars -- and instead teamed with LEGION's "Loaded Pistol" Magnus Gunner and EXODUS's Abby Park. TAKU however had his best friend Go Taniguchi by his side, along with EXODUS Pro-Wrestling's Ace and Champion Fiona Rourke in the foreigners last stop before their Invincible Internet PPV on April 7th in San Diego. In fact, the match served as a preliminary skirmish for another Title Match, as Rourke will defend her title against Gunner at Invincible. The match was full of action, with unique encounters between the wrestlers of KJPW and EXODUS/LEGION. Rourke once again stood out using her amazing rope work and aerial attacks. Her foil -- Abby park however was equally as impressive, only using brutal slaps and knees as her weapons! Park scored several near falls over the EXODUS Champion -- continuing that narrative over the series. Just as it seemed Park would finish Rourke however, the Strong Style Seraph stopped Park dead in her tracks with her Shinigami Jumping High Kick! However, as referee Kajiwara went to make the count, Magnus Gunner pulled him out of the ring by his leg! The official flippantly chastised Magnus for his action -- all while the Loaded Pistol feigned ignorance of the language (despite Kajiwara speaking English...) All while this went on however, Rourke had tagged out TAKU! Just as the referee returned to the ring -- leaving Magnus alone, The EXODUS Ace raced off the ropes before DIVING ONTO HER 4/07 CHALLENGER WITH A TOPE CON GIRO! With the Nagoya fans on their feet, Seiji Ebisawa came in as the legal man to meet the HEC Champion head-on! After failing to put a dent in the Rampaging Choujin, Ebisawa managed to catch TAKU with an Exploder after telegraphing a lariat. Ebisawa asserted his strength as a threat to TAKU's title, and kept him grounded for several minutes while favoring a bodyscissors. The insurmountable HEC Champ fought back however; using his strength to lift Ebisawa up -- before slamming him with the Spinebuster! TAKU made the tag out to Go Taniguchi, who unloaded onto TAKU's #1 contender with a volley of Northern chops. However, just as it appeared Go was about to run wild on Ebisawa, Mr. Transcendence cut him off with a wicked jab to the jaw -- followed by the Enzuigiri! Finding his opponent, Ebisawa deferred to the recovered Magnus Gunner with the tag, who came in with a full head of steam... He would pay for his over-eagerness however, as Go met him with a well-timed kick to the stomach, followed by the Russian Leg Sweep! With the fans solidly behind the charismatic Go, he called for the finish! This brought in Ebisawa to make the save -- only to be met by TAKU, before getting tossed to the outside! After delivering a measured Northern Chop, Go lifted Magnus up for the Tama Tama Drop! Fiona Rourke's #1 contender however countered with a clever escape down Go's back! With TAKU and Ebisawa -- along with Park and Rourke going at it at the outside, the referee had his attention diverted from Magnus' BLATANT LOW BLOW! With Go hunched over, Magnus scooped him up and SPIKED HIM with the Butterfly Effect Northern Light Bomb! Magnus arrogantly covered Go as Referee Kajiwara made the count -- with Fiona Rourke making the save one second too late!
The fans booed Magnus vociferously afterwards as he wasted no time in leaving the ring. He admired his work from the isle way, while keeping eyes locked on Fiona Rourke the entire time. As the two made eye contact, Magnus made a "belt" motion around his waist... With this being the final stop before their Title Bout tomorrow, TAKU and Ebisawa traded final barbs. Ebisawa said that he recognized TAKU's strength, and considered letting him into SPIRIT International -- but said he was no match for a veteran wrestler with his skill, and that TAKU would be forever known as the "Failure Ace." Not to be verbally outdone, the HEC Heavyweight Champion acknowledged Ebisawa's threat to his crown, and said that he couldn't have chosen a more difficult opponent as his first challenger. However, he posed a question to Ebisawa. "Are you a man?" TAKU asked Ebisawa directly, "Can you beat me alone? Can you beat me without SPIRIT International?" Ebisawa seemed thrown off by the question. However, he finally said he could -- and to respect the importance of the HEC Championship, he vowed to leave SPIRIT International BACKSTAGE for the match! TAKU praised Ebisawa's spirit, and said they would decide the match as Men, before offering his challenger a handshake. Ebisawa smirked while hesitating for a moment. However, he finally shook hands with the Champion to the crowd's begrudging applause... As the handshake continued however, MAGNUS GUNNER RETURNED TO THE RING -- SMASHING A CHAIR ACROSS THE UNSUSPECTING ROURKE'S BACK! Both Magnus and Ebisawa -- using the attack as his cue to exit -- left the ring hastily as TAKU made chase after realizing what had happened! The HEC Champion however chose to return to the ring -- tending to the fallen EXODUS Ace! TAKU helped Rourke to her feet amidst the applause and cheers of the crowd. In English, TAKU asked Rourke if she was okay. Rourke responded in Japanese, "DAIJOUBU!" (I'm fine!) to a large ovation... On the microphone, she promised to pay Magnus back in spades at EXODUS's Invincible iPPV... She thanked KJPW and the Japanese fans for their support, and said she wanted to come back to Japan and defend her title. Turning to TAKU, she suggested the idea of TAKU coming to the United States to defend HIS title. TAKU was ecstatically supportive of the idea, and declared a CHOUJIN WORLD TOUR of Title Defenses. Whether serious or not, TAKU said he couldn't look past Seiji Ebisawa...
* Zepp Nagoya was treated to a very special main event, featuring the revival of the WWA National Heavyweight Title -- held by many greats including Tatsumichi Akamatsu! On 03/27/2010, Ichiro captured the title as a roster member of Kanagawa-based Pro-Wrestling DYNAMITE. However, both he and the title became dormant upon DYNAMITE's closure. With Ichiro joining KJPW, the return of the WWA National Title was inevitable. Tonight, in his recognized V2 defense, he met perhaps the strongest export sent from EXODUS Pro-Wrestling, "The Big L" Steve Lenton! Over the series, Lenton has earned great marks en route to even more impressive victories. Tonight would be his chance to cash in big time on his reward. The early going was nothing less than physical, as both Alpha Males refused to show weakness to the other. Lenton adapted perfectly to Ichiro's hard-hitting style of kicks and chops -- and returned in kind to send the defending Champion reeling to the outside! This led to a chaotic brawl between the two unchained beasts. Ichiro pushed the temperament of Lenton with petty slaps and taunts -- leading Lenton finally exploding after being sent into the guardrail -- before blasting the champion with a short-ranged lariat! Back in the ring, Lenton demonstrated his power by tossing the Champion around with ease -- including throwing Ichiro into the air, and catching him with a Samoan Drop! The "Hot-Tempered Samurai" would have his moment soon enough however after telegraphing Lenton's spinebuster with a blunt boot to the face -- before THROWING Lenton by the back of his head into the mat! On offense now, Ichiro would not let up on the challenger. Stomp after stomp, Ichiro continued, before eventually dragging Lenton up and bringing him to the mat with authority with a snapping Vertical Suplex! After two forceful Backdrops, Ichiro covered for the pin -- only to get two! Wanting to up the stakes, Ichiro began isolating Lenton in the corner with chops and kicks. After adequately weakening the challenger, Ichiro lifted Lenton onto the top turnbuckle, before following up! Lenton however wasn't able to simply let the Champion have his way, and tried fighting back with short-ranged elbows. While teasing a fall, Ichiro struck back -- throwing a HARD forearm to Lenton's jaw! Staggered, Lenton was easy pray for Ichiro, who executed the Superplex with perfection... ONLY FOR LENTON TO POP TO HIS FEET! After striking a monstrous pose with an equally monstrous cry, Lenton dashed off the ropes -- ducking Ichiro's wild lariat attempt in the resulting sprint. As Lenton rebounded, he GORED ICHIRO IN HALF WITH THE BLITZ!!! (Spear) Lenton quickly covered -- COMING WITHIN HALF A SECOND OF BECOMING WWA NATIONAL CHAMPION! Lenton wasted no time in following up with the Blue Thunder Bomb, followed by his B.A.N. Buster Sitout Spinebuster! There was no question that Lenton had the Champion reeling, and he was looking at ending it once and for all! After whipping a groggy Ichiro into the ropes, Lenton built up velocity by running into the intersecting ropes to set up his 3:00 -- ONLY TO SUFFER ICHIRO'S RIKI LARIAT!! With sweat FLYING from their colliding bodies, the Nagoya fans came unglued! Ichiro collapsed onto Lenton for the cover -- WITH THE BIG L KICK OUT AT ONE! As Lenton slowly staggered to his feet, Ichiro poured all of his remaining energy into one singular blow by coming off the ropes and BLASTING LENTON WITH A SECOND RIKI LARIAT! With Lenton's body hitting the canvas like a bag of potatoes, Ichiro covered the challenger -- With Lenton kicking out JUST AFTER THREE!
The Nagoya fans roared as the gong sounded, confirming the fall! While Lenton did indeed kick out -- it was noticeably after the rendered three count from referee Hirata. After being handed back his WWA National Title, Ichiro praised Lenton as a challenger, admitting that he's never matched anyone with the strength of The Big L, and said the result could have done either way. In broken English, Ichiro told Lenton, "Please! Come back to Japan! My friend!" While still somewhat frustrated in defeat, Lenton had no choice but match Riki's mutual respect. Referring to the faction currently troubling his home, Lenton said he had unfinished business with LEGION, but said he wanted to come back to Japan and face Ichiro again!
* ARMADA met SPIRIT International for the first time ever tonight, as Kenji Tanamura and his two wards; Harumi Sakai and Yusaku Kitajima faced Katsumi Gakusha, Shino Hiriyama and Sean King. The clean-fighting, stoic ARMADA team quickly found out that their opponents weren't quite as honorable after being ambushed before the opening bell. Led by the psychotic and unpredictable and Sean King, SPIRIT International ran wild before drawing ARMADA to the outside. There, King thrived by using a steel chair across ARMADA's leader, Kenji Tanamura! After a few moments, Kitajima and Katsumi Gakusha found their way into the ring to officially start the match! While the other wrestlers continued fighting for a few more moments, Gakusha and Kitajima traded slick grapples -- ending with Gakusha blasting the youngster in the face with a beautiful dropkick! This brought the eager Shino Hiriyama in, who took pleasure in taunting and stomping Kitajima. This only motivated ARMADA's Sniper to fought back with fiery kicks, before engaging in a heavy give-and-take of slaps. After landing a savate kick, followed by a volley of step kicks; Kitajima connected with a hurricarana! After making the tag to Harumi Sakai, the two showed off nice teamwork in taking turns burying kicks into Hiriyama's body! The match soon broke down once more after Sean King came in, leading to a wild brawl outside between both sides, while Sakai and Hiriyama traded blows in the ring. Sakai looked strong after hitting Hiriyama with a kneel kick. He tried finishing Hiriyama with a Tiger Suplex hold. However, after getting an arm free and grabbing referee Haruhiro Hirata's shirt; before low blowing Sakai! Now with the go-behind, Hiriyama tried to finish Sakai with his Picture Perfect German Suplex. As he lifted however, Sakai countered with a forward-rolling cradle! The reversal apparently caught Hiriyama completely by surprise, AS HE WAS UNABLE TO KICK OUT!
SPIRIT International naturally protested the result after the match; going as far as to all corner meager referee Hirata in the corner, with Sean King in-particularly shouting for the decision to be overturned. The referee however stuck to his guns and rolled to the outside, before emphatically raising the arms of the individual members of ARMADA!
* The next match involved some heavy hitters, along with up-and-comers as Kazuma Fujita, local native Yujiro Higuchi, and Double Goodwin met Sumo Brothers Returns and MONSTER HEAD DUO. Despite the lack of finesse and grace in the ring, fans were more into this match than anything on the card thus far; particularly due to the novelty of seeing Kazuma Fujita wrestling live, and local popularity of Yujiro Higuchi, who is active among the community. Naturally, Higuchi looked strong; perhaps motivated by his hometown crowd. Fujita and and Goodwins as well played off each other rather interestingly. Fujita appeared mistrusting of the two, having had many renown --and violent encounters with their revered father, James Goodwin. However, the two showed respect to their father's greatest rival, with the younger James Goodwin pulling off his own ode to the lariat after scoring a near fall over Masafuji Yoshida. In the end however, the Nagoya native Yujiro Higuchi would sink MHD's Tetsuji Kawamura with his Double Gauge Chokeslam, giving his team the victory!
The post-match featured some interesting happenings. In addition to more trash talking between Double Goodwin and Sumo Brothers Returns before their HEC Tag Team Title Tournament First Round bout tomorrow night in Korakuen. Kazuma Fujita spoke afterwards as well, praising Yujiro Higuchi for his performance. In broken English, Fujita thanked and praised Double Goodwin as well. Pulling the microphone abruptly from Fujita -- to the shock and disgust of the Nagoya fans -- was James Goodwin Jr. In simple English, he told Fujita that while they respected Fujita, they were still Goodwins. Cutting to the chase, Junior noted KJPW's return to Zepp Nagoya on 5/14, and challenged Fujita to face in in a singles match before he begins his Retirement Road on 5/31! Fujita naturally accepted, and sealed the deal with a handshake... Before letting go of Fujita's hand however, Junior sent a eerily cryptic comment to Fujita, saying "Before you retire, Fujita... you still have to face him one more time..." With a deathly serious look on his face, Fujita nodded; understanding Junior's message clearly.
* The semi final of the night featured the final preliminary skirmish between HEC Heavyweight Champion TAKU and Seiji Ebisawa before their fated Title Bout tomorrow night in Korakuen as the two led their respective teams into battle. For once however, Ebisawa was isolated from his SPIRIT International familiars -- and instead teamed with LEGION's "Loaded Pistol" Magnus Gunner and EXODUS's Abby Park. TAKU however had his best friend Go Taniguchi by his side, along with EXODUS Pro-Wrestling's Ace and Champion Fiona Rourke in the foreigners last stop before their Invincible Internet PPV on April 7th in San Diego. In fact, the match served as a preliminary skirmish for another Title Match, as Rourke will defend her title against Gunner at Invincible. The match was full of action, with unique encounters between the wrestlers of KJPW and EXODUS/LEGION. Rourke once again stood out using her amazing rope work and aerial attacks. Her foil -- Abby park however was equally as impressive, only using brutal slaps and knees as her weapons! Park scored several near falls over the EXODUS Champion -- continuing that narrative over the series. Just as it seemed Park would finish Rourke however, the Strong Style Seraph stopped Park dead in her tracks with her Shinigami Jumping High Kick! However, as referee Kajiwara went to make the count, Magnus Gunner pulled him out of the ring by his leg! The official flippantly chastised Magnus for his action -- all while the Loaded Pistol feigned ignorance of the language (despite Kajiwara speaking English...) All while this went on however, Rourke had tagged out TAKU! Just as the referee returned to the ring -- leaving Magnus alone, The EXODUS Ace raced off the ropes before DIVING ONTO HER 4/07 CHALLENGER WITH A TOPE CON GIRO! With the Nagoya fans on their feet, Seiji Ebisawa came in as the legal man to meet the HEC Champion head-on! After failing to put a dent in the Rampaging Choujin, Ebisawa managed to catch TAKU with an Exploder after telegraphing a lariat. Ebisawa asserted his strength as a threat to TAKU's title, and kept him grounded for several minutes while favoring a bodyscissors. The insurmountable HEC Champ fought back however; using his strength to lift Ebisawa up -- before slamming him with the Spinebuster! TAKU made the tag out to Go Taniguchi, who unloaded onto TAKU's #1 contender with a volley of Northern chops. However, just as it appeared Go was about to run wild on Ebisawa, Mr. Transcendence cut him off with a wicked jab to the jaw -- followed by the Enzuigiri! Finding his opponent, Ebisawa deferred to the recovered Magnus Gunner with the tag, who came in with a full head of steam... He would pay for his over-eagerness however, as Go met him with a well-timed kick to the stomach, followed by the Russian Leg Sweep! With the fans solidly behind the charismatic Go, he called for the finish! This brought in Ebisawa to make the save -- only to be met by TAKU, before getting tossed to the outside! After delivering a measured Northern Chop, Go lifted Magnus up for the Tama Tama Drop! Fiona Rourke's #1 contender however countered with a clever escape down Go's back! With TAKU and Ebisawa -- along with Park and Rourke going at it at the outside, the referee had his attention diverted from Magnus' BLATANT LOW BLOW! With Go hunched over, Magnus scooped him up and SPIKED HIM with the Butterfly Effect Northern Light Bomb! Magnus arrogantly covered Go as Referee Kajiwara made the count -- with Fiona Rourke making the save one second too late!
The fans booed Magnus vociferously afterwards as he wasted no time in leaving the ring. He admired his work from the isle way, while keeping eyes locked on Fiona Rourke the entire time. As the two made eye contact, Magnus made a "belt" motion around his waist... With this being the final stop before their Title Bout tomorrow, TAKU and Ebisawa traded final barbs. Ebisawa said that he recognized TAKU's strength, and considered letting him into SPIRIT International -- but said he was no match for a veteran wrestler with his skill, and that TAKU would be forever known as the "Failure Ace." Not to be verbally outdone, the HEC Heavyweight Champion acknowledged Ebisawa's threat to his crown, and said that he couldn't have chosen a more difficult opponent as his first challenger. However, he posed a question to Ebisawa. "Are you a man?" TAKU asked Ebisawa directly, "Can you beat me alone? Can you beat me without SPIRIT International?" Ebisawa seemed thrown off by the question. However, he finally said he could -- and to respect the importance of the HEC Championship, he vowed to leave SPIRIT International BACKSTAGE for the match! TAKU praised Ebisawa's spirit, and said they would decide the match as Men, before offering his challenger a handshake. Ebisawa smirked while hesitating for a moment. However, he finally shook hands with the Champion to the crowd's begrudging applause... As the handshake continued however, MAGNUS GUNNER RETURNED TO THE RING -- SMASHING A CHAIR ACROSS THE UNSUSPECTING ROURKE'S BACK! Both Magnus and Ebisawa -- using the attack as his cue to exit -- left the ring hastily as TAKU made chase after realizing what had happened! The HEC Champion however chose to return to the ring -- tending to the fallen EXODUS Ace! TAKU helped Rourke to her feet amidst the applause and cheers of the crowd. In English, TAKU asked Rourke if she was okay. Rourke responded in Japanese, "DAIJOUBU!" (I'm fine!) to a large ovation... On the microphone, she promised to pay Magnus back in spades at EXODUS's Invincible iPPV... She thanked KJPW and the Japanese fans for their support, and said she wanted to come back to Japan and defend her title. Turning to TAKU, she suggested the idea of TAKU coming to the United States to defend HIS title. TAKU was ecstatically supportive of the idea, and declared a CHOUJIN WORLD TOUR of Title Defenses. Whether serious or not, TAKU said he couldn't look past Seiji Ebisawa...
* Zepp Nagoya was treated to a very special main event, featuring the revival of the WWA National Heavyweight Title -- held by many greats including Tatsumichi Akamatsu! On 03/27/2010, Ichiro captured the title as a roster member of Kanagawa-based Pro-Wrestling DYNAMITE. However, both he and the title became dormant upon DYNAMITE's closure. With Ichiro joining KJPW, the return of the WWA National Title was inevitable. Tonight, in his recognized V2 defense, he met perhaps the strongest export sent from EXODUS Pro-Wrestling, "The Big L" Steve Lenton! Over the series, Lenton has earned great marks en route to even more impressive victories. Tonight would be his chance to cash in big time on his reward. The early going was nothing less than physical, as both Alpha Males refused to show weakness to the other. Lenton adapted perfectly to Ichiro's hard-hitting style of kicks and chops -- and returned in kind to send the defending Champion reeling to the outside! This led to a chaotic brawl between the two unchained beasts. Ichiro pushed the temperament of Lenton with petty slaps and taunts -- leading Lenton finally exploding after being sent into the guardrail -- before blasting the champion with a short-ranged lariat! Back in the ring, Lenton demonstrated his power by tossing the Champion around with ease -- including throwing Ichiro into the air, and catching him with a Samoan Drop! The "Hot-Tempered Samurai" would have his moment soon enough however after telegraphing Lenton's spinebuster with a blunt boot to the face -- before THROWING Lenton by the back of his head into the mat! On offense now, Ichiro would not let up on the challenger. Stomp after stomp, Ichiro continued, before eventually dragging Lenton up and bringing him to the mat with authority with a snapping Vertical Suplex! After two forceful Backdrops, Ichiro covered for the pin -- only to get two! Wanting to up the stakes, Ichiro began isolating Lenton in the corner with chops and kicks. After adequately weakening the challenger, Ichiro lifted Lenton onto the top turnbuckle, before following up! Lenton however wasn't able to simply let the Champion have his way, and tried fighting back with short-ranged elbows. While teasing a fall, Ichiro struck back -- throwing a HARD forearm to Lenton's jaw! Staggered, Lenton was easy pray for Ichiro, who executed the Superplex with perfection... ONLY FOR LENTON TO POP TO HIS FEET! After striking a monstrous pose with an equally monstrous cry, Lenton dashed off the ropes -- ducking Ichiro's wild lariat attempt in the resulting sprint. As Lenton rebounded, he GORED ICHIRO IN HALF WITH THE BLITZ!!! (Spear) Lenton quickly covered -- COMING WITHIN HALF A SECOND OF BECOMING WWA NATIONAL CHAMPION! Lenton wasted no time in following up with the Blue Thunder Bomb, followed by his B.A.N. Buster Sitout Spinebuster! There was no question that Lenton had the Champion reeling, and he was looking at ending it once and for all! After whipping a groggy Ichiro into the ropes, Lenton built up velocity by running into the intersecting ropes to set up his 3:00 -- ONLY TO SUFFER ICHIRO'S RIKI LARIAT!! With sweat FLYING from their colliding bodies, the Nagoya fans came unglued! Ichiro collapsed onto Lenton for the cover -- WITH THE BIG L KICK OUT AT ONE! As Lenton slowly staggered to his feet, Ichiro poured all of his remaining energy into one singular blow by coming off the ropes and BLASTING LENTON WITH A SECOND RIKI LARIAT! With Lenton's body hitting the canvas like a bag of potatoes, Ichiro covered the challenger -- With Lenton kicking out JUST AFTER THREE!
The Nagoya fans roared as the gong sounded, confirming the fall! While Lenton did indeed kick out -- it was noticeably after the rendered three count from referee Hirata. After being handed back his WWA National Title, Ichiro praised Lenton as a challenger, admitting that he's never matched anyone with the strength of The Big L, and said the result could have done either way. In broken English, Ichiro told Lenton, "Please! Come back to Japan! My friend!" While still somewhat frustrated in defeat, Lenton had no choice but match Riki's mutual respect. Referring to the faction currently troubling his home, Lenton said he had unfinished business with LEGION, but said he wanted to come back to Japan and face Ichiro again!
April 05, 2013 (Fighting TV Samurai)
Aichi - Zepp Nagoya
1,112 Fans (Super No Vacancy)
1. 3WAY Match: Kazuki Sendo beat Shinji Uchikawa and Yutaka Awano (7:51) when Sendo used a grounded headlock on Awano.
2. Naoki Fukuda & Tsutomu Nishioka beat Yuichi Miwa & Yukio Kisanuki (7:36) when Nishioka used a dropkick on Kisanuki.
3. ARMADA vs. SPIRIT Inter: Kenji Tanamura, Harumi Sakai & Yusaku Kitajima beat Katsumi Gakusha [SI], Shino Hiriyama [SI] & Sean King (11:57) when Sakai used a German Suplex cutback cradle on Hiriyama.
4. Kazuma Fujita, Yujiro Higuchi, James Goodwin Jr. & "BIG" Jon Goodwin beat Chikao Kessin, Masafuji Yoshida, Mamoru Sekishima & Tetsuji Kawamura (9:09) when Higuchi used the Double Gauge on Kawamura.
5. Special Six-Person Tag Match: Seiji Ebisawa [SI], Magnus Gunner [LEGION], & Abby Park [EXODUS] beat TAKU, Go Taniguchi & Fiona Rourke [EXODUS] (15:39) when Gunner used the Butterfly Effect on Taniguchi.
6. KJPW vs. EXODUS ~ WWA National Heavyweight Title: Riki Ichiro (c) beat "The Big L" Steve Lenton [EXODUS] (16:56) with the Riki Lariat in his V2 defense.
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