[Results] 2013.04.20 @ Matsushita IMP Hall

* From its home base of Osaka, KJPW kicked off its official Opening Series, titled "BRAND NEW WORLD 2013" in front of a packed crowd of over 900. The tour opener saw the anticipated -- and controversial arrival of Norihiro Akashi, the man now calling himself The Dream Catcher; who made his Japanese return in grand fashion by calling out the HEC Heavyweight Champion TAKU on 4/06 in Korakuen Hall. Regarded as the indomitable Ace of KJPW, TAKU felt compelled to answer The Dream Maker's challenge. Their road to their fated 4/28 HEC Heavyweight Title Match began tonight in Osaka.

* The first official match of the night pitted Chikao Kessin against rookie Yutaka Awano in what was expected to be a sporting demonstration of Awano's skills thus far into his career. However, Chikao Kessin had no intention of holding back against the rookie. Earning a loud chorus of jeers since attacking his former best friend and partner Masafuji Yoshida, Kessin returned the favor by giving the crowd of nearly 1,000 two middle fingers... Awano fought with spirited gusto from the bell -- but was no match for the seasoned power of the former Ozeki Sumo, who punished Awano with chest-caving slaps and slams before ultimately finishing him with the World's #1 Backdrop. Kessin pinned Awano's fallen body with but a single palm before promptly leaving the ring... Awano would need to be carried to the back by officials...

* The preliminary bouts continued in the second match as MONSTER HEAD DUO teamed with rookie Shinji Uchikawa to face Double Goodwin and Uchikawa's growing rival among his classmates, Tsutomu Nishioka. MHD were eager to lock horns once again with the sons of revered Foreign Legend James Goodwin, creating a chaotic first couple of minutes as both teams waged war all over ringside while Uchikawa and Nishioka tested each other in the ring. Both men continued to show rapid growth -- with their technique and execution improving with every performance. Living up to his flamboyant pink trunks, the shredded Nishioka began to show signs of arrogance as he continually stayed one step ahead of his rival -- going as far as to crack a cocky smile after grounding Uchikawa with a chin lock after catching him by surprise with a dropkick. Nishioka surprisingly gelled well with the Goodwins, who showed excellent teamwork and cooperation. The three even joined together to beat Tetsuji Kawamura down, before all striking simultaneous Guts Poses. As unit, Double Goodwins looked exceptionally well-polished for only being together as a team for a few months. The elder James Goodwin Jr. did well in leading his younger, but bigger brother. The Osaka fans particularly were into the action between 198cm Sekishima and 207cm "BIG" Jon! Both heavyweights clobbered the other with forearms and slaps, resulting in the two colliding with simultaneous lariats -- before tumbling to the outside! In the end, it appeared it would come down to between the two rookies, who traded ardent cradle attempts. After escaping Nishioka's schoolboy however, Uchikawa made the blind tag to Mamoru Sekishima, who KO'd Nishioka with one swift knee to the body to give MHD and Uchikawa the victory!

MHD and Double Goodwins exchanged heated words following the fall, before being separated.

* In the following match, reforming their former GLAMOUR PUNKS team, Katsumi Gakusha and Shino Hiriyama of SPIRIT International earned the victory in a competitive tag match against WWA National Heavyweight Champion Riki Ichiro and the youngest member of the KJPW rookie class, Yukio Kisanuki. Naturally, Gakusha and Hiriyama had the seasoning and chemistry to stay one step ahead of Riki and Yukio for most of the match -- with Kisanuki being isolated as the weak link. This led to an amazing groundswell of support for the tenacious rookie, who fought back with furious kicks and slaps. However, before Kisanuki to land a sizable blow, he found himself caught in Shino's elaborate succession of cradles collectively refereed to as the Signature Series! Kisanuki earned amazing support for kicking out of the first two cradles -- But just as it seemed Kisanuki would escape, Hiriyama trapped Yukio with the third Signature to steal the match!

While honest and clean, the pro-KJPW fans booed Hiriyama and Gakusha after the match. Neither seemed to mind -- and rather enjoyed taunting the bitter crowd. Riki Ichiro naturally chased the two off afterwards, with Gakusha in particular taking an interest in antagonizing the WWA National Heavyweight Champion, leading to a shoving match between the two. Ichiro asserted his power by forcing Gakusha to the ground, who promptly made his exit with Hiriyama...

* As the road marches towards the fated day of  May 31st, 2013, Kazuma Fujita picked up a crowd-pleasing victory in his home area, as he led Masafuji Yoshida, Yujiro Higuchi, and Kazuki Sendo to a win over the entire ARMADA faction consisting of the "Gladiator King" Kenji Tanamura and his wards; Yuichi Miwa, Harumi Sakai, and Yusaku Kitajima. Collectively, ARMADA had the edge of Fujita and his band of fighters. However, with the Osaka fans 100% behind them, the Seikigun (Regular/Home Army) team valiantly came back, with Fujita himself delivering the match-ending blow; his trademark Fujita Lariat after ducking the over-eager Kitajima's kneel kick attempt.

Fujita spoke afterwards -- to the delight of the fans. Fujita praised every wrestler by name, and enthusiastically spoke to the resilience of Pro-Wrestling, saying it was safe in the hands of capable wrestlers such as the ones in this very ring.

Tanamura probed Fujita after the match about his impending retirement road, asking Fujita if 5/31 would truly be the last time we see him in a regular capacity. Fujita bitterly acknowledged it. Tanamura followed by asking Fujita if he had an opponent in mind for the 5/31 date. Fujita paused for a moment, before saying "...nobody yet." This naturally got fans talking. Seeming fascinated, Tanamura said he looked forward to the days to come...

* Amidst much hype and media attention for a non-broadcasted show, the controversial man reborn as the Dream Catcher, Norihiro Akashi made his anticipated arrival to the KJPW mat as a representative of Seiji Ebisawa's SPIRIT International. Standing side by side with the proud Ebisawa and the monstrous Sean King, Norihiro Akashi appeared with a much more impressive physique than he had the last time Japanese fans seen him. His time in sunny America was reflected in his bronze tan. The fans seemed conflicted as to how to greet the Dream Catcher, with some booing the SPIRIT International member, others cheering the returning face, with even some not knowing how to respond to all; not being fans long enough to know who Akashi is.

The Dream Catcher's drawn out entrance was swiftly balanced by the prompt arrival of the KJPW Seikigun -- led by the HEC Heavyweight Champion, TAKU! For once, it would be the Seikigun side who would rush the heels as soon as the gong sounded. TAKU went straight for Akashi, looking to expose him from the opening gate. However, his 4/28 challenger would end up BLASTING him with a beautiful dropkick after ducking the HEC Champion's wild lariat! The inverse dynamic of the match was quickly corrected however as Akashi asserted his proficiently with vicious intent by grounding TAKU, while taking any opportunity to take shortcuts to antagonize and humiliate the Rampaging Choujin. Before Akashi could deal much damage however, TAKU caught Akashi off-base with an impressive Military press, before sending the Dream Catcher flying into his corner! This brought in Naoki Fukuda and Seiji Ebisawa respectively -- in something of a preliminary skirmish of the second round of the HEC Tag Team Title Tournament. The two big names traded ferocious chops and forearms back-and-worth. Neither man wanted to show weakness. The younger Fukuda however would slowly gain the edge over Ebisawa -- only for the wily veteran to cut Fukuda at just the right moment to strike with a DDT! Both sides traded control at a fast pace, leaving little room for much ground work. Being members of Champion-level teams of both Naoki and Go Taniguchi, TAKU demonstrated amazing teamwork akin to both Choujin Powers and Baka Machineguns teams! Both he and Go dealt a decisive blow to Sean King after the two hit a double-neckbreaker drop on the big man. However, just as it seemed Go would pull off the fall for his team, King would plant Taniguchi with the King's Gaval! This brought in Akashi, who punished the man he used to look up to as Senpai with punishing kicks, before hurling him overhead with a front suplex. Akashi showed off the same precision he showed years ago -- but now with an added edge. This was best illustrated in the closing moments of the match as Akashi locked the lanky Taniguchi in a painful Hammerlock/Crossface hold! While still an initial painful visual, Akashi reared back on Go's neck at a dangerously tight angle -- forcing the tap out!!

Deciding ultimately on booing the Dream Catcher, the Osaka fans jeered heavily afterwards -- while Akashi and the rest of SPIRIT International joyously celebrated. Taking the microphone, Seiji Ebisawa asked TAKU if he was ready to  meet "his future." Handing the microphone to Akashi, the Dream Catcher struck a rather aloof pose, while taking his time to pace up and down the ring. Finally stopping, he broke the eerie silence with an emphatic, "YO!" Formally introducing himself as simply "The Dream Catcher," Akashi asked TAKU if he cherished the dream he was living. Akashi reminded fans of TAKU's humble beginnings as a comedy wrestler in the junior heavyweight ranks, and his struggles to becoming Ace of KJPW. Again, he asked TAKU if he truly cherished the dream. While clear, Akashi's odd tone and delivery left an eerie feeling in the ring. While bewildered somewhat, the HEC Champion was not intimidated by the Dream Catcher's psychological tactics, and vowed to show him the true strength of a Matured Pro-Wrestler.

April 20, 2013
Osaka - Matsushita IMP Hall

925 Fans (Super No Vacancy Full House)
1. Chikao Kessin beat Yutaka Awano (4:55) with the Sekai Ichi no Backdrop.
2. Mamoru Sekishima, Tetsuji Kawamura & Shinji Uchikawa beat James Goodwin Jr., "BIG" Jon Goodwin & Tsutomu Nishioka (11:02) when Sekishima used a Knee kick on Nishioka.
3. KJPW vs. SPIRIT Inter: Katsumi Gakusha & Shino Hiriyama beat Riki Ichiro & Yukio Kisanuki (10:05) when Hiriyama used the Signature Series on Kisanuki.
4. KJPW vs. ARMADA ~ Special Eight Man Tag Match: Kazuma Fujita, Masafuji Yoshida, Yujiro Higuchi & Kazuki Sendo beat Kenji Tanamura, Yuichi Miwa, Harumi Sakai & Yusaku Kitajima (16:32) when Fujita used the Fujita Lariat on Kitajima.
5. The Dream Catcher's Arrival ~ HEC Heavyweight Title Skirmish: Seiji Ebisawa [SI], Norihiro Akashi [SI] & Sean King [SI] beat TAKU, Naoki Fukuda & Go Taniguchi (22:10) when Akashi used the Nightmare Cascade on Taniguchi.