* In front of a packed crowd in Tokyo's Differ Ariake, KJPW hit its second biggest stop before "THE NEW WORLD" on 4/28 in Ota Ward Gymnasium. The sold out TV taping was headlined by the ever-important Semi Final round of the tournament to crown the first HEC Tag Team Champions, in addition to another preliminary skirmish between the HEC Heavyweight Champion TAKU and "The Dream Catcher" Norihiro Akashi before their 4/28 showdown. Added on top of that was the arrival of Akashi's LEGION allies from EXODUS Pro-Wrestling -- Daisuke Iwakuma and Kameron Chase -- The Ninth Gate.
* The card opened proper with a largely sporting tag match, as Yujiro Higuchi and Shinji Uchikawa faced Chikao Kessin and Tsutomu Nishioka. Now calling himself "Big Boss," Kessin forced Nishioka to go at it alone for the early going, until forcibly tagging himself in. Showing no restraint, Kessin vicious struck down both Uchikawa AND his partner Nishioka at one point! Higuchi naturally jumped in to face off against the bullying Sumo. While brief, the crowd ate up the sudden jump in pace. Before long, the two heavyweights fought to the outside, leaving the two rookies to trade near falls with cradles and hard strikes. After grounding Nishioka, Uchikawa managed to hook in a painful step-over face lock to force the submission!
The rookie's post match celebration was brief, as Chikao Kessin almost immediately knocked Uchikawa out with a clubbing back fist to the side of his head! Kessin showed no discrimination, as he then took his own partner out with the Sekai Ichi no Backdrop! From the back came MASAFUJI YOSHIDA, Kessin's former Sumo Brothers Returns partner! Showing rarely seen gusto and fire, Yoshida charged to the ring with a steel chair in place to force Kessin off Nishioka. The two had an intense stand off before Kessin rolled to the outside. Taking the microphone, Kessin mockingly congratulated Yoshida for finally growing a spine. Kessin asked his former best friend if he was ready for the "Big Boss" on 4/28. After being given a microphone, Yoshida shouted Kessin down to the delight of the crowd, before asking his former partner "...How did you lose your way?" Kessin himself seemed baffled by the question, asking in return? How did I lose my way? You dumbass! WHEN HAVE YOU EVER FOUND YOUR WAY!?" Kessin claimed that Yoshida held him back all these years in this "silly" tag team. He said he tolerated Yoshida's jovial personality long enough, and vowed to crush the pathetic fake Sumo on 4/28.
* In something of an upset, MONSTER HEAD DUO pulled off a big win over SPIRIT International's Shino Hiriyama and Sean King after Sekishima nearly sent Hiriyama out of his boots with a violent knee kick to the upper body! The victory for MHD wouldn't be easy however, as they had to tend with the unrestrained brutality of SPIRIT Inter's foreign enforcer Sean King, along with the crafty, and underhanded tactics of Shino Hiriyama. The native/foreign team actually showed amazing chemistry and team work, and proved to give MHD serious problems during the early and middle portions of the match. With the match breaking down with all four in the ring, it seemed SPIRIT Inter had Mamoru Sekishima isolated after tossing Kawamura to the floor. That would come back to haunt them however, as Kawamura would pull the top rope down just as Sean King ran across -- sending him to the outside! Amidst the confusion, Sekishima landed the match-ending blow to pick up the win!
Being a rare direct tag win for MHD, the two appropriately celebrated after the match -- but only briefly, as an irate Sean King quickly ran them off... King tended to his fallen comrade -- repeatedly asking him "Mr. SHINO! DAI JO BU?" (Are you okay!?) In a somewhat comical scene, King lifted Shino's fallen body into his arms, and carried him from the ring -- all while assuring him with constant cries of "DAI JO BU! DAI JO BU!"
* The third match saw ARMADA's Harumi Sakai and Yusaku Kitajima team with rookie Yukio Kisanuki to gain something of a noted victory over the legendary Kazuma Fujita, Masafuji Yoshida, and Kisanuki's rookie classmate Yutaka Awano. While largely a showcase for the two rookies, the four bigger stars had their moments to shine. Fujita in particular was isolated during the early going -- only for him to come back with the help of Yoshida and Awano to the sheer delight of the crowd. In the end however, Yukio Kisanuki trapped Awano in a painful Boston crab. While trying to use some of his reserved strength, Awano was only able to get one of his legs loose -- allowing Kisanuki to apply even more leverage to the remaining leg. Awano put up a good fight, but with his own foot now touching the back of his own head, he was forced to tap out!
As per usual, Kazuma Fujita gave a brief post-match speech putting over all of the wrestlers in the ring by name. Speaking to Yoshida directly, he said he was proud to see him confront Kessin earlier in the show -- and said he knows Yoshida will show him the true Spirit of a Sumo. Obviously referring to the "KANSAI PRO-WRESTLING FESTIVAL ~ MAY 31, 2013" banner hung across the hard camera wall, Fujita said the clock was ticking down. And soon, his time would be up. As he's said several times since announcing his impending retirement road, he had no regrets. As the 5/31 date approached however, Fujita said he was becoming more and more certain on naming an opponent. Still however, Fujita said the time was not yet right...
* Following intermission, KJPW witnessed something of Norihiro Akashi's re-debut, as he was joined by members of the faction terrorizing EXODUS Pro-Wrestling, known simply as LEGION. Dawning attire and colors different from what he was previously wearing teaming with SPIRIT International, The Dream Catcher stood united with the man slowly being revealed to be someone significant to Akashi since his exile from Japan, "The Perfect Evil" Daisuke Iwakuma -- along with Iwakuma's Ninth Gate tag partner, Kameron Chase. Akashi and Iwakuma's relationship was further hinted at as the two struck very similar gestures upon entering the ring -- stretching their arms and hands out in a crucifix pose, with their wrists and hands arched downward.
While impressed with the flash and style LEGION presented with their arrival, the Tokyo fans were almost unanimously behind their opponents, as Akashi's fated 4/28 opponent -- the HEC Heavyweight Champion TAKU led Go Taniguchi and Kazuki Sendo into the battle field. the Seikigun team showed no fear or intimidation, and took the fight directly to the equally-eager heels. Chase shined early on facing the smaller Kazuki Sendo, while enjoying being able to muscle somebody around the ring for once. However, Sendo's clever tactics would frustrate Chase long enough for the home team to capitalize with a timely tag to KJPW's venerable Ace, TAKU! The HEC Champion ran wild over Chase with a chain of lariats -- prompting him to tag out to The Dream Catcher! Akashi however had other plans, as he immediately tagged in Daisuke Iwakuma, who couldn't help but smirk at the chance to face off against the HEC Heavyweight Champion. Iwakuma surprised many with his sharp technique and agility. On the mat, Daisuke stayed one step ahead of the more power-oriented Champion. As TAKU worked his way back to his feet, Iwakuma once again felt like he had control after taking control of TAKU's arm... However, the Muscle Beast lived up to his moniker by THROWING Daisuke to the mat after countering the armwringer! For the next few minutes, Iwakuma experienced the full, unbridled fury of the HEC Heavyweight Champion after a crushing corner in the lariat -- followed by a volley of shorter lariats! This brought in the second-half of the Baka Machineguns, as Go Taniguchi was tagged in. Go took over from TAKU, and continued peppering Daisuke with Northern Chops. Iwakuma would shortly come back after countering a simple shoulder throw with a blunt kick to the chest, before following with a snapping swinging neckbreaker! With the lovable Go isolated, the Dream Catcher came in. While keeping a constant eye on TAKU, Akashi took great pleasure in punishing Go with short, jabbing kicks and stinging slaps. Eventually, Akashi's intent was purely to antagonize his 4/28 opponent. This however showed that even the Dream Catcher was susceptible to human arrogance, as Go eventually exploded -- and BLASTED Akashi with a running 193cm-sized dropkick to the face! This finally brought in TAKU, who wasted no time in tearing into the Dream Catcher with shots that bordered on being closed-fisted! The LEGION trio however appeared to be prepared for this, as Iwakuma and Chase ran in to create pure chaos -- allowing Akashi to escape to the outside. Just as TAKU began to fight both Iwakuma and Chase off, Akashi struck with a timely springboard missile kick to the back of the skull! The shot forced TAKU into his corner, where Go took it upon himself to tag back in. Channeling all of his courage and strength, Go Taniguchi tried to stay blow-for-blow with Akashi -- only to eventually succumb to the Nightmare Cascade; Akashi's dreaded hammerlock cross face hold!
Both TAKU and Akashi verbally squared off afterwards to hype up their 4/28 main event. Akashi's verbiage changed randomly from Japanese-to-English with almost no warning. Akashi said he was indeed the Dream Catcher, but said that TAKU would soon understand why he's also called the "Nightmare Child." As per usual following Akashi's vague, pretentious rants, TAKU said he had absolutely no idea what Akashi was saying. Noting his different look and ramped up personality, TAKU asked his 4/28 challenger if he was having an "identity crisis." With an eerily dry tone, Akashi spoke in Japanese, "I know who I am..." before shouting in English, "WHO! ARE! YOU!?" before SPIKING the microphone and taking his leave with Iwakuma and and Chase... TAKU seemed legitimately baffled by his eccentric challenger, but vowed nevertheless to crush him on 4/28.
* The final two matches on the card would determine who would meet on 4/28 to decide the first HEC Tag Team Champions. First, ARMADA's Kenji Tanamura and Yuichi Miwa would face Seiji Ebisawa and Katsumi Gakusha of SPIRIT International. Gakusha and Miwa opened the contest with slick mat wrestling. Miwa would get the better of the cocky Mr. DYNAMIC. However, the resourcefulness of Gakusha would come into play after countering Miwa's go-behind with a simple foot stomp; setting up the tag to Ebisawa. Here, the long-time comrades worked over Tanamura's ward. Both SI members were able to show off their various trademark moves. After flattening Miwa with the Exploder, Ebisawa scored the first near fall after the match. With the fans solidly behind ARMADA's Berserker, Miwa waited for the right moment to strike -- BLASTING both men with rapid-fire kicks after ducking consecutive attacks. This brought in the "Gladiator King" Kenji Tanamura, who unloaded on both Ebisawa and Gakusha. After knocking Gakusha to the outside, Tanamura targeted Ebisawa with critical blows, before scoring a near fall with a brutal Backdrop Suplex hold. ARMADA displayed their own fluid chemistry as well -- along with showing off a unique double team attack where Tanamura held Gakusha up for Miwa, who caught him with a kneel kick! The high-spurt match came down to the wire as all four men traded close calls. In the end, Mr. DYNAMIC lived up to his name as he caught Yuichi Miwa with a blind Blessful Crusher to counter an oncoming Axe kick, giving SPIRIT International their ticket to the tournament finals!
* In the night's main event, Naoki Fukuda and Riki Ichiro battled the monstrous Brothers Goodwin for the second finals slot in the tournament to decide the first HEC Tag Team Champions. Both teams faced off before the bell -- with neither team showing any fear. After much trash talking, James Goodwin Jr. started the match off against the fiery "Hot-Blooded Samurai" Riki Ichiro. Ichiro found success with his high-spurt strength early on; using power moves like body slams and shoulder attacks to assert his authority. James however baited Ichiro perfectly, allowing Double Goodwin to seize control of the match. James and "Big" Jon demonstrated superb teamwork as always, and quickly had the Tokyo fans sympathetically behind Riki. After seeing enough, Naoki attempted to intervene illegally -- only to unintentionally distract referee Hideaki Kajiwara, which allowed Double Goodwin the chance to abuse the rules in the corner. After further suffering, Ichiro found an opening after avoiding a double clothesline from Double Goodwin. After sending "Big" Jon over the ropes with a powerful clothesline, Ichiro made the hot tag to arguably the most popular wrestler in KJPW -- "Invincible Mastodon" Naoki Fukuda! Amidst loud calls, Naoki threw equally loud chest slaps to James. Both Naoki and James pushed an amazing pace -- showing their elite level. While Naoki seemed to have weakened James with crushing elbows, the foreigner would find a way to pull ahead after catching his opponent with a flying lariat! After James tagged in his younger brother, "BIG" Jon tried to break Naoki's will with brute force. The inexperienced Goodwin soon learned however how much heart and experience account for as Naoki not only resisted, he fought back -- severely frustrating Goodwin! After several clever feints, Naoki amazed the fans by powering the 134kg "BIG" Jon up for a Brainbuster! The action heated up moments later as Riki and Naoki ran wild on both Goodwins! After cleverly out-maneuvering the larger Goodwin, Riki and Naoki displayed their own team work; including a sandwich lariat, followed by stereo enzuigiris! Jon's brother would meet a similar fate, leading to Ichiro scoring the first significant near fall of the match with his trademark Riki Lariat! The finish line seemed to be near for both teams as the match progressed. By the end, neither team showed any regard for the either, as they pulled out almost everything in their arsenal. The closing moments saw "BIG" Jon trading hard blows with the heavy Mastodon. After landing two thudding lariats, Jon tried to finish Naoki with the Whirly Bird Throw; only for Fukuda to slide-down and muscle the "BIG" man up for a hefty German Suplex! After following with a hard lariat of his own, Naoki displayed his mammoth strength by dead-lifting Jon over his shoulders, and SPIKING HIM with the Mastodon Buster! The match seemed decided as Naoki went for the cover -- ONLY FOR JAMES TO MAKE THE SAVE AT 2.9! With Riki quickly ushering James to the outside, Naoki ascended to the top rope before finishing Jon with the MASTODON CRASH!!
The gong sounded, with Naoki Fukuda and Riki Ichiro securing their slot in the finals of the HEC Tag Team Title Tournament! The post match led to the official contract signing between both teams -- with SPIRIT International's Seiji Ebisawa and Katsumi Gakusha making their way to the ring. CEO and Acting President Shigesato Ishiyama entered with the official documents. With tension evident between both teams, the contract signing went down -- confirming the match for 4/28. Ebisawa and Gakusha's comments reflected their confidence as they promised to absorb KJPW's top tag prize into SPIRIT International. Still winded from their match, Ichiro passionately vowed to crush the infringing outsiders. Naoki reminded fans of what SPIRIT International did last month to Kazuma Fujita, and said that he needed further punishment.
Following that however, the show closed with the contract signing for the HEC Heavyweight Title Match between TAKU and Norihiro Akashi. Both Champion and Challenger arrived wearing suits; each reflecting their own dynamic personalities. TAKU signed the contract without hesitation. Akashi on the other hand took his time looking over the documents -- going as far as to have LEGION's Daisuke Iwakuma look over the papers. After drawing it out enough, Akashi signed the contract while staring TAKU down -- or more precisely, the HEC Heavyweight Championship. The Dream Catcher hijacked the microphone before the Champion could give formal comments. Strutting back and forth, Akashi drew attention to himself from every person in the building before speaking. After shouting out what has become something of his trademark, "YOOOO!" -- resulting in some fans shouting along... Drifting in and out of a serious tone, the Dream Catcher asked TAKU the same question he asked him when he arrived on 4/06. Do you cherish your DREAM? Akashi answered the question for TAKU, saying over the last couple of weeks, he has seen TAKU eye-to-eye, and realizes that he truly loves being HEC Heavyweight Champion... However, as Akashi broke an all-knowing smirk, Akashi added, "...Which will make SEIZING YOUR DREAM THAT MUCH MORE FULFILLING!" before letting out a laugh lifted straight from a comic book villain. Showing not one ounce of intimidation, the steadfast Champion stepped face-to-face with his 4/28 Challenger. After sizing him up-and-down, TAKU recognized Akashi's strength having faced him many times in the last week. However, he bluntly told Akashi this Dream Catcher moniker is a facade to hide his insecurity. "You perform well under pressure, Akashi... But you're still a BOY fighting a MAN." he stoically added. The comment seemed to cut Akashi, who was clearly angered by TAKU's words. However, after exchanging a glance with LEGION's Daisuke Iwakuma, Akashi responded by throwing his arms in the same arched crucifix pose he had shown earlier. This itself prompted both Iwakuma and Daisuke's Ninth Gate tag partner Kameron Chase to mimic Akashi's actions -- causing MUCH speculation among the crowd. Not daunted, the KJPW Ace confidently hoisted up the HEC Heavyweight Title Belt by the strap to the unanimous cheers of the fans. The closing moments saw both Champion and Challenger striking their respective poses face-to-face
* The final two matches on the card would determine who would meet on 4/28 to decide the first HEC Tag Team Champions. First, ARMADA's Kenji Tanamura and Yuichi Miwa would face Seiji Ebisawa and Katsumi Gakusha of SPIRIT International. Gakusha and Miwa opened the contest with slick mat wrestling. Miwa would get the better of the cocky Mr. DYNAMIC. However, the resourcefulness of Gakusha would come into play after countering Miwa's go-behind with a simple foot stomp; setting up the tag to Ebisawa. Here, the long-time comrades worked over Tanamura's ward. Both SI members were able to show off their various trademark moves. After flattening Miwa with the Exploder, Ebisawa scored the first near fall after the match. With the fans solidly behind ARMADA's Berserker, Miwa waited for the right moment to strike -- BLASTING both men with rapid-fire kicks after ducking consecutive attacks. This brought in the "Gladiator King" Kenji Tanamura, who unloaded on both Ebisawa and Gakusha. After knocking Gakusha to the outside, Tanamura targeted Ebisawa with critical blows, before scoring a near fall with a brutal Backdrop Suplex hold. ARMADA displayed their own fluid chemistry as well -- along with showing off a unique double team attack where Tanamura held Gakusha up for Miwa, who caught him with a kneel kick! The high-spurt match came down to the wire as all four men traded close calls. In the end, Mr. DYNAMIC lived up to his name as he caught Yuichi Miwa with a blind Blessful Crusher to counter an oncoming Axe kick, giving SPIRIT International their ticket to the tournament finals!
* In the night's main event, Naoki Fukuda and Riki Ichiro battled the monstrous Brothers Goodwin for the second finals slot in the tournament to decide the first HEC Tag Team Champions. Both teams faced off before the bell -- with neither team showing any fear. After much trash talking, James Goodwin Jr. started the match off against the fiery "Hot-Blooded Samurai" Riki Ichiro. Ichiro found success with his high-spurt strength early on; using power moves like body slams and shoulder attacks to assert his authority. James however baited Ichiro perfectly, allowing Double Goodwin to seize control of the match. James and "Big" Jon demonstrated superb teamwork as always, and quickly had the Tokyo fans sympathetically behind Riki. After seeing enough, Naoki attempted to intervene illegally -- only to unintentionally distract referee Hideaki Kajiwara, which allowed Double Goodwin the chance to abuse the rules in the corner. After further suffering, Ichiro found an opening after avoiding a double clothesline from Double Goodwin. After sending "Big" Jon over the ropes with a powerful clothesline, Ichiro made the hot tag to arguably the most popular wrestler in KJPW -- "Invincible Mastodon" Naoki Fukuda! Amidst loud calls, Naoki threw equally loud chest slaps to James. Both Naoki and James pushed an amazing pace -- showing their elite level. While Naoki seemed to have weakened James with crushing elbows, the foreigner would find a way to pull ahead after catching his opponent with a flying lariat! After James tagged in his younger brother, "BIG" Jon tried to break Naoki's will with brute force. The inexperienced Goodwin soon learned however how much heart and experience account for as Naoki not only resisted, he fought back -- severely frustrating Goodwin! After several clever feints, Naoki amazed the fans by powering the 134kg "BIG" Jon up for a Brainbuster! The action heated up moments later as Riki and Naoki ran wild on both Goodwins! After cleverly out-maneuvering the larger Goodwin, Riki and Naoki displayed their own team work; including a sandwich lariat, followed by stereo enzuigiris! Jon's brother would meet a similar fate, leading to Ichiro scoring the first significant near fall of the match with his trademark Riki Lariat! The finish line seemed to be near for both teams as the match progressed. By the end, neither team showed any regard for the either, as they pulled out almost everything in their arsenal. The closing moments saw "BIG" Jon trading hard blows with the heavy Mastodon. After landing two thudding lariats, Jon tried to finish Naoki with the Whirly Bird Throw; only for Fukuda to slide-down and muscle the "BIG" man up for a hefty German Suplex! After following with a hard lariat of his own, Naoki displayed his mammoth strength by dead-lifting Jon over his shoulders, and SPIKING HIM with the Mastodon Buster! The match seemed decided as Naoki went for the cover -- ONLY FOR JAMES TO MAKE THE SAVE AT 2.9! With Riki quickly ushering James to the outside, Naoki ascended to the top rope before finishing Jon with the MASTODON CRASH!!
The gong sounded, with Naoki Fukuda and Riki Ichiro securing their slot in the finals of the HEC Tag Team Title Tournament! The post match led to the official contract signing between both teams -- with SPIRIT International's Seiji Ebisawa and Katsumi Gakusha making their way to the ring. CEO and Acting President Shigesato Ishiyama entered with the official documents. With tension evident between both teams, the contract signing went down -- confirming the match for 4/28. Ebisawa and Gakusha's comments reflected their confidence as they promised to absorb KJPW's top tag prize into SPIRIT International. Still winded from their match, Ichiro passionately vowed to crush the infringing outsiders. Naoki reminded fans of what SPIRIT International did last month to Kazuma Fujita, and said that he needed further punishment.
Following that however, the show closed with the contract signing for the HEC Heavyweight Title Match between TAKU and Norihiro Akashi. Both Champion and Challenger arrived wearing suits; each reflecting their own dynamic personalities. TAKU signed the contract without hesitation. Akashi on the other hand took his time looking over the documents -- going as far as to have LEGION's Daisuke Iwakuma look over the papers. After drawing it out enough, Akashi signed the contract while staring TAKU down -- or more precisely, the HEC Heavyweight Championship. The Dream Catcher hijacked the microphone before the Champion could give formal comments. Strutting back and forth, Akashi drew attention to himself from every person in the building before speaking. After shouting out what has become something of his trademark, "YOOOO!" -- resulting in some fans shouting along... Drifting in and out of a serious tone, the Dream Catcher asked TAKU the same question he asked him when he arrived on 4/06. Do you cherish your DREAM? Akashi answered the question for TAKU, saying over the last couple of weeks, he has seen TAKU eye-to-eye, and realizes that he truly loves being HEC Heavyweight Champion... However, as Akashi broke an all-knowing smirk, Akashi added, "...Which will make SEIZING YOUR DREAM THAT MUCH MORE FULFILLING!" before letting out a laugh lifted straight from a comic book villain. Showing not one ounce of intimidation, the steadfast Champion stepped face-to-face with his 4/28 Challenger. After sizing him up-and-down, TAKU recognized Akashi's strength having faced him many times in the last week. However, he bluntly told Akashi this Dream Catcher moniker is a facade to hide his insecurity. "You perform well under pressure, Akashi... But you're still a BOY fighting a MAN." he stoically added. The comment seemed to cut Akashi, who was clearly angered by TAKU's words. However, after exchanging a glance with LEGION's Daisuke Iwakuma, Akashi responded by throwing his arms in the same arched crucifix pose he had shown earlier. This itself prompted both Iwakuma and Daisuke's Ninth Gate tag partner Kameron Chase to mimic Akashi's actions -- causing MUCH speculation among the crowd. Not daunted, the KJPW Ace confidently hoisted up the HEC Heavyweight Title Belt by the strap to the unanimous cheers of the fans. The closing moments saw both Champion and Challenger striking their respective poses face-to-face
April 23, 2013 (Fighting TV Samurai)
Tokyo - Differ Ariake
1,800 Fans (Super No Vacancy Full House)
1. Yujiro Higuchi & Shinji Uchikawa beat Chikao Kessin & Tsutomu Nishioka (7:50) when Uchikawa used a step-over face lock on Nishioka.
2. MHD vs. SPIRIT Inter: Mamoru Sekishima & Tetsuji Kawamura beat Shino Hiriyama & Sean King (12:54) when Sekishima used a knee kick on Hiriyama.
3. Harumi Sakai, Yusaku Kitajima & Yukio Kisanuki beat Kazuma Fujita, Masafuji Yoshida & Yutaka Awano (9:47) when Kitajima used a half crab hold on Awano.
4. HEC Heavyweight Title Skirmish ~ KJPW vs. LEGION: Norihiro Akashi [LEGION], Daisuke Iwakuma [LEGION] & Kameron Chase [LEGION] beat TAKU, Go Taniguchi & Kazuki Sendo (15:57) when Akashi used the Nightmare Cascade on Sendo.
5. HEC Tag Team Title Tournament - Semi Final: Seiji Ebisawa [SI] & Katsumi Gakusha [SI] beat Kenji Tanamura & Yuichi Miwa (13:25) when Gakusha used the Blessful Crusher on Miwa.
6. HEC Tag Team Title Tournament - Semi Final: Naoki Fukuda & Riki Ichiro beat James Goodwin Jr. & "BIG" Jon Goodwin (20:50) when Fukuda used the Mastodon Crash on Jon.
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