* With a few days before the 1/24 Korakuen event, KJPW announced the full card from its offices in Tokyo before reporters and camera men. Interim-Director Go Taniguchi presided over the press conference, introducing the major players for the event to start. This included the participants of the night's main event, pitting the HEC Women's Openweight Champion Miyabi Fujita against International Superstar and EXODUS Pro-Wrestling representative Fiona Rourke, along with EXODUS owner Nicholas Gray, and EXODUS Interim Director Christian Kane.
Director Go started with an opening statement, apologizing for waiting mere days before the show to announce a card, saying that it is a promotion's duty to keep their fan base informed. However, situations were ongoing behind the scenes of KJPW that have prompted the delay. However, Director Go said that while that sounded mysterious, it was actually very exciting news to be revealed in the weeks to come! After that, the full card was revealed to the journalists (seen below.)
The main event will see Miyabi Fujita make her V1 defense against Fiona Rourke in a match that was originally scheduled to take place in the first round of the HEC Women's Openweight Title Tournament in December. However, due to conflicting schedules, Fiona was forced to withdraw her participation. Miyabi was blunt about her feelings towards Fiona, calling this match nothing more than a “political favor” between KJPW and EXODUS Pro-Wrestling. She said that while Fiona certainly strong, she had done nothing to deserve a Title Match against her. Brashly smacking Director Go behind the head, Miyabi coarsely belted out, “You idiot, Go! It's your fault making us fight in the main event! After I beat her in two minutes, the fans will go home unhappy!” Fiona attempted to remain diplomatic; choosing to ignore Miyabi's words, even when translated into English. She thanked KJPW for giving he the opportunity to compete for a championship, and said she ranked this up there with other important matches she has had. She spoke with knowledge of her opponent, specifically naming Miyabi's Lariat and Axe Driver as two key moves to avoid. She ended by saying she didn't have to be the best, only better than Miyabi – speaking directly towards the champion. Even in English, Fiona's words penetrated Miyabi, who abruptly got in Fiona's face, while repeatedly saying “piss off, little bitch!” in broken English. This prompted Go, along with Nicholas Gray and Christian Kane to quickly intervene. The tension ultimately resulted in the EXODUS group leaving; rather apologetically.
The remainder of the press conference featured Director Go introducing the HEC Heavyweight Champion, “DAUNTLESS” Naoki Fukuda. Embarking on his second reign as the champion, Naoki told the reporters that he was eager to walk into “the hall” as HEC Heavyweight Champion, and looked forward to seeing how the contenders field plays out, as he expects more than one potential challenger to emerge. “That is the fortune given to the champion,” Naoki said. “It is up to that given champion to overcome the obstacles present in order to establish themselves ahead from the other men to hold the belt.”
Speaking briefly on his violent cage match to regain the HEC Heavyweight Title from “BIG BOSS” Chikao Kessin, Naoki praised Kessin's strength, and for staying to his word and fighting the match man-to-man; without interference (despite attempts from Double Goodwin.) On the moment that everyone has been talking about for weeks – when Fukuda dove from the 15-foot high cage onto Kessin with his Mastodon Crash. Naoki admitted that he had no plans to do what he did, and only did so after Kessin kicked out of two Mastodon Crashes. He thanked KJPW for the extended break between 12/31 and 1/24 however, admitting that he was rather banged up from the bout – largely due to the death-defying leap. However, he vowed to be ring-ready by 1/24. The champion is expected to make his first defense of the HEC Heavyweight Title on KJPW's next big event on 2/22 in Fukuoka, “BATTLE BRAVE 2-22”! Currently, Naoki's opponent has yet to be determined, with one expected to be introduced at Korakuen Hall.
The 1/24 card also features a rematch of the 12/31 Hair vs. Hair match between MHD and the SPIRIT International team of Sean King and Shiriyama. Appearing with their shaven heads, Mamoru and Tetsuji said they had taken all they could of King and Shino's bullying, and would make them pay by humiliating them in Korakuen Hall. In order to get this rematch however, Mamoru and Tetsuji were forced to put up something very important to them – more important than their hair! If MHD fail to win and take Shino and King's hair, MHD will be forced to disband. Despite the grave scenario, Mamoru and Tetsuji said that if they couldn't defeat the two heels after all of this time, they didn't deserve to be MONSTER's...
1/24 will also see the debut of a brand new rookie to the world of professional wrestling as 23-year old Daiki Imanari will have his first match after six-months of training. Daiki appeared before reporters appearing very nervous, but charming nevertheless. While only 175cm and 74kg, Daiki showed great presence in his brief address to the press. “I am Daiki Imanari, 23-years old. My passion is pro-wrestling! ...I will make my debut in Korakuen Friday night... Please support me! I'll try not to do anything embarrassing!”
To close out the press conference, Director Go formally announced the 2/22 event from the 7,500 seat Fukuoka International Center. The show will air live GLOBALLY on several iPPV platforms including USTREAM.TV and KJPW's official NicoNico channel for roughly $20.00 USD. In addition to the HEC Heavyweight Title match announced previously, the HEC Tag Team and Jr. Heavyweight Titles will also be defended against challengers to be named! Director Go asked fans remain patient, as big news is soon to come that will change the landscape of Kingdom of Japan Pro-Wrestling!
January 24, 2014
Tokyo – Korakuen Hall (2,100)
1. Daiki Imanari Debut Match: Tsutomu Nishioka & Daiki Imanari vs. Yutaka Awano & Yukio Kisanuki
2. Women's Pro-Wrestling Match: Kaoru Hamaguchi, AISUKA & Jaguar Dream vs. Minako Suzuki, Aya Tamura & Mandy Summers [EXODUS]
3. MHD vs. SPIRIT International – Monster's Right vs. Hair: Mamoru Sekishima & Tetsuji Kawamura vs. Shino Hiriyama & Sean King
4. Jet Jaguar, ATSUKA & Yoshihiro Shimoda vs. Hayato Saigo, Kotaro Ota & Fumihiko Shirai
5. KJPW vs. ARMADA Special 8-Man Tag Match: Riki Ichiro, Yujiro Higuchi, Masafuji Yoshida & Kazuki Sendo vs. Kenji Tanamura, Yuichi Miwa, Harumi Sakai & Yusaku Kitajima
6. KJPW vs. TRIAD Special 10-Man Tag Match: “DAUNTLESS” Naoki Fukuda, TAKU, Seiji Ebisawa, Go Taniguchi & Katsumi Gakusha vs. “BIG BOSS” Chikao Kessin, “Dream Catcher” Norihiro Akashi, Daisuke Iwakuma, James Goodwin Jr. & “BIG” Jon Goodwin
7. HEC Women's Openweight Title: Miyabi Fujita (c) vs. Fiona Rourke [EXODUS]
“BATTLE BRAVE 2-22”
February 22, 2014
Fukuoka – Fukuoka International Center (7,500) [iPPV]
1. HEC Tag Team Titles: James Goodwin Jr. & “BIG” Jon Goodwin (c) vs. X
2. HEC Jr. Heavyweight Title: Jet Jaguar (c) vs. X
3. HEC Heavyweight Title: “DAUNTLESS” Naoki Fukuda (c) vs. X
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