[Results] "EMPEROR'S CUP Final Round," 2013.03.15 @ Korakuen Hall

* After weeks of hype and eager anticipation, over 2,000 fans once again packed the holy venue of pro-wrestling in Japan: Korakuen Hall! Tonight, a King would rise as four remain after a trying first and second round. With the grand, and titular Emperor's Cup standing next to the HEC Heavyweight Championship Belt on a pedastol in the center of the ring, the show opened with the familiar and dramatic voice of KJPW Ring Announcer Eizou Hayakawa -- who briefly welcomed fans to the FINAL ROUND of the Inaugural EMPEROR'S CUP! After which, he began to read the card lineup match-by-match. The fans responded with polite applause, and appropriate enthusiasm for the bigger names on the show; including Kazuma Fujita, Naoki Fukuda, TAKU, and oddly enough; even the name of feared foreign legend James Goodwin!

[News] 03/15 EMPEROR'S CUP Final Round Full Card!

* With the first two rounds in the books, all that remains are the final championship rounds to be held four days from now in Korakuen Hall! With only four fighters left, the stakes could not be even bigger as the prestigious Emperor's Cup, in addition to the HEC Heavyweight Title are up for grabs! All four men would make for honorable and strong champions. However, there is only room for ONE at the top of the mountain. Who will reign as King?

[Results] "EMPEROR'S CUP Second Round," 2013.03.10 @ BODYMAKER Colosseum Second Hall

* Two nights following the first round of the EMPEROR'S CUP, KJPW returned with the next stage of the quest to crown the first HEC Heavyweight Champion! Before the official show gong, rookies Yutaka Awano and Yukio Kisanuki squared off in a dark match. Most fans had already arrived and taken their seat as the match got started, and cheered on both young boys supportingly. Kisanuki shined early on by using his precision and technical skill, but eventually succumbed to Awano's added size and power. After crushing him with a senton off the ropes, Awano submitted the smaller Kisanuki with a Camel Clutch.

[Results] "EMPEROR'S CUP Opening Round," 2013.03.08 @ Korakuen Hall

* After weeks of hype, the quest to crown the first HEC Heavyweight Champion began in front of over 2,000 fans; packing every available seat in the world-famous Korakuen Hall. Once again, the professional touch was given to every aspect of the production. Banners hung from the balconies, displaying various wrestler names and catch-phrases, such as Kazuma Fujita's, "NEVER, EVER, EVER SURRENDER!!" At gong time, the lights faded before the opening VTR (video-tape-recording; video package) was cued onto the projection screen hanging on the north wall of Korakuen. In under 3:30, the VTR went over the importance of the EMPEROR'S CUP tournament, using tag lines such as, "Among 16, A Hero will Forge the Beginning of his Legend!!" and "Only the Strongest Can Ascend to the Throne..." After reaching a sweeping, bombastic music video climax, the cheesy but epic tune of "Holding Out For a Hero" by Miki Asakura floods the hall. With all 2,000+ clapping along with the rhythm of the song, Ring Announcer Eizou Hayakawa welcomed the fans to the opening round of the EMPEROR'S CUP tournament. Hayakawa proceeded to introduce all sixteen participants individually, according to match-ups. Each wrestler appeared wearing a gold ceremonial sash with their names printed across. After every participant lined the inside of the ring, KJPW CEO and Acting President Shigesato Ishiyama entered the ring, carrying the immaculately pristine HEC Heavyweight Title Belt. As Mr. Ishiyama hoisted the belt up, the fans showed a great deal of respect with their applause, and did the same once more as Mr. Ishiyama then displayed the physical EMPEROR'S CUP, which will also be awarded to the winner in addition to 10,000,000 Yen in prize money. Very briefly, Mr. Ishiyama once more reiterated what was at stake, and wished all sixteen competitors the best of luck in their campaign.

[News] EMPEROR'S CUP Eve Press Conference

The preliminary press conference for tomorrow's EMPEROR'S CUP tournament kick off wrapped up roughly half an hour ago. If you missed the live stream on the company's Niconico channel, we have gladly provided you with a completely unedited transcript of the proceedings! Please enjoy!

1st Annual EMPEROR'S CUP ~ GAME OF KINGS ~ (2013/03/08 to 2013/03/15)

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"1st ANNUAL EMPEROR'S CUP ~GAME OF KINGS~ Final Round" [Report]
March 15, 2013 (TV Tokyo/iPPV)

2,350 Fans (Super No Vacancy Full House)

1. Opening Match ~ KJPW vs. EXODUS: Johnny Cannon [EXODUS], Kliff Ulysses [EXODUS] & Alex Brooks [EXODUS] beat Shinji Uchikawa, Tsutomu Nishioka & Yutaka Awano (9:09) when Ulysses pinned Uchikawa after the Roundhouse Kick from Cannon.

2. Emperor's Cup - Semi Final: Kenji Tanamura beat Riki Ichiro (9:22) by Doctor Stoppage.

3. Emperor's Cup - Semi Final: TAKU beat Naoki Fukuda (14:26) with a La Magistral.

4. Double Goodwin Japanese Landing ~ Reign of Terror: James Goodwin Jr. & "BIG" Jon Goodwin beat Mamoru Sekishima & Tetsuji Kawamura (12:11) when James used the Power Collapse on Kawamura.

5. KJPW vs. ARMADA: Yuichi Miwa, Harumi Sakai & Yusaku Kitajima beat Chikao Kessin, Masafuji Yoshida & Yukio Kisanuki (10:19) when Sakai used a Chickenwing Facelock on Kisanuki.

6. KJPW vs. Spirit Intl' Special Eight Man Tag Match: Seiji Ebisawa [SI], Katsumi Gakusha [SI], Shino Hiriyama [SI] & Sean King [SI] beat Kazuma Fujita, Go Taniguchi, Yujiro Higuchi & Kazuki Sendo (16:29) when Ebisawa used the Wrist-Clutch Exploder on Fujita.

7. Emperor's Cup - Final: TAKU beat Kenji Tanamura (20:32) with the Choujin Lance to become the 1st HEC Heavyweight Champion.

"1st ANNUAL EMPEROR'S CUP ~GAME OF KINGS~ Second Round" [Report]
March 10, 2013 (Fighting TV Samurai)
Osaka - BODYMAKER Colosseum Second Hall
1,950 Fans (Super No Vacancy Full House)
0. Yutaka Awano beat Yukio Kisanuki (6:30) with a Camel Clutch.
1. Shinji Uchikawa beat Tsutomu Nishioka (9:34) with a German Suplex hold.
2. Masafuji Yoshida, Mamoru Sekishima & Tetsuji Kawamura beat Yuichi Miwa, Harumi Sakai & Yusaku Kitajima (10:28) when Sekishima used the Greco Bomb on Sakai.

3. Katsumi Gakusha [SI] & Shino Hiriyama [SI] beat Go Taniguchi & Kazuki Sendo (12:46) when Gakusha used the Blessful Crusher on Sendo.
4. Emperor's Cup - Round 2: Riki Ichiro beat Sean King [SI] (10:08) with the Northern Light Bomb.

5. Emperor's Cup - Round 2: Kenji Tanamura beat Chikao Kessin (13:35) with a right high kick.

6. Emperor's Cup - Round 2: TAKU beat Yujiro Higuchi (11:16) with the Choujin Bomber.

7. Emperor's Cup - Round 2: Naoki Fukuda beat Seiji Ebisawa [SI] (20:55) with the Mastodon Crash.

"1st ANNUAL EMPEROR'S CUP ~ GAME OF KINGS ~ Opening Round" [Report] 
March 08, 2013 (Fighting TV Samurai)

Tokyo - Korakuen Hall

2,015 Fans (Super No Vacancy Full House)

1. EMPEROR'S CUP Opening Match: Yusaku Kitajima, Shinji Uchikawa & Yukio Kisanuki beat Kazuki Sendo, Tsutomu Nishioka & Yutaka Awano (7:31) when Kitajima used the Prison Lock w/ Full Nelson on Nishioka.

2. Emperor's Cup - Round 1: Riki Ichiro beat Yuichi Miwa (11:17) with the Riki Lariat.

3. Emperor's Cup - Round 1: Sean King [SI] beat Tetsuji Kawamura (5:45) with the SK Driver.

4. Emperor's Cup - Round 1: Chikao Kessin beat Mamoru Sekishima (10:41) with the Sekai Ichi no Backdrop.

5. Emperor's Cup - Round 1: Kenji Tanamura beat Katsumi Gakusha [SI] (13:22) with a Hammerlock Front Sleeper.

6. Emperor's Cup - Round 1: TAKU beat Harumi Sakai (11:01) with the Choujin Bomber

7. Emperor's Cup - Round 1: Yujiro Higuchi beat Go Taniguchi (9:23) with a Powerbomb.

8. Emperor's Cup - Round 1: Seiji Ebisawa [SI] beat Masafuji Yoshida (10:32) with a Sleeper hold.

9. Emperor's Cup - Round 1: Naoki Fukuda beat Kazuma Fujita (14:39) with the Mastodon Crash.