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Thanks! Funnily enough this is the first time I have tried to generate a female render, because I needed it for the awards.

p { margin:0; padding:0; line-height: 1em; } SGM POWER RUSH SERIES March - April 2022 | Highlights shown on Shogun TV as 'SGM BIG Fight!' Winter has passed, snow has melted and Japan gradually transitions into the cherry blossom season after the Vernal Equinox Day. Traditionally, this time of the year symbolizes change and new beginnings. In the Super Grand Melee of Spring 2022, a new phase of Destiny Masters' dominance is emerging. Having won both tournaments of the company in the previous year and currently holding two titles since February, the Japanese National Championship and the Strongest Heavyweight Championship, the group has successfully reclaimed their position at the top of the league. Haranobu Kobayashi recently secured victory in the latest chapter of his ongoing rivalry with Avalanche Takano. In a press conference in March, the Destiny Masters leader shifted his attention to Hiroaki Nakasawa. While Kobayashi previously defeated Nakasawa in the Strongest Singles Grand Prix, he expressed his desire to face him again in a title match to redeem his past failure. Nakasawa eagerly accepted the opportunity to challenge for the league's most prestigious belt. Throughout the tour, the four-time Burning World Champion maintained his appearance of a seasoned competitor, yet observers noted a noticeable decline in his fire and fighting spirit compared to his debut in SGM a year ago, raising doubts about his ability to perform at his peak once again. Still, a superstar like him is never to be underestimated. Elsewhere, discussions arose regarding the first defense of the IPWA International Heavyweight Title. Dread's side proposed holding the first title defense in Texas as part of a Titan Pro Wrestling show. However, Motoichi Arakida, growing impatient with the conflicts that led to the introduction of the new belt and the establishment of the IPWA umbrella organization, objected to this plan. Eventually, both parties agreed to allow the champion to choose his first challenger. Burt Hudson selected Bam Bam Bundy from his faction, Kurofune. Bundy stated his respect for the "Doctor Of Pain" but vowed to leave no prisoners in a title match. Consequently, the gaijin participants in the POWER RUSH SERIES were mostly busy with themselves, leading to a sigh of relief from the Young Lions taking over the ring crew duties. Following his decisive loss to Haranobu Kobayashi and subsequent title loss, Avalanche Takano opted for a temporary strategic retreat from the spotlight to lick his wounds and regroup. Throughout March and April, various factions of SGM extended offers to him to join their ranks, yet Takano has yet to make a decision. During the tour, he occasionally supported Hiroaki Nakasawa and Oda Yakuta against the Destiny Masters and loosely teamed up with Yasuhiko Taira. Yakuta has successfully positioned himself for a shot at the Japanese National Title, currently held by BRUTE Kikuchi. Known for his imposing presence, he has often appeared somewhat out of place within his former group, the Most Violent Players. His fighting style has little resemblance to traditional MMA techniques; instead, Yakuta embodies the classic, lumbering heavyweight favored by Motoichi Arakida. Since parting ways with the Most Violent Players, Yakuta has been gaining traction, both in singles competition and as a tag team alongside MUSCLE Serizawa. His upcoming title shot marks his first major singles match in SGM. SGM POWERVISION 2022 Iwate, Japan - 10.04.2022 Attendance: 1.000, shown on Shogun TV Show Rating: [68] MUSCLE Serizawa, Taiji Chajima, Shogo Awatari & Kawanari Enomoto defeated Kimitada Yanagita, Shigemori Koruba, Toyotomi Hirota & Kamatari Kamohara (12m07s) with the Lariat from Serizawa to Kamohara [34] ★¾ Ox Mastadon & Animal Harker defeated Ryobe Uno & Akira Arato (14m25s) with the Ten Ton Splash from Mastadon to Arato [51] ★★½ Fuyuhiko Wakabayashi, Kyuichi Matsumoto, Eikichi Itou & Isoruko Arakaki defeated Hiroshi Morisue, Battle Sakata, Koichi Kajiwara & Kimi Kawano (22m13s) with the Arakaki Spike from Arakaki to Sakata [61] ★★★ SGM Japanese National Championship: BRUTE Kikuchi © defeated Oda Yakuta (16m54s) with the Lariat [61] ★★★ - 2ND DEFENSE - Avalanche Takano & Yasuhiko Taira defeated BISON Yano & Shozo Furuta (22m16s) with the Mountain Takano from Takano to Furuta [66] ★★★¼ IPWA International Heavyweight Championship: Burt Hudson © defeated Bam Bam Bundy (25m29s) with the Backdrop Driver [77] ★★★¾ - 1ST DEFENSE - SGM Strongest Singles Championship: Haranobu Kobayashi © defeated Hiroaki Nakasawa (29m26s) with the Northern Lights Bomb [69] ★★★½ - 1ST DEFENSE - In the aftermath of Burt Hudson's successful title defense against Bam Bam Bundy, even Motoichi Arakida had to admit, that this match had everything he was looking for in Japanese heavyweight wrestling. While on a personal level the two gaijin remain disliked by the Japanese audience, they certainly earned a lot of respect that evening on a technical basis in what some consider the best match of Super Grand Melee so far.

Thanks for the kind words!

SGM MUSCLE DESTINY SERIES January - February 2022 | Highlights shown on Shogun TV as 'SGM BIG Fight!' The new year has commenced, and the victor of the Strongest Singles Grand Prix has been determined: Haranobu Kobayashi, the leader of Destiny Masters, clinched the tournament victory. His resurgence to former prowess was remarkable, as he did not drop a single match out of 11 in the entirety of the bout. Moreover, he managed to best the reigning champion, Avalanche Takano, in the final showdown. Kobayashi now enters their match for the Strongest Heavyweight Title with a slight edge, given his undefeated streak. However, the score between the two stands at an even one-to-one, as Takano once dethroned his former leader at MUSCLEBOUND. MACHO KINGDOM not only marks a crucial night for Kobayashi personally but also for the Destiny Masters project as a whole. Should he falter against Takano, it might prompt other group members to question their ability to carry the company forward in this constellation. Takano, unaffiliated, encountered the full force of Destiny Masters during the tour, receiving support from various quarters - both Hiroaki Nakasawa and Yasuhiko Taira, as well as the OCEANERS, backed him, ensuring numerical balance in the numerous multi-man matches. However, come the big event, Takano will have to rely solely on his own strength. Apart from the tournament finale, DREAMSTAGE II was also a night of title changes. Inejiro Yoshizawa and Noritoshi Miura secured the Strongest Tag Team Titles, achieving a historic feat as the first tag team to simultaneously hold belts from SGM and BCG. Given the tight contest, both teams have agreed to a rematch at MACHO KINGDOM, a decision announced and promoted during the initial press conference. Additionally, the Japanese National Title changed hands on New Year's night, as BRUTE Kikuchi triumphed over Yasuhiko Taira. However, no rematch is slated. Instead, Kikuchi intends to put the belt on the line against none other than his longtime tag team partner and close confidant, BISON Yano. The Destiny Masters duo has had encounters in the past, albeit never at SGM and never for a title. The members of Kurofune seem to have gained considerable confidence following Burt Hudson's victory over Morgan Murray. Their reign of terror both inside and outside the ring was palpable again during the MUSCLE DESTINY SERIES and is gradually becoming overwhelming. Especially the Young Lions, who traversed the audience during shows to collect donations for the injured Kuniyoshi Kawamura, found their efforts obstructed and were attacked. Once again, the STRONGARMS bravely stood up to the gaijin. However, their impact seems to be waning, while the Kurofune have noticeably improved in the ring and now exhibit greater coordination. It appears they now recognize IPWA International Heavyweight Champion Burt Hudson as their leader. Akira Arato and Ryobe Uno have been teaming up more frequently since their return from an excursion to Mid Atlantic Wrestling. Apparently, they have developed good chemistry during their time in the USA. Throughout the tour, they primarily faced off against the relatively new duo of Oda Yakuta and MUSCLE Serizawa. SGM MACHO KINGDOM 2022 Iwate, Japan - 06.02.2022 Attendance: 1.000, shown on Shogun TV Show Rating: [71] Shozo Furuta & Taiji Chajima defeated Hiroaki Nakasawa & Shigemori Koruba (13m24s) with the Ream Stream from Furuta to Koruba [51] ★★½ Oda Yakuta, MUSCLE Serizawa, Shogo Awatari & Kawanari Enomoto defeated Akira Arato, Ryobe Uno, Toyotomi Hirota & Kamatari Kamohara (15m09s) with the Muscle Buster from Serizawa to Arato [47] ★★½ Burt Hudson, Bam Bam Bundy, Ox Mastadon & Animal Harker defeated Hiroshi Morisue, Battle Sakata, Koichi Kajiwara & Kimi Kawano (15m33s) with the Moonsault from Bundy to Kajiwara [59] ★★★ Yasuhiko Taira defeated Isoruko Arakaki (13m59s) with the Flattener [55] ★★¾ SGM Japanese National Championship: BRUTE Kikuchi © defeated BISON Yano (22m16s) with the Lariat [69] ★★★½ - 1ST DEFENSE - SGM Strongest Tag Team Championship: Inejiro Yoshizawa & Noritoshi Miura © defeated Fuyuhiko Wakabayashi & Kyuichi Matsumoto (31m59s) with the Storm Rider from Miura to Matsumoto [73] ★★★¾ - 1ST DEFENSE - SGM Strongest Singles Championship: Haranobu Kobayashi defeated Avalanche Takano © (34m18s) with the Kobayashi Plunge [73] ★★★¾ - TITLE CHANGE! -

2021 END OF THE YEAR AWARDS THE JAPANESE WRESTLING YEAR IN REVIEW MOST VALUABLE PLAYER EMERALD ANGEL Burning Hammer Of The Wrestling Gods For almost 2½ years now, the Emerald Angel has been a standout performer in BHOTWG, earning the title of not only the company's top wrestler but also Japan's undisputed #1! Throughout the year, this masked marvel delivered a string of classic matches. We extensively covered his victory in the Best Of The Super Juniors XXII back in July, where he triumphed over his longtime rival, Sensational Dragon, in the finals. Equally impressive was his win in the Three Way Dance against Sensational Dragon and MYSTIC Dragon, along with his series of matches against Hachigoro Maeda. However, the pinnacle of his career thus far was undoubtedly in May at Sword Of Destiny, where he crafted a timeless classic (with none other than Sensational Dragon) that will be remembered for ages to come (more on that below). As a reward for his efforts, the former WLW star now leads his own faction - The Coalition - since September. The only question remaining is when the Emerald Angel will finally add the BHOTWG Junior Heavyweight Title to his collection. BEST FOREIGN WRESTLER MATTHEW KEITH Burning Hammer Of The Wrestling Gods As for the Best Foreign Wrestler of the year, it could only be Matthew Keith! The offspring of the legendary Sam Keith has been in Japan since 2014, meticulously groomed by BHOTWG as if he were one of their own. While 2020 marked his breakout year, 2021 solidified his ascent to the top. At Inferno Of Purity, Keith delivered a sensational, cutting-edge match against Heihachiro Sakai, becoming the first gaijin in 15 years (since Bruce The Giant) to capture the Burning World Championship! His nearly 40-minute clash with tag team partner Tatsuya Toshitara and the high-drama encounter with Kinnojo Horri in August also etched his name in the history books. BEST TAG TEAM ATSUMORI TAKEMURA & RYUSHI SATO Burning Hammer Of The Wrestling Gods Now, onto a slightly daring pick - but dear readers, in this case, you'll have to trust us. Atsumori Takemura and Ryushi Sato seem to have finally found their niche in tag team wrestling in 2021. Their prolonged feud with Senmatsu-gun and matches against Matthew Keith and Tatsuya Toshitara stirred up quite a buzz in spring. Then, in October, they rightfully reclaimed the BHOTWG World Tag Team Titles after a hard-fought battle against Nissho Yuasa and Hirokumi Saito. Granted, Takemura and Sato may not be the best duo ever, but the competition this year wasn't particularly strong either (Yes, we're talking about you, Seiji Jimbo and Sozen Ishinomori - like, really, PGHW? How do those two even fit together?) BEST COMPANY BURNING HAMMER OF THE WRESTLING GODS The undisputed leader retains its title once again - Burning Hammer Of The Wrestling God secures the Best Company award for another year. Under the guidance of CEO Tetsuzan Kaneko, the company continues to rake in record profits, particularly through increased merchandising revenue. BHOTWG's evolution continues steadily, keeping its product consistently unpredictable and fresh. With Matthew Keith holding the title, it marks the first time in many years that a foreigner has held the championship. And why our author and longtime market observer Junnosuke now refers to BHOTWG as a junior wrestling company can be found on page 34 of this issue. BEST MATCH SENSATIONAL DRAGON VS EMERALD ANGEL BHOTWG Sword Of Destiny, May 2021 Now, as promised earlier, let's delve into the match of the year for 2021! And unsurprisingly, it involves none other than the Emerald Angel and the Sensational Dragon once again. Before a fervent crowd of approximately 48,000 in Ōtsu, these masked warriors engaged in a century-defining clash that will be etched into the annals of Japanese pro wrestling history. The 29-minute showdown had everything a junior wrestling fan could desire, including an ultra-tight finish, with Sensational Dragon coming out on top. BEST SHOW BHOTWG SUMMIT CHALLENGE VI August 2021 While one might think Sword Of Destiny would take the crown for the best show of the year, that's not the case. Instead, after much deliberation, our editorial team selected Summit Challenge VI, which boasted a significantly more refined lineup and several top-notch matches. There was Matthew Keith's and Kinnojo Horri's modern classic heavyweight wrestling match for the BHOTWG World Title. Then, there was the finest junior action in the match between Sensational Dragon & MYSTIC Dragon against Marihito Masuko & Emerald Angel. Last but not least, Tatsuya Toshitara and Ieyoshi Shimakage delivered an extremely memorable showdown, showcasing that PGHW doesn't hold the monopoly on mat wrestling. Overall, it was a well-rounded, diverse card that kept us thoroughly entertained. BEST ROOKIE DAIGO GOYA Pride Glory Honor Wrestling Now, a slight cheat, but for the best rookie, we've chosen Daigo Goya, even though he hasn't wrestled a single match on Japanese soil this year. Yet, what this young, highly talented technician delivered at Total Championship Wrestling was commendable! His series of matches against Greg Gauge are already well-known among insiders. Equally impressive were his encounters with Aaron Andrews, Wolf Hawkins, and his PPV match against Scythe in June. We say: keep an eye on this lad! While BHOTWG may dominate the present, PGHW is focusing on the future. BEST FEMALE WRESTLER SHIORI JIPPENSHA 5 Star Supreme Wrestling What more can one say about her? A five-time 5SSW World Champion (her current reign began in October 2020 and is still going strong), the epitome of "Excellence Of Execution," and as beautiful as she is dangerous. Shiori Jippensha remains the top female Japanese wrestler, and we're not sure if that will change anytime soon. BEST TECHNIQUE MASARU UGAKI Pride Glory Honor Wrestling In Japanese pro wrestling circles, they say BHOTWG has the best show, but PGHW has the best wrestling! One reason for that remains Masaru Ugaki, who continued his rivalry with Kozue Kawashima in 2021, producing several top-tier matches. With his deep knowledge of catch style, pronounced psychology and methodology, and grappling and submission-based style, Ugaki can likely outwrestle any other wrestler in the world today. Notable this year was his clash of styles with the reigning PGHW Glory Crown Champion, Magnum Kobe, that we enjoyed a lot. MOST POPULAR WRESTLER EMERALD ANGEL Burning Hammer Of The Wrestling Gods This year's Most Valuable Player also happens to be the most popular wrestler of the year - Emerald Angel! His mask flies off the BHOTWG merchandise stands like hotcakes, and his appearances on mainstream Japanese TV have further boosted his popularity. Currently, his social media accounts boast the highest number of followers and he is definitely BHOTWG's money printing machine.

■ SUPER GRAND MELEE REPORTS RECORD TURNOUT | NEW HEIGHTS IN VIEWERSHIP AND FINANCIAL STABILITY During a press conference at their headquarters in Sendai, Super Grand Melee (SGM) reported record attendance and viewership numbers following their New Year's night event, DREAMSTAGE, broadcasted on Shogun TV. According to SGM owner Motoichi Arakida, the company has reached a stage where it can financially sustain itself without significant profits, maintaining a conservative approach to investment decisions. During the same conference, Arakida highlighted two notable incidents from the event. A dispute arose with Titan Pro Wrestling (TPW) concerning the TPW Heavyweight Title, which Burt Hudson won under regular rules from Morgan Murray at DREAMSTAGE. TPW’s owner Dread was reluctant to see the belt remain in Japan, even temporarily. To resolve the conflict, SGM and TPW agreed to establish the International Professional Wrestling Alliance (IPWA), under which a new title, the IPWA International Heavyweight Title, will be contested. Burt Hudson was named the first holder of this new title. However, TPW does not recognize the DREAMSTAGE match as a legitimate title change, maintaining that Morgan Murray remains the TPW Heavyweight champion. TPW will cover the costs of registering the new organization and purchasing the new belt. Arakida also provided an update on Kuniyoshi Kawamura, who was hospitalized following a botched move by Taiji Chajima, resulting in a broken neck. Kawamura's return to wrestling is uncertain, and he may face a lengthy recovery. SGM is currently raising funds to support his hospital care. Despite the severity of his injury, Kawamura remains optimistic about his recovery, expressing on his blog and social media that he intends to return eventually, even if it takes a year. ■ RETURN OF ARATO AND UNO | YOUNG WRESTLERS MATURED AT MID ATLANTIC WRESTLING Ryobe Uno and Akira Arato have returned from their year-long excursions at Mid Atlantic Wrestling, both appearing more mature and significantly heavier. Uno has gained noticeable weight, solidifying his status as a heavyweight. Arato sports a new mustache, adding to his older appearance. Both are eager to demonstrate their enhanced skills at the upcoming MUSCLE DESTINY SERIES. Meanwhile, Shuga Amano, Big Boss Urayama and Ritsu Ibata are set to depart with stints abroad, aiming to gain experience and maturity in challenging environments. Amano and Ibata will follow in Uno and Arato’s footsteps at Mid Atlantic Wrestling, while Urayama heads to the southern USA to join TPW amidst tense relations between the companies. ■ SGM WELCOMES TALENT FROM CHIBA | SHIGEMORI KORUBA JOINS AS YOUNG LION FROM EISUKE YOSHINOBU'S DOJO Super Grand Melee has inducted only one new Young Lion into their roster this year, Shigemori Koruba from Ichinomiya, Chiba. With a life spent near the coast, Koruba brings a unique blend of athleticism and fluid power to the wrestling world. A skilled surfer and swimmer, Koruba trained under Eisuke Yoshinobu at the Tokyo Wrestling Dojo and earned his spot in SGM. His in-ring style is fairly dynamic, featuring his signature finishing move, the Riptide Crash. SHIGEMORI KORUBA 20 years old | 184 cm, 105 kg | Ichinomiya, Chiba

SGM KINNIKU CLIMB SERIES November - December 2021 | Highlights shown on Shogun TV as 'SGM BIG Fight!' Once again, the wrestlers of Super Grand Melee (SGM) and the guests of the league embarked on the arduous Kinniku Climb, a journey that promised glory, honor and a place atop the heavyweight wrestling realm for its victor. Twenty men divided into two blocks, four semifinalists, two finalists and ultimately one champion. This ascent unfolded against the wintry backdrop of Japan, which experienced particularly heavy snowfall and a bitterly cold end to the year. Throughout the tour, the Young Lions of SGM faced the challenging task of guiding arriving spectators through snow-covered roads to parking lots and providing complimentary hot tea to warm them before the show. In Block A, the race for the top spots remained fiercely contested until the very end. Five men engaged in a heated battle for the semifinals: the reigning Strongest Heavyweight Champion Avalanche Takano, BRUTE Kikuchi, Burt Hudson, BCG guest Rokuemon Matsushita and the Japanese National Champion Yasuhiko Taira. Avalanche Takano, initially favored as the champion and last year's finalist, encountered a rocky start to the tournament. Despite solid victories against Oda Yakuta and Isoruko Arakaki, he faced a significant challenge in Shozo Furuta. The determined "Big Sho", who had replaced him at the Destiny Masters, sought to prove himself against Takano. Despite Furuta's fervor, Takano emerged victorious after a hard-fought battle. However, only two days later, Takano faced BRUTE Kikuchi from Furuta's group and fell to the brute force of the giant after just 18 minutes. SGM's commentators already began to doubt Takano's chances, recognizing the unforgiving nature of such tournaments. However, the champion rallied and, aside from a draw with Rokuemon Matsushita, secured consecutive victories, ultimately claiming the top spot with 15 points. The surprise standout of Block A was undoubtedly BRUTE Kikuchi, who performed exceptionally well last year and showed signs of solo success this year again. Like a bulldozer through the snow, the 140 kg powerhouse plowed through his opponents, garnering victory after victory, before it became evident, how unlucky the drafting of his opponents had been for him. Kikuchi had to face all his remaining direct competitors for the top spot in one series of matches. Initially, Kikuchi faced Hudson, resulting in a draw after they brawled outside the ring and were counted out. However, the altercation took its toll as Hudson targeted Kikuchi's leg with a chair, causing significant damage. Consequently weakened, Kikuchi suffered defeats to Matsushita and Taira in the following days, with the latter loss particularly frustrating him during a post-match interview. He ultimately finished at a respectable 13 points. Burt Hudson, on the other hand, faced defeats against Matsushita, Taira and Takano from the leading group, managing only a draw against Kikuchi. Nevertheless, he showcased his talent and prowess, disproving Dread's characterization of him and the rest of Kurofune as failures. Notably, Hudson decisively defeated the reigning TPW Heavyweight Champion, Morgan Murray, not only in their direct encounter, but also pulled ahead with 10 points, provoking Murray to challenge him to a rematch at DREAMSTAGE. The "Doctor Of Pain" first explained the rules to Murray on Japanese soil, which actually earned him a bit of recognition and sympathy from the Japanese audience for the first time - he had defeated Murray, so if there was to be a rematch, Murray should put his belt on the line. Said and done, the match was announced. Now, onto Yasuhiko Taira and guest star Rokuemon Matsushita. Similar to Kikuchi, these two behemoths bulldozed through most of their opponents. Before their direct encounter, both stood at 13 points. The one to advance was only determined on the last group day of Block A. Accordingly, it couldn't have been more exciting - and fittingly, the big men engaged in a match on equal footing, which ultimately ended in a draw via time limit. Therefore, the decision was made based on the shorter total duration of all victories, with Matsushita coming out on top. BRUTE Kikuchi seized the opportunity to challenge Taira to a match for his Japanese National Title at DREAMSTAGE, which Taira accepted. The race for the top spot in Block B proved to be somewhat less tight but no less thrilling. Four men essentially formed the leading pack, with Haranobu Kobayashi standing out, closing the tournament with a sensational perfect clean sheet and 18 points. As the leader of the Destiny Masters, Kobayashi noticeably regained his groove during the tour. Driven by the desire to seek revenge against his former right-hand man, Avalanche Takano, and reclaim the Strongest Heavyweight Title, even BISON Yano, Fuyuhiko Wakabayashi and Hiroaki Nakasawa couldn't match him in this edition of the tournament. Among these three, Yano performed the weakest, narrowly falling to Wakabayashi in a tightly contested, hard-hitting match, ultimately succumbing to the resilience of the OCEANERS' leader. Against Nakasawa, Yano's journey ended surprisingly after just 19 minutes, following two consecutive H-Bombs. Nonetheless, Yano delivered a strong tournament performance, though not as successful in the end as his long-time partner in Block A, BRUTE Kikuchi. Moving on to Fuyuhiko Wakabayashi and Hiroaki Nakasawa. The two men met for the second time, with their previous encounter in last year's tournament semifinals seeing Nakasawa's experience triumph over Wakabayashi's passionate drive. The platinum blonde Wakabayashi, known for his swimmer's physique and endless endurance, against Nakasawa, always smiling but extremely dangerous, a former BHOTWG World Champion and one of the country's greatest heavyweight legends. Their match exceeded the 29-minute mark, encompassing all the elements of a great fight - drama, passion, fighting spirit and intensity. In the end, Fuyuhiko Wakabayashi emerged as a worthy victor, securing his biggest singles victory yet with the Exploder and qualifying for the semifinals. Notable performances in this block also came from Bam Bam Bundy and Kyuichi Matsumoto, both engaging in exciting battles with the leading quartet and impressing throughout the tournament, despite falling short of advancing. Fittingly, their match against each other ended in a draw after 30 minutes. On Days #19 and #20 of the KINNIKU CLIMB SERIES, the semifinals took place. First, Avalanche Takano faced off against Fuyuhiko Wakabayashi in a showdown. The two men were by then already familiar with each other, having last met in January at MACHO KINGDOM to determine the next challenger for the Strongest Heavyweight Title. While Takano had previously held the upper hand, Wakabayashi had been making rapid progress since signing with Super Grand Melee. However, that final push for a major victory against the reigning champion remained elusive for Wakabayashi. Takano emerged victorious, with their match later being hailed by many insiders on the internet as one of the most intriguing matches of the year. Three days later came the second semifinal, garnering greater attention from the press due to the involvement of Black Canvas Grappling's guest star, Rokuemon Matsushita. While the first semifinal was relatively fast-paced and in that sense almost anomalous for SGM standards, the audience witnessed a methodical, slow-paced heavyweight wrestling match filled with hard strikes and thunderous lariats between Haranobu Kobayashi and Matsushita. The match, lasting a total of 27 minutes, was relatively short for an SSGP semifinal but packed a punch. Despite Matsushita's stellar performance, his journey came to an end against Kobayashi, who secured victory with a Northern Lights Bomb. A few days before the biggest SGM event of the year, the key figures gathered for a press conference. During this event, Motoichi Arakida announced that Fuyuhiko Wakabayashi and Kyuichi Matsumoto, both eliminated from the tournament, would defend their Strongest Tag Team Titles at DREAMSTAGE. Inejiro Yoshizawa and Noritoshi Miura were named as their opponents, the current holders of the BCG World Tag Team Titles. However, the match would not be a unification match; only the SGM belts would be on the line. SGM DREAMSTAGE II Ōsaki, Japan - 31.12.2021 Attendance: 1.196, shown on Shogun TV Show Rating: [74] BISON Yano, Shozo Furuta, Shuga Amano & Ritsu Ibata defeated Oda Yakuta, MUSCLE Serizawa, Toyotomi Hirota & Kamatari Kamohara (14m05s) with the Lariat from Furuta to Kamohara [47] ★★¼ TPW Heavyweight Championship: Burt Hudson defeated Morgan Murray © (18m36s) with the Oklahoma Stampede [58] ★★★ - TITLE CHANGE! - Hiroshi Morisue, Battle Sakata, Kuniyoshi Kawamura & Kimi Kawano defeated Big Boss Urayama, Taiji Chajima, Shogo Awatari & Kawanari Enomoto (6m41s) with the Kneebar from Kawamura to Chajima [45] ★★¼ Hiroaki Nakasawa, Eikichi Itou & Isoruko Arakaki defeated Bam Bam Bundy, Ox Mastadon & Animal Harker (17m09s) with the Itou Bomb from Itou to Mastadon [62] ★★★ SGM Japanese National Championship: BRUTE Kikuchi defeated Yasuhiko Taira © (18m17s) with the Kikuchi Crush [62] ★★★ - TITLE CHANGE! - SGM Strongest Tag Team Championship: Inejiro Yoshizawa & Noritoshi Miura defeated Fuyuhiko Wakabayashi & Kyuichi Matsumoto © (26m51s) with the Yoshizawa Bomb from Yoshizawa to Matsumoto [76] ★★★¾ - TITLE CHANGE! - SGM Strongest Singles Grand Prix II: Haranobu Kobayashi defeated Avalanche Takano (33m50s) with the Kobayashi Plunge [76] ★★★¾ Caught off guard by the title loss of Morgan Murray, an upset Dread said in a post-match interview, that Titan Pro Wrestling would dispute the result of the match and that according to them, there was no title change. The third match of the night involving the STRONGARMS and several Young Lions of the company was cut short due to an injury. Taiji Chajima dropped Kuniyoshi Kawamura unsafely on his neck. Kawamura was able to finish the match with a kneebar shortly after, but had to be taken out of the arena with a stretcher. The situation painfully resembled Koshiro Ino's potentially career-ending injury a few weeks back. Motoichi Arakida apologized for the interruption and promised to give an update regarding Kawamura's health status in the coming days. After the main event, the winner's ceremony was conducted by Motoichi Arakida and Eisuke Yoshinobu, who presented Haranobu Kobayashi with flowers, a ceremonial sword and the tournament trophy. As expected, Kobayashi couldn't wait to challenge Avalanche Takano for the Strongest Heavyweight Title. Their match would take place at MACHO KINGDOM in February next year. He thanked the audience and wished them a happy new year.

STRONGEST SINGLES GRAND PRIX 2021 - PREDICTION CONTEST Tournament Winner: Runner-up: Most Points (Group Stage): Will any wrestler end up with zero points? (Bonus point: If so, who?): Biggest Surprise: Biggest Upset:

STRONGEST SINGLES GRAND PRIX 2021 FIELD OF PARTICIPANTS According to Super Grand Melee, the biggest event of the year is just around the corner with the upcoming second edition of DREAMSTAGE. Consequently, throughout the KINNIKU CLIMB SERIES, the strongest pro wrestler on the planet is once again set to be determined. This served as reason enough for Motoichi Arakida to invite numerous journalists and reporters to the company grounds in Sendai, where a special press conference was held. Joining Arakida was Eisuke Yoshinobu, the Patron of the Strongest Singles Grand Prix. This year, 20 heavyweights are entering the competition for the tournament victory, prestige, fame, honour and of course, a shot at the Strongest Heavyweight Title, currently held by Avalanche Takano. Takano, unsurprisingly, is the favorite for the tournament victory among bookmakers, but he faces significant competition and has had no immediate support since his expulsion from the Destiny Masters. All four Destiny Masters - Haranobu Kobayashi, BISON Yano, BRUTE Kikuchi and Shozo Furuta - are, however, on the hunt for Takano and his belt this year, with Kobayashi in particular aiming to prove that he is still ahead of his former right hand. Also returning this year is last year's winner Hiroaki Nakasawa, who at the age of 44 continues to be not only one of the most popular wrestlers in SGM and even in Japan, but also consistently proves that he should not be underestimated. The same applies to the reigning Japanese National Champion Yasuhiko Taira, who announced with his recent title win that he could still go and would prove it if necessary. Completing the titleholders are the reigning Strongest Tag Team Champions Fuyuhiko Wakabayashi and Kyuichi Matsumoto from the OCEANERS group. Their time at SGM has been a story of continuous ascent and success, but can they now take the final step and reach for the ultimate gold? As if this year's lineup wasn't strong enough already, two outside guests are also joining the arduous Kinniku Climb. First, there's the charismatic Rokuemon Matsushita, sent as a guest by Black Canvas Grappling. The burly heavyweight brings plenty of tournament experience from numerous participations in the prestigious Yoshifusa Maeda Grand Prix, which he also won in 2019. Matsushita is considered one of the most feared and powerful wrestlers from Black Canvas Grappling. His appearance indicates a healthy, established collaboration between the two companies. The second guest was personally accompanied by the legendary big man Dread on his flight to Japan and to the press conference - it's none other than the reigning TPW Heavyweight Champion, the "Texas Hangman" Morgan Murray! The massive menacing brawler from Texas left the talking to Dread, who in a few cold words announced that Murray would accomplish in SGM what the other failures he had sent here had so far failed to do - which is to crush the Japanese competition and demonstrate that American wrestlers are the best in the world. Following his announcement, there was a commotion on stage as Burt Hudson and Bam Bam Bundy attempted to attack Dread and engaged in a scuffle with Murray, which was shortly thereafter subdued by numerous security personnel. The Strongest Singles Grand Prix operates as a round-robin tournament, featuring two blocks, each consisting of ten randomly assigned wrestlers. Block matches adhere to a strict 30-minute time limit, with victories earning 2 points, draws 1 point, and losses resulting in 0 points. Semi-final matchups pit the winner of Block A against the runner-up of Block B, and vice versa. The tournament culminates in the Grand Final, where the ultimate victors not only claim the tournament crown but also earn a coveted shot at the Strongest Heavyweight Championship. __________________________________________________ BLOCK A __________________________________________________ BLOCK B

SGM BRUTE STRENGTH SERIES September - October 2021 | Highlights shown on Shogun TV as 'SGM BIG Fight!' In the second year of Super Grand Melee, it seems that the BRUTE STRENGTH SERIES is being treated more as a secondary tour compared to the upcoming KINNIKU CLIMB SERIES. Nevertheless, there are some exciting developments here as well, which can already be seen as groundwork for the biggest SGM event of the year on New Year's Eve. For instance, at the pre-tour press conference, Avalanche Takano boldly accepted Burt Hudson's challenge for his Strongest Heavyweight Title. While Takano has increasingly stepped out of Haranobu Kobayashi's shadow and gained many fans throughout 2021, the "Doctor Of Pain" has also managed to draw attention to himself, albeit mostly garnering rejection from the audience. Both men are adept at ground fighting, grappling, and submissions, so their confrontation could also be a brisk match of wrestling. Their last one versus one encounter was in December 2020 during the Strongest Singles Grand Prix, where Takano narrowly emerged victorious. Since his expulsion from Destiny Masters, Takano, who is factionless, has mainly aligned himself with Hiroaki Nakasawa, Yasuhiko Taira, as well as Oda Yakuta, MUSCLE Serizawa and some younger wrestlers to face off against Hudson and the Kurofune. Particularly in collaboration with the former BHOTWG champions, the results have been very convincing, although not necessarily due to Takano alone. In a Six Man Tag Team Match between Takano, Yakuta, and Serizawa on one side, and Hudson, Mastadon and Bundy on the other, Hudson secured the direct pinfall against the champion with a resounding Backdrop Driver. September was, after a long time, a really good month for the STRONGARMS. From the group, Hiroshi Morisue and Battle Sakata managed to position themselves for a shot at the Strongest Tag Team Titles after delivering several commendable performances in matches against the OCEANERS. Kyuichi Matsumoto openly declared himself a big fan and admirer of Morisue, whom he first met during his brief time at WEXXV. He had a lot of respect for his opponents and expressed anticipation for the upcoming match. Another, perhaps crucial, showdown between Fuyuhiko Wakabayashi and Kyuichi Matsumoto against BRUTE Kikuchi and BISON Yano is thus postponed for now. Kikuchi and Yano focused entirely on integrating Shozo Furuta further into the Destiny Masters and supporting leader Haranobu Kobayashi in his preparation for the Strongest Singles Grand Prix. It was therefore a rare two months where the Destiny Masters were not at the center of attention. Kimi Kawano of the STRONGARMS also made headlines once again. The 29-year-old clashed multiple times with Kuniyoshi Kawamura in various multi-man matches, who is currently without a group after the dissolution of the Most Violent Players. Over the course of the tour, a sort of camaraderie developed between the two, prompting Kawano to suggest that Kawamura should join his faction. This direct invitation impressed the former MMA fighter, who is known as tough as nails, and he proposed that Kawano should face him in a singles match. If he could show him that the path of the STRONGARMS was the right one, he would consider joining the group. SGM STRONGHOLD 2021 Iwate, Japan - 10.10.2021 Attendance: 1.000, shown on Shogun TV Show Rating: [71] Kimitada Yanagita defeated Toyotomi Hirota (8m29s) with the Lariat [27] ★¼ Haranobu Kobayashi, BISON Yano, BRUTE Kikuchi & Shozo Furuta defeated Big Boss Urayama, Taiji Chajima, Shogo Awatari & Kawanari Enomoto (10m49s) with the Ream Stream from Furuta to Chajima [57] ★★¾ Hiroaki Nakasawa, Yasuhiko Taira & Shuga Amano defeated Ox Mastadon, Animal Harker & Bam Bam Bundy (19m31s) with the H-Bomb from Nakasawa to Harker [60] ★★★ Oda Yakuta & MUSCLE Serizawa defeated Eikichi Itou & Isoruko Arakaki (15m52s) with the Yak Bomb from Yakuta to Itou [54] ★★¾ Kuniyoshi Kawamura defeated Kimi Kawano (17m58s) with the Kawamura Knee Rush [51] ★★½ SGM Strongest Tag Team Championship: Fuyuhiko Wakabayashi & Kyuichi Matsumoto © defeated Hiroshi Morisue & Battle Sakata (16m34s) with the Matsumoto Murder Bomb from Matsumoto to Morisue [64] ★★★¼ - 2ND DEFENSE - SGM Strongest Heavyweight Championship: Avalanche Takano © defeated Burt Hudson (28m53s) with the Mountain Takano [73] ★★★¾ - 2ND DEFENSE - Following their match, albeit winning, Kuniyoshi Kawamura announced that he could see now what the STRONGARMS were all about, which according to him was a no nonsense attitude, toughness and fighting spirit. He agreed to join and expressed the wish, to team with Kimi Kawano in the future. In the post show press conference Kyuichi Matsumoto paid his respects to Hiroshi Morisue and Battle Sakata and thanked them for what he felt like was a great match.

SGM LIMIT BREAK SERIES July - August 2021 | Highlights shown on Shogun TV as 'SGM BIG Fight!' July of this year started with a slight rapprochement between Super Grand Melee (SGM) and Burning Hammer Of The Wrestling Gods (BHOTWG). SGM's owner, Motoichi Arakida, had a complex relationship with his former employer spanning back to his career-ending injury in October 2001. Following his injury and forced retirement in October 2001, he became a persona non grata due to his critical stance towards BHOTWG's constant shifts in direction and stylistic changes. However, two decades later, it seemed that old wounds were gradually healing. Former heavyweight stars of Japan's leading promotion, such as Hiroaki Nakasawa and Yasuhiko Taira, found a new home in SGM as they neared the end of their careers. Arakida also demonstrated a willingness to participate in BHOTWG's charity event for Koshiro Ino, a wrestler who was hospitalized due to a severe injury. This event, which also featured two matches from Ino's former employer Total Championship Wrestling (TCW), took place on July 3, 2021, in front of a sold-out crowd at the Athletic Stadium in Ino's hometown of Osaka. Symbolically, there was a gesture of goodwill between Motoichi Arakida and BHOTWG CEO Tetsuzan Kaneko. Legends, former colleagues and fans came together to support Ino, creating a vibrant atmosphere. SGM showcased its talent with two notable appearances: firstly, the young company presented the second match of the evening, where the Destiny Masters, comprising Haranobu Kobayashi, BISON Yano and BRUTE Kikuchi, emerged victorious against a team consisting of Hiroaki Nakasawa, Fuyuhiko Wakabayashi and Kyuichi Matsumoto. Secondly, SGM was represented in the co-main event of the show, a singles match for a newly introduced belt named the SGM Japanese National Championship. Connoisseurs immediately recognized it as a replica of the original BHOTWG World Title, first worn by Master Kitozon - a clear commitment from SGM to tradition and the heavyweight wrestling that once made BHOTWG great. In this match, the two founding members of the NEO group, aside from Koshiro Ino, faced each other: Yasuhiko Taira and Yasunobu Masuno. Taira made his entrance wearing the leather jacket typically associated with Ino, while Masuno even wore Ino's infamous cobra face paint. In the end, Taira emerged victorious and was crowned the first champion. The show concluded with a lengthy applause for Koshiro Ino and many well-wishes for his recovery. The remainder of July and August were dominated by the LIMIT BREAK SERIES, with Keiji Takeda making his debut at the commentary table. Takeda impressed as an announcer who had done his homework and was well-informed about the various actors at SGM. The focus of the tour remained on the expulsion of the reigning Strongest Heavyweight Champion, Avalanche Takano, from the Destiny Masters. The abrupt decision by Haranobu Kobayashi and the thin justification for Takano's expulsion left journalists and viewers unsatisfied. Nevertheless, the Destiny Masters refrained from further comment, declaring the matter closed, and focused on the ongoing tour. There, they clashed increasingly with the OCEANERS, whose Fuyuhiko Wakabayashi and Kyuichi Matsumoto had to defend their Strongest Tag Team Titles against BISON Yano and BRUTE Kikuchi at OVERPOWER. It became clear that the OCEANERS had become the premier group in the league alongside the Destiny Masters. The encounters between the two factions were always intense, characterized by great fighting spirit and enthusiasm. Newcomer Shozo Furuta had his first opportunity to showcase himself to the SGM audience; his style, somewhere between brutal powerhouse and patient brawler, fit well with the promotion's concept. At the pre-tour press conference, Yasuhiko Taira openly expressed his willingness to defend his newly won Japanese National Title against any contender willing to challenge him. Motoichi Arakida suggested giving someone a chance who had not been so much in the spotlight of singles competition thus far, calling on those to surpass themselves and make themselves noticed during the tour. Ultimately, his call was answered, especially by Kimi Kawano, the former hardcore specialist with distinctive tattoos all over his body. Kawano had made a name for himself since bulking up to light heavyweight and now had the opportunity to prevail on the big stage for the first time. The remaining members of the once Most Violent Players acted less decisively. The group officially disbanded after Morimasa Kato left the company for Pride Glory Honor Wrestling. At least by the end of the summer, none of the remaining men received offers to join another group. Oda Yakuta officially dissolved his team with Kimitada Yanagita following the split and announced his intention to collaborate with MUSCLE Serizawa instead. SGM OVERPOWER 2021 Iwate, Japan - 15.08.2021 Attendance: 1.000, shown on Shogun TV Show Rating: [72] Eikichi Itou, Isoruko Arakaki, Big Boss Urayama & Taiji Chajima defeated Shuga Amano, Ritsu Ibata, Shogo Awatari & Kawanari Enomoto (12m30s) with the Arakaki Spike from Arakaki to Enomoto [50] ★★½ Hiroshi Morisue, Battle Sakata & Koichi Kajiwara defeated Kimitada Yanagita, Oda Yakuta & MUSCLE Serizawa (14m43s) with the Lariat from Kajiwara to Yanagita [44] ★★¼ Ox Mastadon, Animal Harker & Bam Bam Bundy defeated Hiroaki Nakasawa, Toyotomi Hirota & Kamatari Kamohara (16m23s) with the Ten Ton Splash from Mastadon to Kamohara [53] ★★¾ Haranobu Kobayashi & Shozo Furuta defeated Inejiro Yoshizawa & Noritoshi Miura (21m31s) with the Ream Stream from Furuta to Yoshizawa [64] ★★★¼ SGM Japanese National Championship: Yasuhiko Taira © defeated Kimi Kawano (13m54s) with the Wrecking Ball [59] ★★★ - 1ST DEFENSE - Burt Hudson defeated Kuniyoshi Kawamura (19m21s) with the Gutwrench Power Bomb [62] ★★★ SGM Strongest Tag Team Championship: Fuyuhiko Wakabayashi & Kyuichi Matsumoto © defeated BISON Yano & BRUTE Kikuchi (33m43s) with the Japanese Ocean Cyclone Suplex from Wakabayashi to Kikuchi [74] ★★★¾ - 1ST DEFENSE - After his victory over Kuniyoshi Kawamura, Burt Hudson had some very impolite things to say about Japan and SGM in particular, before issuing a challenge to Avalanche Takano for the Strongest Heavyweight Title.

This looks amazing!

■ STAR WRESTLER'S TRAGIC INJURY | SGM CHAIR CONFIRMS TALKS WITH KOSHIRO INO BEFORE CAREER THREATENING INJURY In a recent interview with Pro Wrestling BUNKAI magazine, Super Grand Melee (SGM) Chairman Motoichi Arakida confirmed rumors of discussions with Koshiro Ino, a prominent star who was facing potential release from Burning Hammer Of The Wrestling Gods (BHOTWG) a few weeks ago due to a rejuvenation campaign. Ino, 44, a legendary figure in professional wrestling (both nationally and internationally), suffered an injury during a match at BHOTWG's INFERNO OF PURITY event. This injury, caused by a poorly executed Brainbuster from Tadakuni Toshusai, has cast doubt on his future in wrestling. The match was halted as Ino felt a complete loss of sensation from the neck down, necessitating his hospitalization. Doctors have diagnosed Ino with severe spinal cord trauma, making his return to the ring highly doubtful. He is expected to be bedridden for at least three months and may never walk again. In response, SGM plans to participate in a charity event initiated by BHOTWG, featuring stars from Total Championship Wrestling, with proceeds aiding Ino’s medical expenses. ■ DESTINY MASTERS' SHOCKING SWITCH | KOBAYASHI KICKS OUT TAKANO, INTRODUCES NEW MEMBER AMID CONTROVERSY Following the MUSCLEBOUND event, Haranobu Kobayashi shocked the Japanese wrestling community by abruptly dismissing Avalanche Takano from the Destiny Masters group. The decision, which reportedly angered teammates BISON Yano and BRUTE Kikuchi, overshadowed their victory at the Strongest Doubles Grand Prix. However, the team has since presented a united front, clarifying during a press conference that Takano’s dismissal was due to his failure to adhere to group protocols and his challenge to Kobayashi’s leadership. The Destiny Masters also introduced Shozo Furuta, a new member coming in from Pride Glory Honor Wrestling (PGHW). Known as "Big Sho", Furuta gained recognition for his size and brawling style, which contrasted with PGHW's technical focus. He was often compared to Kazushige Matsuki, as both men shared striking similarities in physique and style. Recently returning from an excursion in Switzerland, Furuta has now aligned with the Destiny Masters, echoing the group's foundational ethos of self-determination and their common PGHW background. ■ TALENT WARS ESCALATE BETWEEN SGM AND PGHW | HIGH-PROFILE EXCHANGES ROCK JAPANESE WRESTLING SCENE The hostility between Super Grand Melee (SGM) and Pride Glory Honor Wrestling (PGHW) has intensified with the latest talent exchanges. PGHW secured a three-year contract with Morimasa Kato, leader of SGM's Most Violent Players. His switch is marking a significant recruitment, making him the second steal from SGM following Sozen Ishinomori's move in the previous year. Kato's mixed martial arts (MMA) influenced style is expected to complement PGHW's roster well. In a somewhat surprising counter-move, SGM has recruited Keiji Takeda, one of Japan's most beloved announcers, from PGHW. Known as the "voice of PGHW" for his 20-year tenure, Takeda's departure reportedly stems from disagreements over appreciation and financial compensation. He will debut with SGM alongside Hiroya Iwamoto and Naizen Uboshita at the upcoming LIMIT BREAK SERIES, adding his distinctive commentary to their events.

SGM REAL MUSCLE SERIES May - June 2021 | Highlights shown on Shogun TV as 'SGM BIG Fight!' On a humid Friday evening in May, the Super Grand Melee launched its second flagship tournament in the history of the young company – the Strongest Doubles Grand Prix, celebrating heavyweight tag team wrestling. Once again, the event featured two highly competitive blocks and a notable absence from Haranobu Kobayashi and the reigning Strongest Heavyweight Champion, Avalanche Takano. The Destiny Masters' press statement on the matter was succinct, citing the duo's focus on their impending singles match, potentially occurring as early as MUSCLEBOUND. One might suspect that Kobayashi's desire for this match was stronger than Takano's, given that Takano's unexpected title win against Hiroaki Nakasawa was the catalyst for internal conflict. The two men reached the final of the first Strongest Doubles Grand Prix before Kobayashi's injury forced a late withdrawal from the tournament. With their absence from this year's event, the question loomed over the tournament of what the highly talented men could have achieved had they managed to reconcile their differences. Leaving the hypotheticals behind, let's delve into the tournament that has dominated the highlights broadcasted on Shogun TV throughout these two months. Block A proved to be the tighter, more thrilling block this year - and not because of the guest team consisting of Logan Wolfsbaine and his cousin James Diaz (son of Raymond Diaz, the two diamonds in the rough earned only one point through a draw against Kimitada Yanagita and Oda Yakuta, but showed promise and obvious potential for the future). No, rather, the race for the #2 spot remained intense until the final day of this block's tournament. There, Burt Hudson and Bam Bam Bundy faced off against Noritoshi Miura and Inejiro Yoshizawa, who were spared from injury this time and were able to showcase their skills. Both teams had 6 points at that time and engaged in an extremely intense duel full of hard maneuvers. Time flew by during this captivating matchup not only for the audience but also for the combatants in the ring, who were ultimately surprised by the ring bell, signaling the 30-minute mark and resulting in a draw. Thus, for the first time in an SGM tournament, a special case arose in determining the semi finalists. Two teams not only had the same number of points but also achieved a draw in their direct confrontation. In this case, the shorter total time that a team needed for its victories is considered the decisive criterion. Miura and Yoshizawa prevailed with a time of (43:52) over Hudson and Bundy (48:39). Disappointing for the members of Kurofune, who could expect little sympathy from the Japanese audience due to their poor behavior. As expected, the winners of Block A were the current holders of the Strongest Tag Team Titles, Fuyuhiko Wakabayashi and Kyuichi Matsumoto. In this tournament, the two talented men were able to shine and demonstrate their strength to the fullest. They finished the group stage with a perfect clean sheet. Their closest victory came against Hudson and Bundy, who held on for almost 28 minutes and threatened with an upset several times. An honorable mention from the block is certainly Hiroshi Morisue and Battle Sakata of the STRONGARMS. The old-timers earned 4 points and could be satisfied with their performances. Morisue also celebrated his 25th anniversary in professional wrestling in a special televised Six Man Tag Team Match, receiving many congratulations, flowers and a special appearance by Ryu Kajahara, who graced the commentator's booth and called the match. Switching scenes to Block B, which was clearer-cut this year than Block A. Special attention was paid to the pairs Hiroaki Nakasawa and Yasuhiko Taira and the previous year's winners, BISON Yano and BRUTE Kikuchi, from the outset. Both teams essentially cleared their competition as expected, with the Destiny Masters once again appearing very confident and downright dominant. The big showdown between the two combos took place on Day #8 and lasted a proud 26 minutes. After much hard-hitting action and even a brawl through the audience between Taira and Kikuchi, whose relationship was characterized by respect before, but on this evening, by much zeal and fire, Kikuchi and Yano ultimately prevailed after Taira fell victim to the Stereo Chokeslam. While the bond between Kobayashi and Takano may be tested, Yano and Kikuchi remain as solid as Himeji Castle. Three more teams achieved notable successes in this block. Firstly, Morimasa Kato and Kuniyoshi Kawamura, whose anticlimactic faux MMA style managed to surprise a few teams, including the former BHOTWG World Champions. Kato and Kawamura defeated Eikichi Itou and Isoruko Arakaki as well as Koichi Kajiwara and Kimi Kawano – only Animal Harker and Ox Mastadon had a countermeasure and thus limited the Most Violent Players to 5 points. Mastadon and Harker, in turn, achieved a draw against Itou and Arakaki. Indeed, the match seemed to be in favor of the Japanese duo until the insane Harker shifted the fight to the outside area, where the two teams were unable to be separated for minutes in a wild brawl, ultimately leading to a draw via countout. Chairs, tables, and Young Lions continued to fly afterward until the foreigners were finally brought under control. The weakest performance this year came from Kajiwara and Kawano, who simply had no luck and had to go home with 0 points. Kawano was repeatedly defended by the commentators, as he was experiencing a really good form after gaining weight. The first semifinal thus pitted Fuyuhiko Wakabayashi and Kyuichi Matsumoto against Hiroaki Nakasawa and Yasuhiko Taira. It was THE opportunity for the OCEANERS to finally prove that they could not only compete at the top but also win. In a passionate, extended match, they ultimately succeeded, defeating the BHOTWG stars and thus making it to the final of the Strongest Doubles Grand Prix for the second time in a row – and this time without any special circumstances. Semifinal #2 saw BISON Yano and BRUTE Kikuchi against the record BCG World Tag Team Champions Noritoshi Miura and Inejiro Yoshizawa. At DREAMSTAGE I, the Destiny Masters prevailed – and in June 2021, they did so again after Yoshizawa fell victim to the Yano Express, setting the stage for a rematch of last year's final between Kikuchi and Yano and Wakabayashi and Matsumoto. With both teams eager to claim victory, the stage is set for an intense showdown. SGM MUSCLEBOUND 2021 Iwate, Japan - 20.06.2021 Attendance: 1.000, shown on Shogun TV Show Rating: [70] Koichi Kajiwara defeated Taiji Chajima (9m55s) with the Running Tackle [33] ★¾ Morimasa Kato, Kuniyoshi Kawamura, Kimitada Yanagita, Oda Yakuta & Toyotomi Hirota defeated Hiroshi Morisue, Battle Sakata, Inejiro Yoshizawa, Noritoshi Miura & Kamatari Kamohara (16m06s) with the Knee Bar from Kawamura to Kamohara [51] ★★½ Hiroaki Nakasawa, Yasuhiko Taira, Shogo Awatari & Kawanari Enomoto defeated Eikichi Itou, Isoruko Arakaki, Big Boss Urayama & Shuga Amano (15m12s) with the H-Bomb from Nakasawa to Itou [54] ★★¾ Kimi Kawano defeated MUSCLE Serizawa (16m12s) with the Double Arm DDT [54] ★★¾ Burt Hudson & Bam Bam Bundy defeated Ox Mastadon & Animal Harker (18m49s) with the Oklahoma Stampede from Hudson to Mastadon [60] ★★★ SGM Strongest Heavyweight Championship: Avalanche Takano © defeated Haranobu Kobayashi (32m37s) with the Space Mountain Takano [72] ★★★½ - 1ST DEFENSE - SGM Strongest Doubles Grand Prix II: BISON Yano & BRUTE Kikuchi defeated Fuyuhiko Wakabayashi & Kyuichi Matsumoto (36m07s) with the Kikuchi Crush from Kikuchi to Matsumoto [72] ★★★½ Before the show officially started, a special announcement was made. For the first time ever, Super Grand Melee has managed to sell out the arena in Iwate, marking a milestone for the company. It took a while after the very exhaustive main event for both teams to get up to their feet again. The tournament winners ceremony was conducted by Motoichi Arakida and Eiji Hamacho, who brought the trophy as well as ceremonial swords and bouquets of flowers. The last word had BISON Yano and BRUTE Kikuchi, who challenged Wakabayashi and Matsumoto to a Strongest Tag Team Titles Match at OVERPOWER and thanked their fans and supporters. During the post show press conference it came to an eclat, when Haranobu Kobayashi singlehandedly made the decision to remove Avalanche Takano from the Destiny Masters, shocking the reigning Champion and overshadowing the success of his group mates Yano and Kikuchi.

STRONGEST DOUBLES GRAND PRIX 2021 - PREDICTION CONTEST Tournament Winners: Runners-up: Most Points (Group Stage): Will any tag team end up with zero points? (Bonus point: If so, who?): Biggest Surprise: Biggest Upset: