White Dolphin

<p></p><div style="text-align:center;"><p><strong>OOC SHOW NOTES:</strong></p></div><p></p><p></p><p> </p><p> -The booking for this tour has been really weird for whatever reason, as I'm once again struggling to get everyone their wins and stuff. Gonna re-think the entire process and maybe start making lists of who needs to win more than once on a given tour and go from there.</p><p> </p><p> -This is part of what really annoys me about face/heel alignment sometimes, because maybe you want to go heel/heel or face/face cause all your planned jobbers on a given side of the alignment are taken up elsewhere. Expect some local competitors to cameo on tour show #2 (which has had 5 different undercards in 5 test bookings. At least the main event will be great though, now that thats all figured out.)</p><p> </p><p> -I do sort of want a bigger roster, but I don't feel I'm a big enough company to justify it. (BCG is bigger than us and has 37 on their roster, and this is with TEW AI owner roster expansion logic.)</p><p> </p><p> -Ursula Saez is not as good as Queen Amazon, but she's serving her purpose I guess, and it's not like she'll go over anyone important (BTW, I'm considering Saez/Amazon as a team at some point, except they'd have to do jobs and that sucks)</p><p> </p><p> -Gamma War Unit have excellent random chemistry as a team, in case I forgot to mention that last tour. I like the both of them, but they don't have great top rows and Mio Takasu is running out of time.</p><p> </p><p> -Zofia's gonna start more of a singles deal, but I doubt she'll get to World title level anytime soon. It is time to de-couple her from Davis a bit though, more on that later. I liked Lethal Strike a lot more in TEW 2016, I feel like either Thea was better or the game treated her better. Their feud with Double Pink was their peak though, and it was an okay feud considering it got no promo time.</p><p> </p><p> -Yu Hashimoto's been in an interesting position for me in both 2016 and 2020. I feel like in 2020 she was 20 menace and 20 star quality away from being a top heel, but she started with the All-Asian belt and i believe was a recent winner, so she had to hang onto the belt for the same reasons that the Uprising had to hold onto their belts. So she got strong booking, ran Maki Yoshifumi out of the company, and then ended up basically being jobber to the stars. Here, she's being outshined by her partner on occasion due to her partner's legendary level gimmick and great momentum and right place in the right time-ness and general credibility upgrade, so shes the fall taker in that team, but can also cut a promo kinda so has to be the mouthpiece for Maki who cannot talk. Plus there's honestly at least 4 teams in this ridiculous-ass tag division that I like better (whether they ARE better is open for debate). So Yu, who might be the recipient of a push to some people in games where Maruya/Nakajima/Jippensha calcify quickly, ends up being in that weird midcard role where you lose to top people more than you win sometimes. It kinda sucks and is a bit of a waste of a good talent, but I'm telling a story here. Kinda.</p><p> </p><p> -I'm getting the feeling now that readers are not gonna like the direction that this Alicia Strong thing is heading. It might be a surprise, it might not, but I feel like a lot of people would do things differently given the setup I used to get her into the company, even if some of the on-screen results will be the same. Can't go into it more without spoiling things.</p><p> </p><p> -Pleasantly surprised at the co-main. Shocking story: Pinky Perez is a great wrestler. Having difficulties getting Sentinel over, but its a momentum thing, and that'll alleviate itself by the time Sentinel is needed (I hope).</p><p> </p><p> -This main event was not the one I came up with the first few times I've booked this card and seems sorta random and out of place. Re-reading it again I'm not sure why I had Nakajima get the hot tag, especially because this main event ripped off the finish a bit from the Torment and Sorrow/Croft six woman tag. Also, how did the Uprising end up doing a job here? Not even I know and I booked this. Ah well, kinda weird match, but it hopefully came off ok to the cyber people in the cyber venue.</p><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="49448" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>So Erin is still not going to get that many wins even in tag matches, though her stock is high enough that she is getting some offence in so face in peril before the hot tag, getting an early or late surge herself before taking the pin to protect her teammates is a pretty good gig for how long she's been doing this. Welcome to the midcard Erin. </div></blockquote><p> </p><p> I know card-rising is probably a bigger deal in the Japanese world but I assure you Erin being in the midcard today was accidental. Maybe could've flipped the TermiNation match but Gamma War Unit are unknown and not getting strongly pushed, plus the TermiNation are in a bit of a rough patch lately.</p><p> </p><p> </p><div style="text-align:center;"><p>---</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> <strong><span style="text-decoration:underline;">PREDICTION STANDINGS:</span></strong></p><p> </p><p> ampulator: 78/83</p><p> KyTeran: 60/76</p><p> Teasenityrn: 14/15</p><p> medla: 14/23</p><p> Mokoa: 10/16</p><p> joshbrady91: 8/8</p><p> Strech: 8/8</p></div><p></p><p></p><p> </p><p> -Backstage check-in on Sunday! Stay safe out there!</p>

<p></p><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="GYUe7nb.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/GYUe7nb.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><p> </p><p> <strong><span style="font-size:12px;">Shogun TV Presents:</span></strong></p><p><strong><span style="font-size:12px;"> 5SSW Wrestle Challenge Tour Night 1</span></strong></p><p><strong><span style="font-size:12px;"> Monday/Week 4/May/2020</span></strong></p><p><strong><span style="font-size:12px;"> Shohoku Academy Gymnasium</span></strong></p><p><strong><span style="font-size:12px;"> Kobe, Japan</span></strong></p><p> </p><p> ---</p><p> </p><p> <img alt="38BdHBV.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/38BdHBV.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p></div><p></p><p></p><p> </p><p> The show opens, as it generally does, with 5SSW VP Kaiya Kuwahara coming out to give the fans an update. She thanks them for their support on the prior tour and goes over business on this new one. Besides welcoming Alicia strong to the fold, there is the issue of the next World title match to deal with. At the final show of the Wrestle Challenge tour, there will be a 4-way scramble match for the World championship. It will be 30 minutes of free-for-all action, whoever gets the most pinfalls or submissions over the 30 minutes wins the match. Yuma Maruya is in as champion, and much to her chagrin, Fuyuko Higa is in as the first challenger, due to the fact she did kinda come close to winning the title. Two more spots will be contested for, and Kaiya will wheedle out contenders over the next few shows depending on who has the most impressive record. Kaiya encourages everyone in the company to go for it and put their best foot forward for a title shot, before handing the mic to the ring announcer and heading back down the entranceway. This was fine.</p><p> </p><p> </p><div style="text-align:center;"><p><em>Rating: 65</em></p><p> </p><p> ---</p><p> </p><p> <img alt="erAE3w5.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/erAE3w5.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> vs. <img alt="XdYX3Ot.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/XdYX3Ot.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p><p> </p><p> <strong>Ursula Saez vs. Rei Chikanatsu</strong></p></div><p></p><p></p><p> </p><p> Rei Chikanatsu makes a return looking for a contract again, but gets more than she bargained for with Saez. Early attempts at technique and working the leg are met with a vicious short knee to the face and laughter, and Saez is in business. Saez pounds unmercifully on Chikanatsu, throws her around the ring, destroys her with a lariat, and then sets up for the big one...... Leaping Side Suplex! That gets an easy 3 to start Saez off 1-0 in 5-Star with a watchable squash.</p><p> </p><p> </p><div style="text-align:center;"><p><strong>Result: Ursula Saez def. Rei Chikanatsu via pinfall at 5:33</strong></p><p> <em>Rating: 48</em></p><p> </p><p> ---</p><p> </p><p> <img alt="ZoM1wH5.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/ZoM1wH5.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p></div><p></p><p></p><p> </p><p> Fuyuko Higa cuts a promo in a shady area backstage. She's frustrated over the loss to Yuma Maruya, saying Maruya got lucky and played possum to beat her. But Higa knows that Maruya's played her one trick, and isn't talented enough to pin her again otherwise. The 4-way scramble is a cheap ploy to get Higa off her game by dealing with 3 opponents instead of 1, but it won't work. Higa will gain what is rightfully hers regardless of the world's machinations, and what is rightfully hers is the World championship.</p><p> </p><p> </p><div style="text-align:center;"><p><em>Rating: 66</em></p><p> </p><p> ---</p><p> </p><p> <img alt="xlNkAyS.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/xlNkAyS.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="fzlESSC.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/fzlESSC.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> vs. <img alt="AFBofo7.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/AFBofo7.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="tWGT8UZ.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/tWGT8UZ.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p><p> </p><p> <strong>Gamma War Unit (Kaori Takenouchi / Mio Takasu) vs. The TermiNation (Unstoppable Tai / Toku Kijmuta)</strong></p></div><p></p><p></p><p> </p><p> The Gamma War Unit come out in their usual outfits of military fatigues and eye black, looking ready for a battle, and they get one. Unstoppable Tai is not in a happy mood today, and takes out her aggression on the military-themed duo early.</p><p> </p><p> Surprisingly, the Gamma War Unit weather a fair amount of punishment at the start instead of folding instantly under pressure, and they manage to fight back a bit. Tai gets angrier about that, but that leaves her open to taking a big backdrop driver from Kaori Takenouchi that gets some approval from the crowd, as Tai rarely leaves her feet for anything</p><p> </p><p> Gamma War Unit keep fighting hard after that, but the TermiNation manage to find a way to prevail. Kijmuta takes the Headshot (Yakuza Kick) from Takasu, but Tai's the legal woman, and she bundles Takasu out of the ring. Takenouchi tries to take out Tai with a running shoulderblock, but Tai stuffs it and crushes Takenouchi with the Tai Bomber (Double-Handed Choke Bomb) for the 3 count. Not a bad effort from the Gamma War Unit though.</p><p> </p><p> </p><div style="text-align:center;"><p><strong>Result: The TermiNation def. the Gamma War Unit via pinfall at 10:35 (Tai pins Takenouchi)</strong></p><p> <em>Rating: 57</em></p><p> </p><p> ---</p><p> </p><p> <img alt="wQ9Yzya.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/wQ9Yzya.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> vs. <img alt="BjC1KJ8.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/BjC1KJ8.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p><p> </p><p> <strong>Zofia Jankovic vs. Yukiko Matsumara</strong></p></div><p></p><p></p><p> </p><p> A surprisingly decent match, using a rip-off version of some of the Yoshifumi All-Asian title defenses over the past few months. Jankovic's striking proves largely superior to Matsumara's speed in bursts, but there are moments when Matsumara rallies the crowd behind her.</p><p> </p><p> One such moment comes when Jankovic unleashes a brutal kick combo complete with soccer kicks, only for Matsumara to weather the storm, picks one kick, and manages to trip Jankovic and send her to the outside, following it up with a big dive over the ropes that almost sends Jankovic and Matsumara tumbling into the crowd.</p><p> </p><p> Matsumara tries to follow that up, hauling Jankovic into the ring, hitting a sequences of dropkicks and headscissors, before going up for the Matsumara Press (Twisting Moonsault Press), only for Jankovic to sidestep it and send Matsumara crashing and burning. Jankovic hits a Spinning Back Kick to the body, then hauls Matsumara up for the Demon's Bane (Go 2 Sleep), connecting the knee right on the button for the 3 count. Energetic little undercard match here!</p><p> </p><p> </p><div style="text-align:center;"><p><strong>Result: Zofia Jankovic def. Yukiko Matsumara via pinfall at 10:41</strong></p><p> <em>Rating: 61</em></p><p> </p><p> ---</p><p> </p><p> <img alt="zUFAzFy.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/zUFAzFy.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p></div><p></p><p></p><p> </p><p> Yu Hashimoto checks in via promo next. She admits its been a frustrating up-and-down year for her, but she plans to turn things around with something big on this tour. Perhaps it'll be a title, perhaps it'll be taking down a big name to cap off the tour. In the meantime, her friend Maki Yoshifumi will defend her All-Asian title and prove she the most dangerous woman in Japan, and tonight they'll cut the careers of their young gaijin opponents short before they become a problem.</p><p> </p><p> </p><div style="text-align:center;"><p><em>Rating: 59</em></p><p> </p><p> ---</p><p> </p><p> <img alt="Ut6aCND.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/Ut6aCND.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="zUFAzFy.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/zUFAzFy.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="K34xbzQ.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/K34xbzQ.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> vs. <img alt="nr0H7y3.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/nr0H7y3.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="kEWkdko.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/kEWkdko.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="mzVF5wy.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/mzVF5wy.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p><p> </p><p> <strong>Paige Croft / Yu Hashimoto / Maki Yoshifumi vs. Erin Marcelin / Ava Anderson / Lily Snyder</strong></p></div><p></p><p></p><p> </p><p> Well Torment and Sorrow don't cut any careers short, but they do beat the crap out of their opponents at various points. Synchro Wave show good teamwork as usual, and Marcelin is slowly becoming a bit less of a pushover to the veterans.</p><p> </p><p> The gaijin trio try hard, but end up being no match long-term for the veteran team's refined technique combined with some unrefined brutality. Torment and Sorrow take care of Synchro Wave on the outside, isolate Erin Marcelin in the ring, and hit her with The Affliction (Thunder Valley), only for Paige Croft to sneakily blind tag Yoshifumi and steal the pin from her. Torment and Sorrow aren't particularly pleased about that one, but they still get on the winning team nonetheless.......</p><p> </p><p> </p><div style="text-align:center;"><p><strong>Result: Team Tormenting You def. Team Gaijin via pinfall at 9:37 (Croft pins Marcelin)</strong></p><p> <em>Rating: 57</em></p><p> </p><p> ---</p><p> </p><p> <img alt="yTxuXfo.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/yTxuXfo.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p></div><p></p><p></p><p> </p><p> Next up we get a well-done video package, breaking down Alicia Strong's career and containing some highlights from a press conference she did fresh off the plane from America. Strong says that, like her father before her, she's happy to spread her wings and fly outside of America, and is keen on testing the best in Japan for the very first time. Strong aims to be successful, and says she will add to her family's legacy with her own special touches (with highlights showing her using high-flying and technique, constrasting with her father's straight-forward showman brawling.). Alicia welcomes any and all challengers from the 5-Star ranks, and says she'll blow by all of them to get to the top of the ladder.</p><p> </p><p> </p><div style="text-align:center;"><p><em>Rating: 67</em></p><p> </p><p> ---</p><p> </p><p> <img alt="yTxuXfo.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/yTxuXfo.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> vs. <img alt="gUw5uvp.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/gUw5uvp.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p><p> </p><p> <strong>Alicia Strong vs. Thea Davis</strong></p></div><p></p><p></p><p> </p><p> There is some real buzz for this match. Alicia comes out looking all business, and Davis lunges at her from the opening gong to get the pace of the match right away. Alicia sidesteps the lunge and plays matador with Davis for a little while, before taking her completely apart with superior athleticism and technique.</p><p> </p><p> Davis tries to use her size and some down-and-dirty catch wrestling to keep Alicia down, and it fails. Alicia wrestles as if she's seen this all before, countering about 60% of what Davis throws at her and sidestepping any desperate high-risk moves. Alicia ends the match swiftly by hitting a gorgeous middle rope rebound twisting dropkick on Davis right to the teeth, and while a dazed Davis makes it back to her feet, Alicia revs up the crowd for the big one....... Strong Arm Tactic (High-Impact Running Elbow to the Temple)! That gets an easy 3 to start Alicia Strong off with a win in 5 Star!</p><p> </p><p> </p><div style="text-align:center;"><p><strong>Result: Alicia Strong def Thea Davis via pinfall at 6:21</strong></p><p> <em>Rating: 59</em></p><p> </p><p> ---</p><p> </p><p> <img alt="7aqiaVS.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/7aqiaVS.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="4LKURYk.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/4LKURYk.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="mXmc58q.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/mXmc58q.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> vs. <img alt="etOqb5w.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/etOqb5w.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="lL30Zqr.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/lL30Zqr.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="JGHhvtW.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/JGHhvtW.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p><p> </p><p> <strong>Simony Sentinel / Mystery Pink / Pinky Perez vs. Lady Lotus / Kaede Sugiyama / Kinuye Mushashibo</strong></p></div><p></p><p></p><p> </p><p> Sentinel with Double Pink makes a bit of sense in terms of similar colour schematic, but Sentinel's disposition doesn't necessarily jive with Double Pink. Nonetheless, the team does work together okay in an odd couple fashion. Which is more that can be said for Lady Lotus with the Stone Soldiers, whio do not work together well and cannot show the slightest bit of positive cooperation thanks to Lotus's antics. The Stone Soliders try to wrestle their own way, but Lotus keeps butting in with surprise tags and ruining things.</p><p> </p><p> Pinky Perez really steps her game up in this match while everyone fades into the background, wiping out all three members of the opposition with a cannonball dive, then getting back up on the apron and doing a middle rope Moonsault onto the pile. Perez is here, there and everywhere throughout, a dynamo of energy, and the crowd appreciates the effort.</p><p> </p><p> The Lotus and Stone Soliders team eventually completely disintegrates before the viewers eyes, and mis-communicate a simple double clothesline that ends up missing Mystery Pink entirely. Pink suplexes Mushashibo and Lotus, knocks a recovering Sugiyama off the apron, and tags in Perez for the Twisting Crossbody/Vertical Suplex combo on Lady Lotus for the win in a surprisingly watchable co-main.</p><p> </p><p> </p><div style="text-align:center;"><p><strong>Result: Team Pink def. Team Stone Lotus via pinfall at 12:12 (Perez pins Lotus)</strong></p><p> <em>Rating: 64</em></p><p> </p><p> ---</p><p> </p><p> <img alt="ytBvNDA.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/ytBvNDA.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="Tlz7Qa6.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/Tlz7Qa6.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="sJhu7eb.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/sJhu7eb.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p></div><p></p><p></p><p> </p><p> Before the main event we get quick little promos from Shiori Jippensha, Megumi Nakajima, and MAYA. The first two are focused on the World title chase, while MAYA wants a piece of the Triangle champion's partner Romi Yamato.</p><p> </p><p> </p><div style="text-align:center;"><p><em>Rating: 49</em></p><p> </p><p> ---</p><p> </p><p> <img alt="z4uBriK.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/z4uBriK.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="UqJvBag.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/UqJvBag.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="NrU6NiP.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/NrU6NiP.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> vs. <img alt="ytBvNDA.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/ytBvNDA.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="Tlz7Qa6.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/Tlz7Qa6.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="sJhu7eb.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/sJhu7eb.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p><p> </p><p> <strong>Romi Yamato / Talia Quinzel / Selina Svelte vs. Shiori Jippensha / Megumi Nakajima / MAYA</strong></p></div><p></p><p></p><p> </p><p> A surprisingly good six woman tag main event, as it comes off well and important even without Maruya and Higa involved. All six women seem to have something to prove, and a good match is the result.</p><p> </p><p> The power and size of Yamato and Quinzel enable them to control early, with Svelte doing hit-and-run tactics when needed to keep control. Jippensha, Nakajima, and MAYA fight back with technique, whatever suplexes they can muster, persistence, and working the leg to take out the base, as is expected from them in these matches.</p><p> </p><p> Jippensha takes over the match singlehandedly in the middle section, handing suplexes and backdrop drivers out to everyone and clearing the ring. Unfortunately an unwelcome guest appears as Jippensha is building momentum: Fuyuko Higa. Higa pops right up at ringside with a chair and a security detail in tow and takes a seat ringside, rooting Jippensha on. This throws Jippensha off a bit, causing her to fight more aggressively and leave more openings, as noted by Umeko Karube on commentary.</p><p> </p><p> Eventually, Higa's seen enough and blows a kiss to Jippensha from ringside before exiting, but now the pendulum has swung back to the Uprising and Yamato team. MAYA tries to mount an offensive, only for Quinzel to powerbomb her way out of a Triangle Choke attempt and work her over with quick tags. MAYA does get fired up against Romi Yamato though, and manages to duck a wild lariat and make the big tag to Nakajima! Flying Forearm! Wheel Kick! Hurricanrana! Nakajima blasts both member sof the Uprising off the apron, and hits the Exploder Suplex on Romi Yamato!</p><p> </p><p> Jippensha is now on the apron begging for a tag, and Nakajima shrugs and obliges. Execution Day (Scoop Brainbuster) on Yamato! 1......2.......3! Good win for the face trio!</p><p> </p><p> </p><div style="text-align:center;"><p><strong>Result: Team Jippensha def. Team HellRising via pinfall at 19:31 (Jippensha pins Yamato)</strong></p><p> <em>Rating: 76</em></p><p> </p><p> ---</p><p> </p><p> <strong><span style="font-size:12px;">OVERALL SHOW RATING: 73</span></strong></p><p><strong> ATTENDANCE: 357</strong></p></div><p></p><p></p>

Shogun TV Presents: 5SSW Wrestle Challenge Tour Night 1 Monday/Week 4/May/2020 It's underway! 5SSW's run of greatness in 2020 continues with the first night of the Wrestle Challenge tour, coming from Shohoku Academy Gymnasium in Kobe, Japan! After the shock signing of a women's wrestling legend, the landscape in 5SSW is sure to start changing, heading into the J Grand Prix and the next edition of JoshiMania! Our opening match of the tour sees another powerful Mexican brawler making her debut. "The Mayan Mauler" Ursula Saez makes her debut against a local competitor. The Gamma War Unit return to 5SSW for another tour, but have a stern test ahead of them, taking on the dangerous tag team known as the TermiNation. Zofia Jankovic takes to singles action on the 3rd match, and she'll face veteran high-flyer Yukiko Matsumara. Paige Croft teams with Torment And Sorrow in our next match, against the gaijin trio of Erin Marcelin and the returning tag team Synchro Wave. Alicia Strong makes her long-awaited debut in a 5SSW ring. The 9 time Women's champion from overseas takes her first step into Japanese waters, and it will be a match against British all-rounder Thea Davis. Simony Sentinel teams up with the exciting luchadora duo of Double Pink in our co-main, and they will face Lady Lotus and the Stone Soliders. Finally, our main event sees 5SSW Tag Team champions The Uprising allying with Romi Yamato for a six-women tag. Their opponents are some women with a lot to prove this evening: Shiori Jippensha, Megumi Nakajima, and MAYA. Who will prevail? Also, we will hear from 5SSW VP Kaiya Kuwahara about how the 5SSW World title will be defended at the conclusion of the Wrestle Challenge tour! --- PREDICTION KEY: Ursula Saez vs. local competitor Kaori Takenouchi / Mio Takasu vs. Unstoppable Tai / Toku Kijmuta Zofia Jankovic vs. Yukiko Matsumara Paige Croft / Yu Hashimoto / Maki Yoshifumi vs. Erin Marcelin / Ava Anderson / Lily Snyder Alicia Strong vs. Thea Davis Simony Sentinel / Pinky Perez / Mystery Pink vs. Lady Lotus / Kaede Sugiyama / Kinuye Mushashibo Romi Yamato / Talia Quinzel / Selina Svelte vs. Shiori Jippensha / Megumi Nakajima / MAYA

<p></p><div style="text-align:center;"><p><em>Friday/Week 3/May/2020</em></p><p><em> Marcelin Residence</em></p><p><em> Toronto, Canada</em></p><p> </p><p> <img alt="nr0H7y3.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/nr0H7y3.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p></div><p></p><p></p><p> </p><p> Erin hummed as she packed up her suitcase. Another tour in Japan for 5SSW awaited.</p><p> </p><p> Erin got the call Wednesday to confirm it, and the hastily improvised gaijin group chat was happy to hear it. However, bigger conversations were being had.</p><p> </p><p> After a week of beating the bushes and working contacts, the new theory going around 5SSW's gaijin core was that Alicia Strong MIGHT have been working an angle backstage to intentionally get herself fired. It seemed to be the actual dirtsheet reason of her hating the company's direction with its women's division, and wanting no part of it. Alicia was frustrated at her and her brethren not being able to main event another big event for Reverie, and it seemed that when private discussions didn't work, she went public and set fire to her own career as a result.</p><p> </p><p> The source for this was former AAA and current USPW wrestler Wendy Anderson, who did get a couple clean wins over Alicia Strong on Alicia's way out of the company. Wendy wasn't harassed by Alicia, and Alicia was being professional in the ring through it all, except for the last match where she no-sold Charity Sweet's finisher after getting pinned and went straight backstage to ream out Allen Packer and Rich Money.</p><p> </p><p> It made almost enough sense to be true, but a few didn't buy it. The worry was that Alicia would come in and basically be Higa except they could understand her when she talked. Few people in the history of the business blew up a guaranteed spot quite like she did, and it couldn't be because of some weird shoot angle she was doing for herself, surely? It had to be the political Strong mask coming through, like it did with Sam strong in HGC before he found God and started his charity.</p><p> </p><p> But Erin was actually on the side of Alicia meaning it. For one, a lot of USPW wrestlers were absolutely terrible, and Alicia Strong vs Jaime Quine or Sara Marie or someone on that level was better than the undercard dreck USPW had, and better than some main events with a past-it Steve Frehley or James Justice or Enygma going at it. So Alicia was pretty justified in her position, and its not like her solitary big card main event drew terribly in terms of viewing figures if dirtsheets were to be believed (and besides, it's Reverie, and one could argue that USPW and Reverie were in the position of the brand drawing rather than the content. So why not put the women on top to make the brand look good?) </p><p> </p><p> Alicia had a point about wanting the women's division to be better featured, and it was shared by some sympathizers on Twitter and even talkshow TV who DID want to see more than a promo or two and a match or two each show. So Erin felt this was legit, Alicia had a point, and it might've gotten lost in how big of a deal her exit turned out to be. so in a company that was all about women's wrestling, with the goal of "Be seen on the same level as Burning Hammer or PGHW.", Alicia would fit right in with a girl power us against them mentality......right?</p><p> </p><p> It might've been naievete on Erin's part, but she believed it. Besides, Alicia was trained by Ogiwara and knew how the whole respect thing worked over in Japan, right........?</p><p> </p><p> </p><div style="text-align:center;"><p>---</p><p> </p><p> <em>Friday/Week 3/May/2020</em></p><p><em> Strathcona-Fremont Offices</em></p><p><em> Toronto, Canada</em></p><p> </p><p> <img alt="rBQxkob.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/rBQxkob.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="ARaIJZt.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/ARaIJZt.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p></div><p></p><p></p><p> </p><p> "Alicia friggin Strong, I can't believe they got her......."</p><p> </p><p> Alexander leaned back in his chair while meeting up with Ted to discuss the latest in his daughter's wrestling ambitions with a smile on his face.</p><p> </p><p> "How the hell did they get her, and not the CWA? Aren't they still running a women's division?"</p><p> </p><p> "Well, yes, but Alicia burned them pretty badly by going on Twitter and......well......it basically degenerated into a keyboard fight with Steve Decolt about "My dad could beat up your dad!" and stuff like that. I get the feeling CWA would be the same position for her too, being second banana to the male top stars regardless of how hard you work. Plus the woman who trained Alicia? Sensational Ogiwara herself. So yeah, her going to 5-Star instead of CWA makes sense when you think about it."</p><p> </p><p> Alexander nodded.</p><p> </p><p> "This looks like a satisfactory investment. Keep an eye on things over there Ted, I'm counting on you."</p><p> </p><p> "Yes sir."</p><p> </p><p> ".......I wonder if Erin will get to wrestle her someday........"</p><p> </p><p> "Should I put in a request?"</p><p> </p><p> "......No, let it play out. They'll probably be putting Alicia Strong into the main events right away won't they. Erin's not at that level yet is she?"</p><p> </p><p> "No sir, but she's coming along. In 4 or 5 years she could be a pretty good wrestler, and beyond that....... if she keeps at it she could be a star anywhere. But right now she's still trying to learn how to punch people and make it look good without knocking them loopy."</p><p> </p><p> "That's my girl. Alright Ted, keep me informed of anything developing then, and have safe travels."</p><p> </p><p> Alexander got up and patted Ted on the shoulder, as Ted left the office and began to grab stuff before he left.</p><p> </p><p> Today Ted just had a meeting and some light paperwork to do, and he was loving it. It was tolerable enough even without his girlfriend Layla present in the office. Layla was out of town for family matters, which was a shame, as Ted was hoping to get another date in, and maybe another kiss in.</p><p> </p><p> Ted and Layla had kissed on the 3rd date, as was dictated by relationship law, and like the Nickelback song itself, Ted was so nervous that he nearly missed. Now though, they were an item, and Ted was hoping it would progress into something more serious.</p><p> </p><p> To that end, Ted was thankful for the contents of the envelope given to him by Munakata-san in Japan. As a result he got a wild hair and decided to start investing his savings, and went from 50 grand to 100 grand last night. The government would inevitably claw a little back, but it was time for Ted to start getting serious about his finances, instead of just squirelling away a little of his paycheque each month in his account.</p><p> </p><p> In the meantime though, he'd happily play babysitter and interpreter for Erin. 5SSW was getting really good, and even with the possible personality downside of an Alicia Strong hire, the upside was tremendous........</p><p> </p><p> </p><div style="text-align:center;"><p>---</p><p> </p><p> <strong>OOC SHOW NOTES:</strong></p></div><p></p><p></p><p><strong> </strong></p><p><strong> </strong><strong><span style="font-size:12px;">-Not bothering with a TEW.com post, so heres the new tour hires: Ursula Saez as a newcomer, and the return of the Gamma War Unit (Kaori Takenouchi / Mio Takasu) and Synchro Wave (Ava Anderson / Lily Snyder)</span></strong></p><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="49448" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>What was Oonishi's momentum? Could be Momentum plays a bigger role in TEW2020 than it did in TEW2016.</div></blockquote><p> </p><p> Just checked and wow its Red Hot. I'd have thought she'd be lower because she took some losses that Higa didn't take, plus those pre-show time limit draws I run with leftover talent at times. I guess thats it. Well that and she might be getting stronger improv buffs than before.</p><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="49448" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>You make sound like you made a poor decision with regards to Jippensha/Arihyoshi, but to more performance-based fans, it's basically a C-Verse version of Bret Hart vs. Lance Storm. Both workers have main-event level talent but have a few things that hold them back. Booked together, they can put a heck of a match (and they did). Booking this match cold doesn't help, but Jippensha/Arihyoshi together can make it work. </div></blockquote><p> </p><p> I don't think it was a poor decision to book the match, my comments there were more about how no one would've thought it'd be a time-limit draw, cause Jippensha is a main event gal and Arihyoshi was approaching that spot before losing her one-off title shot. Logically Jippensha should've just walked over her in a tough fight, except theres storyline going on there. We'll see how it plays out!</p><p> </p><p> Prediction key up tomorrow or Wednesday! Hope you all had a good Canadian Turkey Day if you celebrate it, or a good normal weekend if you don't. Stay safe out there!</p>

Sunday/Week 2/May/2020 5SSW Gaijin Boardinghouse Osaka, Japan Erin sighed as she stretched out on the bed. She had just finished packing for a fog-delayed Monday flight out of Osaka and back to Canada, and she was exhausted. This was quite the successful tour for 5SSW, with a good crowd for a hella awesome main event. As usual, Erin was on the fringes of things, but she felt she was starting to get better. They let her and her temp partner Kate Avatar get some offense in in the last match, Erin and Paige Croft worked together for the best match Erin ever had, and Erin was starting to stiff people a little less with her punches while retaining the on-camera quality. Things were coming together. Of course, it wouldn't be a 5SSW tour without some backstage crap. Yesterday it was Unstoppable Tai, who was working with some younger Japanese girls brought in on the usual one-offs and was not happy about it. Tai felt she should've been on the main show winning matches. Ogiwara told her to drop it, and it wasn't dropped. Erin couldn't understand most of the argument she heard, but Ted translated it, and really some of the context was obvious in any language. God what a blowhard Tai was. As soon as this fog cleared, she was back to Canada for hopefully a week, then hopefully back to Japan for another tour. Erin felt fairly confident she'd keep getting the tour call, although it was a little weird that she didn't have a formal deal yet, instead of a tour-by-tour one. Oh well, same difference anyways if she kept getting called back. Erin's phone buzzed with a text message from Simony, who had discovered an arcade in a Toronto suburb with a brand new DanceDanceRevolution machine as good as the one in Osaka. Simony offered to drive down and have a girls night out with Erin later in the week when they were both back in Canada, and Erin was all for that. This was a pretty good life for Erin, all things considered. she was in two cool countries with friends, good times, and a dream to chase. She still had a roof over her head courtesy of her Dad, and she had pocket money to spare. Times were good! Erin watched the fog roll past her window before drifting off to sleep. --- Sunday/Week 2/May/2020 Osaka Gates Road Tower Osaka, Japan The elevator containing Ted and his business associate Seishiro Munakata finally made its stomach-churning descent to the parkade. Ted and Seishiro got off, as Ted went to his company rental while idly chatting with Munakata. Ted had been doing his actual job for a change, taking a rare Sunday meeting to iron out a few details with the Japanese partners of Ted's investment firm, the belovedly reviled Strathcona-Fremont firm in Toronto. "Munakata-san, thank you again for these fruitful discussions. I wish you and your business partners well in the future." "And I wish yours well too, Ted-san. Oh, but before you go........" Munakata reached into the breastpocket of his designer suit, and pulled out a manila envelope. "It's in the nature of us Japanese to not trust outsiders. But you have respect. You speak our language well and share some of our values. Even in a world like this, some of us take care of each other. So, Ted-san, I hope this takes care of you." Munakata handed Ted the envelope. "As they say in your country, opportunity knocks. Hopefully the contents of this envelope help you answer the door........ Take care, Ted-san." "You as well, Munakata-san." Ted got into his rental. Before starting the car, he decided to take an early glance at what the hell was in this envelope. He opened it, and some interesting documents spilled out onto his lap. The most interesting one was an Initial Public Offering investment oportunity for an online streaming service. It was yet another one meant to be a competitor to industry giant Reverie, owned by USPW magnate Allen Packer. Ted read through it with interest, and filed it away for later. Ted's instincts were often questionable, as seen in his poker career and prediction of his life path in 2020, but somehow, he had a good feeling about this one.....

OOC SHOW NOTES: -Boy, did this show handcuff people from a prediction standpoint. To be fair it was mostly unintentional. Quite a few of these results were planned out well in advance. One or two weren't, but we'll get to that. -Opening match was much better than the sum of its parts thanks to Open Match road agent note. Avatar and Tsumura both had ratings lower than Erin, and Matsumara had to carry the match. It stayed above the 50 rating dangerline so it worked, but eeech. Tsumura got the win in a futile bid to keep her momentum high enough to not complain later. -Simony's performances have gotten a little worse since her previous tour for some reason. I blame patches . Actually it might be momentum too, since it resets when a person leaves. and comes back. Simony's going to pop up more later. -We'll see some tour appearances from Lilly and Rose later, although it'll be hard for them to get a ton of traction in this ludicrously good tag team division. Poor Eri Sato keeps being either the best on the jobbing teams or the worst on the main event jobbing teams. -Alicia Strong's segments are a bit of a dud to start, given what Higa and Maruya and even Oonishi are doing. Its not like Strong is that incomparable in terms of pop or momentum or general entertainment ability, so I'm guessing its momentum. -Lethal Strike vs. Double Pink was a bit disappointing to me. I wanted to work more callback spots in but ran out of room, and I thought with more popularity they could break 70 ratings. Match also tanked Zofia's pop more than Thea's for some reason, but theres corrective action for that. I think it was an okay feud considering that no one could cut promos for it...... -Jippensha/Arihyoshi was a snap decision to book (I think i came up with it mid-way through writing the Tai match), and a snap decision when I booked it to be a draw (which was right around me writing the Higa spot in the Tai match), and I can see why the predictions whiffed this one. Jippensha's really been lost in the shuffle, but she'll be involved in some proceedings next tour. -Yoshifumi/Amazon would've been great with more time and Amazon allowed to actually get over, but what can ya do. Yoshifumi's on absolute fire at the moment, legendary gimmick, high momentum, and even progressing a little bit in the ring. -I had planned a Triangle title change for May, but I wasn't sure who'd get it. Arihyoshi was considered, Lady Lotus was considered, and Kaede Sugiyama was the plan right up until I decided to give the Stone Soliders a tag title shot. It was almost Yamato but she can't quite cut a promo (I mean, no one except Maruya/Higa/Oonishi/Katsukawa/now Strong really can but Akutagawa is around 70s in entertainment states at least.) It's kind of a good thing I didn't go Lilly in the qualifier because she would've had to eat a pinfall here anyways, and Kita's a bit more disposable yet credible in that regard. MAYA had an ok reign and got over a bit, but I wanted to prevent title matches from being straight retains for months and months so I had a title change planned here to shake things up a bit. -I like Akutagawa, but more as a part of the Hell Raisers than as a single. Don't expect a lot from this reign. -Oonishi's been seeing a spike in her promo ability and I'm not sure why. It coincides neatly with her position in the save though, as she would be cutting more fired-up promos now that she's got her deal with Higa going on. -I did a good job building up All Heart I guess, based on the predictions. Maybe with hindsight I shouldn't have booked this match.... but from what I hear its such a Japanese expectation to have a partner and allies in Japanese wrestling, which is why stable warfare is so omni-present in NJPW for example (and is now bleeding over into AEW, as opposed to WWE having few factions and making it so that they're either a big deal or a joke with no in-between). I think this is very much a cultural thing. Japan had periods where warlords controlled their own small territory within Japan, and there were 40 of them fighting to have control of Japan's emperor. Factions would be created and dissolve in a rapid race for power. This is probably what led to stuff like Inoki group vs Choshu group, and then side groups that hated them both. In 5SSW we have no formal stables, but we see this in BHOTWG with their big-time factions (and they could go even harder with those if they wanted, I think there's a lack of a company defense faction right now on Day 1 of a save IIRC.). However, I am making it so that pretty much everyone in 5SSW has a tag partner or someone they're aligned with. With this in mind, if I'm doing a story where Higa feels shes "beaten" Oonishi and doesn't want to give her another chance, and if Oonishi can't get the world belt, and if theres no point in her getting the All-Asian or Triangle belts cause shes past that...... I guess a tag challenge was the only thing that made sense. And HEART Saitoh was available, and helped her out of her own volition when Higa betrayed Oonishi. So I kinda roped myself into doing this challenge. -And it sucks, because Oonishi and Saitoh look like geeks for failing and basically proving Higa right, that they couldn't do it without Higa's genius. But I can't put the titles on them because the Uprising need them for the bigger story I'm trying to tell. Honestly, if the Uprising weren't champions theres no way I'd make them champions, in fact I'dve probably aimed for a breakup angle to exile Svelte from the company and replace her with someone better. But they are champions, and they were crowned right before the save started with a tag tournament win behind them, and tournaments are a cultural big deal in Japan. There'd be no point in instantly jobbing them out, which means they'd get continuity and flow right into the story I'm telling, and thus they have to be booked above my perceived vision for them. Make no mistake: in a non-diary setting where I want to make the best numbers possible, the Uprising wouldn't be pushed seriously by me. They are growing on me a bit, much like fungus, and Svelte's getting better even if she still has a stupid name, mediocre-looking render, medicore selling, and stupid finisher name (I can't even figure out what a Prawn Armlock is supposed to BE, I've been searching Youtube and Googling MMA-related stuff and can't figure it out.) But they benefit SO much from circumstance, and we'll see why in the coming months. So yeah, poor Oonishi. But better days might be ahead for her? -Maruya/Higa was a bit disappointing to me as well. Couldn't get the match rating above 83 because it'd get dinged for commentary and Higa is still salty morale-wise over the draw to Oonishi a month ago (DRAMA QUEEN!). Even took out the spinal impact restriction, no such luck. A couple spots ended up on the cutting room floor for the writeup, like Higa using Kitozon Chops in a mocking fashion for heel heat. -Having Higa get pinned here might not make sense, but it works for two reasons. The first is that, again, Higa hasn't won up to this point. We've established that shes not the best, but that she thinks shes the best. Her only main event career honour is winning the J Grand Prix in 2016, and presumably she went on to lose a title challenge to..... (checks lineage) ..... Tomoko Nagatsuka? So we know in kayfabe shes fallible. The second reason is that even if shes obtained a kayfabe powerup by going heel, she still has her weakness of pride and ego. If she just hit the Driver before Maruya had time to react she might've won. But she dithered and gloated instead. So the question is, how long will it be before Higa overcomes that weakness, or just gets so talented it doesn't matter even against best competition? Who knows. But until she conquers that weakness, she needs to catch the athletic, no quit, surprisingly tough and durable Maruya on a bad day in order to win. (This booking philosophy brought to you by Self, the user behind the legendary CGC and Frontier Combat Kingdom diaries.) -That being said I could've totally done a draw here. And maybe I should've? -Other than that, show went great! 1200 in attendance with higher ticket prices than normal, 32000 TV viewers, came sorta close to breaking even! We're doing the promoting gud! Would've liked to work in Megumi Nakajima or Miwako Katsukawa in somewhere but eh. Next tour's going to be sorta interesting, but I'm looking forward to the J Grand Prix! -Thanks Mokoa for chiming in! And thank you to everyone whos predicted! Hope you all enjoyed the show, more to come next week! --- PREDICTION STANDINGS: ampulator: 71/76 KyTeran: 55/69 medla: 14/23 joshbrady91: 8/8 Teasenityrn: 8/8 Strech: 8/8 Mokoa: 3/9

Shogun TV Presents: 5SSW Women of Wrestling 2020 Saturday/Week 2/May/2020 Osaka East Volleyball Centre Osaka, Japan --- The show opens up with a decent video package narrated by Kaiya Kuwahara breaking down tonight's action. 5SSW's production values are still slightly shy of the pros, but this was alright. Rating: 68 --- vs. Shining Force (Otsune Tsumura / Yukiko Matsumara) vs. Canadian Cats (Erin Marcelin / Kate Avatar) Shining Force has had a rough go of things in 2020, seemingly going downhill since winning a tag title shot in January and losing it against the Uprising. Tsumura looks slow, Matsumara looks okay, Marcelin and Avatar look green, and the match is mediocre. There's some effort involved at least, and the match goes surprisingly even with the Canadian Cats getting more offense than usual against the veterans, with the small but vocal Erin Marcelin fan-club thinking the upset might happen. It falls short, however, as Kate Avatar get hit with the Shine Spark (Backstabber followed by Codebreaker), with Tsumura covering for the 3 count while Matsumara wipes Marcelin out with a plancha. Result: Shining Force def. Canadian Cats via pinfall at 8:02 (Tsumura pins Avatar) Rating: 52 --- vs. Simony Sentinel vs. Toku Kijmuta An undercard match with not much going on honestly, and Kijmuta appears to be working on an entirely different planet at various points in the match. Sentinel covers up with her fundamental skill and some athleticism, but there are sections of the crowd who don't buy her against a bigger girl in Kijmuta and tune out a bit from things. Still, there's hard work by Sentinel to make this watchable, and Kijmuta picks up the pace towards the end. The finish sees Kijmuta missing a Spear and plowing right into the turnbuckles, before Simony plants the hurt Kijmuta with running double knees to the back followed by a Sentinel Strike (Twisting Top-Rope Splash) for the pinfall. Result: Simony Sentinel def. Toku Kijmuta via pinfall at 9:31 Rating: 53 --- Yu Hashimoto checks in for a brief promo and is in an unpleasant mood over the lack of success she's been having lately. Tonight she intends to lead her team to victory in this ten woman tag, and then Maki Yoshifumi will defend her All-Asian title tonight, and then Yu Hashimoto will bring more pain than ever to anyone she faces in the Wrestle Challenge tour. Rating: 53 --- vs. Yu Hashimoto / Paige Croft / Romi Yamato / Kate Lilly / Debbie Rose vs. Eri Sato / Machiko Matsuda / Chitose Ariwara / Kaede Sugiyama / Kinuye Mushashibo A surprisingly fun and energetic big tag match. The heel team shows some serious chops, and Kate Lilly once again impresses with her skill, working the modern American technical cruiserweight style to its utmost. Romi Yamato and Yu Hashimoto show some chops in this match, sometimes literally in Hashimoto's case, using high-impact offense thrown out with bad intentions that the crowd reacts too. Hashimoto gets in a particular sequence where she hits multiple people with the End Game (Spinning Backhand Blow to the Jaw), including her own teammate Debbie Rose by accident as she gets a little too overexcited. Eri Sato tries to bring her team to her opponent's level, but the power difference is too much, and the gaijins get in their cheapshots to take momentum anytime the face team gets rolling. The match eventually comes to a close with Lilly and Rose hitting their tandem finish knwn as the Poison Thorn (Enzuigiri/Reverse STO) on Sugiyama for a 3 count. Result: Team Heels def. Team Faces via pinfall at 11:24 (Lilly pins Sugiyama) Rating: 62 --- As the wrestlers file out after the match, the arena goes dark and a black and white clip airs once again on the projector, showcasing a shadowy girl beating up a luchadora in the brick-walled environment we saw last show. The shadowy figure eventually destroys the masked opponent with a running elbow to the head that hits with familiar brutality, followed by a big piledriver that leaves the luchadora unconscious, with her neck at an odd angle. Text appears on the screen once again, saying that the upcoming Wrestle Challenge tour will play host to a very special guest. The shadowy figure that was delivering the beating steps into a light in such a way to reveal........ .......ALICIA STRONG! Alicia smiles, and says in Japanese "The legacy continues." before picking up the groggy luchadora and landing the running elbow to the temple known as the Strong Arm Tactic once more, before the movie cuts to white and the lights in the arena come back on. This could've used better production and buildup, but was a fairly well-received angle and the crowd seems intrigued to see what Sam Strong's offspring will bring to the table. Rating: 63 --- vs. No Time Limit Match Lethal Strike (Thea Davis / Zofia Jankovic) vs. Double Pink (Mystery Pink / Pinky Perez) This one is anticipated quite a bit by some fans. Lethal Strike and Double Pink were formed at nearly the same time, won matches at a similarly high rate, faced each other once and drew in 15 minutes of close action, split singles matches between the partners, were on opposite sides of a draw on the go-home show, and now the gloves are off with no time limits, one fall to a finish, there must be a winner. These two want to beat each other to climb the tag team ladder, and something's gotta give. And early on that something turns out to be Mystery Pink, who takes a real beating to start. Zofia uses strikes and more than a little sadism, while Thea uses all-around abilities, size, and methodical control. Things get a little too slow and methodical though, giving Pink enough time to rally for a tag to ease the early pressure. Pinky Perez comes in, sends Thea fleeing to the corner after a brief sequence, and then goes at it 1v1 with Jankovic. These two go at it HARD, with no quarter asked for or given. Perez uses all her athleticism and technique to hold down the dangerous Jankovic, and it's enough to a point...... until Jankovic rocks Perez with a spinkick to the ribs and then the tempo goes back to Lethal Strike. Jankovic batters Perez. Davis controls methodically. Perez breaks free. The match swings back and forth between the European hard-hitting and Mexican athleticism. High Fly Elbow on Pink! 1......2.....NO! Twisting Backflip Cross Chop to Jankovic! 1.....2.....NO! Roundhouse Kick to Perez! 1......2.....NO! Jackknife Cradle on Davis! 1......2.....NO! The match finally comes to an end past the 15 minute mark where the two teeams originally drew, and it sees a desperate Double Pink working in tandem to try and get the win. Double Dropkick to Davis, Double Rolling Clothesline sends Jankovic over the top rope and out, and then the Twisting Crossbody/Vertical Suplex combo finishes Davis off to cap a good match! Double Pink get the win, and a possible future tag title shot may await! Result: Double Pink def. Lethal Strike via pinfall at 17:21 (Mystery Pink pins Davis) Rating: 68 --- vs. Submission Match Shiori Jippensha vs. Etsuko Arihyoshi For a rather hastily put-together match with no real build, this one gets quite a lot of buzz from the Osaka faithful, and turns into a hell of a match. Arihyoshi and Jippensha start the match with a fairly aggressive lockup, picking and wrenching at any available limbs until they get a break. Second luckup, same result. Third lockup, also same result. The feeling out process is a lengthy one, and its hard for either gal to gain an advantage. Jippensha goes for a surprise flying kneebar to break the equilibrium, but Arihyoshi fends it off to make the ropes. Arihyoshi works in some SMALL JOINT MANIPULATION~!, but Jippensha calmly works through the holds and makes the ropes. The two staredown for a while and go at it again. Slowly but surely, Jippensha starts getting the upper hand in the exchanges, threatening with a Buffalo Sleeper and several armbar variations, causing Arihyoshi to take a powder outside and think things over. Jippensha might've continued to dominate, had it not been for Fuyuko Higa coming out (with a considerably smaller security detail this time.) to pull up a chair, sit ringside, and eat some formerly fan-owned Pocky. Higa starts cheering on Jippensha during certain moments in the match, and this seems to really disconcert Jippensha, who looks outside in confusion to Higa's positive heckling. Arihyoshi is not one to pass up such largesse, and takes advantage of the distractions to start putting some hurt on Jippensha. Arihyoshi works hard to get the Arihyoshi Lockdown (Seated Abdominal Stretch Dragon Sleeper), but Jippensha wildly fights out of it and starts panicking. As the time limit approaches, both start going for it and throw ground and pound strikes to try and break the equillibrium. Eventually, Jippensha and Arihyoshi get each other in ankle locks, rolling around the ring, wrenching, rolling around the ring.......and they roll under the ropes and fall to the outside! Jippensha and Arihyoshi gets into a heated and vicious grappling exchange on the floor with rabbit punches aplenty. Higa cheers on the action in obnoxious fashion, but before a result can be reached...... WE ARE DESPERATELY OUTTA TIME! Time limit draw and both wrestlers are furious with the result! Result: Shiori Jippensha drew with Etsuko Arihyoshi in 20:00 after the time limit expired Rating: 77 --- Post-match, a frustrated Shiori Jippensha goes down the entranceway to head backstage, but Higa grabs a mic and tells her to stay a while and listen. Higa asks if Jippensha is satisfied playing second banana to Maruya like this. Higa knows Jippensha is better, and tells her that things don't have to be this way. Jippensha looks disgustedly at Higa and blows her off, but Higa seems unperturbed, and jaunts back down the entrance hall to make way for the next match. Rating: 74 --- 5SSW All-Asian Championship V4 Defense vs. Maki Yoshifumi (Champion) vs. Queen Amazon (Challenger) Queen Amazon comes in full steam ahead for this title tilt, although the response to her entrance is rather muted, with some of the big event goers not seeming to really know who she is. Unsurprisingly, this contest is all about powerful brawling and hard hitting. However, there is a wrinkle, as its established early that Amazon holds a significant power advantage. Yoshifumi has to compensate with tactical nous, and decides that leg kicks are the order of the day. Amazon gets the club and throw around Yoshifumi quite a bit, but not before taking some stinging leg kicks that leave Amazon wincing. Amazon eventually goes for the Amazonian Powerbomb (Spinning Gutwrench Powerbomb), but her legs give out from underneath her. Yoshifumi tries to seize the moments right there by applying a heel hook, and almost gets a tapout before Amazon guts her way to the ropes. Amazon gets a big moment later, when after another rope break she slaps Yoshifumi so hard it sounds like a gunshot reverberating through the arena. Yoshifumi certainly sells it well, but Amazon is too wounded to follow up, and after being reduced to her knees with leg kicks, Yoshifumi finishes it off with the HEAD KICK to knock Queen Amazon unconscious and get the 3 count. Another successful title defense, but it wasn't plain sailing..... Result: Maki Yoshifumi def. Queen Amazon via pinfall at 13:02 Rating: 58 Maki Yoshifumi retains the 5SSW All-Asian Championship (V4 Defense) --- Before the next Triangle title match, we get a brief promo package with the three women involved, MAYA the champion, and Chiyeko Kita and Sae Akutagawa the challengers. Rating: 46 --- 5SSW Triangle Championship V6 Defense vs. vs. MAYA (Champion) vs. Chiyeko Kita (Challenger) vs. Sae Akutagawa (Challenger) Another pretty decent Triangle title match. The usual theme of "Which alliance forms first?" is present in this match, and its both Kita and Akutagawa double-teaming the champion, before Akutagawa turns on Kita and brutalizes them both, dominating the match early. Of course, MAYA and Kita realize this is a problem for them, and the cycle starts anew with them teaming up on the bigger girl, before turning on each other for pinfall opportunities on the weakened Akutagawa, and on-and-on the dilemma goes. It is said though that Akutagawa spends a fair bit of the match being double-teamed, although Kita is occasionally suckered into an alliance with Akutagawa to decent effect. The match picks up a bit with some close nearfalls. Fallaway Slam from Akutagawa to MAYA gets 2. Superkick from Kita to Akutagawa gets 2 before MAYA saves. Slingshot Spike DDT to Kita from MAYA, Akutagawa saves at 2. It's still a wide open match, but Kita seems to take a bit more of the beating than the other 2, and fades a bit as the match goes on. Kita goes for a Head and Arm Choke on MAYA, only for MAYA to work out of it and reverse into her Triangle Choke, but Kita makes the ropes to break. MAYA starts working over Kita, before Aktuagawa comes thundering in with a big clothesline to fully take Kita out. MAYA then makes a fatal mistake of agreeing to a big double team with Akutagawa, as Akutagawa and MAYA hit the Hell Raisers's tag finish Kaenhousha (Total Elimination) on Kita! MAYA gets picked up by Akutagawa afterwards and tossed throat-first on the top rope! Akutagawa covers Kita! 1......2......3! We have a new champion, as Sae Akutagawa wins the Triangle title for the 2nd time! Result: Sae Akutagawa def. Chiyeko Kita and MAYA at 14:18 (Akutagawa pins Kita) Rating: 65 Sae Akutagawa wins the 5SSW Triangle Championship! --- While Sae starts her celebration, we cut backstage to Gemmei Oonishi for a pre-tape promo. Gemmei is fired up for the big chance at the Uprising. Oonishi mentions that the Uprising did beat the Birds of Prey en route to winning last years Dynamo Tag League, but today is another day! Oonishi pledges to defeat the Uprising with her new partner, take home the tag gold, and make a legend in 5SSW! Rating: 71 --- 5SSW Tag Team Championships V5 Defense vs. The Uprising (Talia Quinzel / Selina Svelte)(Champions) vs. All Heart (Gemmei Oonishi / HEART Saitoh)(Challengers) Another anticipated clash with good heat behind it, although it has to be said that the action is merely good, and not quite as good in comparison to Double Pink vs Lethal Strike with some of its sequences. Still, there's hard work involved, and a never-say-die babyface team desperate for a title facing the champions playing a subtle heel role. The Uprising take the advantage early, mostly due to Quinzel physically imposing herself on the match. Quinzel hits an impressive array of backbreakers on Oonishi, but Oonishi counters the Spinal Trauma (Overhead Press Front Backbreaker) with an attempted Guillotine Choke. Quinzel stumbles into the corner and batters Oonishi to get the break, but Oonishi blind tags Saitoh and then All Heart get a window of opportunity. All Heart try to take the fight to Quinzel and do a credible job isolating her in the corner. Saitoh runs to take out Svelte while Oonishi lands a Backflip Corner Splash on Quinzel! The two haul Quinzel up for the Double Back Superplex and drive her into the canvas! 1......2.....NO! Quinzel kicks out! All Heart throw everything they can at the Uprising to try and get a win. Samurai DDT gets 2 on Quinzel. Flying Dagger Legdrop (Top Rope Front Flip Rough Ryder) gets 2 on Svelte before Quinzel saves. All Heart work over Quinzel, but Oonishi gets backdropped over the ropes by Quinzel when she runs to clothesline her over the top. Saitoh comes in with a full head of steam though, and stuns Quinzel with a running dropkick to the teeth! Complex Neckbreaker! Back Brain Kick! Quinzel rises groggily to her feet as Saitoh goes for the Flying Tiger Knee (Top Rope Busaiku Knee), but Svelte sneakily reaches over the ropes and yanks Quinzel out of the way just as Saitoh makes the leap! Saitoh crashes and burns, and referee Odaka didn't see it due to looking over the fallen Oonishi on the outside! As referee Odaka turns around, a groggy Quinzel tags in Svelte, who delivers several suplexes followed by a Blue Thunder Bomb to Saitoh! Quinzel recovers enough for Svelte to tag her in for the big finish......and they hit the Rising Tide (Modified Sky Lift Slam)! Svelte baseball slides into Oonishi on the outside while Quinzel covers Saitoh! 1......2.......3! Uprising retain! Result: The Uprising def. All Heart via pinfall at 15:19 Rating: 68 The Uprising retain the 5SSW Tag Team Championships (V5 Defense) --- Post-match as the Uprising celebrate up the entranceway, we cut to a video package playing before the main event, going over the big grudge match for the World title between champion Yuma Maruya and challenger Fuyuko Higa. Higa has promised to burn 5SSW down, slay the idol, and take the title, while Maruya promises to defend 5SSW at all costs. Much is made of the fact that Higa, despite several opportunities, has never won the World title. Could tonight be the night? This was well done and hyped up talented people with a clear issue of contention between them, and a good lead-in for the main event. Rating: 78 --- 5SSW World Championship V7 Defense vs. Yuma Maruya (Champion) vs. Fuyuko Higa (Challenger) The heat for this is greater than any match 5-Star has had in years, and the match is good enough to justify it. On a pure technical level there have been better matches, but none with this amount of heat. The entrances have Higa being booed unmercifully as her security force watches for any attempt at sabotage, while Maruya's entrance has fangirls screaming and fanboys telling her to beat down the villainous Higa. The start is slow despite the hot crowd, as Higa has her gameface on and takes this match super seriously from the outset. It becomes obvious early that if it goes to the mat, Maruya is in huge trouble, as Higa outwrestles her in the early going, shouting loudly at the crowd every time she wins a mat sequence that sends Maruya to the outside. Higa clearly wants this badly and uses any means necessary, even when they aren't strictly necessary. More than one thumb makes its way into Maruya's eye without the referee's knowledge, and something that looks almost like fish-hooking takes place too. Referee Odaka catches that one and gives Higa a warning, but it only serves to make Higa more careful, instead of more honest. Higa takes Maruya down to the mat and starts slapping the taste out of Maruya's mouth, and these aren't catfight slaps either, they're the real deal. Higa starts screaming abuse at Maruya in between moves, saying that she should be 5-Star's shining light instead, and that Maruya should just surrender already. Maruya politely refuses the request by slapping the taste out of Higa's mouth, and that just escalates things further. Maruya's brief comebacks keep getting snuffed out by Higa, and the crowd starts panicking a little. Could Maruya lose? Could the idol of 5-Star go down to Miss Perfection after all? Is this the night 5-Star burns? Maruya finally manages to take advantage of Higa's follies to make a big-time comeback! Headscissors! Snapdragon Suplex! Arm Dragon Screws! Split-Legged Moonsault! 1......2......NO! Maruya stays on the attack though! Arm Dragon Screws! Shoulderbreaker! Maruya drags down Higa and applies the Skywing Lock (Leg-Applied Full Nelson)! Higa fights hard, fights hard........ and schooches over to the ropes for the break! Maruya keeps fighting hard for the win, but Higa cuts off further offensive with a vicious Spinning Back Kick to the solar plexus that clouds Maruya's face over with pain. No-Touch Headbutt! Glittering Warlock! Backdrop Driver! Higa continues to beat down Maruya in almost apoplectic rage, and then goes to finish her off with the Higa Green Driver (Emerald Flowsion Kai). After 10 seconds or so of good badmouthing towards the horrified Maruya fans in attendance, Higa finally lifts Maruya up........ ........and Maruya drops down quickly and small packages Higa! 1......2.......3! MARUYA RETAINS! Result: Yuma Maruya def. Fuyuko Higa via pinfall at 20:26 Rating: 82 Yuma Maruya retains the 5SSW World Championship! (V7 Defense) --- Post-match Maruya celebrates as Higa is on all fours in stunned disbelief. As the streamers come in though, the disbelief doesn't last long. Higa takes the title belt from referee Odaka and blasts Higa in the face with it! Higa grabs a mic from Maruya's limp hand and berates Maruya for ruining her perfect vision with one lousy move, before Higa starts kicking Maruya viciously in the ribs! Higa grabs a bunch of the streamers in the ring and tries to use them as a makeshift garotte to choke Maruya with, as 5SSW babyfaces flood in and clash with Higa's security group! The show goes off the air amidst in-ring chaos! Rating: 74 --- OVERALL SHOW RATING: 79 ATTENDANCE: 1,200

Shogun TV Presents: 5SSW Women of Wrestling 2020 Saturday/Week 2/May/2020 --- From the Osaka East Volleyball Centre, 5SSW bring you a climactic event of action on Shogun TV: The final show of 2020's Women of Wrestling tour! Our opening match sees tag team action, featuring the veteran duo of Shining Force taking on the young lion duo known as the Canadian Cats. Punk-haired gaijin Simony Sentinel has a match afterwards, taking on big brawler Toku Kijmuta. Ten woman tag action follows that, and it will feature Yu Hashimoto, Paige Croft, Romi Yamato, and Lilly & Rose take on Eri Sato, Machiko Matsuda, Chitose Ariwara, and the Stone Soliders! The tag teams Lethal Strike and Double Pink have been at odds recently, and on this tour they get a definitive chance to settle their difference in a match with no time limits, one fall to a finish. Which team will come out on top and possibly stake a claim to a future title shot? Shiori Jippensha had issued an open challenge on social media, and it will be answered by Etsuko Arihyoshi. The match will take place under Submission rules...... which technician will reign supreme? We then proceed tot he title matches section of the show, leading off with Maki Yoshifumi defending her All-Asian title against the monstrous Queen Amazon in whats sure to be a hard-hitting encounter! Then we have the 5SSW Triangle Title on the line, with MAYA defending against challengers Sae Akutagawa and Chiyeko Kita! Who will prevail? The co-main event sees the Tag Team champions from overseas, the Uprising, taking on the newly formed acclaimed duo of All Heart. Gemmei Oonishi has resolved to win the title with her new partner HEART Saitoh, a former tag champ herself! Will the new team dethrone the gaijin champs? Finally, our main event sees a heated rivalry coming into play, with 5SSW World Champion Yuma Maruya taking on the challenger Fuyuko Higa. Higa has promised to see Maruya's reign end and the company burn in the process, but despite her talents has never claimed World championship gold. Is tonight the night for the leather-clad villain, or will 5-Star's idol defend the title and the company's honour? --- PREDICTION KEY (OOC: Time limit drawin' happenin' again! Every match has a time limit EXCEPT Lethal Strike vs Double Pink, which will be one fall to a finish.) Shining Force (Otsune Tsumura / Yukiko Matsumara) vs. Canadian Cats (Erin Marcelin / Kate Avatar) Simony Sentinel vs. Toku Kijmuta Yu Hashimoto / Paige Croft / Romi Yamato / Kate Lilly / Debbie Rose vs. Eri Sato / Machiko Matsuda / Chitose Ariwara / Kaede Sugiyama / Kinuye Mushashibo No Time Limit Match: Lethal Strike (Thea Davis / Zofia Jankovic) vs. Double Pink (Mystery Pink / Pinky Perez) Submission Match: Shiori Jippensha vs. Etsuko Arihyoshi 5SSW All-Asian Title V4 Defence: Maki Yoshifumi © vs. Queen Amazon 5SSW Triangle Title V6 Defence: MAYA © vs. Chiyeko Kita vs. Sae Akutagawa 5SSW Tag Team Title V5 Defence: The Uprising (Talia Quinzel / Selina Svelte) vs. All Heart (Gemmei Oonishi / HEART Saitoh) 5SSW World Title V7 Defence: Yuma Maruya © vs. Fuyuko Higa

Monday/Week 2/May/2020 Nekketsu High School Gymnasium Osaka, Japan A great main event was going on, the crowd was jacked up enough on the nearfalls that you could hear it through the walls, and the commentary team was excited. The gaijins in the ring may be having the time of their lives, but backstage the gaijin there were distracted from this good match by the issue at hand. Alicia Strong was coming. Kinuye Mushashibo had confirmed it. They were getting Alicia Strong. Promo packages would air leading to the debut, which is why that video went up before Kinuye's match with Etsuko Arihyoshi. Alicia would be coming in hot out the gate with a big push, and now the gaijins had a decision to make. No one in 5SSW really cared about their specific spot. Some just wrestled in 5SSW for money, others did it to keep sharp because they didn't have a gig elsewhere, still others did it because they loved Japanese wrestling and the respect for their craft they had here, and most did it for varying combinations of the three. Its not like Alicia was going to take away a world title push for anyone, because none of them expected one. But Alicia coming into a locker room with her baggage from the past 4 months, on top of the fact they had a Fuyuko Higa-sized tumour in their locker room already, and that might cost them their place in the company entirely. There was a period of history where 5SSW eschewed gaijin entirely, under the thought that they were too much of an expense to work with. If 5SSW decided to use the nuclear option and fire all the gaijin in the blowback of Alicia Strong being a rabblerouser...... it would hurt them. Paige, the Uprising, and Erin would be REALLY hurt too because they would have no place to go, aside from small-time indy shots with greaseball promoters. The others had gigs to fall back on at least. So it was of particular concern for them. As the great main event raged on, so did their inner turmoil. Hopefully the next tour wouldn't be that bad....... --- FURTHER OOC NOTES: -Might be pushing prediction key to Tuesday. -In case anyone is curious, the TV ratings have dipped down noticeably because of the patch, but are climbing up a little I guess? 26k-29k-26k-30k. Final card, which I've already played in-game, did 32k. -In case anyone is also curious about this, heres a snapshot of the Kansai overness of the big players in this diary. First number is game start, second is right before Women of Wrestling. Note for predictions that these will not be a determining factor for who wins or loses, and sometimes it is in a reverse manner anyways (such as 26 beating 30 to get over): Maruya 42 > 52 Jippensha 40 > 43 (tells ya a lot about the importance of promo skills eh?) Higa 31 > 44 Oonishi 32 > 42 Yoshifumi 25 > 35 Nakajima 38 > 40 (Was 42 before she did a job to Higa I think) Katsukawa 25 > 35 Quinzel 18 > 33 Svelte 18 > 31 Sentinel 1 > 22 Double Pink some low number idk > 26/27 Lethal Strike whatever > 26/27 Marcelin 0 > 18 (there's an invisible barrier at 17 overness and its hard to dip below that) -Other fed news: SWF is putting on some shows that are being undone by hidden AI penalty BS but are still kinda derp. Scythe vs Rocky Golden is the new hotness now, and Golden got a 100 rating in his match, but it got a 79 overall (and Scythe got an 84 so it's not his fault). What gives? Ah well, I guess thats karma for hiring geeks like Sammy the Shark. Yeah the 5SSW tag team division is loaded with potential pairings, its really great, and that was one I earmarked both here and in TEW 2016 once the Higa turn happened. I've got a ridiculously deep tag division now and it's fantastic. Lilly has really impressed me (I think she gets 57 match ratings at around a dozen overness in Kansai or so?). I sorta slept on a lot of the AAA talent, but when you look closer they had a pretty deep roster before the absolutely arbitrary meltdown they had (How the hell did Reece and Wells win their tag belts anyways?). Lilly and Rose were two people I never even considered, but they'll be a bit more important to me now. Glad to have you following along!

<div style="text-align:center;"><p><strong>OOC SHOW NOTES:</strong></p></div><p></p><p> </p><p> -Character update tomorrow, next card prediction key on Monday, show on Wednesday/Thursday!</p><p> </p><p> -Pretty good show in terms of match rating, but I had a hard time writing it. Definitely going to try and scale down the writeups again going forward. I think part of the reason it ran long was because I had a plot thread with Jippensha and Higa in the Tai match, so I had to make the better matches just as long/longer and ugh.</p><p> </p><p> -In case you're wondering what Erin was up to, I believe it was a tag with the female Avatar against Ochiyo Iijima and Toku Kijmuta in my leftovers match.</p><p> </p><p> -I'm noticing that I have a really hard time booking the Uprising in tour shows for some reason. I have a lot that I want to accomplish and its hard to work them into every match. Same with Maki Yoshifumi. Maya's a bit easier to work in I think because I constantly need the Kanto Express to do fill-in jobs.</p><p> </p><p> -Arihyoshi taking offense from Mushashibo's gotta be a bad look for the Japanese fans. Mushashibo really should be better in this game even if shes 35, or just leave her on the independent scrap heap.</p><p> </p><p> -Triangle title eliminator was fun on a bun. I love writing the Razor Petals in these matches cause i have a character trait for them where they just turn on people with ridiculously poor timing cause its in their nature.</p><p> </p><p> -Yu Hashimoto is really starting to fall into the jobber to the stars quicksand now, so I've gotta remember to feed her a win every now and then.</p><p> </p><p> -Main event didn't quite come off the way I wanted, not sure why. I think the finish I wanted was Higa about to beat Maruya before the limit and not Mystery Pink. Oh well, point came across and we've built nicely to the title match I hope.</p><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="49448" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>Two Women Power Trip with Alicia Strong and Fuyuko Higa incoming.... </div></blockquote><p> </p><p> I'm not sure the diary section is ready for a team like that. Not even in good USPW diaries. The pretentiousness and hypocrisy would be too much to handle (although it would take Higa a few months to learn how to talk the good in English, like what I do.)</p><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="49448" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>Ready for an Erin / Simony tag team already but Simony seems to be in a different league / push!<p> </p><p> Plus Evil Higa promos are amazing! She's far too talented in ring but I'd be down with her on colour commentary having a rant all night!</p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> Erin/Simony tag might happen by accident but probably not. Simony will still be very important to this diary though.</p><p> </p><p> Higa on commentary might be too American of an idea for even 5SSW. (Has New Japan ever done this? With like Naito on comm during an Okada match?)</p><p> </p><p> That being said there is an interesting dynamic at play here. Higa and Umeko Karube are two very similar people and Karube is probably seeing Higa play out her career arc right in front of her: Betraying a friend and becoming a spiteful bitch obsessed with the title and success as a result. As Karube has lived that, I suspect that she wants Higa to get past this phase and onto the redemption part.</p><p> </p><p> Higa, on the other hand, probably just believes that well shes better than Karube was anyways so she can do whatever and it'll be justified unlike when Karube did it.</p><p> </p><p> Thats gotta be painful for a former heel, right? Seeing a heel make your mistakes again? So if Higa did comm there'd be some stuff there to work with. I don't have my commentators chime in much at all in the writeups though, except Karube a bit.</p><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="49448" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>I'm beginning to feel like the smark in the front row behind the announcers. That Triangle Title Eliminator is tailored for people like me (though not necessarily just me) to throw me off (because that is exactly what I *might* do too ). </div></blockquote><p> </p><p> Kita/Akutagawa were pencilled in for the next Triangle defense, but I was sorta considering giving a shot to Lilly. Maybe next time.</p><p> </p><p> </p><div style="text-align:center;"><p>---</p><p> </p><p> <strong>PREDICTION STANDINGS</strong></p><p> </p><p> ampulator: 66/67</p><p> KyTeran: 51/60</p><p> medla: 14/23</p><p> joshbrady91: 8/8</p><p> Teasenityrn: 8/8</p><p> Strech: 8/8 (<em>Welcome aboard!)</em></p></div><p></p><p></p>

<p></p><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="GYUe7nb.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/GYUe7nb.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><p> </p><p> <span style="font-size:12px;"><strong>Shogun TV Presents:</strong></span></p><p><span style="font-size:12px;"><strong> 5SSW Women of Wrestling Tour Night 4</strong></span></p><p><span style="font-size:12px;"><strong> Monday/Week 2/May/2020</strong></span></p><p><span style="font-size:12px;"><strong> Nekketsu High School Gymnasium</strong></span></p><p><span style="font-size:12px;"><strong> Osaka, Japan</strong></span></p><p> </p><p> ---</p><p> </p><p> <img alt="38BdHBV.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/38BdHBV.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p></div><p></p><p></p><p> </p><p> After the opening package and announcer chat Kaiya Kuwahara opens the show by running down the card as usual and promising us a great main event tonight, signing off with the usual thanks for coming out tonight.</p><p> </p><p> </p><div style="text-align:center;"><p><em>Rating: 66</em></p><p> </p><p> ---</p><p> </p><p> <img alt="25lCuQx.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/25lCuQx.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> vs. <img alt="iobILVo.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/iobILVo.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p><p> </p><p> <strong>Queen Amazon vs. Otsune Tsumura</strong></p></div><p></p><p></p><p> </p><p> Queen Amazon shows more of her brutality in a vicious squash, with the announcers talking up the possibility of a title match against Maki Yoshifumi. Amazon certainly looks up for the challenge, peacocking with a bunch of nice power stuff, shrugging off a desperation leaping fullbody attack from Tsumura, and putting her down with the Amazonian Powerbomb (Spinning Gutwrench Powerbomb), followed by a second for good measure cause why the hell not. That gets 3 and Amazon is 4-0 on the tour.</p><p> </p><p> </p><div style="text-align:center;"><p><strong>Result: Queen Amazon def. Otsune Tsumura via pinfall at 4:37</strong></p><p> <em>Rating: 39</em></p><p> </p><p> ---</p><p> </p><p> <img alt="UqJvBag.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/UqJvBag.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="7aqiaVS.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/7aqiaVS.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="RVtNxzG.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/RVtNxzG.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> vs. <img alt="APlokTw.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/APlokTw.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="BjC1KJ8.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/BjC1KJ8.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="EgHhLyR.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/EgHhLyR.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p><p> </p><p> <strong>Talia Quinzel / Simony Sentinel / Debbie Rose vs. Machiko Matsuda / Yukiko Matsumara / Hana Ajibana</strong></p></div><p></p><p></p><p> </p><p> Gaijin vs undercard faces battle here, and its not half bad. Matsuda and Matsumara stumble out the gate a bit but it's covered fairly well, and the action is decent if a little short. The face team get opportunities, generally on Debbie Rose, to strut some stuff, with Matsuda getting a close two count on an Alley-Oop Rana combo with Ajibana before Quinzel makes the save.</p><p> </p><p> Generally though the gaijins are in control for the majority of the match, with no one on the face team having any answers for Quinzel's power as she blasts through the competition. Simony Sentinel comes off the top with the Sentinel Strike (Twisting Top Rope Splash) onto Hana Ajibana, then tags in Quinzel for the Spinal Trauma (Overhead Press Front Slam Backbreaker) that almost folds Ajibana in half. That gets the 3 count with ease as the gaijins take the win.</p><p> </p><p> </p><div style="text-align:center;"><p><strong>Result: Team Gaijin def. Team Undercard via pinfall at 10:26</strong></p><p> <em>Rating: 56</em></p><p> </p><p> ---</p><p> </p><p> <img alt="3CBZ5Q4.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/3CBZ5Q4.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p></div><p></p><p></p><p> </p><p> As the commentators talk about the next match, the lights in the arena go out and a mysterious video plays on a mounted projector to a pull-down viewing screen in the gymnasium. The video is in black and white, and shows a shadowy female beating up another shadowy female in a brick room with a wrestling ring. The dominant shadowy figure is merciless, slamming, piledriving, and striking the bejesus out of their opponent, before hitting them with a running attack that causes them to do the 360 degree McFly oversell bump.</p><p> </p><p> Some words then appear on the screen saying that 5SSW's Wrestle Challenge tour will play host to a very special guest. Some of the hardcore fans are ahead of the plot already and pretty much know who this is, drawing a roar of approval from them.</p><p> </p><p> </p><div style="text-align:center;"><p><em>Rating: 60</em></p><p> </p><p> ---</p><p> </p><p> <img alt="zaZg1I3.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/zaZg1I3.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> vs. <img alt="JGHhvtW.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/JGHhvtW.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p><p> </p><p> <strong>Etsuko Arihyoshi vs. Kinuye Mushashibo</strong></p></div><p></p><p></p><p> </p><p> The announcers wonder what the hell that was all about, and Kinuye Mushashibo seems a bit distracted by it, looking out to the projector screen several times as if expecting the video to come back up with some answers.</p><p> </p><p> It costs her dearly in the early going, as Etsuko Arihyoshi comes out with a game face and no such distractions, taking Kinuye down to the mat and working her over like she stole something. Arihyoshi really shines in this match as the submission bully, while Kinuye does a passable job as the test dummy that takes it.</p><p> </p><p> Kinuye on offense is less impressive, and the match comes to a screeching halt when Kinuye makes a slow-ish comeback that makes it looks like Arihyoshi is wrestling herself. Nonetheless, Arihyoshi does a hell of a job with what shes given and launches into a good comeback, including a rolling series of 4 suplexes (Back, German, Tiger, Full Nelson).</p><p> </p><p> Arihyoshi then caps off her extended workout by putting Kinuye in the Arihyoshi Lockdown (Seated Abdominal Stretch Dragon Sleeper) and choking her into unconsciousness for the win.</p><p> </p><p> </p><div style="text-align:center;"><p><strong>Result: Etsuko Arihyoshi def. Kinuye Mushashibo via referee stoppage due to a submission hold at 9:31</strong></p><p> <em>Rating: 61</em></p><p> </p><p> ---</p><p> </p><p> <img alt="kFF47yY.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/kFF47yY.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> vs. <img alt="I5FBwBx.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/I5FBwBx.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> vs. <img alt="IVupCz6.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/IVupCz6.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> vs. <img alt="EgTzSr5.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/EgTzSr5.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> vs. <img alt="UZfACG4.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/UZfACG4.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> vs. <img alt="dt6Nodk.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/dt6Nodk.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p><p> </p><p> <span style="text-decoration:underline;"><strong>Triangle Title Eliminator</strong></span></p><p> <strong>Eri Sato vs. Chiyeko Kita vs. Sae Akutagawa vs. Rika Tsujimura vs. Chitose Ariwara vs. Kate Lilly</strong></p></div><p></p><p></p><p> </p><p> Another wild 6 woman eliminator ensues, and the announce desk remind us of the rules: Eliminations by pinfall or submission and last 2 survivors both get the Triangle title shot.</p><p> </p><p> Sato and Akutagawa square off pretty much right away, with Kita and Tsujimura looking for their spots to attack and Lilly and Ariwara doing their own thing. Sato and Akutagawa end up brawling alone with all changers knocked out to ringside, and their exchange leads to ringside. Eventually the revived other competitors being their own fight around ringside, only for 5 of them to be taken out like dominoes by Chitose Ariwara doing a Shooting Star Press to the outside!</p><p> </p><p> Everyone recovers and the match action resumes with Ariwara planting Lilly in the rign with that weird joshi suplex lift scoop slam, before going up for a Shooting Star Press. Lilly moves at the last minute though, Ariwara crashes and burns, and then Rika Tsujimura appears out of nowhere to hammer Ariwara with the Razor Knee (Shining Kenka Knee)! That eliminates Ariwara from the contest.</p><p> </p><p> <em>ELIMINATION #1: Chitose Ariwara</em></p><p> </p><p> Eri Sato gets into it with Tsujimura and the to scuffle around for a bit. Sato has Tsujimura in the corner, crushes her with the Sato Tornado spinkick, and then turns around right into a Chiyeko Kita Superkick and gets pinned in a bit of a surprise!</p><p> </p><p> <em>ELIMINATION #2: Eri Sato</em></p><p> </p><p> The match then goes to Akutagawa v Tsujimura and Lilly v Kita, and both duos fight around ringside. Lilly takes down Kita and asks Akutagawa to help her hit an improvised Poison Thorn (Enzuigiri/Reverse STO), but as Lilly holds Kita in position for the STO part Akutagawa decides to just clothesline them both instead in a funny spot. Akutagawa throws Lilly around with a coupld belly to belly suplexes, before hauling Lilly to the turnbuckles and hitting the big middle-rope Northern Lights Suplex for the 3 count!</p><p> </p><p> <em>ELIMINATION #3: Kate Lilly</em></p><p> </p><p> This leaves Akutagawa, Kita, and Tsujimura. Tsujimura and Akutagawa team up at first, but Tsujimura cannot resist just turning on Akutagawa and blindsiding her for no reason, much as her partner Lady Lotus has done in these situations. Akutagawa's response to the turn is to suplex Tsujimura around with reckless abandon, and Kita eventually recovers to help Akutagawa take out Tsujimura with an improvised Kaenhousha (Total Elimination)! Kita covers Tsujimura for 3, and we have our Triangle title contenders!</p><p> </p><p> <em>ELIMINATION #4: Rika Tsujimura</em></p><p> </p><p> </p><div style="text-align:center;"><p><strong>Result: Chiyeko Kita and Sae Akutagawa survive after 11:29</strong></p><p> <em>Rating: 61</em></p><p> </p><p> ---</p><p> </p><p> <img alt="I5FBwBx.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/I5FBwBx.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="IVupCz6.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/IVupCz6.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p></div><p></p><p></p><p> </p><p> Post-match we get very brief separate promos from Sae Akutagawa and Chiyeko Kita promising to take the title from MAYA and become the new 5SSW Triangle champion.</p><p> </p><p> </p><div style="text-align:center;"><p><em>Rating: 43</em></p><p> </p><p> ---</p><p> </p><p> <img alt="ytBvNDA.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/ytBvNDA.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> vs. <img alt="AFBofo7.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/AFBofo7.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p><p> </p><p> <strong>Shiori Jippensha vs. Unstoppable Tai</strong></p></div><p></p><p></p><p> </p><p> As the match gets underway, the announcers let us know that Jippensha issued an open challenge to any interested 5SSW competitors via Twitter for a match at the final show of the Women of Wrestling tour, and no doubt there will be quite a few queued for a showcase match like that.</p><p> </p><p> Jippensha plays it smart as expected against her bigger opponent, wearing down Tai with dropkicks and chop blocks to the legs to take out the bigger girl's base. Tai's seen these tactics before, but not executed at as high as level as this. Jippensha shows no fear and dissects Tai in the early going, looking great and being great.</p><p> </p><p> Fuyuko Higa (now complete with a very poorly equipped parody of a tactical team as her bodyguards) comes out and parks herself at ringside watching the match, which seems to throw Jippensha off her rhythm a bit. Tai takes over and unleashes some punishing blows onto Jippensha, throwing her into the corner and crushing her with a couple avalanches.</p><p> </p><p> Tai plays to the booing crowd a bit though, and it backfires, with Jippensha reviving out of nowhere when Tai goes for the Tai Bomber (Double-Handed Choke Bomb) and gets reversed into a flying armbar/chokehold. Tai fights like a bear caught in a trap and works her way out of the hold through sheer power rather than finesse to force the break.</p><p> </p><p> Jippensha starts getting back into the groove, especially after Higa leaves (with Higa noticeably blowing a kiss to Jippensha on the way out.) Jippensha's repeated leg attacks eventually bear fruit when Jippensha finally cinches in the Jippensha Leglock (Grapevine Ankle Lock). Tai fights her way to the ropes, but Jippensha re-applies the hold. Tai battles out with power again, and Jippensha re-re-applies the hold, and eventually Tai is left with nowhere to go and no way to get there as she taps out to save her leg from serious injury.</p><p> </p><p> Jippensha picks up a hard-fought win, and we'll see who she faces in her open challenge to end the tour!</p><p> </p><p> </p><div style="text-align:center;"><p><strong>Result: Shiori Jippensha def. Unstoppable Tai via submission at 13:09</strong></p><p> <em>Rating: 65</em></p><p> </p><p> ---</p><p> </p><p> <img alt="S5zYtKU.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/S5zYtKU.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p></div><p></p><p></p><p> </p><p> Gemmei Oonishi cuts a FIRED UP promo, saying that shes got a title shot on lock if her and Saitoh get the win over Torment and Sorrow. Dispositions aside, Oonishi has respect for their ability and knockout power, and vows to stay conscious through anything to get the win and the opportunity on the final show of this tour.</p><p> </p><p> </p><div style="text-align:center;"><p><em>Rating: 72</em></p><p> </p><p> ---</p><p> </p><p> <img alt="S5zYtKU.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/S5zYtKU.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="eqRIrjY.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/eqRIrjY.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> vs. <img alt="zUFAzFy.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/zUFAzFy.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="K34xbzQ.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/K34xbzQ.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p><p> </p><p> <strong>All Heart (Gemmei Oonishi / HEART Saitoh) vs. Torment and Sorrow (Yu Hashimoto / Maki Yoshifumi)</strong></p></div><p></p><p></p><p> </p><p> This match comes across pretty well, even if its still a bit of a discount Hike/Ogiwara vs. Destruction Inc. match. All Heart badly want to prove themselves, and Torment and Sorrow badly want to inflict pain, and that becomes the story of the match.</p><p> </p><p> Torment and Sorrow control early with some vicious striking, battering Saitoh from pillar to post early with some serious fisticuffsmanship. Hashimoto threatens early with the End Game (Spinning Backhand Blow to the jaw) but Saitoh manages to duck it each time, forcing Hashimoto to play it smart and not go for big shots. Likewise Yoshifumi keeps going for the kill with the <strong>HEAD KICK</strong> but it keeps getting blocked or dodged.</p><p> </p><p> Saitoh takes a sustained beating from the opening bell and bleeds from her nose and mouth, drawing some freakout sympathy from the crowd. Saitoh keeps fighting though, and eventually manages to duck, dip, dodge, and dive past both members of Torment and Sorrow to tag in Oonishi! ........But then Oonishi gets clobbered by punches from Yoshifumi and the comeback halts in its tracks. Torment and Sorrow give Oonishi plenty of torment with their fists, and Oonishi takes serious damage.</p><p> </p><p> Oonishi almost breaks free twice, but is reeled in desperately each time, until finally Oonishi ducks an errant End Game and its a tag to Saitoh! Leaping Clotheslines! Flying Forearms! Rube Goldberg Neckbreakers! Running Back Brain Kicks!</p><p> </p><p> Saitoh tags in Oonishi for the Double Back Superplex. They get setup, Yoshifumi runs in to make the save and gets tossed....... and the Double Back Superplex drives Hashimoto neck-first into the canvas! 1......2......NO! Hashimoto kicks out!</p><p> </p><p> Oonishi doesn't know what to do, but as Hashimoto rises she puts her back down with a dropkick, before hitting a Springboard Legdrop! 1......2......NO! Oonishi then decides to tag in Saitoh and tells her to hold Hashimoto in position for a big move........ and its the Birds of Prey finish Death From Above (Veg-o-matic)! 1......2......3!</p><p> </p><p> A big win for All Heart, and it looks like a Tag Team title shot awaits!</p><p> </p><p> </p><div style="text-align:center;"><p><strong>Result: All Heart def. Torment And Sorrow via pinfall at 14:45</strong></p><p> <em>Rating: 69</em></p><p> </p><p> ---</p><p> </p><p> <img alt="ZoM1wH5.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/ZoM1wH5.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="aDF3DSi.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/aDF3DSi.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p></div><p></p><p></p><p> </p><p> Backstage we get promos from Fuyuko Higa and Yuma Maruya while their teams warm up in the background. Both women are focused, hostile towards their opponents, and ready for victory. Higa also makes sure to get in an extra verbal barb in on Oonishi, because Higa.</p><p> </p><p> </p><div style="text-align:center;"><p><em>Rating: 75</em></p><p> </p><p> ---</p><p> </p><p> <img alt="aDF3DSi.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/aDF3DSi.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="4LKURYk.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/4LKURYk.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="mXmc58q.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/mXmc58q.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> vs. <img alt="ZoM1wH5.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/ZoM1wH5.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="xI8mrAU.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/xI8mrAU.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="wQ9Yzya.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/wQ9Yzya.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p><p> </p><p> <strong>Yuma Maruya and Double Pink (Mystery Pink / Pinky Perez) vs. Fuyuko Higa and Lethal Strike (Thea Davis / Zofia Jankovic)</strong></p></div><p></p><p></p><p> </p><p> This is a great, great match, quite possibly the best one 5-Star has seen since Ogiwara's retirement. Sure, the heat isn't as great, as the people just want to see Maruya vs. Higa without the riffraff. But said riffraff actually really helps the match quality. All 6 women involved bring their A-game, and go at it hammer and tongs to get a result and a rise out of the crowd.</p><p> </p><p> Predictably, Maruya makes a beeline for Higa and we're off to a flying start, with Higa complaining to the referee about the ambush (and then 30 seconds later predictably cheapshotting Maruya and claiming innocence when the crowd boos it. The match starts proper with Jankovic taking on Perez in some good action to start, with Perez managing to get a roar of laughter from the audience by busting out the humiliating Rolling Cradle spot for 2. Zofia is not pleased with that, and after looking around disgusted at the crowd proceeds to blister Perez with some brutal kicks.</p><p> </p><p> Team Higa takes over early, and lay it into Double Pink, with Maruya being kept out of the match for quite a while. The momentum does swing when she comes in, but the fans get concerned when the haughty Higa actually does get the better of Maruya in an extended mat wrestling sequence, seeming to be one step ahead at all times. Jankovic and Davis gleefully join in on the fun, and 5-Star's idol is in trouble!</p><p> </p><p> Roundhouse Kick! 1......2.....NO! High Fly Elbow! 1......2.....NO! Maruya keeps fighting, but Higa's cheapshots and Lethal Strike's ability prove formidable barriers. Finally, Maruya gets away and tags in Perez, and Perez makes a big comeback on Team Higa! Headscissors for everyone! Spinning Flying Forearm! Tilt-a-Whirl Rib Breaker! Perez hits the big Pink Butterfly Powerbomb (Spinning Tiger Bomb) on Davis! 1......2......Higa saves! Perez continues the offensive, but Davis flies into the wrong corner after a Springboard Dropkick and Higa tags in!</p><p> </p><p> Higa takes control with strikes and suplexes, mocks Perez with headslaps while shouting abuse at a recovering Maruya in the corner, then Higa arrogantly tries to finish Perez off with Perez's own Pink Butterfly Powerbomb...... but Perez reverses into a hurricanrana! Mystery Pink gets tagged in! Vertical Suplex/Twisting Crossbody combo incoming.....but Higa slips out and shoves Perez into the turnbuckle! Mystery Pink falls off the top rope and into the ring!</p><p> </p><p> Higa gets up slowly with a grin on her face, and picks up Mystery Pink for the Higa Green Driver (Emerald Flowsion Kai), only for Pink to slip out and hook Higa up for a German Suplex, only for Higa to counter that by flipping and landing on her feet! Dropkick puts Pink down! Perfection Sweep (Skull Crushing Finale) to Pink!.......</p><p> </p><p> ........and we are desperately outta time! 20 minutes have expired and this one's a draw before Higa can make the cover! Higa is furious!</p><p> </p><p> </p><div style="text-align:center;"><p><strong>Result: Team Higa drew with Team Maruya in 20:00 when the time limit expired</strong></p><p> <em>Rating: 79</em></p><p> </p><p> ---</p><p> </p><p> <strong><span style="font-size:12px;">OVERALL SHOW RATING: 76</span></strong></p><p><strong> ATTENDANCE: 325</strong></p></div><p></p><p></p>

Shogun TV Presents: 5SSW Women of Wrestling Tour Night 4 Monday/Week 2/May/2020 --- We're onto the final show before the Women of Wrestling tour comes to an end. You can watch at the Nekketsu High School Gymnasium in Osaka, or on Shogun TV! Our opening match sees Queen Amazon continue to blaze a path of destruction through 5SSW, taking on veteran Otsune Tsumura. Next up is a six woman tag match, which will see one half of the Tag Team champions Talia Quinzel teaming with fellow countrywomen Simony Sentinel and Debbie Rose. They'll take on the trio of Machiko Matsuda, Yukiko Matsumara, and Hana Ajibana! Etsuko Arihyoshi is in singles action next, taking on Kinuye Mushashibo. A Triangle title eliminator is up next. 6 women enter, and are eliminated by pinfall or submission until 2 girls remain. It will be Eri Sato, Chiyeko Kita, Sae Akutagawa, Chitose Ariwara, Rika Tsujimura, and Kate Lilly fighting for a shot at the Triangle title! Shiori Jippensha is in singles action next, taking on Unstoppable Tai in an intriguing matchup. Next up is a possible Tag Team title eliminator, with All Heart taking on Torment and Sorrow. Will determination overcome brutality? Finally, our main event sees two issues clashing in a six woman tag match. Yuma Maruya teams up with the luchadora duo Double Pink to take on Fuyuko Higa and the European duo known as Lethal Strike. All 6 of these women will be involved in big matches at the final show of the Wrestle Challenge, but who will come out on top here? --- PREDICTION KEY: (OOC: Time limit draw alert!) Queen Amazon vs. Otsune Tsumura Talia Quinzel / Simony Sentinel / Debbie Rose vs. Machiko Matsuda / Yukiko Matsumara / Hana Ajibana Etsuko Arihyoshi vs. Kinuye Mushashibo Triangle Title Eliminator (pick 2 winners): Eri Sato vs. Chiyeko Kita vs. Sae Akutagawa vs. Chitose Ariwara vs. Rika Tsujimura vs. Kate Lilly Shiori Jippensha vs. Unstoppable Tai Gemmei Oonishi / HEART Saitoh vs. Yu Hashimoto / Maki Yoshifumi Yuma Maruya / Pinky Perez / Mystery Pink vs. Fuyuko Higa / Thea Davis / Zofia Jankovic

(OOC: Thanks to everyone who posted for the kind words! Hopefully all the lurkers out there like this as well! Prediction key will be up on Tuesday, 4th card of the current tour on Thursday It's all Higa. Sentinel's an okay worker, but is like 20-21 overness in Kansai or something, while Higa is low 40s and one of the best workers in the entire world if we're being honest. --- Saturday/Week 1/May/2020 Sushi Nogoroh Restaurant Osaka, Japan "I mean, I thought you all were joking, I thought Higa was ribbing us, but it was exactly like the girls said in the locker room. Higa is such a BITCH! Like, for the first 3 minutes she gave me NOTHING! You saw that right? When I go screaaamin across the ring, and dropkick Higa right in the teeth, and shes fighting to stay on her feet and basically not sell it. And then I think she reamed me out in Japanese for putting her in a hold afterwards and telling her to sell. How does ANYONE put up with her?" "You know, I stopped asking that last question a long time ago." Simony and Erin were sitting in a sushi restaurant that had a conveyor belt setup, finishing the last of their dinner while Ted covered the cheque. It was the day after their 3rd show on this tour, and Simony was still a bit hot over her match with Fuyuko Higa. Simony got introduced to Higa-world, only one star wrestler allowed, all else can go screw themselves, and Simony had to get rough with Higa a bit to get her selling, something she didn't like to do. "I mean, look, Higa's probably the best wrestler I've ever worked with. She's probably better than a lot of the CWA guys too, let alone the girls. But it just goes straight to her head! Like, a good match requires the other person too ya know! You can't just wrestle yourself!" Erin had seen some wrestlers who were so bad that their opponents might as well be wrestling themselves, but she let that slide for the moment. Both of them knew this bluster distracted from the real big issue for them in thir corner of the wrestling world. Alicia Strong was coming to 5SSW. Or at least, they were fairly sure. Six months ago this would've been regarded as the most improbable occurence in wrestling, so it was still hard for people to wrap their head around it. But Alicia Strong was for sure out of USPW for good, and given that she was trained by Sensational Ogiwara and burned a bridge to CWA quite spectacularly........ there weren't many other options for her....... Alicia Strong in USPW was supposed to be guaranteed. Even when Sam Strong left, there would be no reason for Packer to fire her. Why would he? There were not that many better women's wrestlers to build a division around. Yes, the hardcore wrestling fans didn't like her act and thought she was overrated, but she was the best woman in the world at what she did. Things should've been rosy. Until they weren't. It seemed Alicia wanted to be treated as a legitimate main eventer instead of a sideshow. She had gotten one main event on a blowoff show on Reverie, then Packer and new booker Rich Money relegated her and the belt to the middle of the card, and women's matches seemed to go back down to 1 or 2 per USPW show. Alicia was frustrated, words were exchanged, and she was buried and then fired. The concern of course was that Alicia had seemed to go off the deep end sometime around the start of the year, and started going off on people that weren't necessarily part of the problem, like exchanging bon mots with Steve DeColt and Adrian Garcia. They had nothing to do with USPW, but it seemed like Alicia was just going crazy and burning bridges over this issue with the women's division. Which made the gaijin in 5SSW a bit anxious. After all, they were in the minority, and for some of them this was their only gig. If Alicia came in and blew things up here, and took the gaijin down with her, then that could possibly lead to people losing their careers. Or even more than that. This was a foreign land, and despite some efforts to learn none of them could speak the language yet. Yes, Japan was nice and civilized, but they could still get arrested or disappeared at any time, and not be able to even communicate their circumstances to anyone. That's why they banded together, and treated Ted and Kinuye Mushashibo with the utmost respect, because they could breach the language barrier. You needed to go along to get along here in Japan. Would Alicia do that? That was a question Paige Croft and Talia Quinzel were desperately trying to get answers to, reaching out to any source worth a damn (mostly former AAA talent in USPW) to see what was really going on behind the scenes. Would Alicia mess it all up for them if she came in? How much of this raving prima donna bit was the current Alicia Strong? They had to find out. And it was on everyone's mind as the tour's 4th show came fast approaching......

OOC SHOW NOTES: -If you're one of the forum lurkers that drift through this diary every week but never post, please do so so I can know if you like the diary or just look at it as "okay, what is the weekly joshi trainwreck up to this time?" -In all seriousness, I feel like forum activity is in a weird spot, and people seem to be kinda down on this game, not to mention we lose the Guest bot viewers who might be compelled to make accounts and post and talk about the game if they weren't locked out of some of these forums. Wonder if Arlie or Scott Vibert or any of the trained robot GDS staff will be able to fix that soon. -Average show for the most part. Wasn't totally feeling it. Next week's should be good though, got a killer main event planned for the go-home show. -The patches related to overness gain changes contrast things pretty well with Queen Amazon and Simony Sentinel, who have both gotten similar pushes but Sentinel got over MUCH easier than Amazon did. Those reductions are stupid. -Another reason why the pop gain reductions are stupid: Sugiyama's lost twice in a row to less over people without open match note but her overness isn't budging, and the people who are winning are barely gaining. -Overall, this stuff is concerning because I was planning on bringing in Ursula Saez and now I'm wondering how the hell she'll get over. Lilly and Rose are struggling in this spot too, although tbf they weren't ever going undefeated on this tour. -Paige did really well leading Erin through a good 8 minute match, and I think this is Erin's best singles bout to date. With neutral momentum I think Erin could break past 41 match rating, so shes coming along. -Midcard was what it was, building people up. Probably going to be running the 6 woman scramble to get 2 Triangle title contenders because that was a fun match to write last time, so why not do it again. It won't be an every tour deal, might throw in a battle royale sometime, but we'll see what happens. -Liked the co-main but it got a fiarly average rating due to Lilly and Rose not being over yet (I think they're at 12-13 overness in Kansai after this match, and started at 4-5?). Kate Lilly's really impressing me and I'm wondering if I should bring her in for a singles run, although part of her rating is that tag experience/tag specialist boost. -I forgot to check if that Higa road agent note popped up again, but I feel Higa would just be selfish and eat up Simony to start anyways so I went with that. We'll be checking in with Simony shortly in the character post, either tomorrow or Sunday. -And speaking of the character bits, I guess this is a good time to talk about Alicia Strong isn't it? So yeah, in TEW2016, some of you sharper-eyed players doing long term games note that a big effect from the Allen Packer ownership is that Alicia Strong randomly hits the bricks when her contract expires sometimes. So in my initial TEW2016 5SSW save that this was based off of, I was mulling over some plans, and saw Strong getting released and was like WHAT?!?!?!? So I brought her in and started up a deal before losing interest in the save and moving to CV97. -So TEW2020 comes along, and I suspect, but cannot prove, that Alicia being in a more entrenched position and the women's division in general being a bit more over PROBABLY means that Packer wouldn't needlessly release her. So I made up a storyline, which will play out over the next little while, where we find out that Strong and Packer have very different ideas about USPW and things that should be done. And yes, this makes no sense in a vanilla save, but I had a disclosure of editor abuse in here somewhere. Also lets be real: Sam Strong is pretty much Hulk Hogan, and having both Sam and Alicia being nice isn't as fun as Sam and Alicia being "Look out for Number One, and by the way I'm Number One." ......Well, thats what I think Sam should be, especially in CV97. Alicia is a bit more complicated. But even then the CVerse bios were implying stuff for a while that Alicia was partially responsible for influencing her strong booking, as well as the ignoring of Joanne Rodriguez, who could've made serious bank for USPW in place of Melody or Jaime Quine. I'll go into more detail on Alicia over the next little while, but suffice it to say she'll be a semi-important character in the diary. I hope everyone got a kick out of those TEW.com news teasers where it seemed like Alicia was being a jerk to everyone every week. We'll get some context to those later. -Might combine some in-game news items into these OOC Show Notes. I'm sorta not sure that the TEW.com bits add a bunch to the story, cause it's mostly confirming stuff we're already hearing about (and part of the reason they were there in the first place was to be the setup for the aforementioned "Strong Does Thing, Everyone Hates It" running gag/storyline). I'll mention some weird save stuff though that people might get a kick out of, like The Minor Annoyance GETTING A JOB WITH SNP LMAO this'll be great. -Any comments/questions/predictions/feedback/flaming will be read and appreciated fellas! Hopefully you're all staying safe in these pandemic-y times! --- PREDICTION STANDINGS ampulator: 58/59 KyTeran: 45/52 medla: 14/23 joshbrady91: 8/8 Teasenityrn: 8/8 Cutoff will be the 5SSW June shows for this round of predictions, although I might as well just hand the win to amp and his psychic-ness at this point. Instead of individual show predictions I'll probably run a general J Grand Prix prediction deal and post the shows in an abbreviated format with no prediction key beforehand. We're starting to get to the good parts fellas! Hang in there!

<p></p><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="GYUe7nb.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/GYUe7nb.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><p> </p><p> <strong><span style="font-size:12px;">Shogun TV Presents:</span></strong></p><p><strong><span style="font-size:12px;"> 5SSW Women of Wrestling Tour Night 3</span></strong></p><p><strong><span style="font-size:12px;"> Wednesday/Week 1/May/2020</span></strong></p><p><strong><span style="font-size:12px;"> Karasuno High School Gymnasium</span></strong></p><p><strong><span style="font-size:12px;"> Kyoto, Japan</span></strong></p><p> </p><p> ---</p><p> </p><p> <img alt="38BdHBV.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/38BdHBV.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p></div><p></p><p></p><p> </p><p> We get the opening spiel from the announcers to start followed by 5SSW VP Kaiya Kuwahara coming out. Kuwahara does her usual professional job running down the card, hinting at future matches, and thanking the audience for coming out tonight.</p><p> </p><p> </p><div style="text-align:center;"><p><em>Rating: 67</em></p><p> </p><p> ---</p><p> </p><p> <img alt="25lCuQx.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/25lCuQx.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> vs. <img alt="Zb8U70Q.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/Zb8U70Q.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p><p> </p><p> <strong>Queen Amazon vs. Ochiyo Iijima</strong></p></div><p></p><p></p><p> </p><p> Queen Amazon gets in another squash-a-riffic performance against a badly outgunned Ochiyo Iijima. Iijima tries some strikes and moves but can barely even budge Queen Amazon unless she wants to be budged. Amazon swats Iijima around the ring, pummels her with clubbing forearms, gets in a couple catch wrestling-style throws, and then lands a vicious Amazonian Powerbomb (Spinning Gutwrench Powerbomb) that almost folds Iijima in half.</p><p> </p><p> Instead of just taking the win there, Amazon puts Iijima in a rib-busting bearhug and shakes her around until the ref mercifully stops the match.</p><p> </p><p> </p><div style="text-align:center;"><p><strong>Result: Queen Amazon def. Ochiyo Iijima via referee stoppage due to a submission at 4:31</strong></p><p> <em>Rating: 42</em></p><p> </p><p> ---</p><p> </p><p> <img alt="Ut6aCND.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/Ut6aCND.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> vs. <img alt="nr0H7y3.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/nr0H7y3.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p><p> </p><p> <strong>Paige Croft vs. Erin Marcelin</strong></p></div><p></p><p></p><p> </p><p> Surprisingly this match is slightly more competitive. Paige sells for Erin quite a bit, and lets Erin bust out a few crisp suplexes and strikes. Erin's punches are still stiff and Erin is still green, but she's clearly coming along a bit.</p><p> </p><p> Erin then sells generously for Paige in response when Paige takes over, which makes for a fairly ridiculous visual due to Erin having ten inches on Croft in height........ but it gets a passing grade for effort at least. Paige carefully leads the match, works over Erin's knees to take out her base, and then lays her out with the running Ace Crusher for a 3 count to cap off a very watchable (if predictable) contest.</p><p> </p><p> </p><div style="text-align:center;"><p><strong>Result: Paige Croft def. Erin Marcelin via pinfall at 7:33</strong></p><p> <em>Rating: 57</em></p><p> </p><p> ---</p><p> </p><p> <img alt="S5zYtKU.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/S5zYtKU.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p></div><p></p><p></p><p> </p><p> Gemmei Oonishi is next with a fired up promo for her match today. She praises Lilly and Rose for their experience and teamwork, but says they're an obstacle Oonishi must overcome to get back the Tag Team titles for herself and the best partner she's ever had, HEART Saitoh.</p><p> </p><p> </p><div style="text-align:center;"><p><em>Rating: 67</em></p><p> </p><p> ---</p><p> </p><p> <img alt="lL30Zqr.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/lL30Zqr.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="JGHhvtW.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/JGHhvtW.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="iobILVo.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/iobILVo.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="BjC1KJ8.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/BjC1KJ8.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> vs. <img alt="NrU6NiP.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/NrU6NiP.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="mXmc58q.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/mXmc58q.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="xI8mrAU.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/xI8mrAU.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="wQ9Yzya.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/wQ9Yzya.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p><p> </p><p> <strong>Kaede Sugiyama / Kinuye Mushashibo / Otsune Tsumura / Yukiko Matsumara vs. Selina Svelte / Pinky Perez / Thea Davis / Zofia Jankovic</strong></p></div><p></p><p></p><p> </p><p> The North American and European foursome have some definite tension between them, as a result of some choice words they had for each other during the Queen's Castle Cup tournament. The Stone Soliders and Shining Force rush to take advantage of this, and manage to accomplish a lot in the early going to take over early.</p><p> </p><p> Lethal Strike laugh at Perez's misfortunes, Selina Svelte laughs at everyone, everyone laughs at Selina Svelte. Svelte does some silly escape fleeing in terror sequence from various members of the babyface-ish faction in certain spots, but does appear to be wrestling more seriously and taking care of her own business, as opposed to hiding behind her partners.</p><p> </p><p> Eventually though the foreign team does get their act together and start taking the match seriously instead of getting distracted jawjacking amongst themselves. Perez dominates with speed, Lethal Strike shows savagery, and Svelte brings some technical flair.</p><p> </p><p> The Stone soliders mount a desperate comeback late, but Kinuye Mushashibo is tripped up going for her part of the Stone Fall (Springboard Hart Attack) by Svelte. Perez DDTs Kaede Sugiyama, but then gets blind tagged by Zofia Jankovic before doing anything else. Zofia gleefully comes in, soccer kicks Mushashibo in the face, then hauls up Sugiyama for the Demon's Bane (Go 2 Sleep), connecting squarely for a 3 count to steal the win for her team as Perez looks displeased on the apron.</p><p> </p><p> </p><div style="text-align:center;"><p><strong>Result: Team Gaijin def. Team Shining Stone via pinfall at 12:11 (Jankovic pins Sugiyama)</strong></p><p> <em>Rating: 62</em></p><p> </p><p> ---</p><p> </p><p> <img alt="IVupCz6.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/IVupCz6.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> vs. <img alt="EgHhLyR.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/EgHhLyR.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p><p> </p><p> <strong>Sae Akutagawa vs. Hana Ajibana</strong></p></div><p></p><p></p><p> </p><p> Poor Hana Ajibana has had a pretty rough year, and it gets rougher against one half of the Hell Raisers in Sae Akutagawa. Akutagawa takes advantage of having a singles match to strut her stuff, working her technical skills to take full control of the match and make life hard for Ajibana. Ajibana tries to fight back with her own technical skills and some suplexes, but it's hard to hold down the bigger Akutagawa down for long.</p><p> </p><p> Akutagawa takes back the flow of the match and starts casually tossing Ajibana around to see how far she can fly, before hauling her up for the middle rope Northern Lights Suplex to finish her off. Basically an extended workout for Akutagawa in the end.</p><p> </p><p> </p><div style="text-align:center;"><p><strong>Result: Sae Akutagawa def. Hana Ajibana via pinfall at 9:33</strong></p><p> <em>Rating: 58</em></p><p> </p><p> ---</p><p> </p><p> <img alt="IVupCz6.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/IVupCz6.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p></div><p></p><p></p><p> </p><p> Backstage we get a quickcut promo from Sae Akutagawa saying that this is only an example of what shes capable of, and 5SSW better watch out for more of the same.</p><p> </p><p> </p><div style="text-align:center;"><p><em>Rating: 45</em></p><p> </p><p> ---</p><p> </p><p> <img alt="sJhu7eb.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/sJhu7eb.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="QPFYrDH.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/QPFYrDH.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="kFF47yY.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/kFF47yY.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> vs. <img alt="EgTzSr5.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/EgTzSr5.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="AFBofo7.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/AFBofo7.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="tWGT8UZ.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/tWGT8UZ.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p><p> </p><p> <strong>MAYA / Miwako Katsukawa / Eri Sato vs. Rika Tsujimura / Unstoppable Tai / Toku Kijmuta</strong></p></div><p></p><p></p><p> </p><p> This tag match has some talent in it, but things don't seem to flow together naturally, and the match does not get a lot of time to marinate. That and Tsujimura and Tai are wearing their "I'm doing a job and hating it" faces, showing quite the unprofessionalism to say the least.</p><p> </p><p> Eri Sato doesn't help matters by blowing spots badly and accidently stiffing Tsujimura on a spinkick that almost starts a fight, but at least it serves to lighten the match up a bit. The action meanders along, but isn't completely irredeemable at least.</p><p> </p><p> Eventually, MAYA and Miwako Katsukawa haul up Toku Kijmuta for a double-team version of MAYA's Slingshot Spike DDT, and that gets a 3 count to bring this contest to a close.</p><p> </p><p> </p><div style="text-align:center;"><p><strong>Result: Team MAYA def. Team Heels via pinfall at 11:32</strong></p><p> <em>Rating: 57</em></p><p> </p><p> ---</p><p> </p><p> <img alt="QPFYrDH.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/QPFYrDH.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="sJhu7eb.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/sJhu7eb.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p></div><p></p><p></p><p> </p><p> Miwako Katsukawa and MAYA cut a brief promo backstage afterwards. MAYA is in particularly good spirits over the win, and looks forward to another successful defense of her Triangle title on the tour end show.</p><p> </p><p> </p><div style="text-align:center;"><p><em>Rating: 50</em></p><p> </p><p> ---</p><p> </p><p> <img alt="S5zYtKU.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/S5zYtKU.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="eqRIrjY.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/eqRIrjY.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> vs. <img alt="dt6Nodk.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/dt6Nodk.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="RVtNxzG.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/RVtNxzG.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p><p> </p><p> <strong>All Heart (Gemmei Oonishi / HEART Saitoh) vs. Lilly & Rose (Kate Lilly / Debbie Rose)</strong></p></div><p></p><p></p><p> </p><p> This is quite the good little tag match. It's hurt by the crowd not caring about the gaijin duo of Lilly and Rose as much as they should, and as well by a lack of time given to the usual good co-main. Still, it does have good heel-face dynamics, a decent story, and some solid action to make it a watchable match.</p><p> </p><p> Kate Lilly is starting to impress with her work, although Debbie Rose isn't that far below her talent-wise. They play the conniving heels well, while All Heart are really intot heir role of never-say-die babyfaces at this point. Lilly and Saitoh work a great, lengthy sequence together, with Saitoh doing her usual fine job of selling and convincing the crowd shes in trouble.</p><p> </p><p> Oonishi gets the tag, but Lilly and Rose stop her comeback, with Rose countering a headscissors by throwing Oonishi throat-first right into the turnbuckles. Lilly and Rose take back control and get a close two count off a Power-Plex, as they start to press hard for the win.</p><p> </p><p> Lilly and Rose go for the kill with the Poison Thorn (Enzuigiri/Reverse STO), only for Oonishi to counter by pulling Rose into position to take the Enzuigiri right to the face! Oonishi bundles Lilly out of the ring, takes down Rose with a hurricanrana, and then goes up for the Flying Dagger Legdrop (Top Rope Front Flip rough Ryder) that connects and takes Rose down for the 3 count! Another good win for All Heart, and their quest for a tag title shot is looking good!</p><p> </p><p> </p><div style="text-align:center;"><p><strong>Result: All Heart def. Lilly & Rose via pinfall at 12:33 (Oonishi pins Rose)</strong></p><p> <em>Rating: 62</em></p><p> </p><p> ---</p><p> </p><p> <img alt="ZoM1wH5.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/ZoM1wH5.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> vs. <img alt="7aqiaVS.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/7aqiaVS.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p><p> </p><p> <strong>Fuyuko Higa vs. Simony Sentinel</strong></p></div><p></p><p></p><p> </p><p> Higa looks mildly frightened and jumpy during her entrance at first, which Umeko Karube on commentary interprets as Higa being scared of Oonishi doubling back to beat her up. Higa's security force is vigilant and staves off any threats though, so it seems that Higa will make it to this match unperturbed.</p><p> </p><p> Simony Sentinel isn't given a great chance at winning by the fanbase, as she's still trying to establish herself as a familiar face to the viewing audience, but this match goes a ways towards getting her there.</p><p> </p><p> It doesn't start off well, with Higa seemingly brushing off most of Sentinel's initial flurry of offense. However, after a sequence where Sentinel seems to put some extra effort on a lucha takedown, followed by a leg choke of some sort and some verbal invective from Sentinel, Higa seems to start putting in more effort into the match, and the results are great.</p><p> </p><p> The crowd start getting into it when Sentinel displays some interesting offense, such as a ropewalk into a flipping overhead judo throw, and a bizarre looking but innovative splits stretch leg lariat, which Sentinel transitions into another wacky leg based chokehold that threatens a tapout before Higa scrabbles to the ropes.</p><p> </p><p> Higa keeps getting the crowd into it despite themselves with her disdainful antics and high-level offense, although it has to be said that she is slightly more respectful of Sentinel than some other opponents (even after the early antics). Higa gets a springboard wheel kick for a close 2. Backdrop Driver gets 2. Higa goes for the Perfection Sweep (Skull Crushing Finale), but Sentinel reverses smoothly into an STO for 2.</p><p> </p><p> Sentinel presses hard for a win as the match goes on, but unfortunately makes a critical mistake of not stunning Higa properly before going up for the Sentinel Strike (Twisting Top Rope Splash). Higa plays possum, Sentinel crashes and burns, and then Higa gets a flash schoolgirl rollup on Sentinel while she's shaking her head trying to clear the cobwebs from the landing...... 1......2......3! Higa takes a solid win en route to her big match against Maruya for the title!</p><p> </p><p> </p><div style="text-align:center;"><p><strong>Result: Fuyuko Higa def. Simony Sentinel via pinfall at 15:22</strong></p><p> <em>Rating: 73</em></p><p> </p><p> ---</p><p> </p><p> <img alt="ZoM1wH5.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/ZoM1wH5.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p></div><p></p><p></p><p> </p><p> Post-match, Higa grabs the microphone and says that she went easy and "experimented" on this violet-haired test subject, but there won't be any going easy on Maruya in their title match. Higa then says there's only one way out for Maruya besides defeat, and that's surrender. Higa can ease the pain and burden for Maruya if she simply walks to the ring on the final tour show and presents Higa with Higa's title belt. Higa tells Maruya to think it over before throwing the mic down and the double middle fingers up at the booing audience on her way out of the ring.</p><p> </p><p> </p><div style="text-align:center;"><p><em>Rating: 75</em></p><p> </p><p> ---</p><p> </p><p> <strong><span style="font-size:12px;">OVERALL SHOW RATING: 72</span></strong></p><p><strong> ATTENDANCE: 302</strong></p></div><p></p><p></p>

<p></p><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="GYUe7nb.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/GYUe7nb.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><p> </p><p> <strong><span style="font-size:12px;">Shogun TV Presents:</span></strong></p><p><strong><span style="font-size:12px;"> 5SSW Women of Wrestling Tour Night 3</span></strong></p><p><strong><span style="font-size:12px;"> Wednesday/Week 1/May/2020</span></strong></p><p> </p><p> ---</p></div><p></p><p></p><p> </p><p> 5SSW's Women of Wrestling Tour reaches Night 3 of high-level action, coming from the Karasuno High School Gymnasium in Kyoto, Japan, and airing only on Shogun TV!</p><p> </p><p> Our opening match sees Queen Amazon continuing to blaze her trail of destruction on this tour, taking on Ochiyo Iijima.</p><p> </p><p> Paige Croft is in the second match, taking on a fellow gaijin, the young lion Erin Marcelin.</p><p> </p><p> Eight women tag action follows with some explosive tension in it, as the Stone Soliders and Shining Force take on the thrown together foursome of Selina Svelte, Pinky Perez, and Lethal Strike. None of them get along, but can they set differences aside for the win against their veteran opponents? </p><p> </p><p> Sae Akutagawa is in singles action next, taking on former All-Asian champion Hana Ajibana.</p><p> </p><p> six woman tag action follows, and it will see the trio of MAYA, Miwako Katsukawa, and Eri Sato take on the unpleasant dispositions of Rika Tsujimura and the TermiNation.</p><p> </p><p> All Heart have gotten off to a strong start on the tour as the new duo aim to get the Tag Team titles, but they face a veteran duo that has also started strong: Lilly and Rose. Will the team experience from the gaijins prove decisive, or will heart and courage overcome?</p><p> </p><p> Finally, our main event features Fuyuko Higa looking to make another statement win before her title challenge against Yuma Maruya, but she's up against a wild opponent in Simony Sentinel. The violet-haired high flyer from Boston has won 6 and lost one in her 5SSW career, can she shock Higa with the upset, or will "Miss Perfection" triumph en route to her big match? It should be a good one!</p><p> </p><p> </p><div style="text-align:center;"><p>---</p><p> </p><p> <strong>PREDICTION KEY:</strong></p><p> </p><p> Queen Amazon vs. Ochiyo Iijima</p><p> </p><p> Paige Croft vs. Erin Marcelin</p><p> </p><p> Kaede Sugiyama / Kinuye Mushashibo / Otsune Tsumura / Yukiko Matsumara vs. Selina Svelte / Pinky Perez / Thea Davis / Zofia Jankovic</p><p> </p><p> Sae Akutagawa vs. Hana Ajibana</p><p> </p><p> MAYA / Miwako Katsukawa / Eri Sato vs. Rika Tsujimura / Unstoppable Tai / Toku Kijmuta</p><p> </p><p> Gemmei Oonishi / HEART Saitoh vs. Kate Lilly / Debbie Rose</p><p> </p><p> Fuyuko Higa vs. Simony Sentinel</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> <em>(OOC: Apologies this took a little longer than anticipated, I had to book the USPW card where I fired Strong to set up that whole deal. </em><img alt="" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/tongue.png.ceb643b2956793497cef30b0e944be28.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><em> )</em></p></div><p></p><p></p>

TEW.com USPW Breaking News Alert by Scott Inglehoffer Sunday/Week 4/April/2020 BREAKING STORY: ALICIA STRONG RELEASED BY USPW In a big development to an ongoing story here on TEW.com, Alicia Stragavelli (known by her wrestling name of Alicia Strong) was released today by USPW, on the heels of the USPW Freedom Fight! event. The reason for the release was said to be the months-long disagreement between Alicia and USPW brass Allen Packer and Paul "Rich Money" Parsons (which has been covered in extensive detail on TEW.com). The disagreement has been said to be over the USPW women's division and their place in the company, with Alicia wanting more main events for the women's division, as well as more character development, long term feuds, and angles. Alicia is also said to be firm in her belief that she's better and more important to USPW than many of the male talents contracted to the company. This viewpoint seemed to escalate after an internal December Reverie report revealed that Alicia Strong segments were on average in the Top 5 of highest rated segments in USPW programming on Reverie, in addition to high downloaded segment clip numbers. Alicia's arguments with USPW officials escalated to the point where booker Rich Money started to repeatedly have her lose matches in an effort to shunt her lower down the pecking order. Everything came to a head during the six woman tag match on last night's USPW Freedom Fight!, where Charity Sweet, Missy Masterson, and Wendy Anderson beat Alicia Strong, Juliette King, and Glorious Gloria via Sweet pinning Alicia. Alicia then controversially rolled out of the ring, no-selling the damage she had taken, and audibly said "**** THIS!" within range of a USPW camera mic as she headed up the ramp. Backstage sources then said a heated argument took place between Alicia Strong, Rich Money, and Allen Packer, ending with Alicia saying "Fire me!" and Allen saying "Fine, I will then!". Alicia was then spotted leaving the arena in her Cadillac, clipping a parked car on the way out. This morning USPW released a tersely worded statement on their website USPW.com "USPW has come to terms with the mutual termination of contract with Alicia "Alicia Strong" Stragavelli. We wish Alicia the best of luck in her future endeavours." Alicia Strong confirmed her release on Twiiter with a tweet saying "Free at last! " while pictured with her arms spread out looking out a hotel room window. With Alicia Strong's release, it is unknown where her next destination will be, although it's said that QAW and 5SSW will be mounting offers. Alicia Strong will presumably be competing under that name, as leaked documents revealed that Alicia owns the trademark to the Strong surname, having acquired it along with her father's in 2017. Alicia's release was rumoured to be accompanied by a "spring cleaning" of whats perceived to be an overbloated USPW roster, although it seems USPW will not go through with any further releases at this time. We at TEW.com will keep you updated as the story develops.

Erin, Simony, and Ted watched the monitor for the main event, shaking their heads in disbelief as Fuyuko made her over-the-top heel entrance with even more local jobbers than they knew existed backstage. "Man....... Higa is a BITCH......" "No argument there." And there really wasn't. Fuyuko Higa was in a great mood when she came in backstage today, probably because she was about to win this match, and probably because she thought she was getting the title (although no one backstage knew at all if she would win or lose against Maruya to end the tour). Higa's idea of how to be in a good mood was bad for everyone else though, as Higa had been popping off backstage and bragging to or insulting everyone with a pulse. Ted had noted Higa telling Hana Ajibana to kneel around ringside like a Burning Hammer young boy so she could learn how to wrestle, and that didn't go over too well. Ajibana had already been pissed at Higa for stiffing her earlier in the year on subway fare, and a fight almost started over this new offense, but it ultimately was broken up before things got out of hand. Higa was hauled off by Hatoyama to cool off and talk with Ogiwara. Ted didn't see this, but as Higa went to meet Ogiwara, they passed by Erin chatting with Queen Amazon, going over spots for their match. Higa shouted in Japanese at Erin, but Erin didn't understand a word. She could tell it was nothing pleasant though. Erin couldn't even remember the specific phrasing enough to tell Kinye or Ted about it, so she kept it to herself. Still though, they had to admit Fuyuko Higa knew how to perform. The slightest gesture from Higa could draw instant heat, let alone having her security force beat people up on the way to ringside or cheapshotting people after being so worried about cheapshots on her. Higa just got it, and had the modern in-ring skills down cold too. If she just didn't buy into her own hype so much and didn't constantly act like an entitled bitch, surely she'd have been a multi-time World champ by now...... Meanwhile as the main event was going on, a commotion was taking place in the hallway outside. Ted heard Lady Lotus swearing outside, and Ted did notice that Lotus seemed to get hurt legitimately at some point. Lotus then let loose a grunt of pain, and then the sound of a clunk was heard, and Ted could feel that noise in his toes, followed by a lengthy gasp. Something got popped out of place, and then got popped back in, and Ted had nothing but sympathy for Lotus. God that sounded painful. The sounds of the scuffle outside did actually remind Erin to text her dad and let her know she was ok, as Dad would no doubt see Erin getting tossed around by her opponent Queen Amazon and assume the worst. Truth was that Amazon took fairly good care of her in the ring and the match went off without any real problems. Injuries, backstage grandstanding, and concerned parents aside, this was looking like a pretty good tour show. The main event was rocking, and as it got towards an ending sequence Ted Simony and Erin could hear the crowd through the walls. This was another good event in a string of them for 5-Star, and things were looking bright. And it would get even brighter. Unbeknownst to these three, tomorrow the world of women's wrestling would undergo an interesting change.......

OOC SHOW NOTES: -Very nice show after a slight slow start to the tour. Gotta love it! -I feel like I'm getting a little too sports entertainment-y with some of these angles, but I do think it can work. Women's wrestling by nature probably draws from a different demographic than men's, and theres probably some women who follow whatever Japanese soap operas are and wouldn't mind the talking. Plus 5SSW's product is meant to be more angle-centered than the others, so I'm assumign Japanese fans just accept it the same way they accept Osaka Pro or Dragon Gate wackiness. Maybe. -That being said, I think the opening promo logic was sound: Kaiya wants to give Higa all the rope she needs to hang herself, and is betting on Maruya really being good enough to stop Higa, stop her ambitions, and most importantly stop her constant whining. And even if Maruya doesn't win, well, 5-Star has held out before in the face of deadly heels. Someone would eventually rise up and beat Higa if Higa ever won........ right? -Queen Amazon's match rating is good but the overall gets hammered badly by being in short matches. I'm not bothering with the Dominate road agent note cause it appears to be busted or requiring something I don't possess. Regardless, Amazon's looking good enough that I'll probably bring her back later. -Ditto Lilly and Rose, but they were already in some of my plans anyways. Kate Lilly in particular impresses me. That blond stardom is a real thing. -Kinuye's just past it as a worker, but she's too valuable and sentimental to me for other reasons to drop her. Simony's getting over and will have more of a role in the story soonish (both backstage and on-camera) -Ten woman tag was several different matches in test sims, but I managed to pull some booking ninjitsu and squeaked in a win for Chitose Ariwara that'll come in handy later. Poor Eri Sato and Machiko Matsuda though. I feel like these two get hung out to dry in various matches like this, either carrying a lesser team or being the fall-taker for superior teams. Such is the life of a jobber to the stars. -Sugiyama/Pink was done to normalize overness a bit since Pink was really hurt by her loss to Jankovic, I guess she was one point below. Hopefully more to come from Double Pink and Lethal Strike soon. -All Heart versus Razor Petals was just bad for some reason so I made up the story about the injury to keep excuses fresh and to add another backstage bit for colour. -The idea of giving Higa a security force just popped into my head one day, cause I figured I'd need a reason from just having Oonishi beat the crap out of Higa on sight, so I figured a vain hypocrite like Higa would absolutely rely on a security force to protect her from that person shes not actually worried about or anything, b-baka. -Main event was great and it looks like Higa is "building momentum" and "putting the locker room on notice" as legendary philosopher and wordsmith Michael Cole would say. Title match between her and Maruya will be an epic battle fo sho. -Upcoming test sims look promising, and I've got high hopes for more cool stuff to write about. Thanks to anyone following along, predicting, and commenting! Backstage and news posts this weekend, and I'll shoot for a Monday prediction key going up. --- PREDICTION STANDINGS ampulator: 51/52 KyTeran: 45/52 medla: 14/23 joshbrady91: 8/8 Teasenityrn: 8/8 Hope to see more people chiming in soon!

Shogun TV Presents: 5SSW Women of Wrestling Tour Night 2 Friday/Week 4/April/2020 Shohoku Academy Gymnasium Kobe, Japan --- After the announcer spiel, the show opens with Kaiya Kuwahara coming out for an announcement. Fuyuko Higa, as she requested, is getting a title shot against Yuma Maruya on the final show of the Women of Wrestling tour. Kuwahara explains that she has misgivings about this due to Higa's absolutely terrible conduct in recent time, but Kuwahara feels she has to do this. The reason why? Higa does have a good record in singles competition as of late, and if Higa gets denied a shot then she'll wax poetic about "conspiracies" from the 5SSW brass to hold her down. So Kuwahara will give her what she wants, a one-on-one match with the champion. When Higa loses, Kuwahara points out that Higa will have no one to make into a scapegoat but herself, unlike her losses in team tournaments and the Big Crush. With that, the myth of Higa as "Miss Perfection" bringing ruin to 5SSW will come to an end. Kuwahara wishes good fortune to everyone else in the company and hopes the fans have a good time this evening, before putting the mic down and making way for the first match on the show. Rating: 75 --- vs. Queen Amazon vs. Erin Marcelin The royal rudo struts her impressive stuff in another very one-sided extended beatdown, and still is struggling to get a big response for what she does. Erin Marcelin shows more resistance than Amazon's first local opponent, but Erin's arsenal is still ineffective against the Amazonian. A big Bus Driver Uppercut followed by a Koryuken does knock Amazon back a few steps against the ropes, but an attempted irish whip ends up with Amazon casually reversing it and giving Erin a massive lariat (which Erin does the McFly 360 oversell for). A few clubbing blows the the back and a SpearBuster follow, before Amazon hauls Marcelin up for a devastating Amazonian Powerbomb (Spinning Gutwrench Powerbomb), planting her in the center of the canvas with authority for the 3 count. Result: Queen Amazon def. Erin Marcelin via pinfall at 4:31 Rating: 40 --- vs. Lilly & Rose (Kate Lilly and Debbie Rose) vs. Ochiyo Iijima and Hana Ajibana Lilly and Rose get a second look against unassuming competition, and waste little time taking control of the match, beating down the veterans early. Hana Ajibana offers some resistance with crisp suplexes, but Lilly and Rose isolate the weak link Iijima and the match goes by fast, with Lilly and Rose hitting the Poison Thorn (Enzuigiri/Reverse STO) for the 3 count on Iijima to end a fairly energetic squash. Result: Lilly & Rose def. Iijima/Ajibana via pinfall at 8:51 (Lilly pins Iijima) Rating: 52 --- Backstage we get quick-fire promos from Shiori Jippensha, Megumi Nakajima, Miwako Katsukawa, and Sae Akutagawa talking up the main event. Rating: 48 --- vs. Simony Sentinel vs. Kinuye Mushashibo Sentinel gets another showcase match as she climbs the ladder with speed. Mushashibo's offense is fundamentally sound but very, very basic, as she controls early with flips, dives, and ersatz Stone technique. Sentinel seems to almost politely tolerate Mushashibo's offensive, before launching into her own, much cooler and flashier stuff, including a great springboard wheel kick and 2nd rope rebound knee. A spinning Falcon Arrow plants the smaller Mushashibo down, as Sentinel goes up to finish with the Sentinel Strike (Twisting Top Rope Splash) to take the win. Result: Simony Sentinel def. Kinuye Mushashibo via pinfall at 9:31 Rating: 53 --- We get more cut-in promos backstage from Chiyeko Kita, promising great victory in her ten woman tag coming up, as well as some words from All Heart, who plan to get a win in the co-main to get into tag title contention. Rating: 52 --- vs. Paige Croft / Zofia Jankovic / Chitose Ariwara / Chiyeko Kita / Etsuko Arihyoshi vs. Eri Sato / Machiko Matsuda / Kate Avatar / Otsune Tsumura / Yukiko Matsumara An eclectic 10 woman tag to be sure, with some conflicting elements and teamwork issues early, especially for the heel-ish contingent. Paige Croft once again show up with her length of chain, and shes still at odds with Zofia Jankovic after a minor beef to start the Queen's Castle Cup tournament. Chitose Ariwara seems ill at ease with her teammates, and Team SUB seem to be in an unpleasant mood after having victory snatched away from them twice in recent months. The match is surprisingly decent, and Sato leads the troops to take the initiative early while the heel-ish contingent is working out their issues. Sato gets a wicked spin kick to the body followed by a flash kick for a threatening nearfall on Paige Croft. Matsuda gets a sweet alley-oop Frankensteiner for 2 on Ariwara before Team SUB saves. Shining Force land the Shine Spark (Backstabber by Tsumura/Codebreaker by Matsumara) for 2 on Arihyoshi before Kita saves. Towards the end of the match, its still anyones to win, and the crowd gets into it a little. However, Kate Avatar makes a boneheaded decision to blind tag into the match with Arihyoshi in, and promptly gets outwrestled while her partners watch helplessly from the apron. Avatar quickly taps out to the Arihyoshi Lockdown (Seated Abdominal Stretch Dragon Sleeper), and the heel-ish team takes the victory. Result: Team Sorta Villains def. Team Sato via submission at 12:22 (Arihyoshi taps Avatar) Rating: 60 --- vs. Kaede Sugiyama vs. Mystery Pink This is a fairly interesting midcard tilt, but doesn't come off quite as well as hoped, due to the way the match is structured. Still, its a good, physical technical battle throughout that both women want to win, and isn't unwatchable by any means. Sugiyama and Pink go back and forth early, working a battle of fast-paced chain wrestling vs more slower, methodical, big throw-based wrestling. Sugiyama tries to keep slowing the pace and drawing out the battle, but Pink is tough to keep contained for long, and her ability to take to the air too unsettles Kaede at times, and Pink ends up controlling a lot of the match. Kaede can fly too, but Pink seems to be able to be a step ahead at key times, almost getting a countout win when Kaede crashes and burns on a dive to the outside and gets back in at 18. The match starts to fall apart a bit in the middle, but they get back into the swing of things at the end. Sugiyama goes for the Spinning Arm Breaker into the Fujiwara Armbar, but Mystery Pink makes the ropes. Sugiyama tries to reapply the hold, only for Pink to fight to her feet and gracefully reverse into a hip toss with the other arm. More quick lucha takedowns, headscissors, and huricanranas follow, disorienting Sugiyama enough for Pink to go up top for the big Twisting Crossbody! That gets 3 and Mystery Pink gets a pretty decent win. Result: Mystery Pink def. Kaede Sugiyama via pinfall at 13:21 Rating: 58 --- Yuma Maruya cuts a good promo backstage next, talking about the importance of the title and the motivation she has to score a big victory over Fuyuko Higa to end her ambitions. Tonight is a crucial match, and Maruya will fight it the same way she fights every big match: with everything she's got, to defend the standard. Rating: 81 --- vs. All Heart (Gemmei Oonishi / HEART Saitoh) vs. Razor Petals (Lady Lotus / Rika Tsujimura) This match has a bit of a buzz to it but doesn't go right either. It starts out okay, as the Razor Petals settle neatly into a heel-ish role, playing a watered down version of the Uprising with the cheater heel (Lotus) and the bigger heel (Tsujimura). The two use various tactics to get the most out of their team, some of which are in a moral gray area at best. All Heart responds with...... well...... heart. What else? Saitoh and Oonishi weather the early storm and show off their speed, outpacing the Razor Petals and taking back the initiative. Saitoh hits a Rube Goldberg bulldog for 2 on Tsujimura. Swinging Neckbreaker gets 2. Several Back Brain Kicks get 2. Saitoh tags in Oonishi for a double back Superplex, but Tsujimura elbows both girls off and follow up with a big Double Kneedrop from the top rope onto both members of All Heart! Razor Petals take back control and look like they're in a good position to win..... ......only for Lady Lotus to hurt herself in some way, as she lands badly off a tandem Torture Rack Drop/Flying Elbow combo, and Lotus is pretty much out of commission from that botch. Tsujimura seems to flounder and you can see everyone talking through spots on camera as the match crashes to a screeching halt. Eventually a finish comes out of nowhere as Oonishi hits the Flying Dagger Legdrop (Top Rope Front Flip Rough Ryder) for 3 on Tsujimura to end it. Things were looking good until the ending, but what can ya do..... Result: All Heart def. Razor Petals via pinfall at 13:30 (Oonishi pins Tsujimura) Rating: 59 --- Post-match, Higa wanders out with her female security force (that totally isn't random local wrestlers with police-themed attire and masks on.) and taunts Oonishi, thanking her for doing such a poor job of warming up the crowd for her main event win over Maruya's "lousy team". Oonishi calls Higa a coward for hiding behind a security force, and Higa then tells Oonishi that she doesn't need the guards, so come at her. Oonishi comes at her, the guards predictably dogpile her before she makes it, while Higa laughs at Oonishi being stupid enough to think Higa would ever actually want to fight her again. Did she not remember what Higa said last week? This little charade does end with HEART Saitoh and Higa's opponents running her and her security force off, sending them fleeing down an alternate hallway entrance. Oonishi and Saitoh head to the back to tend their wounds, as the announcers go to commercial and promise the main event next. Rating: 68 --- vs. Yuma Maruya / Shiori Jippensha / Megumi Nakajima / Miwako Katsukawa vs. Fuyuko Higa / Maki Yoshifumi / Talia Quinzel / Sae Akutagawa The heels make their entrances separately with some pissed-off faces in the ring already, and theres a bit of a wait before Higa makes a dramatic late entrance with a slightly larger security force than the one before. Some of them even take the initiative to shove random fans aside on the way to the ring for no reason. Needless to say, the crowd does not like Fuyuko Higa after all this, as the boos cascade down. The boos get even bigger when Higa has an argument with Odaka over the legality of her police force being around ringside. Higa insists she needs them in order to "assist the referee" in detecting cheating or outside interference from people who want to "bring harm to Higa". The security force ends up staying but are given harsh warnings from Odaka. So of course the first 30 seconds of the match is Maki Yoshifumi clinching Miwako Katsukawa, driving her into the heel corner with knees, then, after Odaka separates the two for a clean break, Higa cheapshots Katsukawa with a rabbit punch from the apron right behind the ref's back. If it weren't for double standards, Higa would have no standards. American-esque antics aside, the match is incredibly well done with a lot of heat, and the crowd clamoring for someone, ANYONE to pin Higa. Not Higa's team, Higa. This does hurt the match a little when the other three on Higa's team get in there, although they do show a willingness to fight dirty as well, and there's also some impressive power being displayed. A noticeable thread in the match is Higa being her usual disdainful self when Maruya, Nakajima, or Katsukawa are in the ring with her, but there is a sense of respect for Jippensha, which is noted by the commentators, as Higa takes her dead serious and claps after their mat wrestling sequences. The match favours the heel team throughout, as any headway the faces make seems to get broken up by the power of Quinzel or the striking lethality of Yoshifumi. Yoshifumi gets a big break as well when she blasts Jippensha with a HEAD KICK that knocks her off the apron and leaves her unconscious at ringside for the duration of the match. Higa's team smells blood, and try to isolate and work over Katsukawa, only for Katsukawa to fight free and its a red-hot tag to Maruya! Headscissors, hurricanranas, hip tosses, and dropkicks for everyone! Maruya plants Higa with a backflip off the middle rope into a Reverse DDT, and then connects with the Split-Legged Moonsault! 1......2.....NO! Maruya tags in Nakajima, throwing Higa into the corner for Nakajima to land her Exploder Superplex. Nakajima goes up and clubs Higa down, only for Higa to hook her legs around the turnbuckle and refuse to be moved. Meanwhile, Quinzel and Akutagawa pull Katsukawa and Maruya off the apron and fight with them while Odaka's attention is on events on the top rope. Higa and Nakajima fight, Higa shoves Nakajima off, and htis a Flying Cross Chop off the top! Perfection Sweep (Skull Crushing Finale) to Nakajima! Higa Green Driver (Emerald Flowsion Kai) to follow up! 1......2.......3! Higa's team wins, and Higa pops off obnoxiously to the crowd to a hail of boos as the show goes off the air...... Result: Team Higa def. Team Maruya via pinfall at 21:22 (Higa pins Nakajima) Rating: 79 --- OVERALL SHOW GRADE: 77 ATTENDANCE: 311

Shogun TV Presents: 5SSW Women of Wrestling Tour Night 2 Friday/Week 4/April/2020 --- 5 Star Supreme Wrestling continues its Women of Wrestling tour with its second night of action, coming at you from the Shohoku Academy Gymnasium in Kobe, Japan! Our opening match sees the deadly luchadora Queen Amazon take on the tough young lion Erin Marcelin. Veteran tag teams square off second on the card, as Lilly & Rose take on Ochiyo Iijima and Hana Ajibana. Simony Sentinel is in singles action once more, and she'll take on world-experienced veteran Kinuye Mushashibo. A ten-woman tag is up on the 4th match, featuring the eclectic teams of Paige Croft, Zofia Jankovic, Chitose Ariwara and Team SUB taking on Eri Sato, Machiko Matsuda, Kate Avatar, and the Shining Force. Veteran Kaede Sugiyama will see action next in singles competition, against luchadora Mystery Pink. The new team All Heart will try to continue their rise up the tag team rankings, as they take on the Razor Petals in a match with huge title implications! Finally, our main event is an 8 woman tag set to be a great one, as Yuma Maruya teams with Shiori Jippensha, Megumi Nakajima, and Miwako Katsukawa to take on Fuyuko Higa, All-Asian champion Maki Yoshifumi, one-half of the Tag Team champions in Talia Quinzel, and Sae Akutagawa! Theres a lot of tension and people willing to prove themselves in this matchup, and it should make for a terrific main event! Don't miss it! --- PREDICTION KEY: Queen Amazon vs. Erin Marcelin Kate Lilly / Debbie Rose vs. Ochiyo Iijima / Hana Ajibana Simony Sentinel vs. Kinuye Mushashibo Paige Croft / Zofia Jankovic / Chitose Ariwara / Chiyeko Kita / Etsuko Arihyoshi vs. Eri Sato / Machiko Matsuda / Kate Avatar / Otsune Tsumura / Yukiko Matsumara Kaede Sugiyama vs. Mystery Pink Gemmei Oonishi / HEART Saitoh vs. Lady Lotus / Rika Tsujimura Yuma Maruya / Shiori Jippensha / Megumi Nakajima / Miwako Katsukawa vs. Fuyuko Higa / Maki Yoshifumi / Talia Quinzel / Sae Akutagawa

It was another night of fun times and night life in Osaka, and Erin was happy. Her new friend Simony Sentinel was back in Japan and it looked like a more permanent stay than the last one, as Simony was willing to push ACPW to the backburner for a chance at more money, comped expenses, and a push in Japan. From the looks of the first match she had, it looked like Simony was going to indeed get all 3. It was a fun night, even if it lacked the carnival atmosphere and the huge amount of fans that the Fan Appreciation Week had. It was also kinda a weak card, but still pretty good even though it didn't pack a bunch of heavy hitters in a big tag match as per usual. The next show though...... there was word out about a pretty good match in that vein they had planned. Erin was looking forward to it for sure. Erin had worked a tag against Lilly and Rose, who Erin had seen many times before on AAA tapes. It was pretty fun, even though there was a clear difference between the quality of the two teams. Erin tried, but she was still green and her new/old partner Kate Avatar was greener still. It was cool to be around those two however, and they were chill and receptive to any ideas Erin had for the match. Overall, Erin was really happy to still be around. Her friend was back, the backstage area was civil tonight (although Ted had said to give it a show, see how they'd screwed things up again.), and she was about to hit up the Osaka arcade for another fun night. This was the life...... --- TEW.com News And Notes by "JoshiJosh6" Joshua Prosser -5SSW's opening show of the Women of Wrestling tour did a relatively lower viewership count of around 26,000 viewers. The primary reason for this drop in viewership is said to be the new ratings calculation guidelines put out by the A-RY International Television Council. Shogun TV continues to be pleased with how things are going despite the drop however. -Crowds were down compared to the first shows of the Hall of Fame tour, which is attributed to a slight bump-up in ticket prices for tour shows. -The Japanese indy team known as the Blackhearts got a tryout, alongside fellow young lion Tsuna Kamiya, appearing as part of a 10 woman tag alongside Hana Ajibana and Ochiyo Iijima against Paige Croft, Double Pink, and the Uprising. The match was said to be ok but the rookies are not expected to get full deals at this time. -Aki Kamio's squash loss to Queen Amazon was also said to be another one-off appearance. -Queen Amazon is expected to get a big push during this tour, although her squash win didn't seem to leave a great impression amongst the crowd. -Lilly and Rose were said to have greatly impressed management in their debut for the company. -Maki Yoshifumi is expected to feature a bit more on this tour, to make up for working pre-show for the Hall of Fame tour. -Rumours continue to swirl over a possible resurrection of the Modern Japan Alliance and 5SSW being involved in it. This is likely due to the increased raids of BHOTWG starting to take big chunks out of various rosters, particularly WLW's. Said Modern Japan Alliance would likely not emphasize the vision Ryu Kajahara had in terms of changing scheduling for the promotions involved. -Plans for a big summer angle are continuing -With losses in TV revenues possibly coming up due to the ratings changes, 5SSW is said to be looking into further outside investment ventures or alternative revenue streams to keep the company's momentum going, although any rumours of poor financials continue to be fiercely denied by company head Ogiwara. 5SSW is also due a renegotiation of their TV deal in June, and it's said the company will push hard for an improved timeslot and revenue share percentage. OTHER NEWS AND NOTES FROM AROUND THE WORLD: -BHOTWG to plan further talent raids; possible wrestling style change? -WATCH VIDEO: El Leon shock heel turn on EILL Television -USPW planning mass talent purge soon?

OOC SHOW NOTES: -I'm really not sure how the opening promo came off. I think its a legit action, but I'm not sure how well the story would translate to AEW or WWE, where you'd have a clear loss thats TECHNICALLY a draw and the superior wrestler being like yeah thats a win for heel heat. Not sure how it'd come across. -I will say the interesting thing about this Higa/Oonishi feud is that if it were reversed in terms of face/heel alignment, Oonishi would lose and lose and lose and lose and be a pantomime villain, a la Steve Gumble in the excellent Frontier Combat Kingdom diary by Self. But since Higa's the heel and can't really be a face, I'm reluctant to just completely tear down Oonishi because thats not a great story. So we'll see what happens with Oonishi/Higa but suffice it to say that despite Higa saying she doesn't need a match against Oonishi, she'll end up getting one...... -Higa taking over shows is something I just embrace at this point. Every other show I just think "What would a total douchebag do here?" and the words come flying off the fingers to the keys, as opposed to some of these good matches I have a hard time drawing out. -On that note, expect match writeups to get a little less detailed going forward to save time and prevent burnout. Tempted to honestly go full Cliff's Notes but I'll likely save that for the GP. -Queen Amazon had a horrid debut by ratings standards but actually got to 11 pop right out the gate so its successful in my book. Aki Kamio still sucks, but maybe someday Young Lightning will be good. -Lilly and Rose did MUCH better than in test sims. Lilly in particular is a hell of a talent, and it's sorta surprising I haven't seen much of these two in other diaries, they get treated as sorta mid-card filler. I do wish I was good at rendering though, I wanted to do a poison flower gimmick. with both of them dying their hair black and wearing black makeup. But maybe the hair colour change would reduce Lilly's star quality bcuz blondes r graet lol. -10 women tag was areally good and im not sure why: its not like the personnel was that different from the Hall of Fame tag. Maybe Etsuko Arihyoshi is just really good who knows. -Maruya's 86 is the high-water mark for segments in these saves so far, even test saves I only got 84 promos. Must've hit the improv checkmark extra hard. -Put a little extra effort into Kita/Katsukawa because KyTeran requested that match earlier for winning predictions I believe. Katsukawa at this point is ROCKETING up the ladder for popularity, I think shes at 37ish for Kansai (Oonishi's at 40 and Higa's at 41 to put that into perspective.) -Torment and Sorrow got this co-main because I kept forgetting to book Maki on the last tour. Both them and the Kanto Express would be more involved in tag chases if not for that pesky singles gold they possess. -I feel like I did a poor job writing the main event, although the visualization of the Tai sandbag spot made me laugh out loud when I thought it. Not sure it makes sense physically (could Tai lift Oonishi by the ankles like a comic book character?), but it seemed cool so I went with it. Having to protect Tai is getting annoying though. -Overall this was a surprisingly good show for a no Higa/Maruya/Jippensha/Nakajima wrestling show. We'll see how the second card goes. -I'm gonna do a character update tomorrow night hopefully, then a quick turnaround into another card. This tour's got some potential! Any questions/comments/feedback are always read and appreciated! --- PREDICTION STANDINGS: ampulator: 45/45 KyTeran: 39/45 medla: 14/23 joshbrady91: 8/8 Teasenityrn: 8/8

Shogun TV Presents: 5SSW Women of Wrestling Tour Night 1 Monday/Week 4/April/2020 Hall of Nagahama Osaka, Japan --- Our show starts with Fuyuko Higa coming out for a promo, accompanied by a fleet of young lions dressed in Japanese policewoman blazers. Higa says she feels like a new woman, as she removed an anchor weight from around her neck. That anchor weight was Gemmei Oonishi. For years, Higa had smiled and pandered to the audience while being with her "Spice Girl Friend", and constantly settled for lesser honours and the mild adoration of the irrelevant rabble. But Higa put up with it, thinking that it would be a good handicap to make Miss Perfection even better, and that eventually, Oonishi might see the light and become more dangerous herself. But when Oonishi lost the Dynamo Tag League and eventually the Queen's Castle Cup, Higa knew it was time to cut Oonishi loose. So she beat Oonishi down, accepted her foolish challenge the next show, and then beat her down again. Higa then says before people say the result was a draw and imply Oonishi is Higa's equal, Higa would like to say: the result didn't matter. The point of the match was to hurt Oonishi for holding down Higa with her useless friendship for close to 10 years. Higa does not need a win over Oonishi, because a win over Oonishi is meaningless and proves nothing. Higa knows she's the better woman, and thats why she was standing at the end of the time limit, while Oonishi was hurt so badly she didn't even know which way was up. So now that that's proven, Higa can get down to bigger and more important things, such as taking the title away from Yuma Maruya. Higa accuses the champion of ducking her and refusing to face her one-on-one, and re-iterates what she's said since "seeing the light" in November: The false idol, and the company she stands for, will burn to ashes to make way for Higa, and nothing will change that. As Higa is about to continue, here comes Oonishi, causing the rent-a-cops to be on alert. Oonishi is fired up, and derides Higa for needing a squad of police to protect her. Is Higa really that worried of her so-called anchor of a partner being that much of a threat to her? Higa denies it in a way that makes it pretty obvious that shes lying, and says she won't need any support to deal with Oonishi. Higa needs it to protect herself from any "friends of Maruya" that would want to cripple Higa before she gets her much deserved title match. Oonishi then says that Higa does not deserve a title match as long as Oonishi draws breath in this company. After all, Higa could only draw with Oonishi, so shouldn't they have a match, with no time limits, and winner takes the contendership? Higa says that won't be necessary, as she's gotten everything she needed out of Oonishi and has no desire to fight her or even see her ever again. Higa says that she's guaranteed a title shot as far as she's concerned for beating Megumi Nakajima. Oonishi lost her match against Nakajima and might as well have lost against Higa, so Oonishi should just go back to the opening matches where she belongs. Higa then tells Oonishi and her "bad mystery partner" to break a leg in their loss tonight. As Higa goes to leave through the crowd inside her police bubble, Oonishi then says her mystery partner isn't as bad as Higa thinks. In fact, its someone who has something Higa doesn't have: A 5SSW World title reign. Oonishi then drops the mic and walks away, as an enraged Higa glares at her before retreating in the opposite direction in a huff. Rating: 70 --- vs. Queen Amazon vs. Aki Kamio This can barely be called a match. Aki Kamio makes her return to get all of two moves in: A flying forearm to the face that Amazon barely registers, and a much more slower, fatigued forearm later in the amtch, thrown after Kamio literally used Amazon's body as support to stand on her feet. The rest of the match is Queen Amazon basically beating the hell out of her overmatched opponent. Amazon throws Kamio around with slams at will, and doesn't show the high-flying offense 5-Star have come to expect from their luchadoras, instead just pummeling Kamio with sheer power. Eventually Amazon lands not one, not two, but three Amazon Bombs (Spinning Gutwrench Powerbombs) to claim an emphatic, quick win, if a little lacking in finesse. Result: Queen Amazon def. Aki Kamio by pinfall in 3:31 Rating: 31 --- vs. The Canadian Cats (Erin Marcelin / Kate Avatar) vs. Lilly & Rose (Kate Lilly / Debbie Rose) The debut for Lilly and Rose comes next and it's a good one. The veteran American duo impress with some solid fundamental offense, and show good experience and knowhow together. The match is tempered somewhat by the Canadian Cats not being near their opponents level as workers (yet), as well as the fact no one really knows who Lilly and Rose are, but it works well enough to be a solid undercard match. Kate Lilly eventually gets the pinfall, after her and her partner land the Poison Thorn (Enzuigiri/Reverse STO) on Kate Avatar for a 3 count in fairly orderly fashion. Result: Lilly & Rose def. Canadian Cats via pinfall in 7:33 (Lilly pins Avatar) Rating: 52 --- Kaiya Kuwahara cuts in next for a delightful rundown of future 5SSW cards, clad in a gorgeous kimono that would have any Japanese anime protagonist's heart aflutter. Kaiya was her usual great self here and this ruled. Rating: 76 --- vs. Simony Sentinel vs. Otsune Tsumura Sentinel makes her return to 5SSW and gets off to a flyer against Tsumura, thoroughly outworking the veteran and moving around her as if Tsumura is in slow motion. Sentinel works in flashy moves and keeps Tsumura grounded when necessary, and gets a nice pop for a leaping twisting face crusher off the top turnbuckle, as well as a gymnastic-inspired counter where Sentinel gets whipped into the corner rope, does a routine involving the ropes, and then meets Tsumura with upside-down knees tot he face when Tsumura charges into the corner. Tsumura tries to rally and gets set up for the Shine Drive (Modified Sliced Bread #2), only for Sentinel to counter with an acrobatic twist into a reverse DDT. Sentinel follows up with the Sentinel Strike (Twisting Top Rope Splash) for 3 to get the win. Result: Simony Sentinel def. Otsune Tusmura via pinfall at 8:33 Rating: 53 --- vs. Etsuko Arihyoshi / Razor Petals / Hell Raisers vs. Eri Sato / Yukiko Matsumara / Chitose Ariwara / Stone Soliders A surprisingly good match ensues from this, as recent midcard 5SSW offerings have fallen flat in recent times. This one however works well, offering up the old-time 5SSW story of bullying heels vs. courageous babyfaces, dating back to the heyday of Ichihara vs Ogiwara, or even Namiyo Muro vs various smaller opponents. Despite the (relative) talent disparity between teams, everything works out well in this match. Everyone on the face side works hard and bumps well for the heels, while getting in their own big moments. The Stone Soliders almost steal a win with the Stone Fall (Springboard Hart Attack) on Lady Lotus before Arihyoshi saves. Eri Sato sets up a Buzzsaw Kick (Reverse Spin Roundhouse Kick) on Akutagawa, only for Akutgawa to duck and Yamato (staggering behind her) ends up eating the kick. The action flows back and forth, but ultimately ends with the bad girls winning, as Yukiko Matsumara goes for the Matsumara Press (Twisting Moonsault Press), only to get caught by Romi Yamato, who rolls through with momentum into a big powerslam, followed by tagging in Akutagawa for the Kaenhousha (Total Elimination) to down Matsumara for the 3 count. Result: Team Arihyoshi def. Team Sato via pinfall at 14:31 (Akutagawa pins Matsumara) Rating: 63 --- Yuma Maruya is backstage for a promo and she's FIRED UP. Yuma is pleased over obtaining victory in the Queen's Castle Cup, but is absolutely furious over the recent conduct shown by Fuyuko Higa. Yuma has no issue with a challenger coming at her wanting to take her down, but the way Higa treated Oonishi crossed a line. Oonishi was Higa's loyal partner for almost 10 years, and those years of loyalty were re-paid with a disgusting betrayal. Higa blaming Oonishi for the losses is short-sighted. You win as a team, and you lose as a team, and Higa is just as responsible for every loss the Birds of Prey has had as Oonishi is. Maruya says she feels the same way about 5-Star Defense. Yuma and Shiori Jippensha win as a team, and they lose as a team, and Higa being blinded to that shows that she has a long way to go as a person despite her talents. Despite Higa's disgraceful behaviour however, Yuma is inclined to take Higa on at Women of Wrestling's final tour show. Yuma knows Higa is a special talent with good recent successes and she'd deserve the title shot that way, but because of her reprehensible actions Yuma now wants to defeat Higa every bit as badly as Higa wants to defeat Yuma. Yuma says that she'll talk to VP Kaiya Kuwahara and give Higa everything she wants...... and everything she deserves....... Rating: 86 --- vs. Chiyeko Kita vs. Miwako Katsukawa Not a bad match by any means, but a weird one, as Kita seems a step slow throughout, and Katsukawa actually comes off as being a bit above Kita's level by now, despite her (relative) lack of accomplishments compared to the veteran. Katsukawa continues to build a following amongst the 5SSW faithful and is starting to really connect with the audience, getting slightly better over the past few months and learning to work her big moves a bit better. The violet hair and great looks overall also help her cause, amongst both the teenage girl looking for an offbeat hero demographic and the guy wanting to see cute girls demographic. Kita controls for a fair portion of the match, working over various body parts and trying to wear the purple-haired dynamo down, making sure to also use strikes and take to the air to mix things up. Katsukawa begins a big comeback, including a nice run-up the turnbuckles into a rope-aided stunner. Kita gets up clutching her throat and takes a big springboard dropkick for a close 2 count. Eventually, Katsukawa has Kita in the corner and sets up for the Ultraviolet Beam (Twisting Handspring Forearm to a cornered opponent), only to find Kita playing possum, nailing her with a Superkick in mid-setup! 1......2.....NO! Kita looks stunned at the kickout, but then moves into an Arm Triangle Choke to try for a tapout win instead! Katsukawa fights it.....and makes the ropes! Kita refuses to give a clean break until referee Odaka forcibly separates them. Kita argues with the ref and comes in to grab Katsukawa....surprise Small Package! 1......2.....NO! Kita kicks out! Kita tries to keep control of the match, but a second attempt at a Superkick ultimately misses, and Kita turns right around into the Katsukawa Bomb (Sunset Flip Powerbomb) for 3 to end it. Result: Miwako Katsukawa def. Chiyeko Kita via pinfall at 14:31 Rating: 61 --- Yu Hashimoto is backstage, ranting about how Torment and Sorrow has been overlooked lately, and it's time to change that perception and send a message. The Kanto Express are in the way, but after this match, they won't be in anyone's way. Rating: 50 --- vs. Torment and Sorrow (Maki Yoshifumi / Yu Hashimoto) vs. The Kanto Express (MAYA / Machiko Matsuda) Torment and Sorrow come out firing, with Maki Yoshifumi in particular looking ready to kill, having been left off the Hall of Fame tour until the last show where she defended her All-Asian title successfully. Yoshifumi reminds everyone of her status by hammering Machiko Matsuda in early strike exchanges, battering her into the corner with kicks before challenging MAYA to tag in. MAYA vs Yoshifumi proves to be fairly intriguing to the crowd, as the two midcard champions square off in a power vs technique crash. MAYA surprisingly does well trying to tie up the striker in a faux MMA battle, while Yoshifumi unleashes strong shots whenever she gets the slightest bit of breathing room. Unfortunately for the Kanto Express, things keep going awry for them when Matsuda tags in, as Matsuda struggles considerably with Yoshifumi's striking savvy and Hashimoto's power. Matsuda does show a lot of heart battling the best she can against the bullies and making epic tags to MAYA, but the team starts to take heavy damage as the match progresses. The Kanto Express keep fighting on though, and almost get the win with a close 2 count of a Power-Plex to Yoshifumi before Hashimoto makes a last-millisecond save. But finally, Torment and Sorrow get their break and their win, when Matsuda gets too cute doing a top rope flip cannonball attack that misses Yoshifumi and hits nothing but canvas. Matsuda gets up in pain and-HEAD KICK! Matsuda is out cold! Hashimoto holds back MAYA from making the save and Yoshifumi gets the 3 count to end it. Result: Torment and Sorrow def. Kanto Express via pinfall at 14:32 (Yoshifumi pins Matsuda) Rating: 64 --- Gemmei Oonishi is backstage, saying that she needs to refocus her career and take a different approach to 5SSW now that she's separated from Higa (and now that Higa is too cowardly to accept a rematch with her). So she's got a new tag partner now going forward, a former World and Tag Team champion, HEART Saitoh! Saitoh steps into the shot and embraces Oonishi. Saitoh then says that while Higa may have given up on Oonishi, Saitoh will not give up on Oonishi, because Saitoh knows Oonishi is far better and far more worthy than Higa claims she is. Together, Saitoh thinks they have the capabilities to take the tag team titles, and Saitoh lays out a formal challenge to the Uprising on the team's behalf. Saitoh then says after their team wins the tag titles, if Higa is still too scared to face Oonishi, then Saitoh will face Higa instead, and will knee her into unconsciousness for her transgressions. Saitoh reminds Higa and the audience that she's beaten Higa before, and can do it again. Oonishi then caps the promo off by saying that no matter what life throws at the two of them over these next few tours or even next few years, they'll stick together and fight through it to the end regardless of what anyone says, because they are All Heart! Promo wasn't awful, but Saitoh is not as glib a talker as Oonishi and stumbled through some lines. Rating: 59 --- vs. All Heart (Gemmei Oonishi / HEART Saitoh) vs. The TermiNation (Unstoppable Tai / Toku Kijmuta) Another perfectly competent and reasonable big girls vs. determined smaller girls match ensues here, with the two teams going at it hammer and tongs in a bid for tag title contention. The TermiNation's disposition is somewhere in between angry and livid, and they bully All Heart as hard as they can from the opening bell, working the clubbing forearms, the big throws, and the bearhugs as much as possible. Tai even busts out a neat little bit where she holds Oonishi by the ankles like a caught fish, before letting Toku Kijmuta work over Oonishi with punches like a boxer with a sandbag. All Heart live up to their team name however, and show tremendous heart and courage fighitng against their bigger opponents, trying their best to tire them out and work the legs to cut their base out from underneath them. They don't have any speical chemistry as a team, but theres signs of something good here once they get more experience working as a team. The match dies a bit in the middle as the TermiNation work a lengthy heat segment with little of note going on, but finally All Heart get a big break when the match breaks down into a 2v2 war late, and Kijmuta's attempted Spear is sidestepped by Saitoh and nails a wayward Tai, taking her down. Oonishi, with effort, manages to kick Tai out of the ring. Saitoh hits a pair of Back Brain Kicks to stun Kijmuta, Oonishi comes in, they lift Kijmuta to the top rope together.......Double Back Superplex! That gets the 3 well before Tai revives, and All Heart has a successful, if tough, first outing as a team together! Result: All Heart def. The TermiNation via pinfall at 15:35 (Saitoh pins Kijmuta) Rating: 65 --- OVERALL SHOW GRADE: 68 ATTENDANCE: 297

Shogun TV Presents: 5SSW Women of Wrestling Tour Night 1 Monday/Week 4/April/2020 --- After an unforgettable Hall of Fame tour capped off with a fantastic trios tournament, 5 Star Supreme Wrestling is back at it again with the Women of Wrestling tour, emanating from the Hall of Nagahama in Osaka, and airing only on Shogun TV! In our opening match, the dangerous, overpowering luchadora known as Queen Amazon makes her 5SSW debut, taking on a local competitor in the evening's opening match. Next up the young lion duo known as the Canadian Cats re-unite to take on the veteran North American tag team Lilly & Rose, who are making their overseas debut. Simony Sentinel returns to 5SSW after coming up just short of an All-Asian title win at the Queendom Parade. She'll face veteran high-flyer Otsune Tsumura. Next up is some 10 woman tag action, as Etsuko Arihyoshi, the Razor Petals, and the Hell Raisers team up to face Eri Sato, Yukiko Matsumara, returning veteran Chitose Ariwara, and the Stone Soliders. Singles action follows past the halfway mark of this card, as veteran Chiyeko Kita takes on up-and-comer Miwako Katsukawa! Torment and Sorrow are in action next, and they aim to take our their recent frustrations on the nearest target, their opponents in the Kanto Express. Finally, our main event this evening sees Gemmei Oonishi in action. After the heart-rending betrayal of her partner Fuyuko Higa, Oonishi is moving forward with a new mystery parter tonight, taking on the big bad TermiNation. Will Oonishi and her new partner be able to overcome 5SSW's most physically imposing duo? --- PREDICTION KEY Queen Amazon vs. local competitor Erin Marcelin / Kate Avatar vs. Kate Lilly / Debbie Rose Simony Sentinel vs. Otsune Tsumura Etsuko Arihyoshi / Romi Yamato / Sae Akutagawa / Lady Lotus / Rika Tsujimura vs. Eri Sato / Yukiko Matsumara / Chitose Ariwara / Kaede Sugiyama / Kinuye Mushashibo Chiyeko Kita vs. Miwako Katsukawa Yu Hashimoto / Maki Yoshifumi vs. MAYA / Machiko Matsuda Gemmei Oonishi / ??? vs. Unstoppable Tai / Toku Kijmuta