Pride. Glory. Honor. Wrestling.

[gbasalmon]

Through some backstage machinations and a prodigious amount of luck, I, Derek Robinson, have become the head booker of PGHW. While it might seem odd that a gaijin like me would ascend to the top creative position of a company like me, I had actually met PGHW's owner, Sadaharu Jimbo, before. He is a bonafide legend in Japan, but he actually took the time to talk to me before I went out to get my head beat in by Mito Miwa, Shuji Inukai, and Dread in consecutive dark matches before some shows on their late 2006 tour. In these talks, we bridged the language barrier as I talked about how PGHW could be even better if they reached out beyond their borders and invited some of the best workers from around the world to compete. Jimbo listened intently, and seemed to actually be agreeing with what I was saying. Still, you could imagine my surprise when I checked my e-mail after eating Christmas dinner at my home back in America and saw a message from Jimbo, imploring me to come back to Japan as soon as possible. The morning of December 26, I boarded a plane in Buffalo and ended up in Tokyo some time on the 27th. After a quick nap at the hotel, I met with Jimbo and he shockingly offered me the job. Before he even finished asking, I said "Yes!". He seemed to like my eagerness to get started and told me to put together plans for the first tour, which would start in March. Jimbo also asked me to put together some profiles for PGHW's website, to better acquaint everyone with PGHW's superstars. These are the first five - the cream of the crop of PGHW, the main eventers. [CENTER][IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/gbasalmon/PGHW%20Diary/Profiles/EisakuKunomasu.png[/IMG] [IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/gbasalmon/PGHW%20Diary/Profiles/MitoMiwa.png[/IMG] [IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/gbasalmon/PGHW%20Diary/Profiles/NobuatsuTatsuko.png[/IMG] [IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/gbasalmon/PGHW%20Diary/Profiles/ShujiInukai.png[/IMG] [IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/gbasalmon/PGHW%20Diary/Profiles/YoshimiMushashibo.png[/IMG][/CENTER]

[gbasalmon]

Next up, the next rung of the ladder, the upper midcarders... [CENTER][IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/gbasalmon/PGHW%20Diary/Profiles/Bryan-Vessey.png[/IMG] [IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/gbasalmon/PGHW%20Diary/Profiles/Buddy-Garner.png[/IMG] [IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/gbasalmon/PGHW%20Diary/Profiles/Dread.png[/IMG] [IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/gbasalmon/PGHW%20Diary/Profiles/PRIDEKoiso.png[/IMG] [IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/gbasalmon/PGHW%20Diary/Profiles/RaymondDiaz.png[/IMG][/CENTER]

[gbasalmon]

Next up, the glue that holds PGHW together, the midcarders... [CENTER][IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/gbasalmon/PGHW%20Diary/Profiles/Akinori-Kwakami2.png[/IMG] [IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/gbasalmon/PGHW%20Diary/Profiles/AlexanderRobinson.png[/IMG] [IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/gbasalmon/PGHW%20Diary/Profiles/DangerKumasaka.png[/IMG] [IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/gbasalmon/PGHW%20Diary/Profiles/JunnosukeFukazawa.png[/IMG] [IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/gbasalmon/PGHW%20Diary/Profiles/KozueKawashima.png[/IMG] [IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/gbasalmon/PGHW%20Diary/Profiles/LeeBennett.png[/IMG] [IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/gbasalmon/PGHW%20Diary/Profiles/MasaruUgaki.png[/IMG] [IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/gbasalmon/PGHW%20Diary/Profiles/Noriyori-Sanda.png[/IMG][/CENTER]

[gbasalmon]

Last, but certainly not least, PGHW's Lower Midcarders, Openers, and Enhancement Talent... [CENTER][SIZE="4"]Lower Midcarders[/SIZE] [IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/gbasalmon/PGHW%20Diary/Profiles/BryanHolmes.png[/IMG] [IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/gbasalmon/PGHW%20Diary/Profiles/MasayukiShiga.png[/IMG] [IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/gbasalmon/PGHW%20Diary/Profiles/RyomaMuruyama.png[/IMG] [IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/gbasalmon/PGHW%20Diary/Profiles/WilliamHayes.png[/IMG] [SIZE="4"]Openers[/SIZE] [IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/gbasalmon/PGHW%20Diary/Profiles/JoshuaTaylor.png[/IMG] [IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/gbasalmon/PGHW%20Diary/Profiles/TetsunoriYasuda.png[/IMG] [IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/gbasalmon/PGHW%20Diary/Profiles/WashiHeat.png[/IMG][/CENTER] [SIZE="4"][CENTER]Enhancement Talent[/CENTER][/SIZE] [CENTER][IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/gbasalmon/PGHW%20Diary/Profiles/KazushigeMatsuki.png[/IMG][/CENTER]

[DodgyDavid]

wow great work in those graphics, I'll be reading

[gbasalmon]

[CENTER][IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/gbasalmon/PGHW%20Diary/PGHW_pridetour2007.png[/IMG][/CENTER] PGHW will begin its reign over true Japanese puroresu again in March, with the return of the PRIDE TOUR. This tour will see weekly shows every Monday and Wednesday all across Japan and also enter everyone's home via PPV with the Nights of PRIDE, FORTITUDE, and GLORY. There will be a special treat for everyone the first night of the tour, as it will determine who is the winner of the 2007 ELITE SERIES. The eight participants will be... [LIST] [*]Nobuatsu Tatsuko [*]Shuji Inukai [*]Yoshimi Mushashibo [*]Eisaku Kunomasu [*]Buddy Garner [*]Mito Miwa [*]Raymond Diaz [*]and GCG's own Toshiharu Hyobanshi [/LIST] Can the 7 PGHW wrestlers hold off Hyobanshi, or will the pride of GCG take the Elite Series trophy back to Hanshiro Furusawa in triumph? We'll just have to wait and see! The prize for winning the ELITE SERIES this year is much, much more than just a trophy this year. In addition, the winner will receive an automatic shot at the holder of the Glory Crown at Night of PRIDE! In addition to the tournament, there will be two additional matches for those in attendance. First, Bryan Holmes will defend his Historical Japan title against William Hayes. Second, PRIDE Koiso & Kozue Kawashima combine to defend their Pride Tag Crown titles against the Vessey Brothers, Brian and Larry. [COLOR="Blue"]PREDICTION LIST [U]Quarterfinals[/U] Tatsuko v. Inukai Mushashibo v. Kunomasu Garner v. Hyobanshi Miwa v. Diaz [U]Semifinals[/U] ??? v. ??? ??? v. ??? [U]Finals[/U] ??? v. ??? [U]Historical Japan Championship[/U] Bryan Holmes (c) v. William Hayes [U]Pride Tag Crown Championship[/U] Kawashima & Koiso (c) v. Vessey Brothers[/COLOR]

[Derek B]

Yay! A PGHW diary! With some excellent art work too! Why did Sanda not get anything special done to his picture? Too pretty for you to change? :p Time for me to get my psychic brain working :) [b][u]PREDICTIONS[/b][/u] [u]Quarterfinals[/u] [b]Tatsuko[/b] v. Inukai [b]Mushashibo[/b] v. Kunomasu Garner v. [b]Hyobanshi[/b] Miwa v. [b]Diaz[/b] [u]Semifinals[/u] Tatsuko v. [b]Mushashibo[/b] Hyobanshi v. [b]Diaz[/b] [u]Finals[/u] Mushashibo v. [b]Diaz[/b] [u][b]Historical Japan Championship[/b][/u] [b]Bryan Holmes[/b] (c) v. William Hayes [b][u]Pride Tag Crown Championship[/b][/u] [b]Kawashima & Koiso[/b] (c) v. Vessey Brothers

[gbasalmon]

[QUOTE=derek_b;224664]Yay! A PGHW diary! With some excellent art work too! Why did Sanda not get anything special done to his picture? Too pretty for you to change? :p Time for me to get my psychic brain working :)[/QUOTE] So it was asked, so it shall be. Take another look up top. :)

[gbasalmon]

While I prepare for heading up the PRIDE TOUR, I figured I'd bring in a few extra bodies to fill out our roster. I contacted a few different wrestlers and got commitments from [B][B]SUKI[/B][/B] right away, and [B]Kimitada Yanagita [/B]& [B]Sotastu Sarumara [/B]after a bit of haggling. Also, in a bid to secure our future, I pried [B]Hitomaru Suzuki[/B] away from INSPIRE, and he would be reporting to SAISHO after finishing up his commitments for Kikkawa. I had hoped to bring in Savage Fury, of USPW fame, to give our tag teams a run for their money, but both[B] Tribal Warrior[/B] & [B]Java[/B] wanted entirely too much money for the midcard push they would have gotten. It would appear that my breaking him off so soon in negotiations put him in an extremely irrational mood, as he had the brilliant idea to mouth off to [B]Danny Jillefski[/B], who just happens to book USPW. Pure genius on his part. We are still out to a few more wrestlers to possibly join the PGHW family and we have started negotiations with [B]William Hayes[/B] to get his signature on a written contract. BHOTWG and INSPIRE are hot on his trail, and I don't really feel like sharing anyone if it's not competely necessary or if he's a can't miss prospect. We'll see how things turn out in the next few days as we finalize the roster for PRIDE TOUR 2007!

[MrOnu]

Still there and watching. :)

[Tigerkinney]

This looks really good so far, and you'll be guaranteed good grades with PGHW :) [B][U]PREDICTIONS[/U][/B] [U]Quarterfinals[/U] [B]Tatsuko [/B]v. Inukai [B]Mushashibo[/B] v. Kunomasu Garner v. [B]Hyobanshi[/B] [B]Miwa [/B]v. Diaz [U]Semifinals[/U] [B]Tatsuko [/B]v. Mushashibo [B]Hyobanshi [/B]v. Miwa [U]Finals[/U] [B]Tatsuko[/B] v. Hyobanshi [U][B]Historical Japan Championship[/B][/U] [B]Bryan Holmes[/B] (c) v. William Hayes [B][U]Pride Tag Crown Championship[/U][/B] [B]Kawashima & Koiso[/B] (c) v. Vessey Brothers

[trypio]

Quarterfinals Tatsuko v. [B]Inukai[/B] Mushashibo v. [B]Kunomasu[/B] Garner v. [B]Hyobanshi[/B] [B]Miwa[/B] v. Diaz [U]Semifinals[/U] Inukai v. [B]Kunomasu[/B] Hyobanshi v. [B]Miwa[/B] [U]Finals[/U] Kunomasu v. [B]Miwa[/B] [U]Historical Japan Championship[/U] [B]Bryan Holmes (c)[/B] v. William Hayes [U]Pride Tag Crown Championship[/U] [B]Kawashima & Koiso (c)[/B] v. Vessey Brothers

[Rob4590]

Seeing as PGHW is one of my favourite promotions, I'll be reading this, and my predictions are: Quarterfinals Tatsuko v. [B]Inukai[/B] - gotta go with Shuji, since I had him as my avatar on here for ages. Mushashibo v. [B]Kunomasu[/B] - Kunomasu rocks, and seeing as the winner of the Elite Series is going to get a title shot...against Mushashibo...I don't think Yoshimi is gonna win! [B]Garner[/B] v. Hyobanshi - Garner is class, and I don't want the outsider to beat him. [B]Miwa[/B] v. Diaz - not sure on this one. Diaz is a future star, but whether he is up to beating one of the cornerstones of PGHW just yet..... Semifinals Inukai v. [B]Kunomasu[/B] - having given Kunomasu the win over the champ in the 1st round, he's got to go on and win the whole thing to set up the re-match with Yoshimi for the Glory Crown. Garner v. [B]Miwa[/B] - kinda undecided on this one too, but will stick with the local man over the gaijin Finals [B]Kunomasu[/B] v. Miwa - obvious winner imo Historical Japan Championship [B]Bryan Holmes (c)[/B] v. William Hayes - having picked Inukai to win his 1st round match cos I used to have him as my avatar, I think my selection here is fairly obvious, given that Bryan is my current avatar, and he is a class act. Pride Tag Crown Championship [B]Kawashima & Koiso (c)[/B] v. Vessey Brothers - 2 good up-and-comers v one star and one old waste-of-space......hhhmmmmm.......I'll take the youngsters, with Bryan to turn on Larry and blame him for the loss, allowing them to split and get Bryan into the Glory Crown picture, while Larry does the job to the talented midcard for the rest of his career.

[gbasalmon]

As we enter February and get even closer to the start of the PRIDE TOUR, there have been a few changes at PGHW and the Japanese wrestling scene as a whole. [B]Cameron Vessey[/B], the son of [B]Larry[/B] and nephew of [B]Bryan[/B], has signed on with PGHW and has been sent to SAISHO. To offset the additions of Vessey & [B]Frankie Perez[/B] earlier, SAISHO has issued pink slips to [B]Shibo Mizoguchi [/B]& [B]KAZ[/B], who were under PPA deals. Perez wrestled his first match for SAISHO in February, losing to fellow gaijin developmental worker [B]Simon Flemmingway[/B]. In other news, a few PGHW workers have been breaking the monotony of waiting for the PRIDE TOUR to start by working for GCG. [B]Dread[/B] wrestled twice in January, teaming with then-champion [B]Hiroyasu Gakusha[/B] & [B]Dark Angel[/B] to defeat [B]Yasuhide Tayama[/B], [B]Jimmy Cox[/B], & [B]Shotaro Ikina[/B] and singlehandedly beating [B]Jack Marlowe[/B]. [B]Joshua Taylor[/B], who recently signed an exclusive extension with PGHW, also wrestled twice for GCG, losing twice to [B]Rhino Umaga[/B]. Speaking of Umaga, he is one of a large group of wrestlers recently signed onto BHOTWG's next tour, including [B]The Great Hisato[/B]. [B]Dark Angel[/B], [B]Champagne Lover[/B] of SOTBPW fame, & [B]Washichi Inao[/B]. In addition to those wrestlers, BHOTWG has stolen [B]Julian Watson[/B] from GCG. Title-wise, there has been a big change on top at GCG, as [B]Pistol Pete Hall[/B] is the new World Heavyweight Champion, defeating Gakusha towards the end of January. Also, there are new World Heavyweight Tag Champions, as [B]Kiminobu Kuroki[/B] & [B]Yasuhide Tayama[/B] teamed up to defeat [B]Nathan Coleman[/B] & [B]Stuart Ferdinand[/B]. In WLW, [B]The Incredible KOYAMA[/B] has lost and regained the Show Stealer Title, trading it with owner [B]Koji Kojima[/B]. In WEXXV, there has been one change as the Blood Brothers Titles have changed hands as the [B]American Psychos[/B] of [B]Doug Peak[/B] & [B]Henry Lee[/B] defeated [B]The Pack[/B] of [B]Taheiji Konoe[/B] & [B]Munemitsu Senmatsu[/B]. Last but not least, there are three new promotions worldwide - ELPF, CWWF, and MHW. ELPF is being run by [B]Razor Valentine[/B] and booked by [B]Jamie Anderson[/B]; CWWF is owned by [B]Fumihiro Ota[/B] and booked by [B]Leo Davis[/B]; and MHW is owned by [B]Larry Wood[/B] and booked by [B]El Demonico[/B]. They haven't run any shows yet, but look poised to break strongly into their respective markets.

[gbasalmon]

[CENTER][IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/gbasalmon/PGHW%20Diary/BryanVessey.png[/IMG][/CENTER] In some shocking news, [B]Bryan Vessey[/B] and PGHW management could not come to an agreement on a new contract, so Vessey is now entering his last month with the company. Negotiations stretched out over quite a few days, but word is that PGHW owner [B]Sadaharu Jimbo[/B] quashed any notions that Vessey had of getting a raise, which did not sit well with the tempermental superstar. How this affects the Vessey Brothers' Glory Tag Crown shot has yet to be seen, if there will be any impact at all. In other PGHW news, their new TV show, entitled [U]PGHW TV[/U], will debut in March on Thursdays at 9:00 on Japanese Sports Vision. This show will supplant [U]King's Road[/U], whose contract will run out at the end of the current season and will, for now, not be renewed. The scheduling change ties into the touring schedule, as the shows will now feature 1 hour and 30 minutes of highlights from the current week's shows.

[lotr13]

Looks good. Does this mean you've ended your GCG diary?

[gbasalmon]

[QUOTE=lotr13;224999]Looks good. Does this mean you've ended your GCG diary?[/QUOTE] I haven't decided on that yet. It depends how into PGHW I get, if that's vague enough...

[gbasalmon]

[QUOTE]The links in the write-up are to the theme music for the respective wrestlers. It would probably be easier to open up Winamp along with your browser so that it doesn't load up every time you click on a new one, which you hopefully will do. :)[/QUOTE] [CENTER][B][SIZE="5"][IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/gbasalmon/PGHW%20Diary/PGHW_pridetour2007.png[/IMG] PGHW PRIDE TOUR Elite Series 2007 Monday, Week 1, March 2007 New Mei Sports Stadium (Kinki) 10,000 people (SELLOUT)[/SIZE][/B][/CENTER] [COLOR="DimGray"][B]Dark Match: [URL="http://bmg32.alternetinc.com/37/93/313793.mp3"]Joshua Taylor[/URL] vs. [URL="http://bmg32.alternetinc.com/36/51/293651.mp3"]Junnosuke Fukazawa[/URL][/B] The first PGHW action of 2007 was Taylor, one of the bright shining stars of the future versus Fukazawa, the grizzled veteran. Fukazawa showed Taylor how to work his way through a decent-sized match, but did not seem to pay enough attention to his own stamina level, as he was extremely tired after getting Taylor to tap out to a Figure Four Leglock. [B]Time: 12:39 Rating: C-[/B] [/COLOR] [CENTER][IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/gbasalmon/PGHW%20Diary/EliteSeries2007Bracket.png[/IMG] [IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/gbasalmon/PGHW%20Diary/RaymondDiaz.png[/IMG] [IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/gbasalmon/PGHW%20Diary/icon_vs.gif[/IMG] [IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/gbasalmon/PGHW%20Diary/MitoMiwa.png[/IMG][/CENTER] [B]Elite Series Quarters #1: [URL="http://bmg32.alternetinc.com/13/01/301301.mp3"]Raymond Diaz[/URL] vs. [URL="http://bmg32.alternetinc.com/60/08/116008.mp3"]Mito Miwa[/URL][/B] To say the result of this match was a surprise would be an understatement. Miwa came into this match visibly confident, seeing as though he was a former Elite Series winner and Diaz was only a former tag team specialist. Miwa would soon learn than Raymond Diaz is not one to be taken lightly. Diaz went so far as to no-sell a Pride Bomber attempt from Miwa and rock Mito backwards with a huge clothesline. Diaz continued his assault by backing Miwa into the corner and hitting him with a barrage of forearms, punches, and chops. Miwa crumbled into the corner, but regained his composure enough to dodge a Monster Mash attempt and duck behind Diaz. Miwa tried to take Diaz down to the canvas with an Amphora Clutch Drive, but Diaz simply hiptossed Miwa away from him, scooped him up, underhooked both arms and ended the match in a flash with a huge Ray Gun to advance to the Elite Series semis. [B]Time: 11:57 Rating: B-[/B] [CENTER][IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/gbasalmon/PGHW%20Diary/NobuatsuTatsuko.png[/IMG] [IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/gbasalmon/PGHW%20Diary/icon_vs.gif[/IMG] [IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/gbasalmon/PGHW%20Diary/ShujiInukai.png[/IMG][/CENTER] [B]Elite Series Quarters #2: [URL="http://bmg32.alternetinc.com/35/85/293585.mp3"]Nobuatsu Tatsuko[/URL] vs. [URL="http://bmg32.alternetinc.com/83/06/118306.mp3"]Shuji Inukai[/URL][/B] This match was an extreme disappointment from the get-go, as Tatsuko & Inukai don't click at all. Tatsuko always seemed a bit too fast for Inukai's slightly more powerful offense, and it disrupted the flow of the match greatly. Tatsuko tried to slow down the pace of his own offense to make things flow a bit better, but that just destroyed the aesthetic of the match even more. Inukai tried quite a few times to floor Tatsuko with the Untouchable Lariat, but Tatsuko ducked under it every time, the last time punctuating Inukai's lunging miss with a Roaring Sole Kick to the back of Inukai's head. This stunned Shuji long enough that Nobuatsu was able to sling him over his shoulder and send him crashing down to the canvas with a Tatsuko Driller to advance to the semis to face the winner of Mushashibo/Kunomasu. [B]Time: 12:54 Rating: C[/B] [CENTER][IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/gbasalmon/PGHW%20Diary/BuddyGarner.png[/IMG] [IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/gbasalmon/PGHW%20Diary/icon_vs.gif[/IMG] [IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/gbasalmon/PGHW%20Diary/ToshiharuHyobanshi.png[/IMG][/CENTER] [B]Elite Series Quarters #3: [URL="http://bmg32.alternetinc.com/33/27/83327.mp3"]Buddy Garner[/URL] vs. [URL="http://bmg32.alternetinc.com/05/08/60508.mp3"]Toshiharu Hyobanshi[/URL] [/B] This match was short, brutal, and intense. Garner tried at every opportunity to tie Hyobanshi in knots, seemingly motivated by an intense desire to keep the Elite Series title in PGHW. Hyobanshi persevered through all of Garner's assaults and even bloodied Garner with an especially stiff forearm shot to the nose that he seemingly cribbed from his rival Hiroyasu Gakusha. This turned the tide very quick for Toshiharu, as he used the momentary lapse in concentration on Garner's part to lay him out with a quick Nova Burst spear. With Garner already on his back, Hyobanshi got into the mount position and rained down punches on Garner's face, opening up his nose even more. With Garner bleeding profusely, Hyobanshi got up, dragged Garner to his feet, put Garner's head in his own armpit, then powered Garner back down with the Nova Bomb Redux to shockingly advance to the semis. [B]Time: 9:35 Rating: B-[/B] [CENTER][IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/gbasalmon/PGHW%20Diary/YoshimiMushashibo.png[/IMG] [IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/gbasalmon/PGHW%20Diary/icon_vs.gif[/IMG] [IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/gbasalmon/PGHW%20Diary/EisakuKunomasu.png[/IMG][/CENTER] [B]Elite Series Quarters #4: [URL="http://bmg32.alternetinc.com/13/54/301354.mp3"]Yoshimi Mushashibo[/URL] vs. [URL="http://bmg32.alternetinc.com/40/13/304013.mp3"]Eisaku Kunomasu[/URL][/B] In a match envisioned as a titanic struggle between two technical marvels, this was extremely lacking. Whether Mushashibo & Kunomasu's methodical styles clashed too much or whether it was just an off day remains to be seen, but the fact remains that their efforts were largely in vain during these 15 minutes or so of action. Mushashibo did effectively ground Kunomasu with a barrage of Kesagiri, followed by a Yoshimi Lock application that seemed to last for an eternity. The best move of the match followed though, as Kunomasu used the ropes to propel himself up and over Mushashibo, thereby flipping out of the Yoshimi Lock. Kunomasu then quickly clamped in the Kunomasu Vice and Mushashibo, exhausted from the Yoshimi Lock, did not have enough energy left to hold on and had to submit. [B]Time: 16:29 Rating: C[/B] [CENTER][IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/gbasalmon/PGHW%20Diary/BryanHolmes.png[/IMG] [IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/gbasalmon/PGHW%20Diary/icon_vs.gif[/IMG] [IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/gbasalmon/PGHW%20Diary/WilliamHayes.png[/IMG][/CENTER] [B]Historical Japan: [URL="http://bmg32.alternetinc.com/45/82/304582.mp3"]Bryan Holmes[/URL] vs. [URL="http://bmg32.alternetinc.com/74/96/67496.mp3"]William Hayes[/URL][/B] Another in the line of disappointments tonight was this match, as Holmes & Hayes tried their mightiest to put together a good match, but just couldn't do it. In actuality, it was kind of hard to watch. Holmes and Hayes had the same problem that Inukai & Tatsuko had earlier - perhaps their styles were too similar. The contrast and drama of the match was non-existant, and it all jumbled into a forgettable mess. Holmes retained his Historical Japan title with a Cyclone Shock Kick to cap off this underwhelming match. [B]Time: 13:52 Rating: D+[/B] [CENTER][IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/gbasalmon/PGHW%20Diary/RaymondDiaz.png[/IMG] [IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/gbasalmon/PGHW%20Diary/icon_vs.gif[/IMG] [IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/gbasalmon/PGHW%20Diary/ToshiharuHyobanshi.png[/IMG][/CENTER] [B]Elite Series Semis #1: [URL="http://bmg32.alternetinc.com/13/01/301301.mp3"]Raymond Diaz[/URL] vs. [URL="http://bmg32.alternetinc.com/05/08/60508.mp3"]Toshiharu Hyobanshi[/URL] [/B] In what has to be considered an upset in the first round, Toshiharu dispatched PGHW mainstay Buddy Garner to advance. Diaz, for his part, took out PGHW legend Mito Miwa. These two upstarts combined to create the best match of the night thus far, as their smashmouth styles meshed beautifully. Hyobanshi was the more reserved of the two, trying to find a weakness in Diaz's style, while Diaz was full speed ahead, hitting Hyobanshi with everything in his arsenal. In the end, Diaz's raw power was more than Hyobanshi could handle, and Diaz took the win to continue his improbable journey to the finals to face the winner of the Tatsuko/Kunomasu match coming up next. [B]Time: 14:01 Rating: B[/B] [CENTER][IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/gbasalmon/PGHW%20Diary/NobuatsuTatsuko.png[/IMG] [IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/gbasalmon/PGHW%20Diary/icon_vs.gif[/IMG] [IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/gbasalmon/PGHW%20Diary/EisakuKunomasu.png[/IMG][/CENTER] [B]Elite Series Semis #2: [URL="http://bmg32.alternetinc.com/35/85/293585.mp3"]Nobuatsu Tatsuko[/URL] vs. [URL="http://bmg32.alternetinc.com/40/13/304013.mp3"]Eisaku Kunomasu[/URL][/B] The rigors of already wrestling a match definitely showed in this match, as Tatsuko & Kunomasu had an extremely clunky match. Tatsuko tried the same tactic as his first round match - slowing his own speed down - but it did not seem to help yet again. Kunomasu seemed to be wrestling at an overly deliberate pace, and Tatsuko did all he could to keep the match together. Tatsuko ended the match the same way he did his first round win, with a quick Tatsuko Driller after he flipped out the back of a Kunomasu Heat Seeker. The finals are set - Nobuatsu Tatsuko vs. Raymond Diaz! [B]Time: 10:31 Rating: C+[/B] [CENTER][IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/gbasalmon/PGHW%20Diary/KawashimaKoiso.png[/IMG] [IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/gbasalmon/PGHW%20Diary/icon_vs.gif[/IMG] [IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/gbasalmon/PGHW%20Diary/VesseyBrothers.png[/IMG][/CENTER] [B]Glory Tag Crown: [URL="http://bmg32.alternetinc.com/82/85/68285.mp3"]Kawashima & Koiso[/URL] (c) vs. [URL="http://bmg32.alternetinc.com/25/76/272576.mp3"]Vesseys[/URL][/B] PRIDE & Kozue were up against a wealth of experience in the Vesseys, but with the news getting out about Bryan's contract situation, the way this match would end up was pretty much known before the bell even rang. PRIDE & Kozue did their part, showing some great teamwork, but they were up against Bryan, who didn't show much fire at all, and Larry, whose best years are definitely behind him. Bryan also didn't seem to happy at the ending, as he was the one who took the Koiso Kutter from PRIDE to end the match and give Kawashima & Koiso their first title defense in 2007. [B]Time: 16:24 Rating: C+[/B] [CENTER][IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/gbasalmon/PGHW%20Diary/NobuatsuTatsuko.png[/IMG] [IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/gbasalmon/PGHW%20Diary/icon_vs.gif[/IMG] [IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/gbasalmon/PGHW%20Diary/RaymondDiaz.png[/IMG][/CENTER] [B]Elite Series Finals: [URL="http://bmg32.alternetinc.com/35/85/293585.mp3"]Nobuatsu Tatsuko[/URL] vs. [URL="http://bmg32.alternetinc.com/13/01/301301.mp3"]Raymond Diaz[/URL][/B] This final match of the night took on the feel of the rest of the night - solid but underwhelming. Tatsuko finally exposed Diaz as being a step slower, as the two previous matches finally caught up with the powerhouse Diaz. Tatsuko used his speed advantage to hit Diaz from all angles, and then breaking Tatsuko down with the Tatsuko Clutch. He kept it locked in for almost one whole minute and that time of stretching got the lactic acid built up in Diaz's neck and shoulders. Tatsuko took full advantage of that fact, and began using his huge arsenal of stiff kicks to punish Diaz. This quickly wore him down even more and left him easy pickings for an impressive Tatsuko Driller, give the size difference between Tatsuko & Diaz. Referee Yugoro Adachi made the count - one, two, three! Nobuatsu Tatsuko is the winner of the 2007 Elite Series! [B]Time: 20:45 Rating: C+[/B] As Tatsuko willed himself to his feet after three wins in one night, he got the Elite Series trophy from ringside and brought it into the ring. He held it high in the air, as the crowd showered him with cheers. [B]Rating: B[/B] Tatsuko then set the trophy down and walked over to Raymond Diaz, who was still in the ring, rubbing his neck. Tatsuko extended his hand to Diaz for a handshake, but Diaz stared a whole through him and simply left the ring, leaving Tatsuko standing with his hand still out as the DVD release & feed for TV faded to black. [B]Rating: B[/B] Final Show Rating: C+ This whole show as a whole was disappointing. There was some unexpectedly bad chemistry between some big names and the matches were hurt as a result. Still, A C+ is respectable and won't irreperably harm our popularity too much. Hopefully we can bounce back in two days' time with a strong show. Wednesday's show will feature the following matches... [COLOR="Blue"][B]PREDICTION LIST[/B] [U]International Tag Titles[/U] - Muruyama & Ugaki (c) vs. Joshua Taylor & William Hayes [U]International Title[/U] - Washi Heat (c) vs. GCG's Shingen Miyazaki Akinori Kwakami & Mito Miwa vs. Dread & Bryan Holmes PRIDE Koiso vs. Bryan Vessey Shuji Inukai vs. Buddy Garner [U]Glory Crown Title[/U] - Yoshimi Mushashibo (c) vs. GCG's Toshiharu Hyobanshi Elite Series 2007 Winner Nobuatsu Tatsuko vs. PGHW's newest signee ... KOSHIRO INO! [/COLOR]

[Midnightnick]

Great show GBA. I'll be following this, like how I followed the GCG Diary. International Tag Titles - [B]Muruyama & Ugaki[/B] (c) vs. Joshua Taylor & William Hayes International Title - [B]Washi Heat[/B] (c) vs. GCG's Shingen Miyazaki Akinori Kwakami & Mito Miwa vs. [B]Dread & Bryan Holmes[/B] [B]PRIDE Koiso[/B] vs. Bryan Vessey [B]Shuji Inukai[/B] vs. Buddy Garner Glory Crown Title - [B]Yoshimi Mushashibo[/B] (c) vs. GCG's Toshiharu Hyobanshi Elite Series 2007 Winner [B]Nobuatsu Tatsuko [/B]vs. PGHW's newest signee ... KOSHIRO INO!

[Tigerkinney]

That's extremely bad luck with the chemistry....I would have felt for sure you would have scored at-least a B with that card, and to get a C+ must be extremely aggravating. Anyway Predictions...... International Tag Titles - [B]Muruyama & Ugaki (c) [/B]vs. Joshua Taylor & William Hayes International Title - Washi Heat (c) vs. [B]GCG's Shingen Miyazaki[/B] [B]Akinori Kwakami & Mito Miwa[/B] vs. Dread & Bryan Holmes [B]PRIDE Koiso[/B] vs. Bryan Vessey [B]Shuji Inukai[/B] vs. Buddy Garner Glory Crown Title - [B]Yoshimi Mushashibo (c)[/B] vs. GCG's Toshiharu Hyobanshi Elite Series 2007 Winner [B]Nobuatsu Tatsuko[/B] vs. PGHW's newest signee ... KOSHIRO INO!

[Rob4590]

International Tag Titles - [B]Muruyama & Ugaki (c)[/B] vs. Joshua Taylor & William Hayes International Title - [B]Washi Heat (c)[/B] vs. GCG's Shingen Miyazaki [B]Akinori Kwakami & Mito Miwa[/B] vs. Dread & Bryan Holmes PRIDE Koiso vs. [B]Bryan Vessey[/B] [B]Shuji Inukai[/B] vs. Buddy Garner Glory Crown Title - [B]Yoshimi Mushashibo (c)[/B] vs. GCG's Toshiharu Hyobanshi Elite Series 2007 Winner [B]Nobuatsu Tatsuko [/B]vs. PGHW's newest signee ... KOSHIRO INO!

[gbasalmon]

[CENTER][IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/gbasalmon/PGHW%20Diary/KoshiroIno.png[/IMG][/CENTER] As eluded to towards the end of Monday's show, the newest member of the PGHW family is the co-holder of the Burning World Tag Championships, [B]KOSHIRO INO[/B]! He is looking to broaden his experiences wrestling-wise, and naturally PGHW was his first stop. He is on the verge of becoming a bonafide household name in Japan. The only thing that might hold him back is his freelancing ways, as he seems content to drift around the wrestling world and not call any one place his home anymore. He's definitely entering with a bang, as he has been set up against Glory Crown holder [B]Yoshimi Mushashibo[/B]. It's hard to tell whether he has the skills necessary to make good on his challenge, but he'll no doubt put on a good effort. [CENTER][IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/gbasalmon/PGHW%20Diary/KimitadaYanagita.png[/IMG] [IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/gbasalmon/PGHW%20Diary/SotatsuSarumara.png[/IMG] [IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/gbasalmon/PGHW%20Diary/SUKI.png[/IMG] [IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/gbasalmon/PGHW%20Diary/ShingenMiyazakiGCG.png[/IMG][/CENTER] Also, PGHW has three wrestlers only in the company for PRIDE TOUR 2007. [B]Kimitada Yanagita[/B], called the "Dog of War" by those in the know, brings an intensity and a power to the ring that is only seen in PGHW stalwarts like [B]Raymond Diaz[/B] and [B]Dread[/B]. Also, he has history with [B]Junnosuke Fukazawa[/B], as they combined to capture the GCG World Heavyweight Tag Team titles right around the turn of the millenium. [B]Sotatsu Sarumara[/B] is an interesting case, as he wrestles an extremely MMA-based style, which is not seen in PGHW by anyone not named [B]Buddy Garner[/B]. A Sarumara/Garner match is not out of the question, but it may be a mismatch, as Sarumara has not seen much success in his career yet. He's been a fixture on the independent scene for about 5 years now, but he hasn't exactly set the world on fire quite yet. Hopefully for Sotatsu, he can harness his solid skills and make something of this opportunity. The last touring wrestler is probably the one with the most upside, [B]SUKI[/B]. If he impresses in his trial run during this tour, there's talk a developmental contract with SAISHO could be in his future. In addition to the touring wrestlers, PGHW has access to one of GCG's "next generation", [B]Shingen Miyazaki[/B], for three dates starting this Wednesday. He's looking to make an impact right away, just like Ino, as he's challenging [B]Washi Heat[/B] for his International title. Given the working agreement between the two companies, Miyazaki could be on the receiving end of a formal contract offer from PGHW if he also impresses.

[Nick425]

I've been doing a PGHW game of my own, about four months in and I am loving it and I am loving to read this. Keep up the great writing. (Push Ugaki :))

[gbasalmon]

[CENTER] [URL="http://bmg32.alternetinc.com/40/18/304018.mp3"][IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/gbasalmon/PGHW%20Diary/PGHW_pridetour2007.png[/IMG][/URL] [SIZE="4"][B]PGHW PRIDE TOUR 2007 – NIGHT 2 Wednesday, Week 1, March 2007 Sapporo Sports Stadium (Hokkaido) 5,000 people (SELLOUT)[/B][/SIZE][/CENTER] [COLOR="DimGray"][B][URL="http://bmg32.alternetinc.com/99/62/69962.mp3"]SUKI[/URL] vs. [URL="http://bmg32.alternetinc.com/82/85/68285.mp3"]Kozue Kawashima[/URL][/B] This was SUKI’s first PGHW match and he definitely made the best of it. Even though he was up against one-half of the Glory Tag Crown champs, Kozue Kawashima, he acquitted himself quite well and made a case that PGHW management should invest in him over the long haul. He extended Kozue to his limits and made him work for the win. Luckily for Kawashima, he was up to the task. Kawashima and SUKI traded holds for the first five minutes of the match, until SUKI made one crucial mistake. He went for his main finisher, the SUKI Special III, entirely too early. Kawashima flipped out of it quite easily and floored SUKI with one of the picture-perfect dropkicks that have come to be known as K-Kicks. This made SUKI stumble into the corner, but Kawashima met him with a Stampede K-Kick. SUKI slumped into the corner, looking completely beaten. Kawashima coolly snapmared him out of the corner, went up to the top rope, and nailed SUKI with a missile K-Kick off of the top rope. After this, SUKI was completely done, and Kawashima scooped him up and nailed him with the Kawashima Driver 2005 for the win. [B]Kozue Kawashima beat SUKI in 8:02 with the Kawashima Driver 2005 (C).[/B] [B][URL="http://bmg32.alternetinc.com/48/81/314881.mp3"]Tetsunori Yasuda[/URL] vs. [URL="http://bmg32.alternetinc.com/86/66/248666.mp3"]Noriyori Sanda[/URL] [/B] This match was so great that it deserves to someday be on the actual card. Yasuda, the protégé of Eisaku Hoshino, took the action straight to Sanda, the tag partner of Elite Series 2007 winner Nobuatsu Tatsuko. He showed all the dogged determination that must have appealed to Hoshino when he took him under his wing. Yasuda battered Sanda all around the ring in the early going, using some stiff kicks and suplexes to soften up Sanda’s upper torso. Yasuda was hitting on all cylinders until he went for the Minilla Plunge, his version of Hoshino’s famed Godzilla Plunge finisher. Sanda deftly slipped out the back of the move, then unleashed his trademark Sanda Series of kicks to Yasuda’s midsection. With Yasuda doubled over, Sanda went for his Full Body Powerbomb, but Yasuda rolled through it and went for a rollup victory. Sanda barely kicked out at about 2.9 and looked energized by this near loss. He quickly dragged Yasuda to his feet, sent him back down again with a stiff enzuigiri, then ascended the ropes and came off with his huge Dynamo Elbow Drop, as he seemed to hang in the air for an eternity. When he finally did come down, the pinfall was academic. [B]Noriyori Sanda beat Tetsunori Yasuda in 8:02 with the Dynamo Elbow Drop (B-)[/B]. [/COLOR] [CENTER] [URL="http://bmg32.alternetinc.com/28/53/62853.mp3"][IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/gbasalmon/PGHW%20Diary/MuruyamaUgaki.png[/IMG][/URL] [IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/gbasalmon/PGHW%20Diary/icon_vs.gif[/IMG] [URL="http://bmg32.alternetinc.com/74/96/67496.mp3"][IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/gbasalmon/PGHW%20Diary/WilliamHayes.png[/IMG] [IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/gbasalmon/PGHW%20Diary/JoshuaTaylor.png[/IMG][/URL] [/CENTER] [B]International Tag Team Titles: Muruyama & Ugaki (c) vs. William Hayes & Joshua Taylor[/B] Ryoma Muruyama & Masaru Ugaki are one of the most exciting teams in PGHW history, and they brought their high-octane brand of offense up to Hokkaido tonight to defend their International Tag titles against the two Americans in PGHW at the moment, Hayes & Taylor. The Yanks worked OK as a team, but they did not show the polish and crispness of offense that the champs did. Muruyama was his usual jawdropping self, even at one point using Ugaki as a launching pad for a plancha to the outside onto Taylor. After this plancha, Muruyama rolled Taylor back into the ring to Ugaki, who was the legal man. Ugaki commenced physically dissecting Taylor, stretching him as much as humanly possible. When satisfied he had worn down Taylor enough, Ugaki locked in the Ugaki Clutch. Taylor struggled mightily to get out of it, but he couldn’t quite do it. He looked to be close after about 20 seconds of being in the hold, but Ugaki dragged him back towards the middle of the ring, and he had Taylor dead to rights. Taylor tapped out, and Muruyama & Ugaki made their first title defense of 2007. [B]Muruyama & Ugaki beat William Hayes & Joshua Taylor in 12:47 when Ugaki used the Ugaki Clutch on Taylor. Muruyama & Ugaki made their first successful defense of the International Tag Team titles (C)[/B]. [CENTER] [URL="http://bmg32.alternetinc.com/10/64/61064.mp3"][IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/gbasalmon/PGHW%20Diary/WashiHeat.png[/IMG][/URL] [IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/gbasalmon/PGHW%20Diary/icon_vs.gif[/IMG] [URL="http://bmg32.alternetinc.com/90/80/299080.mp3"][IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/gbasalmon/PGHW%20Diary/ShingenMiyazakiGCG.png[/IMG][/URL][/CENTER] [B]International Title: Washi Heat (c) vs. Shingen Miyazaki[/B] This match was extremely disappointing, especially seeing as though there was a title at stake. Washi didn’t seem terribly motivated by the specter of Miyazaki taking the International Title back to GCG. For that matter, Miyazaki didn’t seem too motivated by stealing the title for GCG. Also, their styles just didn’t mesh at all, as Miyazaki wrestled an extremely technical, methodical style, which contrasted too much with Washi’s hard nosed, physical style. Still, Washi was game enough to stand up for PGHW’s honor, and took control of the match, using his brutal looking offense to wear down Miyazaki. Washi finally locked Shingen into the Washi Explosion, and once that went off, the match was over. [B]Washi Heat beat Shingen Miyazaki (GCG) in 11:32 with the Washi Explosion. Washi Heat made his first successful defense of the International Title (D+)[/B]. [CENTER] [URL="http://bmg32.alternetinc.com/75/87/97587.mp3"][IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/gbasalmon/PGHW%20Diary/TeamToronto.png[/IMG][/URL] [IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/gbasalmon/PGHW%20Diary/icon_vs.gif[/IMG] [URL="http://bmg32.alternetinc.com/36/51/293651.mp3"][IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/gbasalmon/PGHW%20Diary/KimitadaYanagita.png[/IMG] [IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/gbasalmon/PGHW%20Diary/JunnosukeFukazawa.png[/IMG][/URL] [/CENTER] [B]Team Toronto vs. Kimitada Yanagita & Junnosuke Fukazawa[/B] Alexander Robinson and Lee Bennett, Team Toronto, are looking to insinuate themselves into the Glory Tag Crown picture. To do that, they need to get some quality wins under their belts. This match served that purpose, to a point. Yanagita & Fukazawa are two-time former GCG World Heavyweight Tag champions, but Fukazawa has been stuck in the PGHW midcard and Yanagita has been bouncing around the independent scene since. Bennett & Robinson completely dominated the action, showing their skills to the Sapporo crowd. The finish came when Yanagita, having temporarily gotten the advantage, made a wild charge at Robinson. It was a little too wild, though, as Robinson dimmed his lights with a Canadian Violence mafia kick for the win to advance the cause of Team Toronto. [B]Team Toronto beat Kimitada Yanagita & Junnosuke Fukazawa in 11:29 when Robinson used Canadian Violence on Yanagita (C)[/B]. [CENTER] [URL="http://bmg32.alternetinc.com/60/08/116008.mp3"][IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/gbasalmon/PGHW%20Diary/MiwaKwakami.png[/IMG][/URL] [IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/gbasalmon/PGHW%20Diary/icon_vs.gif[/IMG] [URL="http://bmg32.alternetinc.com/33/22/83322.mp3"][IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/gbasalmon/PGHW%20Diary/DreadHolmes.png[/IMG] [/URL][/CENTER] [B]Miwa & Kwakami vs. Dread & Holmes[/B] The Elite Series on Monday did not go well at all for Mito Miwa, and he looked determined to change his fortunes tonight. He led his team with some fiery offense, beating on Holmes in particular very heavily. Holmes finally did tag out to Dread, and the wily veteran was able to use his size advantage to gain some ground on Miwa, even very nearly getting the win with a Dreadsault. Luckily for Miwa, he moved out of the way, dove towards the corner, and tagged in Akinori Kwakami, his new partner. Kwakami matched Miwa’s intensity perfectly, backing Dread up against the ropes with a barrage of kicks and forearms. Dread quickly tagged out to Holmes, but Kwakami effortless changed his focus and battered Holmes just as much. Sensing the match was drawing to a crescendo, Kwakami nailed Holmes with the Locomtion Kneebreakers, then immediately locked in the Kwakami Painlock. Holmes, already worn down a bit from Miwa’s earlier assault, tapped out speedily. [B]Miwa & Kwakami beat Dread & Holmes in 11:51 when Kwakami used the Kwakami Painlock on Holmes (C+)[/B]. Seeing as though it’s been a whole two days, everyone needs a refresher on exactly how Nobuatsu Tatsuko won the Elite Series. Highlights were shown of his wins over Shuji Inukai, Eisaku Kunomasu, & finally Raymond Diaz. The tone of the music was celebratory, but it quickly changed when Diaz was shown refusing Tatsuko’s handshake and leaving the ring. [B](B-)[/B] [CENTER] [URL="http://bmg32.alternetinc.com/35/85/293585.mp3"][IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/gbasalmon/PGHW%20Diary/NobuatsuTatsuko.png[/IMG][/URL] [IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/gbasalmon/PGHW%20Diary/icon_vs.gif[/IMG] [URL="http://bmg32.alternetinc.com/28/46/62846.mp3"][IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/gbasalmon/PGHW%20Diary/DangerKumasaka.png[/IMG][/URL] [/CENTER] [B]Nobuatsu Tatsuko vs. Danger Kumasaka[/B] Yes, this write-up says Danger Kumasaka, not Koshiro Ino. It seems that “The Kobra” decided to go to the BHOTWG event instead of making his PGHW debut. In a pinch, the old pro Danger Kumasaka agreed to take on Tatsuko and gave him a bigger run for his money than anyone could have expected. Kumasaka took the action to the ground and looked to wear down Tatsuko with his large arsenal of submission maneuvers. However, there’s a good reason Tatsuko is called the “Iron Man”. He persevered through Kumasaka’s holds and waited for the 50-year-old superstar to start to tire out. When he started seeing the signs, Tatsuko ramped up the intensity and pace of the match even more, looking to seal the deal. However, Kumasaka stopped the onslaught with a well-placed kick to the gut as Tatsuko was moving in for the Tatsuko Driller. Danger went for a backdrop driver, but Tatsuko amazingly flipped out of it and nailed Kumasaka with the Tatsuko Blind Kick to the back of his head. Kumasaka crumpled to the ground like he had been hit by a sniper, and Tatsuko made the cover for the win. [B]Nobuatsu Tatsuko beat Danger Kumasaka in 12:41 with the Tatsuko Blind Kick (C)[/B]. As Tatsuko’s music plays, Raymond Diaz walks out onto the ramp. Tatsuko sees Diaz and motions for him to come down to the ring. Diaz doesn’t do it; he just stands at the top of the ramp stoicly, then goes behind the curtain. [B](B-)[/B] Next up was a short, behind-the-scenes, almost Rocky-style montage of Eisaku Kunomasu’s training regimen, set to his ring entrance music. He is shown sparring in the ring and locking in on many sparring partners (probably SAISHO workers) the Kunomasu Vice. Obviously, they all tap out quickly. Then, a message appears “The Lord of Puroresu – Eisaku Kunomasu”. [B](B-)[/B] [CENTER] [URL="http://bmg32.alternetinc.com/82/85/68285.mp3"][IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/gbasalmon/PGHW%20Diary/PRIDEKoiso.png[/IMG][/URL] [IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/gbasalmon/PGHW%20Diary/icon_vs.gif[/IMG] [URL="http://bmg32.alternetinc.com/25/76/272576.mp3"][IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/gbasalmon/PGHW%20Diary/BryanVessey.png[/IMG][/URL] [/CENTER] [B]PRIDE Koiso vs. Bryan Vessey[/B] This match was cast by the announcers (Takeda, Morri, and yours truly) as a sort of rematch from Wednesday night. It was also intimated that if Vessey won, the Vesseys would get another shot at the Glory Tag Crown. With that in mind, Bryan went at Koiso with a fire and an intensity that we didn’t see Monday night. He really laid into Koiso with everything that he had, showing Koiso just how lucky he and Kozue were to get out Monday victorious. Koiso did not completely lie down though, and fought back admirably. The high point of his comeback was hitting a Koiso Death Kutter off of the apron to the arena floor. This gave Vessey a nice goose-egg on his head, but he just kept on going, completely undeterred. Vessey rolled himself back into the ring as Koiso regathered himself on the outside. As Koiso stepped through the ropes, he was met with a massive Vessey Line. This nearly put Koiso back through the ropes, but Vessey reached out and slung Koiso over his shoulders, then nearly crushed Koiso with a huge Vessey Driver for the win. [B]Bryan Vessey beat PRIDE Koiso in 16:51 with the Vessey Driver (B)[/B]. The scene shifts to backstage, as Larry Vessey is waiting for his brother to return to the locker room . Bryan walks in, with the welt on his head a bright red already. Larry jumps up, walks over, and hugs Bryan. Bryan looks a bit standoffish, then steps away. Larry asks what’s wrong, and Bryan tells him that it’s Larry’s fault they lost on Monday and that he just saved his ass out there, as now there’s no way that they can’t get another shot at Kawashima & Koiso. The scene fades to black as Bryan puts an ice pack on his forehead, annoyedly. [B](C+)[/B] Takeda, Morri, and I made it official next – it will be Kawashima & Koiso versus the Vesseys for the Glory Tag Crown yet again! [B](C+)[/B] [CENTER] [URL="http://bmg32.alternetinc.com/83/06/118306.mp3"][IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/gbasalmon/PGHW%20Diary/ShujiInukai.png[/IMG][/URL] [IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/gbasalmon/PGHW%20Diary/icon_vs.gif[/IMG] [URL="http://bmg32.alternetinc.com/33/27/83327.mp3"][IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/gbasalmon/PGHW%20Diary/BuddyGarner.png[/IMG][/URL][/CENTER] [B]Shuji Inukai vs. Buddy Garner[/B] Both of these men had disappointing showings in the Elite Series, losing in the first round. Garner was especially angry, as he lost to GCG stalwart Toshiharu Hyobanshi. Inukai lost to eventual winner Nobuatsu Tatsuko, which there is definitely no shame in. Inukai went after Garner with everything he had, but Garner it turns out had even more in his tank, as he absorbed Inukai’s assault and even kicked out of an Untouchable Lariat. It seemed like Inukai was dead in the water after missing out on that opportunity, as Garner started working on the legs, looking to soften Shuji up for the Garner Tendon Hold. Garner tried to lock in the Hold finally, but Inukai surprisingly powered out of it, marshalling all his remaining strength. Extremely energized by this turn of events, Inukai started to ramp up his own intensity and gained enough momentum to take down Garner with the Inukai Driver to end an impressive match. [B]Shuji Inukai beat Buddy Garner in 15:38 with the Inukai Driver (B).[/B] [CENTER] [URL="http://bmg32.alternetinc.com/13/54/301354.mp3"][IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/gbasalmon/PGHW%20Diary/YoshimiMushashibo.png[/IMG][/URL] [IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/gbasalmon/PGHW%20Diary/icon_vs.gif[/IMG] [URL="http://bmg32.alternetinc.com/05/08/60508.mp3"][IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/gbasalmon/PGHW%20Diary/ToshiharuHyobanshi.png[/IMG][/URL] [/CENTER] [B]Glory Crown: Yoshimi Mushashibo (c) vs. Toshiharu Hyobanshi[/B] The storyline behind this match, in the end, turned out to have more promise than the actual match. Hyobanshi was seen as a real threat to Mushashibo, and there was a chance that he could take the Glory Crown back to GCG. However, the reality was that Mushashibo and Hyobanshi don’t click all that well in the ring, and the match definitely suffered as a result. Mushashibo was his extremely precise self, and Hyobanshi is used to a rougher, more punishing style. Hyobanshi was just a step too slow to make Mushashibo’s offense look impressive, and Hyobanshi’s own offense just seemed a bit overdone. The match clunked at sputtered to nearly a half-hour and Mushashibo took the win with his Yoshimi Explosion ’02. [B]Yoshimi Mushashibo beat Toshiharu Hyobanshi (GCG) in 27:17 with the Yoshimi Explosion ’02. Mushashibo made his first successful defense of the Glory Crown (C+).[/B] After the match, Hyobanshi, in a great show of sportsmanship, offered Hyobanshi a handshake. Hyobanshi accepted it, and they together basked in a slightly above-average reception. [B](C+)[/B] [B][CENTER][SIZE="4"]FINAL RATING: C+[/SIZE][/CENTER][/B] This below-average, hurting-our-popularity string of cards has got to be stopped pronto. Bad chemistry has damaged many matches thus far, and completely ruined our main event tonight. Anyway, Hyobanshi is on his way back to GCG, and Mushashibo is now free to take on his next opponent, who will be Eisaku Kunomasu. Mushashibo & Kunomasu have more than enough skills to make a great main event for Monday, and hopefully they can swing the tide of substandardness. In addition, a match for the Glory Tag Crown was signed tonight, as the Vesseys will try once again to take down Kawashima & Koiso. Bryan was impressive in his win over Koiso tonight, but even he seems to think that Larry is the weak link on the team. That is extremely curious, especially seeing as though Bryan took the loss on Monday. One of the other tag matches tonight saw Mito Miwa & Akinori Kwakami combine forces to take down Dread & Historical Japan champ Bryan Holmes. By virtue of making Holmes submit, Kwakami has gained for himself a shot at the Historical Japan Title on Monday. These matches will hopefully make up the foundation of a more impressive show than we’ve put on thus far this tour. [B]Prediction List[/B] Ryoma Muryama vs. Noriyori Sanda Team Toronto vs. Masayuki Shiga & Danger Kumasaka [U]Historical Japan Title[/U]: Bryan Holmes (c) vs. Akinori Kwakami Raymond Diaz & Buddy Garner vs. Junnosuke Fukazawa & Shingen Miyazaki (GCG) [U]Glory Tag Crown[/U]: Kawashima & Koiso (c) vs. The Vessey Brothers Mito Miwa vs. Dread Shuji Inukai vs. Koshiro Ino [U]Glory Crown[/U]: Yoshimi Mushashibo (c) vs. Eisaku Kunomasu

[Midnightnick]

I'll most likely be off with all my predictions. [B]Ryoma Muryama[/B] vs. Noriyori Sanda [B]Team Toronto[/B] vs. Masayuki Shiga & Danger Kumasaka Historical Japan Title: [B]Bryan Holmes[/B] (c) vs. Akinori Kwakami Raymond Diaz & Buddy Garner vs. [B]Junnosuke Fukazawa & Shingen Miyazaki[/B] (GCG) Glory Tag Crown: [B]Kawashima & Koiso[/B] (c) vs. The Vessey Brothers [B]Mito Miwa[/B] vs. Dread Shuji Inukai vs. [B]Koshiro Ino[/B] Glory Crown: [B]Yoshimi Mushashibo[/B] (c) vs. Eisaku Kunomasu