LONDON CALLING - The Return of A Wrestling Icon

Briskout · October 28, 2017

[bHK - I upped production values and it worked.]

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Stars of the Golden Canvas

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Episode 8, March 2016

Eiji Hamacho & Tanyu Toshusai vs. The McWade Brothers {Dean & Dallas McWade}

The announce team are going ballistic when Eiji Hamacho makes his way to the ring with Tanyu Toshusai as the legendary Raging Bull makes his way down to the ring.

While Hamacho will never be considered a legendary singles worker, he is one of the greatest tag workers in the history of our sport as the former five time Burning Hammer tag team champion is confirmed to be the partner for Tanyu Toshusai at Justice.

Meanwhile: they’re going against the McWade Brothers, two legendary tag workers in their own right who have a tag title match at Justice.

This was a warm up for both teams prior to Justice on Wednesday Night and in night of debuts Wednesday night from the big four team tag match, this match was set up to debut some of those men a few nights earlier and not overexhaust the crowd. With that noted, this match wasn’t spectacular: standard tag fare that has been expected from the McWades - wild brawling which pushes the limits of legality. While it might be out of place in GCG on a weekly basis, this one off weekend allows it and Hamacho and Toshusai as the opposite pair allow the GCG fans to enjoy the show.

As we’re building towards Justice next week, there are no losers in this one as the two teams fight to a time limit draw and look equally dangerous going into their respective matches Wednesday.

Rating - ✯✯½

</fieldset /span>

We cut backstage where Jimmy Cox and Eagle Kawasawa, both wearing Cox’s newly trademarked denim jeans and American flag shirt. Kawasawa also has an American flag themed Kawasawa mask. Merchandise effort? I doubt it. Anyways The American Eagle begin to talk with each other in English, as Kawasawa asks in broken English whether they should be worried about Hamacho. Cox seems almost flabbergasted by such a suggestion and reminds Kawasawa of the Karate Kid, and reminds him that America is number one before clicking play on a boombox straight from 1985, which begins to play “You’re the Best” by Joe Esposito. Cox yells at Kawasawa that this is what America is all about and Wednesday at Justice,

AMERICAN JUSTICE WILL BE SERVED!

YOUNG LION'S CUP: Group B Match

Danjuro Kikuchi vs. Kimi Kawano

This second match of the Young Lion’s Cup is a step above the last match as Kikuchi and Kawano had such a stunning chemistry with each other, that in a few years with some more experience under their belt, the two could put on an amazing match down the road. But for what this was, an 8 minute match in a league match for a young lion’s cup on an afternoon wrestling show on Saturdays was pretty good. The crowd seemed completely uninterested, but Kikuchi and Kawano put out their best going to the limit.

For Kikuchi, it was an opportunity to fight alone without his partner Shotaro Ikina and it worked out as he was able to ground Kawano, take out the leg before ending it with the Step Over Leg Bar.

Rating - ✯✯½

</fieldset /span>

Burning Fury {Mashashi Urogataya & Lion Genji} vs. Dean Daniels & Merle O’Curle

The winner of this would receive the open spot for the last spot in the #1 contendership match at Wednesday’s Justice, and both announcers discussed what an opportunity for Urogataya and Genji this would be to be fighting three established teams this weekend. And as they discussed this opportunity,

Dean Daniels managed to get a quick roll up on Urogataya, pulling the tights outside of referee Koruba’s eyes, for the shocking win!

Rating - ✯✯½

</fieldset /span>

Gaijin Demolition {Brandon Smith & Findlay O’Farraday}, Mabuchi Furusawa and Shingen Miyazaki vs. Team Taku {Toshinobu Taku & Yoshinaka Taku}, Noritoshi Miura and Inejiro Yoshizawa

This was a tag team showcase featuring four of the best teams in the Lion style of puroresu, this GCG/BCG hard hitting, old school style and for Golden Canvas to drain Black Canvas of three teams is a major shot in this war between Gold and Black. It also adds on to the other two major departures from BCG to GCG over the past few months: Tanyu Toshusai (who’s in a major feud with Jimmy Cox) and Razan Okamoto (in his own feud with Sozen Ishinomori), so for the Black Canvas teams this is great news as they will be used. While GCG has seen some departures (Samoan Machine, Greg Gauge and Yasuhide Tayama), they haven’t gone to Black Canvas and thus haven’t effected this particular battle. One note: instead of the usual name of American Demolition, O’Farraday and Smith were actually announced as Gaijin Demolition. Perhaps this is to distinguish it from Kawasawa & Cox and take away some of the American evil in those two. Regardless, this is a great chance to see the future of Golden Canvas tag wrestling, with the rumors of the Tag Team Golden Grand Prix returning in the summer, having four solid teams like this anchor it with the possibility of the McWades or other Modern Japan teams joining it really sets the possibilities high. With that said, this is one of those just under the time needed matches as we don’t see a lot of any one individual, but we see glimpses of the Gaijin Demolition power, Team Taku’s complimentary styles, the submission prowess of Miyazaki & Furusawa and the fluidness of Miura & Yoshizawa.

Unfortunately for the newcomers, it was Yoshinaka biting the bullet as he was left alone with Furusawa and on an attempted lariat, the veteran reversed it into the Furusawa Armbar for the win giving some teams momentum into Wednesday’s big show.

Rating - ✯✯✯

</fieldset /span>

One of the big press conferences prior to Justice was held earlier in the day and

Haruki Kudo preempts the footage by stating what is about to be seen should be censored from children.

The footage shows GCG World Champion Hiroyasu Gakusha and challenger Toshiharu Hyobanshi fielding questions with Haruki Kudo like a normal press conference when one of the reporters asks Gakusha about the recent attacks from the giant man. Gakusha expresses how upset he is by the recent string of attacks and how it has forced him to miss matches, but Wednesday Golden Canvas has promised to have security escort the World Champion around and to the ring to avoid the giant’s attacks. Gakusha also stated a desire to fight the giant at Ultimate Opposition next month, which brings more reactions. Hyobanshi actually stands and calls his opponent’s hubris out, remarking that Gakusha might not even be in a state to fight next month after he beats him for the belt. But before Gakusha can react, the giant man comes busting out and takes Gakusha’s head off with a huge lariat. Kudo attempts to get up, but Hyobanshi tosses the promoter back and helps the giant to lay the boots into the world champion, before barking an order at the giant to finish Gakusha. Once again, Gakusha is chokeslammed through the table by the giant at Hyobanshi and the giant stand victorious.

Hyobanshi reveals that he’s the employer of Jaianto Kuchikukan and acquired a manager’s license for the giant, through the championship committee, and that Wednesday, with the Giant Destroyer in his corner, he will surely be victorious.

The Japanese press take photos of the damage, leaving Hyobanshi and Kuchikukan to celebrate.

Back at ringside, Kudo promises he wasn’t hurt by Hyobanshi’s cheap shot and knows that despite the odds in favor of Hyobanshi, Gakusha will surely find a way to defeat him. Masatake Hori reminds Kudo that they are to be unbiased on the air, but Kudo ignores the warning and tells Hyobanshi that it’s not over either.

Takayuki 2000 vs. Tasuku Iesada

The Iesada tour continues as Tasuku Iesada goes against Takayuki 2000 in the main event.

Kudo comments how Iesada was a big influence in SUKI’s decision to pursue a pro wrestling career, and how that might motivate Takayuki in this match.

This was more of a grapple than many of Iesada’s matches as the two draw this one, looking to outdo the other with their technical abilities. While it isn’t the standard GCG brawl, it’s perfectly serviceable wrestling that tells a story between two opponents looking for momentum and a win. For Iesada, it would be a reversal of fortunes over the past few weeks while for Takayuki, it would be a move towards momentum, especially with a match against SUKI Wednesday. For Takayuki 2000, it would be momentum building as he continually worked on the legs,

leaving Iesada open for missteps (literal ones) that allowed Takayuki to take him down and lock in the Persian Deathlock, forcing Iesada to tap.

Rating - ✯✯✯

</fieldset /span>

✯✯✯

Briskout · October 28, 2017

GCG signs PPV Deal

GCG & J-Remote 1 ink 1 year deal

While the highlights of the GCG Press Conference on Friday were shown on Stars of the Golden Canvas, when Jaianto Kuchikukan chokeslammed Hiroyasu Gakusha through a table, there was a key component that was shown on air when GCG Justice was advertised: Golden Canvas inked a deal with J-Remote 1 to air all Wednesday events for the next year. J-Network East 3 originally had a deal to air 2 Wednesday shows per month, but it is believed to be understood that was initial contract to get "Stars of the Golden Canvas" on the air for 3 months as well. With Stars performing well in their Saturday Afternoon slot, J-Network East 3 wanted to renegotiate terms of the Wednesday shows but instead, J-Remote 1 stepped in and offered a pay-per-view contract. For GCG, this means a higher revenue stream and with the company looking to move "Stars" to Prime Japan TV in a few short months, this increased revenue from the pay-per-view contract will help.

In other news concerning GCG, the resurgence of the company has restored the company's fortunes amongst insiders to once again acknowledge the GCG World Championship as a true world championship once again. While it perhaps needs more time to be restored to it's former glory, or to even be on par with Japanese rivals Burning Hammer or Pride Glory Honor, the historic company is looking to finally be moving in the right direction for the first time in decades. While purists may be looking to Black Canvas for help, it is clear that Kudo and now London are truly working wonders in this once dead promotion.

CONFIRMED CARD FOR GCG JUSTICE.

Live from Nagoya Sports Stadium

GCG WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH

Champion, Hiroyasu Gakusha vs. Challenger, Toshiharu Hyobanshi w/ Jaianto Kuchikukan

GCG WORLD TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIPS MATCH

Champions, Miyazaki & Furusawa vs. Challengers, The McWade Brothers

GCG OPENWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP

Champion, Barry Kingman vs. Challenger, Harumi Okazawaya

YOUNG LION'S CUP

Group A Match

Bakin Sakamoto vs. Midnight Tiger

#1 CONTENDERSHIP FOR THE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

Takayuki 2000 vs. SUKI

#1 CONTENDERSHIP FOR THE WORLD TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIPS

Daniels & O'Curle vs. Gaijin Demolition vs. Miura & Yoshizawa vs. Team Taku

THE RUBBER MATCH

Razan Okamoto vs. Sozen Ishinomori

GRUDGE TAG TEAM MATCH

Eagle Kawasawa & Jimmy Cox vs. Eiji Hamacho & Tanyu Toshusai

THE DEBUT OF THE GIANT DESTROYER

Jaianto Kuchikukan w/Toshiharu Hyobanshi vs. Mashashi Urogataya

TIEBREAKER 1

Match of the Night

TIEBREAKER 2

Will Jaianto Kuchikukan attack Hiroyasu Gakusha?

Prediction contest being held, as usual. The prize last month was to book a specific match which is going to happen next month, so you get a pretty good prize (as you'll see).

Briskout · November 11, 2017

<p>—Sorry for delay between shows! My wife and I are in the process of moving between states, we both started a new job and we have a baby under 1 year so all our free time has been with each other. But she went to a party with our daughter, so I had some hours to bust and format this show out finally. Justice is served <img alt="" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/wink.png.686f06e511ee1fbf6bdc7d82f6831e53.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" />. Hopefully in a week or so, these updates will be more consistent again! THANKS FOR THOSE WHO HAVE NOMINATED BTW, I am not worthy!</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>

</p><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="vmL8TT5.png" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/vmL8TT5.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:'Century Gothic';">

</span></div></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:'Century Gothic';"><span style="font-size:18px;"><strong>GCG Justice</strong></span></span></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:'Century Gothic';">

</span></div></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:'Century Gothic';"><em>Live from Nagoya Sports Stadium.</em></span></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:'Century Gothic';">

The Third Wednesday of March.</span></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><p></p><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:'Century Gothic';"> </span></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:'Century Gothic';">

<fieldset span style="background:Navajowhite"></span></div></div></div></div><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="0TDQ6Pr.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/0TDQ6Pr.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="zwN42l9.png" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/zwN42l9.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="DqifUqR.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/DqifUqR.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:'Century Gothic';">

</span></div></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:'Century Gothic';"><span style="font-size:18px;">Kiminobu Kuroki vs. Tasuku Iesada</span></span></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><p></p><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:'Century Gothic';">

</span></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:'Century Gothic';">This unannounced match kicked off the pay per view in the free pre-show and saw Kuroki become elevated by Iesada. Neither man seemed to have proper chemistry with the other however and some </span></div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:'Century Gothic';"><strong>blown spots brought down what could’ve been a career definer for Kuroki, but it took two Mercury Sleepers to force Iesada to tap, as Iesada slipped out (accidentally) of the first one due to an improper gap. Regardless, Kuroki gets the victory over Iesada in the pre-show bumping up Kuroki’s profile.</strong></span></div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:'Century Gothic';">

</span></div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:'Century Gothic';"><strong>Rating - ✯✯</strong></span></div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:'Century Gothic';">

</fieldset /span></span></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:'Century Gothic';"> </span></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:'Century Gothic';">

<fieldset span style="background:Lightsteelblue"></span></div></div></div></div><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="bQk34A6.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/bQk34A6.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="YCxK9Er.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/YCxK9Er.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="zwN42l9.png" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/zwN42l9.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="Ek0zqAu.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/Ek0zqAu.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="7znzR4H.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/7znzR4H.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:'Century Gothic';">

</span></div></div></div></div><img alt="EJFDsHI.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/EJFDsHI.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="eraYfqy.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/eraYfqy.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="zwN42l9.png" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/zwN42l9.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="hzKYsqz.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/hzKYsqz.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="gGtviiQ.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/gGtviiQ.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:'Century Gothic';">

</span></div></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:'Century Gothic';"><strong><span style="font-size:18px;">#1 Contender’s Match for the World Tag Team Championships</span></strong></span></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:'Century Gothic';"><strong><span style="font-size:18px;">

</span></strong></span></div></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:'Century Gothic';"><span style="font-size:18px;">Daniels & O’Curle vs. Gaijin Demolition {Brandon Smith & Findlay O’Farraday} vs. Noritoshi Miura & Inejiro Yoshizawa vs. Team Taku {Toshinobu Taku & Yoshinaka Taku}</span></span></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><p></p><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:'Century Gothic';"><span style="font-size:18px;">

</span></span></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:'Century Gothic';">Black Canvas is hurting after this one, with three of their former teams on display, this was discussed in the dirtsheets as a death knell for Black Canvas in the war between the two companies. While grabbing Okamoto & Toshusai was big news, taking three tag teams at the end of a tour show the missing loyalty in recent years (possibly due to the rise of Modern Japan.) But it also leads to amazing matches in GCG in the upcoming months, matches never seen before. It freshens and strengthens the GCG tag division, bringing it closer to Burning Hammer, WLW & PGHW.</span></div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:'Century Gothic';"> </span></div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:'Century Gothic';">

As this was under Golden Canvas rules, anytime a worker stepped out of the ring, another worker could come in at any point and with four teams, there was a lot of chaos. Gaijin Demolition, at any point, could come in and connect with huge lariats to take out their opponents. The technique and agility of Miura & Yoshizawa was displayed with double dropkicks, the experience of Toshinobu Taku and chemistry with his son Yoshinaka and even the resident basement dwellers (Daniels & O’Curle), used these moments of chaos to their advantages when they could. These moments of chaos would be the story of the match, especially to exchange partners. In a moment’s notice it could be O’Curle and Yoshizawa and in a blink, if one rolled out it could end up being Smith & Toshinobu Taku. While it was sometimes tough to follow, it created excitement in the crowd to follow what could be next and led to the belief that any team could win at any point. </span></div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:'Century Gothic';"><strong>For O’Curle, this happened. As he went for a full nelson facebuster on Yoshinaka Taku (which he connected with), Taku rolled out to the outside. His father, Toshinobu checked on him which led to Daniels, O’Curle and Gaijin Demolition having a big brawl. Stereo powerbombs from Gaijin Demolition on Daniels & O’Curle sent both men rolling out and both big men celebrated, for a moment before eating stereo dropkicks from Miura & Yoshizawa. Yoshizawa followed the big men to the outside as Miura was attacked from behind by Toshinobu Taku, with Taku setting up for the Gutwrench Tombstone, but as he tried to lift up, Miura countered it with the reverse facelock, into the Storm Rider (inverted twist of fate) for the big win!</strong></span></div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:'Century Gothic';">

</span></div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:'Century Gothic';"><strong>Rating - ✯✯✯</strong></span></div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:'Century Gothic';">

</fieldset /span></span></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:'Century Gothic';"> </span></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:'Century Gothic';"> </span></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:'Century Gothic';"> </span></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:'Century Gothic';"> </span></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:'Century Gothic';">

<fieldset span style="background:Goldenrod"></span></div></div></div></div><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="ZLVgQIw.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/ZLVgQIw.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:'Century Gothic';">

</span></div></div></div></div><img alt="ESCtNAO.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/ESCtNAO.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="zwN42l9.png" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/zwN42l9.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="nlbb2MQ.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/nlbb2MQ.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:'Century Gothic';">

</span></div></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:'Century Gothic';"><strong><span style="font-size:18px;">GCG Openweight Championship</span></strong></span></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:'Century Gothic';"><strong><span style="font-size:18px;">

</span></strong></span></div></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:'Century Gothic';"><span style="font-size:18px;">REIGNING, DEFENDING, UNDISPUTED GCG OPENWEIGHT CHAMPION,</span></span></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:'Century Gothic';"><span style="font-size:18px;">

Barry Kingman</span></span></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:'Century Gothic';"><span style="font-size:18px;">

vs.</span></span></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:'Century Gothic';"><span style="font-size:18px;">

THE CHALLENGER,</span></span></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:'Century Gothic';"><span style="font-size:18px;">

Harumi Okazawaya</span></span></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><p></p><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:'Century Gothic';"><span style="font-size:18px;">

</span></span></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:'Century Gothic';">The past month of shows has left Barry Kingman on the shelf in terms of focus, although there are rumors floating that he has a major final storyline coming soon. Whatever it looks like and whether the GCG Openweight belt will part of it or not remains to be seen, but for now: this is quite a decent match. Okazawaya and Kingman aren’t phenomenal by any standard of the imagination, but they both do their jobs correctly as gate keepers: to open the show and prepare the crowd for a solid card. With no build behind this however, this match would be based solely on the match itself and this is probably the best either would do anyways: perfectly acceptable wrestling. </span></div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:'Century Gothic';"><strong>Kingman wins and retain after countering Okazawaya’s Axe Bomber with the Black Out for the count.</strong></span></div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:'Century Gothic';"> </span></div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:'Century Gothic';">

</span></div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:'Century Gothic';"><strong>Rating - ✯✯½</strong></span></div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:'Century Gothic';">

</fieldset /span></span></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:'Century Gothic';"> </span></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:'Century Gothic';">

<fieldset span style=“background:darkseagreen"></span></div></div></div></div><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="c0MRjVs.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/c0MRjVs.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="RBR3mJy.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/RBR3mJy.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="zwN42l9.png" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/zwN42l9.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="XULvxkp.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/XULvxkp.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="TaTOaOB.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/TaTOaOB.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:'Century Gothic';">

</span></div></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:'Century Gothic';"><span style="font-size:18px;">The American Eagle {Jimmy Cox & Eagle Kawasawa} vs. Eiji Hamacho & Tanyu Toshusai</span></span></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><p></p><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:'Century Gothic';">

</span></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:'Century Gothic';">For a company that prides itself on avoiding the storytelling of the more sports entertainment based companies, the development of Cox from gaijin warrior to gaijin stereotype might be one of the best developments in wrestling today. Coming out to “Macho Man” by the Village People only made it better. Cox & Kawasawa, with American flag shirts and denim just works… Ironically, this gimmick to reach out beyond the seriously normally no frills company has seen World Level show interest in Kawasawa and while there are no final contracts right now, an intense bidding war has been going on behind the scenes between WLW and GCG concerning Eagle Kawasawa. At one point, Kawasawa would have been a perfect fit for WLW (in style alone) and as he has developed a more GCG style, it seems that this gimmick has once again brought interest from other companies.</span></div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:'Century Gothic';"> </span></div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:'Century Gothic';">

Despite that interest from WLW, the American Eagle showed up ready to fight against Toshusai and Hamacho, which is something that can’t be said for Hamacho. The elder Hamacho looked slow and sluggish compared to Cox, Kawasawa and Toshusai who all seemed lightyears ahead of Hamacho. With that said, it was Hamacho against Cox and Kawasawa against Toshusai for most of the match. Whenever Toshusai was tagged in against Cox, the gaijin would see his way out. This led to an extra dynamic in which both men would be in the ring for about 20-30 seconds but never actually fighting each other. Kawasawa took advantage of this to carry the match (as he and Toshusai were meant to do) while Cox and Hamacho would come in at various rest points. This Toshusai & Kawasawa focus however led to the finish, in which </span></div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:'Century Gothic';"><strong>Cox actually set it up with a bling tag. The blind tag by Cox is unseen by Toshusai who, focused on Kawasawa, is able to lift up the masked man and set up with the Dangerous Brainbuster. Cox hits the ring, bouncing off the ropes (and taking out Hamacho) which causes Toshusai to drop Kawasawa but he’s met with a running knee to the gut, which doubles over Toshusai and it is the Immortal Driver to take it all!</strong></span></div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:'Century Gothic';"> After the match ended, Cox and Kawasawa celebrated with a giant American flag draped around both of their shoulders and Cox looked at the camera, commenting that the World titles will be next for the American Eagle!</span></div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:'Century Gothic';">

</span></div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:'Century Gothic';"><strong>Rating - ✯✯✯</strong></span></div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:'Century Gothic';">

</fieldset /span></span></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:'Century Gothic';"> </span></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:'Century Gothic';">

<fieldset span style="background:Lightsalmon"></span></div></div></div></div><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="je2SG82s.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/je2SG82s.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="Ue7cqFM.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/Ue7cqFM.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="zwN42l9.png" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/zwN42l9.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="LOdSgrp.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/LOdSgrp.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:'Century Gothic';">

</span></div></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:'Century Gothic';"><span style="font-size:18px;">Jaianto Kuchikukan w/Toshiharu Hyobanshi vs. Mashashi Urogataya </span></span></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:'Century Gothic';">This is nothing more than a squash debut for Jaianto Kuchikukan who takes off Urogataya’s head with a big boot, following it up with a choke slam for the win. The crowd boos Kuchikukan and Hyobanshi, as Hyobanshi informs the camera team his World title is coming around his waist!</span></div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:'Century Gothic';">

</span></div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:'Century Gothic';"><strong>Rating - DUD</strong></span></div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:'Century Gothic';">

</fieldset /span></span></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:'Century Gothic';"> </span></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:'Century Gothic';">

<fieldset span style="background:Indianred"></span></div></div></div></div><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="cLEd0va.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/cLEd0va.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:'Century Gothic';">

</span></div></div></div></div><img alt="jsQlWMn.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/jsQlWMn.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="zwN42l9.png" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/zwN42l9.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="QRxkuqN.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/QRxkuqN.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:'Century Gothic';">

</span></div></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:'Century Gothic';"><span style="font-size:18px;"><strong>Young Lion’s Cup — Group A</strong></span></span></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:'Century Gothic';"><span style="font-size:18px;">

Bakin Sakamoto vs. Midnight Tiger </span></span></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:'Century Gothic';">As this tournament continues, it has to be asked what GCG was thinking in setting up some of these young men. While they have everything to gain and there is not much to lose, it’s clear the fans aren’t interested and as a result it becomes a bathroom break. For me, it was a crisps break — </span></div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:'Century Gothic';"><strong>came back just in time to see Sakamoto win after hitting a Shooting Star Press to the dullest reaction ever. No flips, just fists is the GCG style and it’s clear this match departed from that too much.</strong></span></div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:'Century Gothic';">

</span></div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:'Century Gothic';"><strong>Rating - DUD</strong></span></div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:'Century Gothic';">

</fieldset /span></span></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:'Century Gothic';"> </span></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:'Century Gothic';"> </span></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:'Century Gothic';">

<fieldset span style="background:Goldenrod"></span></div></div></div></div><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="Nkqr0qx.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/Nkqr0qx.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:'Century Gothic';">

</span></div></div></div></div><img alt="xbHYiUV.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/xbHYiUV.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="vnassKR.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/vnassKR.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="zwN42l9.png" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/zwN42l9.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="sk0d9q2.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/sk0d9q2.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="bNn05ts.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/bNn05ts.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:'Century Gothic';">

</span></div></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:'Century Gothic';"><strong><span style="font-size:18px;">GCG World Tag Team Championships</span></strong></span></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:'Century Gothic';"><strong><span style="font-size:18px;">

</span></strong></span></div></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:'Century Gothic';"><span style="font-size:18px;">REIGNING, DEFENDING, UNDISPUTED GCG WORLD TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS,</span></span></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:'Century Gothic';"><span style="font-size:18px;">

Miyazaki & Furusawa</span></span></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:'Century Gothic';"><span style="font-size:18px;">

vs.</span></span></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:'Century Gothic';"><span style="font-size:18px;">

THE CHALLENGERS,</span></span></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:'Century Gothic';"><span style="font-size:18px;">

The McWade Brothers</span></span></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:'Century Gothic';">Taking full advantage of Modern Japan might be one of the smartest things in the weakened tag division. With Samoan Destruction not in GCG right now (Rhino Umaga tore his quad while Samoan Machine went to Burning Hammer) plans were changed on the fly from Samoan Destruction gaining the belts to Miyazaki & Furusawa retaining last month. Where this will lead the tag champs is yet to be seen long term, as both men are certainly penciled in for singles reigns in the futures. With the challenge coming in from the McWade Brothers however, it would be a question of pride — who wants the belts, who wants to make their company and their countries more proud? </span></div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:'Century Gothic';"> </span></div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:'Century Gothic';">

To question whether the McWades would win is a valid question as well. Remember — we’re talking about a tag team who spent time on top of the tag division when Tommy London was part of the booking committee (much in the same way he is today in GCG) and it may be a matter of London Calling in this match. With that stated, whatever advantage Tommy London brought for the McWades was gone nearly immediately as from the bell Miyazaki & Furusawa brought it to the legendary Canadian duo and much to the excitement of the crowd, it was a wild brawl that went all over the ring and around it as it seemed both teams wanted to end the other, and utilized the full twenty second counts allowed. New referee, Kazuko Hiroyuki couldn’t contain either sets of brawlers in the ring at any point, and pretty much ignored the rules of tagging focusing on any wrestlers that happened to be in the ring. </span></div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:'Century Gothic';"><strong>This confusion almost cost the champs the match as the illegal McWade was able to roll up Furusawa, but Shingen Miyazaki had enough ring awareness to break the pin.</strong></span></div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:'Century Gothic';"> This happened a few times, with the tag champs able to break the illegal pins. The announce team commented on the lack of control, but how excellent both teams were performing, attempting to do their best to win the belts.</span></div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:'Century Gothic';"> </span></div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:'Century Gothic';">

</span></div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:'Century Gothic';"><strong>The finish was once again involving the wrong McWade (this time Dallas, who had just tagged out) attempting to take Mabuchi Furusawa out from behind when Dean McWade rolled out, but Furusawa was waiting and rolled through the axe handle attack from behind with the Furusawa Armbar! McWade has no choice but to tap, and despite the pleas of the McWades (citing Dallas wasn’t the legal man), the tag champs have retained!</strong></span></div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:'Century Gothic';">

</span></div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:'Century Gothic';"><strong>Rating - ✯✯✯½</strong></span></div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:'Century Gothic';">

</fieldset /span></span></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:'Century Gothic';"> </span></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:'Century Gothic';">

</span></div></div></div></div><img alt="5utfNBP.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/5utfNBP.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="zwN42l9.png" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/zwN42l9.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="b5oebt6.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/b5oebt6.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:'Century Gothic';">

</span></div></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:'Century Gothic';"><strong><span style="font-size:18px;"> #1 Contender’s Match for the GCG World Championship</span></strong></span></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:'Century Gothic';"><strong><span style="font-size:18px;">

</span></strong></span></div></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:'Century Gothic';"><span style="font-size:18px;">SUKI vs. Takayuki 2000</span></span></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:'Century Gothic';"> </span></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:'Century Gothic';">SUKI and Takayuki 2000 have been rivals for the past few years and while this match is just another chapter in their legacy. It won’t go down as one of the greatest, but it’ll go down as one of the most unique matches as both men played to their strengths regarding the crowd. SUKI played the young, arrogant wrestler while Takayuki 2000 played the white meat face. It suddenly went from being the normal athletic competition, to both men taking cues from others on the roster and embracing their personalities to tell the story. It didn’t make the match gimmicky, and for the sensible fan (so none of the curmudgeons over 70 who remember when Sadaharu Jimbo won the belt in the “3 Hour Brawl,” or that August 1981 match between Jimbo & Hanshiro Furusawa when Furusawa broke his leg but still managed to retain the belt — these are great moments but to have characterless fighters in a time when there are so many fighters who have personalities and promotions presenting these personalities would be silly, especially with two guys like SUKI and Takayuki. While Takayuki 2000 hasn’t always shown that personality, the glimmers he’s shown are great. He is the classic Japanese face — handshake offer before the match, obeying the rules to a T, never allowing a slight infraction of the rule.</span></div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:'Century Gothic';"> </span></div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:'Century Gothic';">

SUKI is the exact opposite. While he’s probably the next ace of GCG, he shows a complete discontentment for the establishment and always has. He never pursued an apprenticeship in Golden Canvas (partnering with an older veteran) and actually refused to sign when Golden Canvas when he graduated from the dojo in 2005, instead pursuing a career outside of Golden Canvas before returning in 2008 in what many felt in a role much larger as he had proven himself in big matches on the circuits, pursuing matches across Japan and parts of Asia. For SUKI, this created an attitude of disrespect which saw the youngster not only fight more aggressively and sometimes outside of the rules, but win the appreciation of younger fans who also repelled against authority figures in their own life.</span></div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:'Century Gothic';"> </span></div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:'Century Gothic';">

It’s why from SUKI’s debut that he and Takayuki have been engaged in rivalry. Takayuki has been the third fiddle, behind Gakusha and Hyobanshi in terms of pecking order. Never the ace, rarely the main eventer — Takayuki’s role was to portray the clean cut, classic GCG wrestler and SUKI disrespected every aspect of that. So this match played into that more. For Takayuki, it meant when referee Sadanobu Koruba called for a break, he broke it instantly. It meant, in the opposite sense however, that when SUKI was called for a break, he let the count build up before breaking it at the last moment. For the fans in the crowd, it split them 50/50. The older GCG fans raucously booed the youngster while the younger section applauded the brash SUKI. The announce team acknowledged this split on SUKI and how damaging it would be for someone like SUKI to hold the belt once again. Of course, in these moments SUKI would bask in the crowd, giving Takayuki time to recover and fight back.</span></div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:'Century Gothic';"> </span></div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:'Century Gothic';">

On the other hand, Takayuki 2000’s style allowed SUKI too much time to recover. If the match spilled to the outside, Takayuki was back in the ring immediately, when a break was called, Takayuki broke immediately. SUKI saw this as openings to recover so even when the veteran had the advantage, he never quite did. Neither man did. </span></div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:'Century Gothic';"><strong>It’s why this match was so unique, because they traded holds and blows for 30 minutes before the time keeper rang the bell, calling for the end of the match — a time limit draw!</strong></span></div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:'Century Gothic';">

</span></div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:'Century Gothic';"><strong>Rating - ✯✯✯✯</strong></span></div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:'Century Gothic';">

</fieldset /span></span></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:'Century Gothic';"> </span></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:'Century Gothic';">

</span></div></div></div></div><img alt="PAW1LeS.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/PAW1LeS.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="zwN42l9.png" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/zwN42l9.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="NmYlj1g.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/NmYlj1g.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:'Century Gothic';">

</span></div></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:'Century Gothic';"><span style="font-size:18px;">Razan Okamoto vs. Sozen Ishinomori</span></span></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:'Century Gothic';"> </span></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:'Century Gothic';">Cleverly dubbed the rubber match, this was a rubber match between two fire matches. While it wasn’t a bad match, by any standards, it was a match designed specifically to cool down the crowd between the double main event calibre matches. For both men, it was to decide their feud and both men would pursue other, albeit similar, paths after this match. The announce team hyped that either man could get an Openweight title shot after this bout, depending on who won and both men brawled hard, fast and quick. This match was a quick one, kept brief purposely as it was to cushion the two main events and while it was shorter than their other two matches — it told the same story: both men were here to impress the brass. </span></div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:'Century Gothic';"><strong>It was Okamoto’s night though, winning the 3 match series 2-1 after holding up Ishinomori for what seemed like an eternity before hitting the Brainbuster Suplex for the pin.</strong></span></div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:'Century Gothic';">

</span></div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:'Century Gothic';"><strong>Rating - ✯✯½</strong></span></div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:'Century Gothic';">

</fieldset /span></span></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:'Century Gothic';"> </span></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:'Century Gothic';">

<fieldset span style="background:Goldenrod"></span></div></div></div></div><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="M2gDF4g.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/M2gDF4g.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:'Century Gothic';">

</span></div></div></div></div><img alt="6AkiPD0.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/6AkiPD0.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="zwN42l9.png" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/zwN42l9.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="je2SG82.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/je2SG82.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="Ue7cqFMs.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/Ue7cqFMs.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:'Century Gothic';">

</span></div></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:'Century Gothic';"><span style="font-size:18px;"><strong>GCG World Heavyweight Championship</strong></span></span></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:'Century Gothic';"><span style="font-size:18px;">

REIGNING, DEFENDING, UNDISPUTED GCG WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION,</span></span></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:'Century Gothic';"><span style="font-size:18px;">

Hiroyasu Gakusha</span></span></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:'Century Gothic';"><span style="font-size:18px;">

vs.</span></span></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:'Century Gothic';"><span style="font-size:18px;">

THE CHALLENGER,</span></span></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:'Century Gothic';"><span style="font-size:18px;">

Toshiharu Hyobanshi w/ Jaianto Kuchikukan</span></span></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:'Century Gothic';"> </span></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:'Century Gothic';">The monkey at ringside is massive. Jaianto Kuchikukan absolutely intimidates the fans, the photographers, the ringside crew to the point that whenever he makes a motion in this match, everyone seems to flinch except the two competitors. Haruki Kudo questions what was in the mind of the championship committee to grant this mammoth of a man a managerial license for the greatest prize in wrestling, the 10 pounds of silver known as the GCG World Heavyweight Championship.</span></div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:'Century Gothic';"> </span></div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:'Century Gothic';">

After all — this was for the most sacred prize in wrestling. The oldest, continuous World’s championship belt was seeing a resurgence in recent years thanks to Gakusha’s consistency and top notch matches and, to quote Kudo, Hyobanshi was going to disgrace those 10 pounds of silver with such foolish antics. Even if Hyobanshi wins, it will be tainted because of his “manager” who certainly is in the mind of Gakusha.</span></div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:'Century Gothic';"> </span></div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:'Century Gothic';">

But Gakusha looks focused from the bell. Perhaps being chokeslammed twice will do that, perhaps having antics like the ones Hyobanshi pulled in which pretended to be an ally of the champ will do that, but Gakusha could care less about Jaianto Kuchikukan as he focuses solely on the challenger, throwing stiffer and stiffer blows at Hyobanshi, and even busting him open early on. The announcers’ tones change from one of worry from the prestigious world champion to tones of hope as the champion fights off the challenger.</span></div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:'Century Gothic';"> </span></div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:'Century Gothic';">

But we are talking about a former 2 time champion in Toshiharu Hyobanshi. He isn’t some slouch The 18 year vet isn’t suddenly going to let a little blood distract him as he trades the stiff blows with Gakusha as well. This is not a wrestling masterpiece, by any definition, but it is a match of rough blows, take downs and slams that hit hard, DDTs and piledrivers that make you question the strength of your own neck. One of those spots sees Hyobanshi go for a tombstone piledriver but it’s reversed by Gakusha who sits out. I swear I saw Hyobanshi’s neck break.</span></div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:'Century Gothic';"> </span></div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:'Century Gothic';">

But Hyobanshi recovers and has no injury. The guy knows how to sell. And this becomes the turning point of the match. Gakusha had the advantage up to that point as whenever Hyobanshi would come back, Gakusha had the counter. But landing on your head can shake things up and perhaps it was the pain, perhaps it was Jaianto Kuchikukan yelling at ringside in English, perhaps it was the crowd gasping as Hyobanshi’s neck bent awkwardly, but the King of Golden Style suddenly fought with such a viciousness, </span></div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:'Century Gothic';"><strong>such an attack that there seemed to be no relenting that when Hyobanshi hit the Nova Bomb, it felt like it was over.</strong></span></div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:'Century Gothic';"> </span></div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:'Century Gothic';">

Of course, the champion wasn’t going to lay down and he kicked out of the Nova Bomb, only the third time in history this has happened (and the second time Gakusha had done it) and announcers reminded us the last time this happened (with Gakusha), Hyobanshi disappeared for months before coming back with the Nova Bomb Redux. Hyobanshi looked shocked as the giant yells to hook the arms, for the Redux next time. Hyobanshi doesn’t respond, instead arguing with referee Koruba. </span></div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:'Century Gothic';"><strong>This argument is enough to turn into the Roaring Gakusha Strike! It’s over! It’s over!</strong></span></div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:'Century Gothic';"> </span></div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:'Century Gothic';">

Or so it seemed, as for the first time in history someone kicked out of the Roaring Gakusha Strike! The crowd is stunned as Hyobanshi is barely able to get the shoulder up BUT on the replay it shows that referee Koruba made the right call. Both men are exhausted, out and bloodied. The yellow mat is stained red as the giant begins to pound on it. Each time the giant slaps the mat, droplets of blood splatter from the wrestlers or the mat. </span></div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:'Century Gothic';"><strong>Koruba begins to count, and Gakusha is the first one up. He calls for a second Roaring Gakusha Strike, signalling this time it’ll be over. Hyobanshi is up and he reads it crystal clear, falling to the mat before Gakusha can hit it and rolls out of the ring.</strong></span></div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:'Century Gothic';"> </span></div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:'Century Gothic';">

Hyobanshi looks posed to reenter the ring in his timing as Gakusha stands in the ring. Kudo remarks the strategy here, while it might give Hyobanshi time to recover — it gives Gakusha equal time. And unlike Gakusha, Hyobanshi NEEDS to be in the ring to take the belt home. At about 15, with blood on his arms now as he wiped his eyes cleaned, Hyobanshi slowly gets in — barking at referee Koruba to force Gakusha to allow him back in. Gakusha complies, not needing the zebra to say anything.</span></div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:'Century Gothic';"> </span></div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:'Century Gothic';">

</span></div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:'Century Gothic';"><strong>“Naive mistake.”</strong></span></div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:'Century Gothic';"> </span></div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:'Century Gothic';">

Those words muttered in Japanese by Kudo would become prophetic. </span></div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:'Century Gothic';"><strong>The second Hyobanshi steps in fully, Gakusha rushes to hit the Roaring Gakusha Strike but Hyobanshi side steps and uses Gakusha’s momentum to send him shoulder first into the corner post. With Gakusha doubled up, Hyobanshi takes full advantage and hits the Nova Bomb Redux, staying in the sitout position to win his third GCG World Heavyweight Championship!</strong></span></div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:'Century Gothic';">

</span></div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:'Century Gothic';"><strong>Rating - ✯✯✯✯½</strong></span></div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:'Century Gothic';">

</fieldset /span></span></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:'Century Gothic';"> </span></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:'Century Gothic';">

Hyobanshi stands victorious as Jaianto Kuchikukan steps in by his side. The massive man hands Toshiharu Hyobanshi the belt as the ring announcer declares it loud and clear.</span></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:'Century Gothic';"> </span></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:'Century Gothic';">

</span></div></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:'Century Gothic';"><strong>”YOUR NEW GOLDEN CANVAS WORLD CHAMPION — TOSHIHARU HYOBANSHI!!!!!!!”</strong></span></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:'Century Gothic';"> </span></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:'Century Gothic';">

</span></div></div></div></div><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="i0kYIDQ.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/i0kYIDQ.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:'Century Gothic';">

✯✯✯✯</span></div></div></div></div></div><p></p>

Briskout · November 12, 2017

<div style="text-align:center;"><p><span style="font-family:'Century Gothic';"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><strong><span style="font-size:18px;">"TEN POUNDS OF SILVER"</span></strong></div></div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:'Century Gothic';"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

</div></div></div></div><span style="font-family:'Century Gothic';"></span><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><em>Episode #1 - The Pride of Japan</em></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><p></p><p><span style="font-family:'Century Gothic';"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:'Century Gothic';"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

The Golden Canvas Grappling company has existed for as long as modern pro wrestling has existed. Founded in 1960 by Junichi Monou, the company has seen its highs and lows and has put on some of the most legendary matches in puroresu history. In 1964, Junichi Monou commissioned a championship belt -- the original documents signed by Monou declared it would be ten pounds of silver to represent the true World's Champion.</div></div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:'Century Gothic';"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:'Century Gothic';"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

"At the time," noted wrestling historian Jack Briskout notes, "there was the Mexican World champion, Salvador Lopez Jr. was in his 8 year reign at the time, but Lopez was strictly in Mexico, so to recognize OLLIE's belt as a world belt (despite it's lineage coming from a dispute, direct from the Hackenschmidt line) was tough for the Japanese promoters. The other big champion at the time was Ed Henson, who was recognized as champion in Boston."</div></div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:'Century Gothic';"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:'Century Gothic';"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

7,000 miles was the distance between these champions and Tokyo. For the Japanese promotion, they (and the reigns of Hackenschmidt, Gotch and others) meant absolutely nothing. They sought a champion of their own and in a two night event, the first ever Golden Kingdom, a champion was crowned. Night one saw an 8 man field be cut down to two, and night two saw the finals which is famously known as the "Three Hour Match."</div></div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:'Century Gothic';"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:'Century Gothic';"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

"It was the longest -- probably still is the longest match in the history of puroresu," comments Sadaharu Jimbo who was the first winner of the GCG World title. The founder and former promoter of PGHW enjoys retirement now, but his departure from Golden Canvas after his career ending back injury and his return as founder of Pride Glory Honor Wrestling left stings in wrestling fans. "That match," Jimbo remembers, "it set up Golden Canvas not only as the national option but as THE national option. Burning Hammer wasn't established yet and it was Kitozon and I told to go out there and wrestle for as long as possible."</div></div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:'Century Gothic';"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:'Century Gothic';"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

The first title match was covered by every news organization, it aired on national television and it was considered not only the GCG rise to prominence but the rise of puroresu as a legitimate option with Japanese men dominating it, not Americans like seemed to be happening in baseball (where Joe Stanka won MVP the previous year). Puroresu was becoming the sport of the Japanese and Japan embraced it.</div></div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:'Century Gothic';"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:'Century Gothic';"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

It's why for Toshiharu Hyobanshi the belt is so important. Even when held by gaijins like Dread, Rip Chord and Pistol Pete the purpose was to promote Japanese men. The 32nd champion (only 1 of 15 men to hold the belt) sees himself as a pedestal for the belt to rest on, to be lifted back to its days of glory.</div></div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:'Century Gothic';"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:'Century Gothic';"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

"Men like Hiroyasu Gakusha and Takayuki 2000 were champions who were here to help Golden Canvas survive," Hyobanshi told the press after his championship win. "I am a champion here to help Golden Canvas thrive."</div></div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:'Century Gothic';"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:'Century Gothic';"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

Hyobanshi is not a media darling. He is not a fan favorite. In fact, his Japanese pride is equivalent in most eyes as the American bravado act of gaijin wrestler Jimmy Cox. But he works it well, and with his new ally Jaianto Kuchikukan it looks like the press and the fans will have no choice but to accept the reign of such a man.</div></div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:'Century Gothic';"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:'Century Gothic';"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

But, of course, the Japanese fans are an interesting breed. Throw hard hitting action their way, they will pay. Even with am an like Hyobanshi holding ten pounds of silver, they claor for someone they love to hold the belt and will sell out arenas waiting for Hyobanshi to drop the belt to a conquering hero -- back to Gakusha or Takayuki 2000 or another man in the wings perhaps?</div></div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:'Century Gothic';"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:'Century Gothic';"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

</div></div></div></div><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="KrKuE05.png" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/KrKuE05.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><p><span style="font-family:'Century Gothic';"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

</div></div></div></div><span style="font-family:'Century Gothic';"></span><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:18px;"><strong>Upcoming Card, Episode 9, March, 2016.</strong></span></div></div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:'Century Gothic';"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:'Century Gothic';"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

</div></div></div></div><span style="font-family:'Century Gothic';"></span><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:18px;">SIX MAN TAG TEAM MAIN EVENT</span></div></div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:'Century Gothic';"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

Barry Kingman, Kiminobu Kuroki & Takayuki 2000 vs. Sozen Ishinomori, SUKI & Toshiharu Hyobanshi</div></div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:'Century Gothic';"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:'Century Gothic';"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

Jaianto Kuchikukan vs. Massacre</div></div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:'Century Gothic';"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:'Century Gothic';"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

Eagle Kawasawa vs. Razan Okamoto</div></div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:'Century Gothic';"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:'Century Gothic';"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

Eiji Hamacho & GCG Tag Champions Miyazaki & Furusawa vs. Tasuku Iesada & GCG Tag Challengers Miura & Yoshizawa</div></div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:'Century Gothic';"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:'Century Gothic';"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

</div></div></div></div><span style="font-family:'Century Gothic';"></span><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:18px;">Young Lion's Cup - Group B</span></div></div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:'Century Gothic';"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

Kali Hanari vs. Sir Winston Watoga</div></div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:'Century Gothic';"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:'Century Gothic';"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

Gaijin Demolition vs. SHAME</div></div></div></div></div><p></p><p></p><p><span style="font-family:'Century Gothic';"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

</div></div></div></div>

DAVEFAN95 · November 19, 2017

<p>SIX MAN TAG TEAM MAIN EVENT</p><p>

Barry Kingman, Kiminobu Kuroki & Takayuki 2000 vs. <strong>Sozen Ishinomori, SUKI & Toshiharu Hyobanshi</strong></p><p>

<em>This side is more over right?</em></p><p>

<strong>Jaianto Kuchikukan</strong> vs. Massacre</p><p>

<em>SQUASHERS BRO</em></p><p>

<strong>Eagle Kawasawa</strong> vs. Razan Okamoto</p><p>

<em>GCG original over BCG guy, ALSO AMERICAN JUSTICE!!!!!</em></p><p>

Eiji Hamacho & GCG Tag Champions Miyazaki & Furusawa vs. <strong>Tasuku Iesada & GCG Tag Challengers Miura & Yoshizawa</strong></p><p>

<em>In non title match, champs can lose, also extra man helps</em></p><p>

Young Lion's Cup - Group B</p><p>

Kali Hanari vs. <strong>Sir Winston Watoga</strong></p><p>

<em>Personal preference</em></p><p>

<strong>Gaijin Demolition</strong> vs. SHAME</p><p>

<em>Both Gaijin's are absolute hosses</em></p>

Briskout · December 3, 2017

UPDATE -- So my laptop battery exploded last month. I just got a new laptop (it was a macbook, friggin wanted $750 to replace etc. Not worth it, my job bought me a new computer). I have TEW on the new computer but the save is not around. I am not sure what next to step. I might sim into where we are here, but that might see changes. I might set up a database set up to this point. I might just start a new diary. The holiday season is our busy time (I'm a minister) so I'm not sure yet, but we will see. Wanted to give an update for now.

splitgoose · December 8, 2017

Ahh no! I just stumbled across your diary this evening. Read it all after tea, and I'm loving it

Hope you pick it up again after the holidays.

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