Memories of A Distant Star: A UPJ Diary

[lonelyguyfarhan]

The Wrestling Times

By Ryan Feltzer

 

UPJ IN SHIMEDZU SHOCK

 

UPJ find themselves under new ownership for the second time in under a year. The news broke late last night that on NHK News that Blue Rhino Energy had sold their majority share of UPJ. The details regarding exactly who the company was sold to was left vague, until UPJ's official global twitter account revealed the new owner to be one Ken Shimedzu.

 

The name didn't clear the air of confusion surrounding the takeover as a background check on the individual by yours truly ended up revealing very little to nothing. Only telling us of the man being a Japanese national working as a stockbroker in Switzerland for the past two decades

 

It was well known that Blue Rhino had been haemorrhaging for funds following the recent accident of their prime Nuclear Power Plant earlier this year. The semi-government owned energy powerhouse was keen to cut costs and had drastically reduced funds available to UPJ, their now failed attempt at diversification, resulting in several members of their production crew being let go.

 

An insider within Blue Rhino spoke to us about the general shock over the speed with which the deal took place. Apparently, the suitor offered the entire amount in one instalment, an offer too good to turn down. What makes this so strange is the profitability of UPJ and wrestling in Japan in general, with there being a steady decline in attendance figures since the start of the decade.

 

With the move taking place during in-between tours, there appears to not be an immediate effect on booking. Although, where this leaves the former CEO Tatsumi Nagai and booker Ichiro Mishima is yet to be seen.

 

Either way, the following weeks are set to be interesting for UPJ and the Japanese wrestling scene in general.

[lonelyguyfarhan]

<p><span>http://www.greydogsoftware.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=7063&d=1569014296</span></p><p> </p><p>

It had been a wild past month to say the least for Ken. From waking up in a hotel room in downtown Tokyo with no recollection of he he was bar his name, to the oddly encrypted message in his phone, telling him how to access the bank account in his name containing all that money, suspiciously opened a mere 24 hours before his waking.</p><p> </p><p>

He could have anything he wanted with the money. Invested in stocks, technology, even buy a football club. Yet he niggling feeling in his conscious told him exactly what he had to do. However, it didn't not surprise him when he learnt that someone had already offered to buy UPJ from Blue Rhino in his name, a full week before then.</p><p> </p><p>

As expected, the events were as absurd and tumultuous for his mental health as one would expect. However, that all changed when he had seen the ring for the first time. The moment brought him closer to knowing who he was then ever before. The feeling of deja vu, as if this had been his life not too long ago.</p><p> </p><p>

Yet, the feeling of similarity reminded him of his solitude. Of being stuck in a world where he did not know anyone, let alone himself.</p><p><a class="ipsAttachLink ipsAttachLink_image" href="<fileStore.core_Attachment>/monthly_2019_09/1967152180_KenShimedzu.jpg.b2fc049da4ae6e2fbf24d68fbeb95c25.jpg" data-fileid="3524" data-fileext="jpg" rel=""><img data-fileid="3524" class="ipsImage ipsImage_thumbnailed" alt="1967152180_KenShimedzu.jpg.b2fc049da4ae6e2fbf24d68fbeb95c25.jpg" data-src="<fileStore.core_Attachment>/monthly_2019_09/1967152180_KenShimedzu.jpg.b2fc049da4ae6e2fbf24d68fbeb95c25.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></a></p>

[thiagofjv]

My favorite company in all TEW universes!

 

I'm excited about this!

[lonelyguyfarhan]

UPJ Road To Winter Storm Tour (Tue)

Steel City Centre (Kinki), 2000 (SELLOUT), 2.22 million viewers on Future Network TV

 

Pre Show

Before the show go's on air, Ken Shimedzu comes to the ring to thank everyone for coming and promises to make UPJ the best wrestling on the planet. The response is lukewarm at and his lackings on the mic is exposed. Rating:64

 

Main Show

Aydan Farrel and North American Scums defeated Akio Sakoda, Edi KAdivar and Paul Crowley.

This was a low energy opener that worked the crowd. The debuting trio did not get much offence in as the team of RENEGADE won when Aydan Farrel tapped out Akio Sadoka with a Tsuruta armbar. Rating:67

 

Tatsumi Nagata comes to the ring to unveil a new belt called the UPJ X-Division Openweight Championship and there will be a 32 man knockout tournament to crown its first champion. This energises the crowd who seem eager for the next match. Rating:82

 

Kozue vs Mr. Yamashita

Kozue defeated Yamashita with the K-Drop (Bloody Sunday) at 13:21. The match contained some good highspots including a Asai Moonsault to the outside by Kozue. Rating: 74

 

Ram Diablo vs Koma Kobashi

Ram Diablo dominated Kobashi before winning with a Death Diablo Drop (Gorilla Press Powerslam) at 9:23. Diablo's menacing presence was of particular notice. Rating:74

 

Koji Yamada vs Avalanch Miyagi

A fierce and fast paced brawl by the tag partners that ended with a Koji Yamada win at 11:13 with a Sudden Impact Lariat. Their lask of selling and psychology caused the match to drag in the middle. Rating:61

 

Crimson Matsuko vs Takanori Sakurai

Another debutante Matsuko impressed with his good brawling and won at 8:34 with a Bloody Drive (Double Underhook DDT/Deathrider). Raying:67

 

Rogue Tempest(EVR and Tempest Masato) vs Strength Through Honour

The UPJ International Heavyweight champs first appearence since his historic win over Juro Deguchi last year, he carried on his cocky persona by showning absolutely no respect for his seniors. Tempest Masato showed some of his fiery brawling in patches as well before Erik Van Rijn won with the EvR (Running Superman Elbow) at 13:47. Rating:82

 

Ignite Zero vs Daijiro and Otojiro

The tag champions continued to impress with a dazzling performance including a poison rana from Kato following a sliding dropkick from Goto and a high release german suplex from Goto with Kato hitting a lungblower from midair. Goto won with a Zero Lock (dragon sleeper) at 12:32. Rating:82

 

Before the match the announcers explain that as per the decision from the athletic commission, the two other factions, FEARLESS and The United Throne, are to face of in a multi man tag to deternime who will face the Heavyweight champion Erik Van Rijn and Junior Champion Furosuto at Winter Storm. The winning faction may choose who to face the champions.

 

Juro Deguchi, Kintaro Kinjo and HashiWara vs Nakada and Yamada vs Fear INK(Oda Yamakawa and Toki INK)

The United Throne won when Kintaro Kinjo defeated Yamada with a Heir To The Throne (Falcon Arrow) at 21:32. The friction between Juro and Kintaro was noted as they refused to interact after the win, and actively choose to not tag each other in. Kintaro tagged himself in for the win in the end. Yamakawa nearly beat Juro Deguchi with a Sumita Bridge( Everest Bridging German) when Kintaro broke it up. Rating:83

 

As the bell rings, RENEGADE hit the ring and begins to lay out the members of the throne. He hits reverse exploders to both members of HashiWara and a rolling elbow to Kintaro. As we is setting up to hit the EVR on Juro, none other than Waotaka Eda hits the ring and clears house. Rating:84

 

Show Rating:83

[lonelyguyfarhan]

TEW LIVE

 

Bryan Aldo- Hello everyone, this is Bryan Aldo, live after the break and we are joined by Ryan Feltzer from the The Wrestling Times to preview PWI and AWF. What scoop do you have for us Ryan?

 

Ryan- Just a little bit on UPJ before we start on the previews. They are apparently trying to bring some new guys in. You already saw Crimson Matsuko and Akio Sakoda yesterday, but 2 more singles guys are apparently coming in.

 

Bryan- Its normal for new management to bring in guys right?

 

Ryan- Yeah, but its interesting who they are bringing in. Lets see, there is Ace Smith, that I can confirm. He posted a goodbye message with his girlfriend Tammy on Instagram.

 

Bryan- By ace you mean the guy from Total One? Their apparent 'ace'? I was wondering when he'd tr his luck elsewhere.

 

Ryan- Yeah, he wanted to try his luck elsewhere and I think its now or never. He's in his physical prime to carry on that brawling style. And he wants to be a star. It'll be interesting to see how UPJ pushes him.

 

Bryan- Who's the other?

 

Ryan- Its rumoured to be Nobuhisa Yosutaka.

 

Bryan- What?! Wasn't he supposed to be a big thing in HONOUR? They even gave him a big win over Sonoda last year. Yes it was a opening 6 man tag, but he hit the spear of destiny, and won. Did he have a falling out?

 

Ryan- UPJ just offered him more money. He hasn't on a written deal, and he apparently just decided to switch.

 

Bryan- Damn! Now that's something.....

[neslo024]

Nobuhisa and Ace are both monsters in the ring. I've had good luck getting tag chemistry with Nobuhisa and Ju:eek:nichi Matsuo in a couple games. Liking the roster a lot. I imagine you are aware of him but if not Seven Brandt is also money in the ring.

[lonelyguyfarhan]

Puro Sheets

By Goto Yamabushi

 

Hello everbody, this is Yamabushi here, your favourite blogger. I'll be reviewing the UPJ show from this Thursday from the Omitana Airfield Hanger.

 

https://imgur.com/LdTFFMl

 

The opening 6 man tag worked the crowd well enough, we got to see Crimson Matsuko interact with Koji Yamada before their 2nd round match. Yamada will have an added incentive to avenge his partner Miyagi who lost to a Snap Bloody Drive from Matsuko at 8:32.Rating-66

 

Tiger Singh tapped out LeFever with an Octopus hold at 5:21. Rating-58

 

What followed was the most intriguing match of the card. The debuting Ace Smith took on the new owner Ken Shimedzu. Ace is complete unknown to the japanese crowd so he came out to crickets. The hype surrounding the mysterious Ken brought him more of a reaction. The match started started with a headlock. Ace threw Ken to the ropes to hit a shoulder block but Ken hit a perfect short run up spear that got the crowd fired up. For someone who seems rather shy, he has a rather wild brawling style, which he seems to have perfected to pull of so effortlessly. He pulled up Ace to commence a striking rush. Each of his strikes had great sound and had perfect form.

 

He then a snap suplex to the ropes, and Ace rolled out. This is where the match dragged out, where they just brawled along the outside for about 10 minutes. When Ken pulled Ace back into the ring, the Australian seized on a moments distraction to hit a Down Under (Arm Sideslam/Rock Botton) for a nearfall then a Buckle Bomb. He caught Ken on the rebound and seamlessly hit a Gutwrench Sulpex Driver for the win at 15:47. Rating-67

 

Torture beat Captain UPJ with a torture rack at 3:35. Rating-42

 

Pain beat Genji at 8:31 with a lariat. Ranking-53

 

Rogue Tempest beat the Tokyo Tigers at 11:17 when Erik Van Rjin choked out Nakano Yuki with a triangle choke after an exploder suplex to the turnbuckle. The extra twerk he outs made it seem more painful. Rating-71

 

Fear INK defeated Strenght Through Honour at 12:22 when Oda hit a Fearless(top rope diving headbutt) for the win. Rating-72

 

The main event was another 6 man tag where Kintaro Kinjo, Woataka Eda and Juro Deguchi defeated Bruiser Cassidy and Indominence when Woataka did the impressive feat of hitting an Samoan Driver on the large Cassidy for the win at 20:53. Rating-81

 

After the match Juro Deguchi announces that it will be Woataka Eda that will challenge for the United Throne. Kintaro seems annoyed and objects, saying that he was the one to win the match last week where Juro almost lost to the Sumita Bridge. Juro reminds him that it was Woataka who saved them and that he deserves this. Kintaro agrees but unwillingly and proceeds to congratulate Woataka. Rating-86

 

Show Rating - 78

[lonelyguyfarhan]

<p><span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>PURO SHEETS</strong></span></p><p>

<span style="font-size:12px;">By Goto Yamabushi</span></p><p> </p><p>

Yamabushi here, to quickly review the UPJ show from yesterday.</p><p> </p><p>

<a href="https://imgur.com/STg6Su8" rel="external nofollow">https://imgur.com/STg6Su8</a></p><p> </p><p>

<span style="text-decoration:underline;">Aydan Farrel vs Alex Puafisi</span></p><p>

Aydan Farrel quickly tapped out Puafisi at 2:22 with tsuruta armbar. <strong>Rating-52</strong></p><p> </p><p>

<span style="text-decoration:underline;">Des Miller vs Akio Sakoda</span></p><p>

Somewhat more competitive then the opener where Miller won with the kimura at 8:28. <strong>Rating-64</strong></p><p> </p><p>

<span style="text-decoration:underline;">Uttamara vs Paul Crowley</span></p><p>

Uttamara won at 9:11 with a Poison Rana. <strong>Rating-54</strong></p><p> </p><p>

<span style="text-decoration:underline;">Nobuhisa Yosutake vs TEMPEST Masato</span></p><p>

This being the highly anticipated debut of Nobuhisa Yosutake, put an extra shine to it and the beginning of the match was no different with Nobuhisa straight away hitting a shotgun dropkick to Masato to send him flying to the corner. </p><p> </p><p>

Masato decided to take a break and rolled to the outside. He would get to let off as the debutante climbed to the top rope and hit a <strong>Missile Dropkick to the back of the head</strong> to Masato at ringside, bringing a loud gasp from the Hokkaido crowd. This however put the match on a bit of a break as referees and young lions came to check on Masato.</p><p> </p><p>

After about 5 minutes he was cleared to continue, and went for a wild lariat which Nobuhisa ducked and hit a <strong>Limit Break</strong> (High Knee Strike/V-Trigger) that produced a great sound. He then deadlifted Masato and threw him into the corner head first with a <strong>Long Dart</strong> before lunging at his opponent with a fierce <strong>Limit Break</strong> to the back of his head, getting a loud sound. Nobuhisa then threw Masato accross the ring with a <strong>High Release German Suplex</strong>. The former HONOUR man taunted Masato to get up before hitting a <strong>Spear of Destiny</strong> for the win at 12:32. <strong>Rating-66</strong></p><p> </p><p>

<span style="text-decoration:underline;">Waotaka Eda and Juro Deguchi vs Strength Through Honour</span></p><p>

This was essentially to get the chemistry of Eda and Deguchi over and showed some tandem offence with Eda stinger splash followed by a Deguchi Mafia Kick to the corner and Deguchi hitting a <strong>Top Rope Double Stomp</strong> on the oppnents back before Eda hit the <strong>Samoan Driver</strong> for the win at 14:41. <strong>Raing-82</strong></p><p> </p><p>

<span style="text-decoration:underline;">Renegade vs Halls of The United Throne</span></p><p>

Eriv Van Rijn won the match at 13:42 with the <strong>EVR</strong> on Captain UPJ. <strong>Rating-75</strong></p><p> </p><p>

<span style="text-decoration:underline;">FEARLESS vs IgniteZero and Tokyo Tigers</span></p><p>

Oda Yamakawa beat Goto with the <strong>Sumita Bridge</strong> at 20:17 to set up a tag title match at UPJ Winter Storm. <strong>Rating-76</strong></p><p> </p><p>

</p><div style="text-align:center;"><p><strong><span style="font-size:12px;">Show Rating 76</span></strong></p></div><p></p><p></p>