5SSW: The Devil Is In The Details

[Grand Avatar]

Sunday, Week 4, March 2020

 

Japan has been a hot topic for the IWC as of late, as after the disastrous Modern Japan Movement move, not to mention the natural disaster that struck the region, the future of pro wrestling in the land of the rising sun is a question at the back of everyone's minds.

 

Burning Hammer is currently still the top company in the region, with PGHW right on their heels. SAISHO appears to be reeling financially, with the rumor mill reporting that the company is currently in massive debt and may even close soon if they can't chart a new course or find a buyer.

 

One small company that has been putting on particularly big moves recently is 5SSW. Under the guidance of the legendary Sensational Ogiwara and the respected veteran DEVIL Karube, the tiny promotion has had a stellar run so far.

 

Some interesting moves they've made so far are adding fresh blood to the tag divisions with the signings of Debbie Rose and Kate Lily. Thea Davis seemed positioned as a glorified jobber, used in almost a Young Lion fashion (a strange move for a wrestler with as much experience as Davis), but she seems to be slowly picking up steam in the tag division after being paired with Ochiyo Iijima.

 

Selina Svelte suffered a Torn Rotator Cuff earlier this year at WoW Tour Day #6, prompting them to vacate the tag titles, which The Birds of Prey have been having a tremendous showing with. It looks like we can expect the tag titles to be booked strongly for the foreseeable future.

 

But it hasn't all been bad news for Uprising, while Selina heals Talia has found some success as a singles competitor, a losing effort against current 5SSW World Champ Yuma briefly elevated Talia up to the main event scene. Though she seems to have fallen to an Upper Midcard role, I wouldn't be surprised if we continue to see her booked as a contender at least until Svelte returns.

 

Maki Yoshifuna defeated Lady Lotus and MAYA for the 5SSW Triangle title in January, whose very real gimmick as a bad ass Mixed Martial Artist is receiving a legendary reception by the fans. Rumor has it Karube herself is very high on the young prospect, and the move to Triangle champ is obviously meant to tighten up her wrestling skills even further before a possible Main Event push.

 

Perhaps most surprisingly Monster Ishimura went over Yuma in a non-title Main Event at WoW Tour #2. The match was pretty poorly received by Japanese superfans like Greg (as he'll tell you in his column), and bizarrely enough the company chose to have Ishimura not go over Cleanly, which of course the fans in attendance shit on. It's fair to say the company may not believe Ishimura is ready for such a big moment, though according to Dirt Sheets it was Yuma herself who suggested putting the young monster over. I'm willing to bet Karube is slapping herself for that finish currently.

 

And in possibly the biggest news to come out of the company so far, Yu Hashimoto has turned in her notice to Karube and Ogiwara. She appears to be leaving on good terms, and instead simply wishes to see what else is out in the wrestling landscape. A surprising move, since she was being booked very strongly as of late and putting on fantastic performances.

 

In other news, 5SSW has signed more new blood with the arrival of Rika Tsujimura, Kaori Takenouchi, and perhaps most surprisingly Jana Marie Brown (Hell Cat to you Lucha aficionados).

 

I for one am very excited with what's going on at 5SSW currently, and perhaps a weakened Burning Hammer has "stiffer" competition than they thought.

[Grand Avatar]

Current Champions:

 

5SSW World: Yuma Maruya (168 days as of Sunday, Week 4, March 2020)

 

5SSW Tag Team: The Birds of Prey (51 days as of Sunday, Week 4, March 2020)

 

5SSW Triangle: Maki Yoshifumi (68 days as of Sunday, Week 4, March 2020)

 

5SSW All-Asian: Miwako Katsukawa (196 as of Sunday, Week 4, March 2020)

[Grand Avatar]

We're just a few hours away from 5SSW Queendom Tour #5. Highlights are going to be taped by Shogun TV.

 

So far its been confirmed that Miwako Katsukawa will face Paige Croft in the main event for the 5SSW All-Asian title. Not sure when the last time a midcard title was featured in the main event of a 5SSW show, but it seems Karube is ready to experiment this year.

 

The rumor mill also suggests we'll see the 5SSW debuts of JMB and Takenouchi in some fashion. But if the recent bookings of Rika are anything to go back, I'd expect they'll both be stairing up at the ceiling before the night is up.

 

Still, I'm a bit of a mark for Takenouchi's Sit-Out Powerbomb, and the Bowen Technique is always a wonder to behold, so here's hoping for the best.

[Grand Avatar]

5SSW Queendom Tour #5 2020

 

Pre Show:

 

Monster Ishimura went over Kaori and JMB in a dominating performance. The bout had good wrestling and a decent reaction from the crowd. It seems 5SSW is discovering how to book Ishimura properly, and I for one look forward to what they do with such a monstrous woman.

 

Lily & Rose went over the new team of Thea Davis and Ochiyo Ilijima after Thea Davis miscommunicated with her partner. The bout featured SUPERB wrestling and a decent reaction from the crowd. Despite the loss Ochiyo and Davis showed excellent chemistry teaming together, the partner miscommunication spot seems like a method of keeping a new team strong despite the loss.

 

Main Show:

 

In a bout that had superb wrestling and great heat, Otsune Tsumura, Romi Yamato and Etsuko Arihyoshi defeated HEART Saitoh, Eri Sato and Rika Tsujimura in 20:29 when Romi Yamato pinned Rika Tsujimura with a Yamatotal.

 

-Good match. Yamato is really milking that new hot move of hers.

 

In a superb match, Kaede Sugiyama and Yukiko Matsumara defeated MAYA and Machiko Matsuda in 20:07 when Kaede Sugiyama pinned Machiko Matsuda with a Spinning Arm Breaker.

 

-The match was good, but MAYA and Machiko have terrible chemistry with each other. We may not see them teaming up again anytime soon.

 

 

In a bout that had superb wrestling and great heat, Miwako Katsukawa defeated Paige Croft in 19:38 by pinfall with a Katsukawa Bomb. Miwako Katsukawa makes defence number ten of the 5SSW All-Asian title.

 

-A strong showing for the current All-Asian title holder and the challenger, though it appears Miwako may have suffered a broken toe during the match.

 

 

In an exceptional match, Megumi Nakajima, Maki Yoshifumi and Shiori Jippensha defeated Sae Akutagawa and The TermiNation in 20:22 when Megumi Nakajima pinned Sae Akutagawa with a Super Exploder.

 

-Good Main Event, though Megumi ALSO suffered a broken toe. People are breaking toes all over in this company it seems.

 

Overall Rating: 56

[Grand Avatar]

Quick update on last night's report. It seems Miwako did not suffer a broken toe as previously reported but a BROKEN TAIL BONE. That's the last time I review a show after too many vodkas. Looks like we're due for a new All-Asian champion sooner than expected.

[Grand Avatar]

5SSW Queendom Tour #6 2020

 

Pre-Show: Rika defeated Machiko

 

Ishimura defeated Thea Davis and Eri Sato

 

In an exceptional match, Shiori Jippensha, MAYA and Megumi Nakajima defeated Unstoppable Tai, Sae Akutagawa and Etsuko Arihyoshi in 20:22 when Shiori Jippensha submitted Unstoppable Tai with a Jippensha Leglock.

 

In an exceptional match, Yu Hashimoto defeated Talia Quinzel in 19:43 by pinfall with The End Game.

 

In an exceptional match, Romi Yamato drew with Yuma Maruya in a 30 Minute Iron Man match in 30:00 at three falls each.

 

 

 

Overall Rating: 67

 

A stellar show from 5SSW tonight. That Iron Man match was a doozy, unfortunately Romi didn't go over, but I'm sure she got a rub for going 30 minutes and drawing with the 5SSW Champ. According to the Dirt Sheets, it was Yuma who again suggested putting Romi over, but it looks like the booking team still isn't quite ready to have their champ losing just yet.