The Puppets Dance (CVerse '20 - 5SSW)

El_Ray · May 29, 2020

Thea Davis vs Erin Marcelin

Erin = Money

The TermiNation (Unstoppable Tai/Toku Kijmuta) vs local competitors

An easy win for TermiNation to build momentum

The Hell Raisers (Romi Yamato/Sae Akutagawa) vs Ochiyo Iijima and Hana Ajibana

Romi is great, I don't want to see her losing

Monster Ishimura vs Shiori Jippensha

Shiori can make Ishimura look great, but this isn't the moment for the monster.

5SSW Tag Team Title V1 Defense: The Uprising (Talia Quinzel/Selina Svelte) © vs Shining Force (Otsune Tsumura/Yukiko Matsumara)

I don't see The Uprising loosing, especially against Otsune and Yukiko

5SSW Triangle Title V2 Defense: MAYA © vs Eri Sato vs Yu Hashimoto

This is a tough choice. MAYA and Hashimoto are great options for the title, and wouldn't be crazy to give the title to Eri Sato. But I think MAYA should retain

5SSW All-Asian Title V5 Defense: Miwako Katsukawa © vs Maki Yoshifumi

I'm seeing Maki winning and having a long and dominating reign

5SSW World Title V3 Defense: Yuma Maruya © vs Megumi Nakajima

Both of them are great performers, but i like Yuma more, so i vote for her.

I liked the new schedule, the J-Prix linked with Joshimania it's very interesting.

I'm surprised not to see Higa and Oonishi with a match. They always give me great ratings, especially Higa.

medla · May 29, 2020

Thea Davis vs Erin Marcelin

The TermiNation (Unstoppable Tai/Toku Kijmuta) vs local competitors

The Hell Raisers (Romi Yamato/Sae Akutagawa) vs Ochiyo Iijima and Hana Ajibana

Monster Ishimura vs Shiori Jippensha

5SSW Tag Team Title V1 Defense: The Uprising (Talia Quinzel/Selina Svelte) © vs Shining Force (Otsune Tsumura/Yukiko Matsumara)

5SSW Triangle Title V2 Defense: MAYA © vs Eri Sato vs Yu Hashimoto

5SSW All-Asian Title V5 Defense: Miwako Katsukawa © vs Maki Yoshifumi

5SSW World Title V3 Defense: Yuma Maruya © vs Megumi Nakajima

White Dolphin · May 30, 2020

<div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="GYUe7nb.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/GYUe7nb.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" />

5 Star Supreme Wrestling

Reign Supreme Tour FINAL

Saturday/Week 1/January/2020

Osaka East Volleyball Centre

Osaka, Japan

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<img alt="yB6cpmW.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/yB6cpmW.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="zq0O1JC.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/zq0O1JC.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="reqAKEm.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/reqAKEm.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="38BdHBV.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/38BdHBV.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></div>

The announcers desk gives us an introduction as the nearly 500 passionate fans in the arena make their presence felt. 5SSW's newest vice-president Kaiya Kuwahara makes her entrance, and introduces herself and her position for the benefit of those who weren't aware of the recent press conference. Kuwahara runs down the card, pledges to make matches the 5-Star fanbase will approve of, and will help lead the company to a bright future.

Kaiya improvised a promo pretty well, proved to be well-known amongst the local fanbase, and so the promo worked much much better than expected. The fact the male fans were wanting to to ogle the cute newscaster and TV personality didn't hurt either.

<div style="text-align:center;">Rating: 67

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<img alt="gUw5uvp.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/gUw5uvp.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> vs <img alt="nr0H7y3.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/nr0H7y3.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" />

Thea Davis vs Erin Marcelin</div>

The hot crowd doesn't carry over too long into this match however. Davis and Marcelin work pretty hard, but don't have the name recognition factor just yet, although small segments of the female teen audience do root on Marcelin at points.

Thea mostly controls, frustrating the rookie with her experience, skill, and size, as well as going to the mat whenever Erin gets a rally going. Erin presses later in the match, but a desperation Whirling Silver (Discus Left Hook) misses, and Thea catches Erin on the turnaround with an Overhead Arm Trap Belly-to-Belly Suplex. A few more British catch throws ensue, before Thea heads up top and hits the big Flying Elbow for the 3 count. Decent effort by the Canadian young lion, but still a ways to go for her before she can seriously threaten any veterans.

<div style="text-align:center;">Result: Thea Davis def. Erin Marcelin via pinfall in 7:39

Rating: 43

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<img alt="AFBofo7.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/AFBofo7.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="tWGT8UZ.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/tWGT8UZ.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> vs <img alt="jZeEz66.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/jZeEz66.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="PKcANbG.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/PKcANbG.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" />

The TermiNation (Unstoppable Tai/Toku Kijmuta) vs Young Lightning (Aki Kamio/Yayoi Kurmochi)</div>

This is barely a match, more of a slaughter. Young Lightning tries to fight, but offers little other than a couple pieces of botched high-flying offense against the TermiNation. The terrible two of Tai and Toku draw the match out slightly, ragdolling Young Lightning around before putting Kamio away with the Spike Flapjack for the easy 3 count.

<div style="text-align:center;">Result: The TermiNation def. Young Lightning (Tai pins Kamio) in 3:35

Rating: 34

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The TV feed cuts the the Hell Raisers backstage, announcing their team formation and plans to get championship gold. Fairly generic promo here, although Akutagawa seemed a little more comfortable on the mic than expected.

<div style="text-align:center;">Rating: 36

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<img alt="z4uBriK.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/z4uBriK.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="IVupCz6.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/IVupCz6.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> vs <img alt="Zb8U70Q.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/Zb8U70Q.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="EgHhLyR.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/EgHhLyR.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" />

The Hell Raisers (Romi Yamato/Sae Akutagawa) vs Ochiyo Iijima and Hana Ajibana</div>

Things don't get much better for the makeshift Iijima and Ajibana duo here, as they get mostly kicked around by the Hell Raisers in a pretty solid tag team debut showing. There isn't natural chemistry here, but the Hell Raisers are suited enough to each other's style adn their opponents to make things good. An Iijima comeback attempt ending with a Paralysis Thumb Strike (Samoan Spike), is ducked and met with a clothesline by Yamato on the comeback, followed by a leg sweep that catches Iijima hard on the kneecap. Akutagawa holds back Ajibana while Yamato applies a vicious-looking reverse single leg crab with a lot of torque, and Iijima taps to save her knee from permanent damage.

<div style="text-align:center;">Result: The Hell Raisers def. Iijima/Ajibana Yamato (Yamato taps out Iijima) in 9:49

Rating: 54

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<img alt="d9jSwtE.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/d9jSwtE.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> vs <img alt="ytBvNDA.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/ytBvNDA.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" />

Monster Ishimura vs Shiori Jippensha</div>

This match is not totally well-received by the audience, who see through Jippensha's college try of a carry job on a very green and awkward monster. Jippensha sells generously for Ishimura regardless of the crowd's indifference, and tries to hide her flaws, but Ishimura can't raise her game nearly to the level of her opponent.

The story is a decent one of power vs tactics at least, with Ishimura trying to inflict hurt and Jippensha sticking and moving, working the knee with basement dropkicks and the Jippensha Leglock (Grapevine Ankle Lock), which forces Ishimura to burn energy pulling her bulky frame over to the ropes to break.

Eventually, Ishimura's gas tank runs empty after a missed corner avalanche, and she doesn't have the werewithal to deal with Jippensha chop-blocking her from behind and stealing a pinfall victory with a bridging Stone Roll just past the 10 minute mark.

<div style="text-align:center;">Result: Shiori Jippensha def. Monster Ishimura via pinfall at 10:09

Rating: 45

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Post-match, Jippensha taunts Ishimura, while Ishimura eventually recovers. Unable to give chase, Ishimura just starts tearing up ringside in scary fashion, until shes ushered off by an army of security guards, refs, road agents, and young lions. Crowd didn't care about much of this.

<div style="text-align:center;">Rating: 38

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5SSW Tag Team Championship

V1 Defense

<img alt="UqJvBag.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/UqJvBag.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="NrU6NiP.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/NrU6NiP.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> vs <img alt="iobILVo.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/iobILVo.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="BjC1KJ8.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/BjC1KJ8.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" />

The Uprising (Talia Quinzel/Selina Svelte, Champions) vs Shining Force (Otsune Tsumura/Yukiko Matsumara, Challengers)</div>

The lowercard had been merely adequate up to this point, but with the title matches, business started to pick up a little.

The Uprising meshed very well, with Svelte using technical wrestling that crosses into the grayer areas of legality on more than one occasion. When things go south, Svelte can hide behind the bigger Quinzel who cleans up the mess. Shining Force work fairly hard and bump generously for the gaijin duo, who control the majority of the match and shut down a lot of comebacks.

Matsumara finally evaded the duo late however and got the hot tag to Tsumura, who ran wild with dropkicks, enzuigiris, and a Shining Wizard on Svelte. Tsumura went up to the top rope for a big twisting crossbody on Quinzel, but Quinzel showed off her power by barely even budging as she caught Tsumura. Quinzel then grinned viciously, pressed Tsumura overhead, and dropped her into impressive Spinal Trauma backbreaker. Svelte recovered from her damage, and the Uprising finished off Tsumura with the Rising Tide (Modified Sky Lift Slam) for 3 to retain the titles.

<div style="text-align:center;">Result: The Uprising def. Shining Force (Quinzel pins Tsumura) at 11:03

The Uprising retain the 5SSW Tag Team Championship (V1 Defense)

Rating: 55

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5SSW Triangle Championship

V2 Defense

<img alt="sJhu7eb.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/sJhu7eb.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> vs <img alt="kFF47yY.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/kFF47yY.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> vs <img alt="zUFAzFy.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/zUFAzFy.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" />

MAYA (Champion) vs Eri Sato (Challenger) vs Yu Hashimoto (Challenger)</div>

The Triangle title is on the line, and the challengers Eri Sato and Yu Hashimoto have tried one-upping each other in recent weeks.

This plays into the champion's hands, as the two challengers consume themselves with their issue early, and give MAYA the opportunity to play off of them and attack the weakened combatant.

Yu eventually makes a big comeback, and scores a hit with The End Game (Spinning Backhand Blow) on MAYA, but Sato breaks up the pin at 2.9 and takes it to Hashimoto with kicks. Hashimoto then decides to stop selling at an arbitrary point, and sends Sato flying into the corner with a power right cross.

Hashimoto looks even more pissed off than normal, and it becomes apparent shes not particularly interested in selling for either opponent, dominating long stretches of the match as it loses flow a bit.

Eventually, just as Hashimoto looks set to win after an End Game on Sato, she gets dropkicked from behind by MAYA, sending her flying to the outside area right into an unsuspecting camerawoman. MAYA then quickly moves to hit Sato with a Slingshot Spike DDT, and gets the pin before Hashimoto can recover and save it, retaining the title!

<div style="text-align:center;">Result: MAYA def. Eri Sato and Yu Hashimoto (MAYA pins Sato) at 12:10

MAYA retains the 5SSW Triangle Championship (V2 Defense)

Rating: 53

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Afterwards, the TV feed cuts to Fuyuko Higa backstage, who cuts another weird and cryptic promo. The gist of it is Higa lamenting the fact she wasn't on the main card, and blaming it on people surrounding her that ruin her perfection. Higa also forsees great change impending in 5-Star, greater than even their new idol VP anticipates......

<div style="text-align:center;">Rating: 51

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5SSW All-Asian Championship

V5 Defense

<img alt="QPFYrDH.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/QPFYrDH.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> vs <img alt="K34xbzQ.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/K34xbzQ.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" />

Miwako Katsukawa (Champion) vs Maki Yoshifumi (Challenger)</div>

Business picks up yet again in the All-Asian title bout. The match is very similar to the Lotus/Yoshifumi match, no special chemistry, just the good storyline about lucha-influenced speed and technique vs MMA-influenced power and threat.

The crowd are firmly behind the purple haired champ in this one, but also fully buy into the challenger's MMA gimmick, enhanced by a recent actual MMA win. Yoshifumi has momentum and credibility on her side, and lives up to it by raising her game and throwing venom into each strike.

Katsukawa is cut open hardway in the middle of the match by Yoshifumi's punches, and the teen supporters of the champion are heard screaming in fear. Katsukawa manages to rally and get the crowd behind her on a good comeback run. Corkscrew Forearms! Headscissors into the Corner! One Bounce Bronco Buster! Springboard Wheel Kick!

Katsukawa goes for a big Twisting Senton off the top rope, but Yoshifumi plays possum and rolls out of the way. Katsukawa crashes and burns, and Yoshifumi pounces on a fight-ending opportunity with a Rear Naked Choke attempt. Katsukawa looks to be fading...... but makes the ropes!

Katsukawa stands up groggily and-HEAD KICK! Katsukawa takes a brutal shot and goes down hard! Yoshifumi arrogantly struts to a corner, sits on the ropes like a hammock, and tells referee Odaka to count to 10.

Katsukawa stuns everyone by reviving at 7 and making it to her feet at 9, but shes in another world at this point and-HEAD KICK! Yoshifumi puts her down a second time and just decides to cover her for the 3 count.

Yoshifumi holds the title high, but nods respectfully towards the downed Katsukawa, who made a good accounting of herself here and deserved some respect despite the loss of her title. This was a hell of a match from 5-Star's tier 2 competitors, and was more than worthy of semi-main billing.

<div style="text-align:center;">Result: Maki Yoshifumi def. Miwako Katsukawa via pinfall at 15:16

Maki Yoshifumi is the new 5SSW All-Asian Champion

Rating: 63

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<img alt="aDF3DSi.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/aDF3DSi.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="Tlz7Qa6.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/Tlz7Qa6.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></div>

A video package plays next hyping up the main event world title match between Yuma Maruya and Megumi Nakajima, with highlights of their various battles over the years. Both seem to have more respect for each other now than in the past 5-Star Defense vs ANTI battles, but it won't stop them from trying to best their rival and take home the belt.

<div style="text-align:center;">Rating: 54

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<img alt="Iv7aNYU.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/Iv7aNYU.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" />

5SSW World Championship

V3 Defense

<img alt="aDF3DSi.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/aDF3DSi.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> vs <img alt="Tlz7Qa6.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/Tlz7Qa6.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" />

Yuma Maruya (Champion) vs Megumi Nakajima (Challenger)</div>

This match has great crowd reaction from the Osaka faithful, but the semi-main proved to be slightly better as an actual match. Maruya and Nakajima struggle a bit towards the end due to stamina issues, but the first 10 to 15 minutes prove worth the price of admission.

There are the usual great chain wrestling sequences that you come to expect from an ANTI vs 5-Star clash, but also some breathtaking high-flying, with Maruya busting out the Space Flying Tiger Drop in a big moment that revs up the crowd.

The match starts to fall apart in the middle as both women tire, but they pick it back up for a finishing seqeunce. Maruya kicks out of a Nakajima Straight Jacket. Nakajima kicks out of a Split-Legged Moonsault. Nakajima Crossface gets countered into the Skywing Lock (Double Butterfly Armbar), but Nakajima makes the ropes. Nakajima takes control and goes for a big top rope back suplex of some variety, but Maruya keeps elbowing her off and keeps elbowing her off, until a stunned Nakajima falls back, and stays down long enough for Maruya to hit the big YUMA Special (Sky Twister Press)! That gets the 3 count, and the beloved champion retains!

<div style="text-align:center;">Yuma Maruya def. Megumi Nakajima via pinfall at 20:11

Yuma Maruya retains the 5SSW World Championship (V3 Defense)

Rating: 69 (nice)

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Post-match, as the usual confetti and streamers rain down, Maruya cuts the traditional emotional after-match victory promo, thanks the Osaka faithful for their support, and promises more successful defenses to come!

<div style="text-align:center;">Rating: 65

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OVERALL SHOW RATING: 66

ATTENDANCE: 478</div>

Neoteros · May 30, 2020

A loss had to come sooner or later (she is a newbie, after all) but she's on the right path. <img alt="

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White Dolphin · May 30, 2020

OOC Show Notes:

-I'm not going to test the young lion features limits, so I'm only going to put Erin directly over another young lion. Thea was likely going to win anyways, because shes getting a partner for the next tour. (Well, Erin is too, but Thea's partner is actually real good.)

-Decided to give Young Lightning a TV payday because I want to save the other teams for dark matches. On that note, Nami Genda and Emiko Miyoshi got a tryout and looked good. They might come in as a lower-level team on a few tours. I'll probably work Kichi Mochizuki with that stiff brawler young lion whos name I forget at the moment. I do like Young Lightning though, and they'd have potential if I could get a dev fed going.

-Yamato and Akutagawa are a team I ran in my TEW2016 saves, but I called them "Future Storm" back then as they were in their young lion days. I felt they were just a natural team to put together. Fast forward to 2020 and HOLY MOLY they're such a natural team, they totally have the heel gal look down pat thanks to their new renders. They'll be used, but I'm not sure how well they'll be used.

-Ishimura cannot work worth a lick, and the Protect road agent note just hurt the match. She also lost overness againt Sada last week, which I retconned into a gain because she had the dominate road agent note and a major success menace angle cmonnnnnnnn gammmmmmmme. Are terrible monster heels easier to book in national feds? Asking for a friend here.

-God I miss Dragon Assassin and Huntress Makiko. I made them into a team in TEW 2016 all the time called "Murder One", and they just ruled. Assassin could both be the monster heel AND work AND cut promos. If I could combine Tai and Ishimura's best points it might not even fully add up to a Dragon Assassin. But then a monster might not fit my storyline plans anyways.

-I've got a lot of things to say about the Uprising but I'll wait a few more big shows. Suffice it to say I do NOT like the team, but they'll be massive beneficiaries of circumstance.

-Torment and Sorrow were used by me VERY differently in TEW 2016. I basically ditched Yoshifumi out the gate, because I saw Hashimoto as a potential uppercard singles heel gal and felt her partner was dead weight. Fast forward 4 years, Yoshifumi's improved a bit (but is still missing about 30 charisma, 20ish star quality, and some technical ability), and Hashimoto hasn't really improved a lot, in addition to still being at 50ish menace. So now the team is a lot more balanced.

-Yoshifumi's overachieving in this save in fact, and due to Japan's love of crossover stuff I'm going to keep Yoshifumi in a relatively protected spot along with her partner so that I can keep the imaginary Japanese press satisfied.

-Katsukawa was in the way in the title match, but much better days are ahead for her. Thankfully this render is a step up from the GODAWFUL TVerse one, but she really deserves better.

-I didn't go slow build for Maruya/Nakajima but it didn't matter to me anyways what it got, this is the typical filler early shows before the big angles start. I do want to get to Small quicker, but I doubt a 70 rating would help that much more.

-AS ALWAYS, ANY FEEDBACK AND/OR CONSTRUCTIVE CRITICISM IS APPRECIATED.

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PREDICTIONS:

El_Ray: 12/15

KyTeran: 10/15

medla: 7/8

Herrbear: 5/7

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I liked the new schedule, the J-Prix linked with Joshimania it's very interesting.
I'm surprised not to see Higa and Oonishi with a match. They always give me great ratings, especially Higa.

Higa worked a (very good) dark match to keep sharp, but her not being on the show was very much intentional. More on the Birds of Prey later.

Neoteros · May 31, 2020

Kamio, Kurmochi and Kichi (not Kaori) Mochizuki have been a massive disappointment in my save, they keep giving sub-par performances despite having good chemistry with a lot of people, and when I tried to tell them to step up their game, Kamio full on hates me now. Also, the young lion system is a bit of a headache, I made a rookie belt just for them but then my best young lion, Hoshiko Tagawa, accumulated enough experience to shed that label and now I have a rookie belt in the hands of someone who's approaching the main event with incredible speed.

White Dolphin · May 31, 2020

Kamio, Kurmochi and Kichi (not Kaori) Mochizuki have been a massive disappointment in my save, they keep giving sub-par performances despite having good chemistry with a lot of people, and when I tried to tell them to step up their game, Kamio full on hates me now. Also, the young lion system is a bit of a headache, I made a rookie belt just for them but then my best young lion, Hoshiko Tagawa, accumulated enough experience to shed that label and now I have a rookie belt in the hands of someone who's approaching the main event with incredible speed.

OOC: I mean, they're doing their best, and for low level feds 30 rated matches in the undercard aren't that big of a deal. Tagawa and the others would be good enough for like sub-Wigan level work, along with the handful of skilled veterans left. That young lion belt bit does sound unfortunate though.

5SSW needs a dev fed badly, but I have my doubts the effects are as good as TEW 2016, when you could raise guys up really well from nothing. It might be a while before any outsider becomes relevant in the grand scheme of things, but there's potential there in longer-term saves. Not to mention I added some pre-game dojos.

Next post or two will be plot stuff, list of touring workers and the start of the Big Crush tour will come soon!

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Saturday/Week 1/January/2020

Osaka East Volleyball Centre Dressing Rooms

Osaka, Japan

Ted was really impressed with the quality of the card he just witnessed on the monitor. It seemed like a lot of the talent shared that belief, with the space being crowded as hell for Yoshifumi's title win.

Overall, a good show to cap off the tour, and Ted could see the momentum swinging for 5-Star, thanks to what seemed like a more motivated crew of wrestlers and the increase in production.

However, Ted was treated to another spectacle that was almost as entertaining as the card itself.

Wrestler's Court.

Of course, Ted had heard all the backstage SWF court stories over the years, featuring wrestling lore like the Big Smack Scott fistfight with James Prudence, the infamous audio clip of Jack Bruce impersonating Christian Bale on the Terminator set (A rant directed at Everest for being a "flatulent fatass"), and of course the fallout from the Flight to Disaster.

This wrestler's court however was treated much more lightheartedly.

Kit Hatoyama, a good former wrestler and now trainer and agent, presided, with "bailiff" Kaiya Kuwahara making herself popular amongst the wrestlers on the first day by cosplaying in what appeared to be an erotic version of an American police outfit. Ted bemusedly noticed that the handcuffs looked like they'd seen a lot of use, but kept it to himself.

Ted and the male staff he shot the breeze with pre-show were allowed to sit in the back row, and usually they spent time snickering in the background at the proceedings.

A couple court cases were serious however. Lady Lotus was taken to task for being a gloomy person and was sentenced to pick up the first round of drinks at Dotonbori (a party-time neighborhood in Osaka). Tai was taken to task for a low-class rib on Hana Ajibana involving minor property damage, and was sentenced to pay restitution.

Finally, a young local jobber team called Young Lightning were taken to task for something heinous that Ted could not understand, and after Young Lightning gave a pair of great "Oh, ****, we're completely screwed now" facial expressions, Kit burst out laughing and the whole thing was revealed as a rib on the two youngsters.

Ted and Erin laughed, but neither really knew why. It seemed to be a great source of amusement and nostalgia to the veterans though.......

---

TEW.com

5SSW News And Notes

by "JoshiJosh6" Joshua Prosser

-The final show of the Reign Supreme tour was regarded internally as a huge success. Rating is unavailable as of press time but is rumoured to be around 17,000 viewers, an increase from the debut showing of 5-Star on the network.

-Young Lightning's tryouts are expected to continue, but they aren't rumoured to be guests on the next tour.

-Local indy workers Nami Genda and Emiko Miyoshi got a tryout, wearing silver and black outfits and were introduced as the "Gun Metal Gals". They did a dark match job to the Stone Soliders that was said to be surprisingly good.

-A pre-show eight woman tag featured the Birds of Prey, Lady Lotus, and Paige Croft taking on HEART Saitoh, Machiko Matsuda, and Team SUB, and was said to be one of the better matches on the show, a 15 minute broadway that got the crowd fired up.

-Many people within the company were very pleased at how the All-Asian title match turned out. Kaiya Kuwahara also earned plaudits backstage for her promo work and great attitude. However, the quality of the undercard was looked at with concern.

-Miwako Katsukawa was legitimately busted open by Yoshifumi and needed several stitches, but appears to be fine for future shows.

-An announcement of some sort is expected to open up the Big Crush Tour, with the first show being scheduled for a venue in Kobe on Monday/Week 3/January.

-Lots of talk internally of tour hires coming from CILL or OLLIE, with a possible tag team in the mix.

-5-Star is said to be recruiting foreign talent more aggressively, and taking chances on previously ignored workers.

-Thea Davis is said to be getting a new tag team partner and a slightly better push.

-Rumours continue to fly of a big angle in the summer.

-Lady Lotus and Unstoppable Tai currently have heat with 5-Star management for unknown reasons, although a bad rib is suspected as the primary cause.

---

OTHER NEWS AND NOTES FROM AROUND THE WORLD:

-Mainstream Hernandez interested in working 21CW?......

-Suzanne Brazzle talks retirement, re-opening of the Cat's Lair under her name........

-Alicia Strong Speaks Out: "It was a huge mistake to demote Robbie Sanchez......"

White Dolphin · June 3, 2020

Friday/Week 2/January/2020

Marcelin Residence

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

---

"5 seconds back, set it to slo-mo, watch it......"

Erin was in the Marcelin family garage, watching tape of herself in action against Thea Davis at 5SSW Reign Supreme in between hitting the heavy bag. She potatoed Thea a few times, and while Thea was understanding, Erin knew she needed to refine her technique. There were guys in TCW who could throw great punches that would be as safe as a baby in her mother's arms. Erin needed to learn this. Punches were the most fundamental part of her offense, and if she could throw bombs that looked good but didn't leave the girl she was working with looking like a Piper Evergood knockout victim, she'd be so much better in the ring.

As Erin switched over from her laptop back to the punching bag, she was interrupted by her dad.....

"Hey sweetie, I need you to move some of this stuff, I have to bring the car round to the office."

"Sorry Dad."

"Don't apologize, it's good that you're practising and keeping sharp. You better pack up for the trip soon though!"

Alexander kissed his daughter on the forehead and got the car ready while Erin moved her punching bag.

There were times where Erin felt her dad was just faking being supportive of her wrestling career. Her dad was always a stick in the mud and strict in the past, but ever since Erin finished that first summer at the House of Stone, he seemed to be almost...... accepting of Erin's career in wrestling.

It still felt fake though. Part of Erin was waiting for the other shoe to drop, and for her dad to fight her on her dreams. That was also a huge part of why she had to get better, to justify her presence in this crazy world called pro wrestling.

"I'll try to make it back from the office in time to see you off before the flight. And remember, if that kid Ted ever gives you any trouble, give me a phone call and I'll bust him down to the boiler room, got it?"

That office IS a boiler room, Erin almost said, but bit her tongue.

"Ted's cool daddy, I'm fine travelling with him. See you around!"

"Love you sweetheart!"

Alexander peeled out of the garage and into the street doing a robust 60. Why? Because he could.

Erin set up her punching bag and laptop again and went back to practising......

---

Ted methodically packed his suitcase in preparation for another trip. He had stayed in Japan slightly longer than Erin had to finish up some business over there, came back to Canada on Wednesday, met with Alexander to report in person on Thursday, and now he was doing laundry and packing Friday for a trip back on Saturday.

It was busybusybusy. Especially the office meeting, where Ted experienced first-hand the "explaining technology to old people" effect. This occurred when you explained your knowledge of a modern topic to a smart older person who just couldn't grasp the material, on account of it being outside their sphere of reference of life knowledge.

In this case, Ted had to spend over an hour explaining to Alexander the ramifications of the Japanese "young lion" wrestling system. Alexander had thought Erin was in line for a push after winning her debut, and surprisingly he DIDN'T want that, and actually wanted his daughter to be a jobber and pay her dues. Ted had to convince Alexander that no amount of money in the world would buy his daughter a push in 5-Star until she turned 21 or so, and that took a while......

......But despite all the stress, Ted knew one thing. He wouldn't trade it for the job he had before.

Ted's return to the Strathcona-Fremont office was quite ceremonious, and the greetings ranged in quality from an "accidental" jostle and trip in the hallway while Ted was holding papers, to a loogie hocked quietly into Ted's coffee while he had his back turned, and concluded with a pushpin carefully wedged into an inconspicuous part of Ted's office chair (this one at least he had found out before he sat on it).

The people at work SUCKED.

Well, except for Layla, the secretary, who had greeted Ted with her usual sunny disposition.

Someday, maybe after the next tour......... Ted would ask Layla out for coffee. As co-workers. With maybe a chance of upgrading to friends. With maybe a chance to upgrade to......

......Ah, who the hell was Ted kidding, he wouldn't have the guts to ask her out. Ted was a side character in the story of life. Layla would be gobbled up by one of the hot-shot traders soon enough, and Ted would sit there and throw confetti off to the side or something while pretending to be happy.

Ted broke himself out of the depressing reverie and focused on the positives. He had a trip to Japan, where all he had to do was talk to flunkies from another country for a little while each day, then go off and watch beautiful women fight in modern-day gladiatorial combat. He had it good. For now.

On that note, Ted remembered that he should probably grab his phone and check on the latest news regarding 5-Star. Their touring hires had to be getting announced soon, right? Ted wondered who Erin was going to be working with this time........

---

(OOC: Indeed Ted, those touring hires WILL be announced soon. Next post later tonight or tomorrow, prediction key to kick off the Big Crush! Tour tomorrow as well! Any feedback or future promises of DOTM nominations for May are greatly appreciated! Stay safe out there!)

White Dolphin · June 3, 2020

TEW.com

5SSW News And Notes

Friday/Week 2/January/2020

by "JoshiJosh6" Joshua Prosser

5SSW has announced their touring lineup for the upcoming Big Crush Tour, running from Monday/Week 3/January to Saturday/Week2/February. The names are as follows:

---

Mystery Pink and Pinky Perez

Mystery Pink is of course a somewhat famous figure in the history of Mexican wrestling, having beaten Amo Del Gato for the OLLIE Campeonato del Mexico in a historic moment, becoming the first luchadora to win a men's title. (In addition she has also been a successful two-time Campeonato de las Mujeres.) Mystery Pink was said to have been paid a significant amount to come over to Japan for the first time, and is expected to get a fairly strong push to start.

Pinky Perez is a five-time World Women's Champion in CILL, and has recently been working QAW events teaming with her partner Mariana "Poison Ivy" Torres, earning rave reviews for her high-flying style.

Together the two are expected to debut as a tag team called "Double Pink", and will work 5SSW on an undisclosed long-term deal as opposed to a touring contract.

---

Zofia Jankovic

Zofia Jankovic is a deadly striker from Belarus with a legitimate martial arts background. She has been working regularly for EWA for close to a decade and is noted for her rivalry with Thea Davis. Surprisingly however, Jankovic is being brought in as the tag team partner of Thea, and the two are expected to compete as "Lethal Strike", and get a reasonable push. Zofia is also on an undisclosed long-term contract.

---

Kaori Takenouchi and Mio Takasu

Kaori Takenouchi is a fairly young brawler on the Japanese independent scene, nicknamed "Battle Warrior" due to her military themed gimmick.

Mio Takasu is a veteran approaching 10 years in the business, and is a respected ultra-tough striker, known for her variation on the Yakuza Kick that looks like its trying to behead her opponent.

The two have occasionally faced each other on independent shows, but are expected to come in as a tag team called "Gamma War Unit", using Takenouchi's military gimmick as the basis, and are expected to work underneath matches. Their respective deals last until the end of the tour.

---

Rika Tsujimura

Rika Tsujimura is a young all-rounder on the Japanese indy scene, noted for being taller than most other joshi workers, and also known for her devestating knee strikes. Tsujimura is working for the upcoming tour, and might be slotted into a tag team with a veteran.

---

Aud Valkyrie

A tough veteran from Norway, Aud Valkyrie has been working the European independent scene for over two decades without getting a look from any bigger company. Having recently moved from Norway to Germany to try and step up her game, Aud appears to be getting a late career shot with 5SSW, and will be working underneath for the next tour at least.

---

Eve Grunge

Similar to the aforementioned Valkyrie, Grunge has been plugging away on the Canadian independent scene for over two decades now, and has been responsible for getting many people jobs in NOTBPW, AAA, and QAW due to her professionalism and good technical work.

Grunge is also noted for being a fairly successful musician under her real name (Eve Atherton), and was said to have passed up a music tour to work a fairly lucrative short-term contract for 5SSW.

---

Kate Avatar

An unknown entity, "Hell Cat" Kate Avatar is said to have worked several Canadian indies, and is part of the mysterious Avatar clan thats making an impact on the world indie wrestling scene as of late. Not much else is known about her, other than her being said to be a decent cruiserweight-type worker who comes off as a bad-ass. Kate is expected to be in a leather outfit or sorts, and will be teaming with fellow Canadian rookie Erin Marcelin as "The Canadian Cats"

---

(OOC: Prediction key to come tonight or tomorrow. Fun note, I'm redoing the first two cards in my save because there was some DB issues with my old save. I will try to leave the show ratings and general individual segment ratings mostly unaffected if possible, but I'll be goign back and editing the previous cards slightly to reflect this. Predictions and results will be unaffected.)

White Dolphin · June 4, 2020

<div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="GYUe7nb.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/GYUe7nb.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" />

Shogun TV Presents:

5SSW Big Crush Tour Night 1

Monday/Week 3/January/2020</div>

After an exciting finale to the Reign Supreme tour, 5SSW is back in action for the Big Crush Tour, kicking off with Night 1 in the Shohoku Academy Gymnasium in Kobe, Japan!

In our opening match, two debuting tag teams take each other on, as the Canadian Cats (Erin Marcelin and Kate Avatar) take on the luchadora team of Double Pink (Mystery Pink and Pinky Perez)!

Next up, Yukiko Matsumara will face Hana Ajibana in a singles rematch from an earlier tag title eliminator.

Two more tag teams are set to debut, as the European duo of Lethal Strike (Thea Davis and Zofia Jankvoic) take on the new Japanese team Gamma War Unit (Kaori Takenouchi and Mio Takasu)

Another tour debutant steps up next for a big first challenge, as the tall striker Rika Tsujimura takes on former world champion HEART Saitoh!

Next up is an 8-woman tag team match featuring some seasoned competitors, as the duoo of Torment And Sorrow band up with gaijin veterans Paige Croft and Aud Valkyrie to take on the Kanto Express and the Stone Soldiers!

Fuyuko Higa has been ranting about people ruining her perfection as of late, but she'll need to attend to her own problems, as she faces a stern test in the form of veteran rock-and-roller Eve Grunge!

Finally our main event sees our World champion Yuma Maruya team up with Miwako Katsukawa and Eri Sato to take on Megumi Nakajima and the dangerous Team SUB.

Our show will also feature a special announcement from World champion Yuma Maruya, after her huge win in the final show of the Reign Supreme tour!

<div style="text-align:center;">---

PREDICTION KEY

(OOC: Forecast is cloudy with a medium chance of time limit draws.)

Canadian Cats (Erin Marcelin/Kate Avatar) vs. Double Pink (Mystery Pink/Pinky Perez)

Yukiko Matsumara vs. Hana Ajibana

Lethal Strike (Thea Davis/Zofia Jankovic) vs. Gamma War Unit (Kaori Takenouchi/Mio Takasu)

Rika Tsujimura vs. HEART Saitoh

Maki Yoshifumi / Yu Hashimoto / Paige Croft / Aud Valkyrie vs. MAYA / Machiko Matsuda / Kaede Sugiyama / Kinuye Mushashibo

Fuyuko Higa vs. Eve Grunge

Yuma Maruya / Miwako Katsukawa / Eri Sato vs. Megumi Nakajima / Chiyeko Kita / Etsuko Arihyoshi

BONUS QUESTION: Who is the next defendant in Wrestler's Court later in the tour: Lady Lotus, Fuyuko Higa, or neither of them?

---

(OOC: As always any predictions, comments, and feedback is much appreciated! Card will go up Saturday!</div>

medla · June 5, 2020

Canadian Cats (Erin Marcelin/Kate Avatar) vs. Double Pink (Mystery Pink/Pinky Perez)

Yukiko Matsumara vs. Hana Ajibana

Lethal Strike (Thea Davis/Zofia Jankovic) vs. Gamma War Unit (Kaori Takenouchi/Mio Takasu)

Rika Tsujimura vs. HEART Saitoh

Maki Yoshifumi / Yu Hashimoto / Paige Croft / Aud Valkyrie vs. MAYA / Machiko Matsuda / Kaede Sugiyama / Kinuye Mushashibo

Fuyuko Higa vs. Eve Grunge

Yuma Maruya / Miwako Katsukawa / Eri Sato vs. Megumi Nakajima / Chiyeko Kita / Etsuko Arihyoshi

BONUS QUESTION: Who is the next defendant in Wrestler's Court later in the tour: Lady Lotus, Fuyuko Higa, or neither of them

KyTeran · June 5, 2020

Canadian Cats (Erin Marcelin/Kate Avatar) vs. Double Pink (Mystery Pink/Pinky Perez)

The young lions will fall to the experienced luchadoras.

Yukiko Matsumara vs. Hana Ajibana

Lethal Strike (Thea Davis/Zofia Jankovic) vs. Gamma War Unit (Kaori Takenouchi/Mio Takasu)

I feel that the gaijin shall triumph.

Rika Tsujimura vs. HEART Saitoh

Maki Yoshifumi / Yu Hashimoto / Paige Croft / Aud Valkyrie vs. MAYA / Machiko Matsuda / Kaede Sugiyama / Kinuye Mushashibo

Fuyuko Higa vs. Eve Grunge

Higa seems like a safe bet.

Yuma Maruya / Miwako Katsukawa / Eri Sato vs. Megumi Nakajima / Chiyeko Kita / Etsuko Arihyoshi

BONUS QUESTION: Who is the next defendant in Wrestler's Court later in the tour: Lady Lotus, Fuyuko Higa, or neither of them?

El_Ray · June 5, 2020

Canadian Cats (Erin Marcelin/Kate Avatar) vs. Double Pink (Mystery Pink/Pinky Perez)

Yukiko Matsumara vs. Hana Ajibana

I don't really like neither of this two, I vote for Ajibana beacuse she's younger and with room of improvement.

Lethal Strike (Thea Davis/Zofia Jankovic) vs. Gamma War Unit (Kaori Takenouchi/Mio Takasu)

Rika Tsujimura vs. HEART Saitoh

Maki Yoshifumi / Yu Hashimoto / Paige Croft / Aud Valkyrie vs. MAYA / Machiko Matsuda / Kaede Sugiyama / Kinuye Mushashibo

Fuyuko Higa vs. Eve Grunge

Higa should win

Yuma Maruya / Miwako Katsukawa / Eri Sato vs. Megumi Nakajima / Chiyeko Kita / Etsuko Arihyoshi

BONUS QUESTION: Who is the next defendant in Wrestler's Court later in the tour: Lady Lotus, Fuyuko Higa, or neither of them?

White Dolphin · June 6, 2020

<div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="GYUe7nb.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/GYUe7nb.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" />

5 Star Supreme Wrestling

Big Crush Tour Night 1

Monday/Week 3/January/2020

Shohoku Academy Gymnasium

Kobe, Japan

---

<img alt="yB6cpmW.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/yB6cpmW.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="zq0O1JC.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/zq0O1JC.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="reqAKEm.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/reqAKEm.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="aDF3DSi.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/aDF3DSi.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></div>

The announcers desk gives us the usual intro spiel, then we cut to the ring to hear from 5SSW World champion Yuma Maruya with a special announcement. Yuma first thanks the fans in attendance for their support over the years, and how much it means to her as the champion and standard bearer for the company. Yuma then says that to prove her mettle and confirm she's worthy of the title, Yuma will put the title on the line at the upcoming Big Crush battle royale! 19 other women will compete against her and the last woman standing in the ring will be named champion.

Yuma knows that this is a bit unorthodox, but says this is her desire to prove herself as a truly worthy champion, and she's already obtained approval from Ogiwara and Kuwahara to do so. Yuma then asks the fans for their continued support, and promises a strong showing in her main event match tonight, walking off to polite applause.

<div style="text-align:center;">Rating: 69

---

<img alt="nr0H7y3.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/nr0H7y3.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="Opw8tAi.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/Opw8tAi.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> vs. <img alt="4LKURYk.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/4LKURYk.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="mXmc58q.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/mXmc58q.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" />

Canadian Cats (Erin Marcelin/Kate Avatar) vs. Double Pink (Mystery Pink/Pinky Perez)</div>

The commentators hype up Double Pink as being former champions in Mexico and a duo of great potential. Few people amongst the 200 strong crowd know them, but they start to learn who Double Pink is after this match. The Canadian Cats try, but muster only token offense before Double Pink takes over with some electrifying high-flying and quick-silver mat work, including a spot where Kate is almost tied into a literal knot before she escapes and scrabbles for the ropes.

Kate Avatar gets a bit of shine late to establish herself, but gets taken out by a wayward Erin Marcelin clothesline during a double team maneuver. Double Pink takes over again, and promptly beat Erin with a combination vertical suplex/twisting crossbody, with Mystery Pink getting the pinfall to cap off a strong debut.

<div style="text-align:center;">Double Pink def. Canadian Cats (Mystery Pink pins Marcelin) in 8:03

Rating: 52

---

<img alt="BjC1KJ8.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/BjC1KJ8.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> vs. <img alt="EgHhLyR.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/EgHhLyR.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" />

Yukiko Matsumura vs. Hana Ajibana</div>

This match is fairly basic, but features a couple good highlights of high flying and mat wrestling nonetheless, and Matsumara knows how to properly work a crowd at least. Matsumara takes control of the back half of the match and puts Ajibana away with the Matsumara Press (Twisting Moonsault Press) to end it.

<div style="text-align:center;">Result: Yukiko Matsumara def. Hana Ajibana by pinfall in 9:35

Rating: 49

---

<img alt="38BdHBV.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/38BdHBV.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></div>

The show goes to commercial, where a funny segment plays involving Kaiya Kuwahara donning elaborate regional cosplay while announcing the upcoming tour dates for 5SSW. Kuwahara was her usual charming self and did this promo bit very well.

<div style="text-align:center;">Rating: 66

---

<img alt="xI8mrAU.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/xI8mrAU.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="wQ9Yzya.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/wQ9Yzya.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> vs. <img alt="xlNkAyS.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/xlNkAyS.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="fzlESSC.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/fzlESSC.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" />

Lethal Strike (Thea Davis/Zofia Jankovic) vs. Gamma War Unit (Kaori Takenouchi/Mio Takasu)</div>

An inauspicious debut for the Gamma War Unit, who look a bit nervous and inconsistent out of the gate. Still, the synergy the two brawlers show is reflected in their matching ring gear, and it helps the match tremendously later on when the War Unit land several good double teams on offense.

Lethal Strike controls the majority of the match though, and the newcomer Zofia Jankovic gets to show off her stuff, which gets respected by the audience in a hurry, particularly a jump spin kick to the face of Mio Takasu that leaves her a bit jelly-legged. Zofia then goes to work on Takenouchi and finishes her for the win with the Demon's Bane (Go 2 Sleep).

<div style="text-align:center;">Result: Lethal Strike def. Gamma War Unit by pinfall in 10:06 (Jankovic pins Takenouchi)

Rating: 50

---

<img alt="EgTzSr5.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/EgTzSr5.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> vs. <img alt="eqRIrjY.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/eqRIrjY.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" />

Rika Tsujimura vs HEART Saitoh</div>

Rika Tsujimura adds to the list of debutants on the show, and gets to show some stuff against the veteran former world champion, making things happen on the heat spot with some good stiff corner knee strikes.

It's good offense for sure, but Saitoh knows a thing or two about knee strikes herself; as she takes back the pace in the latter half and finishes the tall Tsujimura off with the Flying Tiger Knee (Top-Rope Busaiku Knee).

<div style="text-align:center;">Result: HEART Saitoh def. Rika Tsujimura by pinfall in 11:10

Rating: 50

---

<img alt="IVupCz6.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/IVupCz6.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="AFBofo7.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/AFBofo7.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></div>

Backstage we go to Sae Akutagawa warning the tag team division that the Hell Raisers time is coming soon. Unstoppable Tai interrupts the promo to look menacing and shake her head no. A fight almost starts, but their respective partners Romi Yamato and Toku Kijmuta break up the heightened tensions.

This segment was a bit amateur hour to say the least.

<div style="text-align:center;">Rating: 39

---

<img alt="K34xbzQ.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/K34xbzQ.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="zUFAzFy.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/zUFAzFy.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="Ut6aCND.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/Ut6aCND.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="WiScHV7.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/WiScHV7.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> vs. <img alt="sJhu7eb.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/sJhu7eb.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="APlokTw.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/APlokTw.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="lL30Zqr.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/lL30Zqr.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="JGHhvtW.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/JGHhvtW.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" />

Maki Yoshifumi / Yu Hashimoto / Paige Croft / Aud Valkyrie vs. MAYA / Machiko Matsuda / Kaede Sugiyama / Kinuye Mushashibo</div>

Aud Valkyrie adds to the list of debutants, but gets almost completely lost in the shuffle in this match, due to the slow pace in which she works and the fact that Torment and Sorrow shine so birghtly in this match with their abilities.

Maki Yoshifumi is doing quite well for herself lately, and has fun kicking the daylights out of her various opponents. The Stone Soliders and the Kanto Express fight back with some speed and slick high-flying offense, and the result is pretty watchable.

The match breaks down, and the Stone Soliders almost get the win with a page out of the Duane and Edd Stone playbook with the Stone Fall (Springboard Hart Attack), only to find out that the recipient Hashimoto was not the legal woman. Aud drags Kaede out of the ring, and Kinuye turns right around into a-HEAD KICK! Down goes Kinuye! The 3 count is academic.

<div style="text-align:center;">Result: Team Yoshifumi def. Team MAYA (Yoshifumi pins Musashibo) in 12:22

Rating: 57

---

<img alt="QPFYrDH.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/QPFYrDH.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="Tlz7Qa6.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/Tlz7Qa6.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="I5FBwBx.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/I5FBwBx.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></div>

Post-match we get a compilation of various promos about the main event. Miwako Katsukawa is excited to get back on the horse and win again, Megumi Nakajima seems accepting of her losses and resolves to get back into top form, and Team SUB is itching to make a big impact after being left off the previous few events.

<div style="text-align:center;">Rating: 40

---

<img alt="ZoM1wH5.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/ZoM1wH5.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> vs. <img alt="lWRxFeH.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/lWRxFeH.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" />

Fuyuko Higa vs. Eve Grunge</div>

Another debut takes place, but unfortunately for Eve Grunge it goes horribly wrong for her. Grunge is certainly a respectable technician, but her slow pace exposes her limitations a bit in a fast-paced in-ring environment like 5SSW, and Eve is also not as young and spry as she used to be.

Eve is also suffering from Fuyuko's vindictiveness, as Higa works a subtle burial of Eve into the match that you'd be hard-press to notice, unless you were a veteran viewer or an experienced wrestler.

Eve is eventually blown up, and the latter half of the match drags a bit, despite the initial fan buy-in and Fuyuko's hard (if self-centered) work. Eve goes for the Violet Dream (Cobra Clutch) late, but Higa busts out the classic Dan Stone sleeperhold counter, pushing off the top turnbuckle with her legs and falling back onto Eve for the pinfall win.

<div style="text-align:center;">Result: Fuyuko Higa def. Eve Grunge via pinfall at 10:19

Rating: 55

---

<img alt="ZoM1wH5.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/ZoM1wH5.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></div>

Post-match, an absolutely livid Fuyuko Higa cuts a fairly good promo, blasting the people around her for ruining her perfection, Higa resolves to find a solution to this problem by entering the Big Crush battle royale and taking the 5SSW title, which is "Her property by right" apparently (despite the fact she's never won it). Higa continues to establish her character as rather...... off the rails at this point.

<div style="text-align:center;">Rating: 59

---

<img alt="aDF3DSi.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/aDF3DSi.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="QPFYrDH.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/QPFYrDH.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="kFF47yY.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/kFF47yY.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> vs. <img alt="Tlz7Qa6.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/Tlz7Qa6.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="I5FBwBx.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/I5FBwBx.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="zaZg1I3.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/zaZg1I3.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" />

Yuma Maruya / Miwako Katsukawa / Eri Sato vs. Megumi Nakajima / Chiyeko Kita / Etsuko Arihyoshi</div>

The main event is joined in progress with a ton of crowd heat and seems to be a hell of a deal, with Maruya selling her ass off for the heel(-ish) contingent in this matchup. Katsukawa and Sato do their best not to drag the match down, and the result is stunningly good.

Team SUB are out for blood after being left off previous shows, and impose their will with strong technical work. Arihyoshi works particularly hard and threatens multiple times with submissions that have Maruya's fanbase screaming in horror before the rope break.

Maruya fights through and gets the hot tag to Katsukawa, and the purple-haired dynamo runs wild for a while before being cut off by the opposing trio. Katsukawa shows admirable heart though, makes the tag back to Maruya, and then all hell breaks loose as the match breaks down.

Sato manages to somehow put Nakajima and Kita over the ropes back to back with the Sato Tornado (Spin Kick to a cornered opponent), and then goes outside to keep them blocked off. Arihyoshi is alone in the ring with Maruya, and Maruya tries to seal the win with the Split-Legged Moonsault, only to be cut off with knees to the face by Arihyoshi. Arihyoshi tries to put Maruya in the Arihyoshi Lockdown (Dragon Sleeper/Seated Abdominal Stretch), Maruya desperately fights out of it, Arihyoshi tries locking it on, Maruya fights out of it......

......And the bell rings to signify a time limit draw before Arihyoshi can lock it in. The show goes off the air with Arihyoshi exiting the ring and making the "this close" gesture with her fingers......

<div style="text-align:center;">Result: Team Maruya drew with Team Nakajima at 20:00 when the time limit expired.

Rating: 70

---

OVERALL SHOW RATING: 68

ATTENDANCE: 188</div>

White Dolphin · June 6, 2020

OOC Show Notes:

-Double Pink kicked ass, as you'd expect. It's a team I ran well with in TEW 2016, and we'll see how far they go here.

-Takenouchi and Takasu were always in my plans as a team, but they weren't originally on this tour until I did some test booking and realized I needed more people to take falls underneath. As a bonus, this save gave them good chemistry!

-On the note of people taking falls underneath, expect more local competitors. I did have Rina Kasahara and Kichi Mochizuki do a pre-show job to Spider Isako and Hoshiko Tagawa. Isako is someone I have plans for as soon as I get a decent luchadora render (So I can put her under a mask and have her do jobs in her young lion phase, instead of killing her cool gimmick right away.)

-I feel for the Stone Soldiers, because I had plans for them, but our tag team division is so deep and excellent I'm not even sure they'll get a title shot. Ditto the Kanto Express, although obviously MAYA's doing different things with her life on the big shows.

-I got pinged on the dirt sheet for people not following the script in the co-main, which I assumed was Fuyuko Higa's selfish performer trait not getting along with Open Match, so that'll add to the backstage stories.

-Main event was excellent, Nakajima wasn't hindered by stamina issues, and everyone worked hard for a good draw. Team SUB will be all over this tour now after working in the dark on the first two shows due to my planning.

-Character post later today then predictions up tonight or tomorrow.

-AS ALWAYS, ANY PREDICTIONS, FEEDBACK, THOUGHTS OR CONSTRUCTIVE CRITICISM IS MUCH APPRECIATED. Also if you like this diary please hit up the pinned DOTM nominations thread and give The Puppets Dance a shoutout. Love all of you that have been following along!

---

PREDICTIONS:

El_Ray: 16/22

KyTeran: 16/22

medla: 12/15

Herrbear: 5/7

medla · June 6, 2020

nice tour start enjoy this very much

Croquemitaine · June 6, 2020

-I got pinged on the dirt sheet for people not following the script in the co-main, which I assumed was Fuyuko Higa's selfish performer trait not getting along with Open Match, so that'll add to the backstage stories.

I "think" that the road agent report will specifically name a performer who "eats up" their opponent(s) in a match, so I don't think you're interpreting that correctly. Personally I get the "not following the script" ding when someone in the match has the Scatterbrained attribute.

EDIT: Just looked at the match. I doubt Higa or Grunge have Scatterbrained so maybe you were right.

White Dolphin · June 7, 2020

OOC: Thanks for the kind words medla!

I "think" that the road agent report will specifically name a performer who "eats up" their opponent(s) in a match, so I don't think you're interpreting that correctly. Personally I get the "not following the script" ding when someone in the match has the Scatterbrained attribute.

EDIT: Just looked at the match. I doubt Higa or Grunge have Scatterbrained so maybe you were right.

I mean I'm not totally sure what it is either, but regardless of how the game sees it, its a way to add flavour to a backstage that has nothing happening even with a few irregular personalities. I think backstage rating 100% reduces incidents to almost zero, so I'm going to have to invent some......

---

Monday/Week 3/January/2020

Shohoku Academy Dressing Rooms

Kobe, Japan

The mood in the expanding gaijin locker room was a weird one to say the least.

On one hand, there was a bit of an upbeat tone to things, cause the main event had gone off well, the crowd was hot, and the company they were working for was headed in a positive direction.

On the other hand, the co-main event was a talking point in the locker room. Eve Grunge had waited around two decades for a shot like this, she had helped earn so many other wrestlers jobs with selfless wrestling, and all she needed was just some decent offense in a close loss to establish herself. But Fuyuko Higa just HAD to make it all about her.

Yes, Eve was older and slower and would struggle a bit with 5-Star's pacing, but if the situation were reversed and Eve was getting the win, Eve would've sold generously for Higa and tried to make her look good. Why couldn't Higa return the favour? Because she was a bitch, plain and simple. This heel turn was LONG overdue, in more ways than one........

Erin undressed quickly into street clothes while quietly chatting with her new tag team partner, Kate Avatar. Erin and Kate had crossed paths briefly while Erin was training, but she had never seen her partner wrestle until today. Erin thought things could work out, even if the team would be low on the totem pole for a while.

Erin was amazed by their opponents though. Double Pink were consummate professionals and led the match perfectly, even if it was a glorified squash with a simple story. The two were awe-inspiring, and both had main evented shows with MEN on the card behind them. That's when you knew you were good.

Someday, Erin thought, I'll be good like them. Even if it takes me 15 years.

But then Erin realized that was impossible. She wasn't a high-flyer. She knew some basics of it, from the book of Advanced Moves for the Stone Trainee Stolen From Duane Stone. But her style was brawling. The Crusher Ichiharas, the June Butlers, and the Talia Quinzels of the world should be her goal.

Talia was really, really good and it was a shame she was stuck in the tag ranks for now. An Amazonian goddess like her, with that beautiful muscular body, oh yeah, she'd draw money.

Erin's stare lingered on Talia for a long minute, before she shook her head in confusion and resumed changing.

---

The gaijin headed "home" to Osaka via train, with a lot of them getting strange looks from passersby and respectful whispers from schoolgirl 5SSW fans riding the rails.

Their home was a boarding house/two story apartment/giant condo hybrid thingy with a lot of sectioned off suites. 5-Star had rented it out on a favourable deal to provide adequate room and board for the gaijin, instead of just cramming them into Osaka's cheapest hotel.

Ted was along for the ride as well, and had snagged one of the suites, charging both his and Erin's on Alexander's dime instead of 5-Stars. The ground floor rooms were paired up: Talia Quinzel with Paige Croft, Thea Davis with Zofia Jankovic, Aud Valkyrie with Eve Grunge, and Double Pink together. Selina Svelte, Kate Avatar, Erin, and Ted had smaller rooms on the second floor that they boarded up in without a roommate.

Ted handled any talks with the landlord, an old granny who had to be pushing eighty. She regularly swept the courtyard with a broom so ancient, a witch probably flew off on it during the Salem witch trials.

It was a good arrangement, one that suited everyone, but most importantly it gave a sense of home, of purpose, and of permanence. With maybe a couple exceptions, they would all be back for the next tour, and the one after, and the one after that. Team Gaijin would band together. Maybe the members would change, but they would continue to look out for one another in this crazy foriegn world.

As the gaijin went to sleep, some of them had a plot floating around in a head full of idle pre-dream thoughts.

Rib Fuyuko Higa. And in the immortal words of Sam Strong before getting beat up by Rip Chord's goons: Make it good..........

Neoteros · June 7, 2020

I'd read a whole novel about this, to be honest - I feel like the tale of a young girl trying to make it as a professional wrestler, it'd be up the alley of some YA publisher for sure.

Or a light novel publisher, if you're fluent in Japanese, but then you'd have to think of a much longer title than The Puppets Dance.

Blake Trask · June 7, 2020

Boo this Higa!

I approve of ribbing her. That can't go wrong. =D

Talia was really, really good and it was a shame she was stuck in the tag ranks for now. An Amazonian goddess like her, with that beautiful muscular body, oh yeah, she'd draw money.

Erin's stare lingered on Talia for a long minute, before she shook her head in confusion and resumed changing.

I detect a lil bit of queer in the air.

Neoteros · June 7, 2020

I detect a lil bit of queer in the air.

Gay stuff happening is basically a requirement of sports anime, it doesn't surprise me in the least that a tale as animesque as this one adheres to that rule.

Wicked Intentions · June 7, 2020

Gay stuff happening is basically a requirement of sports anime, it doesn't surprise me in the least that a tale as animesque as this one adheres to that rule.

As true as that may be... as young as Erin is... she's at phase where I've heard girls experiment and try things... or so that's what my sister claims anyway. She has three kids, married, and was with another woman once. I just know I wouldn't call her a lesbian... hell bi-sexual is too strong I think... Bi-curious maybe.

Anywoo, love the story so far.

White Dolphin · June 8, 2020

(OOC: Thanks to everyone who's following along! <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="49448" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>I'd read a whole novel about this, to be honest - I feel like the tale of a young girl trying to make it as a professional wrestler, it'd be up the alley of some YA publisher for sure. Or a light novel publisher, if you're fluent in Japanese, but then you'd have to think of a much longer title than The Puppets Dance. </div></blockquote> Oh god, I'm on a severe Light/Web Novel kick at the moment, because I discovered isekai manga a while ago and then learned they were all based off of books so I could read ahead. Yeah it would need a different title, although I've heard part of the reason they title things that way is to describe it easily for the buyer. Due to immense competition in the LN and WN markets, it's best for the Japanese money marks to know what they're getting into right away with a two sentence long overly-descriptive title. <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="49448" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>Boo this Higa! I approve of ribbing her. That can't go wrong. =D</div></blockquote> Higa in-game hasn't actually done anything yet, but I'm sorta needing her and Tai to be villains to liven things up, similar to how 3rdStringPG needed to outright invent stuff because his backstage actually got civil after a while. Thanks as always for following along Blake, it means a lot to have a writer of your caliber checking in. As for the Erin locker room stuff, it seems like a throwaway line but theres a plot thread coming that will, like many things in this diary, unravel a bit in the spring and summer. I'm mildly annoyed by the fact this early bit is the usual slow start until the company completes its massive philosophy shift later bit, but then every diary about a pre-created promotion on the forums does that, its the nature of the story, right? Either someone takes over and steers the ship differently, or someone who's already in charge decides a change is needed to put the company over the top. You don't tell stories about holding course. But yeah, hopefully business picks up soon.) <div style="text-align:center;">--- TEW.com 5SSW News And Notes by "JoshiJosh6" Joshua Prosser</div> -The opening show of the Big Crush Tour did a viewership number said to be slightly below 18,000 viewers. Shogun TV continues to be happy with the company's progress under the deal. -Management is said to be very high on Miwako Katsukawa, Maki Yoshifumi, and Team SUB at the moment. Double Pink also earned rave reviews for their debut. -The decision to make the Big Crush a title defense was made on short notice, just hours before Maruya's promo. -5-Star is said to have made a deal for living arrangements for the gaijin, so expect the touring hires to continue. -Fuyuko Higa and Lady Lotus continue to get heat backstage for unknown reasons. Higa's push and possible heelish turn is said to remain unaffected so far. -Spider Isako, Hoshiko Tagawa, Rina Kasahara, and Kichi Mochizuki got tryouts in a tag match, with Kasahara and Mochizuki referred to as "Power And Passion". Management is said to be high on Spider Isako, and have an eye on bringing her in on a future tour under a mask later. Tagawa was also said to have looked decent in the tryout match. -Also on the pre-show was a TermiNation/Monster Ishimura six woman tag victory, and a time limit draw between the Hell Raisers/Gemmei Oonishi and The Uprising/Shiori Jippensha. -A rumoured big summer angle is said to have reached preliminary planning status. <div style="text-align:center;">OTHER NEWS FROM AROUND THE WORLD: -BHOTWG hiring raids making enemies amongst the rest of Japan...... -MMA legend Rickard Patterson talks on his Queen City Wrestling School...... -Alicia Strong Shoots Hard On Rich Money......</div>

TJ94 · June 8, 2020

Having a lot of fun reading this dynasty! Keep it coming!

Mokoa · June 8, 2020

Having a blast with this dynasty. It's actually the first one to catch my interest. Alexander seems like a nice fun guy to play cards with.

5SSW just has a really colorful roster. Don't know why, but I have a soft spot for Otsune Tsumura. In the little save I've playing just to get the ins-and-outs of the game, some gaijins really surprised me with high rated performances and great chemistry. (Paige Croft have excellent chemistry teaming with HEART Saitoh and Thea Davis was getting really over)

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