PGHW: Osaka's Finest

[gbasalmon]

Head booker and PGHW legend Shuji Inukai

PGHW CEO and legend Nobuatsu Tatsuko

 

Osaka Castle, 1 January 2020

 

(The scene itself is beautiful, but the beauty is provided by the magnificent Osaka Castle in the background. Walking near the castle are two of the most recognizable faces in Japanese wrestling if you became a fan in the late 1990's, Nobuatsu Tatsuko and Shuji Inukai.)

 

Tatsuko: So, old friend, another year is here. I hope that 2020 is a kinder year for our business and our company than the past few years have been.

 

Inukai: Nobu, why must you always be so gloomy? You know we have always weathered the storms that this business brings. We got this company up off the ground, we got past our retirements, and now we're laying the foundation for a brighter future.

 

Tatsuko: But seriously, Shuji, when have you last taken a look at the ledger?

 

Inukai: Nobu, I know where we stand. I know how dire the situation is. We don't even have 200,000 in the bank. But all of the signs point to us making a great deal in January. Seiji is red hot right now, Masaru is still his fantastic self, and Kozue seemingly will go forever.

 

Tatsuko: Ever the optimist, Shuji. Well, let's be clear what I'm hoping for these next few years. First, we've got to regrow our fanbase here in Japan. We need more popularity so we can start to push Burning Hammer again. The tsunami hit them just as hard as it did us, so we need to start getting more eyes on our product. Secondly, we've got to be selective in who we bring in. You know what our style is and you know what it isn't. We can have any garbage wrestlers that would have fit more in Warrior Engine. And we can't have daredevil wrestlers that are going to try and dive off of our set onto people. That's not what we are.

 

Inukai: Nobu, you're telling me things I already know. Let me tell you how I plan on growing our company. Seiji, Masaru, Kozue, and Magnum are the tentpoles we can build upon. Chojiro and Bussho are one of the greatest tag teams in the world. We've got guys like Kazushige and Tetsunori who are just waiting to break through to the next level. And beneath them, we've got SATO, Hirotsugu, and even Simon if we build him properly, who can take it up a level as well. We have the horses, we just have to let them run.

 

Tatsuko: I trust you friend but I don't need to remind you that our livelihoods rely on whether or not you're telling me the truth or sugarcoating things.

 

Inukai: I may be optimistic, but nobody has ever accused the "Untouchable" Shuji Inukai of sugarcoating anything. I'm telling you what I believe in my heart.

 

Tatsuko: So be it, Shuji, so be it. Now, let's get down to business. How does the card look for Night of RESPECT?"

 

Inukai: Well, here's what I've got so far...

[gbasalmon]

<p>Night of DESTINY 2020 Card</p><p> </p><p> </p><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="6ZB1JTs.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/6ZB1JTs.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="LPlGINd.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/LPlGINd.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><p> <strong><span style="font-size:18px;">PGHW Night of DESTINY 2020</span></strong></p><p><strong><span style="font-size:18px;"> Friday, Week 2, January 2020</span></strong></p><p><strong><span style="font-size:18px;"> Kyoto</span></strong></p><p> </p><p> <img alt="kAESM9u.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/kAESM9u.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="ejMkSzi.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/ejMkSzi.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p><p> <img alt="jmoDpLU.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/jmoDpLU.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p><p> </p><p> <strong>Glory Crown Match (1 fall / 60 minute time limit): </strong>Akinori Kwakami vs. Seiji Jimbo ©</p><p> </p><p> <img alt="2GRnOTI.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/2GRnOTI.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="ocrvP8c.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/ocrvP8c.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p><p> </p><p> <strong>Regular Match (1 fall / 30 minute time limit)</strong>: Eien Miyamoto vs. Masaru Ugaki</p><p> </p><p> <img alt="ej3FlpD.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/ej3FlpD.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="MvqBIXY.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/MvqBIXY.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="UbF5pr6.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/UbF5pr6.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="deBc7x8.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/deBc7x8.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p><p> </p><p> <strong>Regular Match (1 fall / 30 minute time limit)</strong>: Beast & West vs. Magnum Kobe & Kozue Kawashima</p><p> </p><p> <img alt="hklZ8yo.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/hklZ8yo.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="hnlsTNN.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/hnlsTNN.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="gxDuWau.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/gxDuWau.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="IRIrN6u.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/IRIrN6u.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p><p> <img alt="rs4Paiq.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/rs4Paiq.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p><p> </p><p> <strong>Glory Tag Crown Match (1 fall / 60 minute time limit): </strong>KitoGuchi (Bussho Makiguchi & Chojiro Kitoaji) vs. Yano & Kikuchi ©</p><p> </p><p> <img alt="gG0XNPc.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/gG0XNPc.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="5OIG6Wr.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/5OIG6Wr.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p><p> <img alt="gVh76uq.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/gVh76uq.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p><p> </p><p> <strong>International Title Match (1 fall / 30 minute time limit): </strong>Tetsunori Yasuda vs. Reaver ©</p><p> </p><p> <img alt="AI9lIZ0.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/AI9lIZ0.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="uqCWkqA.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/uqCWkqA.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="sNHlBlR.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/sNHlBlR.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="vWK2lji.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/vWK2lji.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p><p> </p><p> <strong>Regular Match (1 fall / 30 minute time limit)</strong>: Kazushige Matsuki & Ryoma Muruyama vs. The Ring Generals (Dean Waldorft & Marv Statler)</p><p> </p></div><p></p><p></p><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="50506" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><p> <strong>Quick Picks:</strong></p><p> </p><ul><li>GC Match: Kwakami vs. Jimbo<br /></li><li>Miyamoto vs. Ugaki<br /></li><li>Beast & West vs. Kobe & Kawashima<br /></li><li>GTC: KitoGuchi vs. Yano & Kikuchi<br /></li><li>Int'l: Yasuda vs. Reaver<br /></li><li>Matsuki & Muruyama vs. Ring Generals<br /></li></ul><p></p><p> </p><p> </p></div></blockquote>

[DeBosco]

<p>Wooh! Good to finally see a PGHW diary on here, I’ll be following along. </p><p> </p><p>

Kwakami vs. <strong>Jimbo</strong></p><p>

Miyamoto vs. <strong>Ugaki</strong></p><p>

Beast & West vs. <strong>Kobe & Kawashima</strong></p><p>

<strong>KitoGuchi</strong> vs. Yano & Kikuchi</p><p>

Yasuda vs. <strong>Reaver</strong></p><p>

Matsuki & Muruyama vs. <strong>Ring Generals</strong></p>

[siah463]

<p>GC Match: Kwakami vs. <strong>Jimbo</strong></p><p>

Miyamoto vs. <strong>Ugaki</strong></p><p>

Beast & West vs. <strong>Kobe & Kawashima</strong></p><p>

GTC: <strong>KitoGuchi</strong> vs. Yano & Kikuchi</p><p>

Int'l: <strong>Yasuda</strong> vs. Reaver</p><p>

Matsuki & Muruyama vs. <strong>Ring Generals</strong></p>

[gbasalmon]

Quick OOC note: I'll keep the card up for predictions until 1:00 pm or so EST on Friday then I'll post the tour shows leading up to Night of RESPECT. The card itself will be posted sometime either Saturday or Sunday. There will also be a few online newsletter posts to give a flavor of behind-the-scenes news and commentary mixed in as well. I'll post the first one sometime tomorrow which will be an in-character preview from TotalExtremeWrestling.com of Night of RESPECT.

[bonnie]

GC Match: Kwakami vs. Jimbo

Miyamoto vs. Ugaki

Beast & West vs. Kobe & Kawashima

GTC: KitoGuchi vs. Yano & Kikuchi

Int'l: Yasuda vs. Reaver

Matsuki & Muruyama vs. Ring Generals

[BornToFail]

Cool, a PGHW diary!

 

GC Match: Kwakami vs. Jimbo

Miyamoto vs. Ugaki

Beast & West vs. Kobe & Kawashima

GTC: KitoGuchi vs. Yano & Kikuchi

Int'l: Yasuda vs. Reaver

Matsuki & Muruyama vs. Ring Generals

[Kijar]

Jimbo

MIyamoto

Kobe/Kawashima

KitoGuchi

Reaver

Ring Gens all day

 

Push Gidayu Katou

[gbasalmon]

Night of RESPECT Preview from TEW.com

 

 

Night of RESPECT Preview

by Marc Johnson, TotalExtremeWrestling.com

 

Good morning everyone! With the new year dawning upon us puro fans, that means that PGHW's first big show of the year, Night of RESPECT, isn't far off at all. Praise Kikkawa! With the first two shows of the Respect Tour in the books as 2019 closed, the six-match card for Night of RESPECT has completely taken shape. Let's take a look, match-by-match, at what's in store.

 

Kazushige Matsuki & Ryoma Muruyama vs. The Ring Generals

 

The show will kick off with a tag match, which is almost always the case with PGHW shows. Seeing as though Masaru Ugaki is in action later on, Muruyama had to find a new partner and his man is perennial almost-but-not-quite-contender Kazushige Matsuki. The former boxer always seems to be ready to break through but can't quite make the leap. The Ring Generals have been a sensation since arriving in PGHW and even captured 2018's Elite Tag Series, shockingly knocking off KitoGuchi in the finals and beating them for the Glory Tag Crown titles just a month later. Will they keep their momentum or will the thrown together PGHW stalwart team triumph?

 

My pick - Ring Generals in about 15 minutes

 

International Title Match: Tetsunori Yasuda vs. Reaver ©

 

This match came about after Yasuda was able to put Reaver down with a Minilla Plunge, his version of the Emerald Flowsion, in a six-man tag match on the first night of the Respect Tour. However, Yasuda has a history of not being able to follow through on big shots and this looks to be one of those situations. Reaver has been on fire since arriving in PGHW and rode that momentum to a International Title win over Gonnohyoe Kada at Night of LEGACY last September. Surely the powers that be won't stop Reaver's roll quite yet.

 

My pick - Reaver in about 20 minutes

 

Glory Tag Crown Match: KitoGuchi vs. Yano & Kikuchi ©

This epic clash pits PGHW's premier team versus the resident monsters of the division, BISON Yano and Brute Kikuchi. They're two-time Glory Tag Crown champions themselves and definitely shouldn't be taken lightly. Still, I think it's time that the belts return to their "rightful" holders.

 

My pick - KitoGuchi in about 18 minutes

 

Beast & West vs. Magnum Kobe & Kozue Kawashima

 

This might be the first time since about 2010 that Kozue Kawashima has been this high on the card, but he looks to be starting a new era in his career and looking perhaps for a new partner now that PRIDE Koiso has had to retire. He had his epic Glory Crown reign for all of 2018 but since losing it to Masaru Ugaki at last year's Night of RESPECT, he's been floundering a bit. Conversely, Magnum Kobe has been a sensation since arriving from WLW. He has fit so nicely into PGHW, which has made this puro fan very happy. He hasn't captured any gold yet, though, so he may have maneuvered his way into this team to get him a taste of the spotlight. Kobe & Kawashima's opponents are the Canadian duo Beast & West, who headed to the Far East in the fallout from the NOTBPW/CGC merger. They haven't done a whole lot yet, but could this match be their chance to knock off two big names and catapult themselves into consideration for a Glory Tag Crown shot?

 

My pick - Kobe & Kawashima in about 22 minutes

 

Eien Miyamoto vs. Masaru Ugaki

 

This match was another brought about by a result from the 2019 portion of the Respect Tour, as Miyamoto shockingly submitted Ugaki with his STF in a six-man match. Miyamoto is yet another upper midcarder that seems unable to break through to the next level. Ugaki, on the other hand, is still on a blisteringly hot streak after capturing the Glory Crown last year and only recently losing it to Seiji Jimbo at Night of KINGS last October. While he waits for a potential shot at regaining his title, he gets a chance to erase this one blemish on his 2019 at Night of RESPECT.

 

My pick - Ugaki in 25 minutes

 

Glory Crown Match: Akinori Kwakami vs. Seiji Jimbo ©

 

The setup for this match extends all the way back to last year's Elite Series, as Kwakami was able to get a submission victory over Jimbo in their Block A match. When finding a new challenger for Jimbo, it looks like Shuji Inukai delved back into recent history for Kwakami. Akinori is one of the tentpoles that PGHW is built around, but he's not necessarily someone who people go out of their way to watch. Not many people are going to search out a Kwakami match on OnDem but he's exactly what PGHW excels at, a tough competitor who can take a ton of punishment and dish it out as well. However, Kwakami comes up against the best PGHW has to offer - Glory Crown champ Seiji Jimbo. Seeing as though he's decended from PGHW royalty and trained by the legendary and only recently retired Eisaku Kunomasu, he has seemed destined for greatness since he debuted. He's the two-time running Elite Series winner and just recently won his first Glory Crown Title. There's no way Kwakami gets lightning to strike twice.

 

My pick - Jimbo in about 35 minutes

 

I for one can't wait for the show. Happy New Year to puro!

[gbasalmon]

Respect Tour Show Recaps

 

Day 3 - Doshisha Athletic Center, Kansai

• Goemon Komiya and Beast & West def. William Hayes and Ring Generals
  
• Hitomaro Suzuki and KitoGuchi def. Yano & Kikuchi and Stone Yoshikawa
  
• Yasuda & Takimoto def. Reaver and Simon Flemmingway (Yasuda pinned Reaver for a second time this tour)
  
• Muruyama & Ugaki def. Eien Miyamoto and Mamoru Nagahama
  
• Magnum Kobe & Kozue Kawashima def. Kobayashi & Kamachi
  
• Kwakami & Sanda def. Totoya Munakata and Seiji Jimbo
  

 

Day 4 - Doshisha Athletic Center, Kansai

• SATO and Kobayashi & Kamachi def. Matt Blackburn, Daigo Goya, and Mamoru Nagahama
  
• Stone Yoshikawa and Hitomaro Suzuki def. Hirokazu Yamanoue and Masatochi Kamimura
  
• Tetsunori Yasuda and KitoGuchi def. Hirotsugu Satou, BISON Yano, and Reaver (no Brute Kikuchi, story to follow)
  
• Kazushige Matsuki and Muruyama & Ugaki def. Eien Miyamoto and Ring Generals
  
• Goemon Komiya, Magnum Kobe, and Kozue Kawashima def. William Hayes and Beast & West
  
• Avalanche Takano and Seiji Jimbo def. Kwakami & Sanda
  

 

Day 5 - Doshisha Athletic Center, Kansai

• Hirotsugu Satou and William Hayes def. Matt Blackburn and Hirokazu Yamanoue
  
• Eien Miyamoto and SATO def. Daigo Goya and Masatochi Kamimura
  
• Muruyama & Ugaki def Kobayashi & Kamachi
  
• BISON Yano and Ring Generals def. Stone Yoshikawa and KitoGuchi
  
• Kazushige Matsuki, Magnum Kobe, and Kozue Kawashima def. Goemon Komiya and Beast & West
  
• Kwakami & Sanda def. Mamoru Nagahama and Seiji Jimbo
  

 

Day 6 - Kyoto, Kansai

• Kazushige Matsuki and Muruyama & Ugaki def. Hirokazu Yamanoue, Daigo Goya, and Masatochi Kamimura
  
• Yasuda & Takimoto def. Simon Flemmingway and Hitomaro Suzuki
  
• Beast & West def. Matt Blackburn and Stone Yoshikawa
  
• Hirotsugu Satou and KitoGuchi def. Goemon Komiya and Kobayashi & Kamachi
  
• Magnum Kobe & Kozue Kawashima def. Ring Generals
  
• SATO and Kwakami & Sanda def. Avalanche Takano, BISON YANO, and Seiji Jimbo
  

[michgcs]

Not much to say, posting just so I'll know to check this game from time to time. Been looking to learn about touring companies and all so hopefully I can learn from you I like the format and the simplicity, too.

[gbasalmon]

PGHW Night of DESTINY

 

PGHW Night of Destiny

Friday, Week 2, January 2020

Kyoto

 

Pre-Show

0a. Gonnohyoe Kada & Hirotsugu Satou def. Matt Blackburn & Daigo Goya

0b. SATO, Hirokazu Yamanoue, & Noriyori Sanda def. Avalanche Takano, Mamoru Nagahama, & Goemon Komiya (SATO pinned Takano, setting himself up as a future Historical Japan challenger.)

 

Main Show

Kazushige Matsuki & Ryoma Muruyama def. The Ring Generals

In the opening match of the card, Muruyama got the surprise pinfall after another spectacular Muruyama Launch (frog splash). The match was back and forth for about 15 minutes until Muruyama rocked Dean Waldorf with a particularly deadly jumping enzuigiri that knocked Waldorf off his feet. Muruyama scampered up to the top rope and came crashing down with his patented Launch for the victory. (Match Rating: 51)

 

PGHW International Title Match: Tetsunori Yasuda vs. Reaver ©

The big talking point of the first part of this match was Yasuda’s attire, as he has now taken to wearing a red headband as an homage to his trainer, Eisaku Hoshino. Yasuda displayed a lot more fire than he has in past memory as well, harkening back to his mentor’s never-say-die attitude. Reaver fought hard as well, showing why PGHW was so quick to snap him up after WLW’s scandal. The finish came in the 18th minute, as Reaver had Yasuda down to his knees after an especially hard series of kicks to the chest. When Reaver tried to finish Yasuda with his Hellfire Kick (Busaiku-style dropkick), Yasuda caught Reaver’s leg, spun him around, and planted him down into the canvas with his Minilla Plunge (Emerald Flowsion) finisher to crown himself the new International Champion! (Match Rating: 66)

 

19th International Champion: Tetsunori Yasuda

 

]

https://i.imgur.com/pxjjew6.jpg[/img

PGHW Glory Tag Crown Match: KitoGuchi vs. Yano & Kikuchi ©

This match was a slugfest from the beginning as BISON Yano and Brute Kikuchi tried to end it quickly with a flurry of bodyslams, hard shoulder blocks, and Irish whips into the turnbuckles. Chojiro Kitoaji and Bussho Makiguchi both weathered the storm, though, showing shades of their respective mentors (Chojiro was taught by his father and PGHW legend Koryusai while Bussho is the protege of recently retired legend PRIDE Koiso). The finish came at the end of the 19th minute, as Kikuchi roared into the corner for a running body splash but misjudged the speed that Chojiro could move out of the way. As Chojiro dodged, Kikuchi’s head hit the turnbuckle. Seeing Kikuchi dazed, Chojiro bounced off the ropes and planted Brute with a picture-perfect Kitoaji Lariat for the win. KitoGuchi are the new Glory Tag Crown champions! (Match Rating: 68)

 

31st Glory Tag Crown Champions: KitoGuchi

 

 

Magnum Kobe & Kozue Kawashima vs. Beast & West

The story of this match was the PGHW crowd continuing to warm up to Magnum Kobe, as his arrival from WLW has seen him start to pile up victory after victory. Kobe was the undoubted star of this match, showing off his hard-hitting offense and trademark flair for the dramatic. For his part, Kozue showed why he still is the active wrestler most associated with PGHW as he displayed his unique style of offense as well, targeting Mighty Cavanagh and Timmy West’s necks with knees, elbows, and suplexes. After Kobe hit a particularly nasty looking knee on West, he tagged out to Kozue who scooped West up and took him back down to the turquoise canvas with a Kawashima Driver 2005 (package piledriver) for the win in the 21st minute. (Match Rating: 70)

 

Masaru Ugaki vs. Eien Miyamoto

This match was set up by Miyamoto scoring a shock pinfall on Ugaki early on in the RESPECT Tour and Miyamoto kept that momentum going by putting on one of the best performances of his career thus far, matching the former Glory Crown champ Ugaki hold for hold for most of the early part of the match. Miyamoto’s offense was centered around softening up Ugaki’s knees to make him more susceptible to Miyamoto’s STF finisher. Miyamoto finally tried to lock in the STF around the 17 minute mark and after three attempts was successful in getting it fully locked. Ugaki showed his trademark fire in reaching the ropes after nearly a minute of struggling. As Miyamoto released the hold, Ugaki saw an opening and quickly hit Eien with an Arc Kick (Pele kick). Eien tumbled to the canvas and Masaru covered him for the victory. (Match Rating: 78)

 

PGHW Glory Crown Title Match: Akinori Kwakami vs. Seiji Jimbo ©

The final match of the night pitted perennial bridesmaid Akinori Kwakami against another legacy wrestler and current Glory Crown holder Seiji Jimbo, son of PGHW founder Sadaharu Jimbo. Kwakami had his trademark toughness on full display, withstanding kick after kick, chop after chop, and forearm after forearm from the champion. By the 25 minute mark, however, Jimbo’s speed and power were too much for Kwakami. After a devastating released German suplex from Seiji, Kwakami struggled mightily to get to his feet. Sensing the opportunity, Jimbo hurried behind Kwakami and locked in the Seiji Ocean Lock (Octopus Stretch). Kwakami struggled for a solid 30 seconds to get out of the hold but was unable to. Seiji Jimbo retains the PGHW Glory Crown! (Match Rating: 71)

 

Overall Show Rating: 65

Attendance: 24,324

Buy Rate on J-Remote 1: 0.06 (31,440 buys)

[gbasalmon]

PGHW News & Notes

 

PGHW Departures

 

Word came out on the heels of Night of DESTINY that BHOTWG has been up to their old tricks again and has secured the exclusive services of three of PGHW's talented wrestlers. Here are their names and how they might fare in Burning Hammer.

 

Totoya Munakata

 

Picking up the "Blood Fighter" seems a slightly odd one for Miyamae and Company, as Munakata doesn't have much success to show in his name as he only has two Historical Japan title reigns to his credit. I guess Burning Hammer is just looking to beef up its midcard and Munakata fits that bill to a T.

 

Brute Kikuchi

 

Now Yano & Kikuchi losing the Glory Crown Tag belts makes a lot more sense. Burning Hammer is always on the lookout for big hosses to push as their next big monster heel attraction team. Word is that there are already plans in the works to team Kikuchi with another similar talent in Murai Enomoto.

 

Reaver

 

Again, another booking decision at Night of DESTINY comes into greater focus. It seemed odd that Reaver would lose the International Title so quickly but now the cat is out of the bag, so to speak. Reaver serves to potentially beef up the Junior Division even further and is now reunited with his WLW tag partner Emerald Angel, who arrived in Burning Hammer with much fanfare last year.

 

A New Lease on Life

 

An interesting video was posted on PGHW's OnDem channel yesterday.

 

It started up with a hooded figure posting 8x10's on a wall of all the current singles champions in PGHW - Avalanche Takano (Historical Japan), Tetsunori Yasuda (International), and Seiji Jimbo (Glory Crown). As the figure finished posting the pictures, he wheeled around and walked to a table set up about 20 feet away from the wall. On the table were displayed three arrows and a compound bow. The figure picked up the bow and started to speak, with his words in English and subtitled in Japanese.

 

"For too long have I been complacent, willing to sit and wait my turn. Now that time is past. I'm not waiting around for my shot - I'm taking it."

 

The figure picked up on of the arrows and hit the picture of Takano, then repeated it for Yasuda and Jimbo's pictures as well. He then spoke again.

 

"My old self has been thrown away. It was tattered and broken and deserved to be discarded. The new me, the more hungry and focused destroyer you see before you is..."

 

 

"Simon Archer."

 

So there we have it, Simon Flemmingway is no more. As PGHW has three wrestlers departing, one that's staying will be debuting a new gimmick starting with the Destiny Tour. Word is that PGHW booker Shuji Inukai sees Simon as the closest thing to a like-for-like Reaver replacement in the company without hiring anyone new. Time will tell whether Archer's bold statement comes true.