PGHW Origins(-ish)

Scottie · February 28, 2021

PGHW "PRIDE" Tour - Results, Nights 2 to 6

PGHW "PRIDE" Tour, 23.03.1997

Tokyo Korokuen Hall

716 Fans

[60]

Rebel Cell (Harumi Okazawaya & Sotatsu Sarumara) defeated Fukusaburu Inao & Rolling Johnny Stones (10:26) with a Top Rope Splash from Okazawaya to Stones. [40]
Java & Takesi Umehara defeated Kazuo Mitsushi & Koichi Kajiwara (11:47) with the Greetings from the Island from Java to Mitsushi. [46]
Mito Miwa & Koji & Koki (Koji Kojima & Koki Ishibashi) defeated Eisaku Kunomasu, Razor Valentine & Samurai Brown (13:10) with the Pride Bomber from Miwa to Kunomasu. [56]
Club Dread (Dread, Lee Wright & Raymond Diaz) defeated Gihei Kanesaka, Ninsei Tanuma & Yoriie Ippitsusai (9:50) with the Wright Stuff from Wright to Ippitsusai. [59]
Elite Series: Yoshimi Mushashibo [2] defeated Kimitada Yanagita [0] (9:50) with the Ankle Lock. [68]
Elite Series: Danger Kumasaka [2] defeated Shuji Inukai [0] (15:05) with the Aurora Surfboard Vice. [61]
Nobuatsu Tatsuko & Eisaku Hoshino defeated Yodo Nakane & Go Matsunaga (17:32) with the Tatsuko Driller from Tatsuko to Matsunaga. [65]
Elite Series: Hito Ichihara [4] defeated Hayate Hasegawa [0] (9:42) with an Elbow Smash. [59]
Elite Series: Koryusai Kitoaji [4] defeated Dragon Agakawa [0] (11:32) with the Roaring Elbow. [58]

The first untelevised night of the tour saw a number of wrestlers adding new moves to their arsenals. From the reactions they got, it looks like some good additions from technical expert Yoshimi Mushashibo (who added an ankle lock to his repertoire to finish Yanagita); Eisaku Kunomasu (who got a near fall on Kojima with a picture perfect moonsault); and Rolling Johnny Stones (who at one point had Harumi Okazawaya in a Scorpion Deathlock).
Club Dread teamed together for the first time following the opening night's beatdown of Nakane and Inukai, destroying the team of Kanesaka, Tanuma and Ippitsusai. An awkward landing at one point for Lee Wright left him with a strained neck, but he's not expected to miss any dates.

PGHW "PRIDE" Tour, 24.03.1997

Chiba Park Gymnasium

664 Fans

[68]

Raymond Diaz defeated Hirokumi Saito (5:46) with a Ray Gun. [37]
Go Matsunaga, Kazuo Mitsushi & Koichi Kajiwara defeated Razor Valentine, Samurai Brown & Rolling Johnny Stones (11:29) with a Launching Knee Strike from Matsunaga to Stones. [44]
Elite Series: Lee Wright [2] defeated Eisaku Hoshino [0] (11:33) with the Wright Stuff. [54]
Elite Series: Danger Kumasaka [4] defeated Yoshimi Mushashibo [0] (16:26) with a Northern Lights Suplex. [67]
Nobuatsu Tatsuko, Java & Mamoru Nagahama defeated Hito Ichihara, Hayate Hasegawa & Yoriie Ippitsusai (14:37) with a Tatsuko Blind Kick from Tatsuko to Ippitsusai. [55]
Dragon Agakawa, Gihei Kanesaka & Ninsei Tanuma defeated Yodo Nakane, Shuji Inukai & Koji Kojima (14:19) with a Dragon Driver from Agakawa to Kojima. [60]
Elite Series: Dread [4] defeated Kimitada Yanagita [0] (7:10) with the Dread Bomb. [60]
Elite Series: Koryusai Kitoaji [6] defeated Mito Miwa [0] (21:43) with the Roaring Elbow. [70]

A heck of a main event as Kitoaji went to 6 points with his third straight victory, this time over Mito Miwa. It took him 21 minutes, though, and at times Miwa looked like he could take Kitoaji all the way. But the veteran showed excellent composure, ultimately winning with his big elbow.

PGHW "PRIDE" Tour, 25.03.1997

Saku City Gymnasium

638 Fans

[62]

Kazuo Mitsushi, Mamoru Nagahama & Yoriie Ippitsusai defeated Rebel Cell (Harumi Okazawaya & Sotatsu Sarumara) & Rolling Johnny Stones (9:35) with the Mitsushi Stretch from Mitsushi to Sarumara. [41]
Danger Kumasaka, Shuji Inukai & Takesi Umehara defeated Nobuatsu Tatsuko, Java & Eisaku Kunomasu (14:13) with the Untouchable Lariat from Inukai to Kunomasu. [54]
Elite Series: Yodo Nakane [2] defeated Kimitada Yanagita [0] (9:26) with a Brainbuster Suplex. [60]
Elite Series: Yoshimi Mushashibo [4] defeated Hayate Hasegawa [0] (9:45) with the Ankle Lock. [67]
Dread & Raymond Diaz defeated Koji Kojima & Koki Ishibashi (11:30) with the Ray Gun from Diaz to Kojima. [66]
Koryusai Kitoaji, Mito Miwa & Gihei Kanesaka defeated Dragon Agakawa, Razor Valentine & Samurai Brown (13:57) with the Pride Bomber from Miwa to Valentine. [59]
Elite Series: Eisaku Hoshino [2] defeated Kimitada Yanagita [0] (12:51) with the Godzilla Plunge. [59]
Elite Series: Hito Ichihara [6] defeated Lee Wright [2] (13:16) with the Head Drop Suplex. [61]

Some reasonable matches on night four in Saku, but nothing to get too excited about. The best of the bouts saw Mushashibo beat Hasegawa with his new Ankle Lock finisher, while elsewhere Ichihara went to 6 points with a win over Club Dread's Lee Wright, in a frustrating loss for the American. Hoshino also picked up his first points, leaving Yanagita winless with the Godzilla Plunge.
Elsewhere, Kazuo Mitsushi suffered an injury but isn't expected to miss dates.

PGHW "PRIDE" Tour, 26.03.1997

Fukui City Gymnasium

631 Fans

[63]

Takesi Umehara, Koji Kojima & Koki Ishibashi defeated Razor Valentine, Samurai Brown & Rolling Johnny Stones (11:50) with the Facebuster Suplex from Umehara to Stones. [51]
Elite Series: Dragon Agakawa [2] defeated Lee Wright [2] (14:24) with the Dragon Driver. [43]
Elite Series: Nobuatsu Tatsuko [4] defeated Shuji Inukai [0] (22:08) with the Tatsuko Driller. [52]
Yoshimi Mushashibo, Go Matsunaga & Yoriie Ippitsusai defeated Hayate Hasegawa, Ninsei Tanuma & Koichi Kajiwara (14:11) with the Yoshimi Lock from Mushashibo to Kajiwara. [54]
Elite Series: Dread [6] defeated Eisaku Hoshino [2] (12:12) with the Dreadsault. [70]
Elite Series: Yodo Nakane [4] defeated Mito Miwa [0] (18:04) with the Brainbuster Suplex. [69]
Hito Ichihara, Koryusai Kitoaji & Gihei Kanesaka defeated Danger Kumasaka, Kimitada Yanagita & Raymond Diaz (17:49) with the Triangle Choke from Ichihara to Yanagita. [63]

There's been some exciting bouts to start this tour, but there continued to be no upsets. Veterans Dread and Nakane beat younger opponents in competitive match ups, while in a slightly disappointing bout Historical Japan Champion Tatsuko went to 2-0 with a win over Shuji Inukai.
In the main bout, Ichihara teamed up with rival Kitoaji to beat a team including Elite Series competitors Kumasaka and Yanagita and Club Dread's Diaz. Ichihara won by submitting Yanagita, compounding the latter's struggles.
At 52, Dragon Agakawa has slowed slightly as he suffered another injury during his win over Lee Wright. The veteran won't miss dates, but his output has clearly suffered as of late as age and injury take their toll. Word is he remains unwilling to put over new talent, despite taking the pinfall against Tatsuko last month.

PGHW "PRIDE" Tour, 28.03.1997

Nagaoka City Gymnasium

618 Fans

[62]

Gihei Kanesaka defeated Sotatsu Sarumara (9:38) with the Kanesaka Krush. [51]
Koji Kojima, Koki Ishibashi & Harumi Okazawaya defeated Fukusaburu Inao, Mamoru Nagahama & Hirokumi Saito (9:58) with the Koki Revolution from Ishibashi to Saito. [46]
Lee Wright, Raymond Diaz & Rico Santana defeated Mito Miwa, Razor Valentine & Samurai Brown (16:24) with the Ray Gun from Diaz to Brown. [55]
Elite Series: Shuji Inukai [2] defeated Yoshimi Mushashibo [4] (15:43) with the Untouchable Lariat. [68]
Elite Series: Danger Kumasaka [6] defeated Hayate Hasegawa [0] (11:08) with the Aurora Surfboard Vice. [57]
Koryusai Kitoaji, Kimitada Yanagita & Takesi Umehara defeated Yodo Nakane, Eisaku Hoshino & Eisaku Kunomasu (XX) with the Yanagita Crush from Yanagita to Kunomasu. [XX]
Elite Series: Dread [8] defeated Dragon Agakawa [2] (10:02) with the Dreadsault. [59]
Elite Series: Hito Ichihara [8] defeated Nobuatsu Tatsuko [4] (25:20) with the Head Drop Suplex. [62]

Night 6 in Nagaoka saw Tatsuko put up a brave fight against Ichihara in the main event, an Elite Series contest between the reigning PGHW Glory Crown Champion and the Historical Japan Champion. The match looked like it could go the distance, before Ichihara handed Tatsuko his first loss of the tournament with a Head Drop Suplex.
Elsewhere, Dread made light work of Agakawa to join Ichihara on 8 points; Kumasaka picked up his third win over the winless Hasegawa; and Inukai picked up his first points of the series over Mushashibo.

PGHW "PRIDE" Tour, 29.03.1997

Nagareyama City Gymnasium

726 Fans

[74]

Kazuo Mitsushi, Koji Kojima & Koki Ishibashi defeated Java, Hirokumi Saito & Takesi Umehara (10:14) with the Mitsushi Stretch from Mitsushi to Saito. [50]
Raymond Diaz & Rebel Cell (Harumi Okazawaya & Sotatsu Sarumara) defeated Go Matsunaga, Ninsei Tanuma & Rolling Johnny Stones (11:03) with the Ray Gun from Diaz to Stones. [42]
Eisaku Hoshino & Eisaku Kunomasu defeated Razor Valentine & Samurai Brown (15:39) with the Godzilla Plunge from Hoshino to Brown. [52]
Elite Series: Dragon Agakawa [4] defeated Hayate Hasegawa [0] (9:26) with the Dragon Driver. [44]
Elite Series: Lee Wright [4] defeated Kimitada Yanagita [0] (11:27) with the Wright Stuff. [49]
Elite Series: Mito Miwa [2] defeated Shuji Inukai [2] (13:42) with the Pride Bomber. [64]
Elite Series: Dread [10] defeated Danger Kumasaka [6] (17:43) with the Dread Bomb. [72]
Hito Ichihara, Yodo Nakane & Yoshimi Mushashibo defeated Koryusai Kitoaji, Nobuatsu Tatsuko & Gihei Kanesaka (18:27) with the Brainbuster Suplex from Nakane to Kanesaka. [78]

A cracking night in Nagareyama ahead of the second televised card of the tour. In a highly entertaining bout, Ichihara's team won against Kitoaji's team in a preview of tomorrow's night's massive televised bout between Ichihara and Kitoaji - their first meeting since Ichihara title victory late last year.
In the night's penultimate match, Dread became the first wrestler to move onto 10 points with a competitive win over fellow veteran Kumasaka; Miwa picked up his first points in a good match with Inukai; Wright moved to four points as he left Yanagita on 0 points; and Agakawa also moved to four points over the winless Hasegawa.

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Dread leads the way so far undefeated after five matches, but he's closely followed by Kitoaji and Ichihara who are undefeated on eight and six points respectively. Those two meet tomorrow night in televised action. There's a gridlock of wrestlers still in the running on 4 points, while Hoshino (2 points), Inukai (2 points), Hasegawa (0 points) and Yanagita (0 points) all look in trouble.

Scottie · February 28, 2021

PGHW: Ichihara and Kitoaji set to meet in Mar. 30 Elite Series headliner

NAGOYA, Japan - More than three months since their historic meeting at PGHW "Night of WRESTLING", PGHW legends Hito Ichihara and Koryusai Kitoaji finally meet in singles action in the main event of PGHW's Mar. 30 card from Nagoya.

Since December, the pair have been involved in eight multi-man matches together - seven times as partners and twice as opponents (they have split those bouts 1-1). Now, approaching the half way point of the inaugural Elite Series, Ichihara and Kitoaji are both undefeated, and sit within striking distance of Dread who only leads the field due to the number of matches he's been involved in. That adds even more importance to this historical re-match, with both men looking to find their way into the Elite Series final on Apr. 19 at the Nippon Budokan.

In other action:

Yodo Nakane and Shuji Inukai look to get revenge against Club Dread following their beatdown at Korokuen Hall on Mar. 22. They team up with veteran Kazuo Mitsushi against the gai-jin trio.
Veterans Danger Kumasaka and Dragon Agakawa meet in Elite Series action, with both nipping on the heels of the series leaders. Elsewhere Historical Japan Champion Tatsuko looks to bounce back from his loss to Ichihara with an Elite Series showdown with Mushashibo and his devastating new Ankle Lock, while Eisaku Hoshino and Mito Miwa look to reverse their early fortunes in the final Elite Series match of the night.

PGHW "PRIDE" Tour, 30.03.1997 (STV)

Aichi Prefectural Gymnasium

Koji Kojima, Koki Ishibashi & Koichi Kajiwara vs. Razor Valentine, Samurai Brown & Rolling Johnny Stones.
Go Matsunaga, Fukusaburu Inao & Hirokumi Saito vs. Eisaku Kunomasu, Takesi Umehara & Yoriie Ippitsusai.
Hayate Hasegawa, Gihei Kanesaka & Amane Shunsen vs. Kimitada Yanagita, Ninsei Tanuma & Java.
Elite Series: Eisaku Hoshino [2] vs. Mito Miwa [2].
Elite Series: Nobuatsu Tatsuko [4] vs. Yoshimi Mushashibo [4].
Elite Series: Dragon Agakawa [4] vs. Danger Kumasaka [6].
Club Dread (Dread, Lee Wright & Raymond Diaz) vs. Yodo Nakane, Shuji Inukai & Kazuo Mitsushi.
Elite Series: Hito Ichihara [8] vs. Koryusai Kitoaji [6].

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Historian · February 28, 2021

Koji Kojima, Koki Ishibashi & Koichi Kajiwara vs. Razor Valentine, Samurai Brown & Rolling Johnny Stones.

Go Matsunaga, Fukusaburu Inao & Hirokumi Saito vs. Eisaku Kunomasu, Takesi Umehara & Yoriie Ippitsusai.

Hayate Hasegawa, Gihei Kanesaka & Amane Shunsen vs. Kimitada Yanagita, Ninsei Tanuma & Java.

Elite Series: Eisaku Hoshino [2] vs. Mito Miwa [2].

Elite Series: Nobuatsu Tatsuko [4] vs. Yoshimi Mushashibo [4].

Elite Series: Dragon Agakawa [4] vs. Danger Kumasaka [6].

Club Dread (Dread, Lee Wright & Raymond Diaz) vs. Yodo Nakane, Shuji Inukai & Kazuo Mitsushi.

Elite Series: Hito Ichihara [8] vs. Koryusai Kitoaji [6].

Scottie · March 1, 2021

<div style="padding: 15px; border: 3px solid #000000; margin:10px;background: #d2d3d4; max-width:60%;box-shadow: 0 1px 2px " ;"="">PGHW PRIDE Tour - Mar. 30 Televised Results

<div align="left">NAGOYA, Japan - Hito Ichihara and Koryusai Kitoaji fought out a valiant time limit draw in their Elite Series headliner of PGHW's Mar. 30 card from Nagoya. In their first singles outing since their classic December 1996 bout, neither man really hit their stride in a tantalising preview of what will almost surely be a blockbuster match-up at some point this year.

Both men came into the bout undefeated, and after a lengthy feeling out process exchanged control regularly. Ichihara's trademark strikes - which served him so well in December - continued to cause trouble against the bigger man, with Kitoaji struggling to find his rhythm.

After a careful start, the match really started to pick up - and so did the crowd - as both men exchanged near falls. Ichihara at one point worked hard for his patented Ichihara Armbar, but couldn't quite lock it in as Kitoaji fought it off. Coming off a string of nights without a singles bout, Kitoaji looked slightly fresher as the match entered its final third.

With both men looking to push their case for a finals spot in the inaugural Elite Series, Kitoaji looked to have the upper hand as he went for the diving elbow with minutes to spare. However, that attempt missed - and Ichihara went for a Head Drop Suplex of his own, only for Kitoaji to roll out the back. While both desperately looked for the win in the dying stages, neither could beat the clock as they shared a point each.

After the bout, the sometimes partners and sometimes rivals showed their respect to each other - with Ichihara promising the two would meet for the Elite Series crown next month.

In other action:

Club Dread prevailed over the PGHW Glory Tag Crown Champions and veteran Kazuo Mitsushi, as Mitsushi fell victim to the Wright Stuff. The continued bitterness between Inukai and Nakane, on the one hand, and Wright and Diaz, on the other, was palpable.
In Elite Series action, Danger Kumasaka won the battle of the veterans against Dragon Agakawa in a short match; Nobuatsu Tatsuko won the night's second best match against Mushashibo; and Mito Miwa won a fast-paced bout with Eisaku Hoshino.
In other action, Kimitada Yanagita looked to reverse his poor form in the Elite Series as he picked up the win for his team over Gihei Kanesaka. In the opening match, the British trio of Valentine, Brown and Stones took a rare win.

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PGHW "PRIDE" Tour, 30.03.1997 (STV)

Aichi Prefectural Gymnasium

3,899 Fans

136,207 Viewers (0.18)

[72]

Razor Valentine, Samurai Brown & Rolling Johnny Stones defeated Koji Kojima, Koki Ishibashi & Koichi Kajiwara (10:04) with the Avalanche Kick from Valentine to Kajiwara. [51]
Eisaku Kunomasu, Takesi Umehara & Yoriie Ippitsusai defeated Go Matsunaga, Fukusaburu Inao & Hirokumi Saito (10:20) with a Facebuster Suplex from Umehara to Inao. [45]
Kimitada Yanagita, Ninsei Tanuma & Java defeated Hayate Hasegawa, Gihei Kanesaka & Amane Shunsen (11:56) with the Yanagita Crush from Yanagita to Kanesaka. [50]
Elite Series: Mito Miwa [4] defeated Eisaku Hoshino [2] (12:16) with the Pride Bomber. [72]
Elite Series: Nobuatsu Tatsuko [6] defeated Yoshimi Mushashibo [4] (20:28) with the Tatsuko Driller. [73]
Elite Series: Danger Kumasaka [8] defeated Dragon Agakawa [4] (13:29) with the Aurora Surfboard Vice. [59]
Club Dread (Dread, Lee Wright & Raymond Diaz) defeated Yodo Nakane, Shuji Inukai & Kazuo Mitsushi (20:14) with the Wright Stuff from Wright to Mitsushi. [69]
Elite Series: Hito Ichihara [9] vs. Koryusai Kitoaji [7] - Time Limit Draw (30:00). [74]

Predictions:

Historian (6.5/8)

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PGHW "PRIDE" Tour, 31.03.1997

Takaoka Citizen Gymnasium

655 Fans

[67]

Takesi Umehara, Mamoru Nagahama & Yoriie Ippitsusai defeated Amane Shunsen & Rebel Cell (Harumi Okazawaya & Sotatsu Sarumara) (10:29) with the Facebuster Suplex from Umehara to Shunsen. [39]
Mito Miwa & Yoshimi Mushashibo defeated Kazuo Mitsushi & Koichi Kajiwara (9:05) with the Pride Bomber from Miwa to Mitsushi. [63]
Danger Kumasaka, Ninsei Tanuma & Java defeated Razor Valentine, Samurai Brown & Rolling Johnny Stones (11:35) with the Greetings from the Island from Java to Brown. [50]
Elite Series: Shuji Inukai [4] defeated Kimitada Yanagita [0] (8:38) with the Untouchable Lariat. [58]
Elite Series: Nobuatsu Tatsuko [8] defeated Eisaku Hoshino [2] (20:09 with the Tatsuko Driller. [66]
Club Dread (Dread, Lee Wright & Raymond Diaz) defeated Hayate Hasegawa, Koji Kojima & Koki Ishibashi (12:03) with the Dreadsault from Dread to Ishibashi. [66]
Elite Series: Hito Ichihara [11] defeated Dragon Agakawa [4] (11:38) with a Triangle Choke. [58]
Elite Series: Koryusai Kitoaji [9] defeated Yodo Nakane [4] (18:12) with the Kitoaji Braindrop. [69]

After a lengthy fight that went the limit last night, both Kitoaji and Ichihara were happy to walk away with wins in shorter matches in Takaoka. In the main event, Kitoaji won a competitive contest against Yodo Nakane, while Ichihara moved to an outright lead in the Elite Series (albeit with one extra match) with a comfortable submission win over Dragon Agakawa.
Elsewhere, Elite Series opponents Miwa and Mushashibo picked up a comfortable tag team win over Mitsushi and Kajiwara, while Takesi Umehara continued his good form in the opener as he hit his Facebuster Suplex on the returning Amane Shunsen.

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Golden Guard M · March 1, 2021

I've just caught up on this and you're doing a great job Scottie! Even though PGHW is one of my favourite promotions in the CVerse, I've never ventured as far back as 1997 in one of my own games. This is the true Golden Age and you're doing it justice. I'm especially enjoying the establishment of Club Dread, I'm also pleased to see that you've got British Samurai on your roster. Some of my earliest CVerse memories are Ring of Fire games, so I'll always have a soft spot for him. I look forward to following along with this going forward, Keep up the great work!

Scottie · March 5, 2021

PGHW: Nakane/Tatsuko headline Apr. 2 televised card

OSAKA, Japan - Veteran heavyweight Yodo Nakane will meet PGHW Historical Japan Champion Nobuatsu Tatsuko in the headliner of the final televised card of PGHW's "PRIDE" Tour on Apr. 2 in Osaka.

Nakane and "The Iron Man" have flown under the radar in the inaugural Elite Series, with most attention on the big three of Hito Ichihara, Koryusai Kitoaji and "Club Dread" figurehead Dread. But both have a real chance at pushing for a spot in the top two, with Tatsuko in particular riding high with a record of 4-1 thus far.

In other action, Dread looks to recapture the outright lead as he faces hard-hitting youngster Shuji Inukai. The massive American has yet to lose this tour, and goes into the bout with Inukai as favourite following the latter's indifferent form. But the PGHW Glory Tag Crown Champion is a brave wrestler and will no doubt do everything in his power to get his Elite Series back on track.

Finally, in the third of the triple headliner, Ichihara and Kitoaji team up with Yoshimi Mushashibo to take on Club Dread's Lee Wright and Ray Diaz, who are teaming up with Rico Santana. Santana has been barely sighted this tour, and has confirm this will be his last before he makes a permanent move to HGC in the US.

PGHW "PRIDE" Tour, 02.04.1997 (STV)

Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium

Gihei Kanesaka vs. Rolling Johnny Stones.
Go Matsunaga, Razor Valentine & Samurai Brown vs. Koji Kojima, Koki Ishibashi & Takesi Umehara.
Dragon Agakawa, Amane Shunsen & Ninsei Tanuma vs. Eisaku Hoshino, Eisaku Kunomasu & Java.
Elite Series: Hayate Hasegawa [0] vs. Kimitada Yanagita [0].
Elite Series: Danger Kumasaka [8] vs. Mito Miwa [4].
Elite Series: Dread [10] vs. Shuji Inukai [4].
Hito Ichihara, Koryusai Kitoaji & Yoshimi Mushashibo vs. Club Dread (Lee Wright & Raymond Diaz) & Rico Santana.
Elite Series: Yodo Nakane [4] vs. Nobuatsu Tatsuko [8].

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Scottie · March 5, 2021

I've just caught up on this and you're doing a great job Scottie! Even though PGHW is one of my favourite promotions in the CVerse, I've never ventured as far back as 1997 in one of my own games. This is the true Golden Age and you're doing it justice. I'm especially enjoying the establishment of Club Dread, I'm also pleased to see that you've got British Samurai on your roster. Some of my earliest CVerse memories are Ring of Fire games, so I'll always have a soft spot for him. I look forward to following along with this going forward, Keep up the great work!

Thanks, GGM - appreciate the kind feedback! I've never played with PGHW in the default data so am still learning my way around the roster. It is a little bit unbalanced with a mixture of old guys and very young guys - not a lot of depth in the mid-20s/early-30s age bracket. But definitely a lot of talent to work with!

Scottie · March 5, 2021

<div style="padding: 15px; border: 3px solid #000000; margin:10px;background: #d2d3d4; max-width:60%;box-shadow: 0 1px 2px " ;"="">PGHW PRIDE Tour - Apr. 2 Televised Results

<div align="left">OSAKA, Japan - PGHW Historical Japan Champion Nobuatsu Tatsuko claimed arguably the biggest win of his PGHW career so far, beating current PGHW Glory Tag Crown Champion Yodo Nakane in the headliner at PGHW's "PRIDE" Tour show in Osaka.

In Tatsuko's highest profile match of the year, he and Nakane were given close to half an hour to battle it out in a sometimes slow but unpredictable affair. The man known as "The Iron Man" lived up to his name against his stronger but slightly slower opponent, and at the end it looked like the two would be sharing the points. But an increasingly desperate Nakane, who has struggled to string wins together in his Elite Series, overextended himself by shooting for a lariat, only for Tatsuko to duck under and hit his Tatsuko Driller - stunning Nakane for just long enough to get the three count.

The win propelled "The Iron Man" up to equal third in the inaugural Elite Series rankings as we approach the half way mark, and left a frustrated Nakane languishing on four points and well behind the pack.

In other action:

Gai-jin monster Dread surged back to the top of the Elite Series table with an entertaining and hard-hitting match with Shuji Inukai. Inukai came out of the blocks hard and had the big man stunned with some heavy hits, but Dread ultimately proved too strong - slamming Inukai down with a massive Dread Bomb for the win.
Ichihara and Kitoaji teamed up to pick up a victory over Club Dread's Wright & Diaz, but none of those four were involved in the finish as Mushishibo latched on his grapevine Ankle Lock to force Santana to submit.
In other Elite Series action, Kimitada Yanagita picked up his first win of the series to leave Hasegawa as the only winless participant. It wasn't a good match. Meanwhile, Dragon Agakawa continues to quietly perform, this time winning an entertaining bout against Mito Miwa.

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PGHW "PRIDE" Tour, 02.04.1997 (STV)

Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium

4,163 Fans - No Vacancy

116,747 Viewers (0.15)

[64]

Gihei Kanesaka defeated Rolling Johnny Stones (8:41) with the Kanesaka Krush. [55]
Takesi Umehara, Koji Kojima & Koki Ishibashi defeated Go Matsunaga, Razor Valentine & Samurai Brown (10:29) with the Facebuster Suplex from Umehara to Brown. [50]
Eisaku Hoshino, Eisaku Kunomasu & Java defeated Dragon Agakawa, Amane Shunsen & Ninsei Tanuma (15:07) with the Godzilla Plunge from Hoshino to Tanuma. [54]
Elite Series: Kimitada Yanagita [2] defeated Hayate Hasegawa [0] (10:25) with the Yanagita Crush. [45]
Elite Series: Danger Kumasaka [10] defeated Mito Miwa (15:16) with the Aurora Stretch Plunge. [68]
Elite Series: Dread [12] defeated Shuji Inukai [4] (11:40) with the Dread Bomb. [73]
Hito Ichihara, Koryusai Kitoaji & Yoshimi Mushashibo defeated Club Dread (Lee Wright & Raymond Diaz) & Rico Santana (21:04) with the Ankle Lock from Mushashibo to Santana. [64]
Elite Series: Nobuatsu Tatsuko [10] defeated Yodo Nakane [4] (28:05) with the Tatsuko Driller. [63]

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Golden Guard M · March 5, 2021

Great results for the April 2nd card. The Elite Series is really cooking! I'll be very interested to see who winds up the eventual winner. I don't think it'll be Dread, but it's still all to play for.

Historian · March 6, 2021

Great results for the April 2nd card. The Elite Series is really cooking! I'll be very interested to see who winds up the eventual winner. I don't think it'll be Dread, but it's still all to play for.

Dread is my pick to win it -- getting a win back over Ichihara and setting up another title match for them down the line.

kanegan · March 6, 2021

I am enjoying the Elite series. Club Dread has been great so far. I am picking Dread for the big win.

Scottie · March 6, 2021

PGHW "PRIDE" Tour - Results, Nights 10 to 14

<div style="padding: 15px; border: 3px solid #def6ff; margin:10px;background: #def6ff; max-width:60%;box-shadow: 0 1px 2px " ;"=""> PGHW "PRIDE" Tour, 04.04.1997

Kumamoto City Gymnasium

618 Fans

[67]

Elite Series: Mito Miwa [6] defeated Hayate Hasegawa (11:42) with the Pride Bomber. [61]
Fukusaburu Inao, Hirokumi Saito, Java & Yoriie Ippitsusai defeated Ninsei Tanuma, Mamoru Nagahama & Rebel Cell (Harumi Okazawaya & Sotatsu Sarumara) (10:24) with the Greetings from the Island from Java to Okazawaya. [32]
Gihei Kanesaka, Go Matsunaga, Amane Shunsen & Rolling Johnny Stones defeated Kimitada Yanagita, Raymond Diaz, Rico Santana & Kazuo Mitsushi (9:32) with the Kanesaka Krush from Kanesaka to Santana. [48]
Elite Series: Eisaku Hoshino [4] defeated Dragon Agakawa [4] (12:06) with a Sunset Flip. [58]
Elite Series: Lee Wright [6] defeated Nobuatsu Tatsuko [10] (15:30) with the Wright Stuff. [61]
Yodo Nakane, Shuji Inukai & Takesi Umehara defeated Hito Ichihara, Razor Valentine & Samurai Brown (16:10) with the Brainbuster Suplex from Nakane to Brown. [57]
Elite Series: Dread [14] defeated Yoshimi Mushashibo [4] (21:06) with the Dreadsault. [77]
Elite Series: Koryusai Kitoaji [11] defeated Danger Kumasaka [10] (21:59) with the Roaring Elbow. [67]

A heck of a match between Dread and Mushashibo, as the talented youngster took the big American much further than many expected and nearly handed him his first loss of the Elite Series. Dread recovered though, knocking Mushashibo flat in the corner and then finishing him with a big Dreadsault.
Elsewhere, Kitoaji picked up an important win to move to equal second over Danger Kumasaka in a tense main event. Elsewhere, a frustrated Tatsuko failed to back up his win over Nakane on Apr. 2 with a surprise loss to hard-hitting American Lee Wright, with the latter taking advantage of a clearly exhausted Historical Japan Champion.
Elsewhere, there were a couple of minor injuries in multi-man action. Sotatsu Sarumara and Samurai Brown suffered nasty falls - neither are expected to miss significant time, and they are apparently very unhappy with Ippitsusai and Inukai respectively.

PGHW "PRIDE" Tour, 05.04.1997

Okayama Budokan

580 Fans

[65]

Elite Series: Mito Miwa [7] vs. Yoshimi Mushashibo [5] - Time Limit Draw (30:00). [55]
Java, Razor Valentine, Rico Santana & Rolling Johnny Stones defeated Amane Shunsen, Mamoru Nagahama, Takesi Umehara & Yoriie Ippitsusai (11:02) with the Greetings from the Island from Java to Shunsen. [43]
Eisaku Kunomasu, Fukusaburu Inao, Kazuo Mitsushi & Koichi Kajiwara defeated Go Matsunaga, Harumi Okazawaya, Koji Kojima & Koki Ishibashi (10:13) with the La Magistral Cradle from Inao to Okazawaya. [47]
Elite Series: Danger Kumasaka [12] defeated Kimitada Yanagita [2] (10:44) with the Aurora Surfboard Vice. [55]
Elite Series: Nobuatsu Tatsuko [12] defeated Dragon Agakawa [4] (12:44) with the Tatsuko Driller. [58]
Club Dread (Dread, Lee Wright & Raymond Diaz) defeated Koryusai Kitoaji, Gihei Kanesaka & Hayate Hasegawa (14:45) with the Ray Gun from Diaz to Kanesaka. [67]
Elite Series: Yodo Nakane [6] defeated Eisaku Hoshino [4] (11:48) with the Brainbuster Suplex. [65]
Elite Series: Hito Ichihara [13] defeated Shuji Inukai [4] (14:02) with the Head Drop Suplex. [66]

Three top contenders all continued their winning ways, as Ichihara and Kumasaka won their bouts, while Tatsuko defeated the veteran Agakawa to get his series back on track after the blip against Lee Wright. It leaves Ichihara just a point behind Dread at the top of the board, with Kumasaka and Tatsuko just one point further back although with one less match in hand.
Elsewhere, Club Dread picked up another win - this time against the team of Kitoaji, Kanesaka and Hasegawa. Dread faces a very stiff test against Kitoaji tomorrow night in Elite Series action.
In the opener, tag partners Miwa and Mushashibo went the distance in a result that really doesn’t help either of them. The match was slow too, and both men will be a bit disappointed with their performance.

PGHW "PRIDE" Tour, 06.04.1997

Hijemi Welfare Hall

717 Fans

[63]

Elite Series: Dragon Agakawa [6] defeated Kimitada Yanagita [2] (11:33) with the Dragon Driver. [44]
Koji Kojima, Koki Ishibashi & Razor Valentine defeated Kazuo Mitsushi, Koichi Kajiwara & Rico Santana (10:24) with the Koji Crossface from Kajiwara to Santana. [46]
Java, Raymond Diaz, Takesi Umehara & Yoriie Ippitsusai defeated Amane Shunsen, Go Matsunaga, Ninsei Tanuma & Rolling Johnny Stones (10:05) with the Ray Gun from Diaz to Stones. [42]
Elite Series: Eisaku Hoshino [6] defeated Hayate Hasegawa [0] (12:17) with the Godzilla Plunge. [56]
Elite Series: Yoshimi Mushashibo [7] defeated Lee Wright [6] (15:23) with a German Suplex. [64]
Danger Kumasaka, Eisaku Kunomasu & Nobuatsu Tatsuko defeated Gihei Kanesaka, Hito Ichihara & Mito Miwa (18:04) with the Tatsuko Blind Kick from Tatsuko to Kanesaka. [67]
Elite Series: Yodo Nakane [8] defeated Shuji Inukai [4] (16:23) with the Brainbuster Suplex. [66]
Elite Series: Koryusai Kitoaji [13] defeated Dread [14] (24:09) with a Sunset Flip. [63]

A shocker in the main event! The undefeated Dread came into the bout as a clear favourite against the slighter man Kitoaji, and spent most of their main event in control. But Kitoaji showed incredible heart to stay in the bout and stunned the big man with a sunset flip to claim a shock three count! An enraged Dread jumped Kitoaji after the bout from behind, and was soon joined by his cronies Wright & Diaz to beat down Kitoaji. Ichihara eventually came to the rescue, but by that point the damage was done - Kitoaji’s leg crushed under the weight of a double foot stop from Dread from the top rope!
In the semi-main event, Yodo Nakane beat his tag team partner Shuji Inukai to take an important two points and stay in touch with the leaders.

PGHW "PRIDE" Tour, 07.04.1997

Tottori Industrial Gymnasium

567 Fans

[65]

Elite Series: Nobuatsu Tatsuko [14] defeated Koryusai Kitoaji [13] by Forfeit. [64]
PGHW Historical Japan: Nobuatsu Tatsuko © defeated Rolling Johnny Stones (5:46) with the Tatsuko Driller (24th defence). [59]
Harumi Okazawaya, Java & Razor Valentine defeated Fukusaburu Inao, Gihei Kanesaka & Ninsei Tanuma (9:36) with the Greetings from the Island from Java to Inao. [46]
Eisaku Hoshino, Eisaku Kunomasu & Kimitada Yanagita defeated Amane Shunsen, Takesi Umehara & Yoriie Ippitsusai (10:10) with the Godzilla Plunge from Hoshino to Umehara. [52]
Elite Series: Yodo Nakane [10] defeated Hayate Hasegawa [0] (11:47) with the Brainbuster Suplex. [61]
Elite Series: Mito Miwa defeated Lee Wright (15:08) with the Pride Bomber. [69]
Club Dread (Dread & Raymond Diaz) & Rico Santana defeated Koji Kojima, Koki Ishibashi & Yoshimi Mushashibo (9:46) with the Dread Bomb from Dread to Ishibashi. [59]
Elite Series: Shuji Inukai [6] defeated Dragon Agakawa [6] (12:23) with the Untouchable Lariat. [46]
Elite Series: Hito Ichihara [14] vs. Danger Kumasaka [13] - Time Limit Draw (30:00). [65]

A lot to unpack on the fourteenth night of the tour, as we get to the pointy end.
The main event definitely had Elite Series implications, as Ichihara and Nakane went to a time limit draw. Both men knew how important this match was, and it seemed like neither man was willing to take a big risk to put the other away. It keeps both in the hunt, but it must be seen as a missed opportunity.
But the big story of the night was Kitoaji - after a massive win over Dread last night, he wasn’t cleared to compete tonight in the opening bout. It got worse, because his scheduled opponent was Tatsuko - who leapfrogged him in the Elite Series rankings! Despite an apology from a disappointed Kitoaji (out on crutches no less), the clearly disgusted Tatsuko still wanted singles action and put his Historical Japan title on the line to anyone who wanted the chance. That brought young Englishman Rolling Johnny Stones out, and despite being game for the opportunity he was beaten in less than six minutes.

</div>

Scottie · March 6, 2021

Great results for the April 2nd card. The Elite Series is really cooking! I'll be very interested to see who winds up the eventual winner. I don't think it'll be Dread, but it's still all to play for.

Dread is my pick to win it -- getting a win back over Ichihara and setting up another title match for them down the line.

I am enjoying the Elite series. Club Dread has been great so far. I am picking Dread for the big win.

Thank you all for reading! It's getting to the pointy end now, and even I didn't plan on the log-jam up the top!

Scottie · March 14, 2021

PGHW "PRIDE" Tour - Results, Nights 15 to 19

<div style="padding: 15px; border: 3px solid #def6ff; margin:10px;background: #def6ff; max-width:60%;box-shadow: 0 1px 2px " ;"=""> PGHW "PRIDE" Tour, 10.04.1997

Twin Messe Shizuoka

643 Fans

[68]

Elite Series: Shuji Inukai [8] defeated Lee Wright [6] (13:40) with the Untouchable Lariat. [53]
Amane Shunsen, Harumi Okazawaya, Kazuo Mitsushi & Koichi Kajiwara defeated Razor Valentine, Rico Santana, Rolling Johnny Stones & Samurai Brown (10:23) with the Emerald Fusion from Mitsushi to Santana. [44]
Gihei Kanesaka, Mamoru Nagahama & Yodo Nakane defeated Go Matsunaga, Raymond Diaz & Takesi Umehara (10:10) with the Brainbuster Suplex from Nakane to Matsunaga. [54]
Elite Series: Koryusai Kitoaji [15] defeated Eisaku Hoshino [6] (15:59) with the Roaring Elbow. [66]
Elite Series: Dragon Agakawa [8] defeated Mito Miwa [9] (12:10) with the Dragon Driver. [62]
Java, Kimitada Yanagita & Nobuatsu Tatsuko defeated Danger Kumasaka, Koji Kojima & Koki Ishibashi (17:15) with the Yanagita Crush from Yanagita to Kojima. [60]
Elite Series: Dread [16] defeated Hayate Hasegawa [0] (7:35) with the Dreadsault. [67]
Elite Series: Hito Ichihara [16] defeated Yoshimi Mushashibo [7] (22:08) with a Triangle Choke. [70]

A heck of a main event, as Mushashibo continues to be competitive but fall short against more experienced competition. He had Ichihara worried on occasion, but the PGHW Glory Crown Champion prevailed with a Triangle Choke.
Hayate Hasegawa has had no luck so far this series, and the Club Dread leader put an early end to his night with the big Dreadsault. Still, it was an entertaining performance from the veteran as he came out of the blocks hard in his best performance of the tour so far.
Kimitada Yanagita hasn't had much luck in the Elite Series, but he joined forces with the dangerous Java and Tatsuko to best Kumasaka, Kojima and Ishibashi. Yanagita got the pinfall in the end, with his Yanagita Crush on the masked Kojima.

PGHW "PRIDE" Tour, 12.04.1997

Tokyo Korokuen Hall

737 Fans

[74]

Elite Series: Hayate Hasegawa [2] defeated Lee Wright [6] (13:02) with a Roll-Up. [44]
Java, Raymond Diaz & Rico Santana defeated Fukusaburu Inao, Mamoru Nakahama & Yoriie Ippitsusai (10:25) with a Choke Slam from Diaz to Inao. [40]
Gihei Kanesaka, Koji Kojima, Koki Ishibashi & Shuji Inukai defeated Kazuo Mitsushi, Koichi Kajiwara, Ninsei Tanuma & Yoshimi Mushashibo (11:33) with the Untouchable Lariat from Inukai to Mitsushi. [59]
Elite Series: Nobuatsu Tatsuko [16] defeated Mito Miwa [9] (20:21) with a German Suplex. [70]
Elite Series: Koryusai Kitoaji [17] defeated Kimitada Yanagita [2] (10:12) with a Piledriver. [70]
Amane Shunsen, Danger Kumasaka & Go Matsunaga defeated Eisaku Hoshino, Eisaku Kunomasu & Takesi Umehara (15:48) with a Powerbomb from Kumasaka to Kunomasu. [58]
Elite Series: Yodo Nakane [12] defeated Dragon Agakawa [8] (15:13) with a Brainbuster Suplex. [59]
Elite Series: Dread [17] vs. Hito Ichihara [17] - Time Limit Draw (30:00). [79]

A stunning main event at Korokuen Hall as an enthralled crowd was treated to a re-match between Dread and Ichihara. It was their first meeting since their singles headliner in February, as the two Elite Series leaders battled it out for thirty minutes. Both men had near falls, but had to settle for sharing the points. An enraged Dread left immediately after the bout, knocking over some chairs as he stormed backstage.
It was really a night of great matches, as some exciting performances from Kitoaji & Yanagita and Tatsuko & Miwa ensured the fans got their money's worth.
The opener left a bit more to be desired, as Lee Wright and Hayate Hasegawa never really clicked, but it was the veteran Hasegawa who stunned the American with a flash pinfall to pick up his first win of the Elite Series! An enraged Wright decked the celebrating Hasegawa after the match - pushing him off the turnbuckle to the outside. What a sore loser.

PGHW "PRIDE" Tour, 13.04.1997

Ishikawa Industrial Exhibition Hall #1

709 Fans

[65]

Elite Series: Yoshimi Mushashibo [9] defeated Eisaku Hoshino [6] (15:48) with the Yoshimi Lock. [71]
Koji Kojima & Koki Ishibashi defeated Eisaku Kunomasu & Mamoru Nagahama (8:22) with the Koki Revolution from Ishibashi to Kunomasu. [56]
Amane Shunsen, Go Matsunaga & Hirokumi Saito defeated Kazuo Mitsushi, Koichi Kajiwara & Rico Santana (10:04) with the Shunsen Trap Legdrop from Shunsen to Santana. [41]
Gihei Kanesaka, Fukusaburu Inao, Harumi Okazawaya & Takesi Umehara defeated Ninsei Tanuma, Razor Valentine, Rolling Johnny Stones & Samurai Brown (9:32) with the Kanesaka Krush from Kanesaka to Brown. [50]
Elite Series: Mito Miwa [11] defeated Kimitada Yanagita [2] (12:28) with the Pride Bomber. [60]
Elite Series: Shuji Inukai [10] defeated Hayate Hasegawa [2] (12:23) with the Untouchable Lariat. [52]
Hito Ichihara & Koryusai Kitoaji defeated Dragon Agakawa & Nobuatsu Tatsuko (21:57) with the Roaring Elbow from Kitoaji to Agakawa. [66]
Elite Series: Dread [19] defeated Lee Wright [6] (9:10) with the Dread Bomb. [73]
Elite Series: Danger Kumasaka [14] vs. Yodo Nakane [13] - Time Limit Draw (30:00). [64]

Night 17 of the Elite Series was headlined by an at times slow match between veterans Danger Kumasaka and Yodo Nakane. Both really needed a win to stay in touch with the Elite Series leaders, but in a competitive bout had to settle for a point each. It makes qualifying for the final significantly harder.
The big story was the co-headliner, as Club Dread members Lee Wright and Dread battled it out. Wright looked nervous against his leader early in the bout, but after being shoved into the corner by Dread, Wright fired back with some right hands and looked to atone for his shock loss last night to Hasegawa. Ultimately, the Elite Series favourite proved too much - slamming Wright down with a Dread Bomb and getting the pinfall. In a rare show of concern, Dread helped his stable mate to his feet after the bout - Ray Diaz running out to calm any tension between the two of them.
Elsewhere, Ichihara & Kitoaji teamed up against Agakawa & Tatsuko in tag team action. There has been some tension between rivals Ichihara & Kitoaji of late, as Kitoaji has been critical of the Glory Crown Champions for being slow to come to his aid as he was being beaten down at the Hijemi Welfare Hall on Apr. 6 - something that ultimately prevented him from facing down Tatsuko the following night. The two spent much of this bout trying to "one-up" each other, before they put their differences aside as Kitoaji got the pinfall over Agakawa.

PGHW "PRIDE" Tour, 14.04.1997

Niigata City Gymnasium

636 Fans

[75]

Elite Series: Yodo Nakane [15] defeated Lee Wright [6] (13:34) with the Brainbuster Suplex. [68]
Gihei Kanesaka, Harumi Okazawaya, Koichi Kajiwara & Takesi Umehara defeated Go Matsunaga, Fukusaburu Inao, Java & Mamoru Nagahama (10:13) with the Facebuster Suplex from Umehara to Nagahama. [49]
Hayate Hasegawa, Shuji Inukai & Yoriie Ippitsusai defeated Razor Valentine, Rolling Johnny Stones & Samurai Brown (9:47) with the Untouchable Lariat from Inukai to Brown. [49]
Elite Series: Hito Ichihara [19] defeated Kimitada Yanagita (10:21) with the Head Drop Suplex. [60]
Elite Series: Danger Kumasaka [16] defeated Eisaku Hoshino [6] (13:58) with the Aurora Surfboard Vice. [65]
Dragon Agakawa, Eisaku Kunomasu, Ninsei Tanuma & Raymond Diaz defeated Amane Shunsen, Koji Kojima, Koki Ishibashi & Mito Miwa (12:50) with the Dragon Driver from Agakawa to Shunsen. [59]
Elite Series: Koryusai Kitoaji [19] defeated Yoshimi Mushashibo [9] (15:15) with the Roaring Elbow. [76]
Elite Series: Dread [21] defeated Nobuatsu Tatsuko [16] (26:26) with the Dread Bomb. [77]

As the series moves on, the quality of the matches continues to lift - this time with another two great matches at Niigata.
The headliners saw Dread move to 21 points with a competitive win over Nobuatsu Tatsuko, with Tatsuko's loss effectively putting an end to his hopes to sneaking into the final. It didn't come easy for Dread, though, as Tatsuko put up a hell of a fight. After 26 minutes, "The Iron Man" took a risk to try and put the big man down as he went to the top rope - only for Dread to catch him and end his night with a Dread Bomb. Still, it's been a heck of a series from Tatsuko who is winning himself a lot of fans.
Another great performance from Mushashibo, as he went toe-to-toe in a high octane showdown with Kitoaji. Still, it was Kitoaji who picked up the win as he remained in touch with Dread and Ichihara looking for a spot in the final.

PGHW "PRIDE" Tour, 15.04.1997

Koriyama Central Hall

571 Fans

[73]

Elite Series: Nobuatsu Tatsuko [18] defeated Kimitada Yanagita [2] (12:08) with the Tatsuko Driller. [63]
10-Man Battle Royal: Takesi Umehara won (15:2) by last eliminating Koki Ishibashi with a Facebuster Suplex. [46]
Eisaku Kunomasu, Eisaku Hoshino, Java & Ninsei Tanuma defeated Gihei Kanesaka, Hayate Hasegawa, Mamoru Nagahama & Yoriie Ippitsusai (9:51) with the Godzilla Plunge from Hoshino to Ippitsusai. [53]
Elite Series: Koryusai Kitoaji [21] defeated Shuji Inukai [10] (15:48) with the Roaring Elbow. [63]
Elite Series: Danger Kumasaka [18] defeated Lee Wright [6] (14:04) with the Aurora Surfboard Vice. [65]
Club Dread (Dread & Raymond Diaz) defeated Dragon Agakawa & Go Matsunaga (11:32) with the Ray Gun from Diaz to Matsunaga. [64]
Elite Series: Yodo Nakane [17] defeated Yoshimi Mushashibo [9] (22:15) with the Brainbuster Suplex. [72]
Elite Series: Hito Ichihara [21] defeated Mito Miwa [11] (20:06) with the Ichihara Armbar. [75]

Unbelievably, after 85 matches, we find ourselves with three men on the same number of points vying for a place in the final. Ichihara's win in the main event over Mito Miwa, another in a string of great singles matches for the Glory Crown Champion, meant that he moved to 21 points to join Dread and Kitoaji.
Earlier in the night, Kitoaji moved to 21 points with an easy win over Shuji Inukai, whose form has been very up-and-down this tournament. Still, it was an important win for the former Glory Crown Champion, with Inukai currently one half of the tag champions.
Elsewhere, veterans Danger Kumasaka and Yodo Nakane both picked up wins, but it's now officially too late for them as it is mathematically impossible for either of them to make the Elite Series final. A special shout out to Mushashibo who, despite again losing, put in a massive effort in defeat.
Finally, Takesi Umehara picked up a victory in the 10-man battle royal, last eliminating a game Koki Ishibashi with a Facebuster Suplex. The 31-year old is still seeking to make his mark in his second tour with PGHW, but perhaps this is a sign of bigger things with his biggest win to date.

</div>

AND THEN THERE WERE THREE...

Scottie · March 14, 2021

PGHW "PRIDE" Tour - Results, Night 20

<div style="padding: 15px; border: 3px solid #def6ff; margin:10px;background: #def6ff; max-width:60%;box-shadow: 0 1px 2px " ;"="">PGHW "PRIDE" Tour, 17.04.1997

Soka City Sports Gymnasium

731 Fans

[74]

Elite Series: Shuji Inukai [12] defeated Eisaku Hoshino [6] (12:18) with the Untouchable Lariat. [62]
Eisaku Kunomasu, Gihei Kanesaka, Ninsei Tanuma, Takesi Umehara & Yoriie Ippitsusai defeated Kazuo Mitsushi, Kimitada Yanagita, Koichi Kajiwara, Java & Samurai Brown (10:26) with the Facebuster Suplex from Umehara to Mitsushi. [50]
Elite Series: Yoshimi Mushashibo [11] defeated Dragon Agakawa [8] (16:23) with the Yoshimi Lock. [64]
Elite Series: Danger Kumasaka [19] vs. Nobuatsu Tatsuko [19] - Time Limit Draw (30:00). [58]
Elite Series: Koryusai Kitoaji [23] defeated Hayate Hasegawa [2] (8:16) with the Kitoaji Braindrop. [60]
Club Dread (Lee Wright & Raymond Diaz) defeated Koji Kojima & Koki Ishibashi (9:33) with the Wright Stuff from Wright to Kojima. [62]
Elite Series: Dread [23] defeated Mito Miwa [11] (11:52) with the Dreadsault. [81]
Elite Series: Hito Ichihara [23] defeated Yodo Nakane [17] (23:51) with the Triangle Choke. [73]

Well - what a finish! With six bouts, all the focus was on the final three as Kitoaji, Ichihara and Dread couldn't afford to put a foot wrong as they each sought to put forward their case for a spot in the final.
Kitoaji went first, and had very little trouble ending a very disappointing series for Hayate Hasegawa. It meant Kitoaji ended the tournament with just one defeat - a forfeit loss to Tatsuko following a brutal assault from Dread.
Dread was up next, and he joined Kitoaji on 23 points in an action-packed 12 minute match with Mito Miwa, in arguably the match of the tournament. Miwa has turned it out against the big names, and it was a classic little man vs. gai-jin monster as Dread put Miwa away with the Dreadsault.
So that brought it all down to Ichihara, who had the hardest of the night's bouts against one half of the tag champions, Yodo Nakane. In a high tension bout, Ichihara looked like he might run out of time - and with just over six minutes to go, found himself on the back foot against the veteran Nakane. But Nakane made a mistake and was caught incredibly in a deep triangle choke, forced to pass out by the PGHW Glory Crown Champion.
That left three men at the top of the leaderboard, equal on 23 points. Dread - flanked by Lee Wright and Ray Diaz - made his way out to the ring to confront Ichihara, and was closely followed by Kitoaji as confusion ensued - each man making his case for a spot in the final. That brought PGHW owner Saduharu Jimbo out for a rare appearance, where he announced that all three would compete in a round robin at PGHW "Night of PRIDE" for the privilege of becoming the winner of the first ever Elite Series! Jimbo announced that the winner of this "mini" Elite Series would take home the crown, and in the event of a tie the crown would go to whoever exhibited the attributes of Pride, Glory and Honor in their performances. Ichihara and Kitoaji seemed pleased by that announcement, but Dread looked enraged and stormed to the back with his fellow "Club Dread" members! [80]

</div>

<div style="padding: 15px; border: 3px solid #000000; margin:10px;background: #d2d3d4; max-width:60%;box-shadow: 0 1px 2px " ;"="">PGHW “Night of PRIDE" Tour, 19.04.1997 (STV)

Tokyo Nippon Budokan

Historical Japan Title: Nobuatsu Tatsuko © vs. Takesi Umehara
Kazuo Mitsushi, Kimitada Yanagita & Koichi Kajiwara vs. Harumi Okazawaya, Rolling Johnny Stones & Samurai Brown
Danger Kumasaka, Koji Kojima & Koki Ishibashi vs. Fukusaburu Inao, Go Matsunaga & Ninsei Tanuma
Gihei Kanesaka, Shuji Inukai & Yodo Nakane vs. Dragon Agakawa, Eisaku Hoshino & Eisaku Kunomasu
Club Dread (Lee Wright & Raymond Diaz) & Java vs. Hayate Hasegawa, Mito Miwa & Yoshimi Mushashibo
Elite Series - Final (Round Robin Match #1): Dread vs. Hito Ichihara
Elite Series - Final (Round Robin Match #2): Dread vs. Koryusai Kitoaji
Elite Series - Final (Round Robin Match #3): Koryusai Kitoaji vs. Hito Ichihara

</div>

Golden Guard M · March 14, 2021

Six great shows, I look forward to seeing which of the three gets the Elite Series win. I'm not as confident in my choice of going against Dread now, but we shall see!

Historian · March 14, 2021

PGHW “Night of PRIDE" Tour, 19.04.1997 (STV)

Tokyo Nippon Budokan

Historical Japan Title: Nobuatsu Tatsuko © vs. Takesi Umehara

Kazuo Mitsushi, Kimitada Yanagita & Koichi Kajiwara vs. Harumi Okazawaya, Rolling Johnny Stones & Samurai Brown

Danger Kumasaka, Koji Kojima & Koki Ishibashi vs. Fukusaburu Inao, Go Matsunaga & Ninsei Tanuma

Gihei Kanesaka, Shuji Inukai & Yodo Nakane vs. Dragon Agakawa, Eisaku Hoshino & Eisaku Kunomasu

Club Dread (Lee Wright & Raymond Diaz) & Java vs. Hayate Hasegawa, Mito Miwa & Yoshimi Mushashibo

Elite Series - Final (Round Robin Match #1): Dread vs. Hito Ichihara

Elite Series - Final (Round Robin Match #2): Dread vs. Koryusai Kitoaji

Elite Series - Final (Round Robin Match #3): Koryusai Kitoaji vs. Hito Ichihara

Golden Guard M · March 15, 2021

<p>I've corrected my last post. That'll teach me not to comment on Dynasties when I'm tired. Apologies for any confusion. I'm looking forward to the Round Robin Final, you've done a great job of booking this tournament and I'm sure the ending will deliver on the solid build. As you can see from my predictions, I'm not confident enough to bet against Dread at this point! </p><p> </p><p>

PGHW “Night of PRIDE" Tour, 19.04.1997 (STV)</p><p>

Tokyo Nippon Budokan</p><p> </p><p>

Historical Japan Title: <strong>Nobuatsu Tatsuko ©</strong> vs. Takesi Umehara</p><p>

<strong>Kazuo Mitsushi, Kimitada Yanagita & Koichi Kajiwara</strong> vs. Harumi Okazawaya, Rolling Johnny Stones & Samurai Brown</p><p>

<strong>Danger Kumasaka, Koji Kojima & Koki Ishibashi </strong> vs. Fukusaburu Inao, Go Matsunaga & Ninsei Tanuma</p><p>

<strong>Gihei Kanesaka, Shuji Inukai & Yodo Nakane </strong>vs. Dragon Agakawa, Eisaku Hoshino & Eisaku Kunomasu</p><p>

<strong>Club Dread (Lee Wright & Raymond Diaz) & Java</strong> vs. Hayate Hasegawa, Mito Miwa & Yoshimi Mushashibo</p><p>

Elite Series - Final (Round Robin Match #1): <strong>Dread </strong>vs. Hito Ichihara</p><p>

Elite Series - Final (Round Robin Match #2):<strong> Dread</strong> vs. Koryusai Kitoaji</p><p>

Elite Series - Final (Round Robin Match #3): Koryusai Kitoaji vs. <strong>Hito Ichihara</strong></p>

Scottie · March 21, 2021

PGHW “Night of PRIDE”

19 April 1997 - Tokyo, Japan

_______________________________________________

SIX-MAN TAG TEAM MATCH

Kazuo Mitsushi, Kimitada Yanagita & Koichi Kajiwara vs. Harumi Okazawaya, Rolling Johnny Stones & Samurai Brown

A short but fiery bout to start, with Yanagita looking to take some of his learnings from the Elite Series as he teamed up with the veteran Mitsushi and his young partner Kajiwara. Despite a spirited display from the young Brit Rolling Johnny Stones, the makeshift team of Okazawaya, Brown and Stones never really stood a chance - Yanagita crunching Samurai Brown with his Yanagita Crush to pick up the win for his team.

Kazuo Mitsushi, Kimitada Yanagita & Koichi Kajiwara defeated Harumi Okazawaya, Rolling Johnny Stones & Samurai Brown (7:12) with the Yanagita Crush from Yanagita to Brown. [51]

_______________________________________________

SIX-MAN TAG TEAM MATCH

Gihei Kanesaka, Shuji Inukai & Yodo Nakane vs. Dragon Agakawa, Eisaku Hoshino & Eisaku Kunomasu

A star-studded contest in the night’s second bout, as Dragon Agakawa teamed up with former tag title contenders Hoshino and Kunomasu against the reigning PGHW Glory Tag Crown Champions Inukai & Nakane and former contender Gihei Kanesaka. The match took a while to get going, with Inukai spending much of the bout in distress as Agakawa, Hoshino and Kunomasu took turns on applying a beating. He eventually fought back to tag in his partner Nakane who briefly took control, before he was struck from the outside by Hoshino on the apron as Nakane looked to bounce off the ropes. A decent match ebbed and flowed from there before heating up at the end, as Hoshino picked up the win for his side with a Godzilla Plunge on former tag title contender Kanesaka.

Dragon Agakawa, Eisaku Hoshino & Eisaku Kunomasu defeated Gihei Kanesaka, Shuji Inukai & Yodo Nakane (19:56) with the Godzilla Plunge from Hoshino to Kanesaka. [65]

_______________________________________________

PGHW HISTORICAL JAPAN TITLE

Nobuatsu Tatsuko © vs. Takesi Umehara

The charismatic Takesi Umehara has been on a roll this tour with a series of wins in multi-man action that culminated in a battle royal win in Koriyama on Apr. 15. He came out in a typically flamboyant costume - dressed as a phoenix no less - which clearly left the defending champion unimpressed. In a hard-hitting and fast-paced match, Umehara never really stood a chance as Tatsuko continued his impressive Elite Series form, retaining the title with his Tatsuko Driller. He looked aggrieved after the bout, and after 25 defences thinks he deserves bigger challenges

PGHW Historical Japan Title: Nobuatsu Tatsuko © defeated Takesi Umehara (9:58) with the Tatsuko Driller (25th defence). [61]

_______________________________________________

SIX-MAN TAG TEAM MATCH

Danger Kumasaka, Koji Kojima & Koki Ishibashi vs. Fukusaburu Inao, Go Matsunaga & Ninsei Tanuma

Not a lot in this bout to write home about - there was little doubt of the winning side here, with Kumasaka’s team coming home with the win. He had little involvement himself due to recent injuries, but set up the win with a vertical suplex on Inao which allowed Kojima to hit a Moonsault for the win.

Danger Kumasaka, Koji Kojima & Koki Ishibashi defeated Fukusaburu Inao, Go Matsunaga & Ninsei Tanuma (10:14) with a Moonsault from Kojima to Inao. [51]

_______________________________________________

SIX-MAN TAG TEAM MATCH

Club Dread (Lee Wright & Raymond Diaz) & Java vs. Hayate Hasegawa, Mito Miwa & Yoshimi Mushashibo

The last of the multi-man action saw a fearsome gai-jin team of Wright, Diaz & Java take on Elite Series trio Hasegawa, Miwa and Mushashibo. There was an at times uneasy understanding between Java and the Club Dread duo, with Wright and Diaz looking hesitant at times with the wild Indonesian grappler in their corner. In contrast, Hasegawa, Miwa and Mushashibo looked on the same page and combined well at times to put the foreign trio on the back foot. An entertaining back-and-forth bout culminated as Hasegawa, looking to put his disappointing Elite Series behind him, had Diaz stunned with some rope-assisted moves. But after going up for a top rope manoeuvre, he was momentarily distracted by Wright on the apron which gave Diaz enough time to slam him down to the mat. With Miwa and Mushashibo prevented from coming to his assistance, Diaz lifted a hapless Hasegawa off the mat with a single hand before planting him again with a chokeslam for the win.

Club Dread (Lee Wright & Raymond Diaz) & Java defeated Hayate Hasegawa, Mito Miwa & Yoshimi Mushashibo (16:32) with a Choke Slam from Diaz to Hasegawa. [70]

_______________________________________________

ELITE SERIES - FINAL (ROUND ROBIN MATCH #1)

Koryusai Kitoaji vs. Hito Ichihara

A surprise twist, as the night’s most hotly contested bout was up next. Sometimes partners and perennial arch rivals Kitoaji and Ichihara met for the second time since their championship bout in December, with both looking to make their case to become the inaugural PGHW Elite Series winner. In December’s bout, it was Ichihara who bested his former BHOTWG opponent in a classic, while in the Elite Series the two had to share the points in a time limit draw.

This time, in Tokyo, both came out of the gates warily in a slow start which saw each exchange periods of control. It was Kitoaji, however, who made the first move as he ducked under a clothesline attempt from Ichihara and hit back a picture perfect high angle German Suplex. This started a string of suplexes from the former PGHW Glory Crown Champion, who quickly had the champion reeling.

Ichihara needed something to work his way back into the match, and found an opening as he reversed an attempted piledriver with a back body drop of his own. But it felt like neither man was able to really kick into gear, as the two clearly knew each other so well and were able to reverse each other’s most dangerous moves.

As the minutes ticked on, the crowd’s investment in the match grew. Ichihara soon found himself in control of the bout, working Kitoaji over on the mat with a series of painful looking folks, but Kitoaji soon assumed control for himself with a pair of heavy knee blocks which he promptly followed up with a leg-lock which kept Ichihara in agony for a prolonged period. Ichihara eventually found his way free, but he was clearly encumbered by the focus on his leg - which only prompted Kitoaji to focus even more punishment on the champion’s damaged limb.

With time running out, both men started to lift the pace, and despite his obvious pain Ichihara had Kitoaji in trouble in the corner with some vicious strikes of his own. But it was Kitoaji who seemed to find a path to victory - Ichihara’s knee giving way in his attempted Head Drop Suplex, which gave Kitoaji the opening to follow up with a thundering knee to his face for a two count. Kitoaji soon after looked for his patented Roaring Elbow but narrowly missed - only for both men to rebound off the ropes with simultaneous clotheslines. That left both men down and out on the mat, as time - again - ran out and the crowd was finally able to take a breath.

found himself caught off-guard by some searing strikes from Ichihara who - despite the state of his leg - was building up a head of steam. But it was Kitoaji who seemed to find a path to victory, squirrelling his way out of a Head Drop Suplex and taking Ichihara down with a thundering knee to the face. Kitoaji had Ichihara primed with his patented Roaring Elbow, only for Ichihara to roll underneath - both men rebounding off the ropes with simultaneous clotheslines. That left both men down on the mat as time - again - ran out.

Koryusai Kitoaji [1] vs. Hito Ichihara [1] - Time Limit Draw (30:00). [76]

_______________________________________________

ELITE SERIES - FINAL (ROUND ROBIN MATCH #2)

Dread vs. Hito Ichihara

Almost immediately after the bell of the preceding match, the opportunistic Dread came rushing out for his bout with Ichihara. He came into the ring and hurled Kitoaji through the ropes and out of the ring, calling for the referee to start the next match. Dread promptly lifted a nearly unconscious Ichihara up for the Dread Bomb - only for Ichihara to somehow lock in a Triangle Choke in a repeat of their bout at “Night of RESPECT” on Jan. 23!

After a struggle, Dread managed to pound his way free against the fatigued Ichihara. He was clearly both shocked and angered as he started to put a real beating into Ichihara in the corner and soon had him bloodied. The crowd was clearly furious with the gai-jin monster, which was met by some choice words from the disrespectful bruiser.

But with Dread’s focus diverted to the crowd, Ichihara struggled to his feet and managed to avoid the next thrust from Dread - fighting back with some heavy punches and kicks. This had the crowd in raptures, and they could scarcely believe their eyes as he ducked under a lumbering clothesline from the rattled Dread, hitting a backdrop for a one count.

Growing in confidence, Ichihara looked to put Dread away with his Head Drop Suplex, but for the second time tonight his leg gave way. This was all Dread needed as he made sure there would be no repeat of Jan. 23, nailing Ichihara with two successive Dread Bomb’s for the victory, ensuring that the PGHW Glory Crown Champion would not walk home as the winner of the inaugural Elite Series.

Dread [2] defeated Hito Ichihara [1] (10:10) with the Dread Bomb. [69]

_______________________________________________

ELITE SERIES - FINAL

Dread vs. Koryusai Kitoaji

Ichihara’s loss meant that the Elite Series would be decided, finally, in a showdown between Dread and Koryusai Kitoaji.

It was no secret that the two men did not like each other - both in the ring and backstage. Their only singles meeting in PGHW to date had occurred Apr. 6, where Kitoaji picked up the win with a Sunset Flip - only to be ambushed after the bout by an enraged Dread. His beatdown was so bad that he was medically unable to compete the following night, resulting in his only loss of the Elite Series and - potentially - costing him a chance at an outright victory.

Kitoaji had scarcely had a rest since his exhausting showdown with Ichihara, and that clearly gave Dread confidence as he spent the opening portions of their bout almost mocking the smaller man. He knew he needed only a draw or a win to claim the title, and wasn’t afraid to waste time.

Kitoaji, though, was clearly not going to accept that, and he quickly had Dread on the retreat with some searing strikes and grappling that ultimately forced the big man through the ropes and to the outside. A shocked Dread slammed the mat in frustration, before nearly taking his full twenty seconds to regain his composure and return to the ring.

There was little scope for the match to ebb and flow, as Kitoaji - needing a victory to win the series - kept the pressure on. The big American started to find his feet against his faster opponent, and assumed control with a massive shoulder charge that sent Kitoaji crashing to the mat. In a show of real strength, he then lifted Kitoaji over his head and dropped him crashing to the outside. To a strongly negative reaction from the crowd, Dread followed Kitoaji out side and slammed him again hard on the ground, before rolling him into the ring for a near fall.

As the match progressed, Dread continued to control, but a momentary lapse was all Kitoaji needed. With the veteran Japanese fighter in the corner, Dread charged - only for Kitoaji to evade the charging Dread at the last second, sending the big man crashing into the corner. A weary Kitoaji then worked his way back into control with some fearsome strikes and then - to everyone’s amazement - managed to hit a judo throw to put the much bigger man down!

Kitoaji motioned to the crowd for his patented Roaring Elbow - bouncing off the ropes and again knocking Dread down with an elbow to the draw. A breathless crowd counted along - but the monster kicked out! Kitoaji could scarcely believe it, but with time starting to run short he needed to act fast - going to the top rope in the hopes of hitting Dread with more power. But the big man staggered to his feet slowly enough to regain his wits, dodging the roaring elbow and collecting Kitoaji with an enormous clothesline! Motioning that he was about to finish the match, Dread lifted the hapless Kitoaji with a devastating Dread Bomb to pick up the win!

Dread [4] defeated Koryusai Kitaoji [1] (22:11) with the Dread Bomb to win the 1997 Elite Series. [76]

_______________________________________________

After the match, PGHW president Sadaharu Jimbo came to ringside carrying a large trophy. He started off by congratulating Dread on a hard-fought series, and began to talk about the honor of winning the inaugural competition. In a sign of ultimate disrespect, Dread interrupted Jimbo and announced he’d heard enough from the president, and announced he planned to was to put things right by claiming the Glory Crown - and putting an end to Ichihara’s career. A solemn looking Jimbo watched on as Dread was joined by fellow Club Dread members Wright & Diaz in some unseemly celebrations to end the night. [87]</div>

<div style="padding: 15px; border: 3px solid #000000; margin:10px;background: #9cd2e6; max-width:60%;box-shadow: 0 1px 2px " ;"="">PGHW “Night of PRIDE", 19.04.1997 (STV)

Tokyo Nippon Budokan

5,737 Fans

195,536 Viewers (0.26)

[75]

Kazuo Mitsushi, Kimitada Yanagita & Koichi Kajiwara defeated Harumi Okazawaya, Rolling Johnny Stones & Samurai Brown (7:12) with the Yanagita Crush from Yanagita to Brown. [51]
Dragon Agakawa, Eisaku Hoshino & Eisaku Kunomasu defeated Gihei Kanesaka, Shuji Inukai & Yodo Nakane (19:56) with the Godzilla Plunge from Hoshino to Kanesaka. [65]
PGHW Historical Japan Title: Nobuatsu Tatsuko © defeated Takesi Umehara (9:58) with the Tatsuko Driller (25th defence). [61]
Danger Kumasaka, Koji Kojima & Koki Ishibashi defeated Fukusaburu Inao, Go Matsunaga & Ninsei Tanuma (10:14) with a Moonsault from Kojima to Inao. [51]
Club Dread (Lee Wright & Raymond Diaz) & Java defeated Hayate Hasegawa, Mito Miwa & Yoshimi Mushashibo (16:32) with a Choke Slam from Diaz to Hasegawa.
Elite Series - Final (Round Robin Match #1): Koryusai Kitoaji [1] vs. Hito Ichihara [1] - Time Limit Draw (30:00). [76]
Elite Series - Final (Round Robin Match #2): Dread [2] defeated Hito Ichihara [1] (10:10) with the Dread Bomb. [69]
Elite Series - Final (Round Robin Match #3): Dread [4] defeated Koryusai Kitaoji [1] (22:11) with the Dread Bomb to win the 1997 Elite Series. [76]

</div>

CGN91 · March 21, 2021

Man I totally overlooked this diary. Love it so far! I always wanted to give PGHW a try but never did unfortunately. I like the aesthetics and slickness of your presentation and the renders are awesome, too.

Scottie · March 24, 2021

1997 ELITE SERIES REVIEW

<td style="width: 100px;"> </td><td style="width: 156.033px;"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/gjVxEFk.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" /></td><td style="text-align: left; vertical-align: top;"><strong>DREAD | 11-1-1 (2-0 Finals)</strong>

A sensational performance from the American giant, who managed to beat both Kitoaji and Ichihara in one night to claim the crown. The big man dominated the field, although some will still say there is an asterisk against his win - his loss against Kitoaji during the group stage and subsequent decision to beat the fire out of the local hero forced Kitoaji to forfeit his next bout and to fight two bouts in the Elite Series final. Still, it puts the "Club Dread" leader at the top of the title contenders list, although he and his cronies clearly aggrieved some local fighters along the way. Another testament to his good performances - for many wrestlers, he was involved in their best match of the tournament.

TOURNAMENT HIGHLIGHT: Beating Ichihara and Kitoaji on one night to claim the Elite Series.

HIGHEST RATED MATCH: vs. Mito Miwa, Apr. 17 [81]

_______</span></p></td><td style="width: 100px;"> </td></tr><tr><td style="width: 100px;"> </td><td style="width: 156.033px;"><p><img src="https://i.imgur.com/WbmJXRc.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" /></p></td><td style="text-align: left; vertical-align: top;"><br /><strong>KORYUSAI KITOAJI | 11-1-1 (0-1-1 Finals)</strong>

A stunning tournament from Kitoaji, who made it through the group stages with just two "blemishes" on his record - a draw with rival Ichihara, and a forfeit loss to Tatsuko following a shocking beatdown at the hands of Dread. It was easily the best form shown by Kitoaji all year, having been unsuccessful in his shot at the tag titles earlier this year. He will feel aggrieved he didn't win this competition, but confident he will remain in title contention.

TOURNAMENT HIGHLIGHT: Upsetting Dread in Hijemi on Apr. 6.

HIGHEST RATED MATCH: vs. Dread, Apr. 19 [76]

_______</td> <td style="width: 100px;"> </td></tr><tr><td style="width: 100px;"> </td><td style="width: 156.033px;"><p><img src="https://i.imgur.com/KHgEUnD.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" /></p></td><td style="text-align: left; vertical-align: top;"><br /><strong>HITO ICHIHARA | 10-0-3 (0-1-1 Finals)</strong>

The defending Glory Crown Champion's tournament was marked by a series of excellent and long performances, although he will be disappointed with his inability to finish three bouts in the group stage (vs. Kitoaji, Dread and Kumasaka) which could have cost him an outright win. His only defeat in the tournament was a mauling at the hands of Dread, but that occurred just minutes after his gruelling affair with rival Kitoaji. He can be expected to do better next time.

TOURNAMENT HIGHLIGHT: His must-win victory over Yodo Nakane on the penultimate night of the tour to force a three-way play-off in Tokyo.

HIGHEST RATED MATCH: vs. Dread, Apr. 12 [79]

_______</td> <td style="width: 100px;"> </td></tr><tr><td style="width: 100px;"> </td><td style="width: 156.033px;"><p><img src="https://i.imgur.com/pOADF9I.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" /></p></td><td style="text-align: left; vertical-align: top;"><br /><strong>NOBUATSU TATSUKO | 9-3-1</strong>

"The Iron Man" arguably had his breakout display with nine wins and a draw in a stunning tournament. The 26-year old has been Historical Japan champion for nearly three years, but showed for the first time he has what it takes to hang with the big boys. While he picked up some big wins, arguably his bravest performance came against Dread as he lasted more than 26 minutes before losing a thriller. He would have been very disappointed with his shock loss against Lee Wright.

TOURNAMENT HIGHLIGHT: His win over the veteran Yodo Nakane in televised action on Apr. 2.

HIGHEST RATED MATCH: vs. Dread, Apr. 14 [77]

_______</td> <td style="width: 100px;"> </td></tr><tr><td style="width: 100px;"> </td><td style="width: 156.033px;"><p><img src="https://i.imgur.com/LmkeZUe.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" /></p></td><td style="text-align: left; vertical-align: top;"><br /><strong>DANGER KUMASAKA | 8-2-3</strong>

The PGHW head booker arguably couldn't help himself, as he was near the top of the leaderboard throughout - although, in his defence, he never really challenged the big three. At 43 years of age, Kumasaka showed some signs of weariness by the end of the tour and a niggling rib injury kept him to a very limited role in multi-man action at the tour finale. Still, he produced some good results - including a time limit draw with Ichihara.

TOURNAMENT HIGHLIGHT: Going the journey in his rematch with Ichihara on Apr. 7.

HIGHEST RATED MATCH: vs. Dread, Mar. 29 [72]

_______</td> <td style="width: 100px;"> </td></tr><tr><td style="width: 100px;"> </td><td style="width: 156.033px;"><p><img src="https://i.imgur.com/qtaByN4.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" /></p></td><td style="text-align: left; vertical-align: top;"><br /><strong>YODO NAKANE | 8-4-1</strong>

It took a while for the former CGC bruiser to hit his stride, but Nakane ended up in the top echelon of wrestlers after a late charge to the final that fell short. After a shock defeat to Tatsuko (who, behind the scenes, we understand Nakane asked to put over), he picked up a string of wins over the likes of Hoshino, fellow tag champion Inukai and Hasegawa. It could have been very different for him had he managed to eek out a win over Kumasaka or upset Ichihara, but it wasn't to be this time.

TOURNAMENT HIGHLIGHT: His tournament was marked by a string of great performances, but his bouts against Tatsuko (a loss) and Yoshimi Mushashibo (a win) provided a real glimpse into the future.

HIGHEST RATED MATCH: vs. Dread, Mar. 22 [78]

_______</td> <td style="width: 100px;"> </td></tr><tr><td style="width: 100px;"> </td><td style="width: 156.033px;"><p><img src="https://i.imgur.com/sXiv4nc.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" /></p></td><td style="text-align: left; vertical-align: top;"><br /><strong>SHUJI INUKAI | 6-7</strong>

Now 25, "The Untouchable" Shuji Inukai should be coming into his prime. But while his contemporary Tatsuko produced some impressive results, Inukai would have been disappointed with his up-and-down tournament. The Glory Tag Crown Champion played it safe a lot of the tournament, never really seeming to threaten and ending up with a losing record overall. With the exception of an action-packed televised slugfest against Dread, his matches overall were pretty uninspiring and he wasn't given the same scope to shine like Miwa and Mushashibo.

TOURNAMENT HIGHLIGHT: Beating Club Dread's Lee Wright on Apr. 10, in a continuation of his and Nakane's rivalry with Wright and Diaz.

HIGHEST RATED MATCH: vs. Dread, Apr. 2 [73]

_______</td> <td style="width: 100px;"> </td></tr><tr><td style="width: 100px;"> </td><td style="width: 156.033px;"><p><img src="https://i.imgur.com/miPAtSY.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" /></p></td><td style="text-align: left; vertical-align: top;"><br /><strong>MITO MIWA | 5-7-1</strong>

Although not as successful as Inukai, "The Pride Warrior" Mito Miwa produced a great campaign which was full of some of the best bouts - including the best PGHW bout of the year, a 12 minute classic of sorts against Dread. Although he only walked away with five wins (including over Inukai), that included some breathtaking displays against the likes of Kitoaji, Ichihara and Tatsuko. There were also rumours he was meant to beat Agakawa on Apr. 10, but the veteran (already unhappy with his performances) pulled rank.

TOURNAMENT HIGHLIGHT: His string of great bouts against top contenders.

HIGHEST RATED MATCH: vs. Dread, Apr. 17 [81]

_______</td> <td style="width: 100px;"> </td></tr><tr><td style="width: 100px;"> </td><td style="width: 156.033px;"><p><img src="https://i.imgur.com/WvAznvI.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" /></p></td><td style="text-align: left; vertical-align: top;"><br /><strong>YOSHIMI MUSHASHIBO | 5-7-1</strong>

Mushashibo had the same record as his current partner Miwa, and like Miwa produced some great performances throughout the tournament even if the results didn't match. He took the likes of Dread, Ichihara, Nakane and Tatsuko past twenty minutes - and while he was unsuccessful on those occasions, his bravery and passion won him a great many fans. He finished his series with an upset of sorts against Dragon Agakawa, ending on 11 points. He also debuted a new finisher - an Ankle Lock - to good effect.

TOURNAMENT HIGHLIGHT: His brave losses to Dread, Ichihara and Nakane, along with his win over Club Dread's Lee Wright.

HIGHEST RATED MATCH: vs. Dread, Apr. 4 [77]

_______</td> <td style="width: 100px;"> </td></tr><tr><td style="width: 100px;"> </td><td style="width: 156.033px;"><p><img src="https://i.imgur.com/top76Yp.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" /></p></td><td style="text-align: left; vertical-align: top;"><br /><strong>DRAGON AGAKAWA | 4-9</strong>

At 52 years of age, Judai "Dragon" Agakawa showed he has slowed down significantly, with a disappointing performance - both in terms of results and match quality. Most of his year this year has been hampered by a back injury, but reports were he was feeling fresh this tour. His matches were mainly short, and while he put over a number of stars many backstage felt aggrieved by his refusal to put over Mito Miwa.

TOURNAMENT HIGHLIGHT: His win over Mito Miwa was his most impressive, closely followed by an ugly scrap against Lee Wright.

HIGHEST RATED MATCH: vs. Yoshimi Mushashibo, Apr. 17 [64]

_______</td> <td style="width: 100px;"> </td></tr><tr><td style="width: 100px;"> </td><td style="width: 156.033px;"><p><img src="https://i.imgur.com/449Kkyw.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" /></p></td><td style="text-align: left; vertical-align: top;"><br /><strong>EISAKU HOSHINO | 3-10</strong>

A very disappointing tournament from the youngster as he looked to make his first steps outside of the tag division - and without the help of his partner Eisaku Kunomasu. Despite his undoubted talent, he never really got to show it throughout this tour as he competed in mainly short, undercard matches. Still, there were signs of the future in entertaining bouts against fellow young aces Miwa and Mushashibo.

TOURNAMENT HIGHLIGHT: His win over Dragon Agakawa, nailing the veteran with a Godzilla Plunge. Closely followed by his defeats in entertaining televised bouts vs. Ichihara and Miwa.

HIGHEST RATED MATCH: vs. Mito Miwa, Mar. 30 [72]

_______</td> <td style="width: 100px;"> </td></tr><tr><td style="width: 100px;"> </td><td style="width: 156.033px;"><p><img src="https://i.imgur.com/DhcxLRi.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" /></p></td><td style="text-align: left; vertical-align: top;"><br /><strong>LEE WRIGHT | 3-10</strong>

A very rough and very unpredictable tournament from the former PGHW Glory Crown Tag Champion. Despite being talked up as a singles threat, the 39-year old produced a series of short and uninspired matches. His biggest ones were the upsets: a stunning win over Nobuatsu Tatsuko to effectively end "The Iron Man's" dream, and a shock loss to Hayate Hasegawa. He also put in a good display against his leader Dread.

TOURNAMENT HIGHLIGHT: His shock win over the clearly exhausted Nobuatsu Tatsuko on Apr. 4.

HIGHEST RATED MATCH: vs. Dread, Apr. 13 [73]

_______</td> <td style="width: 100px;"> </td></tr><tr><td style="width: 100px;"> </td><td style="width: 156.033px;"><p><img src="https://i.imgur.com/tIW6mIv.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" /></p></td><td style="text-align: left; vertical-align: top;"><br /><strong>KIMITADA YANAGITA | 1-12</strong>

A very hard tournament for Yanagita. "The Dog of War" has had a reasonably successful year, and his call up to the Elite Series showed that Jimbo and Kumasaka have faith in him. He produced some reasonable performances, with his best coming against Kitoaji, Mushashibo and Tatsuko.

TOURNAMENT HIGHLIGHT: His only win: vs. Hayate Hasegawa.

HIGHEST RATED MATCH: vs. Koryusai Kitoaji, Apr. 12 [70]

_______</td><td style="width: 100px;"> </td></tr><tr><td style="width: 100px;"> </td><td style="width: 156.033px;"><p><img src="https://i.imgur.com/W4ktYOY.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" /></p></td><td style="text-align: left; vertical-align: top;"><br /><strong>HAYATE HASEGAWA | 1-12</strong>

Definitely one of the most disappointing performances this tour. The veteran has had a good year, with a string of wins and some high profile bouts. But he didn't bring it this series, and at 45 years old questions must now be asked about his longevity - particularly in a long-form tournament like this. He picked up just the one win, over Lee Wright in an upset to avoid the bagel.

TOURNAMENT HIGHLIGHT: His only win: vs. Lee Wright.

HIGHEST RATED MATCH: vs. Yoshimi Mushashibo, Mar. 23 [67]

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Woof - a long tour finally in the bag. Some amazing performances by Dread, who put together some quite exceptional performances throughout the tour. He was involved in the best match for nine out of the twelve other competitors! Also some great displays from Tatsuko, Miwa and Mushashibo, while Kitoaji (who is annoyingly carrying a long term injury still) and Ichihara were very solid and turned it on near the end. I'm a bit frustrated by Inukai and Hoshino, who should be in the same bracket as Tatsuko, Miwa and Mushashibo but aren't quite there yet.

Scottie · March 24, 2021

Man I totally overlooked this diary. Love it so far! I always wanted to give PGHW a try but never did unfortunately. I like the aesthetics and slickness of your presentation and the renders are awesome, too.

Thank you, I appreciate the feedback. Your diary (and ability to tell great stories!) has been something I've enjoyed for a long time.

kanegan · March 24, 2021

Fantastic Elite Series and a great review post. I am loving this one and your graphics as always looks cool.

Historian · March 24, 2021

Great elite series. I really enjoyed it and I'm glad Big Van Dread got the win.

Golden Guard M · March 24, 2021

Congratulations on concluding a superb Elite Series! Fantastic Final+I enjoyed reading the overall Review also. Dread not only dominated the field but the match ratings as well. It'll be interesting to see if he does go on to claim the Glory Crown.

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