Scottie Posted May 5, 2021 Share Posted May 5, 2021 The level of effort that goes into these shows is unbelievable, GGM. I’ll confess I don’t necessary read them all, but the ones I real are uniformly excellent! I love how you manage to tell stories right across the card, and I’m particularly enjoying the Tatsuko story (surely there’s still some life in The Iron Man)! Keep it up!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Golden Guard M Posted May 5, 2021 Author Share Posted May 5, 2021 The level of effort that goes into these shows is unbelievable, GGM. I’ll confess I don’t necessary read them all, but the ones I real are uniformly excellent! I love how you manage to tell stories right across the card, and I’m particularly enjoying the Tatsuko story (surely there’s still some life in The Iron Man)! Keep it up!! Thank you so much for the kind words Scottie. I know my shows are detailed (overly so at times) so I fully appreciate anyone who takes the time to read what I put out, whether it's one show or just one match. Just as long as people think I'm doing an alright job! This community has a huge choice of quality Dynasties right now, your great PGHW Origins(-ish) Dynasty being one of them. I consider myself to still be finding my feet and I do 2nd guess myself at times with my output, so it's a real boost to receive feedback from respected writers such as yourself. Speaking of which, I also want to thank Historian for his continued support of my content! This is 100% a story driven dynasty (let's face it, if it was about the match ratings, I'd have given up after the first show most likely ) From a storytelling aspect, I'm looking forward to putting out the next few shows. You can expect to see some of the stories that have been bubbling underneath for sometime finally erupt and hit the surface! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Golden Guard M Posted May 10, 2021 Author Share Posted May 10, 2021 <blockquote style=”background-color:#FFFFFF;color:black;border-style:solid;border-width:4px;border-color:#000000;max-width:1000px;”> PGHW PRIDE Tour Day #12 Friday, Week 2, March 2018 Hofu Arena (Chugoku) Show Rating: 49 Attendance: 787 (Highlights provided by Shogun TV) Match No. 1 BLOCK A Preview Six Man Tag VS. Eien Miyamoto & The American Cobras vs. Kazushige Matsuki & European All-Stars 20-minute time limit This opening Six Man Tag served to give the 787 in attendance a preview of the important BLOCK A bout that is set for Sunday’s PGHW Pride Tour Day #13. The outcome of the Day #13 bout between Eien Miyamoto and Kazushige Matsuki creates the possibility for a TIED LEAD to end the final day of BLOCK A action. That’s if Eien Miyamoto can defeat Kazushige Matsuki and move to 12 POINTS. Should Kazushige Matsuki defeat Miyamoto, this will automatically make Chojiro Kitoaji (who already has 12 points, with the possibility of moving to 14) the guaranteed SOLO Leader and Winner of BLOCK A . Showing no fear in the early going, the ever arrogant Eien Miyamoto was more than eager to engage with his upcoming Elite Series opponent. The early exchanges didn’t go in Miyamoto’s favour however. The confident aura that Miyamoto had projected just moments before was erased when the much bigger Kazushige Matsuki stopped an incoming attack from his lighter framed opponent via a simple shove. This shove sent Eien Miyamoto flying across the canvas, straight down onto his backside. Finding himself sat on the canvas, and looking up to the towering sight of the now smiling Kazushige Matsuki, the egotistical Eien Miyamoto tried and failed to mask the embarrassment he felt. In the minutes that followed, Eien Miyamoto exercised more caution with Kazushige Matsuki. The self-proclaimed “Puppet Master” was no longer rushing in with his attacks. Miyamoto instead started to play cat and mouse games with his 6’5 opposition. PGHW fans will recall how Eien Miyamoto employed a similar strategy in his rivalry with PGHW Owner Nobuatsu Tatsuko at various points. While these tactics weren’t new, it didn’t make them any less annoying, both for the fans and for Kazushige Matsuki. Just when it looked like Eien Miyamoto was going to stand his ground and once again grapple with Kazushige Matsuki, “The Puppet Master” quickly side stepped, allowing for Kazushige Matsuki to become a temporary victim of an illegal 2-on-1 attack from Marvel Malloy and Storm Spillane of The American Cobras. Seeing what was happening to their teammate, both Irwin Gutmann and Pavel Vanzycha of European All-Stars quickly entered the ring to even up the odds. A wild 3-on-3 brawl then broke out, with Referee Shihei Nagano having to threaten to throw the match out, before finally managing to get some semblance of order back. After a portion of the match which saw more interaction between the firmly established rival duos of The American Cobras and European All-Stars, the later action came down to Marvel Malloy and Kazushige Matsuki. In an attempt from Malloy to hold his own with his much larger opposition, plenty of fast paced high flying attacks were attempted by the 26 year old American. Despite Malloy’s best efforts, his attacks only appeared to be a minor inconvenience to Kazushige Matsuki, at best. Marvel Malloy had the sense to realise that he wasn’t getting anywhere with his attempts to trouble his opposition. Figuring that it was only a matter of time before Kazushige Matsuki closed in for the finish, Marvel Malloy looked to tag out to one of his two teammates. Firstly, Malloy looked to his trusted American Cobras teammate Storm Spillane, but Spillane was preoccupied, fighting with Pavel Vanzycha outside of the ring. Marvel Malloy then reached out to tag the only teammate that was available to him, Eien Miyamoto. Just as Malloy reached out to make the tag, “The Puppet Master” turned his back to him, crouching down to seemingly retie a loose boot lace. Was this just unintentional poor timing from Eien Miyamoto? Or was this a deliberate move to avoid getting into the ring with Kazushige Matsuki again? Whether the act of Miyamoto was an unfortunate timing error or something more deliberate, it proved to be costly for Marvel Malloy. Kazushige Matsuki wasted no time in closing in on his vulnerable opposition. Before long, a trademark FIST OF FURY from Matsuki connected with Marvel Malloy. The impact of the move sent the lightly built Malloy flying backwards in a corkscrew like motion. Eien Miyamoto was now watching from the apron, and “The Puppet Master” looked horrified at seeing just how impactful the FIST OF FURY can be from up close. With his eyes locked on Eien Miyamoto, who was seemingly frozen in place, Kazushige Matsuki successfully covered Marvel Malloy for the match ending three count. Following the bout, the victorious Kazushige Matsuki approached Eien Miyamoto. As he rose his right fist up, Matsuki warned Miyamoto “I’ve got one of these lined up just for you on Sunday. It’s going to be real fun delivering it directly to that smug face of yours!” Always usually quick to offer a boastful retort, Eien Miyamoto uncharacteristically jumped down from the apron. The “Puppet Master” engaged in a stare down from a distance with his upcoming Day #13 opponent, but he had no words to offer. Has Kazushige Matsuki succeeded in unnerving Eien Miyamoto ahead of their Day #13 clash? Or is Eien Miyamoto just lulling the big man into false sense of security? WINNERS: Kazushige Matsuki & European All-Stars via Kazushige Matsuki pinning Marvel Malloy in 13:39 RATING:45 Match No. 2 Singles Match ELITE SERIES 2018 B BLOCK VS. Gonnohyoe Kada vs. Tsurayuki Kamachi 30-minute time limit The first Elite Series action of Day #12 saw a contest between two men who entered the bout TIED at the lower end of the B BLOCK score table with 2 POINTS each. Even though the 31 year old Tsurayuki Kamachi entered the Elite Series with a great deal of momentum, coming off a strong victory over Tribal Warrior at PGHW Night of DESTINY, before starting off his tournament campaign strong with a victory over PGHW Owner Nobuatsu Tatsuko on Day #2, the results that have followed just haven’t matched his continued hard fought efforts. It’s been a similar story for the Destiny Advance representative Gonnohyoe Kada, whose Day #6 victory over “Dynamic” Noriyori Sanda has been his only Elite Series win thus far. It should be noted that this match marks the first occasion that Gonnohyoe Kada and Tsurayuki Kamachi have crossed paths in a PGHW ring this year. Gonnohyoe Kada used his size advantage in an attempt to rush and bully Tsurayuki Kamachi in the early going. The 37 year old Muscular Heavyweight shoved his Middleweight opposition, backing him into the ring ropes. Kada then distracted Kamachi with forearm strikes, and face rakes. This was a deliberate tactic employed by the former PGHW Historical Japan Champion, he wanted to keep Kamachi’s mind on defending the upper portion of his body. The deliberate distraction proved a productive one when Gonnohyoe Kada fired off some wicked snap kicks that shook and reddened the flesh surrounding Tsurayuki Kamachi’s outer thighs. Luckily for Tsurayuki Kamachi, he found an opening that allowed him the opportunity to momentarily escape from Kada’s barrage of strike based brutality. Kamachi was successful in countering an incoming HIGH SAVATE KICK attempted by his opposition. Gonnohyoe Kada’s attacking right leg was caught in the grasp of Tsurayuki Kamachi. Maintaining his grip of Kada’s leg, Tsurayuki Kamachi dropped down to the canvas with a KNEELING LEG BRAKER. Upon the delivery of this move, the pain it caused to Gonnohyoe Kada was clear as he rolled around the canvas clutching his right leg. He wasn’t the only one in pain however. The delivery of the move aggravated the legs of Tsurayuki Kamachi, which were still stinging from Kada’s earlier strikes. A back and forth scramble over mat based control ended with the offensive momentum going to Tsurayuki Kamachi. Flat on his back and at Kamachi’s mercy, Gonnohyoe Kada found himself the victim of a SPINNING TOE HOLD. When Tsurayuki Kamachi felt that Kada was adequately softened up, he transitioned into his trademark move, THE SCORPION DEATHLOCK. While Gonnohyoe Kada was clearly troubled by the position he found himself in. Kamachi’s application of THE SCORPION DEATHLOCK lacked the extra sting it needed. As Kamachi attempted to wrench back and apply further pressure, it became obviously apparent that he was struggling to do so. This was due to the pain Tsurayuki Kamachi was feeling from his own legs, thanks to the harsh strikes they’d taken earlier in the contest. After a struggle for escape, Gonnohyoe Kada succeeded in reaching the ring ropes. When the bout returned to a standing position, the action swayed back into the favour of Gonnohyoe Kada. A slight hesitation on an attempted STANDING CROSSBODY BLOCK from Tsurayuki Kamachi provided Kada with the time needed to intercept the attack. With Tsurayuki Kamachi held firmly in his grasp, Kada hiked his knees up to deliver some KNEE STRIKES into the exposed side of his captive opponent. Gonnohyoe Kada then dropped Tsurayuki Kamachi down to the canvas with a FALLAWAY SLAM! As Gonnohyoe Kada rested his back on Tsurayuki Kamachi’s body to attempt the pin, Referee Shihei Nagano reached 2 on his count, before Tsurayuki Kamachi shockingly managed to pull the unsuspecting Gonnohyoe Kada over for a pin attempt of his own. The fans gasped when Gonnohyoe Kada just about managed to kick out before the referee’s count of three. A sigh of relief from Gonnohyoe Kada as he sat up showed that he realised just how close he’d just come to defeat. Deeper into the action, with 13 minutes almost gone into the contest, Gonnohyoe Kada and Tsurayuki Kamachi both found themselves in a stand up striking battle. When Gonnohyoe Kada appeared to be rocked following a DOUBLE HAND CHOP, Tsurayuki Kamachi wasted no time on capitalising on the opportunity this provided him. Tsurayuki Kamachi positioned Gonnohyoe Kada for what looked to be an attempt at the MID AIR RELEASE GUTWRENCH SUPLEX; this is a move that fans have seen from Kamachi before. The 31 year old PGHW True Born even hit the move on BISON Yano, in what was a real impressive sight back on Day #6. Unfortunately, the move wasn’t to be on this occasion. Sensing the danger he was in, Gonnohyoe Kada managed to push his knees up, targeting the previously worn down outer thighs of his attacker. The pain that these blows caused gave Tsurayuki Kamachi no choice but to relinquish his grasp of Kada. A well placed SHOULDER BARGE to the mid-section of Kamachi caused him to crouch down, putting him in perfect position for Gonnohyoe Kada’s follow up attack, THE SINGLE ARM DDT! The force of Gonnohyoe Kada’s trademark move succeeded in keeping Tsurayuki Kamachi down for the match winning count of three. It wasn’t the result that many of the 787 in attendance wanted to see, but Gonnohyoe Kada succeeded in moving to 4 POINTS in his Elite Series Campaign. WINNER: Gonnohyoe Kada via pinfall in 14:03 to earn 2 POINTS RATING:43 Match No. 3 Singles Match ELITE SERIES 2018 B BLOCK VS. Nobuatsu Tatsuko vs. Simon Flemmingway 30-minute time limit Before he even stepped into the ring, a story was already told by the body language of PGHW Owner Nobuatsu Tatsuko. As he made his entrance, Nobuatsu Tatsuko didn’t look up once to acknowledge the fans in attendance. As Tatsuko entered the ring, he knelt down, facing a ring corner. Tatsuko then closed his eyes; The Legend appeared to be in deep contemplation. The recent troubles of a man who is widely regarded to be one of the greatest competitors to ever step foot inside a PGHW ring have been widely discussed by fans and critics alike. It’s hard for many to believe that the competitor known as “The Iron Man” long before he was ever to become “PGHW Owner” is still at 0 POINTS so deep into the tournament. Nobuatsu Tatsuko carries the unfortunate statistic of being the only wrestler in B BLOCK to have zero points to show for his efforts. The 47 year old now only has two matches left within his Elite Series Campaign to try and at least end what has been a rotten ordeal of a tournament on a somewhat positive note. Tatsuko’s opponent Simon Flemmingway entered this match with the score of 2 POINTS, which came thanks to a Day #8 victory over Gonnohyoe Kada. While the 33 year old American would’ve obviously liked a higher score by this point, Flemmingway has succeeded in opening eyes with his efforts throughout the Elite Series. Simon’s Day #2 showing against BISON Yano was a standout example of an effort that gained him a great deal of respect. The long awaited Day #10 match that Simon had with “The Golden Guard” Yoshimi Mushashibo was also another example of him looking strong in defeat. Both competitors had the same idea in mind at the outset of the contest, as they rushed one another. Flemmingway and Tatsuko exchanged some rapid fire shots back and forth. Nobuatsu Tatsuko was the first of the two wrestlers to find some separation, using his slight power advantage to drop Flemmingway down to the canvas via a HEADLOCK TAKEDOWN. From the ground, the defensive minded Simon Flemmingway attempted to counter the incoming strikes delivered in his direction by the PGHW Owner. Simon was looking for an opportunity to lock on a submission. Unfortunately for Flemmingway, an extra intensity was visible in the eyes of Nobuatsu Tatsuko, who used his toughness to keep his opponent in place, with no choice but to eat the incoming shots rained down upon him. An aura of ramped up aggression radiated off of Nobuatsu Tatsuko, he was hungry to break free of his recent misfortunes. As good as Nobuatsu Tatsuko looked with his ability to maintain control on the ground, you can only play the ground game with a World Class Technician like Simon Flemmingway for so long before you inevitably get caught out. Sure enough, Tatsuko soon found himself trapped in a D’ARCE CHOKE, expertly applied by Flemmingway. The compression to the neck caused by the D’ARCE CHOKE almost looked like it had Nobuatsu Tatsuko in a position he wouldn’t be capable of escaping. Thankfully for Tatsuko, the veteran sensed the danger he was in from the moment Flemmingway locked in the hold. The PGHW Owner made sure he kept moving in his efforts to escape from the hold, before Flemmingway could squeeze down with the maximum pressure he desired. After a considerable effort, Nobuatsu Tatsuko succeeded in escaping the hold. Not wanting to take any more chances with Simon Flemmingway on the ground following the scary flirtation with defeat that the American subjected him to, Nobuatsu Tatsuko was quick to return the bout to a standing position. Some awkward movements started to become apparent from the PGHW Owner around this point in the match. It appeared as if Nobuatsu Tatsuko had jarred up his back during his efforts to escape from the danger he found himself within on the ground. The back issue of Nobuatsu Tatsuko has been a reoccurring issue throughout this tournament. Despite the back issue being a cause for concern, Nobuatsu Tatsuko looked to succeed in shaking off the pain, at least temporarily. Despite a credible comeback effort from Simon Flemmingway, he couldn’t take the offensive control away from Tatsuko. The sound of a collective gasp from the 787 attendees filled Hofu Arena when Nobuatsu Tatsuko followed up a DOUBLE EAR CLAP with one of his trademark moves, the TATSUKO CLUTCH SUPLEX! Referee Yugoro Adachi quickly slid across the canvas into position to count the follow up pinfall attempt from Nobuatsu Tatsuko. A look of surprise was apparent on Tatsuko’s face when Simon Flemmingway managed to KICK OUT just before the count of three. Refusing to be thrown off by his failed attempt to put Simon Flemmingway down for the count, Nobuatsu Tatsuko switched his offensive campaign into 5th gear. After aggressively hoisting Flemmingway up from the canvas, Nobuatsu Tatsuko positioned him for a BRAINBUSTER attempt. Unfortunately, the PGHW Owner had to abandon his attempt to deliver the move, due to increased pain from his back. Tatsuko quickly placed Simon Flemmingway down, before attempting to hoist him up again. The choice from Tatsuko to repeat his prior action was a mistake, as Simon Flemmingway successfully scouted what was coming, and countered with a KNEE TO THE HEAD of his attacker. Just as Nobuatsu Tatsuko was forced to relinquish his grip and drop Simon Flemmingway back down to his feet, he found himself rolled up in a PINNING CRADLE. Shouts of combined shock and relief were heard from the crowd within Hofu Arena, as Nobuatsu Tatsuko kicked out just the blink of an eye before Referee Yugoro Adachi’s right hand touched the canvas for the third time. Not wanting to allow Nobuatsu Tatsuko time to recover, Simon Flemmingway jumped down beside his still grounded opponent and took hold of his left arm. It appeared as if Flemmingway had the MODIFIED YOSHIMI LOCK in mind, but on the fly, he changed his mind. Instead, Simon Flemmingway applied a move that he’s not used in PGHW competition for well over a year. The 33 year old locked on SIMON'S SOLUTION, a move which sees Simon Flemmingway take hold of an arm from his opponent and then pull that arm up across the opponents neck, forcing the opponent to choke themselves out. Simon Flemmingway adds to the pain that this move brings by positioning himself behind the opponent and pushing one (or sometimes both) of his knees to apply pressure to the opponent’s spinal column. While Simon Flemmingway hasn’t used SIMON’S SOLUTION in some time, it’s a move that is historically linked to him. Flemmingway famously used the move to submit Noriyori Sanda in December of 2015, which secured him his 1st (and to date, only) run with the PGHW International Championship, a run that lasted 11 months and saw 10 successful title defences. Closing his eyes tight, Nobuatsu Tatsuko also looked as if he wanted to scream out in pain, a task that was difficult for Tatsuko to accomplish given the pressure he was being forced to apply to his own neck via his own arm! Tatsuko looked like he needed to submit, it even looked like he wanted to submit on some level, but representing the first letter of four in the Promotion he’s presided over as Owner since 2014, his PRIDE wouldn’t allow him to do so! In an incredible showing of PRIDE overcoming PAIN, Nobuatsu Tatsuko risked further damage to his already compromised back by bridging up via his back legs into an arch shape. After being denied on his first few attempts to escape, Nobuatsu Tatsuko eventually succeeded in throwing himself down onto his left side, forcing Simon Flemmingway to release the grip of his dangerous submission hold. With the bout now beyond the 10 minute mark, Nobuatsu Tatsuko and Simon Flemmingway traded forearm strikes from their knees, keeping the back and forth exchange going while they both succeed in regaining their footing. From the standing position, Nobuatsu Tatsuko appeared to separate Flemmingway from his senses with the mind rattling impact of one of his trademark attacks, the TATSUKO BLIND KICK. As Simon Flemmingway fell to the canvas following the move, his body rolled across the canvas, under the ropes and out onto the apron. Nobuatsu Tatsuko approached the ring ropes to meet Simon Flemmingway, who was starting to regain his footing on the apron. A brief but intense back and forth exchange of chops, forearm shots, and head-butts was exchanged between the two competitors from either side of the ropes. This exchange came to an abrupt end after Simon Flemmingway used his hands to cradle Tatsuko’s head, before jumping down off the apron to the outside of the ring. Back in the ring, Nobuatsu Tatsuko immediately fell backward onto the canvas, clutching his neck after it hit the top ring rope in such an awkward manner. As he clutched his neck in clear distress, Nobuatsu Tatsuko attempted to cough up some saliva in an attempt to clear his throat. Simon Flemmingway rolled back in the ring, and his eyes lit up as he saw Nobuatsu Tatsuko’s vulnerable situation. Flemmingway had an idea in mind and he was quick to execute it. Some fans were heard to shout out in concern for Nobuatsu Tatsuko as Flemmingway landed a KNEE DROP onto the neck and throat area of the PGHW Owner. Simon Flemmingway then attempted what he felt certain would be the match winning pinfall. Referee Yugoro Adachi counted one, he counted two, but he DIDN’T count three. Amazingly, Nobuatsu Tatsuko KICKED OUT at 2.9! Giving Tatsuko no time to regroup, Simon Flemmingway was lightning quick in lining up his follow up attack. Flemmingway pulled Nobuatsu Tatsuko up to his feet from the canvas, before delivering a FRONT FACING LUNG BLOWER. Being precise in the details of his punishment, Flemmingway was sure to make sure his knees were placed HIGH UP upon impact. Simon Flemmingway looked shocked when he rolled across to pin Nobuatsu Tatsuko following the move, only for Tatsuko to immediately sit up! This proved to be a false hope however. Tatsuko’s mind may have still been in the fight, but his body wasn’t willing to comply. The PGHW Owner quickly fell back down onto his back. Simon Flemmingway then moved into position to attempt the pinfall that proved to be the match winner. Simon Flemmingway moves to 4 POINTS in his Elite Series Campaign. As Simon Flemmingway had his hand raised by the referee in the immediate aftermath of the contest, he couldn’t help but look down at the fallen body of Nobuatsu Tatsuko with some sense of admiration for his defeated opponent’s efforts detectable via his body language. Long after Simon Flemmingway left the ring, the defeated Nobuatsu Tatsuko succeeded in regaining his footing following three failed attempts in doing so. The PRIDEFUL Tatsuko shrugged off repeated efforts from Referee Yugoro Adachi to help him up to his feet, he was insistent on doing it alone. Once Nobuatsu Tatsuko regained his footing, he received a respectful applause from the 787 fans in attendance. Tatsuko defiantly shook his head upon hearing the applause, it was clear that he didn’t feel he was deserving of it. The PGHW Owner then ripped off his wrist tape and threw it down to the canvas, before making his way to the backstage area. Tatsuko kept his head down throughout his journey from ringside, it was clear that he didn’t want to make eye contact with anyone. WINNER: Simon Flemmingway via pinfall in 12:49 to earn 2 POINTS RATING:47 Match No. 4 Semi Final Singles Match ELITE SERIES 2018 B BLOCK VS. Noriyori Sanda vs. Yoshimi Mushashibo 30-minute time limit A genuine show of respect was shared between “Dynamic” Noriyori Sanda and the PGHW Glory Crown Champion “The Golden Guard” Yoshimi Mushashibo in the opening moments of this bout. The fans within Hofu Arena voiced their appreciation upon witnessing a warm handshake from two of the veteran mainstays on the PGHW roster. The show of respect gave way to one of caution, with time giving the illusion of falling into slow motion as the two veterans locked up with notable hesitation. With a mutual understanding of one another’s skill sets, neither Sanda nor Mushashibo wanted to be the first to make a mistake. “Dynamic” Noriyori Sanda entered this bout with 6 POINTS to show for his Elite Series Campaign. The most recent of the three tournament victories for the 39 year old came in an emotionally charged main event on Day #10, at the expense of his Team Energy teammate Nobuatsu Tatsuko. As for “The Golden Guard” Yoshimi Mushashibo, the PGHW Icon entered this bout with 8 POINTS to show for his Elite Series efforts. This would’ve been a decent score at the best of times, but given the recent physical setbacks endured by Mushashibo + the controversy surrounding his announcement as a participant in this year’s tournament, some would consider the success of his Elite Series campaign thus far to be nothing short of miraculous. Despite some back and forth positioning changes from both competitors in the opening lock up, neither Sanda nor Mushashibo found success in taking control of the action. As the two wrestlers broke away from one another, Noriyori Sanda’s eyes shot down to the right knee of Mushashibo. It was clear that Sanda had seen an opening to strike at the now famed vulnerable right knee of his opponent, but seemingly out of respect for Mushashibo, he thought better of it. Following another extended lock up sequence that saw neither man gain significant ground, the two wrestlers once again parted from one another. Both Sanda and Mushashibo exchanged some chops, before Noriyori Sanda once again glanced down to the right knee of his opponent. This time around, Yoshimi Mushashibo noticed Sanda’s interest towards his right knee, as well as his hesitation to target it. In response, Yoshimi Mushashibo shouted out “GO FOR IT!” while putting his right leg forward. In a questionable choice of action, it appeared as if “The Golden Guard” was offering up a free shot at his vulnerable right knee. Looking tempted to take the free shot that was being offered up to him, Noriyori Sanda motioned to fire off a kick towards the right knee of Mushashibo. The fans then gasped as Sanda adjusted his kick with the blink of an eye, aiming right for the mid-section of the PGHW Glory Crown Champion. The sound of the SMACK from the force of the kick seemed to echo off of the walls of Hofu Arena. Yoshimi Mushashibo clutched his stomach as he crumpled down to the canvas following the impact. Dialling back the hands of time to pull out some moves from his Junior Heavyweight days, Noriyori Sanda got momentum via running off the ring ropes, before landing down onto the stomach of the grounded Yoshimi Mushashibo with a FLIPPING SENTON SPLASH. A pin was immediately attempted by Sanda, only for “The Golden Guard” to KICK OUT just after Referee Shihei Nagano’s hand touched the canvas for the count of two. As Yoshimi Mushashibo tried to battle back up to his feet, his efforts were cut off by a well-placed RUNNING HIGH KNEE from Noriyori Sanda. The precise delivery of this move to Mushashibo’s already compromised stomach sent the PGHW Icon crashing back down to the canvas. Mushashibo would get no reprieve from the punishment he was enduring, as he felt the impact of a DOUBLE KNEE DROP crash down onto his mid-section. A pin was then once again attempted by Noriyori Sanda, but at just the click of a finger away from the match ending THREE COUNT, the PGHW Glory Crown Champion managed to KICK OUT! In the minutes that followed, Noriyori Sanda’s attempts to submit Yoshimi Mushashibo with a BOW AND ARROW were successfully countered. Mushashibo then once again tried to battle back up to his feet. The efforts of the PGHW Icon were almost once again cut off by a RUNNING HIGH KNEE delivered by Sanda, but this time “The Golden Guard” countered the incoming attack with a DRAGON SCREW LEG WHIP! Following the leg whip, Noriyori Sanda looked set to fall to the canvas, only to be stopped from doing so when Mushashibo tackled him and pushed him into the ring ropes. As Sanda bounced back off the ropes, he was met with the full force of a DUCKING UPPERCUT from “The Golden Guard”. Now on wobbly legs, Noriyori Sanda found himself thrown down to the canvas via a follow up OVERHEAD JUDO TOSS from Mushashibo. Right from the moment Noriyori Sanda’s body hit the canvas; Yoshimi Mushashibo stuck to him like glue. The attacking PGHW Glory Crown Champion immediately rolled Sanda onto his stomach, before placing him in the CAMEL CLUTCH. Despite the best efforts from Yoshimi Mushashibo, who put considerable energy into using his hands to wrench Sanda’s head back, the Team Energy representative managed to crawl to the ropes and force “The Golden Guard” to break the CAMEL CLUTCH. As Yoshimi Mushashibo attempted to lift Noriyori Sanda up from the canvas, he was met with a HEADBUTT TO THE STOMACH. As Mushashibo crouched over to clutch his mid-section, he was rolled up for a pinfall attempt by Sanda. ONE, TWO, THREaaaaannndd NO! 2.9!! After some follow up back and forth action that saw near falls attempted by both competitors, both Sanda and Mushashibo found themselves engaged in a stand up battle as the bout approached the 15 minute mark. Sanda and Mushashibo took turns lighting up one another’s chests with blistering chops. Then, a brutal meeting of the minds led to a collective gasp from the 787 in attendance, as Sanda and Mushashibo knocked each other down to the canvas following a DOUBLE HEADBUTT!! With both competitors laid out on the canvas for a considerable amount of time, Yoshimi Mushashibo was the first wrestler to stir. “The Golden Guard” rolled over to the ring ropes and used them to slowly pull himself back up to his feet. Moments later, Noriyori Sanda sat up. Some fans were heard to gasp at the sight of a red line running down Sanda’s forehead, caused by the impact of the DOUBLE HEADBUTT, which from a visible standpoint, he appeared to get the worst of. Both competitors met one another in the middle of the ring after regaining their footing. After exchanging some back and forth elbow strikes, which put both men on shaky footing, Noriyori Sanda attempted to take Yoshimi Mushashibo down to the canvas with an UNDERHOOK SUPLEX. This suplex attempt was successfully resisted by Mushashibo, who forced Sanda to give up his grip following a well-placed SHOULDER STRIKE to his attackers chin. Yoshimi Mushashibo then caught the falling Noriyori Sanda, before positioning him for his next intended attack. The PGHW Glory Crown Champion then floored Noriyori Sanda with MUSHASHIBO-PLEX III!! Deciding not to bridge into a pin due to the pressure it would cause to his right knee, Yoshimi Mushashibo quickly released the move and rolled into position for a pinfall attempt on the downed Noriyori Sanda. ……………………………………….1 ………………………………………..2 ………………………………………..and 3, somehow…WASN’T TO BE! “Dynamic” Noriyori Sanda kicked out at 2.9!!! As Yoshimi Mushashibo attempted to lift Noriyori Sanda up from the canvas, Sanda resisted the effort by driving an elbow into the right knee cap of “The Golden Guard”. A cry of agony was heard from Yoshimi Mushashibo before he fell down to the canvas clutching his right leg. Noriyori Sanda didn’t look happy with himself for finally giving in to his match long temptation to target Mushashibo’s well-known vulnerability, but he was now clearly prepared to do whatever it took to secure the victory. Just as the bout approached the 20 minute mark, Noriyori Sanda absorbed a few weak shots from Yoshimi Mushashibo, who was fighting off of his knees in a desperate attempt to regain his footing. Sanda ate the shots, before answering back with a SLIDING CLOTHESLINE. Transitioning straight to his next planned attack, Noriyori Sanda pulled Yoshimi Mushashibo up from the canvas, before hitting him with a SPINNING BACK FIST. As Mushashibo fell into the arms of his attacker, he was dropped forcefully down to the canvas via a CROSS LEGGED FISHERMAN BUSTER!! Noriyori Sanda and Referee Shihei Nagano both registered expressions of disbelief when Yoshimi Mushashibo managed to break a follow up pin attempt via raising his left arm after JUST a 1 COUNT! This was purely instinctual, as the follow up attempt made by Yoshimi Mushashibo to get up from the canvas resulted in him collapsing back down onto it. With his next attack already in mind “Dynamic” Noriyori Sanda, rushed to climb the top turnbuckle. As Sanda stood up high, he briefly paused to wipe a mixture of sweat and blood from his forehead. Sanda then committed to his attack, jumping off top with an attempted TOP ROPE DYNAMO FLYING ELBOW!! Everything about the move was perfect, but the landing! At the last possible moment, Yoshimi Mushashibo rolled out of harm’s way. A scream was heard from Noriyori Sanda as the point of his right elbow connected with nothing but canvas. As the now pain riddled Sanda rolled around the canvas clutching his right elbow, Yoshimi Mushashibo pushed back up to a standing position via his left leg. Yoshimi Mushashibo hopped across the canvas on his left foot, approaching Noriyori Sanda. As Sanda got back up from the canvas, he was intercepted by Mushashibo, who jumped off of his left foot and caught Sanda with a SPINNING DDT! Both wrestlers landed awkwardly on the canvas following the move. Cheers for both competitors filled Hofu Arena, as the fans tried to will both of the downed participants back up to their feet. The crowd were hot for what had turned into one of the best matches in the Elite Series thus far. Both Sanda and Mushashibo began to stir at the same time. The two approached one another on their knees, butting heads before firing off some now admittedly weak forearm strikes towards one another. Noriyori Sanda came out the worst in this exchange, as his right elbow was still giving him some considerable issues. As both men regained their footing, Yoshimi Mushashibo began to up the tempo and aggression of his forearm strikes. It reached the point where a seemingly out on his feet Noriyori Sanda was no longer attempting to defend himself. Just as a concerned looking Referee Shihei Nagano moved in close to Sanda, with the intention of checking on him, he didn’t get the chance. Yoshimi Mushashibo grabbed the right arm of Noriyori Sanda, before taking him down to the canvas via a FALLING ARMBREAKER! As both competitors landed on the canvas, “The Golden Guard” Yoshimi Mushashibo made sure to keep his grip of Noriyori Sanda’s arm, expertly transitioning into the YOSHIMI LOCK. As Mushashibo wrenched on the right arm, Noriyori Sanda seemed to awaken rather than succumb. Despite being filled with pain, a wide eyed Sanda managed to flip over onto his stomach and power up onto his knees. Sanda then forced Yoshimi Mushashibo to relinquish his grip of the YOSHIMI LOCK following a well-placed KNEE TO THE FACE! As Yoshimi Mushashibo fell back from the force of the knee, “Dynamic” Noriyori Sanda fell right on top of him. Referee Shihei Nagano wasted no time in moving into position to count the attempted pinfall….. ……………………………………….1 ………………………………………..2 ………………….THR….. …..BUT WAIT…. ….FROM HIS BACK, the YOSHIMI LOCK has been REAPPLIED to SANDA’S RIGHT ARM by YOSHIMI MUSHASHIBO! In a desperate attempt to break free of the reapplied trademark move of Yoshimi Mushashibo, the quick thinking Noriyori Sanda attempted to get back up to his feet. Unfortunately for Sanda, the PGHW Glory Crown Champion wouldn’t give up the vice like grip he had on his right arm for anything. As Noriyori Sanda fell back to the canvas, Yoshimi Mushashibo managed to position himself on top of him. Through gritted teeth, “Dynamic” Noriyori Sanda tried desperately to crawl towards the ring ropes. This determined effort to break free of the YOSHIMI LOCK was almost a success. Just when Noriyori Sanda’s left hand looked to be within touching distance of the bottom ring rope, Yoshimi Mushashibo moved his hands higher up with his application of the YOSHIMI LOCK, to deliberately target the previously compromised right elbow of his opponent. With tears of pain now visible from his eyes, Noriyori Sanda began to frantically shake his head back and forth in defiance of the inevitable defeat that now seemed to be approaching him. Thinking on the fly, Yoshimi Mushashibo transitioned out of the YOSHIMI LOCK, choosing instead to trap Sanda’s right arm between his own left arm as well as the left side of his body. This kept Sanda’s right arm trapped, while freeing up Mushashibo’s own right arm. The PGHW Glory Crown Champion used his now free right arm to great effect, using it to rain down some hard agonising punches, directly onto the right elbow joint of Noriyori Sanda. Following 12 of these rapid fire punches to Noriyori Sanda’s right elbow joint, Yoshimi Mushashibo transitioned back into the YOSHIMI LOCK. Within seconds, Noriyori Sanda could take no more, as he tapped the canvas with his left hand, signalling his submission. The fans within Hofu Arena showed their full appreciation to both competitors in the immediate aftermath of the contest. Noriyori Sanda and Yoshimi Mushashibo had succeeded in providing them with one of the best matches of not only the Elite Series, but recent PGHW memory! Showing his trademark class, Yoshimi Mushashibo took an ice pack from a member of PGHW staff. Mushashibo then pushed the pain of his right knee aside, in order to crouch down beside the defeated Noriyori Sanda. The victorious Yoshimi Mushashibo then shared some friendly words with Sanda, before handing him the ice pack. Noriyori Sanda wasted no time in placing the ice pack over his compromised right elbow. A short while later, the PGHW fans cheered the defeated Noriyori Sanda on as he regained his footing. Sanda then showed good sportsmanship in defeat by bowing before “The Golden Guard” Yoshimi Mushashibo. “Thank you for the test. I’ll learn from this” Noriyori Sanda was heard to tell the PGHW Glory Crown Champion. “I hope this wasn’t the last time we do this” responded Yoshimi Mushashibo “Thank you for the battle my friend!” “The Golden Guard” Yoshimi Mushashibo now moves to 10 POINTS following this victory. This puts the PGHW Glory Crown Champion in a 3-WAY TIE on top of B BLOCK alongside BISON Yano and Bussho Makiguchi. WINNER: Yoshimi Mushashibo via Submission in 24:19 to earn 2 POINTS RATING:64 Match No. 5 Main Event Singles Match ELITE SERIES 2018 B BLOCK VS. BISON Yano vs. Bussho Makiguchi 30-minute time limit The atmosphere within Hofu Arena could be cut with a knife going into what was surely set to be a highly influential bout in regards to the overall outcome of the 2018 Elite Series. BISON Yano and Bussho Makiguchi both entered this Day #12 Main Event with 10 POINTS each. The victor of this bout will become the stand alone B BLOCK POINT LEADER going into the final day of B BLOCK competition. The pre match attitudes of both competitors couldn’t have been any more contrasting. Bussho Makiguchi was highly animated, walking around the ring with the bubble wrap suit wearing Georgio the Giraffe held high in his hands. In a theatrical display, Makiguchi held his toy companion up high before the 787 in attendance, as if he was the new born Simba being shown off to the Pride. Makiguchi was fishing for cheers, both for himself and his cotton plush companion. Despite some boos being audible, the majority of the 787 within Hofu Arena happily took the bait. Chants of “GO GO BUSSHO” began to bounce off of the Arena’s walls before the opening bell, much to the attention loving Bussho’s delight. Meanwhile, a cross armed BISON Yano stood his ground in the corner of the ring. The Co Holder of the PGHW Glory Tag Crown followed the antics of Bussho Makiguchi with a menacing glare from his eyes. PGHW fans will be well aware that BISON Yano and Bussho Makiguchi have quite the shared history. The rivalry between their respective tag teams BRUTE BISON and KitoGuchi is well documented, and it’s a rivalry that is still on-going. KitoGuchi are currently the top contenders to the PGHW Glory Tag Crown, giving them a chance to regain the titles they lost to BRUTE BISON back in December 2017 at some point in the near future. Still, today wasn’t about the PGHW Glory Tag Crown, BRUTE BISON, or KitoGuchi. This was purely about BISON Yano and Bussho Makiguchi as individuals, about to do battle in their biggest singles outing to date. As the action between the two competitors finally got underway, Bussho Makiguchi wasted no time in rushing towards BISON Yano. This backfired on Bussho when BISON Yano forcefully pushed him down onto the canvas. Bussho rolled back, before looking up from his knees to the intimidating sight of the 6’6 290lb Powerhouse. “All of that time wasted thinking about Yoshimi Mushashibo, when you should’ve been thinking about ME!” growled BISON Yano “I’m going to make you PAY for overlooking me Makiguchi” Showing no intimidation following BISON Yano’s words, Bussho Makiguchi sprung up to his feet and fired off a KNEE TO THE GUT of BISON Yano. Unfortunately for Bussho, BISON Yano managed to shrug this attack off. Yano wasted no time in knocking Bussho Makiguchi back down to his knees with an AXE HANDLE. Refusing to stay down, Bussho Makiguchi once again sprung back up to his feet and rushed BISON Yano. This time around, BISON Yano intercepted Bussho’s incoming attack by lifting him up off of his feet via two hands wrapped around the throat of the 29 year old. BISON Yano looked positioned to drop Makiguchi down to the canvas with either a CHOKESLAM or CHOKE BOMB. Fortunately for Makiguchi, he managed to free himself from his opponents grasp via a DOUBLE HAND CLAP across the ears. As BISON Yano put Bussho Makiguchi back down on his feet, Busso immediately sprung back up and clipped him with an ENZIGURI. BISON Yano fell down to one knee, but he was quickly put down onto his back via a follow up SLIDING DROPKICK from Makiguchi. “Owwwwww I’m GOOD!” yelled out Bussho Makiguchi after quickly jumping back up to his feet. Makiguchi looked slightly annoyed with the crowd for a moment; apparently the loud cheers of his name weren’t quite loud enough for his tastes in that moment. “LET ME HEAR THE LOVE….COME ON!!!” shouted out Makiguchi. A good portion of the fans responded to Bussho’s request by giving him the further adoration he sought. Makiguchi gave the fans a double thumbs up, showing his approval. In a heartbeat, the showmanship of Bussho Makiguchi vanished to give way to something more sinister. Like a Wild man, rage filled the eyes of Bussho Makiguchi as he dove on top of BISON Yano and began raining frenzied punches down upon him. Makiguchi then stopped with the punches, only to then rake his hands across Yano’s face. Referee Yugoro Adachi was left with no option but to step in and issue a warning to Bussho Makiguchi after Bussho began to gouge his fingers into BISON Yano’s forehead and eyes. “WHAT THE HELL REFEREE?” yelled out Bussho Makiguchi, after he sprung up to his feet and began shooting a rage filled glare towards Referee Yugoro Adachi. After a scary moment where it looked like Bussho was perhaps considering taking his grievance with the referee a step further, a quick shift in Bussho’s attitude occurred. A smile came across Bussho Makiguchi’s face as he began to strut across the canvas and play to the fans. Makiguchi then slid back down to the canvas and began to fire off elbow strikes towards the still grounded BISON Yano. Control soon returned to BISON Yano, when the big man used his power to push the attacking Bussho Makiguchi aside. Within moments, it was BISON Yano who was in the dominant position, crouched over Bussho. Some gasps of concern where heard from the crowd when BISON Yano appeared to knock Bussho Makiguchi senseless following a BIG HEADBUTT. The delivery of the HEADBUTT was a considerable turning point. A wobbly Bussho Makiguchi was clearly feeling the effects of it for a considerable time after. BISON Yano pulled Bussho Makiguchi up from the canvas. Despite a nonstop attempt from Bussho to fight back against Yano, his shots were either off target or just not powerful enough to phase the big man. With the knowledge that he was now in full control of the contest, BISON Yano let out a laugh. The Co-Holder of the PGHW Glory Tag Crown then lifted Bussho up via BEAR HUG. After an extended struggle to escape from the tight grasp of BISON Yano’s BEAR HUG, Bussho Makiguchi began to fade. Referee Yugoro Adachi eventually moved into position to check if Bussho was still capable of continuing. The Referee raised the left arm of Makiguchi, it fell upon release. The 2nd check of the arm resulted in the same response. As Referee Yugoro Adachi raised and released the left arm for his third and FINAL check, it began to once again fall….until suddenly; Bussho Makiguchi’s left arm began to shake and RISE UP!! Cheers were heard in response from the crowd within Hofu Arena; Bussho Makiguchi wasn’t out of the fight yet! Following on from this, BISON Yano tried to rush Bussho Makiguchi towards one of the ring corners, while still holding him in the BEAR HUG position. It was at this point that Bussho pulled off an impressive lightning quick counter, dropping Yano with a SPINNING DDT! A pin attempt from Bussho Makiguchi followed his momentum changing counter move. This pin attempt saw BISON Yano power out, just after the Referee reached the count of 2. In the minutes that followed, Bussho Makiguchi bravely held his own during a stand up battle with BISON Yano, despite being at a considerable power disadvantage. Bussho managed to get under the skin of BISON Yano by responding to some of his hard hitting strikes with smiles and laughter. BISON Yano looked towards Bussho as if he was a madman, and maybe he was right! When Bussho Makiguchi then began to slap his own face, inviting BISON Yano to hit him even harder, it was clear from the expression on BISON Yano’s face that he couldn’t believe the nerve of his opponent. Bussho Makiguchi was ready to meet BISON Yano with an attack as the big man swung in his direction with an attempted LARIAT. Makiguchi intercepted the attacking right arm of BISON Yano, by taking hold of it and dropping the BRUTE BISON representative down to the canvas alongside him with a DOUBLE KNEEARMBREAKER. Following the delivery of the move, Bussho Makiguchi rolled backwards and regained his footing. Makiguchi then jumped on the grounded BISON Yano with a DOUBLE FOOT STOMP, before running over to a ring corner and climbing the top turnbuckle. From the top turnbuckle, Bussho Makiguchi landed a TOP ROPE BLAZING ELBOW. After hitting the move with perfect precision, Bussho was all smiles as he confidently attempted the pinfall on BISON Yano. ……………………………………….1 ………………………………………..2 ………………….THR….. Annnndddddddddddd……NO!!! BISON Yano KICKED OUT!!! The smile previously on the face of Bussho Makiguchi was nothing more than a memory as he jumped up to his feet and shouted with anger towards Referee Yugoro Adachi, blaming him for what he considered to be a slow count. The sinister side of Makiguchi was soon on full display, as he grabbed hold of the Referee by the collar of his shirt. Referee Yugoro Adachi pleaded with Makiguchi to calm down, telling him that he didn’t want to issue a disqualification in such an important Tournament match, but he’d do so if he wasn’t released at that very instant! After looking out to the fans, Bussho Makiguchi thought better of his actions, choosing to release the Referee from his grasp. Bussho Makiguchi then turned around, just in time to meet BISON Yano as he regained his footing. As Bussho tried to rain down some shots to the back of BISON Yano, it was of no use. BISON Yano powered up to his feet, before grabbing hold of Bussho Makiguchi and powering him down to the canvas via a BELLY TO BELLY SUPLEX. BISON Yano got back up to his feet, only to jump back down onto the grounded body of Bussho Makiguchi with a BIG SPLASH. “COUNT HIM” shouted out BISON Yano, as Referee Yugoro Adachi began to count the pinfall attempt… ……………………………………….1 ………………………………………..2 ……..and Bussho Makiguchi SURVIVED thanks to a DEFIANT KICK OUT!! Not wasting one second to dwell on his failure to attain the victory, BISON Yano yanked Bussho Makiguchi up from the canvas via his hair. The monstrous big man then proceeded to rock Makiguchi’s head back and forth in disturbing fashion with some FULL FORCE CLUBBING BLOWS! A punch-drunk Bussho Makiguchi then slumped forward, into the hands of BISON Yano. The Co-Holder of the PGHW Glory Tag Crown wasted no time in subjecting Makiguchi to his next planned attack. BISON Yano planted his opponent down to the canvas via a TWO HANDED SIT OUT CHOKE BOMB!!!! Referee Yugoro Adachi slid across the canvas in order to count BISON Yano’s follow up pinfall attempt… ……………………………………….1 ………………………………………..2 ……………annnnndddddd THREE wasn’t the MAGIC NUMBER, Bussho Makiguchi KICKED OUT at 2.9!!! Referee Yugoro Adachi once again found himself the target of an angry wrestler. This time around it was BISON Yano who was voicing his displeasure at Adachi’s officiating. “THAT WAS THREE AND YOU KNOW IT” growled out BISON Yano as he got right up into the face of an uncomfortable looking Adachi. BISON Yano’s choice to focus on Referee Yugoro Adachi while turning his back to Bussho Makiguchi proved to be a costly one. BISON Yano didn’t feel the ROLL UP FROM BEHIND from his opponent until it was too late to stop it……. ……………………………………….1 ………………………………………..2 Aaaaannnnnnnnnnnddddddddddddddd…. ……………..THREE ……Just WASN’T to be!! BISON Yano managed to POWER OUT…JUST IN TIME!! Sometime later, as the bout moved beyond the 20 minute mark, BISON Yano and Bussho Makiguchi found themselves in a standoff that saw both men grab one another by the hair. A punch rattled Bussho Makiguchi managed to catch BISON Yano off guard by firing back up in an apparent energy recharge. Makiguchi then fired off a rapid round of punches, elbows and head butts combined. BISON Yano looked to fall down to one knee after eating this barrage of shots. To the shock of Bussho, the 28 year old BISON Yano managed to stop himself from falling. Powering himself back up to his feet, a sinister smile was sported on the face of BISON Yano as he glared into the shocked eyes of Bussho Makiguchi. “WHO’S SMILING NOW?” shouted out BISON Yano. Fighting through his shock, Bussho Makiguchi fired off another combination of strikes. “IS THAT ALL YOU’VE GOT?” responded BISON Yano “HIT ME HARDER!!” Rather than respond to BISON Yano’s request, Bussho Makiguchi instead performed a backward roll, which put him by the ring ropes. As Bussho Makiguchi quickly regained his footing while leaning on the ropes, he used his hand to motion for BISON Yano to attack him. BISON Yano charged towards Bussho Makiguchi, only for Makiguchi to drop and pull down the top ring rope. The fans shouted out in shock at the sight of big BISON Yano tumbling over the ring ropes to the arena floor. BISON Yano took his time getting up from the canvas. As Referee Yugoro Adachi reached the count of 12, BISON Yano got back up to his feet, only to be hit with a BASEBALL SLIDE THROUGH THE ROPES by Bussho Makiguchi. Choosing to leave the ring in order to continue his attack, Bussho Makiguchi hit BISON Yano with a DOUBLE OVERHEAD CHOP TO THE SHOULDER BLADES, before attempting to whip him into one of the steel railings around the ringside area. Unfortunately for Bussho Makiguchi, his attempt to whip BISON Yano into the steel railing was COUNTERED and REVERSED. It was Bussho Makiguchi who went flying hard, back first into a steel railing. The impact of Bussho hitting the steel railing was so forceful that PGHW staff members had to rush to hold the railing in place in order to stop it falling onto front row fans. Referee Yugoro Adachi had restarted his count when Bussho Makiguchi left the ring. Adachi was at 12 with a fresh count by the time that BISON Yano re-entered the ring. Adachi continued to count, 13, 14, 15 Bussho Makiguchi finally began to stir 16, 17 Bussho Makiguchi crawled towards the ring, before getting up in an attempt to re-enter it….only to then trip! 18 It looked like it was impossible for Bussho Makiguchi to make it back in time 19 And just before 20…Bussho Makiguchi found the strength needed to throw his body up onto the apron and place an arm and leg through the ropes! As Referee Yugoro Adachi insisted that the match should continue, BISON Yano growled at him “What happens next is on YOU”. BISON Yano then pulled Bussho Makiguchi up from the canvas, only to be caught off guard when Bussho rocked him after jumping forward with a SUPERMAN PUNCH!! As BISON Yano staggered back and forth on the canvas, Bussho Makiguchi quickly got up to his feet and rushed towards his vulnerable opponent. Bussho then took Yano down to the canvas following a beautifully executed WHEELBARROW BODYSCISSORS. This was a move that Bussho had debuted earlier in the Elite Series, during his Day #2 match with “Dynamic” Noriyori Sanda. With BISON Yano now out on the canvas and vulnerable for a follow up attack, Bussho Makiguchi looked towards the top turnbuckle. It appeared that Makiguchi had another TOP ROPE BLAZING ELBOW in mind. Makiguchi then moved towards the top turnbuckle, before hesitating and stopping in his tracks. A new idea had entered the mind of Bussho Makiguchi. Moving back towards BISON Yano, a determined Bussho Makiguchi strained to lift the big man up to his feet. After Makiguchi succeeded in doing so, he set BISON Yano in place to successfully deliver a MUSHASHIBO-PLEX III. Once again during one of his matches, Bussho Makiguchi just couldn’t resist sending out a message to PGHW Glory Crown Champion “The Golden Guard” Yoshimi Mushashibo. Regardless of the motivation behind Makiguchi’s choice to use the move, it couldn’t be denied that it was a successful attack for him. Lifting up BISON Yano was also an impressive feat. Sadly for Bussho, despite hitting a great move and executing an equally great bridge into a pinfall attempt to follow, BISON Yano succeeded in kicking out at just the tick of a clock before the THREE COUNT. With frustration taking hold, a maddened eyed Bussho Makiguchi slapped himself repeatedly, before looking towards the top turnbuckle. With Bussho Makiguchi now deciding to commit to his previous idea, he rushed towards and climbed the top turnbuckle. Moments later, Bussho Makiguchi came soaring off the top rope with his 2nd TOP ROPE BLAZING ELBOW of the match. Bussho had his target perfectly lined up. Unfortunately, BISON Yano also had perfect sights on his incoming attacker. BISON Yano managed to hike his knees up, driving them into Bussho Makiguchi’s body as he landed. A cry of anguish escaped from the mouth of Bussho Makiguchi as he rolled off of BISON Yano and kicked his feet in pain on the canvas. It appeared as if Bussho Makiguchi had done more harm to himself than to BISON Yano thanks to Yano’s timely counter. Following up from this tide changing moment, BISON Yano took full control of his opponent. Bussho Makiguchi found himself in dangerous territory as he was lined up for and dropped by BISON Yano with a DELAYED TWO HANDED CHOKESLAM!! Following this move, BISON Yano placed a knee down onto the chest of Bussho Makiguchi in a pin attempt….. ……………………………………….1 ………………………………………..2 ………and at just the flick of a switch away from 3, Bussho Makiguchi KICKED OUT!! “BULL#£$%” yelled out BISON Yano, who was clearly boiling with frustration at his inability to put the contest away at this point in time. As the 25 minute mark of the match quickly approached, Bussho Makiguchi sprung back up to his feet and side stepped an attempted SHOULDER BARGE from BISON Yano. Bussho then moved behind BISON Yano and attempted to take him down with a BULLDOG! Unfortunately, as Bussho attempted to come down with the BULLDOG, he was stopped in his tracks mid-move by BISON Yano. Bussho Makiguchi found himself in a scary position, held up over the bowling ball sized right shoulder of his 6,6 opponent. Bussho Makiguchi frantically moved his arms and kicked his legs in an attempt to escape from Yano’s grasp, but it was no use. BISON Yano dropped Bussho Makiguchi to the canvas back first following a HIGH ELEVATION TEARDROP SUPLEX!! In an amazing sight, Bussho Makiguchi quickly regained his footing in spite of enduring such a dangerous move. Seemingly functioning on instinct alone, Makiguchi screamed through the pain, slapping himself in the face as he just barely managed to stand on jelly legs. An even louder scream was unleashed from Bussho Makiguchi as he launched himself at BISON Yano with a FLYING FOREARM. This attack was denied by BISON Yano, who pushed the incoming Bussho, sending him flying back into the ring ropes. Bussho Makiguchi then rebounded off the ropes, straight into a waiting YANO EXPRESS BIG BOOT!! Bussho Makiguchi flipped backward and landed front facing due to the force of the shot delivered by BISON Yano. “COUNT THIS CRAZY SON OF #*”£$” growled out BISON Yano to Referee Yugoro Adachi, who quickly darted into position to count as BISON Yano rolled the near lifeless Bussho Makiguchi onto his back and pressed his hands firmly across his chest. …………………………………….….1 ………………………………………..2 …………………………………………....3!!! BISON Yano had succeeded in winning the match, handing Bussho Makiguchi the first loss of his 2018 Elite Series Campaign. This victory moves BISON Yano to 12 POINTS, making him the LEADER of B BLOCK. This puts BISON Yano in a strong position, especially with only one more day of B BLOCK action ahead. Despite being victorious, BISON Yano couldn’t help but look on with amazement towards Bussho Makiguchi, who refused to stay still on the canvas. Makiguchi desperately tried to regain his footing, but his weakened body wouldn’t comply with his minds wishes. Moments later, BISON Yano growled towards a PGHW staff member, demanding to be handed a microphone…. BISON Yano: MAKIGUCHI, SIT YOUR ASS UP! I want you to hear EVERY WORD I’m about to say! Bussho Makiguchi crawled towards the ring ropes, still trying to regain his footing. Makiguchi then collapsed back down to the canvas as BISON Yano looked on laughing. BISON Yano: HA……I’ve got to admit Makiguchi. You’ve got a set on you. You’re one crazy son of a #£$”% you know that? But the reality is, that even if you’d been smart enough to give today’s match with me your full focus, instead of spending all of your time obsessing over Yoshimi Mushashibo…the outcome still would’ve been the same. I was ALWAYS going to walk out the winner today! Hearing the boos of the fans, BISON Yano turned his attention to them BISON Yano: Oh SAVE IT! You people are becoming painfully predictable. I know full well I’m never going to get my due respect from all of you. It’s a good job I don’t give a slim slice of steak about what you cry babies think of me. You all want a bad guy? I’m happy to continue playing the role that you cast me in! Keep lining up your precious favourites and I’ll keep taking them down! All I care about is SUCCESS, and the MONEY that it brings my way! I told you all in the aftermath of losing to Yoshimi Mushashibo at Night of DESTINY that I knew FULL WELL that my defeat was nothing more than a temporary delay to the inevitable AGE of BISON that’s coming your way. I took the ABSOLUTE BEST that the fading Mushashibo had to give on that February Night, and it was BARELY ENOUGH to survive. I said I’d only get BETTER and he’d only get WEAKER….and look what happened! I’ve had a FLAWLESS ELITE SERIES, and yes, just as I said I’d do…I DEFEATED Yoshimi Mushashibo in our rematch! So I don’t care if it’s your precious Golden Guard, or this Giraffe Carrying Crazy Man that I just defeated tonight. You people can keep cheering your favourites, while I keep taking the SUCCESS and MONEY. I’m just ONE WIN AWAY from WINNING this B BLOCK and taking my place in the ELITE SERIES FINAL. I’ve told you my goals time after time. Elite Series victory, a 2nd shot at the PGHW Glory Crown Championship, taking that Championship to go along with my PGHW Glory Tag Championship, making me a DOUBLE CHAMPION! Keep on booing as I keep on winning. 2018 is the year of MAXIMUM SUCCESS, MAXIMUM MONEY and each and every one of you living in the AGE OF BRUTALITY, the AGE OF BISON! BISON Yano then dropped the microphone down towards Bussho Makiguchi, who was now sat in the ring corner. Bussho seemed to be in a trance, oblivious to the words that had just been spoken by the man who’d just defeated him. After the victorious BISON Yano left the ringside area, the fans began to cheer in support of Bussho Makiguchi. Finally snapping out of his trance, Bussho Makiguchi regained his footing. A brief look of anger towards the fans was visible on the face of Bussho, before he left the ring and aggressively grabbed Georgio the Giraffe from the ringside table he was sat upon. As Bussho Makiguchi slowly walked backstage, he briefly stopped in his tracks and froze on the spot. A vacant gaze filled the eyes of Bussho Makiguchi, who appeared to be shaking in anger. Bussho then closed his eyes and stood with them closed for what seemed to be the longest 20 seconds imaginable. As Bussho reopened his eyes, his personality appeared to transform. Now bright eyed and smiling, Bussho Makiguchi strutted towards the backstage area. “It’s going to be okay Georgio!” Bussho was heard to say, while gently stroking his companion “You hear me buddy? It’s going to be okay!” It’s been asked before, and it now needs to be asked more so than ever, just what on Earth is going on within the mind of Bussho Makiguchi? WINNER: BISON Yano via pinfall in 25:52 to earn 2 POINTS RATING:46 BLOCK B STANDINGS PGHW PRIDE Tour Day #12 POST SHOW BACKSTAGE COMMENTS Match No.2 Gonnohyoe Kada: Consider that victory a WAKE UP CALL! I’m well aware that I’ve been judged by my choice of association in recent months. I’m often the guy in the background while someone else gets to do the talking. Well maybe some of these so called wrestling experts who steal a living by writing trash in the magazines should stop and THINK before they put pen to paper. Just think about whether I’m actually right where I want to be. Maybe I’m happy with being overlooked for the time being! Maybe having people forget just how dangerous I can be is going to work to my long term advantage! So many of you have clearly forgotten that it was just one year ago that I enjoyed a 6 month reign as PGHW Historical Japan Champion! Just because I don’t open my mouth and speak about ADVANCING my DESTINY as much as my teammate Eien Miyamoto likes to, it doesn’t mean I’m any less committed to the same goal. Now I’ll readily confess that I would’ve liked to have been in a better position within the Elite Series by this point in the road, but on Day #14 I’ll finish strong with a victory over a man who’s become real accustomed to defeat in recent months, Nobuatsu Tatsuko. I’m putting the BOSS on notice; his hard times are fixing to get worse! Match No.3 Simon Flemmingway: After my loss to Yoshimi Mushashibo on Monday, I went back to the drawing board. Rather than dwell on the loss, I wanted to focus on the lesson I could learn from that result. I’ve been spending much of this past week watching back old footage of my matches throughout the years. I’ve been reminding myself just who I am. This is why you saw me bring back SIMON’S SOLUTION in the match today. Yeah, it didn’t secure me the victory on its own, but it went a long way towards contributing to the win. Now, it’s time for me to move to what’s ahead going forward following this victory over Nobuatsu Tatsuko. Last up in the Elite Series I’ve got Tsurayuki Kamachi. That’s a match I know I can win! Get ready to see me finish this Elite Series on a high note, and then, you can all look forward to what’s ahead for Simon Flemmingway! I told Yoshimi Mushashibo after our match on Monday that it wasn’t over between us, and I meant it! Match No.5 Yoshimi Mushashibo: My body should be ravaged by pain right now, but the adrenaline that’s still running through me following that match is doing a good job of blocking it out. That was a real rush out there in that ring tonight; words cannot describe how that match made me feel! Noriyori Sanda, I meant what I said to you in the ring following the match. I truly hope we get to the opportunity to wrestle again. You’re a true warrior! Now, only one more day of B BLOCK competition awaits me, and with 10 POINTS already gained I still have a possibility of tying the lead! I cannot guarantee my fans that I’ll win the block this year, as a Day #14 victory by me alone may not be enough. It’s dependent on other factors outside of my control. So let’s just see where the cards fall. What I CAN promise my fans is this; I’ll be giving Bussho Makiguchi my very best effort in our Day #14 bout. I know this is a match that the fans have been looking forward to. I also know how badly Bussho has wanted this bout for some time now. It’s well known things have been tense between me and Bussho Makiguchi ever since he took exception to some comments I made in an interview. Well Bussho, I know you’ll be watching this footage and listening to these words. I want you to look into my eyes and know that I STAND BY THE COMMENTS I made in that interview! Yes, I DO REGRET proclaiming you the future of Japanese Wrestling. For as talented as you are, I feel you lack the grounding and hunger needed to move to the next level. But don’t get angry, get inspired. Come Day #14, neither of our words matter, only actions. So what are you going to do Bussho Makiguchi? Are you going to RISE UP and prove me wrong? Or am I going to be proven right in my opinion of you? Just one more thing Bussho, please leave the toy Giraffe at home! Match No.6 BISON Yano: Aghhhhhh, I head back here after a hard fought win that saw me take the LEAD in B BLOCK by moving to 12 POINTS. All I want to do right now is grab a shower. Followed by getting my hands on some BEER and STEAK! But what do I have to deal with? More of you pesky journalists swarming me! How many %#&$£”& sound bites do you people need? AGHHHH, I said everything I need to say out in that ring. If there are two things in life I love more than BEER and STEAK, it’s SUCCESS and MONEY. Look at this PGHW Glory Crown Tag Championship over my shoulder right now, that’s SUCCESS that equals MONEY. Being a Tag Champion, a 2 time Tag Champion at that, it’s a BIG SUCCESS, but MORE waits on the table for me, and I’m so close to reaching out and taking it. The Elite Series is MINE, then the PGHW Glory Crown Championship and the life of a DOUBLE CHAMPION will be MINE soon after. 2018 is the year of MAXIMUM SUCCESS and MAXIMUM MONEY for me. The AGE OF BISON is now undeniable, IT’S COMING! That’s all that you pencil necks are getting out of me right now, MOVE OUT OF MY WAY! </blockquote> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Golden Guard M Posted May 16, 2021 Author Share Posted May 16, 2021 <blockquote style=”background-color:#FFFFFF;color:black;border-style:solid;border-width:4px;border-color:#000000;max-width:1000px;”> PGHW PRIDE Tour Day #13 ....(((A BLOCK FINAL))).... Sunday, Week 2, March 2018 Ibaraki Community Hall (Kanto) Show Rating: 54 Attendance: 945 (Highlights provided by Shogun TV) Match No. 1 B BLOCK Preview Six Man Tag VS. Bussho Makiguchi, Avalanche Takano, Danger Kumasaka vs. Yoshimi Mushashibo & European All-Stars 20-minute time limit MAKIGUCHI and MUSHASHIBO! Those were the two names on the minds of the 945 attendees within Ibaraki Community Hall. A hush fell over the venue as Bussho Makiguchi and the PGHW Glory Crown Champion “The Golden Guard” Yoshimi Mushashibo met in the centre of the ring for a tension filled stare down to begin the contest that served as a preview for their long awaited Day #14 match . While Bussho had indulged in his now customary pre match theatrics (with Georgio the Giraffe in tow) the 29 year old looked to be 100% serious as he glared into the eyes of Yoshimi Mushashibo. The man that Bussho is less than 24 hours away from meeting, in a bout that few would argue to being the most anticipated of the Elite Series B BLOCK. While a bout between Bussho Makiguchi and Yoshimi Mushashibo would be a hot ticket at any time, the fast approaching match between these two fan favourites on the final day of B BLOCK carries additional weight. Not only has this match got the potential to put the winner in the position of TIED BLOCK LEADER (depending on the outcome of current B BLOCK leader BISON Yano’s match earlier in the card) but it also serves as an opportunity to settle an issue that has risen up between the two competitors in recent months. Bussho Makiguchi has had a change in personality in recent months, and many link the change to comments made by Yoshimi Mushashibo in his now infamous February Interview. Will Bussho step up in the face of pressure and show that he’s STILL everything that Yoshimi Mushashibo once publicly proclaimed him to be? Or will “The Golden Guard” prove that his recently documented change of opinion concerning Bussho is justified? Getting the focus away from the future and back to the moment at hand, Bussho Makiguchi’s teammates on this night were Avalanche Takano and PGHW Historical Japan Champion Danger Kumasaka. On the opposing side, Yoshimi Mushashibo’s teammates were Irwin Gutmann and Pavel Vanzycha of European All-Stars. It should be noted, the two Europeans seemed more than happy to be on the team opposing Bussho Makiguchi, given how memories were still fresh over how Makiguchi walked out on the two of them when he was their teammate in a Six Man Tag on Day #11. Every set of eyes within Ibaraki Community Hall locked onto the exchanges between Bussho Makiguchi and Yoshimi Mushashibo that started the contest. To the surprise of many, separation between the two competitors soon became apparent. While Bussho Makiguchi seemed to be operating out of anger in his rushed and overly aggressive striking attacks, Yoshimi Mushashibo reacted with a controlled, perhaps even calm demeanour. Mushashibo seemed to be content in allowing Makiguchi to be the aggressor. “The Golden Guard” would allow Bussho Makiguchi to strike, only to then respond with a far more successful attack. As Yoshimi Mushashibo radiated control and confidence, Bussho Makiguchi only appeared to grow in frustration. This was not the look that Bussho wanted to project going into his B BLOCK match with the PGHW Glory Crown Champion less than 24 hours away. Makiguchi wasn’t the only one who was visibly getting frustrated, so were his two teammates out on the apron. “Hey HEY HEY!” shouted out the no nonsense Danger Kumasaka towards his clearly struggling teammate “TAG OUT!” Looking to have taken the words of the Grizzled Elder Veteran on board, the struggling Bussho Makiguchi moved over to the ropes, looking to tag out to the 64 year old. Bussho then surprised Danger Kumasaka, as well as the fans in attendance, by quickly shooting back around towards the centre of the ring. “The Golden Guard” Yoshimi Mushashibo was also surprised, finding himself hitting the canvas after being caught off guard with a FLYING FOREARM SHOT. A look of madness then lit up on Bussho Makiguchi’s face, as he began to frantically stomp on the grounded PGHW Glory Crown Champion. Referee Shihei Nagano finally had to step in and give Bussho Makiguchi a warning when he began to choke “The Golden Guard” by placing his right boot over his throat. From the apron, Bussho’s own teammates Avalanche Takano and Danger Kumasaka looked on with disapproval. The next minute or so of action was controlled by Bussho Makiguchi, who seemed to revel in every bit of pain his attacks were causing to Yoshimi Mushashibo. While cheers for both Makiguchi and Mushashibo were loud and clear during the contest, it did seem that more cheers could be heard for “The Golden Guard” as the match progressed. Always one to pay attention to the live crowd, Bussho Makiguchi’s dirty looks towards the people who dared cheer for his opponent instead of him gave a real insight into the current mind state of the 29 year old. Despite being one of the most popular wrestlers on the PGHW roster, Bussho Makiguchi was clearly more concerned with the fans who weren’t cheering his name, rather than the many fans that still were. Yoshimi Mushashibo mounted a successful comeback effort to regain some control against his increasingly aggressive attacker. When Bussho Makiguci began to target his right knee, Yoshimi Mushashibo knew he had to get out of harm’s way. “The Golden Guard” didn’t want to risk further damage to that vulnerable body part in a preview tag match. Yoshimi Mushashibo countered an attempted WRISTLOCK/RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP combination from Bussho Makiguchi with a FORWARD FALL FACEBUSTER! As both wrestlers fell to the canvas following Mushashibo’s execution of this counter move, “The Golden Guard” was successful in crawling over to his team’s corner and tagging out to Irwin Gutmann of European All-Stars! In the action that followed, some quick tags+double team attacks utilised by both members of the European All-Stars at the expense of Bussho Makiguchi saw both Irwin Gutmann and Pavel Vanzycha gain a measure of payback on the man who walked out on them on Day #11. Finding himself desperate for a tag out, Bussho Makiguchi battled towards his team corner and attempted to tag out to PGHW Historical Japan Champion Danger Kumasaka. Unfortunately for Makiguchi, the veteran Kumasaka seemed less than enthusiastic about accepting his tag. It was clear that Danger Kumasaka didn’t appreciate being snubbed by Makiguchi earlier in the match. Bussho Makiguchi shot a menacing glare towards Danger Kumasaka, before turning and slapping his other teammate Avalanche Takano across the chest, bringing Takano into the bout as the legal participant. The next minutes of action were made up of some back and forth exchanges as both members of European All-Stars tangled with Avalanche Takano and Danger Kumasaka (who had no issue with accepting tags and working alongside Takano, his issue was purely with Bussho) A turning point in the action came when Danger Kumasaka hit his left shoulder hard on the canvas following a SIDE SUPLEX from Pavel Vanzycha. A follow up attempt by Pavel Vanzycha to place the vulnerable Danger Kumasaka in a CROSS ARMLOCK was fought off and resisted by the veteran. The PGHW Historical Japan Champion then battled over to his corner and tagged out to Avalanche Takano. The effort to tag out took all of Danger Kumasaka’s remaining energy. The 64 year old rolled off the apron and crouched down on the arena floor, where he began to rub his left shoulder while in obvious pain. Danger Kumasaka’s contributions to this match looked to be concluded. Moving on, Avalanche Takano looked strong as he took the fight to Pavel Vanzycha. Seeing his first PGHW action since a tag match on Day #5 of the tour, the refreshed 23 year old used his speed advantage over Pavel Vanzycha to great efficiency. At one point, Avalanche Takano looked to have Vanzycha on the verge of submission thanks to a CROSSFACE. Luckily for Vanzycha, he was rescued by his European All-Stars teammate Irwin Gutmann. Avalanche Takano began to come unstuck when he found himself opposite “The Golden Guard” Yoshimi Mushashibo. To Takano’s credit, he didn’t back down from the PGHW Glory Crown Champion, but he was soon overwhelmed by his more experienced opposition. Once Avalanche Takano found himself trapped in the YOSHIMI LOCK within the centre of the ring, the PGHW Dojo Graduate had no hope for being able to escape without assistance from one of his teammates. Danger Kumasaka wasn’t going to be the assisting partner; he was still out of commission outside of the ring. As for Bussho Makiguchi, he looked on from the apron as Avalanche Takano bravely struggled to resist the YOSHIMI LOCK. Makiguchi looked conflicted over whether to intervene to help his teammate or not. Eventually, Bussho DID try to help his teammate, but it was too little too late. As Bussho entered the ring, his efforts were cut off by BOTH members of European All-Stars, who tackled him and held him in place. With no hope of reaching the ropes, and no help coming, Avalanche Takano was left with no choice but to TAP OUT to the YOSHIMI LOCK! Following the bout, the defeated Avalanche Takano shared respectful words and handshakes with the victorious trio of Yoshimi Mushashibo and European All-Stars. Takano then rolled out of the ring to check on Danger Kumasaka. As for Bussho Makiguchi, no pleasantries were exchanged between him and any of the three winners. From a distance, Bussho Makiguchi tightly held onto Georgio the Giraffe while engaging in a tense stare down with Yoshimi Mushashibo. The Day #14 bout between these two competitors clearly cannot come soon enough! WINNERS: Yoshimi Mushashibo & European All-Stars via Yoshimi Mushashibo submitting Avalanche Takano in 13:41 RATING:46 Match No. 2 Singles Match ELITE SERIES 2018 A BLOCK VS. Azumamaro Kita vs. Goemon Komiya 30-minute time limit A display of respect was shared between SAISHO Destiny Champion Azumamaro Kita and Goemon Komiya, with a handshake between the two competitors at the outset of the contest. This bout was actually a reunion between Kita and Komiya rather than an introduction. Both men have wrestled one another before as there Pro Wrestling SAISHO careers overlapped during Goemon Komiya’s history of working for that promotion. This year’s Elite Series hasn’t produced the desired results for Azumamaro Kita or Goemon Komiya. The SAISHO representative Azumamaro Kita entered his final day of A BLOCK competition with 0 POINTS to show for his efforts. Goemon Komiya hasn’t fared much better, with a significant victory on Day #3 over PGHW International Champion SATO for 2 POINTS being his only success story so far. On paper, this bout between two Middleweights looked to have the makings for a decent wrestling contest. Unfortunately, something failed to click on this final day of A BLOCK action. A lack of chemistry between Azumamaro Kita and Goemon Komiya resulted in both competitors putting forward their worst showings of the tournament so far. The bout lacked heat from the opening bell, and sadly, the poor wrestling on display during this outing only drained the energy out of the 945 in attendance within Ibaraki Community Hall even further. Over 14 minutes of action that was only average in its best moments finally came to a close when Azumamaro Kita caught Goemon Komiya off guard by playing possum during Komiya’s attempts to apply his signature STRETCH MUFFLER submission. Azumamaro Kita intercepted Komoya’s attempt with a surprise pinning cradle that scored the SAISHO representative the match winning three count! Goemon Komiya sat up with an expression of shock across his face as he looked up to see Referee Yugoro Adachi raising the hand of Azumamaro Kita in victory. This win gave Azumamaro Kita his first singles victory within a PGHW ring, as well as the first and what will be only 2 POINTS of his debut Elite Series campaign. Respectful applause and cheers for Azumamaro Kita could be heard within Ibaraki Community Hall, but this significant moment within Azumamaro Kita’s PGHW career would’ve likely received a bigger reaction if the match that had led up to it had been more entertaining. This subpar match was an unfortunate way for both Azumamaro Kita and Goemon Komiya to wrap up their 2018 Elite Series. WINNER: Azumamaro Kita via pinfall in 14:06 to earn 2 POINTS RATING:34 Match No. 3 Singles Match ELITE SERIES 2018 A BLOCK VS. SATO vs. Shuji Inukai 30-minute time limit PGHW International Champion SATO entered his final day of Elite Series A BLOCK action with 4 POINTS to show for his efforts thus far. The most recent bout in SATO’s Elite Series campaign was a hard fought losing effort in a main event battle on Day #11 with “The Puppet Master” Eien Miyamoto. Despite a strong showing during that bout from SATO, his ever opportunistic opponent wasn’t afraid of using controversial shortcuts on his road to victory. Miyamoto even targeted the BRUISED EYE SOCKET of SATO, which the PGHW International Champion picked up during his Day #9 bout with SAISHO Destiny Champion Azumamaro Kita. Entering this match, SATO was wearing a patch over his damaged eye. Meanwhile, SATO’s Day #13 opposition “The Untouchable” Shuji Inukai also entered the final day of BLOCK A with a score of 4 POINTS. The Legendary 2x Elite Series Winner gained his points with a Day #3 victory over Azumamaro Kita, followed by a Day #7 win at the expense of Goemon Komiya. Unlike during his Day #11 match with Eien Miyamoto, The PGHW International Champion SATO didn’t have to worry about shortcuts or cheap shots when going up against Shuji Inukai. All SATO had to be ready for was a head on full force stand up striking battle. The fans seemed to be split between supporting both fan favourite competitors as they traded razor sharp chops, before mixing things up with forearms shots and leg strikes. The bout wasn’t even at the 5 minute mark before both wrestlers showed the wounds of war, with reddened chests and legs from the chops and kicks. The older of the two competitors, Shuji Inukai, was the first to show signs of fatigue following the intensity of the back and forth striking battle. Sensing that Inukai was beginning to weaken, SATO switched up his plan of attack. In an attempt to introduce power moves, SATO attempted to SUPLEX Shuji Inukai, only for Inukai to deny SATO’s attempt to hoist him up into the air by wrapping his right foot around his attackers left leg. Shuji Inukai would then soften SATO up with some punches to the gut, before dropping him down onto his back via a SPINNING NECKBREAKER. From the ground, Shuji Inukai attempted to submit SATO with an OMOPLATA, but the PGHW International Champion managed to escape from the dangerous move following a short struggle. Sometime later, SATO would once again attempt to SUPLEX Shuji Inukai. This time around, SATO would succeed in hoisting Inukai up overhead, only to be forced to abandon the move following a well-placed KNEE TO THE HEAD from the 46 year old PGHW Legend. After landing back down onto his feet, Shuji Inukai wasted no time in connecting with an UNTOUCHABLE LARIAT on SATO. This move proved to be as close to a match finisher as can be imagined, but SATO managed to lift up his left hand at the count of 2.9! As time marched on, both competitors would have success in denying one another’s moves, before briefly returning to a striking battle. While the strikes thrown still had some considerable sting behind them, they were a mere distraction technique at this point. Both Shuji Inukai and SATO were clearly just waiting for an opportunity to be the first to catch the other off guard with a more impactful move. SATO was the first competitor to make good on his intentions, eventually flooring Shuji Inukai with the full force of a SATO DRIVER 10K! First came the ONE, then the TWO, and then the THREE…was NOT to BE, as Shuji Inukai somehow managed to KICK OUT! As the bout approached the 15 minute mark, another stand up striking battle came to an end when Shuji Inukai DUCKED an incoming WIND SPRINT ELBOW attempt from SATO. Immediately making the most of the opening provided to him, Shuji Inukai dropped SATO down with a BRIDGING BACK SUPLEX. Referee Shihei Nagano leapt into position to make the count……ONE, TWO THREEEEAAAAnnnndddd… JUST BARELY…A KICK OUT from SATO! Not wanting to give SATO any time for recovery, Shuji Inukai intercepted the efforts made by the 26 year old to regain his footing. SATO knelt on two knees as he was peppered with a flurry of forearm strikes thrown by Shuji Inukai. While Inukai wasn’t deliberately aiming for SATO’s compromised SWOLLEN EYE SOCKET, some of the forearm strikes did land towards that area, which no doubt caused increased pain to the PGHW International Champion, patch or no patch. Shuji Inukai hoisted a strike stunned SATO up from the canvas, before dropping him straight back down to it via one of his signature attacks, THE INUKAI DRIVER! Following the successful delivery of THE INUKAI DRIVER, the legs of SATO were held tightly by Shuji Inukai as Referee Shihei Nagano counted what proved to be the match winning pinfall. “The Untouchable” Shuji Inukai ends his 2018 Elite Series campaign by picking up his third tournament victory in order to finish with 6 POINTS! In the aftermath of this contest, the 945 in attendance cheered on the efforts of both men as the victorious Shuji Inukai helped the defeated SATO up to his feet. “Don’t be disheartened, that was a strong effort!” Shuji Inukai was heard to tell SATO. While clearly appreciative of Shuji Inukai’s compliment, SATO looked to be slightly disappointed with himself over his failed effort. “I have no excuses. Today was your day. I just hope we get to do this again soon” SATO was heard to tell Shuji Inukai, before taking his leave from the ring to allow the victor to have his deserved post match celebration. WINNER: Shuji Inukai via pinfall in 15:41 to earn 2 POINTS RATING:44 Match No. 4 Semi Final Singles Match ELITE SERIES 2018 A BLOCK VS. Eien Miyamoto vs. Kazushige Matsuki 30-minute time limit Looking beyond the trademark arrogance projected by Eien Miyamoto, it was visible within the eyes as well as the body language displayed by “The Puppet Master” that he carried the weight of what a victory in this final day of Elite Series A BLOCK competition could potentially mean for him. A victory here would move Eien Miyamoto to 12 POINTS, making him the TIED LEADER of A BLOCK alongside Chojiro Kitoaji. Eien Miyamoto walked into this bout being the only man left in the block with the potential to tie Chojiro Kitoaji’s lead. Miyamoto also carried the weight of knowing that a loss in this bout would make Chojiro Kitoaji the automatic winner of A BLOCK. One way or another, Eien Miyamoto was set to be a part of history in a highly influential contest. A walk of confidence by Eien Miyamoto was slightly betrayed by a look of hesitation as he gazed up towards the 6’5 Kazushige Matsuki, who looked down on him with a smile. Miyamoto was quick to step back when Kazushige Matsuki rose up his right fist. “I’ve got a FIST OF FURY with your name on it!” shouted Kazushige Matsuki to his concerned looking opposition. With 8 POINTS to show for his efforts, Kazushige Matsuki has had a good 2018 Elite Series campaign. While the big man went into this match knowing full well that he wasn’t in position to win A BLOCK, the 32 year old seemed fully focused on a new mission. Kazushige Matsuki wanted to play spoiler to Eien Miyamoto’s chances of tying the A BLOCK lead. In the opening minute of the contest, Eien Miyamoto seemed set to play a game of cat and mouse, trying to make his bigger opposition follow his lead. Unfortunately for Miyamoto, it soon became apparent that Kazushige Matsuki was fully aware what he was up to. The big man had experienced a similar strategy in the opening stages of his most recent Elite Series bout, a Day #11 match with Shuji Inukai, and he wasn’t in any mood to play this game again. As he’s displayed at times in past encounters, Kazushige Matsuki can turn up the tempo when he feels the need to do so. Eien Miyamoto learned this lesson the hard way after being taken down to the canvas with the force of a CHARGING SPEAR! Victory almost came for Kazushige Matsuki at just over a minute into the bout following the CHARGING SPEAR, but Eien Miyamoto just about managed to kick out in time. Eien then tried to crawl out of the ring, but Kazushige Matsuki dragged him back towards him via his feet. Giving Eien Miyamoto no time to regroup, Kazushige Matsuki hoisted him up via two hands around the throat, before dropping him down to the canvas via a TWO HANDED CHOKESLAM. Following the impact of the landing, Eien Miyamoto rolled backwards and underneath the ring ropes. Miyamoto then rolled off the apron onto the arena floor. Seeing that Eien Miyamoto was taking time outside of the ring in an attempt to regroup, Kazushige Matsuki decided to leave the ring and pursue his opponent. No confidence was detectable on the face of Eien Miyamoto at this point, only fear. A desperate Miyamoto tried to back away from a fast approaching Kazushige Matsuki. Miyamoto then slipped backwards, falling back first against one of the ring side safety railings. With Eien Miyamoto looking vulnerable as he rested against the steel safety railing, Kazushige Matsuki charged towards him with a FIST OF FURY. The FIST OF FURY attempt ended up being a costly error of judgement for Matsuki, as Eien Miyamoto SIDE STEPPED at the last moment, meaning that the FIST OF FURY thrown by Matsuki hit nothing but STEEL. A scream of pain was heard from Kazushige Matsuki as he fell to the ground clutching the right hand he’d used to deliver the FIST OF FURY. Eien Miyamoto looked down on his compromised opponent with an arrogant smirk. Confidence now once again oozed from Eien Miyamoto. It would seem that “The Puppet Master” was actually in control all along, having baited Kazushige Matsuki into making the mistake he did. As Referee Yugoro Adachi approached the count of 12, the sinister side of Eien Miyamoto was on full display. Miyamoto grabbed the compromised right hand of the grounded Kazushige Matsuki and smashed it up against the steel railing. A louder scream than before was now heard from Kazushige Matsuki, but Miyamoto would show him no mercy. Eien Miyamoto took the right hand of Matsuki and wedged it in between one of the gaps of the steel railing. Miyamoto would then take a few steps back, before hitting the steel railing with a THRUST KICK. The fans gasped as Matsuki once again screamed out in distress. The impact of this blow only served to cause more agony for Kazushige Matsuki’s trapped right hand. With the deliberately slow counting Referee now at the count of 17, Eien Miyamoto rolled back into the ring. “Count him FASTER already Adachi!” barked out Miyamoto towards the Referee. It was clear that Eien Miyamoto was more than content to take a count out victory. With Referee Yugoro Adachi at the count of 19 going onto 20, Kazushige Matsuki managed to roll back into the ring, just in time! While Kazushige Matsuki had saved the match for himself, he also opened himself up to further punishment from Eien Miyamoto. Matsuki was immediately subjected to more attacks to his right hand from the 31 year old Destiny Advance representative. Using some cruel and at times stomach churning joint manipulation, Eien Miyamoto looked to be out to score a submission victory. While many of these attacks troubled Kazushige Matsuki and clearly put him on the edge of wanting to tap the canvas to end his suffering, the big man bravely continued to resist. More than just offering up resistance, Kazushige Matsuki went on to mount a respectable comeback effort. The big man relied on using kicks as well as his left arm to battle back into the fight and throw Eien Miyamoto off course. Sadly though, the instincts of Kazushige Matsuki (who is a former amateur boxer) saw him go to use the compromised right hand at the worst possible times. Matsuki tried to battle beyond the pain and use his right hand regardless, but as the match marched on the pain from the hand became too much for the 6’5 fighter to endure. The final moments of the bout came when Kazushige Matsuki was dropped to his knees via a SPINNING LEG SWEEP from Eien Miyamoto. “The Puppet Master” then jumped down and STOMPED on the right hand of Matsuki. As Matsuki reached down to clutch his right hand, he was hit FULL FORCE on the head with Miyamoto’s signature flying knee strike, THE STRING CUTTER! “OVER!” yelled out Eien Miyamoto as he attempted what went on to be the match winning pinfall! This victory sees Eien Miyamoto end his 2018 Elite Series campaign with 12 POINTS, a score he now shares with Chojiro Kitoaji. If Chojiro Kitoaji loses in the upcoming Main Event, he’ll stay at 12 POINTS, leading to Eien Miyamoto being the TIED BLOCK A WINNER. “You just saw me do EXACTLY what I said I would to the BIG MAN with the BIG FLAWS!” said a jubilant Eien Miyamoto as he approached one of the Shogun TV cameras post match “Now, sit back and watch as Chojiro Kitoaji does EXACTLY what I’ve said he’ll do. I know what he’s feeling. The pressure is mounting for the FALSE LEADER as he walks across that increasingly slippery tight rope to the finish line. But Kitoaji should take my advice, he shouldn’t try to fight against the pressure, he should just give in to it! That way, at least you puppets will have ONE WINNER of BLOCK A that’s worthy of your praise and celebration. One way or another, my DESTINY WILL BE ATTAINED!….You can only delay me what I’m due for so long!” WINNER: Eien Miyamoto via pinfall in 19:48 to earn 2 POINTS RATING:52 Match No. 5 Main Event Singles Match ELITE SERIES 2018 A BLOCK FINAL VS. BRUTE Kikuchi vs. Chojiro Kitoaji 30-minute time limit “What is this for you?” asked BRUTE Kikuchi as he got into the face of Chojiro Kitoaji at the outset of the bout. “I’ll tell you what this is” continued Kikuchi “This is the biggest singles match of your career! But ask yourself, what is this for me? Unlike you, I have no Elite Series pressure. That’s over with already as far as I’m concerned. So I’ll tell you what this is for me, it’s just a perfect opportunity for me to mess you up before you come after the PGHW Glory Tag Crown that belongs to me and BISON Yano. You couldn’t have a worse final day opponent than me. Get ready to feel the pain!” Chojiro Kitoaji gave no verbal response in reply to BRUTE Kikuchi, but the 30 year old showed zero intimidation upon hearing the words of his menacing opposition. The truth of some of BRUTE Kikuchi’s words had to register with Kitoaji on some level though. After all, this was the biggest singles match of his career. Chojiro Kitoaji is already a guaranteed winner of the Elite Series 2018 A BLOCK, but the result of this match will determine if the fan favourite gets the glory of the A BLOCK victory all for himself, or if he has to share it in a tied lead with the man who’s met his 12 POINT score, “The Puppet Master” Eien Miyamoto. The Co Holder of the PGHW Glory Tag Crown BRUTE Kikuchi entered the final day of A BLOCK action with the score of 8 POINTS. The 27 year old saw his two tournament losses come at the hands of Eien Miyamoto on Day #3, and Kazushige Matsuki on Day #9. BRUTE Kikuchi’s SWOLLEN CALF MUSCLE was once again heavily taped up going into this contest. This injury that Kikuchi picked up during his Day #7 match with the PGHW International Champion SATO has undoubtedly hindered him during his recent tournament matches. That being said, Kikuchi’s most recent tournament match, a Day #11 victory over Goemon Komiya, serves as proof that the big man is capable of overcoming the pain of his injury to pull off victories. Was that set to be the case today? As for Chojiro Kitoaji, whatever the outcome of today’s A BLOCK final had in store, words will be written about the flawless 2018 Elite Series campaign he’s embarked on for many years to come. As one half of the popular tag team KitoGuchi, the son of the Legendary Koryusai Kitoaji has been one of the most popular performers in PGHW for some time now, but his popularity has only grown with each passing victory during this tournament. Was Chojiro Kitoaji set to continue riding his massive wave of momentum all the way to being the stand alone WINNER of A BLOCK? Or was he about to be pulled down into deep waters by the dangerous blood hungry shark that is BRUTE Kikuchi? Chants of “LEADER” and “GO GO CHOJIRO” filled Ibaraki Community Hall as Chojiro Kitoaji kicked off the action by rushing towards BRUTE Kikuchi. This proved to be a significant error of judgement from Kitoaji, when he was hoisted up with two hands around the throat by BRUTE Kikuchi. The fans then gasped as BRUTE Kikuchi spun Chojiro Kitoaji around and crotched him by dropping him down onto the top ring rope. After the awkward landing, Chojiro Kitoaji crashed hard onto the ring apron and fell to the outside of the ring. “I DON’T WANT YOU TO COUNT HIM” yelled out BRUTE Kikuchi to Referee Shihei Nagano “He’s not getting an easy way out of this. Oh no! I’m just getting started having my fun!” A menacing smile was displayed by BRUTE Kikuchi as he exited the ring and intercepted Chojiro Kitoaji as he rose to his feet. BRUTE Kikuchi easily blocked an attempted axe handle strike from Kitoaji, before grabbing hold of him and delivering a BRUTAL BIEL TOSS. The uncomfortable looks visible on the faces of the ringside fans summed up the impact of this throw on the body of Chojiro Kitoaji better than any words are capable of. Kitoaji landed on his left side with full force, only the thin matting around ringside offered any sort of barrier between Chojiro Kitoaji’s body and the unforgiving concrete floor. With the deliberately slow count of Referee Shihei Nagano having reached 15, BRUTE Kikuchi decided to push Chojiro Kitoaji SPINE FIRST into the side of the ring, before rolling him back into it. BRUTE Kikuchi laughed as he watched Chojiro Kitoaji try and fail to regain his footing, before following his vulnerable opponent into the ring. “Come on Kitoaji” taunted BRUTE Kikuchi as he circled the fallen body of his opponent “What’s the matter with you? Listen to these people! You’re meant to be there LEADER right? This is the A BLOCK FINAL! These people want to see a MAIN EVENT! Get your sorry ass up RIGHT NOW. I’m only just getting started with you!” Responding to the taunts of BRUTE Kikuchi, a gutsy Chojiro Kitoaji began to fire off elbow strikes to the legs of his opponent. BRUTE Kikuchi was quick to step back in order to protect his SWOLLEN CALF MUSCLE. With scary aggression, BRUTE Kikuchi then cut off the comeback attempt from Kitoaji by lifting him up from the canvas by his hair. The fans then shouted out upon hearing the sound of the CRACK that accompanied the sight of a horrifying looking HEADBUTT to Chojiro Kitoaji’s face. As Chojiro Kitoaji dropped back down to his knees following the impact, some shouts of distress could be heard from various members of the audience upon the sight of blood pouring from the nose of the KitoGuchi representative. The blood flowed like water from a faucet. The HEADBUTT from BRUTE Kikuchi had succeeded in shattering the nose of Chojiro Kitoaji that had previously been broken on Day #3 of the Elite Series during a match with Kazushige Matsuki. Despite the continued punishment that Chojiro Kitoaji would suffer at the hands of BRUTE Kikuchi over the minutes that followed, the PGHW fans did not fade in their continued support for him. Quite the opposite occurred, the chants of “GO GO CHOJIRO” and “LEADER” would get significantly louder. While the support of the majority within Ibaraki Community Hall failed in giving the battered and bloodied Chojiro Kitoaji the energy he needed to even attempt to mount a comeback effort, it at least seemed to succeed in giving Kitoaji the will needed to KICK OUT twice when it looked like he was done for. Much to the surprise and clear agitation of BRUTE Kikuchi, neither a SPINNING SIDEWALK SLAM nor a KIKUCHI CRUSH proved to be enough to keep Kitoaji down for the match winning THREE COUNT! Despite a determined refusal to give in from a driven Chojiro Kitoaji, the bout would continue being a story of one step forward and two steps back for him. Anytime Kitoaji showed the faint hope of making some kind of comeback, it would quickly get snuffed out at the dangerous hands of BRUTE Kikuchi. Finally, a significant turning point came when Chojiro Kitoaji countered a DOUBLE HANDED CHOKESLAM attempt from BRUTE Kikuchi with a DOUBLE KNEE JAWBREAKER! As both wrestlers scrambled to regain their footing following this move, Chojiro Kitoaji managed to get off the first strike. As BRUTE Kikuchi moved towards him, Chojiro Kitoaji landed a BASEMENT DROPKICK directly on its intended target, the SWOLLEN CALF MUSCLE! As BRUTE Kikuchi reached down to clutch his SWOLLEN CALF, he was rocked by a JUMPING UPPERCUT that connected right underneath his chin. Feeding off the energy of the crowd, Chojiro Kitoaji shouted out to fire himself up further. Kitoaji then wiped blood from his eyes before attempting to land one of his signature strikes, THE KITOAJI LARIAT. Unfortunately, this attempt from Kitoaji would be countered with a canvas shaking URANAGI from BRUTE Kikuchi. A follow up pin attempt by BRUTE Kikuchi was countered when Chojiro Kitoaji rolled him into a GOGOPLATA. The sounds of cheers and stomping feet filled Ibaraki Community Hall as many of the 945 in attendance tried to will Chojiro Kitoaji on into gaining a submission victory over BRUTE Kikuchi. While the GOGOPLATA significantly troubled BRUTE Kikuchi, the 6’9 powerhouse managed to use his strength to counter out of the hold in impressive fashion. BRUTE Kikuchi rose to his feet, lifting up Chojiro Kitoaji in position to drop him with a POWERBOMB. Sadly for BRUTE Kikuchi, the strain that the counter caused to his legs, specifically his SWOLLEN CALF MUSCLE, caused him to buckle and loosen his grip of Kitoaji. Quick to react, Chojiro Kitoaji rolled BRUTE Kikuchi up for a pinfall attempt! …………………………………….ONE! …………………………………….TWO! …………………………………….annnnnnnddddddddd ………….Referee Shihei Nagano’s hand did NOT come down for THREE! ……..BRUTE KIKUCHI with the KICK OUT! Later into the match, a blood soaked Chojiro Kitoaji appeared to once again be fading as BRUTE Kikuchi took back control. Kitoaji seemed to remain standing from will alone. The TIED A BLOCK LEADER appeared to be on Dream Street as BRUTE Kikuchi rattled him with CLUBBING BLOWS to the head. Suddenly, new life shot into Chojiro Kitoaji as the fan favourite revived with a wide eyed expression that made a shocked BRUTE Kikuchi take a step back. Kitoaji then slapped at his own blood coated face, before jumping towards BRUTE Kikuchi and firing away at him with some rapid fire shots. BRUTE Kikuchi began to fire back with punches of his own, before both competitors fell, knocking down Referee Shihei Nagano while doing so. The force of impact appeared to knock Shihei Nagano out. With no Referee to officiate the action, BRUTE Kikuchi and Chojiro Kitoaji went on to engage in a stand up striking battle that the more powerful BRUTE Kikuchi predictably got the better of. As Chojiro Kitoaji collapsed down to the canvas, BRUTE Kikuchi began to smile while glancing to the outside of the ring. An idea had clearly formed within the mind of the BRUTE BISON representative. The fans in attendance were soon clued in on what exactly this idea was, when BRUTE Kikuchi stepped outside of the ring and grabbed hold of the STEEL RING STEPS. Boos were heard from the fans, registering their disapproval as BRUTE Kikuchi returned to the ring with the steps in his grasp. Before too long, BRUTE Kikuchi rested the STEEL RING STEPS in the centre of the ring. Kikuchi then hoisted Chojiro Kitoaji up overhead in a GORILLA PRESS SLAM position. The bloodied face of Chojiro Kitoaji was positioned right above the steps. The damage that could be caused if BRUTE Kikuchi were to drop Chojiro Kitoaji from this position was a horrific prospect that few wanted to ponder on, but it looked seconds away from becoming a reality. As Chojiro Kitoaji was dropped in a GORILLA PRESS SLAM attempt, Kitoaji managed to grab hold of BRUTE Kikuchi’s hair and pull off a timely FACEBUSTER counter. This counter saw the side of Chojiro’s face clip the STEEL RING STEPS, but it was the head of BRUTE Kikuchi hitting the steps that took the most impact from the move. Both wrestlers fell on opposite sides of the Ring Steps. It was now apparent to all that Chojiro Kitoaji and BRUTE Kikuchi appeared to be spent, with neither competitor acting quick in an attempt to regain their footing. At this moment, Referee Shihei Nagano awoke from his earlier fall. A confused look was on the face of The Referee when he noticed the STEEL RING STEPS in the centre of the ring and clearly wondered how they’d got there. Nagano then turned his attention to the two wrestlers on either side of the steps; both BRUTE Kikuchi and Chojiro Kitoaji were now starting to stir. As BRUTE Kikuchi staggered up to his feet, he blinked his eyes frantically while clutching his now bloodied forehead. As BRUTE Kikuchi regained his focus, he looked up. Kikuchi could do nothing in time to counter the sight before him, as Chojiro Kitoaji LEAPT OFF the STEEL RING STEPS and landed a FLYING KITOAJI LARIAT. Both wrestlers crashed down to the canvas hard, but Chojiro Kitoaji had the awareness needed to drape his arm across the chest of BRUTE Kikuchi. Ever the professional, Referee Shihei Nagano quickly shook off the shock over what he’d just witnessed, in order to move into position and make the count… …………………………………….ONE! …………………………………….TWO! …………………………………….annnnnnnddddddddd ……………………………………………………………………………THREE!!! CHOJIRO KITOAJI has DONE IT!!! With 14 POINTS…..CHOJIRO KITOAJI can STAND ALONE as THE WINNER of BLOCK A! CHOJIRO KITOAJI is going to the 2018 ELITE SERIES FINAL!!! As the fans cheered him on, the victorious Chojiro Kitoaji fell to his knees out of a mixture of exhaustion and emotion. PGHW Staff Members and a Ringside Doctor entered the ring to attend to Kitoaji, who soon regained his footing. As Chojiro Kitoaji used a towel to try and wipe the blood from his face, he was approached by Shogun TV President Sanshiro Oka. The cheers from the crowd grew even louder when Sanshiro Oka presented Chojiro Kitoaji with the Elite Series 2018 BLOCK A WINNERS TROPHY! After walking around each side of the ring to show off the trophy to the fans, Chojiro Kitoaji asked to be handed a microphone in order to share some words. Chojiro Kitoaji: Guys, if I cannot speak from the Heart now, in a moment as wonderful as this, when can I? While this Elite Series journey of mine has been fuelled by an unbreakable self-belief, I’m only human. No matter how strongly I’ve believed in myself throughout my seven tournament matches, I’ve had moments of considerable mental and physical challenge. I’ve had times, when I’ve been sat alone in the middle of the night in the hotel room, where I’ve stopped to question myself. This is a World where many of us put forward a false persona, scared to show any weakness out of fear of judgement. Well, I don’t know about all of you, but I believe it takes real strength for one to admit to their weaknesses, so I’ll confess to all of you; I’ve had moments when the voices of doubt have sometimes been given too much time to speak. But through it all, I NEVER let those voices win! When I had the passionate support of all of you great fans during every step of the road, how could I? Please understand, with true sincerity, this may have been my Elite Series journey, but I know full well it’s not one I could’ve succeeded in without all off your support. This is YOUR SUCCESS just as much as it’s mine! An emotional Chojiro Kitoaji paused to look around at the crowd, who continued to cheer him on loudly. Chojiro Kitoaji: While I don’t take the accomplishment of being the A BLOCK WINNER for granted. I consider this trophy a ticket of entry in order to challenge for the MAIN PRIZE. I want to walk out of PGHW Night of PRIDE: ELITE CLIMAX this coming Friday with a timeless success attached to my name. I want what I believe I have more genuine passion and hunger to attain than any other man in PGHW right now. I want what my Father was fortunate enough to win twice, just once. I want to be 2018 Elite Series WINNER! I know many of you guys understand this already, but let me reaffirm you of my intentions. I’m motivated by more than just my own self-centred desires; I’m also fuelled by the PASSION to use my success to bring about CHANGE to PGHW in a POSITIVE MANNER, a manner that will serve in the interests of all wrestlers and fans alike. I believe in UNITY over DIVISION. The truth is, no individual PGHW wrestler past or present is bigger than the promotions legacy. Not Miwa, Mushashibo, Tatsuko, Inukai, Hoshino, Kawashima, Ugaki, or my father Koryusai Kitoaji. Like the greats I just mentioned, I understand my role in history. It’s my duty to leave PGHW in better shape than I currently find it in. I DARE TO DREAM and I invite all of you to continue in joining me. Together, we CAN and we WILL bring about the CHANGE to PGHW that we dream of, and make it an UNDENIABLE REALITY! Chants of “GO GO CHOJIRO” and “LEADER” grew even louder following Chojiro Kitoaji’s words. Ibaraki Community Hall felt like it was rocking with the combined sound of the increased cheers and stomping feet. Chojiro Kitoaji: I hear every chant, and I feel the emotion within the noise. With everything I’ve got within me, I promise you all, I’ll continue to repay you guys for the loyalty you’ve shown me. I’m committed to you forever onward. Keep standing beside me, because fuelled by your continued support, I WILL BE THE ONE to TAKE IT ALL! After finishing his speech, Chojiro Kitoaji wiped some more blood from his face, before rising up his Elite Series 2018 BLOCK A WINNERS TROPHY for all to see. As Kitoaji lifted the trophy, blue and red confetti filled the ring. We now know one of the 2018 Elite Series Finalists. Now, all focus shifts to tomorrow’s Day #14, which will see the conclusion of B BLOCK and determine who Chojiro Kitoaji will face in the Tournament FINAL at PGHW Night of PRIDE: ELITE CLIMAX! WINNER: Chojiro Kitoaji via pinfall in 24:18 to earn 2 POINTS and WIN the Elite Series 2018 A BLOCK with the finishing score of 14 POINTS RATING:56 BLOCK A FINAL STANDINGS </blockquote> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Golden Guard M Posted May 25, 2021 Author Share Posted May 25, 2021 <blockquote style=”background-color:#FFFFFF;color:black;border-style:solid;border-width:4px;border-color:#000000;max-width:1000px;”> PGHW PRIDE Tour Day #14 ....(((B BLOCK FINAL))).... Monday, Week 3, March 2018 Ibaraki Community Hall (Kanto) Show Rating: 51 Attendance: 964 (Highlights provided by Shogun TV) Match No. 1 Eight Man Tag VS. BRUTE Kikuchi, Eien Miyamoto & The American Cobras vs. Chojiro Kitoaji, Kazushige Matsuki & European All-Stars 20-minute time limit Less than 24 hours removed from becoming the A BLOCK WINNER of the 2018 Elite Series, the ovation within Ibaraki Community Hall was predictably electric for Chojiro Kitoaji at the outset of this contest. While the love that the fans had for Chojiro was obvious to see and hear, over on the other side of the ring, the violent intentions that BRUTE Kikuchi had in mind for the A BLOCK WINNER who’d defeated him in the Main Event of Day #13 were just as easy to read from his rage filled facial expressions. “You may be an Elite Series finalist, but you haven’t made it to Night of PRIDE yet!” BRUTE Kikuchi was heard to say with a threatening tone, as he and Chojiro approached one another to start the contest. As the A BLOCK WINNER refused to back down from the intimidating presence of the Co Holder of the PGHW Glory Tag Crown, Day #14 looked set to begin just as Day #13 ended, with action between Chojiro Kitoaji and BRUTE Kikuchi. As the two rivals engaged in physicality to start out the contest, it quickly became apparent that the intentions of both Chojiro Kitoaji and BRUTE Kikuchi were different. Chojiro Kitoaji was notably cautious, paying respect to the danger that the BRUTE BISON representative still posed to him, even when nursing a Swollen Calf Muscle. BRUTE Kikuchi wasn’t the only competitor nursing an injury, the swollen and heavily taped up nose of Chojiro Kitoaji was evidence that the fan favourite had done the hard work needed of him the previous night. Kitoaji’s ticket to the Elite Series 2018 Final at PGHW Night of PRIDE:ELITE CLIMAX was already secured. The clear focus of the 30 year old fan favourite was to protect himself for the Final by getting out of this match in one piece. Unfortunately for Chojiro, the powerhouse of pain that is BRUTE Kikuchi was set on using his size and strength advantage to inflict as much suffering on him as possible. This wasn’t just about BRUTE Kikuchi trying to massage his own ego after the prior day’s loss to Chojiro, the big man was thinking more long term. BRUTE Kikuchi was thinking ahead to when Chojiro Kitoaji and his KitoGuchi teammate Bussho Makiguchi inevitably get the shot at the PGHW Glory Tag Crown that they’re both due. While Chojiro Kitoaji held his own in his exchanges with BRUTE Kikuchi, even the most dedicated of Kitoaji’s supporters would be hard pressed not to give the slight edge to Kikuchi on this given night. As Chojiro looked to be in danger of being dropped with a DOUBLE HANDED CHOKE BOMB, he was fortunately spared the painful impact that looked to be just seconds away when BRUTE Kikuchi abandoned the move as his legs buckled, probably due to the increasing pain of his Swollen Calf Muscle. After being released from the grasp of his 303lbs opposition, Chojiro Kitoaji landed on his feet. The fast thinking Kitoaji then took BRUTE Kikuchi down to the canvas with a SPINNING LEG SWEEP. With BRUTE Kikuchi down on the ground and looking vulnerable as he held onto his Swollen Calf in fear of Chojiro Kitoaji striking it, the Elite Series A BLOCK WINNER looked tempted to continue on with his attack. With thoughts of the upcoming Elite Series FINAL then filling his mind, Chojiro Kitoaji suppressed his competitive instinct and took the opening he was given by back stepping and tagging out to Kazushige Matsuki. This was the smart decision; Chojiro Kitoaji was just four nights of sleep away from the biggest singles match of his career, protecting himself to ensure he made it to PGHW Night of PRIDE: ELITE CLIMAX took precedence over everything else at this point. The fans were then treated to an exciting albeit brief re-visitation of the Day #9 Elite Series clash between BRUTE Kikuchi and Kazushige Matsuki, as the two big men met one another in the middle of the ring with a trade-off of strikes. Alongside Chojiro Kitoaji, the 6’5 Kazushige Matsuki was the second of the three competitors who defeated BRUTE Kikuchi in the Elite Series (the 3rd being Eien Miyamoto, who Kikuchi finds himself teaming with today). Fuelled by vengeful emotion, BRUTE Kikuchi attempted to bring the fight to Kazushige Matsuki, but as he began to succumb to the combination of the increased pain of his Swollen Calf Muscle and Kazushige Matsuki being the fresher competitor, he begrudgingly made the decision to tag out. The recipient of the tag was “The Puppet Master” Eien Miyamoto. The 2018 Elite Series was an interesting journey for Eien Miyamoto. The egotistical 31 year old Destiny Obsessive came as close as close can get to ending his campaign as the TIED LEADER OF A BLOCK. Miyamoto now found himself stood across the ring from his final Elite Series opponent, who he’d defeated less than 24 hours prior. Looking to bounce back from his loss to Eien Miyamoto the previous day, Kazushige Matsuki was eager to lock up with his opponent. After teasing that he was just as eager as he approached Matsuki to lock up, Eien Miyamoto quickly backed off in retreat to his own corner with a smile on his face. “I have nothing left to prove against you!” called out Eien Miyamoto “You’re not worthy of my time. GIVE ME CHOJIRO KITOAJI!” The calls made by Eien Miyamoto as he asked for Kazushige Matsuki to tag out to Chojiro Kitoaji (the only man who defeated Eien during the Elite Series) fell on deaf ears as the 6’5 fighter pursued “The Puppet Master” and began firing off chops and overhead strikes at him while he was backed up in his own team’s corner. Whether it was fluke luck or calculated positioning, Eien Miyamoto found himself to be in the right place at the right time as Marvel Malloy and Storm Spillane of The American Cobras reached out from the apron and grabbed an arm each of Kazushige Matsuki. As Referee Yugoro Adachi got baited into an argument with both of the Cobras as he tried to get them to release their grasp of Matsuki’s arms, the usually keen eyed Referee missed as Eien Miyamoto ducked down and landed a LOW ELBOW DOWN SOUTH on Kazushige Matsuki. An all smiling Eien Miyamoto then jumped back up and tapped Storm Spillane on the shoulder, tagging him in. From the other side of the ring, Chojiro Kitoaji and European All-Stars yelled out in frustration to Referee Yugoro Adachi, trying desperately to explain to him what had just happened. As Storm Spillane entered the ring, the 26 year old Floridian was quick to make the most of the vulnerable situation Kazushige Matsuki found himself to be in. Fortunately for Matsuki, he soon managed to regroup and put his Lightweight attacker in his place. An attempt made by Storm Spillane to roll Kazushige Matsuki over into a KNEELING BOSTON CRAB was met by the much larger and more powerful Kaz using his two legs to push back against Spillane’s attack. The force of Matsuki’s action propelled Spillane across the canvas, landing straight on his back. Before long, Kazushige Matsuki tagged out to European All Stars representative Irwin Gutmann. The final minutes of the contest were made up entirely of action between the now firmly established rival duos of The American Cobras and European All Stars. Quick tags alongside double team manoeuvres from both teams only further fuelled the appetites of fans who’ve long craved a tag team match between the upstart teams. The closing exchanges saw Marvel Malloy of the American Cobras and Pavel Vanzycha of European All Stars as the legal representatives of their respective teams. The 26 year old Marvel Malloy picked the wrong man in the wrong time to attempt some of his trademark high flying offence against. Getting too fancy for his own good, a FLYING SPRINGBOARD KICK off the ropes by Marvel Malloy was countered with a simple yet very effective EUROPEAN UPPERCUT from Poland’s own Pavel Vanzycha. The 27 year old had anticipated Malloy’s attack with expert precision. As a rocked Marvel Malloy staggered across the canvas, he was caught in a ROLL UP by Pavel Vanzycha. Efforts made by Storm Spillane, BRUTE Kikuchi, and Eien Miyamoto to make the save were too slow as they were cut off by Irwin Gutmann, Chojiro Kitoaji and Kazushige Matsuki. With no help able to reach him, Marvel Malloy was PINNED for the MATCH WINNING THREE COUNT by Pavel Vanzycha! WINNERS: Chojiro Kitoaji, Kazushige Matsuki & European All-Stars via Pavel Vanzycha pinning Marvel Malloy in 13:33 RATING:50 Following the bout, long brewing frustrations finally boiled over. As Referee Yugoro Adachi raised the hand of the victorious European All Star representative Pavel Vanzycha, he had to quickly jump aside when Vanzycha was jumped from behind by both members of The American Cobras, Marvel Malloy and Storm Spillane. Pavel Vanzycha fell to the ground where both of the American Cobras intended to continue their attack. Thankfully, they only got a few boots in before Vanzycha’s European All Star teammate Irwin Gutmann intervened. As Referee Yugoro Adachi got between the two teams, some order seemed to have been restored. Until, suddenly, both of the teams jumped towards each other. Referee Yugoro Adachi crawled under the chaos and got to safety as The American Cobras and European All Stars rolled around the canvas swinging frenzied punches. BRUTE Kikuchi and Eien Miyamoto didn’t care to intervene, this wasn’t there business, besides, they had left the ringside area as soon as the match had concluded. Thankfully, Chojiro Kitoaji and Kazushige Matsuki stuck around. The two of them tried to help as PGHW Staff Members filled the ring and got between the two rival teams. Eventually, the wild scenes came to an end with both teams held apart from one another. Surely PGHW matchmakers will have no choice but to finally book a long awaited tag team encounter between The American Cobras and European All Stars after these explosive scenes. If not now, when? SEGMENT RATING:25 Match No. 2 Singles Match ELITE SERIES 2018 B BLOCK VS. Gonnohyoe Kada vs. Nobuatsu Tatsuko 30-minute time limit What was once considered by many to be an unbelievable prospect is now an unfortunate reality. Nobuatsu Tatsuko, the legendary “Iron Man”, one of greatest wrestlers to ever step foot within the ring of PGHW, the man who is the current day owner of the promotion, has reached the final day of B BLOCK competition with NO POINTS to show for his efforts. How did it ever come to this? While Nobuatsu Tatsuko was physically present as he went through his pre match ritual, the PGHW Owner looked to be elsewhere mentally. After kneeling down in the ring corner with his eyes closed in deep contemplation, the veteran of 29 years rose up to his feet and registered a look of self-loathing at hearing the ring announcer say his name. Tatsuko wouldn’t make eye contact with the fans, or with his upcoming opponent, Gonnohyoe Kada. The 37 year old Muscular Heavyweight Gonnohyoe Kada entered this match with 4 POINTS to show for his Elite Series efforts. Kada scored a Day #6 win over Noriyori Sanda, before finding victory yet again on Day #12 at the expense of Tsurayuki Kamachi. Having defeated one half of Team Energy earlier in the Tournament, Gonnohyoe Kada was looking to complete the set with a victory over Nobuatsu Tatsuko in order to end his campaign at 6 POINTS. The opening minutes of the contest started out with an evenly match strike based affair between Gonnohyoe Kada and Nobuatsu Tatsuko. Both wrestlers succeeded in landing some big shots, until Gonnohyoe Kada looked to find some separation by powering Nobuatsu Tatsuko back first into the ring corner. This was a smart move by Kada, as the impact appeared to leave the PGHW Owner with a jarred back. Fans that have been following Nobuatsu Tatsuko’s Elite Series campaign will be all too aware of how often troubles with his back have had influence in the outcome of his matches. In the minutes that followed, Gonnohyoe Kada was anything but subtle in his opportunistic approach to exploiting Nobuatsu Tatsuko’s known weakness. Kada seemed to delight in bullying Tatsuko while he had full offensive momentum on his side. Rakes and kicks to the back were far from a rare sighting as Gonnohyoe Kada continued to soften up his opposition. The payoff to Kada’s work looked set to arrive when he applied a REAR CHINLOCK, making sure to drive his right knee into the spine of Nobuatsu Tatsuko as he applied the move. Fortunately for Tatsuko, his opponent’s application of the chinlock wasn’t as solid as his knee positioning. Being the more technical savvy of the two competitors, Nobuatsu Tatsuko managed to wrestle his way out of danger from the submission attempt. Before long, offensive momentum looked to swing towards the side of Nobuatsu Tatsuko. The PGHW Owner grabbed hold of Gonnohyoe Kada’s right leg to successfully counter an incoming HIGH SAVATE KICK. Tatsuko then pulled Gonnohyoe Kada close to him and set him up to successfully deliver a TATSUKO CLUTCH SUPLEX! A sigh of disappointment was heard from many within Ibaraki Community Hall as Referee Shihei Nagano’s hand failed to come down for the THREE COUNT. Gonnohyoe Kada kicked out just the click of a finger before THREE. Momentum would swing back and forth like a Cameo song in the action that followed. Gonnohyoe Kada looked to have ensured that Nobuatsu Tatsuko’s Elite Series Campaign had ended just as badly as it began after scattering his senses following a JUMPING HIGH KNEE which led to a ROLL UP CRADLE. The count of THREE wasn’t to BE as Nobuatsu Tatsuko just about managed to muster up enough energy needed to KICK OUT. Shortly afterward, as both men regained their footing, Gonnohyoe Kada moved in on Tatsuko, looking to set him up for his signature SINGLE ARM DDT. Unfortunately for Kada, he was caught off guard with a precise TATSUKO BLIND KICK out of nowhere! As Gonnohyoe Kada fell to the canvas like a tower of cards met with a gust of wind, he was prime pickings for a pinfall attempt. In unfortunate timing for Nobuatsu Tatsuko, he stopped and reached behind to grab his back, which appeared to seize up on him. More fortunately for Tatsuko, a few hard slaps to his back saw him regroup quickly enough. The momentary hesitation meant that Tatsuko’s follow up pin attempt on Gonnohyoe Kada was kicked out of at 2.9! If it hadn’t been for that hesitation, the TATSUKO BLIND KICK would’ve almost certainly secured the victory that Tatsuko craved. Knowing that his own physical weaknesses cost him what looked to be a certain victory, Nobuatsu Tatsuko began to slap at his own face in frustration. Tatsuko then paced up and down the ring, with his face visibly reddening in frustration. An uncharacteristic yell was then heard from the mouth of Nobuatsu Tatsuko before he dove down on the still grounded Gonnohyoe Kada. In intense scenes, The usually reserved Nobuatsu Tatsuko appeared to finally let the frustration of recent months be unleashed. Tatsuko showed no mercy as he rained down headbutts, punches and elbow strikes on Gonnohyoe Kada, who was just barely managing to defend himself. While Nobuatsu Tatsuko is famed for being a disciplined competitor, who represented the core values of PGHW in the ring long before he ever did so from the Office as the promotions Owner, The actions being displayed by Tatsuko at this point were those of an uncontrollable Wild man. The shocked look on the face of Referee Shihei Nagano mirrored that of many of the fans in attendance. This was a side of Nobuatsu Tatsuko that they weren’t used to seeing. Nobuatsu Tatsuko aggressively tore off his right elbow pad, before using the point of his right elbow to fire off some more rapid shots to the quickly fading Gonnohyoe Kada. As the head of Kada fell back onto the canvas alongside his arms, it was clear that he was no longer in a position to defend himself. After one quick final check, Referee Shihei Nagano decided that he’d seen enough. The match was officially waved off. Nobuatsu Tatsuko was the victor of the match via stoppage. The PGHW Legend had successfully picked up his first 2 POINTS of the Elite Series. Referee Shihei Nagano had to jump down and wrap his hands around the PGHW Owner while screaming to him that the match was over. Hearing the screams of the Referee, Nobuatsu Tatsuko snapped out of the wild mind state that had taken hold of him, and slowly returned to his senses. As he came to his senses and realised what had happened, Nobuatsu Tatsuko pulled himself up from the canvas and kicked at the ring ropes in frustration. He looked the furthest thing from happy in spite of being victorious. “I’M SORRY….I’M SORRY…..REVERSE THE DECISION!” yelled out Nobuatsu Tatsuko to Referee Shihei Nagano “That wasn’t me…that’s not how I do things. I DON’T DESERVE THE POINTS. Please…REVERSE THE DECISION!” Referee Shihei Nagano looked towards Nobuatsu Tatsuko with a mixture of concern and confusion. The Referee then shook his head defiantly; he was standing by his decision to award Nobuatsu Tatsuko the victor. While the fans in attendance seemed happy with the result, Nobuatsu Tatsuko looked to be remorseful over his method of attaining victory. The PGHW Owner looked disgusted with himself as he ripped off his wrist tape. Tatsuko then placed his hand over one of the Shogun TV cameras before storming to the backstage area with his head facing down. Tatsuko seemed to feel a sense of shame; he didn’t want to look out to the 964 fans in attendance. WINNER: Nobuatsu Tatsuko via Referee Stoppage in 11:46 to gain 2 POINTS RATING:47 Match No. 3 Singles Match ELITE SERIES 2018 B BLOCK VS. Simon Flemmingway vs. Tsurayuki Kamachi 30-minute time limit This bout on the final day of Elite Series B BLOCK action pitted two wrestlers against one another who can both make a credible argument for deserving a score that’s a better reflection of their in ring efforts throughout the tournament. Simon Flemmingway came into this match following on from his Day #12 win over PGHW Owner Nobuatsu Tatsuko, his biggest win of the tournament. That win along with his earlier victory over Gonnohyoe Kada on Day #8 saw the excellent Wrestling Technician from America enter this bout with 4 POINTS. Like his opponent, Tsurayuki Kamachi also holds an Elite Series victory over Nobuatsu Tatsuko, which he picked up on the Day #2, the first day of B BLOCK competition. Unfortunately for Tsurayuki Kamachi, despite some very strong showings, that Day #2 match was his one and only victory in the tournament thus far. Could the Scorpion Deathlock Specialist end his Elite Series campaign on a high note by defeating Simon Flemmingway and matching his score of 4 POINTS? For fans who like methodical ground based transitions, joint manipulation and high level submission techniques, this was the match on the card for them. Both Simon Flemmingway and Tsurayuki Kamachi employed many elements of catch-as-catch-can in this encounter. Delivering a bout that had so many locks on display it would rival your nearest prison. As good of a technical wrestler as Tsurayuki Kamachi undoubtedly is, he’s not at the same level of technical expertise as Simon Flemmingway. This fact became more undeniable as the minutes of the match mounted up. To the credit of Kamachi, he seemed to be well aware of his own shortcomings. The 31 year old did a fine job of mixing things up in order to keep Simon Flemmingway on his toes. Despite Simon Flemmingway’s skill set, he was never allowed to get too comfortable with Tsurayuki Kamachi, with Kamachi having more than a handful of moments where it looked like he was going to pull off the victory, The PGHW true born stayed competitive against Flemmingway until the very end. That end would come shortly after a rare point in the contest where the action was contested on foot and not down on the canvas. Unfortunately for Tsurayuki Kamachi, the match would soon be bought back into Simon Flemmingway’s World when Flemmingway countered a FLYING CLOTHESLINE attempt with a FALLING ARMBREAKER. With both competitors now back down on the canvas, Simon Flemmingway kept his grasp on the left arm of Tsurayuki Kamachi. This arm was used by Flemmingway to transition into SIMON’S SOLUTION, an old move from Simon’s repertoire that he reintroduced during his Day #12 match with Nobuatsu Tatsuko. This dangerous move sees Simon effectively force his opponent to choke themselves out by raising one of their own arms up over their neck, while Simon positions himself behind them, adding to the pressure by driving one or at times both of his knees into their back. After a brave struggle to resist the sense numbing effects of this dangerous move, Tsurayuki Kamachi was left with no choice but to submit. Simon Flemmingway stroked his goatee and grinned from ear to ear as Referee Yugoro Adachi raised his hand in victory. Simon finishes up his 2018 Elite Series Campaign with 6 POINTS. “Hey… Yoshimi Mushashibo” shouted out Simon Flemmingway as he approached one of the Shogun TV Cameras “whatever the outcome of your match tonight, let me quote Jim Kerr for your SIMPLE MIND….’DON’T YOU…FORGET ABOUT ME’. I’ll be coming for you!” WINNER: Simon Flemmingway via Submission in 17:15 to gain 2 POINTS RATING:44 Match No. 4 Semi Final Singles Match ELITE SERIES 2018 B BLOCK VS. BISON Yano vs. Noriyori Sanda 30-minute time limit Many eyes were on this bout due to its high significance. A win in this bout would secure BISON Yano the score of 14 POINTS. This is a score that neither Bussho Makiguchi nor “The Golden Guard” Yoshimi Mushashibo could meet regardless of the outcome of the main event. One more win in what has been a Flawless Elite Series Campaign for BISON Yano would finalise his status as the sole WINNER of the 2018 Elite Series B BLOCK. Was BISON Yano about to hit 14 POINTS on the 14th Day? As for “Dynamic” Noriyori Sanda, the 20 year veteran entered this final day of Block action with the respectable score of 6 POINTS. Sanda defeated Simon Flemmingway on Day #4, Tsurayuki Kamachi on Day #8, and in one of the most emotional encounters of the tournament, Day #10 saw Noriyori Sanda defeat his long-time friend and teammate in Team Energy, the PGHW Owner Nobuatsu Tatsuko. Noriyori Sanda came into this bout showing evidence of the wounds of war. The right elbow of the popular 39 year old was heavily taped up. Sanda hurt his elbow during his hard hitting Day #12 clash with “The Golden Guard” Yoshimi Mushashibo. The Team Energy representative missed with his trademark TOP ROPE DYNAMO FLYING ELBOW, causing the injury to the right elbow when it connected with nothing but canvas. Noriyori Sanda also had a bandaged forehead, which will be no surprise to anyone who saw what it looked like following a nasty DOUBLE HEADBUTT during that same Day #12 match with Yoshimi Mushashibo. “What do you bring to the table that I haven’t already seen?” BISON Yano was heard to ask as he stood face to face with Noriyori Sanda to start the contest “I’ve faced the best and I’ve DEFEATED the best. You want my advice? Don’t get fighting too hard Sanda. Think about your future. Don’t waste the career you’ve got left trying to fight against a defeat that’s inevitable. You’re powerless to deny the AGE of…AGHHHHHH #$%&” Before BISON Yano could finish his words, he was caught off guard with a ROLL UP by Noriyori Sanda! Referee Shihei Nagano quickly moved into position to make the count…. ……………………………1 ……………………………2 ……………………and JUST before 3, BISON Yano kicked out BISON Yano sat up with a shocked expression on his face. It was clear that he understood just how close he’d just come to defeat. As the Co Holder of the PGHW Glory Tag Crown regained his footing, he was met full force with a FLYING KNEE STRIKE. “Dynamic” Noriyori Sanda then fell down in place on BISON Yano for another pin attempt. This led to another close call, but BISON Yano broke the count just prior to three by pushing Sanda down to the canvas beside him. BISON Yano then rolled on top of Noriyori Sanda and punished him with some forearm shots. The big man then wrapped his hands around the waist of Noriyori Sanda and pulled him up from the canvas. BISON Yano then shook Noriyori Sanda like a rag doll while holding him in a BEARHUG, before dropping him down to the canvas with a BELLY TO BELLY SUPLEX. Rather than attempt a pinfall, BISON Yano immediately pulled Sanda up from the canvas, only to drop him right back down following a DOUBLE ROTATION SIDEWALK SLAM. BISON Yano then felt the time was right to attempt the pinfall on Noriyori Sanda ……………………………1 ……………………………2 …….and the hand of Referee Shihei Nagano didn’t reach the canvas for the THREE before Noriyori Sanda lifted up his left arm to kick out! As has been the case at various points during his 2018 Elite Series campaign, “Dynamic” Noriyori Sanda once again decided to return to his routes as a Junior Heavyweight. Sanda started to rely on an increase in tempo along with some aerial flash in his attempts to match the strength of his powerful opposition. In an impressive moment, Noriyori Sanda made BISON Yano fall backwards into a seated position in the corner of the ring following a high velocity SHOTGUN DROPKICK. Sanda then performed a backward roll, before pushing off of his left arm in order to regain his footing. The 2x PGHW International Champion and 2x Elite Tag Team Series Winner then took a few steps back, before running full speed and throwing himself into a RUNNING CANNONBALL, landing right on his seated opposition. Following the delivery of this move, Noriyori Sanda attempted to roll BISON Yano out into the centre of the ring. This would’ve been a task for Sanda to achieve while using two arms, but it soon became clear that he was trying to use his left arm only. Sanda had been trying to protect his vulnerable right elbow throughout the contest up until this point. After finally succeeding in getting BISON Yano into position, Sanda looked across to the corner. Sanda looked up to the top rope, with a TOP ROPE DYNAMO FLYING ELBOW undoubtedly being on his mind. Though after glancing down to his taped up right elbow, Sanda decided to put the brakes on that idea. Thinking on the fly, Noriyori Sanda decided to land a FLIPPING SENTON SPLASH on BISON Yano instead. A pin attempt followed, but BISON Yano once again kicked out before three. Some minutes later, a turning point came in the contest when BISON Yano landed a PUMP KICK that directly targeted the right elbow of Noriyori Sanda. As Sanda began to fall to the floor following the impact, BISON Yano pulled onto the right arm, as if he was trying to lift his opponent up from the canvas. This wasn’t the case however, because as BISON Yano pulled on the right arm, he used his feet to press down on Noriyori Sanda’s knees. This attack put Sanda through an incredible amount of pain, but things would soon get worse. BISON Yano hoisted Noriyori Sanda up off of the canvas and high in the air off of his feet, holding him up by his right arm only. After holding Noriyori Sanda up high overhead for what must have felt like an agonising eternity, BISON Yano slammed his opponent down to the ring back first with such force his body appeared to bounce up off the canvas. BISON Yano simply placed his foot on the chest of Noriyori Sanda as he attempted a pinfall following this attack. ONE….TWO…..and NO! A kick out before THREE followed from “Dynamic” Noriyori Sanda. The very moment Sanda kicked out, he was met full force with a BIG SPLASH from BISON Yano. Another pin attempt followed….. ……………………………ONE ……………………………TWO ………………………..THREaaaaa…..NO!!!!! A KICK OUT at the LAST POSSIBLE MOMENT from Noriyori Sanda! In the later minutes of the contest, BISON Yano perhaps came a tad too predictable with his continued attempts to target the right elbow of Noriyori Sanda. An attempted YANO EXPRESS BIG BOOT was successfully ducked under by Sanda, who countered with a SPINNING LEG TRIP into a ROLL UP PIN ATTEMPT! ……………………………ONE ……………………………TWO ……..but BISON YANO powered out before the count of THREE As both men slowly regained their footing, Noriyori Sanda shouted out in pain as his left leg appeared to give out underneath him. Sanda fell down onto the canvas as a look of distress filled his face. The 39 year old grimaced in pain as he powered back up to a standing position, but it was clear that he couldn’t put any weight on his left leg from this point onward. Hopping backward on his right foot in a desperate attempt to get away from the fast approaching BISON Yano, things looked bleak for Noriyori Sanda. He now had a compromised left leg to go with his damaged right elbow. Or perhaps Noriyori Sanda is just a good actor? As BISON Yano rushed towards his opponent and crouched down in an attempt to grab his left leg, he was met flush in the face with a DOUBLE KNEE STRIKE. Landing perfectly on both of his legs, Noriyori Sanda then rolled the stunned BISON Yano up for a Pin attempt…. ……………………………ONE ……………………………TWO …………….and BISON YANO ALMOST KICKED OUT …….BUT ALMOST WASN’T ENOUGH …………..NORIYORI SANDA SCORED THE VICTORY! The fans cheered the victorious Noriyori Sanda on as Referee Shihei Nagano raised his hand high. While Sanda’s right elbow injury was legitimate, it appears he’d outsmarted his opponent by doing a little acting work with the supposed leg injury in order to bait BISON Yano into his trap. Muttering cuss words under his breathe, the visibly fuming BISON Yano sat up in disbelief over the loss he’d just endured. BISON Yano entered this match certain he’d walk out of it as the sole WINNER of B BLOCK, but thanks to Noriyori Sanda’s victory, a draw in the upcoming Main Event is the only way this is now possible for the BRUTE BISON representative. It’s now looking incredibly likely that BISON Yano will be sharing a TIED VICTORY of B BLOCK with either Bussho Makiguchi or “The Golden Guard” Yoshimi Mushashibo. While these are two opponents that BISON Yano has defeated in the Elite Series, the rules of the 2018 Elite Series state that in the event of two wrestlers topping the scoreboard with a tied lead, the two leaders are to advance as CO WINNERS of the Block, regardless of whether one defeated the other earlier in the tournament. It’s been a long time since PGHW has had CO WINNERS of a BLOCK in the Elite Series. What will happen going forwards in these relatively uncharted waters remains to be seen. “Dynamic” Noriyori Sanda ends his 2018 Elite Series with the respectable score of 8 POINTS. Sanda can not only take pride in being the only man to defeat BISON Yano in the tournament, but also in the knowledge that he’s greatly influenced the outcome of B BLOCK by playing spoiler to BISON Yano’s plans to walk of this match as the sole victor of the Block. BISON Yano will now most likely have to share the title of B BLOCK WINNER with another individual. Let’s move onto the Main Event and see what awaits! WINNER: Noriyori Sanda via pinfall in 16:27 to gain 2 POINTS RATING:41 Match No. 5 Main Event Singles Match ELITE SERIES 2018 B BLOCK FINAL VS. Bussho Makiguchi vs. Yoshimi Mushashibo 30-minute time limit The noise made by the 964 fans within Ibaraki Community Hall at the outset of this contest was thunderous, with duelling chants of “GO GO BUSSHO” and “GOLDEN GUARD” rocking the very foundation the Hall stood upon. Both Bussho Makiguchi and the PGHW Glory Crown Champion “The Golden Guard” Yoshimi Mushashibo had their share of vocal supporters more than eager to root for them. This final match of B BLOCK in the 2018 Elite Series wasn’t just the highest anticipated of the Block, but of the entire Tournament. The seeds had been sown for this match back in February following the now infamous interview given by Yoshimi Mushashibo, which saw the PGHW Glory Crown Champion publicly backtrack on his prior claim that Bussho Makiguchi could be the future of Japanese Wrestling. Mushashibo went as far as to say that Makiguchi was likely content with his current position, lacking the extra hunger needed to take his skills to the next level. Around the same time that the Bombshell Interview with Yoshimi Mushashibo was released on PGHW1996.JP, a behavioural change by Bussho Makiguchi became apparent. Bussho Makiguchi ‘s increasingly erratic behaviour (along with uncomfortable glimpses of a more sinister side lurking within) can certainly be traced back to the interview given by the PGHW Glory Crown Champion. Bussho Makiguchi has said enough since February to make it clear that he doesn’t respect the Yoshimi Mushashibo of 2018 as much as so many others on the PGHW roster understandably do. Prior to the bell, Bussho Makiguchi engaged in his now standard theatrics. Taking the advice given to him by Yoshimi Mushashibo in the post-match comments on Day #12, Bussho Makiguchi decided to leave his toy sidekick Georgio the Giraffe at home. To be more specific, Makiguchi left Georgio in a children’s playhouse, which he carried down to ringside with him. For whatever reason, Bussho Makiguchi needed to have his toy companion close by. Once the bell rang, the showman switch within Bussho Makiguchi seemed to get turned off. A playful strut across the canvas as Bussho approached Yoshimi Mushashibo in the centre of the ring would be the last hint of any theatrics out of the 29 year old. From this point on, it was all business. A determination filled the eyes of the KitoGuchi representative, he knew the importance of this match and he clearly had something to prove against the PGHW Icon standing face to face with him. No pleasantries were exchanged as Bussho Makiguchi and Yoshimi Mushashibo wasted no time in locking up. After some jockeying for position, the slightly larger Yoshimi Mushashibo managed to take control and push Bussho down onto the canvas. Bussho Makiguchi was quick to roll backwards following the fall, before rolling out onto the apron. Moments later, both competitors stared one another down from either side of the ring ropes, as Yoshimi Mushashibo invited Bussho to re-enter the ring. “This is what you’ve been waiting for right?” asked Yoshimi Mushashibo “We’ve got nothing between us but air and opportunity now. Come on!” Bussho Makiguchi stepped back into the ring and got nose to nose in an intense stare down with Yoshimi Mushashibo. “You don’t see any rose tinted glasses on my face do you?” Makiguchi was heard to say “I’m not in awe of your past glories. I see you for exactly who you are RIGHT NOW, and that’s what you cannot stand!” Yoshimi Mushashibo responded to the words of Bussho Makiguchi by delivering a hard hitting SLAP across his face. “ENOUGH TALK” shouted out Yoshimi Mushashibo “It’s time for ACTION!” Responding to the slap, Bussho Makiguchi crouched down in an attempt to grab the legs of Yoshimi Mushashibo, but the “Golden Guard” responded by jumping up and catching Makiguchi with a SUNSET FLIP TAKEOVER into a pinfall attempt. Referee Yugoro Adachi slid across the canvas in position to count the pin attempt, 1….2….and no 3, as Bussho Makiguchi countered by powering forward and positioning himself across the PGHW Glory Crown Champion for a pinfall attempt of his own. 1…..2……and a powerful kick out from Yoshimi Mushashibo! Applause was heard for both competitors as they returned to their feet and began to circle one another. Another lock up between the two competitors once again ended with Yoshimi Mushashibo taking control. As Mushashibo powered Bussho Makiguchi down to the canvas, the KitoGuchi representative managed to break free of his grasp. Bussho Makiguchi then pivoted off of both arms and flicked his two legs up to clamp down on the left arm of Yoshimi Mushashibo, catching him in an ARM SCISSOR. In a slick transition, Bussho Makiguchi used the ARM SCISSOR to bring Yoshimi Mushashibo down to his knees, before switching to a HEADLOCK. Bussho Makiguchi looked out to the crowd while he held Yoshimi Mushashibo in place with a GROUNDED HEADLOCK. Makiguchi was getting a large share of the support from the 964 in attendance, but he seemed to pick up on the fact that the crowd now appeared to be 60/40 in favour of the PGHW Glory Crown Champion. Bussho Makiguchi alternated between smiling at the fans that were cheering for him and shooting off dirty looks to the fans that weren’t. “LET ME HEAR THE LOVE!” yelled out Bussho Makiguchi to the crowd, as he began to squeeze tighter with his application of the GROUNDED HEADLOCK. While Bussho did receive the adoration he craved, it couldn’t drown out the growing chants of “MUSHASHIBO” and “GOLDEN GUARD”. Panic began to fill the face of Bussho Makiguchi as he felt Yoshimi Mushashibo feeding off of the fans energy. Shaking his head frantically, Bussho Makiguchi couldn’t fight off Yoshimi Mushashibo as he successfully regained his footing. Makiguchi kept his grip on Yoshimi Mushashibo via a STANDING HEADLOCK, but this was soon countered by “The Golden Guard”, who dropped Bussho Makiguchi down onto the canvas via a BACK SUPLEX. Both competitors began to swing punches at one another as they lay down side by side on the canvas. This punch battle came to an end when Bussho Makiguchi switched to kicks. Yoshimi Mushashibo was quick to roll away from danger when he realised that Makiguchi was aiming for his vulnerable right knee. As both men got back up to their feet at the same time, Yoshimi Mushashibo decided to pivot off of his left leg and attempt a FLYING CROSSBODY BLOCK. In picture perfect timing, Bussho Makiguchi rolled underneath this move attempt, causing the PGHW Glory Crown Champion to hit nothing but canvas. The very second that Yoshimi Mushashibo’s body hit the canvas, the quick thinking Bussho Makiguchi was already rushing towards the ring ropes, which he jumped over to land on the ring apron. Makiguchi then stomped his feet on the canvas in a burst of frantic energy, before rushing to climb the ring post. “Owwwwwwww I’m GOOD!” yelled out Bussho, as he stood perched on the top turnbuckle. Bussho then waited for Yoshimi Mushashibo to regain his footing, before landing a perfectly executed BLOCKBUSTER! The high risk gamble of Bussho Makiguchi had paid off. “That one was in memory of the man you USED to be!” Bussho Makiguchi yelled down to Yoshimi Mushashibo in the moments that followed. This disrespectful attitude of Makiguchi didn’t sit right with a good portion of the fans within Ibaraki Community Hall, who began to boo the 29 year old in response. This wasn’t the first time that the usually beloved Bussho Makiguchi had been on the receiving end of boos during this Elite Series, but the angry expression on his face in response showed that he’s still not used to hearing anything but adoration. In a questionable decision, Bussho Makiguchi didn’t attempt a pinfall following the BLOCKBUSTER. Instead, Bussho raised Yoshimi Mushashibo up to his feet, before delivering a BASEMENT DROPKICK to his vulnerable right knee. As Yoshimi Mushashibo fell back down to the canvas in clear distress, Bussho Makiguchi grabbed hold of the right leg of his foe. Screams of agony were heard from Yoshimi Mushashibo as Bussho Makiguchi delivered a GROUNDED DRAGON SCREW LEG WHIP followed by a GROUNDED INVERTED DRAGON SCREW LEG WHIP. “SCREAM FOR ME CHAMP!” Bussho Makiguchi was heard to mockingly yell out. The sinister side of Bussho Makiguchi was now starting to become all too apparent. While Makiguchi’s vocal supporters could still be heard, the cheers for him notably decreased as the match progressed. Clearly even some of Bussho Makiguchi’s most dedicated of fans were unsettled at seeing this side of his personality. The screams of Yoshimi Mushashibo continued, as he fought with gritted teeth to resist submitting as Bussho Makiguchi applied an ELEVATED FIGURE 4 LEGLOCK. “How does it feel? HOW DOES IT FEEL?” shouted out Makiguchi with glee as he saw the distress he was causing to his opposition “Does this feel like I’m CONTENT? Huh? CALL ME CONTENT NOW!!!” With tears of pain running down his face, Yoshimi Mushashibo let out a blood curdling scream as he managed to power his body over to the ring ropes. Mushashibo reached out and grabbed the bottom ropes, causing Referee Yugoro Adachi to demand that Bussho Makiguchi break his hold. Bussho looked reluctant to cease the attack, but he begrudgingly did as he was instructed. “You don’t look so good Champ!” mocked Bussho Makiguchi as he pulled Yoshimi Mushashibo up to his feet, “Maybe it’s YOU who’s LACKING Hunger!” Almost as if he was fuelled by the taunting words of his opponent, Yoshimi Mushashibo hit a DOUBLE EAR CLAP out of nowhere. “The Golden Guard” then followed up by dropping Bussho Makiguchi down to the canvas with a SPINNING NECKBREAKER! Following this attack, Yoshimi Mushashibo rolled across to the grounded Bussho Makiguchi and applied THE YOSHIMI LOCK! Screams of pain once again reverberated off of the walls of Ibaraki Community Hall, but this time it was Bussho Makiguchi who was the source. After an incredible struggle to escape, Bussho Makiguchi’s left foot looked to be mere inches away from touching the bottom ring rope. Just as Referee Yugoro Adachi looked set to call for THE YOSHIMI LOCK to be broken, Yoshimi Mushashibo dragged Bussho Makiguchi back into the centre of the ring! It now looked like Bussho Makiguchi was out of all options but one, and that was to submit. Rather than submit as anticipated, Bussho Makiguchi looked to pass out from the pain inflicted. Referee Yugoro Adachi moved in to check on the unresponsive Bussho, giving serious contemplation to waving off the match there and then. Seconds later, the eyes of Bussho Makiguchi opened wide and his body began to shake back and forth. Somehow, someway, a 2nd lease of life was now active within Bussho. In an impressive sight, Bussho Makiguchi bridged up on his right leg and did a quick spinning motion, causing Yoshimi Mushashibo to release his grip of THE YOSHIMI LOCK. A look that signalled both shock and respect for Makiguchi’s efforts was immediately visible on Yoshimi Mushashibo’s face. The PGHW Glory Crown Champion was well aware that nobody had ever broken free of his YOSHIMI LOCK in this manner before. A back and forth stand up battle between both competitors broke out in the minutes that followed. Sweat flew off the bodies of both men, as they both leaned on one another when it seemed they were beginning to fade. Just as the tempo of the bout slowed down to a crawl, the eyes of the two competitors would light back up, and the speed of the strikes would once again escalate. This evenly matched stand up battle came to an end in dangerous fashion when Bussho Makiguchi ducked under an incoming shot and positioned himself behind “The Golden Guard”. Bussho Makiguchi would then deliver a BRIDGING GERMAN SUPLEX! Referee Yugoro Adachi jumped down into position to count the pinfall attempt…. ……………………………ONE ……………………………TWO ……and an AUTHORITATIVE KICK OUT FROM THE PGHW GLORY CROWN CHAMPION! Wasting no time, Bussho Makiguchi pulled Yoshimi Mushashibo back up to his feet. In an act of pure cruelty, Bussho Makiguchi slowly raked his nails down the back of the PGHW Icon, before downing him with a 2nd BRIDGING GERMAN SUPLEX!! ……………………………ONE ……………………………TWO ……………………………THREE ……………..……was NOT to BE! …….Yet ANOTHER KICK OUT from “THE GOLDEN GUARD” Once again wasting no time, Bussho Makiguchi shook off his clear shock at Yoshimi Mushashibo’s 2nd kick out by climbing up the top turnbuckle. Bussho Makiguchi looked out to the fans with an aggressive glare in his eyes, “LET ME HEAR THE LOVE…NOW!!” he yelled. Bussho then looked down to Yoshimi Mushashibo, who’d now rolled over onto his front and was pressing is arms down on the canvas in an effort to power up to his feet. Bussho then jumped high before coming down towards “The Golden Guard” with a TOP ROPE BLAZING ELBOW! The TOP ROPE BLAZING ELBOW looked set to land precise on the back of Yoshimi Mushashibo’s head. Fortunately for the PGHW Glory Crown Champion, his sixth sense kicked in just in time. Mushashibo managed to push off of his arms and roll clear of danger. Bussho Makiguchi’s body bounced hard, having hit nothing but canvas. Realising that time was of the essence in order to capitalise on this costly error made by Bussho Makiguchi, the 42 year old Yoshimi Mushashibo slapped some feeling into his right leg before powering up from the canvas. Mushashibo then fought through his own pain to lift Bussho Makiguchi up from the canvas. The PGHW Icon then spun a groggy Bussho around, into position to deliver MUSHASHIBO-PLEX III! A large portion of the fans roared in approval as Mushashibo delivered the move, bringing Bussho Makiguchi crashing down onto the back of his skull. Yoshimi Mushashibo avoided putting weight onto his right leg, but he held a BRIDGING PIN ATTEMPT by arching up onto his left leg alone. ……………………………ONE ……………………………TWO …….aaaaaaannnnnnddddddd….. ……A KICK OUT!!!……………………A BLINK OF AN EYE AWAY FROM THREE!!! Perhaps if Yoshimi Mushashibo had been able to bridge off of both of his legs, it would’ve provided that slight difference needed to keep Bussho Makiguchi down for three. Still, Yoshimi Mushashibo wasn’t going to waste time thinking about where he went wrong, his mind was already focusing on his next method of attack. The eyes of “The Golden Guard” looked up to the top turnbuckle. Gasps of surprise and concern were heard from many within the audience. Surely Yoshimi Mushashibo wasn’t thinking of going for his signature GOLD RUSH SPLASH? Within moments, Yoshimi Mushashibo battled through pain as he pulled himself up to the top turnbuckle. The climb took some time, but as Mushashibo looked down to the canvas, Bussho Makiguchi was still laid out. Bussho was starting to stir though, so “The Golden Guard” needed to act quickly or abandon his high risk idea. Yoshimi Mushashibo breathed in deeply, before throwing caution to the wind…….GOLD RUSH SPLASH OFF THE TOP!!!! The High Risk gamble PAID OFF!! The GOLD RUSH SPLASH connected with picture perfect accuracy. Yoshimi Mushashibo hooked the leg of Bussho Makiguchi as Referee Yugoro Adachi began to count…. ……………………………ONE ……………………………TWO …….THREaaaannndddd…NO!…A KICK OUT!! Yoshimi Mushashibo couldn’t help but look down to Bussho Makiguchi with a look of amazement. While the 24 year veteran of the ring wars knows full well the importance of not getting ahead of himself and staying in the moment, Yoshimi Mushashibo couldn’t deny the fact that just like so many of the fans in attendance, he really thought he’d done it. The PGHW Glory Crown Champion looked up to the top turnbuckle once more, briefly giving consideration to attempting a 2nd GOLD RUSH SPLASH. Perhaps wisely, Yoshimi Mushashibo abandoned this train of thought. Attempting just one GOLD RUSH SPLASH took a great deal out of “The Golden Guard”, going for a 2nd one was a gamble that he just wasn’t willing (or physically able) to take. Yoshimi Mushashibo yanked Bussho Makiguchi up from the canvas, looking to have designs on attempting another MUSHASHIBO-PLEX III. These designs failed to materialise when Bussho Makiguchi managed to find the instinct needed to cut off Mushashibo’s attack with a well-placed KNEE TO THE GUT. Bussho Makiguchi then quickly knelt down and hit a precise elbow strike onto the right knee cap of Yoshimi Mushashibo. A shout of sudden pain was heard from the PGHW Glory Crown Champion as he fell into a waiting PINNING CRADLE from an opportunistic Bussho! ……………………………ONE ……………………………TWO …………………………………..a WHISPER AWAY FROM THREE ……..but YOSHIMI MUSHASHIBO managed to KICK OUT!!! Moments on, as both competitors traded forearm strikes from their knees as they both battled to regain their footing, Bussho Makiguchi was the first to stand up. Yoshimi Mushashibo was fairly quick to follow, but he was struggling. The PGHW Glory Crown Champion refused to place any weight on his right leg at this point, choosing instead to hop on his left foot. Lacking the energy needed to do anything more, Yoshimi Mushashibo fired off a slap across the face of Bussho Makiguchi. Unlike the slap that “The Golden Guard” delivered at the outset of the contest, this one didn’t faze Bussho Makiguchi for a second. As Yoshimi Mushashibo attempted another slap, he collapsed into the waiting grasp of Bussho Makiguchi. Many of the fans shouted out in concern as Bussho Makiguchi quickly spun Yoshimi Mushashibo around and delivered his 3rd BRIDGING GERMAN SUPLEX of the match. Referee Yugoro Adachi began to count…. ……………………………ONE ……………and in an AMAZING ACT OF INSTINCT, A QUICK KICK OUT!!! As shown by this incredible act of instinct, the Heart of Yoshimi Mushashibo was still very much in the fight, unfortunately, his body was shutting down. Bussho Makiguchi stood by and watched as “The Golden Guard” made three failed attempts to regain his footing. “Can you not see my worth yet?” yelled out Bussho Makiguchi as he watched Yoshimi Mushashibo struggle to regain his footing “Just STAY DOWN ALREADY! Be content with your history….because The FUTURE... and...THE PRESENT of PGHW.... belongs to ME!” Getting tired of watching Mushashibo’s failed efforts to regroup, an impatient Bussho Makiguchi approached. This proved to be a mistake when Bussho Makiguchi knelt down to attack, only to be met with a JUMP UP SHOULDER STRIKE by Yoshimi Mushashibo as “The Golden Guard” managed to hop up on his left leg and meet an unsuspecting Makiguchi with the SHOULDER STRIKE right under his jaw. Seemingly finding some reserve energy, Yoshimi Mushashibo attempted to power Bussho Makiguchi over with a BELLY TO BELLY SUPLEX. Sadly for Mushashibo, this attack was countered when Bussho managed to kick at his right knee. As Bussho took control, he spun behind Yoshimi Mushashibo and delivered a 4th BRIDGING GERMAN SUPLEX!!! ………………….……….1 …………………….……..2 …………………….……..2.9!!! In an incredible sight that could only be believed by being witnessed, “The Golden Guard” had managed to survive once again. Bussho Makiguchi stood back and allowed Yoshimi Mushashibo to slowly regain his footing. Makiguchi laughed as a weak chop from Mushashibo landed onto his chest with the impact of a brushing feather. Only instinct was keeping Yoshimi Mushashibo upright by this point. Bussho Makiguchi waited for Yoshimi Mushashibo to inch closer to him. As a dazed Mushashibo hopped on his left foot, he was caught and easily spun around so his back faced Bussho. It then looked as if Bussho was going to attempt a 5th BRIDGING GERMAN SUPLEX, but the KitoGuchi representative had something else in mind. Many fans in the arena gasped upon the sight of Bussho Makiguchi taking Yoshimi Mushashibo down to the canvas with a STRAIGHT JACKET BRIDGING SUPLEX. With his arms locked into place, Yoshimi Mushashibo had no way to brace himself or protect the back of his head as it hit the canvas with scary force. Referee Yugoro Adachi looked down to Yoshimi Mushashibo with concern as he began to make his count…. ………………….……….ONE …………………….……..TWO …………………….……..THREE!!! A mixed response was heard from the fans within Ibaraki Community Hall as Bussho Makiguchi had his hand raised in victory. From the sounds of things, Bussho had fewer supporters in his corner than he had at the outset of the match. That didn’t seem to bother Bussho Makiguchi at this time however. The 29 year old was too busy strutting around the ring, with a wide smile on his now overjoyed face. Not only had Bussho Makiguchi just pinned the PGHW Glory Crown Champion, but he’d matched the 12 POINT SCORE of BISON Yano in the process. Bussho Makiguchi is now the CO WINNER of the 2018 Elite Series B BLOCK, alongside BISON Yano. WINNER: Bussho Makiguchi via pinfall in 23:01 to gain 2 POINTS and become CO-WINNER of the Elite Series 2018 B BLOCK alongside BISON Yano. Both BISON Yano and Bussho Makiguchi finish with the score of 12 POINTS each. RATING:53 Following the match, Shogun TV President Sanshiro Oka walked out to ringside with the Elite Series 2018 B BLOCK WINNERS TROPHY in his possession. The President spoke with the ring announcer, giving him a message to relay to the fans….. “Ladies and Gentlemen, we have concluded B BLOCK of the 2018 Elite Series with two competitors TIED at the top of the score table. BISON Yano and Bussho Makiguchi both have 12 POINTS each. It has been decided that BOTH men will be recognised as the CO-WINNERS of B BLOCK. This means that BOTH men will go on to compete in the 2018 Elite Series FINAL this coming Friday at PGHW Night of PRIDE:ELITE CLIMAX! On that night, BISON Yano and Bussho Makiguchi will join the A BLOCK WINNER Chojiro Kitoaji in a TRIPLE THREAT MATCH to determine the WINNER of the 2018 Elite Series!” Back in the ring, the defeated Yoshimi Mushashibo was still flat out on the canvas as a Ringside Doctor entered the ring to attend to him. The victorious Bussho Makiguchi showed little concern for the well being of the defeated PGHW Icon. Makiguchi only had concern for two things; he wanted to be handed Georgio the Giraffe and a live microphone! He had both of his requests granted. Bussho then placed Georgio down in the centre of the ring, before walking around with the microphone raised high. Bussho then looked around at the fans with a mixture of happiness and confusion, before he began to talk. Bussho Makiguchi: You know, I’m hearing plenty of LOVE out there in that crowd right now. That makes me feel good! Unfortunately, I’m not feeling good enough, because it seems some of you are UNHAPPY about something. Am I right? Now, this is MY big moment, but you…the people, MY people, I don’t take you for granted. So if you’re unhappy about something….or someone, I need to fix the problem. Bussho Makiguchi then walked over to Georgio the Giraffe and aggressively lifted the stuffed toy up from the canvas. Bussho Makiguchi: I think I know what the problem is Georgio. As much as I’ve tolerated your bad personality traits out of my love for you, I can no longer deny a blatant issue. My wonderful fans can see the cold hard truth. YOU’RE A GLORY HOG GEORGIO! All of the booing I’ve been hearing, it’s YOU that they BOO! The booing towards Bussho Makiguchi began to increase from many of the fans in attendance. Hearing the booing, Bussho nodded his head and pointed down disapprovingly at Georgio the Giraffe. The smile on Bussho’s face then turned to one of sheer menace, as he threw the stuffed toy out of the ring. Bussho Makiguchi: This is MY MOMENT, you hear me? MY MOMENT! Bussho Makiguchi then looked down with disdain towards Yoshimi Mushashibo, who was now beginning to regroup. Bussho Makiguchi: Yoshimi Mushashibo, I suppose this is the part where I’m expected to thank you for the match and give you the respect we allllllllllll know that you’re due! OH GREAT GOLDEN GUARD, what an HONOR it was for me to SHARE this sacred canvas with you! Thank you, THANK YOU, for allllllll that you’ve done to make PGHW what it is today! You see, I can say the words that I’m meant to say. The problem is, I DON’T MEAN a SINGLE ONE of THEM! The booing for Bussho Makiguchi then increased Bussho Makiguchi: You should all quit booing Georgio, he’s gone! Now, back to you Yoshimi Mushashibo, while HISTORY may have its place, it’s only gets more OLD and WORN DOWN with each passing day. I’m going to tell you something that so many of the nostalgia craving butt kissers around here won’t dare to. Your time is almost OVER with OLD MAN! If you care about PGHW so much, fear not. It’s safe in MY HANDS going forward. I’m NOT the FUTURE, I’m the PRESENT….I’m now THE BUZZ of PGHW! Chants of “GOLDEN GUARD” began to fill Ibaraki Community Hall, as Yoshimi Mushashibo struggled to his feet. Mushashibo then called to be handed a microphone, before hopping over towards Bussho Makiguchi to share some words. Yoshimi Mushashibo: Bussho Makiguchi, please don’t go down this road I know things between you and I haven’t been right since the interview I gave. I want you to know, my comments towards you were never intended to be personal. Yes, I DID REGRET proclaiming you to be the potential future of Japanese Wrestling. You wouldn’t be the first talent with amazing gifts to succumb to the pressure. I won’t lie, I still have my fears concerning you, but I’m not going to stand here and take away from what you’ve accomplished. You were the better wrestler tonight. You’ve made it to the Elite Series Final. You have my sincere congratulations. You and I will no doubt meet again in the future, perhaps even with the PGHW Glory Crown on the line. Until then, I hope we can draw a line under this tension between the two of us. It’s not good for our fans, and it’s not good for PGHW as a Promotion. Yoshimi Mushashibo then reached out to Bussho Makiguchi, offering him a handshake. At first, Bussho shrugged off the gesture and turned to leave, showing no desire to shake hands with the PGHW Glory Crown Champion. Bussho then spun back around and looked down at the right knee of the Champion with a cold glare. Bussho then looked up to Yoshimi Mushashibo and smiled, before accepting the offer of the handshake. The fans cheered in approval. Bussho Makiguchi: You know, I guess you’re right Golden Guard! We don’t have to be hostile towards one another. I no longer have to insult you by telling you the TRUTHS that deep down you ALREADY KNOW! I’m glad we could be men about this and shake hands. The next time you and I shake hands, it’ll be after the Main Event of Night of FORTITUDE in April, right after I’ve taken that PGHW GLORY CROWN CHAMPIONSHIP from you! Because make no mistake, I WILL be winning the ELITE SERIES this Friday Night, so get ready to pass the torch when I come for what’s mine in April! Yoshimi Mushashibo looked disappointed with Bussho Makiguchi’s attitude, but the PGHW Glory Crown Champion chose not to rise to the bait at this given time. The PGHW Icon took his leave from the ring following assistance from PGHW Staff members. Bussho Makiguchi: Alright, HISTORY has now stepped aside. Now, all of you wonderful fans can put your focus where it deserves to be. I FEED OFF OF YOUR LOVE, so KEEP ON GIVING IT TO ME! Take a good look at your B BLOCK WINNER, the upcoming ELITE SERIES 2018 winner and the NEXT PGHW Glory Tag Crown AND PGHW Glory Crown Champion. I am the PRESENT of PGHW, I am THE BUZZ, and I’m about to CHARGE THINGS UP! The fans were then heard to gasp, as BISON Yano stormed down to ringside with a microphone in hand. Bussho Makiguchi looked concerned as the big man who defeated him on Day #12 stepped into the ring. BISON Yano: Yeah, your real wise to back up from me right now you annoying little pest! You know full well what I’m capable of! Let me correct you on something Bussho, You’re the CO WINNER of B BLOCK, and what a load of b#%l&$”* that is! Everyone saw me BEAT YOUR ASS on Day #12. As far as I’m concerned, it should be ME and ME ALONE whose going into the Night of PRIDE as the sole B BLOCK Winner. But it’s alright, I’m not going to whine and complain. I’m just going to get productive and make the AGE OF BISON I’ve been promising for so long a REALITY. In fact, I cannot wait to rearrange that annoying face of yours. I may just give you a sample of what you can anticipate this Friday Night right here and now! Just as BISON Yano moved in on Bussho Makiguchi with the intention of attacking him, back up arrived on the scene in the form of Bussho’s KitoGuchi teammate, the Elite Series A BLOCK Winner, Chojiro Kitoaji. The fans cheered loudly as Chojiro Kitoaji rolled into the ring and stood beside Bussho Makiguchi. Seeing he was now at a 2-on-1 disadvantage, BISON Yano took a few steps back. BISON Yano: GAH, its buffet night at the local Steakhouse. You two chumps will keep until Friday. Besides, that’s when it matters! BISON Yano threw down his microphone and left the ringside area. The microphone was then picked up by Chojiro Kitoaji, who looked towards Bussho Makiguchi. The cheers for both members of KitoGuchi were loud, but Chojiro Kitoaji seemed to be the more popular of the two. The facial expressions of Bussho Makiguchi hinted that this fact wasn’t lost on him, but he quickly shook them off as he smiled towards his teammate. Chojiro Kitoaji: First of all, congratulations Bussho! The two of us, KitoGuchi, we’ve made it to the FINAL of an Elite Series. That’s quite the achievement man! Bussho Makiguchi: You’re right, it is! Chojiro Kitoaji: Now Bussho, You and I have shared quite the history as a tag team. We’ve got three reigns with the PGHW Glory Tag Crown to our name. I’m proud of everything that you and I have accomplished as KitoGuchi. I want you to know that, as proud as I am of what we’ve achieved, I’m still excited every time we team up together. We’re the current #1 Contender’s to the PGHW Glory Tag Crown and I know once we meet up with BRUTE BISON we’ll get that 4th reign that I know we both desire. The fans cheered on the words of Chojiro Kitoaji, as Bussho Makiguchi nodded in enthusiastic approval of his teammate’s words. Bussho Makiguchi: 100% my man! A more serious expression then came across the face of Chojiro Kitoaji as he stepped closer to his teammate Chojiro Kitoaji: Now, as important as all of that is. You and I both know that what’s awaiting us on Friday Night, well, I cannot find the words to do it justice. We’re both in the ELITE SERIES FINAL. It’s the biggest opportunity of both of our careers. So Bussho, While I don’t always understand your conduct, especially lately. I still love you my friend! You and I have an unbreakable bond. We both want the best for one another. In slightly different circumstances, I’d LOVE to see you win the 2018 Elite Series, and I know you’d wish the same for me, but here we are, we’ve both got the same opportunity, but only ONE of us can take it. I want you to know, whatever happens on Friday, we’ll move forward together. But come that ELITE SERIES FINAL, I’ll be seeing you as nothing more than an obstacle that I need to overcome in order to make my DREAM a reality! I want you to know straight up, man to man, I’ll do whatever it takes to walk out the WINNER of the 2018 Elite Series! Bussho Makiguchi began to pace back and forth as he took stock of the words of Chojiro Kitoaji. After an awkward pause, Bussho responded to his teammate. Bussho Makiguchi: You and I will take out BISON Yano right? After that, everything between you and I is fair game. I know you BELIEVE that you’re going to win the Elite Series. That’s all well and good my brother, but I don’t believe, I KNOW I’m going to win it! And WHEN I win it, the first thing I’m going to do is lift you up to your feet and shake your hand. Let’s have the match of our lives this Friday Night! Chojiro Kitoaji: I’ll see you on the other side my friend! The two KitoGuchi teammates then put down their microphones and shared an emotional handshake. Chojiro Kitoaji then bowed down before respectfully leaving the ring so Bussho Makiguchi could further celebrate his newly won status as CO-WINNER of B BLOCK. The theatrics of Bussho Makiguchi closed the show, as he danced and strutted around the ring. Bussho then stepped outside of the ring and posed for photographs beside the Elite Series 2018 B BLOCK WINNERS TROPHY. “Hey” shouted out Bussho Makiguchi to a PGHW staff member “Let BISON Yano know he can have this Trophy. I want him to have something to remember his CO-WINNER status by. As for me, I’ll be going on to bigger and better things. LET ME HEAR THE LOVE!!! The BUZZ is about to CHARGE things up around here!” BLOCK B FINAL STANDINGS </blockquote> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Golden Guard M Posted June 7, 2021 Author Share Posted June 7, 2021 <blockquote style=”background-color:#FFFFFF;color:black;border-style:solid;border-width:4px;border-color:#000000;max-width:1000px;”> An Apology from PGHW1996.JP Written by Webmaster Wally for PGHW1996.JP Wednesday, Week 3, March 2018 We would like to take this time to apologise to all of the PGHW fans who were left disappointed by our failure to deliver on our promised live coverage from this morning’s PGHW Night of PRIDE Press Conference, held in Osaka. It was our intention to live stream the Press Conference in its entirety. Unfortunately, we had many reports that our viewers experienced problems with the website. Many people experienced the website freezing before the video stream would load. More unusually, we’ve had a handful of reports that some of you succeeded in getting a video to stream, but rather than being greeted with footage from the Press Conference, you received a video of what looked to be heavy snowfall over a frozen lake. Confused? Quite frankly, so are we! We believe that PGHW1996.JP was the victim of some kind of prank or cyber-attack. While investigations are still on-going, please be assured that we’re taking every measure to ensure nothing like this ever happens again. To make up for the disappointment, we’ll be sure to fill you in on everything you need to know coming out of this Morning’s Press Conference when we post a Full Card+Match Breakdown for this Friday’s PGHW NIGHT OF PRIDE:ELITE CLIMAX, and that’ll be posted within the hour! Once again, please accept our sincere apologies for this morning’s unprecedented issues. Webmaster Wally and the entire team at PGHW1996.JP PGHW Owner ABSENT from Press Conference Written by Webmaster Wally for PGHW1996.JP Wednesday, Week 3, March 2018 PGHW Owner Nobuatsu Tatsuko was missing from all of the proceedings during this morning’s PGHW Night of PRIDE Press Conference. This absence has understandably drawn attention from the wrestling media, as this is the first time that Nobuatsu Tatsuko has failed to be on hand for a PGHW Press Conference since taking over the reigns of power in 2014. Shogun TV President Sanshiro Oka was on hand to represent PGHW and announce the card for PGHW NIGHT OF PRIDE:ELITE CLIMAX in Nobuatsu Tatsuko’s absence. Sanshiro Oka has started to become a familiar on camera sight since PGHW and Shogun TV restarted their relationship earlier this year, which is fuelling speculation on if there is more to the PGHW/Shogun TV connection than is publicly known at this point. Nobuatsu Tatsuko’s absence was addressed by Sanshiro Oka, who told PGHW fans not to be concerned about the well-being of the PGHW Owner. Oka said that he’d engaged in a lengthy conversation with Nobuatsu Tatsuko on Tuesday, before adding “It’s not my place to speak for Nobuatsu Tatsuko, but I’m confident from my discussions with him that the PGHW fans will be made aware of his next step sooner rather than later. I’d love to say more, but that’s really all I feel comfortable saying at this point in time!” Many PGHW fans have understandably been concerned about Nobuatsu Tatsuko in recent times. The Legendary competitor had a nightmarish Elite Series campaign that concluded in uncharacteristic and somewhat controversial fashion with his Day #14 match with Gonnohyoe Kada. The PGHW Owner is clearly troubled. Here at PGHW1996.JP, we join the PGHW fan base in wishing Nobuatsu Tatsuko the best. Hopefully we find out what the next step in his journey is in the near future! </blockquote> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Golden Guard M Posted June 7, 2021 Author Share Posted June 7, 2021 <blockquote style=”background-color:#FFFFFF;color:black;border-style:solid;border-width:4px;border-color:#000000;max-width:1000px;”> ELITE CLIMAX FULL CARD+MATCH BREAKDOWN Written by Webmaster Wally for PGHW1996.JP Wednesday, Week 3, March 2018 After 14 Days, 2 Blocks and 56 tournament matches, The PGHW Pride Tour has done its job in leading us to PGHW NIGHT OF PRIDE:ELITE CLIMAX! The Elite Series has come down to THREE MEN rather than the anticipated TWO. It’s down to BISON YANO, BUSSHO MAKIGUCHI and CHOJIRO KITOAJI! This Friday Night, These THREE warriors will go into battle in a TRIPLE THREAT MATCH, and only ONE can CATCH GLORY and become the 2018 Winner of the ELITE SERIES! We’ll run down this highly anticipated main event, as well as bring you up to speed on the FULL CARD that’s been announced for this Friday Night after the PGHW Night of Pride Press Conference that was held in Osaka this morning. Stay right here on PGHW1996.JP as we begin to break it down, match by match! This Friday, PGHW NIGHT OF PRIDE:ELITE CLIMAX will emanate from the Osaka Live/Life Energy Stadium. The event will play host to 6 MATCHES, which read as follows… Match 1 Tag Match Danger Kumasaka & Yoshiteru Itami vs. Naga-Mori 20-Minute Time Limit Match 2 Singles Match Eiji Shiba vs. Simon Flemmingway 20-Minute Time Limit Match 3 Tag Team Match European All-Stars vs. The American Cobras 30-Minute Time Limit Match 4 PGHW International Title SATO © vs. Goemon Komiya 60-Minute Time Limit Match 5 Semi Final Tag Team Match Destiny Advance vs. Team Dynasty 2000 30-Minute Time Limit Match 6 Main Event ELITE SERIES 2018 TRIPLE THREAT FINAL BISON Yano vs. Bussho Makiguchi vs. Chojiro Kitoaji No Time Limit Let’s take a closer look at the card… Match No. 1 Tag Match VS. Danger Kumasaka & Yoshiteru Itami vs. Naga-Mori 20-minute time limit The opening contest will see the veteran PGHW Historical Japan Champion Danger Kumasaka teaming with his Super Heavyweight 22 year old “Danger Office” protege Yoshiteru Itami. This mentor/pupil duo will be presented with the experienced challenge of Naga-Mori (Mamoru Nagahama & Matsudaira Morioka). Since coming to PGHW in 2014 after a dominant run in WEXXV which saw Naga-Mori become WEXXV Blood Brothers on 5 different occasions, the two long time teammates have had impressive moments, but overall they’ve been unable to secure the big victories that would be needed to climb to the top of the PGHW Tag Team Mountain. As Naga-Mori fast approaches the 4 year anniversary of their arrival to PGHW, it must haunt them to know that they’ve yet to win any Championships or Tournaments in the promotion. After a rocky start to 2018 which saw Naga-Mori lose some high profile bouts (two losses to KitoGuchi, the 1st being at PGHW Night of RESPECT in January followed by a 2nd defeat on Day #7 of the PGHW DESTINY Tour in February) the tough duo have managed to regain some momentum via a string of wins in the early part of the PGHW Pride Tour, twice at the expense of Yoshiteru Itami, who teamed with Avalanche Takano in those two matches. This Friday, Will Naga-Mori be able to pick up another win at the expense of the impressive 22 year old? Or will Yoshiteru Itami’s change in partner to his experienced mentor Danger Kumasaka be enough to bring about a loss for Naga-Mori and see them fall back into there all too familiar “One step forwards, two steps back” pattern? Match No. 2 Singles Match VS. Eiji Shiba vs. Simon Flemmingway 20-minute time limit For the 20 year old Young Lion Eiji Shiba, this guaranteed uphill battle with Simon Flemmingway will be about showing evidence of self-improvement. This will be Shiba’s 3rd one on one bout against Simon this year. In their 1st singles match of the year, at January’s PGHW RESPECT Tour Day #4, Eiji Shiba was overwhelmed by the higher experience level of his American opposition. Simon Flemmingway managed to put Eiji Shiba away via submission in under 6 minutes. During their 2nd singles outing at February’s PGHW DESTINY Tour Day #5, the result read the same, but the match told a different story. Eiji Shiba showed undeniable improvement, managing to outmanoeuvre and counter some of the attacks he fell victim to in the January bout. While Eiji Shiba was still outclassed, he managed to last nearly 9 minutes on this occasion. Self-growth isn’t just reserved for Young Lions; the quest for self-improvement should never be over for a Professional Wrestler. With 15 years of experience in the profession, the 33 year old Simon Flemmingway admitted to going back to the drawing board following his Elite Series loss to PGHW Glory Crown Champion “The Golden Guard” Yoshimi Mushashibo, a match that Flemmingway had been eager for since submitting to Mushashibo at the very outset of the year on January’s PGHW RESPECT Tour Day #3. Simon Flemmingway had made a point of adapting Mushashibo’s trademark YOSHIMI LOCK, the very move he’d submitted to in January, reminding himself as well as all of the fans that he hadn’t forgotten his loss to “The Golden Guard”, and he was determined to avenge it. After watching footage of his old matches, Simon Flemmingway decided to draw on his history in an effort to improve his future. Simon revived a submission technique from his past, SIMON’S SOLUTION. Long time PGHW fans will remember just what Simon was able to accomplish with SIMON’S SOLUTION in the past. It was back in December of 2015 when Simon used the move to submit Noriyori Sanda and win the PGHW International Championship. Simon had significant success with SIMON’S SOLUTION on the night of its revival when he used it to trouble Nobuatsu Tatsuko in their Elite Series match at PGHW PRIDE Tour Day #12. The best would be yet to come for Flemmingway however, because on Day #13, in his final Elite Series match, he managed to close out his Elite Series campaign by submitting Tsurayuki Kamachi with the move. Simon Flemmingway not only ended his 2018 Elite Series Campaign with a respectable 6 POINTS, but he proved that SIMON’S SOLUTION is still just as dangerous as it ever was! Simon Flemmingway has also made it clear that “The Golden Guard” Yoshimi Mushashibo shouldn’t forget about him, because he’s got a rematch in his sights. Going into PGHW Night of PRIDE however, Simon Flemmingway will need to keep his full focus on young Eiji Shiba, because while Flemmingway has most likely not given the young lion a 2nd thought since there last encounter, you can be sure that the name “Simon Flemmingway” has been at the forefront of Eiji Shiba’s mind for most of the time since. The past has already shown us that Eiji Shiba does his homework and learns from his mistakes. Overlooking this game Young Lion could prove to be costly! Match No. 3 Tag Match VS. European All-Stars vs. The American Cobras 30-minute time limit You read the above right fans, This Friday will see European All-Stars vs. The American Cobras, this is a match that’s been in the making since November of last year and has finally been made official by PGHW matchmakers! Marvel Malloy and Storm Spillane of The American Cobras were THE up and coming team to watch on the PGHW roster, but they had competition for this spot once Pavel Vanzycha and Irwin Gutmann got signed to the PGHW roster in November of 2017 after the European duo impressed during their initial tour with the promotion, quickly showing the Japanese audience what the fans of Europe’s UEW have known for some time now, that Pavel Vanzycha and Irwin Gutmann make one of the most talented tandems in the Wrestling World today. Just as European All-Stars wowed European audiences before bringing their talents to Japan, The American Cobras excited the American Wrestling audience, becoming one of the breakout teams in CZCW. The American Cobras became Tag Team Champions in that promotion, an accomplishment that can be mirrored by European All Stars, who became Tag Team Champions in UEW. The undeniable similarities between these two teams probably meant they were always destined to be rivals. The tensions between the two duos have only continued to build and build with the back and forth momentum shifts whenever they’ve crossed paths in recent months, most often in six man tag encounters. After the events of Day #14 of the PGHW PRIDE Tour, which saw a boiling over of long brewing tensions lead to a post-match fight between the two teams, it was obvious that the inevitable tag team encounter between European All Stars and The American Cobras couldn’t be denied any longer. Going into Friday’s match, we know that both teams are incredibly talented, we also know that both teams have the ability to walk out victorious over the other on any given day. PGHW fans will make a strong argument for both teams, and both of those arguments will be warranted. Come this Friday, only one team will be able to walk out with the bragging rights of victory, that victorious team will undoubtedly go on to much bigger things in PGHW. When all is said and done, the pressing question may very well be of what will become of the losing team? Going forward, will PGHW be big enough for both The American Cobras AND European All Stars? LOADING ISSUE DETECTED VIDEO INTERRUPTION....CLICK TO PLAY ........ /////CODE-FO-INSTIGATE-M18...ACTIVATE WE are from DIFFERENT WORLDS UNITED via the PAIN of SHARED VICTIMISATION We MAY have VANISHED from SIGHT But OUR EYES….ARE EVERYWHERE We NEVER TRULY LEFT ........ /////CODE-FO-INSTIGATE-M18...IN OPERATION I never chose this BUSINESS I’m a SLAVE to what I LOVE But that’s alright, because you were going to give me everything I needed in return, weren’t you? But something went wrong along the way No matter how much I gave, it was NEVER ENOUGH I put 100% of my LOVE into this buSINess. And you couldn’t even give me 10% of TOLERATION in return. This is ALL I KNOW! This is ALL that I WANT to KNOW! And If I cannot have it the way I want it Why should ANYONE? Today’s SILENT MINORITY will plant the seeds for tomorrow’s VIOLENT MAJORITY Remember, when the bodies begin to fall It DIDN’T have to be like this, it SHOULDN’T be like this! But what will be….WILL BE! ........ /////CODE-FO-INSTIGATE-M18...TERMINATED Match No. 4 PGHW International Title Match VS. SATO © vs. Goemon Komiya 60-minute time limit Things are set to come full circle for the reigning PGHW International Champion SATO, as the popular 26 year old looks set to defend the Championship against the very man he won it from back at January’s PGHW Night of RESPECT, Goemon Komiya. SATO and Goemon Komiya found themselves in the same block of the 2018 Elite Series, the two competitors met in A BLOCK action on Day #3 of the PGHW PRIDE TOUR. In that bout, Goemon Komiya managed to counter an incoming WIND SPRINT ELBOW with a roll up, securing him the victory in 14 minutes and 10 seconds. With this victory, Goemon Komiya had not only succeeded in avenging his January loss to SATO, but he also guaranteed himself a future opportunity at regaining the PGHW International Championship. Following a post-match handshake, Goemon Komiya was quick to motion down to his own waist, indicating to SATO that he wanted the opportunity to reclaim the Gold he’d lost in January. Never one to dodge a challenge, SATO indicated at this morning’s press conference that he’s just as eager for this match as his challenger. SATO wants to prove to the fans, as well as to himself, that lightning can strike twice against Goemon Komiya. This Friday night, it’s the tie breaker match! Will SATO make a 2nd successful defence of the PGHW International Championship? Or will Goemon Komiya succeed in making his wish to reunite with the Championship a reality? Match No. 5 Semi Final Tag Match VS. Destiny Advance vs. Team Dynasty 2000 30-minute time limit After managing to not only survive, but thrive on the score table in the 2018 Elite Series, few fans would begrudge the PGHW Glory Crown Champion “The Golden Guard” Yoshimi Mushashibo a rest. Many would perhaps expect the PGHW Icon to take some time off to rest his right knee and prepare for his upcoming Championship defence of the Glory Crown at PGHW Night of FORTITUDE in April against the 2018 Elite Series Winner. It would seem that “The Golden Guard” has other ideas though, as he’ll once again team with “The Untouchable” Shuji Inukai to reunite Team Dynasty 2000. At this morning’s press conference in Osaka, Yoshimi Mushashibo and Shuji Inukai had the following to say in some revealing comments about their decision to reunite once more… Yoshimi Mushashibo: Back in early February, I told Shuji that he should focus on his own pursuits. I didn’t want him to be burdened by my issues and distractions. I told Shuji that I still believed in what he had to offer as an individual competitor, and I’m glad that he took me up on my suggestion to enter the Elite Series. I feel he had a strong showing finishing with 6 POINTS; especially given it was his first Elite Series since coming out of retirement. How do you feel about it Shuji? Shuji Inukai: Well, thank you for the compliment. I’m not the man who won the tournament back in 2003 and 2007, I was under no illusions about that fact. Truth be told, I probably wouldn’t have entered the tournament if it wasn’t for the suggestion to do so that you gave me. Let’s be straight up on this Yoshi, without you, I probably wouldn’t even be competing again full stop! I’ve already done things that I never would’ve guessed this time last year. I truly believed I was out for good. You’ve pushed me to find a new lease of life within myself. For that, I’ll forever be thankful to you! Yoshimi Mushashibo: A large reason that you came back was because of our shared goal. The goal to become holders of the PGHW Glory Tag Crown for a 2nd time! Shuji Inukai: Well, we stepped up and we gave BRUTE BISON our best shot back at January’s Night of RESPECT, but our best just wasn’t good enough on that night. Yoshimi Mushashibo: You know how I blamed myself for our loss Shuji. I…well… I really wanted that 2nd reign; it would’ve been the perfect comeback story for you. I fell short in helping you achieve it. That being said, now that we’ve both had time to regroup and reflect, what is to stop us trying again? Shuji Inukai: KitoGuchi are next in line to face BRUTE BISON, right? Yoshimi Mushashibo: Yes, and whichever of those two teams are wearing the PGHW Glory Tag Crown after their match, they can expect to see Team Dynasty 2000 as the first challengers. Because our collective story isn’t over yet, I want our story to end on our terms! Rumour has it that as soon as speculation regarding Team Dynasty 2000 competing at Friday’s show began to mount, Destiny Advance (or to be more specific, “The Puppet Master” Eien Miyamoto of Destiny Advance) hounded PGHW matchmakers with persistent phone calls and emails, requesting to be the signed opposition for the duo. The campaign of persistent expressed interest paid off, as Destiny Advance vs. Team Dynasty 2000 was soon officially confirmed for PGHW NIGHT OF PRIDE: ELITE CLIMAX, being the 2nd match to be officially signed for the event other than the Elite Series Triple Threat Final. Eien Miyamoto had the following comments for the media this morning, which give a clear insight into the mind state of “The Puppet Master” and clue us into the reasoning behind his pursuit of this match. Eien Miyamoto: One way or another, MY DESTINY WILL BE ATTAINED. I can only be delayed what I’m due for so long! Now, I know those words are nothing new from me, you’ve heard me speak them before. But now, the words may take on a new meaning to you puppets. You see, The Elite Series was ONE WAY, but now, I’m pursuing ANOTHER! What great opportunities this match with Team Dynasty 2000 provides. A victory here would set me and Gonnohyoe Kada up for a shot at the PGHW Glory Tag Crown, most certainly! But, you know me, I’m always thinking about THE BIGGER PICTURE! Just think, if I were to introduce a certain “Golden Guard” to THE STRING CUTTER, putting him down for the three count, what would happen then? What would that make me? I think that would make me a future guaranteed challenger to the PGHW Glory Crown! Eien Miyamoto’s way of thinking cannot be argued. After coming so close but falling just short of making the Elite Series Final, this bout may be the perfect opportunity for “The Puppet Master” to insert himself into the PGHW Glory Crown title picture, but doing what he discussed at the expense of Yoshimi Mushashibo won’t be an easy task. Plus, Miyamoto better not be overlooking Shuji Inukai, because the 46 year old veteran will almost certainly be looking to avenge his Day #5 Elite Series loss to Miyamoto during this encounter. As for Eien Miyamoto’s teammate Gonnohyoe Kada, he’ll be looking to make an example out of Yoshimi Mushashibo himself, as he looks to avenge his loss to “The Golden Guard” in Elite Series action back at Day #2 of the PGHW PRIDE Tour. This will certainly be an exciting Semi Final this Friday Night. It’s a match that has potential for many different scenarios to play out, with long term ramifications in the PGHW Glory Tag Crown picture and perhaps even the PGHW Glory Crown Championship picture also! Don’t miss this one! LOADING ISSUE DETECTED VIDEO INTERRUPTION....CLICK TO PLAY ........ /////CODE-FO-INSTIGATE-M18...ACTIVATE WE are from DIFFERENT WORLDS UNITED via the PAIN of SHARED VICTIMISATION We MAY have VANISHED from SIGHT But OUR EYES….ARE EVERYWHERE We NEVER TRULY LEFT ........ /////CODE-FO-INSTIGATE-M18...IN OPERATION I trusted in YOU! I trusted in YOUR system. I was willing to play by YOUR rules! And what was my reward? You took MY BLOOD, MY SWEAT, and MY HARD EARNED REPUTATION And you tried to TEAR IT ALL DOWN! Unfortunately for you, you DIDN’T FINISH THE JOB You thought I was BAD before? You’ve haven’t seen ANYTHING yet! ........ /////CODE-FO-INSTIGATE-M18...TERMINATED Match No. 6 Main Event ELITE SERIES 2018 TRIPLE THREAT FINAL VS. VS. BISON Yano vs. Bussho Makiguchi vs. Chojiro Kitoaji No time limit It has been quite the journey to get us to this destination, but we are just days away from what looks to be one of the most intriguing conclusions to an Elite Series in recent memory. Chojiro Kitoaji won the A BLOCK of the Elite Series with a flawless record of 7 WINS and the end score of 14 POINTS. Over in B BLOCK, it came down to a tied finish, with BISON Yano and A BLOCK winner Chojiro Kitoaji’s KitoGuchi teammate Bussho Makiguchi ending their campaigns with 12 POINTS each. As a result of this scenario, the winner of the 2018 Elite Series will be decided in a First fall takes it all TRIPLE THREAT FINAL, this is a match type that is a rarity within PGHW. To say that the three competitors all share intertwined history would be only scratching the surface of the layers that make up this enticing contest. As the team of KitoGuchi, both Bussho Makiguchi and Chojiro Kitoaji lost their 3rd PGHW Glory Tag Crown to BISON Yano’s team of BRUTE BISON in December of 2017. The PGHW Glory Tag Crown is still held by BRUTE BISON and KitoGuchi have worked their way back into position to be the next team in line for a title shot. Going deeper, all three competitors have ambitions beyond the restrictions of tag team competition. BISON Yano has made clear on a multitude of occasions his desire to claim the PGHW Glory Crown to go alongside his PGHW Glory Tag Crown, and officially bring about the AGE OF BISON. If BISON Yano wins the Elite Series, he’ll once again be in line to face “The Golden Guard” Yoshimi Mushashibo for the Glory Crown; a Championship that Yano came so close to taking from Mushashibo in February at PGHW Night of DESTINY. As for KitoGuchi, while the bond between the two competitors still seems to be strong, it’s become glaringly obvious in recent months that Bussho Makiguchi and Chojiro Kitoaji have some radically different viewpoints when it comes to various matters, one of these matters being the face of PGHW, the Legendary Yoshimi Mushashibo. While Chojiro Kitoaji seems to want to bring about a change in a manner that is respectful to the traditions of PGHW and the figures who built the promotion up, Bussho Makiguchi has been far from respectful in his comments towards “The Golden Guard”. The tensions between Bussho Makiguchi and Yoshimi Mushashibo got ugly following Mushashibo’s Interview with PGHW1996.JP in February. In that interview, Mushashibo expressed regret over his prior claim that he considered Bussho Makiguchi to be the man who could be the future of Japanese Wrestling. “Maybe Bussho Makiguchi is content with where he finds himself.” Said Yoshimi Mushashibo in the Interview “Maybe he doesn’t have that extra hunger that’ll take him to the level his skills are already ready for.” “Chojiro Kitoaji seems to be the more grounded of the two nowadays. Maybe it would’ve been a different story if I’d thrown his name out to the media last year instead of Bussho’s. Who knows?” was also said by Yoshimi Mushashibo during the interview, in regards to Bussho Makiguchi’s teammate. The words of Yoshimi Mushashibo probably have merit. The behaviour of Bussho Makiguchi has become increasingly unpredictable in recent months. While Bussho is still undoubtedly one of the most popular wrestlers on the PGHW roster, even some of his most devoted supporters have shown concern and at times even disapproval over his behaviour. That being said, from a talent perspective alone, Bussho Makiguchi is still on his A game, as Yoshimi Mushashibo found out on the final day of Elite Series B BLOCK action, when he was defeated by the 29 year old. Bussho wasted no time in revelling in his big win over the PGHW Glory Crown Champion, taking the opportunity to rub further salt into the wounds via some less than respectful words on the microphone. Yoshimi Mushashibo attempted to try and defuse some of the tensions between he and Makiguchi, “Yes, I DID REGRET proclaiming you to be the potential future of Japanese Wrestling. You wouldn’t be the first talent with amazing gifts to succumb to the pressure. I won’t lie, I still have my fears concerning you, but I’m not going to stand here and take away from what you’ve accomplished. You were the better wrestler tonight. You’ve made it to the Elite Series Final. You have my sincere congratulations”. Despite these words from Yoshimi Mushashibo and a handshake that followed, animosity towards the PGHW Icon still radiated from Bussho Makiguchi. “You know, I guess you’re right Golden Guard! We don’t have to be hostile towards one another. I no longer have to insult you by telling you the TRUTHS that deep down you ALREADY KNOW!” stated Makiguchi “I’m glad we could be men about this and shake hands. The next time you and I shake hands, it’ll be after the Main Event of Night of FORTITUDE in April, right after I’ve taken that PGHW GLORY CROWN CHAMPIONSHIP from you! Because make no mistake, I WILL be winning the ELITE SERIES this Friday Night, so get ready to pass the torch when I come for what’s mine in April!!” Oozing with confidence Bussho Makiguchi would then go on to state “Take a good look at your B BLOCK WINNER, the upcoming ELITE SERIES 2018 winner and the NEXT PGHW Glory Tag Crown AND PGHW Glory Crown Champion. I am the PRESENT of PGHW, I am THE BUZZ, and I’m about to CHARGE THINGS UP!” Sometime later, Bussho Makiguchi was joined in the ring by his KitoGuchi teammate, Chojiro Kitoaji. The two long time teammates shared some emotional words, but despite the bond the two fan favourites share, Chojiro was quick to point out that nothing overrules the importance of the upcoming Elite Series Final. “I want you to know, whatever happens on Friday, we’ll move forward together.” Said Chojiro “But come that ELITE SERIES FINAL, I’ll be seeing you as nothing more than an obstacle that I need to overcome in order to make my DREAM a reality. I want you to know straight up, man to man, I’ll do whatever it takes to walk out the WINNER of the 2018 Elite Series!” Bussho was quick to retort, “You and I will take out BISON Yano right? After that, everything between you and I is fair game. I know you BELIEVE that you’re going to win the Elite Series. That’s all well and good my brother, but I don’t believe, I KNOW I’m going to win it! And when I win it, the first thing I’m going to do is lift you up to your feet and shake your hand. Let’s have the match of our lives this Friday Night!” Chojiro Kitoaji only had one thing to say in response, “I’ll see you on the other side my friend!” It’ll be interesting to see what does await on the “other side” of this encounter, for all three competitors. While KitoGuchi can and most likely will team up to neutralise BISON Yano, what happens when both men attempt a pinfall on the big man? Can the long-time bond, past history and future tag team ambitions of KitoGuchi survive the pressure and single minded goals that reside within both Bussho Makiguchi and Chojiro Kitoaji? Going into this huge match, we have these questions, and so many more left to ask. All we can do now is wait for Friday to arrive to provide us with all of the answers we seek. What started with SIXTEEN will be decided by THREE, BISON YANO, BUSSHO MAKIGUCHI and CHOJIRO KITOAJI . Which of these THREE wrestlers will be the ONE to CATCH GLORY at PGHW NIGHT OF PRIDE: ELITE CLIMAX? That concludes our Full Card+Match Breakdown. Whether you’ll be joining us in attendance at the Osaka Live/Life Energy Stadium, or catching the matches via the comfort of your own home via our friends at J-Remote 1, we hope you enjoy the wrestling action that awaits you this Friday Night! </blockquote> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.