Ignite The Fire ~ ZERO1-MAX

[adi95]

Okada and Naito are part of NJPW roster in this mod? You could build a roster full of young future stars like Naito, Okada or Ishii.

[Dalton]

I cant wait for the Shibata megapush~!

[outb0undflight]

Damn, was just thinkin' about doin' a Zero-1 diary! Excited to see how this shapes out!

[CGN91]

<div style="text-align:center;"><p><span style="font-family:'Franklin Gothic Medium';"><div style="width:1000px;padding:7px;border radius: 29px 0px 29px 0px;-webkit-border-radius: 29px 0px 29px 0px;-moz-border-radius: 29px 0px 29px 0px;background: rgba(248,248,255);border: 5px outset #FF0000;; max-width:60%";"></span></p><p><span style="font-family:'Franklin Gothic Medium';"> </span></p><p><span style="font-family:'Franklin Gothic Medium';">

</span><img alt="siteName.png" data-src="https://www.z-1.co.jp/common/images/siteName.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p><p><span style="font-family:'Franklin Gothic Medium';"> </span></p><p><span style="font-family:'Franklin Gothic Medium';">

</span><span style="font-family:'Franklin Gothic Medium';"><span style="font-family:Impact;"><strong><span style="font-size:24px;">『IGNITE THE FIRE TOUR '06』</span></strong></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family:'Franklin Gothic Medium';">

<hr style="border: 0; height: 10px; background-image: linear-gradient(to right, rgba(0, 0, 0, 0), rgba(178, 34, 34), rgba(0, 0, 0, 0));" /></span></p><p><span style="font-family:'Franklin Gothic Medium';"> </span></p><p><span style="font-family:'Franklin Gothic Medium';">

</span><img alt="e8STKqZ.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/e8STKqZ.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="V5VpW9v.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/V5VpW9v.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="BrZJnJe.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/BrZJnJe.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="Zj1lbdo.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/Zj1lbdo.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p><div style="text-align:center;"></div><p></p><p></p><p><span style="font-family:'Franklin Gothic Medium';"> </span></p><p><span style="font-family:'Franklin Gothic Medium';">

</span></p><div style="text-align:left;"><p><span style="font-family:'Franklin Gothic Medium';"><strong>★</strong></span><span style="font-family:'Franklin Gothic Medium';"> ZERO1-MAX president </span><span style="font-family:'Franklin Gothic Medium';"><strong>Yoshiyuki Nakamura</strong></span><span style="font-family:'Franklin Gothic Medium';"> announced that </span><span style="font-family:'Franklin Gothic Medium';"><strong>Ryouji Sai</strong></span><span style="font-family:'Franklin Gothic Medium';"> is unanble to compete due to an injury happened by the hands of Katsuyori Shibata. „Sai went unconscious during his fight with Shibata, while the latter hits a kick to the face. We had to pull Ryouji Sai of the upcoming cards to protect his health and life. We are deeply sorry to our fans who were looking forward to see Ryouji Sai compete on the tour.“</span></p><p><span style="font-family:'Franklin Gothic Medium';"> </span></p><p><span style="font-family:'Franklin Gothic Medium';">

</span><span style="font-family:'Franklin Gothic Medium';"><strong>★</strong></span><span style="font-family:'Franklin Gothic Medium';"> Sai's tag team partner </span><span style="font-family:'Franklin Gothic Medium';"><strong>Kohei Sato</strong></span><span style="font-family:'Franklin Gothic Medium';"> scored a big win at HOPE alongside </span><span style="font-family:'Franklin Gothic Medium';"><strong>Yoshihito Sasaki</strong></span><span style="font-family:'Franklin Gothic Medium';"> who would have received a NWA Intercontinental Tag Team titleshot but Sato refused and wants to focus on having Shibata in the ring. However Yoshihito Sasaki's partner for the upcoming tag titlematch will be Big Japan's </span><span style="font-family:'Franklin Gothic Medium';"><strong>Daisuke Sekimoto</strong></span><span style="font-family:'Franklin Gothic Medium';">, the two fought battles over the border of different promotions in the past. Speaking of champions </span><span style="font-family:'Franklin Gothic Medium';"><strong>Minoru Fujita</strong></span><span style="font-family:'Franklin Gothic Medium';"> will receive a WWA World Junior Light Heavyweight titlematch in Nagoya against All Japan's </span><span style="font-family:'Franklin Gothic Medium';"><strong>Katsuhiko Nakajima</strong></span><span style="font-family:'Franklin Gothic Medium';">.</span></p><p><span style="font-family:'Franklin Gothic Medium';"> </span></p><p><span style="font-family:'Franklin Gothic Medium';">

</span><span style="font-family:'Franklin Gothic Medium';"><strong>★</strong></span><span style="font-family:'Franklin Gothic Medium';"> Not surprising is the fact that </span><span style="font-family:'Franklin Gothic Medium';"><strong>Steve Corino</strong></span><span style="font-family:'Franklin Gothic Medium';"> has to defend the AWA World Heavyweight Championship at Korakuen Hall against </span><span style="font-family:'Franklin Gothic Medium';"><strong>Shinjiro Otani</strong></span><span style="font-family:'Franklin Gothic Medium';">. The canadian tried to get away without having the match with Otani, but Nakamura and the AWA boards refused to do Corino the favour. Corino's friend </span><span style="font-family:'Franklin Gothic Medium';"><strong>CW Anderson</strong></span><span style="font-family:'Franklin Gothic Medium';"> needs to defend his United National Heavyweight title none other than </span><span style="font-family:'Franklin Gothic Medium';"><strong>Masato Tanaka</strong></span><span style="font-family:'Franklin Gothic Medium';">!</span></p><p><span style="font-family:'Franklin Gothic Medium';"> </span></p><p><span style="font-family:'Franklin Gothic Medium';">

<hr style="border: 0; height: 10px; background-image: linear-gradient(to right, rgba(0, 0, 0, 0), rgba(178, 34, 34), rgba(0, 0, 0, 0));" /></span></p><p><span style="font-family:'Franklin Gothic Medium';">

</span><span style="font-family:'Franklin Gothic Medium';"><strong>『IGNITE THE FIRE TOUR - NIGHT 1』</strong></span><span style="font-family:'Franklin Gothic Medium';"> - January 26, 2006</span></p><p><span style="font-family:'Franklin Gothic Medium';">

Movement Park Gymnasium (Ushiku, Kanto) </span></p><p><span style="font-family:'Franklin Gothic Medium';"> </span></p><p><span style="font-family:'Franklin Gothic Medium';">

</span><span style="font-family:'Franklin Gothic Medium';"><strong>『IGNITE THE FIRE TOUR - NIGHT 2』</strong></span><span style="font-family:'Franklin Gothic Medium';"> - January 28, 2006</span></p><p><span style="font-family:'Franklin Gothic Medium';">

Shonan Town Gymnasium (Chiba, Kanto) </span></p><p><span style="font-family:'Franklin Gothic Medium';"> </span></p><p><span style="font-family:'Franklin Gothic Medium';">

</span><span style="font-family:'Franklin Gothic Medium';"><strong>『IGNITE THE FIRE TOUR - NIGHT 3』</strong></span><span style="font-family:'Franklin Gothic Medium';"> - February 1, 2006</span></p><p><span style="font-family:'Franklin Gothic Medium';">

Nagoya Sports Center (Nagoya, Chubu) </span><span style="font-family:'Franklin Gothic Medium';"><em>[samurai! TV]</em></span></p><p><span style="font-family:'Franklin Gothic Medium';"> </span></p><p><span style="font-family:'Franklin Gothic Medium';">

x. </span><span style="font-family:'Franklin Gothic Medium';"><strong>WWA World Junior Light Heavyweight Championship:</strong></span><span style="font-family:'Franklin Gothic Medium';"> Katsuhiko Nakajima </span><img alt="yaFE0md.png" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/yaFE0md.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="mFlrUdV.png" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/mFlrUdV.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><span style="font-family:'Franklin Gothic Medium';"> vs. Minoru Fujita </span><span style="font-family:'Franklin Gothic Medium';"><em>(2nd Defense)</em></span></p><p><span style="font-family:'Franklin Gothic Medium';"> </span></p><p><span style="font-family:'Franklin Gothic Medium';">

</span><span style="font-family:'Franklin Gothic Medium';"><strong>『IGNITE THE FIRE TOUR - NIGHT 4』</strong></span><span style="font-family:'Franklin Gothic Medium';"> - February 2, 2006</span></p><p><span style="font-family:'Franklin Gothic Medium';">

Toyohashi City Gymnasium (Toyohashi, Chubu) </span></p><p><span style="font-family:'Franklin Gothic Medium';"> </span></p><p><span style="font-family:'Franklin Gothic Medium';">

</span><span style="font-family:'Franklin Gothic Medium';"><strong>『IGNITE THE FIRE TOUR - NIGHT 5』</strong></span><span style="font-family:'Franklin Gothic Medium';"> - February 5, 2006</span></p><p><span style="font-family:'Franklin Gothic Medium';">

Korakuen Hall (Tokyo, Kanto) </span><span style="font-family:'Franklin Gothic Medium';"><em>[samurai! TV]</em></span></p><p><span style="font-family:'Franklin Gothic Medium';"> </span></p><p><span style="font-family:'Franklin Gothic Medium';">

1. Matt Sydal </span><img alt="IBUNBMz.png" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/IBUNBMz.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><span style="font-family:'Franklin Gothic Medium';"> & Jack Evans </span><img alt="IBUNBMz.png" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/IBUNBMz.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><span style="font-family:'Franklin Gothic Medium';"> vs. Osamu Namiguchi & GENTARO </span><img alt="C9GT4jg.png" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/C9GT4jg.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p><p><span style="font-family:'Franklin Gothic Medium';">

2. Taichi Ishikari </span><img alt="NCLdCqy.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/NCLdCqy.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><span style="font-family:'Franklin Gothic Medium';"> vs. Tatsuhito Takaiwa</span></p><p><span style="font-family:'Franklin Gothic Medium';">

3. Fugo Fugo Yumeji, KAMIKAZE & Masayoshi Motegi vs. Y2P-160kg, Kagetora & Munenori Sawa</span></p><p><span style="font-family:'Franklin Gothic Medium';">

4. Gamma, Rikiya Fudo & Tomoaki Honma </span><img alt="mFlrUdV.png" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/mFlrUdV.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><span style="font-family:'Franklin Gothic Medium';"> vs. Fuyuki Takahashi, Takuya Sugawara & Kohei Sato</span></p><p><span style="font-family:'Franklin Gothic Medium';">

5. </span><span style="font-family:'Franklin Gothic Medium';"><strong>NWA Intercontinental Tag Team Championship:</strong></span><span style="font-family:'Franklin Gothic Medium';"> Minoru Fujita & Ikuto Hidaka </span><img alt="yaFE0md.png" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/yaFE0md.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><span style="font-family:'Franklin Gothic Medium';"> vs. Yoshihito Sasaki & Daisuke Sekimoto </span><img alt="Edeg2sd.png" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/Edeg2sd.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><span style="font-family:'Franklin Gothic Medium';"> </span><span style="font-family:'Franklin Gothic Medium';"><em>(2nd Defense)</em></span></p><p><span style="font-family:'Franklin Gothic Medium';">

6. </span><span style="font-family:'Franklin Gothic Medium';"><strong>ZERO1-MAX United National Heavyweight Championship:</strong></span><span style="font-family:'Franklin Gothic Medium';"> CW Anderson </span><img alt="yaFE0md.png" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/yaFE0md.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><span style="font-family:'Franklin Gothic Medium';"> vs. Masato Tanaka </span><span style="font-family:'Franklin Gothic Medium';"><em>(1st Defense)</em></span></p><p><span style="font-family:'Franklin Gothic Medium';">

7. </span><span style="font-family:'Franklin Gothic Medium';"><strong>AWA World Heavyweight Championship:</strong></span><span style="font-family:'Franklin Gothic Medium';"> Steve Corino </span><img alt="yaFE0md.png" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/yaFE0md.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><span style="font-family:'Franklin Gothic Medium';"> vs. Shinjiro Otani </span><span style="font-family:'Franklin Gothic Medium';"><em>(18th Defense)</em></span></p><p><span style="font-family:'Franklin Gothic Medium';">

</span></p></div><p></p></div><p><span style="font-family:'Franklin Gothic Medium';"></div></span></p>

[Hashasheen]

This might be an odd tangent for me to touch on, but for me, ZERO-1's vibe and roster thematics lend itself very well to these things: 1. 2000s gaijin of the kick-and-grapple kind, not big hosses ala AJPW 2. ex-NJPW veterans, particularly who were around when Hashimoto was, even tangientially and 3. people with some sort of combat sports background, be it judo, karate, mma or sumo.

 

This might be a "no shit" mentality, but I think that ZERO-1 grabbing onto a bunch of ex-indie guys from BJW, FMW, etc... in the early 2000s really contribute to their brand's decline as a cohesive thing until it became nothing more than a super-indie and then just an indie. Masato Tanaka was an incredible talent (and still is, IMO!), but I think he kind of heralded a tendency to just sign guys who had a modicum of popularity but not much synergy.