Golden Canvas Grappling - Furusawa & The Tiger

[ShikariFC]

The Golden Kingdom 2020, Full Card & Preview

GCG gears up for its biggest show since the companies rebirth at the end of the month live from Nagoya Puro Hall 

Main Event: GCG World Heavyweight Championship - Ieyoshi Shimakage vs Tatsuya Toshitara

Champion Ieyoshi Shimakage will make his second defence in the main event at Nagoya Puro Hall in what is widely considered the biggest match in Golden Canvas Grappling since at the very least 2017. Shimakage is undefeated in GCG in singles competition and only has one loss to his name in a 6 man match at the start of the Road To The Golden Kingdom Tour, he didnt take the pin that night either. Similarly Toshitara is unbeaten in GCG singles competition, one further than the champion he is undefeated full stop - this includes a win with Shimakage in a tag match back at The Tiger Rises 13 in September, thus meaning that something has to give. 

Fifth Match: GCG Openweight Championship - Azumamaro Shimizu vs Morimasa Kato

Since the Openweight Championship was bought back Shimizu has been working hard to raise its status and in turn has also raised his own status to being one of the top names on the roster, facing him at The Golden Kingdom will be Morimasa Kato whom came very close to winning the World Heavyweight Championship only last month. Kato has never held a championship in his career to date and will be highly motivated to change that in Nagoya, Shimizu will want to continue his quest in elevating the Openweight Championship, who will come out with the gold? 

Fourth Match: GCG World Tag Team Championships - Ryobe Uno & Masashi Urugotaya vs Azumamaro Kita & Danjuro Kikuchi vs Lenny Mochin & Kevin Yashere

New Tag Team Champions will be crowned for the first time since October 2016 when Greg Gague and Dean Daniels won gold, in a three way tag match matching up some highly talented pairings. Ryobe Uno and Masashi Urugotaya bring together two rugged workers with a GCG history, Uno has impressed more and more over time and will be looking to make a huge career statement at the age of 22, Urugotaya as a former Openweight Champion will have sights on adding the second of three reigns that make up the grand slam. Kita and Kikuchi two great technicians- Kita has a rich championship history in Pro Wrestling SAISHO, Kikuchi on the other hand looking to add his first. The third team are the British pairing of Mochin and Yashere, the latter enjoying a career fresh start whilst Mochin has steadily impressed more and more as his time in Japan has gone on. Who will be able to write their names in history? 

Third Match: Harumi Okazawaya vs Fujio Narahashi

Narahashi featured extensively across the Road To The Golden Kingdom Tour though surprisingly before then has a pretty uninspiring GCG record which stood at 1-4, across the ring from him will be Okazawaya whom has 16 years experience on Narahashi and will be in no mood for charity. This is a singles match that does feel like it could be a launch pad for the winner - the loser meanwhile may be left wondering whats next

Second Match:  Lion Genji vs Omezo Shikitei

Lion Genji made his return to GCG at The Tiger Rises 15 and after that event chose Shikitei as his opponent for The Golden Kingdom, Shikitei far from thankful then spent the duration of December trying to make Genji regret this decision. A keenly anticipated match up and another one on the card that has the feel of a potential breakout moment for the victor. 

Opening Match: Kyuichi Matsumoto, Fuyuhiko Wakabayashi & Edo Phoenix IV vs Ritsu Ibata, Shuga Amano & Wataru Kikumoto

The young lion team of Ibata, Amano and Kikumoto will have a rare chance to team up as opposed to face each other as they take on a team of more experienced workers all hoping to stand out. all three men hoping to have a bright future sooner rather than later and certainly wont wont any slip ups against a young lion team.

 

Edited March 24 by ShikariFC

[AboardTheArk]

Shimakage 

 

Kato 

 

Uno & Urugotaya 

 

Narahashi 

 

Genji 

 

Team Roster Members

[ShikariFC]

Nagoya Puro Hall - 1,162 // 22,003 viewers on JSV3

Golden Canvas Grappling World Heavyweight Championship

Ieyoshi Shimakage (35th Champion, 2nd Defence) vs Tatsuya Toshitara

Golden Canvas Grappling Openweight Championship

Azumamaro Shimizu (22nd Champion, 3rd Defence) vs Morimasa Kato

Golden Canvas Grappling World Tag Team Championships

Masashi Urogataya & Ryobe Uno vs Azumamaro Kita & Danjuro Kikuchi vs Kevin Yashere & Lenny Mochin

Fujio Narahashi vs Harumi Okazawaya

Lion Genji vs Omezo Shikitei

Matsumoto, Wakabayashi & Edo Phoenix IV vs Ibata, Amano & Kikumoto

 

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A few days removed from The Golden Kingdom, what had been a successful show but that was soon to be a faint memory, 2020 was ending with Chaos that first started developing when Hanshiro had a call off Ieyoshi Shimakage, the former champion letting him know that he was leaving to join PGHW with whom he had just signed an exclusive contract, PGHW also swooped for Omezo Shikitei on a similar deal, both would be leaving in a few weeks. 

Alongside the roster getting plundered the Executive Committee was imploding, the move to get onto Japanese Sports Vision was proving to be an extremely poor decision, the financial gains proving to be minimal and there was currently back and forth arguments as to with whom the blame lied, The Aichi Prefectural Government were not in the least bit happy and to top it off this had leaked to both dirt sheets and local news alike. Hanshiro was now getting phone calls and emails from all corners of the puroresu world asking him if it was true that GCG was destined for disaster not even a year after comeback.

Edited March 25 by ShikariFC

[ShikariFC]

OOC Diary Update - Going Forwards

First of all thank you to everyone who has interacted with this diary, its gained more traction that I would have imagined and its nice that so many of you seem interested.

As I have touched upon on the last post I'm running into problems with being talent raided and its only going to get worse, I think without any "creative license" with the database at this point the diary is going to fizzle out pretty quickly as I wont be able to get hold of (or to keep as the case is) any decent workers. The finances aren't good but I've been able to play that into the story as the broadcasting deal was a disaster - I didn't notice JSV3 is a broadcaster type that literally brings in no money 😆so we can blame that on one of the characters involved. 

So I have a few narrative ideas that will mean me going into the in game editor and shuffling some things and bodies around, nothing that's going to make GCG an OP juggernaut but maybe some things to atleast make the company competitive, the long and short of all this being thus - I'm having fun with this diary and in order to continue doing so its going to carry on being a bit more "story focused" as opposed to the style of Diary I did for BHOTWG & I'm going to have to fiddle with a few database things and create some dramas to shake the game world up a little. 

Edited March 27 by ShikariFC

[ShikariFC]

Hanshiro was in his home, he hadn't been into the office for a few days, his health wasn't great which was something both his wife and his doctor put down to stress and aside from that he didn't want to bump into any of the Executive Committee. His emails were out of control, at this point he was just skimming over them and picking out anything particularly important. The venture to bring back GCG started off with trying to mend some old wounds, a redemption story of sorts and whilst he had given Masashi Urugotaya a regular income which he felt good about ultimately the headlines would be reading about how Hanshiro Furusawa has killed GCG once again. 

The broadcasting deal was at least something that couldn't be pinned on him, maybe if GCG was headed out of business again that might deflect some of the blame away from himself. One of the emails that he settled on was from Pete Hall, in the wake of losing both Shimakage and Shikitei there was also news circulating that PGHW were moving in to take Toshitara whom had just won the World Heavyweight Championship, with all this in mind Pete Hall had took it upon himself to bring in three names from America, which he was with in his rights to do in his position on the Committee, the three men coming in where Masked Stranger, Tavon Blake Jr and most interesting of all was Frankie Perez, Hanshiro didn't want to give it too much thought, he was expecting to be relieved of his duties anytime soon.

---------------------------------------------------

(The following is an extract from popular wrestling website TotalExtremeWrestling.com) 

Amidst PGHW signing up a number of unsigned talents they have had the tables turned on them by BHOTWG who have sensationally tabled a sizeable offer to Masaru Ugaki to prize him away from the company whom trained him, a move that will headline what has been a busy month in Japan with signings for numerous companies big and small, the following is a quick run down of the comings and goings so far this month 

BHOTWG - In: Masaru Ugaki (From PGHW), Tanyu Toshusai (From BCG) Out: Hijo Del Relampago (Released), Hyosuke Kokan (Released)

PGHW - In: Tatsuya Toshitara, Ieyoshi Shimakage & Omezo Shikitei (From GCG/WLW/SAISHO), Human Arsenal (From TCW) Out: Masaru Ugaki (Singed for BHOTWG)

WLW - In: Hijo Del Relampago, Nobuharu Yokokawa & Masao Tsubouchi Out: Katoh Freak & Monkey Maraguchi (Released) 

SAISHO - In: Naoji Azumi & Tsuenyo Yanagimoto

GCG - In: Tavon Blake Jr, Frankie Perez, Masked Stranger Out: Tatsuya Toshitara, Ieyoshi Shimakage & Omezo Shikitei (Signed for PGHW) Quick Kick Nakao (Released)

[ShikariFC]

January #2

Amidst what looked like the impending end of the company, GCG held "Caging The Tiger" in Nagoya at the end of the month. Hanshiro would not be present for the event due to ill health, even if he was fit enough he figured that he probably wouldn't be allowed at the moment anyway. It appeared that Hanshiros absence emboldened Tatsuya Toshitara whom refused to drop the World Heavyweight Championship on his way out as was intended, Lion Genji was earmarked to win. Toshitara would go on to win the Main Event in 26:33 in a sub par match that went on too long and was clearly effected by Toshitaras attitude. 

---------------------------------------------

PGHW continued their relentless pursuit for talent - Danjuro Kikuchi was the next subject of an exclusive contract offer, Hanshiros hands completely tied on this one. The Executive Committee still itself in turmoil Hanshiro had picked up bits of update here and there, Aichi Prefectural Government were on the verge of withdrawing their backing and support, and whilst they hadn't helped out financially since the initial launch Hanshiro imagined them pulling out would be a nail in the coffin, quite possibly the final one. Both Pete Hall and Sadakuno Nishimuraya of the E.C were circling to take control of the company, both clearly assuming that Hanshiros transgression re: Urugotaya contract would be enough to get him removed from his position, though what sort of a company they would be inheriting would be another question. 

[ShikariFC]

Sensational news has reached us today at TEW.com from Japan. Tatsuya Toshitara whom had recently signed a contract with PGHW has as of this morning pulled himself OUT of the deal and will no longer be joining Japans #2 company, there is no indication that he will be staying with GCG, in fact our insiders tell us that he wont be seen in a GCG ring or a PGHW one. More on this bizarre story as we get it. 

Elsewhere in Japan Yoshinaka Taku may be on his way out of BCG as Yoshifusa Maeda is thought to be less than impressed with Taku's recent attitude and Maeda is a man who is not known to suffer fools. We understand at the moment Taku's father Toshinobu is doing what he can to keep his sons job at BCG. 

Finally rounding up news from Japan the ongoing ownership situation at Golden Canvas Grappling appears to be developing further, we understand there are 3 or 4 parties behind the scenes vying for control of the company going forward, the only "confirmed" name we have so far is a joint effort from current board members Pete Hall and Sadakuno Nishimuraya, as ever we at TEW.com will bring you more as we get it! 

[Scottie]

Chaotic few months! Hopefully you continue to navigate it. When it comes to losing talent, there's a fine line between it being a fun challenge and completely demoralising... 

[ShikariFC]

13 hours ago, Scottie said:

Chaotic few months! Hopefully you continue to navigate it. When it comes to losing talent, there's a fine line between it being a fun challenge and completely demoralising... 

Yeah I think thats where I was at really! especially with a save thats a diary

[Chaddes]

On 3/26/2024 at 1:58 PM, ShikariFC said:

OOC Diary Update - Going Forwards

First of all thank you to everyone who has interacted with this diary, its gained more traction that I would have imagined and its nice that so many of you seem interested.

As I have touched upon on the last post I'm running into problems with being talent raided and its only going to get worse, I think without any "creative license" with the database at this point the diary is going to fizzle out pretty quickly as I wont be able to get hold of (or to keep as the case is) any decent workers. The finances aren't good but I've been able to play that into the story as the broadcasting deal was a disaster - I didn't notice JSV3 is a broadcaster type that literally brings in no money 😆so we can blame that on one of the characters involved. 

So I have a few narrative ideas that will mean me going into the in game editor and shuffling some things and bodies around, nothing that's going to make GCG an OP juggernaut but maybe some things to atleast make the company competitive, the long and short of all this being thus - I'm having fun with this diary and in order to continue doing so its going to carry on being a bit more "story focused" as opposed to the style of Diary I did for BHOTWG & I'm going to have to fiddle with a few database things and create some dramas to shake the game world up a little. 

I can't waaaait to see what you come up with! I hope you keep the chaotic s---show energy, cause tbh that's more entertaining than if everything was plain sailing to me haha

[ShikariFC]

News from Japan today involving Tatsuya Toshitara, in what seems to be the final twist in the tail, after withdrawing himself from the previously signed deal with PGHW and stating he would no longer be appearing for GCG he has today shockingly opened his own company. 

Based out of Kanto, Tatsuya Toshitara has opened Pro Wrestling Revolution already making his first signing, Yoshinaka Taku who had somewhat ostracised himself at BCG due to his views about the companies booking has become PWR's first signing. Another player enters the scene of Japanese wrestling, questions will have to be answered about Toshitaras in ring role with his new company. Early reports suggest  he has actively tried to start a working relationship with BHOTWG. 

----------------------------------------

Elsewhere in Japan we have today learned that BHOTWG have began putting together a proposal to buy out GCG, at this stage their intentions with GCG are purely speculation though many have already surmised that BHOTWG would be using GCG as a developmental project, how this would effect Toshitaras attempts to allign his new company with BHOTWG remains to be seen. Many within Japan would hate to see GCG "reduced" to becoming a developmental territory and it will be very interesting to see how this develops going forward. As we previously reported a joint effort from current board members Pete Hall and Sadakuno Nishimuraya is on the table, BHOTWG appear to be the second party involved in trying to take control of GCG, we still believe there could be up to two more vying for the reigns at GCG. Hanshiro Furusawa still officially holds the CEO role, it would appear he is shouldering some of the blame for the financial mismanagement of GCG since its rebirth, his deal to sign Masashi Urugotaya without the executive committees approval would appear to be the main reason for his position being in jeopardy, it is also believed that Furusawas health is struggling with the day to day grind of heading a project like Golden Canvas Grappling.   

[Willsky]

I love how you're embracing the curveballs thrown at you during this whole save. I'd have certainly thrown in the towel long ago, but credit for sticking with it and providing us the entertainment of it all going mad!

[ShikariFC]

Hanshiro was in his office for the first time in a long while, a lengthy email was in front of him, he skimmed over the opening niceties to get to the meat of the issue ....

Quote

When we at the Aichi Prefectural Government entered into this agreement we were very excited about the project laid out, excited to bring regular wrestling shows to cities like Nagoya that were lacking such and most of all we were excited to be involved with an historic name like Golden Canvas Grappling. 

Unfortunately things have not developed as we would have liked, the broadcasting deal with Japanese Sports Vision that was pushed hard for by our representative Mr Miyoshi was regrettably a bad decision, the companies overall finances have become of increasing concern as well as some other management decisions beyond our control. 

With the following in mind we are announcing today that we are withdrawing our funding as of March 2021, this decision was not taken likely and we would like to place on record our thanks to Mr Furusawa as well as all members of the Executive Committee.

Finally this leaves the issue of the percentage of GCG that is owned by the Aichi Prefectural Government and the small amount of shares owned by some local councils, we are officially selling our and our subsidiaries stakes in the company, this roughly amounts to around 50% ownership of GCG. In the interests of transparency we have already been approached by two parties regarding this, it is the recommendation of this board that if possible ownership of the company should be retained by Hanshiro Furusawa

his eyes trailed off the email at that point as there was nothing much left to say of importance, he felt an odd sense of pride that despite some of the things that had happened there was at least someone whom believed he should be in charge of the company. It wasn't long before his attention was broken by his phone ringing, an unkown number......

Caller: Hello Furusawa-san, your son passed your number on to me ....

* Hanshiro knew the voice but he couldn't quite place it *

Hanshiro: Not a problem, wh.....

Caller: Pardon me being so blunt but I dont have much time and matters are urgent, what my current employers have planned for GCG is frankly insulting

* Then it clicked in Hanshiros mind.... *

Hanshiro: Hiroyasu?? Hiroyasu Gakusha? 

Gakusha: You sound shocked? 

Hanshiro: Well, yes, what is all this about? does Kaneko know you're talking to me?

Gakusha: No, he doesnt. Furusawa-san the rumours are most certainly true, BHOTWG are going to make a bid for the half of GCG up for sale and their long term aim is to turn GCG into a developmental territory, I cant see the company die again, and I am not the only one here who feels strongly about this 

* Hanshiro knew there were many GCG alumni at BHOTWG and he imagined this was whom Gakusha was referencing *

Hanshiro: Hiroyasu I have to be realistic with you, if the moneys on the table the offer will likely be accepted, all the money I have is tied up in the company already, I wouldn't be able to buy out the other half of the company

Gakusha: So it is true that you hold the other half of the ownership?

Hanshiro: It is

Gakusha: Me and some of my colleagues will do everything that we can to not allow GCG to become a mere developmental, plans are further along the line than you know, save my number Furusawa-san, and please take care of yourself, I hear you havent been very well recently, speak to you soon

And with that without another word the line went dead, Hanshiro stared at his phone for a short while then again to the email infront of him, it was hard to know what to think. 

[AboardTheArk]

The Golden Four are going to save the company?

[ShikariFC]

2 hours ago, AboardTheArk said:

The Golden Four are going to save the company?

probably not all four

[ShikariFC]

A few days after Hanshiros mysterious phone call with Hiroyasu Gakusha he found himself coming out of a meeting with the remaining Executive Committee members and with representatives from the other shareholders in GCG. A battle was forming for the ownership of the company and Hanshiro was going to face many suiters for his stake, another huge breaking news in the world of Japanese professional wrestling, Hiroyasu Gakusha had gone public in his outrage at BHOTWG and with his intentions to be part of a group looking to invest in the GCG. Gakushas interest excited the right people, but he wouldn't be able to bring forward the funds on his own and word was reaching Hanshiro that a few of the old GCG guys at BHOTWG had got cold feet, not wanting to give up their spots at the giant company.

The February event that was set to be Nationals Day was to be postponed due to the current ownership situation, Hanshiro also wondered to himself if it was something to do with PGHW whittling away at their roster, Danjuro Kikuchi the latest to leave. 

He had sat in his office and was preparing to leave when his phone rang, it was his son Mabuchi. 

Mabuchi: Hello Father, how are you holding up?

Hanshiro: Not great, but hopefully the company may fall into decent hands afterall 

Mabuchi: Thats why i've called, ive been speaking to Gakusha, we both agree that a Furusawa should still be in the CEO role

Hanshiro: Son this last year has been ..... well its been difficult, I am in no health to carry on doing this

Mabuchi: ... We didnt have you in mind.... Im talking about myself

Hanshiro: ..... Youd still be active in ring? 

Mabuchi: Id intended to do so yes...... listen the move to BHOTWG from BCG hasnt really worked out for me, I've been paid very well though and ive a lot of money saved, added to Gakushas and the others ....

Hanshiro: I still dont know who his partners in this are? 

*Mabuchi chuckled*

Mabuchi: Well Hyobanshi and Kuroki wont budge, too comfortable, too well paid

Hanshiro: So that leaves.... Takayuki? 

Mabuchi: If you want to draw that conclusion, at this stage I couldn't comment 

*There was a short pause on the line, Hanshiro thinking over things*

Hanshiro: Just make sure you get the deal done

[ShikariFC]

Light has finally been shed on the finer details behind the parties vying for control of Golden Canvas Grappling and we at TEW.com can exclusively break that news here today. 

First off the previous coalition of Pete Hall and Sadakuno Nishimuraya have seemingly withdrawn their interest in taking the reigns, it would seem the potential finances behind the two other groups involved have scared them off. Burning Hammer Of The Wrestling Gods have indeed made enquiries into purchasing the Aichi Prefectural Governments half of the company, this is probably a much easier task than going after Hanshiro Furusawas half as surely even he with his history wouldn't sell off the company to long historical rivals, though would anything in the wrestling world truly shock us anymore? 

Secondly a consortium of workers headed by Hiroyasu Gakusha will be trying to gain control of GCG, what we do know is that there are four active BHOTWG wrestlers involved in this, two of which are hoping to remain anonymous whilst the outcome of their bid seems uncertain, all four men would surely be kissing goodbye to their BHOTWG careers if the bid was to fail. The only name of the four aside from Gakusha that we know is Mabuchi Furusawa, the son of Hanshiro, obvious personal ties there make this a very intriguing situation. 

 

[ShikariFC]

Hiroyasu Gakusha signs contract to become part owner of Golden Canvas Grappling

On 22nd March 2021 Hiroyasu Gakusha bought what roughly equates to a 30% share in Golden Canvas Grappling. To be announced later in the week there will be two more new owners, one with a 15% share and one with a 5% share. Hanshiro Furusawa will retain his half of the company from the rebirth of 2020 though he will be taking a step back and handing over the reigns of day to day operations.  

Mabuchi Furusawa has been voted as acting CEO by all shareholders, Mabuchi Furusawa will still remain active in ring. The company will also be announcing a new Head Booker in the coming days, Hanshiro Furusawa giving up that role due to his declining health. 

Hiroyasu Gakusha offered a very short statement with more to come in due course 

Quote

It has been a rollercoaster few weeks but I am thrilled to be in this position today. Golden Canvas Grappling has been dear to me since I first graced the golden canvas in 1997 and I and my colleagues now face the challenge of steering the ship back on course after what has been a rough time.  I would like to thank the Aichi Prefectural Government for their official manner with which they conducted the sale of their shares, I would also like to thank Hanshiro Furusawa for his hard work to this point. Finally a word of thanks to Burning Hammer Of The Wrestling Gods whom have agreed a mutual termination of my contract with them. 

Please look forward to more announcements 

[ShikariFC]

Golden Canvas Grappling Ownership Confirmed

As was announced earlier in the week, Hiroyasu Gakusha now has a 30% ownership stake in Golden Canvas Grappling, we can also confirm that Gakusha will be active in ring for GCG for the first time since 2017. We can now confirm that with a 15% share in the company and as with Gakusha returning to GCG and being active in ring will be Takayuki 2000. Takayuki had the following comments to make upon confirmation of his purchase into the company "This was the right thing to do at the right time, this is by no means the end of myself in ring, outside of the ring I would like to thank Gakusha and our partner for being a part of this, inside the ring I look forward to beating you and all of the GCG competitors" 

The remaining investor with a 5% share has requested he retain his anonymity until "The Tigers Den" more details about the event are to follow. 

As previously mentioned Mabuchi Furusawa will be assuming the role of acting CEO, taking up the day to day work of Hanshiro Furusawa. 

----------------------------------------------------------

The Tigers Den will be the first show held prior to the change in ownership. The match card will not be announced before hand and will be kept a surprise. Mabuchi Furusawa upon announcing The Tigers Den also added the following "The Tigers Den will feature a surprise match card which I am sure you will all enjoy, to start the night we will hear from the three new investors and this will of course include the reveal of the third man" moving onto talk about GCG going forward Furusawa was upbeat "Myself and the other part owners all have an exciting vision for the future, my Father will still have input into this as the majority shareholder though he is largely entrusting many decisions to us, there are announcements set to come over the next few days, please look forward to it" 

[ShikariFC]

(Part One)

Niigata Memorial Gymnasium - 3,055

(Pre Show) Kyuichi Matsumoto, Ritsu Ibata & Shuga Amano def. Wataru Kikumoto, Tavon Blake Jr & Brother Yoshitaka **

A small graphic plays to introduce the show, crowd members whom has been browsing merch or buying refreshments begin to scramble back to their seats. Once the graphic is finished the lights dim and the ring announcer steps forward.......

"Ladies and Gentlemen, please welcome the newest owners of Golden Canvas Grappling!"

A murmer of anticipation ripples around the gymnasium and the first face to appear through the curtain is Takayuki 2000 whom is welcomed warmly by the crowd, a short way behind him comes Hiroyasu Gakusha who carries a satisfied look on his face, there is a palpable feeling of anticipation as people crane their necks, eyes fixed on the curtain for the appearance of the third investor, seconds seem to drag on forever until finally, strolling through the curtain is ....

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MUNEMITSU SENMATSU! ... the crowd erupts and people exchanged excited conversations, Senmatsu many people forget was a GCG dojo graduate and it appeared that he was the man with the 5% share in the company. All three men in the ring Senmatsu somehow looked out of place, people still visibly a mixture of shocked and excited in the crowd, Hiroyasu Gakusha took the mic 

"Good Evening Niigata!" 

loud cheers and applause break out through the gymnasium  

"Gakusha, Takayuki and Senmatsu ... we answered the call and returned to Golden Canvas Grappling! tonight is the beginning of something that we all know will become special, todays surprise card will keep you on the edge of your seats!"

Another ripple of applause passed around the gymnasium, Gakusha handed the microphone over to Takayuki 2000 and the crowd broke out with calls of Takayuki 

"It is good to be ho......"

Suddenly shouts could be heard from the crowd and two hooded men leapt over the barricade and blindsided Senmatsu, another two hooded men began attacking both Gakusha and Takayuki as the microphone made a loud thud as it hit the mat, booing began as the original two attackers drove Senmatsu into the barricade and then joined with their partners in ring to continue the beat down on Gakusha and Takayuki. One by one the hooded men revealed themselves as ...... RYOBE UNO, MORIMASA KATO, MASASHI UROGATAYA and AZUMAMARO SHIMIZU. Urogataya particularly seeming to revel in the moment, the crowd particularly shocked to see Shimizu involved in such acts. The young Ryobe Uno grabbed the mic, tapping it against his thigh to check it was working 

"Did you expect the red carpet? what am I supposed to thank you guys? You old men ran this company into the ground just as I graduated and you nearly cost me my career!" 

Uno proceeded to lay boots into Gakusha to loud boos, smirking at what was going on Masashi Urogataya took the mic 

"We were the men who got this place off the ground again, we've given blood and sweat since last year, wrestling in dumps like Niigata whilst guys went off running to PGHW, and you .... you people....."

Urogataya pointed out to the crowd, he was greeted with more boos. 

"You people will forget us this easily? for these washed up has beens? ..."

The crowd broke into cheers again as Munemitsu Senmatsu stormed back into the ring waving a chair around that made the four men scatter, unfortunately for him Ryobe Uno didn't move quick enough and caught a sick chair shot across the back, he managed to roll out of the ring before any damage could be done. Senmatsu briefly checked on Gakusha and Takayuki short of breath and grimacing yelled into the mic 

"OI you punks, I know this was supposed to be a mystery card but later tonight, Us three against Uno, Kato and Urogataya ..... And Shimizu you can wipe that smirk off your face, a little bird tells me that you have a title defence..... RIGHT NOW!"

Cheers meet that announcement, Shimizu throws his arms up in protest and only made his way back to the ring once Gakusha and co. had left, a small graphic appears on the tron ...

1st Match - Singles Match For The Golden Canvas Grappling Openweight Championship

Azumamaro Shimizu vs X

Shimizu paced the ring waiting for his opponent ........

Masked Stranger! The American Luchador making his second appearance for GCG, he was one of the Pete Hall singings, many people wondered if the guys he brought in would be sticking around and this was taken as an indication that they were. 

Azumamaro Shimizu (22nd Champion, 4th Defence) def. Masked Stanger ***

The ring announcer returned, with a fresh card in his hand, it seemed like even he was finding out these match ups at the very last minute

2nd Match - Six Man Tag 

Familiar music to the crowd began to play and the first team emerged lead by Harumi Okazawaya whom it had been rumoured was unhappy with the company, however he is known to be good friends with Takayuki 2000 and many now assumed this would mean he would be sticking around. Making up Okazawaya's team was Beetle Kimura and Fuyuhiko Wakabayashi. 

There was a short pause before their opponents began to appear, Kevin Yashere and Lenny Mochin strolled through the curtain, the two British wrestlers whom had both been enjoying prolonged spells in Japan were relatively well received by the crowd, they were alone though and it was a short while before their music faded off, their partner emerged shortly after, it took a short while before sections of the crowd and then the majority of the crowd broke out into loud reactions as their partner made his way down the ramp ....

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ROKUEMON MATSUSHITA! the crowd excitedly chatter and cheer as he stepped into the ring, had the big man left Black Canvas Grappling? previously Yoshifusa Maeda the CEO of BCG had been insistent on none of their talents appearing with GCG but had that changed now that his protoge Gakusha was part owner of the company?? 

Yashere, Mochin & Matsushita def. Okazawaya, Wakabayashi & Kimura **3/4 

The competitors left the ring after team Matsushita was victorious, the crowd still abuzz with the surprise appearance of the BCG man, it was then that any earlier questions about the relationship between BCG and GCG was answered when a short video package played that featured Yoshifusa Maeda (to a huge reaction) explaining that Black Canvas Grappling and Golden Canvas Grappling were entering into a working partnership! 

 

 

 

[ShikariFC]

(Part 2)

3rd Match - Singles Match

Veteran Hidekazu was the first of the competitors, at 51 years of age there was always some feeling amongst the crowd that they had to enjoy seeing him whilst he was still active in ring. His opponent was ..... Frankie Perez! Perez making his second appearence for GCG - also on his list of employers were American companies XWA and CZCW, many believed Perez could become a good overseas asset, somebody who's never really found a "big break"

Frankie Perez def. Hidekazu ***

The lights dimmed again and attention was directed towards the tron once more, another announcement to be made .....

Golden Canvas Grappling is delighted to announce the Golden Dojo will be reopening within the next month! The dojo will be re opening under the guidance of former CEO Hanshiro Furusawa and will also bare his name - reopening as "The Furusawa Golden Dojo" Open tryouts will be held very soon, please keep an eye on Golden Canvas Grappling socials for details......

There was a great applauds to the dojo news, Hanshiro Furusawa had pushed hard for the dojo to be reopened during his time as CEO and now it turns out that he has been honoured by having the dojo named after him, and he too would be taking a direct hand in training the next generation of GCG stars... The ring announcer entered the ring once more... 

4th Match - Tag Team Match

The first man out was Lion Genji! making his second appearance since his return to GCG, Genji had just lost the SAISHO Destiny title and would be looking to make a good start to his second spell on the golden canvas. Heads turned to the curtain to see whom his partner would be .......

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Returning to GCG JOJI! with him he carried the Invincible Pro Wrestling Tag Team Championship. The reaction to JOJI was mixed, not necessarily a bad one but certainly of shock as he left Japan in 2012 under a bit of a cloud to do with drug usage, it was well known Eagle Kawasawa was his mentor and many speculated that he managed to pull some strings with GCG's current owenership.

Music began playing that was immediately familiar to those whom watch Pro Wrestling SAISHO - teaming for the first time in GCG, Azumamaro Kita & Fujio Narahashi - Black Iron Corps! Kita had been GCG World Tag Team Champion with Danjuro Kikuchi before Kikuchi left the company and the belts were vacated. 

Black Iron Corps def. Lion Genji & JOJI ***3/4

The next match up was the one made at the start of the night - Uno, Urogataya & Kato vs Takayuki, Gakusha and Senmatsu.....

 

[ShikariFC]

(Final Part)

5th Match - Munemitsu Senmatsu, Takayuki 2000 & Hiroyasu Gakusha vs Masashi Urogataya, Ryobe Uno & Morimasa Kato

As set up earlier in the night a six man was about to start - first out were Senmatsu, Gakusha and Takayuki to great responses. Then followed Urogataya, Uno and Kato, the three men coming out with "The Golden Dawn" displayed on the tron apparently revealing the name that the men will be operating under.

Senmatsu. Takayuki & Gakusha def. Urogataya, Uno & Kato ****

The victorious three men had their hands raised after the match, a very good match that upon watching it most would consider it at the very least a contender for best match since GCG rebirth. Then in a very fluid movement Senmatsu backed off from his two partners, bounced off the ropes and ploughed through them both with lariats to the back of the head, the gymnasium erupted in a chorus of boos. Senmatsu threw Takayuki out of the ring and one of the attending young lions rushed to him to aid him to the back, Senmatsu then rounded on Gakusha stumbling to his feet, Senmatsu then hit him with a vicious running knee, more boos from the crowd, young lion Shuga Amano slid into the ring to attend to Gakusha seeing to his neck with an ice pack... Senmatsu called for a mic 

"Heh..... I can hear you all now typing away, whispering to each other on the crowd .... ohhh why has Senmatsu turned on his business partners....Well its like Takayuki said, what goes on in the ring is a totally different matter"

More boos from the crowd as Senmatsu smirked, he moved away from Gakusha and spoke out to the crowd again 

"This company dropped the ball with me back in 2005, maybe if they had have kept me around GCG wouldn't have gone under, instead they put their faith in bums like this....."

He gestured towards the floored Gakusha 

"Munemitsu Senmatsu is back in Golden Canvas Grappling and I will dominate here like I've dominated everywhere else ...."

He dropped the mic and appeared to be about to leave the ring when he glanced back at Gakusha, still being attended to by the young lion, Senmatsu turned back to the mic and picked it up once more... 

"Oh and one more thing, Senmatsu-gun is recruiting...... and for my first recruit I want to bring in someone young, someone to take under my wing that I can help mould .... my first recruit is ...... SHUGA AMANO"

Amano who was tending to Gakusha looked up to Senmatsu and his face immediately changed to display a sick smirk, he tossed the icepack and roughly bought Gakusha to his feet hit him with a fierce stomach kick and fed him to Senmatsu where he was hit with a powerbomb, the crowd booed even louder as Amano and Senmatsu fist bumped and left the ring 

It was a while until more ring attendants managed to get Gakusha to the back, the crowd still abuzz with what just happened, the ring announcer entered the ring for what would turn out to be the last time....

"It is now time ....for your Main Event!.... and it is for the Golden Canvas Grappling World Heavyweight Championship!"

The crowd popped loud for this as nobody expected to see the vacant title up for grabs on the show, there was another excited ripple as the tron displayed that it was going to be a three way match, not very often seen in GCG or Japan in general

Main Event: Three Way Match

The first man through the curtain was acting CEO Mabuchi Furusawa! his time at BHOTWG was largely spent as a bit part player, many of the more knowledgeable fans in attendance were noting that if Furusawa won here he would complete the GCG Grand Slam as he was a previous Openweight and Tag Team champion! Furusawa made his way to one corner and looked out to the crowd ..... his music ended and there was a pause before the next theme began ........ 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BUNRAKUKEN TORII! many people in the crowd were out of their seats at this point, as had been explained earlier in the night BCG and GCG had entered into a working partnership and it was assumed that this was part of that deal. He was carrying the Black Canvas Grappling World Championship with him and the chance to add the GCG title to that would make Torii one of the most powerful and sought after workers in Japan! Torii and Furusawa whom had history from BCG stared each other down briefly before Torii made his way over to his corner.

The crowd has just about calmed down when the third mans music began, nobody seemed to recognise the tune, the entrance video gave no clues as to the identity of the wrestler, the curtain burst open and the crowd really went wild this time .....

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MATTHEW KEITH! Keiths BHOTWG had recently expired and to the shock of the Japanese wrestling world they didn't extend it. Keith spent a bit of time to take in the crowd on his way down to the ring as the fans in attendance could scarcely believe what they were seeing! 

Furusawa vs Torii vs Keith for the GCG World Heavyweight Championship, GCG really at this moment felt like it was back! people had questions about Keiths role, was he here to stay? but for the moment everyone in attendance drank in this moment and enjoyed the main event 

Matthew Keith def. Mabuchi Furusawa & Bunrakuken Torii ****1/4

Matthew Keith Becomes 37th GCG World Heavyweight Champion 

[ShikariFC]

OOC Post

So im pretty much done with the fiddling with the game world - I will say this though believe it or not Matthew Keith was nothing I did, BHOTWG let him go and nobody offered him a deal, at which point it would have been stupid of me not to 😂

[ShikariFC]

There had been a period of quiet in the immediate fallout after The Tigers Den, Golden Canvas Grappling official media had been silent as the wider wrestling media unpacked the events of the night. Arguably the main talking point was GCG's acquisition of Matthew Keith. 

Keith's Burning Hammer Of The Wrestling Gods contract had ran up in March 2021, that same month Keith had worked a run of shows for new company Pro Wrestling Revolution as a favour to his friend and PWR owner Tatsuya Toshitara, once those shows were done he was unemployed. There was no news out of BHOTWG as to why he wasn't offered a new deal, they had seen a lot of new faces over the last months and clearly were okay with losing Keith. PGHW and potentially BCG would both likely be in a financially sound enough position to make an offer but nothing was forthcoming at which point GCG swooped in. It was understood that Keith's deal was definitely one that allowed other potential employers to come and make an offer though from what details had leaked out Keith was expected to be with GCG for at least a year. 

At the start of April a short press release was put together informing everyone that a press conference was imminent, there were still many questions as to GCG's future under the new regime and some of that, in part, may be answered soon. The press conference was expected to revolve around a new tournament that was rumoured to be a focal point of the GCG calendar going forwards. 

[ShikariFC]

Furusawa & The Tiger a story that had started about Hanshiro Furusawa and his attempts to redeem himself and bring back a fallen giant of Professional Wrestling had now shifted, still a Furusawa but Hanshiro taking a step back and his son Mabuchi taking a step forward, once againa Furusawa at the helm trying to steer Golden Canvas Grappling in the right direction and back to glory.

---------------------------------------------------

Mabuchi fiddled with the buttons on his jacket, he glanced out towards the small room where the press conference was about to take place. A table had been laid out with three seats, His Father would be present, despite Hanshiro Furusawa taking a step back due to his age he would still have a presence, as this was taking place about 10 minutes from his home he wanted to attend. The second seat the other side of Mabuchi was for Hiroyasu Gakusha, Gakusha had been the face of this takeover really and the main driving publicity force, but now was the time for Mabuchi to grow into the CEO role. Gakusha gave him a nod as he passed him to take his place at the table, followed by Hanshiro... Mabuchi followed the two men out and took his seat at the middle of the table.

Mabuchi gave the press a nod of acknowledgement as he took his seat, people were looking to Gakusha to speak and seemed quite shocked when Mabuchi cleared his throat "Thank you to everyone for coming here today" He shuffled the papers in front of him and began ....

Quote

Golden Canvas Grappling are pleased to announce the details of a new showpiece event in the GCG calendar, and what we hope will go onto become a key event in both the Japanese Professional Wrestling scene and by extension the worlds scene.

The Golden Six Series will be a league format tournament featuring six wrestlers, five of which will be voted in, the sixth place will go to the winner of a qualification round. Each wrestler will face each other twice making a total of 10 rounds and then a final contested between the top two positions in the league, the winner of that final crowned the Golden Six Series Champion for that year. Matches up to the final with have a 20 minute time limit, with 2 points for a win and 1 point for a draw. The final will have no time limit. 

1. First Finalist

2. Second Finalist

 ________________

3.

4.

5.

- - - - - - - - - - -

6. Unable To Compete In Next Years Series

The wrestler finishing in 6th place will be unable to compete in the following years tournament. The aim of this tournament is to elevate GCG talent, we are keeping the participant list purposefully short so it is the best of the best that we have to offer, in a tournament of which you will not see the like anywhere else in Japan. 

Moving onto the voting process mentioned, the first five spots will be decided by a round of voting, the voting panel will be the four shareholders in the company (Hiroyasu Gakusha, Takayuki 2000, Munemitsu Senmatsu and Hanshiro Furusawa) the CEO will also participate in the voting and finally a fan vote will be involved. Each voter has two votes, the shareholders and CEO will NOT be able to vote for themselves, additionally it has been decided that Hanshiro Furusawa will not be able to vote for Mabuchi Furusawa. The sixth spot will be given to the winner of a qualification round, this round will mostly be made up of wrestlers who received votes but not enough to make the initial five. In the event of tied voting priority will go to wrestlers with any title history in GCG, be that World Heavyweight, Tag Team or Openweight.

The Golden Six Series is set to take place over two months, the months of June and July. We are currently working on building the GCG calendar of events of which more details will be made available shortly. 

With The Golden Six Series being roughly two months away please look out for details of the fan vote which will be open in a few weeks. 

There were a few camera clicks as the three men rose from the table, Gakusha stayed longer to pose for some photos, Mabuchi bit back the annoyance at his vanity and followed his father off the stage, The Golden Six Series was in truth Hanshiros brainchild, one of the many things he wanted to get done during his time as CEO, Mabuchi had high hopes for his Fathers creation.