SGM | Super Grand Melee [CV 2020]

[arlovski]

 

 

 

SGM POWER RUSH SERIES

March - April 2022 | Highlights shown on Shogun TV as 'SGM BIG Fight!'

 

 

 

Winter has passed, snow has melted and Japan gradually transitions into the cherry blossom season after the Vernal Equinox Day. Traditionally, this time of the year symbolizes change and new beginnings. In the Super Grand Melee of Spring 2022, a new phase of Destiny Masters' dominance is emerging. Having won both tournaments of the company in the previous year and currently holding two titles since February, the Japanese National Championship and the Strongest Heavyweight Championship, the group has successfully reclaimed their position at the top of the league. Haranobu Kobayashi recently secured victory in the latest chapter of his ongoing rivalry with Avalanche Takano. In a press conference in March, the Destiny Masters leader shifted his attention to Hiroaki Nakasawa. While Kobayashi previously defeated Nakasawa in the Strongest Singles Grand Prix, he expressed his desire to face him again in a title match to redeem his past failure. Nakasawa eagerly accepted the opportunity to challenge for the league's most prestigious belt. Throughout the tour, the four-time Burning World Champion maintained his appearance of a seasoned competitor, yet observers noted a noticeable decline in his fire and fighting spirit compared to his debut in SGM a year ago, raising doubts about his ability to perform at his peak once again. Still, a superstar like him is never to be underestimated.

 

Elsewhere, discussions arose regarding the first defense of the IPWA International Heavyweight Title. Dread's side proposed holding the first title defense in Texas as part of a Titan Pro Wrestling show. However, Motoichi Arakida, growing impatient with the conflicts that led to the introduction of the new belt and the establishment of the IPWA umbrella organization, objected to this plan. Eventually, both parties agreed to allow the champion to choose his first challenger. Burt Hudson selected Bam Bam Bundy from his faction, Kurofune. Bundy stated his respect for the "Doctor Of Pain" but vowed to leave no prisoners in a title match. Consequently, the gaijin participants in the POWER RUSH SERIES were mostly busy with themselves, leading to a sigh of relief from the Young Lions taking over the ring crew duties.

 

Following his decisive loss to Haranobu Kobayashi and subsequent title loss, Avalanche Takano opted for a temporary strategic retreat from the spotlight to lick his wounds and regroup. Throughout March and April, various factions of SGM extended offers to him to join their ranks, yet Takano has yet to make a decision. During the tour, he occasionally supported Hiroaki Nakasawa and Oda Yakuta against the Destiny Masters and loosely teamed up with Yasuhiko Taira. Yakuta has successfully positioned himself for a shot at the Japanese National Title, currently held by BRUTE Kikuchi. Known for his imposing presence, he has often appeared somewhat out of place within his former group, the Most Violent Players. His fighting style has little resemblance to traditional MMA techniques; instead, Yakuta embodies the classic, lumbering heavyweight favored by Motoichi Arakida. Since parting ways with the Most Violent Players, Yakuta has been gaining traction, both in singles competition and as a tag team alongside MUSCLE Serizawa. His upcoming title shot marks his first major singles match in SGM.

 

 

 

 

 

SGM POWERVISION 2022

Iwate, Japan - 10.04.2022

Attendance: 1.000, shown on Shogun TV

Show Rating: [68]

 

 

1. MUSCLE Serizawa, Taiji Chajima, Shogo Awatari & Kawanari Enomoto defeated Kimitada Yanagita, Shigemori Koruba, Toyotomi Hirota & Kamatari Kamohara (12m07s) with the Lariat from Serizawa to Kamohara [34] ★¾
2. Ox Mastadon & Animal Harker defeated Ryobe Uno & Akira Arato (14m25s) with the Ten Ton Splash from Mastadon to Arato [51] ★★½
3. Fuyuhiko Wakabayashi, Kyuichi Matsumoto, Eikichi Itou & Isoruko Arakaki defeated Hiroshi Morisue, Battle Sakata, Koichi Kajiwara & Kimi Kawano (22m13s) with the Arakaki Spike from Arakaki to Sakata [61] ★★★
4. SGM Japanese National Championship: BRUTE Kikuchi © defeated Oda Yakuta (16m54s) with the Lariat [61] ★★★ - 2ND DEFENSE -
5. Avalanche Takano & Yasuhiko Taira defeated BISON Yano & Shozo Furuta (22m16s) with the Mountain Takano from Takano to Furuta [66] ★★★¼
6. IPWA International Heavyweight Championship: Burt Hudson © defeated Bam Bam Bundy (25m29s) with the Backdrop Driver [77] ★★★¾ - 1ST DEFENSE -
7. SGM Strongest Singles Championship: Haranobu Kobayashi © defeated Hiroaki Nakasawa (29m26s) with the Northern Lights Bomb [69] ★★★½ - 1ST DEFENSE -

 

 

• In the aftermath of Burt Hudson's successful title defense against Bam Bam Bundy, even Motoichi Arakida had to admit, that this match had everything he was looking for in Japanese heavyweight wrestling. While on a personal level the two gaijin remain disliked by the Japanese audience, they certainly earned a lot of respect that evening on a technical basis in what some consider the best match of Super Grand Melee so far.

 

 

 

 

 

Edited April 25 by arlovski

[SanX]

BEST FEMALE WRESTLER

 

 

SHIORI JIPPENSHA

5 Star Supreme Wrestling

 

I didn't comment here because I am irregular on forums, but I was following this diary. This is an awesome render of Shiori Jippensha. Your male renders and overall graphics are fantastic too, but this one takes the cake.

[arlovski]

1 hour ago, SanX said:

BEST FEMALE WRESTLER

 

 

SHIORI JIPPENSHA

5 Star Supreme Wrestling

 

I didn't comment here because I am irregular on forums, but I was following this diary. This is an awesome render of Shiori Jippensha. Your male renders and overall graphics are fantastic too, but this one takes the cake.

 

Thanks! Funnily enough this is the first time I have tried to generate a female render, because I needed it for the awards.

[arlovski]

 

 

 

STRONGEST DOUBLES GRAND PRIX 2022

FIELD OF PARTICIPANTS

 

 

 

It's May, and once again, the Strongest Doubles Grand Prix is looming ahead, as announced by Super Grand Melee in a by now customary special press conference. There, this year's lineup was introduced by tournament patron Eiji Hamacho and company owner Motoichi Arakida. Twenty-four men, split into twelve teams, are vying for the two trophies up for grabs. The tournament victory will be contested in June at MUSCLEBOUND, before heading into the holidays and thus providing a breather for SGM athletes.

 

This year's lineup brings no surprises, with exclusively in-house teams represented. Bookmakers have already identified clear favorites for group victories. The top favorite in Group A is naturally the team consisting of BRUTE Kikuchi and BISON Yano from the Destiny Masters, who have already won the first two iterations of the tournament. In Block B, the reigning SGM Strongest Tag Team Champions and BCG World Tag Team Champions Inejiro Yoshizawa and Noritoshi Miura are seen at the forefront, closely followed by Fuyuhiko Wakabayashi and Kyuichi Matsumoto from the OCEANERS, who have already reached both finals of the previous editions. Alongside the Japanese groupings' teams, the Kurofune with their two pairs are also in the mix. The press's questions particularly focused on Burt Hudson and Bam Bam Bundy, who recently caused a stir in a match against each other and, despite their inappropriate behavior, are gradually earning the respect of the Japanese.

 

Two newcomer teams have also made it into the draw. Namely, MUSCLE Serizawa and Oda Yakuta, who have come together after the dissolution of the Most Violent Players and have shown promising results. The duo Akira Arato and Ryobe Uno, who returned from their excursion at Mid Atlantic Wrestling earlier this year and now aim to make their mark among the seniors, are the other newcomers.

 

The Strongest Doubles Grand Prix operates as a round-robin tournament, featuring two blocks, each comprising six randomly assigned teams. Block matches adhere to a strict 30-minute time limit. Victories are rewarded with 2 points, draws with 1 point for each team, and losses result in 0 points. Semi-final matchups pit the winners of Block A against the runners-up of Block B, and vice versa. The climax unfolds in the Grand Final, where the ultimate victors earn not only the tournament crown but also a coveted shot at the Tag Team Championship.

 

__________________________________________________

 

BLOCK A

 

 

 

__________________________________________________

 

BLOCK B

 

 

 

 

 

Edited April 26 by arlovski

[arlovski]

 

 

 

STRONGEST DOUBLES GRAND PRIX 2022 - PREDICTION CONTEST

 

Tournament Winners:

 

Runners-up:

 

Most Points (Group Stage):

 

Will any tag team end up with zero points? (Bonus point: If so, who?):

 

Biggest Surprise:

 

Biggest Upset:

[Shmoe II]

STRONGEST DOUBLES GRAND PRIX 2022 - PREDICTION CONTEST

 

Tournament Winners: Wakabayashi & Matsumoto

 

Runners-up: Yano & Kikuchi

 

Most Points (Group Stage): Hudson & Bundy

 

Will any tag team end up with zero points? (Bonus point: If so, who?): No

 

Biggest Surprise: Nakasawa & Taira don't qualify from Group A

 

Biggest Upset: Arato & Uno def. Yoshizawa & Miura

[arlovski]

 

 

 

SGM REAL MUSCLE SERIES

May - June 2022 | Highlights shown on Shogun TV as 'SGM BIG Fight!'

 

 

Super Grand Melee kicked off this year on a Saturday evening with the World's Strongest Doubles Grand Prix, featuring matches from Block A. While the group victory remained fiercely contested, a clear order emerged by the end. Unsurprisingly, the favorites of the bookmakers, BISON Yano and BRUTE Kikuchi, once again claimed the top spot in their block with a clean sheet. The only hint of drama arises during their encounter with Hiroaki Nakasawa and Yasuhiko Taira, which Yano ultimately decides in favor of the Destiny Masters after 24 minutes with the Yano Express.

 

Meanwhile the former BHOTWG stars secured the second spot in the rankings, earning themselves a spot in one of the semifinals. However, Naizen Uboshita observed on multiple occasions during the REAL MUSCLE SERIES that the age of the once-greats is gradually catching up with them. Particularly in the clash with Eikichi Itou and Isoruko Arakaki, the duo teeters dangerously before Nakasawa's H-Bomb secures them an almost unexpected victory at this point. Ox Mastadon and Animal Harker of the Kurofune form the stable midfield of their block with 4 points, while Koichi Kajiwara and Kimi Kawano end up empty-handed with 0 points, experiencing a disastrous tournament.

 

On the other hand, in Block B, there was a bit more excitement this year. Naturally, all eyes were on the finalists of the previous two years, Fuyuhiko Wakabayashi and Kyuichi Matsumoto. However, the OCEANERS didn't have a fortunate start this year. They began the tournament with a defeat against the reigning Strongest Tag Team Champions, Inejiro Yoshizawa and Noritoshi Miura, on day #2. For the first time, Wakabayashi and Matsumoto faced setbacks in their otherwise smooth SGM careers, managing only draws after the time limit against the Kurofune team and Haranobu Kobayashi and Shozo Furuta. Overall, they achieved a disappointing third place compared to their personal goals.

 

Surprisingly, the top spot was claimed by Burt Hudson and Bam Bam Bundy, who, apart from their draw with the OCEANERS, secured straight wins. Especially notable is the current form of the "Doctor Of Pain," who recently ascended to the highest echelons of the league as the IPWA International Heavyweight Champion. Hudson and Bundy have demonstrated their compatibility as a duo and their ability to perform at the highest level against each other. The second place this year went to the reigning champions Yoshizawa and Miura, who only stumbled once against the gaijin but remain strong contenders for the tournament finale.

 

The Strongest Heavyweight Champion, Haranobu Kobayashi, had a rather rough tournament alongside his partner Shozo Furuta. While they achieved a commendable draw against Wakabayashi and Matsumoto, they ended up with only 4 points, likely falling short of the ambitious Kobayashi's expectations. Debutants Akira Arato and Ryobe Uno made a good impression, earning 3 points in their first tournament appearance. Meanwhile the STRONGARMS duo, Hiroshi Morisue and Battle Sakata, ended up with 0 points in Block B, just like their team mates in A, completing a disastrous overall performance for the group.

 

 

In the first semifinal match, BISON Yano and BRUTE Kikuchi faced off against Inejiro Yoshizawa and Noritoshi Miura. Following the match, commentators pondered whether it was an excess of confidence or simply misfortune, but regardless, after 31 minutes, the towering Destiny Masters fell to the muscle-bound men with face paint and shoulder pads. A Storm Rider against Yano secured the victory. Yano and Kikuchi, wearing expressions of disbelief, found themselves absent from the grand finale of the World's Strongest Doubles Grand Prix for the first time.

 

Two days later, Burt Hudson and Bam Bam Bundy met Hiroaki Nakasawa and Yasuhiko Taira for the second semifinal. Here, the limitations of Nakasawa and Taira, who had performed strongly up to that point, became evident. It almost seemed as if their time at the top was ultimately over. After just over 26 minutes, Hudson signaled the end with the Oklahoma Stampede against Nakasawa. The gaijin thus secured their place as the second finalists.

 

Following their draw in Block B, Kyuichi Matsumoto asked Haranobu Kobayashi for a match for the Strongest Heavyweight Title, stating that he proved he could compete on the champion's level. Kobayashi accepted the challenge, but announced, that he would teach Matsumoto a painful lesson.

 

 

 

 

 

SGM MUSCLEBOUND 2022

Tome, Japan - 19.06.2022

Attendance: 1.221, shown on Shogun TV

Show Rating: [75]

 

 

1. Akira Arato & Ryobe Uno defeated Kamatari Kamohara & Toyotomi Hirota (8m14s) with the German Suplex from Uno to Hirota [41] ★★
2. BISON Yano, Shozo Furuta, Shogo Awatari & Kawanari Enomoto defeated Avalanche Takano, Kimitada Yanagita, Taiji Chajima & Shigemori Koruba (14m06s) with the Ream Stream from Furuta to Chajima [56] ★★¾
3. Ox Mastadon & Animal Harker defeated Hiroshi Morisue & Battle Sakata (14m01s) with the Lariat from Mastadon to Morisue [49] ★★½
4. Fuyuhiko Wakabayashi, Eikichi Itou & Isoruko Arakaki defeated Yasuhiko Taira, Oda Yakuta & MUSCLE Serizawa (19m21s) with the Itou Bomb from Itou to Serizawa [65] ★★★¼
5. Hiroaki Nakasawa defeated Kimi Kawano (17m07s) with the H-Bomb [62] ★★★
6. SGM Japanese National Championship: BRUTE Kikuchi © defeated Koichi Kajiwara (14m27s) with the Lariat [58] ★★★ - 3RD DEFENSE -
7. SGM Strongest Heavyweight Championship: Haranobu Kobayashi © defeated Kyuichi Matsumoto (26m14s) with the Northern Lights Bomb [68] ★★★½ - 2ND DEFENSE -
8. SGM World's Strongest Doubles Grand Prix III: Burt Hudson & Bam Bam Bundy defeated Inejiro Yoshizawa & Noritoshi Miura (31m24s) with the Oklahoma Stampede from Hudson to Yoshizawa [77] ★★★¾

 

• Burt Hudson and Bam Bam Bundy conclude an impressive tournament with a superb final victory over Inejiro Yoshizawa and Noritoshi Miura, sparking fervent discussion among pro wrestling enthusiasts once again. The victory ceremony is conducted by Eiji Hamacho and Motoichi Arakida, with both the gaijin wrestlers receiving trophies alongside bouquets and ceremonial items, which they proudly hoist into the air. Hudson then takes the mic, expressing in plain English that he and Bundy will once again dominate their opponents at OVERPOWER, but this time with their belts on the line.

 

 

 

 

 

[arlovski]

 

 

 

SGM LIMIT BREAK SERIES

July - August 2022 | Highlights shown on Shogun TV as 'SGM BIG Fight!'

 

 

 

In their annual forecasts, the professional wrestling magazines named many individuals who would make a significant breakthrough this year in Super Grand Melee. However, the gaijin of the company were egregiously neglected, labeled as too clumsy, disrespectful and unpopular. Yet, it is precisely from this perceived underdog position that Burt Hudson has managed to ascend to one of the hottest acts in the league. Recent polls have shown his popularity approaching that of Japanese stars. His partner, Bam Bam Bundy, has also garnered a certain level of respect. Coming along is a newfound confidence in the ring, that has led to a strong streak for the Kurofune. Following their victory in the World's Strongest Doubles Grand Prix, they now have the opportunity to challenge Inejiro Yoshizawa and Noritoshi Miura for their Strongest Tag Team Titles. While they emerged victorious in the tournament final, the encounter was fiercely contested. In the current tour, it appeared once again that the teams would neutralize each other. Neither combo could gain a clear advantage in various multi-man matches, with victories and defeats evenly split. It's a fact that there are now occasional admirers of the Kurofune, particularly Hudson, among the audience.

 

 

 

Aside from the Tag Team Championship match, the LIMIT BREAK SERIES focused on the reigniting rivalry between the Destiny Masters and the OCEANERS. Fuyuhiko Wakabayashi, leader of the latter group, and his right-hand man Kyuichi Matsumoto evidently made good use of the Golden Week hiatus, appearing at the pre-tour press conference with noticeably altered physiques. While Wakabayashi now sports a ripped body, beard and aggressive platin blond buzzcut, Matsumoto appears bulkier and wishes to be addressed as Kyuichi "The Bruiser" Matsumoto going forward. They attributed the change to their premature exit from the World's Strongest Doubles Grand Prix and Matsumoto's clear defeat in his Strongest Heavyweight Title Match against Haranobu Kobayashi. They realized their bodies had reached their limits. Previously, they had compensated for their strength disadvantage with tireless endurance and fighting spirit. However, now they believe it's time to match the physicality of the company elite and see where that leads. As a trial run, the two men, along with their group, repeatedly clashed with the Destiny Masters, eventually agreeing on an Eight Man Tag Team Match at the big event.

 

During the tour, Akira Arato and Ryobe Uno continued to work on their positioning within the company, striving to break out from the limbo between the lower and mid-card and ascend upwards. Despite both being visibly talented, this endeavor proved far from easy. While they achieved success in matches against the league's Young Lions and parts of the STRONGARMS, larger obstacles like Yasuhiko Taira or Hiroaki Nakasawa acted as a metaphorical invisible barrier. As a result, Uno challenged the legendary Nakasawa to a singles match at OVERPOWER. Arato, on the other hand, went even further and approached Avalanche Takano, who accepted the fight but referred to it as a sparring match, disrespecting his opponent in the process.

 

 

Midway through the tour, in late July, Motoichi Arakida had somber news to deliver during a live show. At the age of 76, the legendary GCG and BHOTWG wrestler Yoshinaka Toshusai succumbed to a sudden severe heart attack. A revered figure in Japanese wrestling circles, Toshusai is widely celebrated as one of the finest heavyweight wrestlers of his era. Initially, he was a prized asset for GCG, capturing their world title in 1976. However, it was his move to BHOTWG that truly elevated his career, culminating in two separate reigns as the Burning World Champion. Following retirement, he played a significant role in assisting Tadiyuki Kikkawa in managing INSPIRE from 2006 to 2009 before shifting focus entirely to his thriving import-export enterprise in 2010. In honor of Toshusai, who was considered one of Arakida's greatest rivals and adversaries, a spontaneous ten-bell salute was initiated. Arakida also extended his deepest condolences to Toshusai's family members and offered heartfelt words of tribute to his old comrade.

 

 

 

 

 

SGM OVERPOWER 2022

Iwate, Japan - 28.08.2022

Attendance: 1.000, shown on Shogun TV

Show Rating: [76]

 

 

1. Yasuhiko Taira defeated Shigemori Koruba (4m14s) with the Wrecking Ball [42] ★★
2. Hiroshi Morisue, Battle Sakata, Koichi Kajiwara & Kimi Kawano defeated Kimitada Yanagita, Taiji Chajima, Toyotomi Hirota & Kamatari Kamohara (11m50s) with the Lariat from Sakata to Yanagita [42] ★★
3. Ox Mastadon & Animal Harker defeated Shogo Awatari & Kawanari Enomoto (12m35s) with the Stump Piledriver from Harker to Enomoto [51] ★★½
4. Hiroaki Nakasawa defeated Ryobe Uno (14m52s) with the Exploder [53] ★★¾
5. Avalanche Takano defeated Akira Arato (14m12s) with the Mountain Takano [68] ★★★½
6. Fuyuhiko Wakabayashi, Kyuichi Matsumoto, Eikichi Itou & Isoruko Arakaki defeated Haranobu Kobayashi, Shozo Furuta, BISON Yano & BRUTE Kikuchi (38m25s) with the Matsumoto Murder Bomb from Matsumoto to Furuta [69] ★★★½
7. SGM Strongest Tag Team Championship: Burt Hudson & Bam Bam Bundy defeated Inejiro Yoshizawa & Noritoshi Miura © (27m38s) with the Northern Lights Bomb [78] ★★★★ - TITLE CHANGE! -

 

 

• The impressive streak of Burt Hudson and Bam Bam Bundy shows no signs of slowing down. On this evening, they not only clinched the Tag Team Titles for the first time in their careers but also raised the bar once again for what constitutes the pinnacle match in the company's history up to this point.

 

 

 

 

 

Edited April 27 by arlovski

[arlovski]

 

 

■ HUDSON TRIUMPHS IN TEXAS | MIXED REACTION OVER CONTROVERSY STIRRED BY "DOCTOR OF PAIN"

 

On the previous Friday, immediately following Super Grand Melee's July and August tour, Burt Hudson traveled to Texas to defend his IPWA International Heavyweight Title at Titan Pro Wrestling's major event, MAYHEM. In a brawl-heavy match lasting 22 minutes, Hudson emerged victorious against the highly talented 22-year-old Rex "Big Bubba" Barnett. Both companies have agreed to regularly hold cross-country title defenses under the umbrella of the International Pro Wrestling Alliance, making the titleholder a classic wandering champion. However, Hudson's reception in Texas was mixed after he attacked his opponent and then mocked TPW's roster and audience during the weekly show, WRESTLING AT THE ARMOURY, leading up to the title match.

 

 

■ MEMORIAL SHOW FOR YOSHINAKA TOSHUSAI | KYOTO ARENA TO HOST EVENT ON SEPTEMBER 07

 

In July, the wrestling world mourned the unexpected passing of Yoshinaka Toshusai, one of the country's most successful heavyweight wrestlers. During day #7 of SGM's LIMIT BREAK SERIES, the event was briefly interrupted to deliver the sad news to the attending audience and to hold a spontaneous ten-bell salute. An official Memorial Show for Toshusai is now scheduled, with wrestlers from various promotions paying their respects to the late legend. The event, organized by Burning Hammer Of The Wrestling Gods, will take place on September 7, 2022, at the historic Kyoto Arena in Toshusai's chosen hometown of Kyoto.

 

 

■ YOSHIZAWA AND MIURA LEAVE SGM | DEPARTURE OF BELOVED TAG TEAM LEAVES SGM WITH POTENTIAL VACANCIES

 

During a press conference in Sendai, SGM owner Motoichi Arakida announced that Inejiro Yoshizawa and Noritoshi Miura will be leaving the company with immediate effect. The reason behind their departure is quite pleasing for them - they will be joining the roster of BHOTWG and showcasing their skills as a tag team there. Arakida expressed great regret over the departure of the two men, who will also be leaving behind Black Canvas Grappling in the process. Arakida stated that the transfer will not affect the friendly relationship between SGM and BHOTWG, as, according to him, an agreement had been reached behind the scenes, benefiting both sides. He did not disclose further details to the gathered press representatives.

 

Yoshizawa and Miura were highly popular among SGM's audience, with their martial face paint and spiked shoulder armor. They made history by simultaneously holding and defending the BCG World Tag Team Titles and SGM Strongest Tag Team Titles. They recently reached the finals of the World's Strongest Doubles Grand Prix, where they were defeated by Burt Hudson and Bam Bam Bundy, subsequently losing their belts to them as well. Arakida stated that a replacement is not ruled out, but currently not specifically planned.

 

 

■ ISHINOMORI RETURNS | COLOSSUS REJOINS AFTER SURPRISE DEPARTURE FROM PGHW

 

After precisely two years, Pride Glory Honor Wrestling has unexpectedly parted ways with Sozen Ishinomori. Motoichi Arakida announced in a press release Ishinomori's return to SGM. The charismatic colossus, originally trained in the Golden Dojo, joined SGM in January 2020, only to depart from the company after just seven months. At PGHW, he achieved victory in the Elite Tag Team Series tournament alongside Seiji Jimbo. During a two-month injury hiatus, he also served as a color commentator for the league, significantly boosting his popularity in Japan during that time. Arakida referred to the 32-year-old as a significant acquisition for SGM, expressing hope that Ishinomori would make the company his permanent home this time.

 

 

 

 

 

Edited April 28 by arlovski

[arlovski]

 

 

 

SGM BRUTE STRENGTH SERIES

September - October 2022 | Highlights shown on Shogun TV as 'SGM BIG Fight!'

 

 

 

Harunobu Kobayashi's year began on a high note with his victory in the World's Strongest Singles Grand Prix on New Year's night 2021, defeating his former ally Avalanche Takano, whom he had expelled from his faction. Two months later, he furthered his success by claiming Takano's Strongest Heavyweight Title. Subsequently, Kobayashi's performance in tag team matches during the June tournament was less stellar. For nearly a year, he remained undefeated in singles competition though. Unfortunately, Kobayashi's excellent year came to an abrupt halt during the BRUTE STRENGTH SERIES, where his faction, Destiny Masters, increasingly clashed with the OCEANERS. In a direct confrontation with Eikichi Itou, Kobayashi landed awkwardly during a dive from the ring apron to the outside area, resulting in the match being stopped and the champion being escorted out of the arena by ring crew members. A medical examination later revealed a broken right ankle. In a hastily called press conference, Motoichi Arakida announced that Kobayashi's expected recovery time would be three months. However, doctors could not provide a definitive timeline for his return to the ring. Unable to defend the Strongest Heavyweight Title as scheduled, Kobayashi reluctantly relinquished the title, which would be contested anew at STRONGHOLD. Moreover, it is highly likely that he will have to forgo participation in this year's World's Strongest Singles Grand Prix as well. Kobayashi expressed deep remorse during the press conference and apologized to the audience for the interruption of the match due to his injury. He pledged to come back stronger once he could return to active competition.

 

Thus, it was necessary to determine two challengers for the match for the Strongest Heavyweight Title. Normally, Super Grand Melee largely avoids singles matches during tours. These were supposed to be something special within the year-end tournament. However, under these unexpected circumstances, several singles matches were held during the tour, from which two men stood out. Firstly, Hiroaki Nakasawa, who despite advancing physical decline, still scratches at the top and secondly, Fuyuhiko Wakabayashi, who presented himself in outstanding condition as of late after gaining weight. The two men last met in December in Block B of the WSSGP, where Wakabayashi emerged victorious after a tough fight. It is Wakabayashi's first chance at the league's most important belt, whereas Nakasawa has already managed to win it once.

 

Elsewhere, two more OCEANERS managed to qualify for a title match, namely Eikichi Itou and Isoruko Arakaki. The two massive heavyweights are now considered one of the most seasoned tag teams within the company. When it comes to gold and trophies, however, they have had no luck so far That could change soon, as during the tour they clashed with Kurofune more than once, primarily in multiman matches, where Arakaki eventually managed to pin Bam Bam Bundy after a football tackle for the count of three. Itou and Arakaki subsequently challenged Bullet Train to a match at STRONGHOLD for the Strongest Tag Team Titles.

 

Sozen Ishinomori also instantly positioned himself for a title shot, after making a spectacular return to Super Grand Melee after two years of absence. In his very first Six Man Tag Team Match, he instantly secured a pinfall against BRUTE Kikuchi. Prior to his departure to rival promotion Pride Glory Honor Wrestling, the bald-headed big man was considered sluggish and not particularly consistent in the ring. However, he now presents himself with a renewed fervor, even refining his technical abilities, adding to his charisma an impressive presence in the ring. Throughout the tour, the two men encountered each other multiple times. Yet, neither could pin the other or force a submission, leaving the question of how their singles match will unfold wide open.

 

 

 

 

 

 

SGM STRONGHOLD 2022

Iwate, Japan - 16.10.2022

Attendance: 1.000, shown on Shogun TV

Show Rating: [70]

 

 

1. Hiroshi Morisue, Battle Sakata & Koichi Kajiwara defeated Shigemori Koruba, Toyotomi Hirota & Kamatari Kamohara (9m30s) with the Forearm Strike from Kajiwara to Kamohara [34] ★¾
2. Avalanche Takano, Yasuhiko Taira, Oda Yakuta & MUSCLE Serizawa defeated BISON Yano, Shozo Furuta, Shogo Awatari & Kawanari Enomoto (13m47s) with the Yak Bomb from Yakuta to Enomoto [61] ★★★
3. Akira Arato & Ryobe Uno defeated Ox Mastadon & Animal Harker (17m11s) with the German Suplex from Uno to Harker [51] ★★½
4. Kyuichi Matsumoto defeated Kimi Kawano (19m11s) with the Power Bomb [63] ★★★¼
5. SGM Japanese National Championship: Sozen Ishinomori defeated BRUTE Kikuchi © (18m14s) with the Golden Bomb Drop [59] ★★★ - TITLE CHANGE! -
6. SGM Strongest Tag Team Championship: Burt Hudson & Bam Bam Bundy © defeated Eikichi Itou & Isoruko Arakaki (21m08s) with the Moonsault from Bundy to Arakaki [73] ★★★¾ - 1ST DEFENSE -
7. SGM Strongest Heavyweight Championship (Vacant): Fuyuhiko Wakabayashi defeated Hiroaki Nakasawa (27m38s) with the Japanese Ocean Cyclone Suplex [72] ★★★½ - TITLE CHANGE! -

 

 

• Sozen Ishinomori unveiled a remarkably brutal Power Bomb during his Japanese National Championship Match, dropping his opponent abruptly onto his neck. In a post-match interview, he referred to this maneuver as the Golden Bomb Drop. He stated that he had conceived the idea during his time in Golden Canvas Grappling. However, he mentioned that only now has he matured enough to execute the move according to his vision.
• After his victory in the Main Event and the consequent first-time acquisition of the Strongest Heavyweight Title, something seemed to be visibly gnawing at Fuyuhiko Wakabayashi. He didn't appear at all like someone who might have just reached the pinnacle of his career, but rather contemplative. In a closing promo of the show, he thanked the audience and all those who had cheered for him. He also mentioned, that he had massive respect for Hiroaki Nakasawa and was happy to have had the chance, to fight him again. Yet he also implied, that winning the title in this manner wouldn't feel honorable. He closed with the hope for Haranobu Kobayashi's swift return, as he wishes to put the belt on the line against him and earn the title.

 

 

 

 

 

Edited April 29 by arlovski

[arlovski]

 

 

 

WORLD'S STRONGEST SINGLES GRAND PRIX 2022

FIELD OF PARTICIPANTS

 

 

The World's Strongest Singles Grand Prix, now in its third iteration, marks the most important tournament of the year for Super Grand Melee. The participant lineup was unveiled in advance during a press conference in Sendai by Motoichi Arakida and Eisuke Yoshinobu. As usual, the roster included the who's who of the company. The roster has grown to a size where not every participant makes it into the tournament; instead, selections are made based on performance beforehand. Furthermore, interest from outside to participate in the tournament is increasing, particularly appealing to SGM's cooperative partners.

 

Looking solely at the current titleholders of the league, Block A appears significantly stronger at first glance compared to Block B this year. Featuring reigning Strongest Heavyweight Champion Fuyuhiko Wakabayashi, Japanese National Champion Sozen Ishinomori and IPWA International Heavyweight and Strongest Tag Team Champion Burt Hudson, Block A will witness the elite of SGM competing for the two semifinal spots. The block is rounded out by names like Kyuichi Matsumoto, BISON Yano and Shozo Furuta, all of whom are expected to provide tough competition.

 

On the other side, Block B showcases former Strongest Heavyweight Champions Hiroaki Nakasawa and Avalanche Takano. Takano has been in both previous tournament finals and is considered by many bookmakers as a secret favourite this year as well. However, they will face competition from the dark horse candidate BRUTE Kikuchi, brutish Yasuhiko Taira, aspiring Bam Bam Bundy and talented Ryobe Uno, who is participating in the tournament for the first time. Additionally, Block B will feature both of this year's tournament guest stars. Firstly, there's Black Canvas Grappling's super gaijin, Big Bruiser Findlay! Secondly, there's the former GCG World Heavyweight Champion and current BHOTWG star Toshiharu Hyobanshi, who is renowned as one of the finest heavyweights of his era and who Arakida had many warm and respectful words for. Both men are loaned due to the partnerships SGM has established with their respective companies.

 

To conclude the press conference, the current Strongest Heavyweight Champion Fuyuhiko Wakabayashi announced that he would put his belt on the line during the tournament. Thus, the tournament winner will simultaneously become the champion. He made this decision because he did not consider the circumstances of his title win to be dignified. Through this gesture, he aims to either prove, that he is the true champion, or fail in the attempt.

 

The winner of the previous tournament Haranobu Kobayashi will be missing out due to an ankle injury. He is expected to return in January.

The Strongest Singles Grand Prix operates as a round-robin tournament, featuring two blocks, each consisting of ten randomly assigned wrestlers. Block matches adhere to a strict 30-minute time limit, with victories earning 2 points, draws 1 point, and losses resulting in 0 points. Semi-final matchups pit the winner of Block A against the runner-up of Block B, and vice versa. The tournament culminates in the Grand Final, where the ultimate victors not only claim the tournament crown but also earn a coveted shot at the Strongest Heavyweight Championship.

 

__________________________________________________

 

BLOCK A

 

 

__________________________________________________

 

BLOCK B

 

 

 

 

 

[arlovski]

 

 

 

WORLD'S STRONGEST SINGLES GRAND PRIX 2022 - PREDICTION CONTEST

 

Tournament Winners:

 

Runners-up:

 

Most Points (Group Stage):

 

Will any tag team end up with zero points? (Bonus point: If so, who?):

 

Biggest Surprise:

 

Biggest Upset:

[CGN91]

Great to see Wakabayashi winning the title. I think I predicted him as the Strongest Singles GP winner way too early, but how do we say in Germany: "Besser spät als nie " 😛

Loved the little thing with the new move about Ishinomori's return ann on top of that he was able to win the National title right away. Strong comeback by him. 

I was super bad at predicting stuff so far, so I'll keep it short. You give us some little breadcrumbs with Takano being the favourite to win it, he would have been my pick too, but I guess that's just a red herring right? 😛 Anyway I have the feeling that it will be someone from Block B. Nakasawa or Takano? We'll find out!

[Shmoe II]

WORLD'S STRONGEST SINGLES GRAND PRIX 2022 - PREDICTION CONTEST

 

Tournament Winner: Fuyuhiko Wakabayashi

 

Runner-up: Brute Kikuchi

 

Most Points (Group Stage): Burt Hudson

 

Will any wrestler end up with zero points? (Bonus point: If so, who?): Yes. Kimi Kawano

 

Biggest Surprise: Toshiharu Hyobanshi struggles to just above .500

 

Biggest Upset: Akira Arato defeats Sozen Ishinomori

 

 

[arlovski]

1 hour ago, CGN91 said:

Great to see Wakabayashi winning the title. I think I predicted him as the Strongest Singles GP winner way too early, but how do we say in Germany: "Besser spät als nie " 😛

 

True that, haha. I kinda wanted to give him some time to see if his stats develop well and let him gain some popularity before giving him some significant wins and putting the belt on him. Making him the champion at this point also wasn't planned yet, but Kobayashi's injury forced me to adapt.

[arlovski]

 

 

 

SGM KINNIKU CLIMB SERIES

November - December 2022 | Highlights shown on Shogun TV as 'SGM BIG Fight!'

 

 

For the third time in the history of Super Grand Melee, the company transitions to the Kinniku Climb, pitting 20 heavyweights against each other in two blocks until only one remains at DREAMSTAGE III on the night of December 31, 2022 into January 1, 2023 - the Strongest! So far, the most important SGM event of the year has always left a significant mark. This year's tournament is even more star-studded, than in previous years.

 

Let's take a look at Block A, where all the singles champions of the league are represented, including Strongest Heavyweight Champion Fuyuhiko Wakabayashi, Japanese National Champion Sozen Ishinomori and IPWA International Heavyweight Champion Burt Hudson. As expected, the three men engaged in a neck-and-neck race for the top two spots. Wakabayashi, who presented himself in absolutely stunning form, managed a perfect clean sheet and thus secured clear group victory with 18 points. While he had Ishinomori surprisingly well under control in their encounter, it was a much closer match against Hudson. Even his partner and OCEANERS comrade Kyuichi Matsumoto gave the champion trouble and brought him to the brink of a draw before the saving Exploder came through in the 28th minute. Apart from that, Wakabayashi delivered a commanding performance worthy of a champion.

 

When it came to the second place, it seemed at one point that Ishinomori could pull ahead of Hudson. On Day #3, the latter had an exhausting fight with Matsumoto, which he managed to win with an Oklahoma Stampede. Then, his match against BISON Yano on Day #5 only ended in a draw. However, the "Doctor Of Pain" regained his momentum thereafter, securing victory after victory - the same applied to Ishinomori. It wasn't until Day #17 of the tour, the final match day in Block A, that the two clashed directly and determined the second semifinalist. After 24 minutes, it seemed like the Japanese wrestler was on top after a devastating Golden Bomb Drop - however, Hudson kicked out of the cover at the last moment and regained his composure. Shortly after, he managed to keep Ishinomori down on the mat after three brutal Backdrops.

 

There were also strong performances from BISON Yano of the Destiny Masters and Kyuichi Matsumoto of the OCEANERS group. Yano finished with 12 points, Matsumoto with 10. Appropriately, their duel ended in a well-deserved draw as it went the distance. Shozo Furuta put up a commendable performance as well, securing 9 points in the end, albeit ending up behind the other two, placing him in the middle of the pack overall. The weakest performance in Block A came from Akira Arato, who participated in the tournament for the first time. The 27-year-old only managed to secure only 1 point via draw after his match against Eikichi Itou ended in count-out.

 

 

In Block B, things heated up even more. It remained tight until the final days of the tournament, with seven wrestlers having a shot at making it to the semifinals. Let's first take a look at the man who ultimately emerged as the top contender in Block B - Avalanche Takano. Takano positioned himself early with important victories over Hiroaki Nakasawa, Yasuhiko Taira and several other opponents. He struggled against Bam Bam Bundy but managed to secure a victory just before reaching the time limit. Three days later, the first shock came when Big Bruiser Findlay surprisingly defeated Takano in just 19 minutes with an Atomic Spinebuster. A few days later, Takano had to settle for a draw against BRUTE Kikuchi, who once again had a strong tournament and rightfully held the title of dark horse. It wasn't until the final phase of the tournament that Takano found his rhythm again with a hard-fought win over newcomer Ryobe Uno, followed by a tough victory over guest star Toshiharu Hyobanshi, securing the group win with a total of 15 points.

 

As for the second-place contender, the bookmakers' odds kept changing until the end. At one point, everyone favored BRUTE Kikuchi, as he impressively defeated Findlay early on in a short, intense match. However, the Destiny Masters' beast ran out of steam towards the end of the group stage, suffering two crushing defeats, first against Hyobanshi and then against Taira. An early loss to Hiroaki Nakasawa also blocked his path to the semifinals. Taira, Hyobanshi and Nakasawa meanwhile also had their share of slip-ups, sometimes defeating each other. The decision of who would advance alongside Takano ultimately depended on who performed the most dominantly in the direct matches of the leading group. And that was none other than Black Canvas Grappling's super gaijin Big Bruiser Findlay! Although the legendary super heavyweight from Georgia lost to Kikuchi, he defeated Takano, Nakasawa and Hyobanshi. Draws against Taira and Bam Bam Bundy, which resulted in countouts after intense brawls, slightly tarnished his overall result but didn't prevent his semifinal qualification. On the contrary, it raised the question of how much more the wild Findlay could have achieved had he focused more on winning in those matches.

 

The weakest performance in Block A came from Ox Mastadon, who reacted angrily, to say the least, going on a rampage backstage when he realized that an interviewer had asked in a post-match interview whether he was past his prime. He left the tournament with only one point. Debutant Ryobe Uno delivered surprisingly good performances and ended with 3 points. Nakasawa specifically praised his toughness and fighting spirit, as Uno managed to wrestle a draw from him due to the time limit. The legend even pondered the idea of taking Uno under his wing.

 

 

The semifinals were thus set: Fuyuhiko Wakabayashi, the winner of Block A, would face Big Bruiser Findlay, the second-placed wrestler in Block B and vice versa Avalanche Takano would face Burt Hudson. This marked the first time that two gaijin made it to the semifinals of the World's Strongest Singles Grand Prix. It's fair to say that both matches had the level of a final. On day #19 of the KINNIKU CLIMB SERIES, Strongest Heavyweight Champion Wakabayashi spectacularly emerged as the first finalist, after holding Findlay down for the count of three on the mat following a 27-minute bout and a Japanese Ocean Cyclone Suplex, which was preceded by several Exploders. The match was absolutely even, brutal and full of dramatic highlights, with Findlay looking very strong. The second semifinal lasted a proud 38 minutes and will go down as a classic in the history of Super Grand Melee - Avalanche Takano prevailed against the IPWA International Heavyweight Champion. This marks his third consecutive entry into the WSSGP final, making him a presence in all tournament finals so far.

 

DREAMSTAGE wouldn't be the biggest SGM show of the year if it focused on just one match. In a press conference before the event, Motoichi Arakida announced two more interesting matches. Firstly, there would be a rematch between Sozen Ishinomori and BISON Yano, whose encounter previously ended narrowly in favor of Ishinomori. This time, the Japanese National Title of the colossus would be on the line. Furthermore, the SGM owner arranged what he considered an absolute dream match between two of the best foreign wrestlers in the country - Burt Hudson would defend his IPWA International Heavyweight Title against Big Bruiser Findlay. The two were in different blocks during the tournament, so Arakida couldn't hide his excitement to witness this showdown for the first time.

 

 

 

 

 

SGM DREAMSTAGE III

Ōsaki, Japan - 31.12.2022

Attendance: 1.636, shown on Shogun TV

Show Rating: [79]

 

 

1. Taiji Chajima, Shogo Awatari & Kawanari Enomoto defeated Toyotomi Hirota, Kamatari Kamohara & Shigemori Koruba (8m55s) with the Lariat from Enomoto to Koruba [41] ★★
2. Hiroaki Nakasawa, Yasuhiko Taira, Oda Yakuta & MUSCLE Serizawa defeated Hiroshi Morisue, Battle Sakata, Koichi Kajiwara & Kimi Kawano (18m09s) with the H-Bomb from Nakasawa to Kajiwara [57] ★★¾
3. SGM Japanese National Championship: Sozen Ishinomori © defeated BISON Yano (22m25s) with the Golden Bomb Drop [66] ★★★¼ - 1ST DEFENSE -
4. BRUTE Kikuchi & Shozo Furuta defeated Ryobe Uno & Akira Arato (14m36s) with the Kikuchi Crush from Kikuchi to Arato [63] ★★★¼
5. Kyuichi Matsumoto, Eikichi Itou & Isoruko Arakaki defeated Bam Bam Bundy, Ox Mastadon & Animal Harker (24m23s) with the Lariat from Arakaki to Mastadon [70] ★★★½
6. IPWA International Heavyweight Championship: Big Bruiser Findlay defeated Burt Hudson © (27m56s) with the Atomic Spinebuster [78] ★★★★ - TITLE CHANGE! -
7. SGM Strongest Singles Grand Prix III & SGM Strongest Heavyweight Championship: Fuyuhiko Wakabayashi © defeated Avalanche Takano (33m32s) with the Japanese Ocean Cyclone Suplex [81] ★★★★

 

 

• Following the main event, as usual, the winner's ceremony followed, presided over by Motoichi Arakida and Eisuke Yoshinobu. The two brought the tournament trophy, flower bouquets and an intricately decorated katana to the ring and presented them to this year's tournament winner, Fuyuhiko Wakabayashi. He also received back the Strongest Heavyweight Title, which he had entrusted to the SGM officials before the tournament. Wakabayashi expressed extreme happiness that after three years in Japan, he had achieved the greatest possible success. He thanked his fans and all those who supported classical heavyweight wrestling. However, he admitted he still couldn't conscientiously wear this belt until he had faced off against Haranobu Kobayashi. Therefore, he issued a challenge to him, concluding with an invitation to compete at MACHO KINGDOM in February to see who the REAL Strongest Heavyweight Champion was.

 

 

 

 

 

[arlovski]

 

 

 

 

2022 END OF THE YEAR AWARDS

THE JAPANESE WRESTLING YEAR IN REVIEW

 

 

 

MOST VALUABLE PLAYER

 

 

EMERALD ANGEL

Burning Hammer Of The Wrestling Gods

 

The race for this year's MVP couldn't have been tighter. At times, the discussions in our editorial rooms were so passionate and heated that for the first time in Pro Wrestling BUNKAI!'s history, we even considered the possibility of having joint winners for the award. However, in the end, one of the contenders emerged victorious: Emerald Angel! What tipped the scales in his favor were not only numerous classic matches in junior wrestling (which he shared with his rival Sensational Dragon) but ultimately his championship reigns. In July 2022, the masked wrestler not only won the Best Of The Super Juniors for the second time in a row but also finally and for the first time crowned himself as the Junior Heavyweight Champion of BHOTWG the following month. Throughout, he carried the entire company as its flagship and showed no signs of fatigue at any point, which makes him our MVP of 2022.

 

 

BEST FOREIGN WRESTLER

 

 

MATTHEW KEITH

Burning Hammer Of The Wrestling Gods

 

Once again, no surprises compared to last year - the award for the best foreigner goes to Matthew Keith yet again! He successfully defended the Burning World Championship he won in June of last year in an incredible reign filled with top matches until December 2022, before his reign came to an end against 41-year-old Kinnojo Horri in a dramatic showdown, marking Horri's sixth reign. Keith held the heavyweight title of the company for a total of 546 days, during which he produced classics against Tatsuya Toshitara, Heihachiro Sakai, Ieyoshi Shimakage and Munemitsu Senmatsu. His matches against Toshitara and Horri, incorporating many elements of junior wrestling and a high pacing, have already been particularly celebrated in our magazine and are considered groundbreaking for modern heavyweight wrestling from our perspective.

 

 

BEST TAG TEAM

 

 

 

CHOJIRO KITOAJI & BUSSHO MAKIGUCHI

Burning Hammer Of The Wrestling Gods

 

It was THE shocking news of the previous year - in October 2021, Chojiro Kitoaji announced, after a minor injury, that he would take a longer break from pro wrestling and thus leave Pride Glory Honor Wrestling after 14 years. The company, already plagued by injury concerns and an aging roster, lost one of its most popular stars. What apparently no one in their management could anticipate was that Kitoaji would unexpectedly show up at the competitor and Japanese market leader Burning Hammer Of The Wrestling Gods seven months later. To make the crisis perfect, Bussho Makiguchi followed just one month later, meaning PGHW lost arguably their best and most decorated tag team of the present to the competition. The exact cause of these events was kept silent by all parties. However, rumors suggest that Kitoaji and Makiguchi were dissatisfied with not having a title run as tag team champions for three years and also not being able to assume what they believed was their rightful role in either the Elite Tag Team Series or the singles division. The big report on their move is summarized in today's issue on pages 43 and 44 by our editor Junnosuke. Both men made a huge impact at BHOTWG! In June, they defeated Atsumori Takemura and Ryushi Sato in what we consider the best tag team match of the year at Inferno Of Purity and relieved them of the BHOTWG World Tag Team Titles. Equally noteworthy is their high-profile match against Munemitsu Senmatsu and Ieyoshi Shimakage, currently making waves at BHOTWG under the name The Exploders.

 

 

BEST COMPANY

 

 

BURNING HAMMER OF THE WRESTLING GODS

 

Even Japan's economic recession couldn't change the fact that BHOTWG remained the Japanese market leader in 2022. Despite a faltering GDP, Japanese people continue to eagerly purchase tickets to the company's events, consistently filling arenas with tens of thousands of seats. Consequently, it was another record-breaking year economically, as CEO Tetsuzan Kaneko demonstrated during the presentation of the annual report. These successes are not coincidental - a smart roster policy, forward-thinking management, marketing through Aichi and Emperor Choice, as well as an outstanding in-ring product, all form the understandable basis for this achievement. 

 

 

BEST MATCH

 

 

 

SENSATIONAL DRAGON VS EMERALD ANGEL

BHOTWG Burning Path VII, January 2022

 

The best match of the year 2022 ironically took place in January. At Burning Path VII, the defeat of Emerald Angel against the until then seemingly invincible Sensational Dragon marked the next phase of the feud between the two super juniors. For the last time there, Dragon managed to fend off his nemesis in a dramatic battle, retaining the BHOTWG Junior Heavyweight Title. The in-ring narrative of an Angel tirelessly pursuing his dream and thus becoming increasingly dangerous to Dragon, was masterfully executed. Dragon's victory was so incredibly close and almost accidental that every viewer had to realize afterwards - now Angel has him! Next time, he would beat him. And that's exactly what happened.

 

 

BEST SHOW

 

 

BHOTWG QUEST OF HEART

September 2022

 

This award also goes to BHOTWG for 2022 (and it's about time for the other Japanese companies to step up - we're talking about you, PGHW and BCG!). In the over 50-year history of Pro Wrestling BUNKAI!, there have only been two events that could boast two matches with the very rarely awarded 5-star rating. Quest Of Heart officially joined this elite group, as we extensively reported in September. Not only was Matthew Keith's fight with Kinnojo Horri for the Burning World Championship sensational, but also Emerald Angel's defense of the Junior Heavyweight Title against the MYSTIC Dragon. In the mid-card of the show, KitoGuchi emerged victorious in the rematch of the Tag Team Match Of The Year against Takemura and Sato. A truly outstanding card - it doesn't get any better than this!

 

 

BEST ROOKIE

 

 

MASATOCHI KAMIMURA

Pride Glory Honor Wrestling

 

The odds continue to be high that PGHW owns the future. This year saw Masatochi Kamimura from their in-house talent pool have his breakout year, which also marked his final year as a Young Lion. The man who has been compared to Yoshimi Mushashibo and Masaru Ugaki even during his time in the dojo delivered numerous technical delights and was our favorite wrestler on the lower card in 2022. His passionate performances in Six Man Tag Team Matches alongside Ugaki were particularly impressive, showcasing Kamimura's strong drive to rise up. We're eagerly anticipating his Ten Match Trial Series announced for Spring 2023.

 

 

BEST FEMALE WRESTLER

 

 

SHIORI JIPPENSHA

5 Star Supreme Wrestling

 

There's no way around her in 2022 either - for the fourth time in a row, Shiori Jippensha crowns herself as the MVP of the women's division. Her seemingly eternal reign as the 5SSW World Champion came to an end in February after an action-packed duel with Gemmei Oonishi. However, the "Excellence Of Execution" didn't lose much of her brilliance. Jippensha remained a constant presence in the main event picture of 5 Star Supreme Wrestling, delivering not only in singles matches against Megumi Nakajima, Romi Yamato, HEART Saitoh, and MAYA but also shining as the holder of the Triangle Titles in Three Way Dances.

 

 

BEST TECHNIQUE

 

 

MABUCHI FURUSAWA

Burning Hammer Of The Wrestling Gods

 

Since Mabuchi Furusawa left Black Canvas Grappling and ventured into deeper waters, it has unfortunately been noted that there are bigger fish than him. Too often, the highly talented son of Hanshiro Furusawa appeared somewhat outdated and lost in his new home. However, this should not overshadow the fact that in BHOTWG's mid card, he was able to consistently bring out the best from limited opponents with his outstanding technical abilities. Especially in matches with former BCG colleagues who have also made the leap, he seems to feel comfortable and can truly shine. Noteworthy, for example, are his series against Tanyu Toshusai and Noritoshi Miura. Whether Furusawa, at 36 years old, will play a bigger role again remains difficult for us to assess, but technically, this year, he has surpassed even Masaru Ugaki.

 

 

MOST POPULAR WRESTLER

 

 

EMERALD ANGEL

Burning Hammer Of The Wrestling Gods

 

Once again, there's no way around him - the Emerald Angel is Japan's most popular pro wrestler! His merchandise consistently tops the charts, and his personal blog had 2.1 million followers by the end of the year.

 

 

 

 

 

[arlovski]

 

 

■ SUPER GRAND MELEE THRIVES | GROWTH AMIDST ECONOMIC RECESSION

 

Despite Japan's economic recession, which has crippled the entire country, Super Grand Melee saw healthy growth in its third year and even managed to turn a slight profit. Owner Motoichi Arakida addressed the press at the company's headquarters in Sendai, presenting some figures. He particularly emphasized the inspiring success of DREAMSTAGE III, which set new standards for the league both qualitatively and financially.

 

According to Arakida, interest in the touring shows is also on the rise, alongside well-attended big events. The KINNIKU CLIMB SERIES and the REAL MUSCLE SERIES, where the two SGM tournaments take place, saw high demand last year. Consequently, SGM is expected to use a larger venue for the first time this year. Arakida left open the possibility of future tours throughout Japan, stating that it had not been viable thus far.

 

 

■ PERSONNEL MOVEMENTS | NEW FACES IN FRONT OF AND BEHIND THE SCENES

 

The personnel carousel at SGM has spun once again, but this time behind closed doors. Sadakuno Nishimuraya has joined the company as a consultant and backstage agent. Nishimuraya, a veteran heavyweight wrestler known for his "Iron Claw" finisher, brings years of experience to the table. Moving forward, alongside Nishimuraya, Big Bruiser Findlay will also be part-time with the company, as he is currently holding the IPWA International Heavyweight Title. Expect to see him primarily at SGM's big events due to commitments with Black Canvas Grappling. However, some involvement in non-title matches on normal touring shows is anticipated as well.

 

 

■ YOUNG LIONS RETURN | URAYAMA, IBATA AND AMANO BACK FROM US

 

In January, SGM welcomed back three former Young Lions from their excursions to the United States. Big Boss Urayama spent a year at Titan Pro Wrestling, while Ritsu Ibata and Shuga Amano return from Mid Atlantic Wrestling. All three men faced the press, but were rather brief and humble. They all appeared greatly matured and according to Motoichi Arakida, their performance on the next tour is eagerly anticipated. Meanwhile, the company wishes Taiji Chajima (Mid Atlantic Wrestling), Shogo Awatari and Kawanari Enomoto (both from Titan Pro Wrestling) the best on their excursions. Like their predecessors, the three men will spend a year abroad to work on themselves and mature.

 

 

  

 

■ BHOTWG SUPER ROOKIE PRESENTED AS NEW YOUNG LION | KENSUKE NAKASAWA JOINS HIS FATHER AT SGM

 

SGM has once again welcomed a new Young Lion into their roster. This time, the spotlight shines on a particularly special rookie, Kensuke Nakasawa. Hailing from Matsuyama, Shikoku, Nakasawa stands tall at 6'2 and weighs 242 lbs. As the name suggests, he is the son of legendary Hiroaki Nakasawa, who is currently active for the company. Nakasawa's upbringing was deeply rooted in athleticism, excelling in baseball, swimming and freestyle wrestling during his high school years.

 

Guided by the experienced hands of BHOTWG's highly prestigious Hinote Dojo, he mastered the art of classic heavyweight wrestling within the same halls where Master Kitozon once imparted his teachings. In the ring, Nakasawa demonstrates a calculated precision, often overwhelming his opponents with a relentless assault that culminates in his devastating finishing move, the Burning Strike.

 

 

 

KENSUKE NAKASAWA

20 years old | 187 cm, 111 kg | Matsuyama, Shikoku

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited 4 minutes ago by arlovski