GCG: Giving The Tiger Its Roar Back

[gbasalmon]

Spirit of Victory Tour - Monday, Week 2, April 2007 [CENTER] [IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/gbasalmon/GCG%20Diary/GCG_blownup.png[/IMG] [B][SIZE="5"][FONT="Georgia"] Monday, Week 2, April 2007 GCG Spirit of Victory Tour from Kyoto Arena in Kinki in front of 1,419 people Announcers: Hidetada Kozu & Hanshiro Furusawa[/FONT][/SIZE][/B] [B][SIZE="4"]PRE-SHOW[/SIZE][/B] [IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/gbasalmon/GCG%20Diary/AmericanElemental.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/gbasalmon/GCG%20Diary/TEW%20Graphics/icon_vs.gif[/IMG] [IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/gbasalmon/GCG%20Diary/EagleKawasawa.jpg[/IMG][/CENTER] [B][SIZE="4"]American Elemental vs. Eagle Kawasawa[/SIZE][/B] Our most recent signing is American Elemental, who we picked off of TCW's scrap heap. He won't stop muttering about wanting to hurt Tommy Cornell, but he focused on this match long enough to show us why he was such a hot signing only a few months ago. He and Eagle put together an amazing match for the crowd in Kyoto, crafting an athletic masterpiece that had to be seen to be believed. If we featured this match and built the two of them with some high quality wins, this could at the very least form a large part of a midcard down the line. Eagle, with his seniority, captured the match with a Vision Quest, but American Elemental is definitely one to watch. [B]Winner: Kawasawa in 15:54 with the Vision Quest.[/B] [IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/gbasalmon/GCG%20Diary/TEW%20Graphics/grade_bminus.jpg[/IMG] [B][CENTER][SIZE="4"]OFFICIAL SHOW[/SIZE][/CENTER][/B] [CENTER][IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/gbasalmon/GCG%20Diary/TEW%20Graphics/Generic02.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/gbasalmon/GCG%20Diary/AlexanderRobinson.jpg[/IMG][IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/gbasalmon/GCG%20Diary/LeeBennett.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/gbasalmon/GCG%20Diary/TEW%20Graphics/icon_vs.gif[/IMG] [IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/gbasalmon/GCG%20Diary/ShotaroIkina.jpg[/IMG][IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/gbasalmon/GCG%20Diary/YasuhideTayama.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/gbasalmon/GCG%20Diary/TEW%20Graphics/icon_vs.gif[/IMG] [IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/gbasalmon/GCG%20Diary/NathanColeman.jpg[/IMG][IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/gbasalmon/GCG%20Diary/StuartFerdinand.jpg[/IMG][/CENTER] [SIZE="4"][B][U]World Heavyweight Tag Titles Match[/U] Team Toronto vs. Shotaro Ikina & Yasuhide Tayama vs. Nathan Coleman & Stuart Ferdinand (C)[/B][/SIZE] It turns out our PGHW visitors are Alexander Robinson and Lee Bennett, better known as Team Toronto. They, or rather Robinson, made some demands as a condition of their appearing, but it will all work out in the end. Robinson and Bennett are one of the best tag teams worldwide and they definitely showed it tonight, imposing their will on two of the best tag teams in GCG. First, they disposed of the champs, with Robinson taking down Ferdinand with a huge Canadian Violence mafia kick. Then, Team Toronto set their sights on Ikina & Tayama. Knowing that Ikina is more prone to tiring out, they isolated him and pounded on him with heavy, stiff blows and made quick tags to keep each other fresh. Tayama could do nothing but watch helplessly as Lee Bennett took Ikina out with a Return Ticket double arm DDT. Tayama tried to make the save, but Robinson cut him off at the pass with a Canadian Violence for him, and Team Toronto are the World Heavyweight Tag Team Champs! [B]Winner: Team Toronto in 13:13 when Bennett used the Return Ticket on Ikina to win the World Heavyweight Tag Team Titles.[/B] [IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/gbasalmon/GCG%20Diary/TEW%20Graphics/grade_cminus.jpg[/IMG] [CENTER][IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/gbasalmon/GCG%20Diary/ShingenMiyazaki.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/gbasalmon/GCG%20Diary/TEW%20Graphics/icon_vs.gif[/IMG] [IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/gbasalmon/GCG%20Diary/KiminobuKuroki.jpg[/IMG][/CENTER] [B][SIZE="4"]Shingen Miyazaki vs. Kiminobu Kuroki[/SIZE][/B] Kuroki is still trying to scratch and claw his way back into the title hunt in GCG, and he was in for another stiff test tonight, as Shingen Miyazaki has been turning heads with his solid performances and may be in line for a title shot of his own in short order. Miyazaki really took it to Kuroki this match, showcasing some of the stiff offense that got him a contract with INSPIRE. Miyazaki nearly had Kuroki beat with the Stone Cutter, but Kuroki kicked out after a long two count. He then began an amazing comeback, showing more life than he had through the first part of the match. He finally built up enough steam to go for the Kuroki Krush, but Miyazaki flipped out of that and tried to take Kuroki down with an STO. Kuroki blocked that, spun behind Miyazaki, and locked in the Mercury Sleeper. After that exchange, Miyazaki was the one who didn't have much left in the tank and succumbed for the submission victory. [B]Winner: Kuroki in 11:47 with the Mercury Sleeper.[/B] [IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/gbasalmon/GCG%20Diary/TEW%20Graphics/grade_cplus.jpg[/IMG] [CENTER][IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/gbasalmon/GCG%20Diary/TEW%20Graphics/Japanese.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/gbasalmon/GCG%20Diary/Takayuki2000.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/gbasalmon/GCG%20Diary/TEW%20Graphics/icon_vs.gif[/IMG] [IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/gbasalmon/GCG%20Diary/LeeBennett.jpg[/IMG][/CENTER] [SIZE="4"][B][U]Openweight Title Match[/U] Takayuki 2000 (C) vs. Lee Bennett[/B][/SIZE] With Robinson and Bennett in town, we figured we'd use them more than once, especially seeing as though they weren't coming cheap. Bennett is definitely more known for tag teaming, but can hold his own in singles competition. However, Takayuki has been a house of fire since winning back the Openweight Title, and tonight he was not to be denied. He battered Bennett down, then started to work on his legs, then flipped him over and locked in the Persian Deathlock. Bennett had no choice but to tap out and head back to PGHW with a loss under his belt. [B]Winner: Takayuki in 10:45 with the Persian Deathlock.[/B] [IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/gbasalmon/GCG%20Diary/TEW%20Graphics/grade_cplus.jpg[/IMG] [CENTER][IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/gbasalmon/GCG%20Diary/HiroyasuGakusha.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/gbasalmon/GCG%20Diary/TEW%20Graphics/icon_vs.gif[/IMG] [IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/gbasalmon/GCG%20Diary/AlexanderRobinson.jpg[/IMG][/CENTER] [B][SIZE="4"]Hiroyasu Gakusha vs. Alexander Robinson[/SIZE][/B] Hiroyasu Gakusha was the one tapped to face the other half of Team Toronto, Alexander Robinson. In order to appease Robinson, we had to have him dominate most of the match, which didn't help Gakusha at all. He's so much better at playing the irresistable force than the underdog. He's just not as believable in that role. Still, he made the best of it, fought off the offense of Robinson, ducked under a Canadian Violence, sent Robinson stumbling backwards with a Roaring Gakusha Strike, then underhooked both of Robinson's arms and powered him down to the canvas with the Gakusha Golden Bomb. Robinson tried to kick out, but he was a bit too late, and Gakusha left with the win to end our show tonight. [B]Winner: Gakusha in 14:12 with the Gakusha Golden Bomb.[/B] [IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/gbasalmon/GCG%20Diary/TEW%20Graphics/grade_cplus.jpg[/IMG] [SIZE="5"][B][CENTER]OVERALL SHOW RATING: [IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/gbasalmon/GCG%20Diary/TEW%20Graphics/grade_cplus.jpg[/IMG] [/CENTER][/B][/SIZE] [B][U]OVERALL NOTES[/U][/B] This was an exceedingly average show. I had hoped that Team Toronto would add a level of star power, but they didn't really deliver as much as we would have hoped, which is extremely annoying given the amount of money they received to appear tonight. They delivered decent ratings, but nothing that would validate their huge price tag. However, it wasn't a complete loss. American Elemental and Eagle Kawasawa was a revelation, and we'll have to revisit that one definitely. Anyway, on to Friday, which we have moved our second show to, in order to get more of our talent to show up, namely Dark Angel. Rocky Golden vs. Toshiharu Hyobanshi will be nothing if not interesting. Trust me, I do have a plan for the World Heavyweight Tag Titles, which will be unveiled in about a week or so, in conjunction with a slight change I hope will draw more people in to being interested in the story of GCG.

[gbasalmon]

SOV Tour - Friday, Week 2, April 2007 [B][SIZE="5"][CENTER][IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/gbasalmon/GCG%20Diary/GCC_birthplace.png[/IMG] [FONT="Georgia"] Friday, Week 2, April 2007 GCG Spirit of Victory Tour from Ibaraki Community Hall in Kanto in front of 1,000 people Announcers: Hidetada Kozu & Hanshiro Furusawa[/FONT][/CENTER][/SIZE][/B] This whole event unfortunately has a great pall over it. After crunching numbers from Monday's show, we only have 10,000 left in the bank. Due to that, Rocky Golden's appearance has been cancelled, as it would have been 7,000 to use him for one night. Also, those GCG competitors with written contracts might do well to look their best tonight, as some cuts definitely need to be made. In another cost-cutting move, we've done away with the dark matches tonight, so on to the hour-long show. [CENTER][IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/gbasalmon/GCG%20Diary/Takayuki2000.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/gbasalmon/GCG%20Diary/TEW%20Graphics/icon_vs.gif[/IMG] [IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/gbasalmon/GCG%20Diary/CameronVessey.jpg[/IMG][/CENTER] [B][SIZE="4"]Takayuki 2000 vs. Cameron Vessey[/SIZE][/B] This match was not the most exciting in the world, but it got the crowd into the flow of the show. Takayuki led Cameron through the motions, giving him his fair share of offense while always retaining the actual advantage. Takayuki never led Cameron catch too much momentum, always cutting him off with a kick to the leg or a double leg takedown into a submission maneuver, always trying to soften him up for the Persian Deathlock. He did finally lock it in, and Vessey was not able to hold on for too long and quickly tapped. [B]Winner: Takayuki in 11:23 with the Persian Deathlock.[/B] [IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/gbasalmon/GCG%20Diary/TEW%20Graphics/grade_c.jpg[/IMG] [CENTER][IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/gbasalmon/GCG%20Diary/RhinoUmaga.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/gbasalmon/GCG%20Diary/TEW%20Graphics/icon_vs.gif[/IMG] [IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/gbasalmon/GCG%20Diary/JungleJack.jpg[/IMG][/CENTER] [B][SIZE="4"]Rhino Umaga vs. Jack Marlowe[/SIZE][/B] These two gentlemen made us very happy tonight. They don't even need to have much chemistry, because their styles are so similar, they fit together so well. Umaga and Marlowe put on a stiffly brilliant brawl, using all of their skills to try to gain the advantage. Umaga even hit Marlowe with the Rhino Charge, but Marlowe was able to kick out of the pinning attempt and go on a rampage, as the Charge seemingly awakened him. Marlowe pulled no punches, battering Umaga up against the ropes, and even making Umaga duck underneath the rope to avoid his assault. Marlowe just simply pulled Umaga back in the ring, doubled him over with a quick kick to the gut, and then lifted Umaga up and over with the Jungle Jack-Hammer for the win. [B]Winner: Marlowe in 12:38 with the Jungle Jack-Hammer.[/B] [IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/gbasalmon/GCG%20Diary/TEW%20Graphics/grade_bplus.jpg[/IMG] [CENTER][IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/gbasalmon/GCG%20Diary/PistolPeteHall.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/gbasalmon/GCG%20Diary/TEW%20Graphics/icon_vs.gif[/IMG] [IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/gbasalmon/GCG%20Diary/ShingenMiyazaki.jpg[/IMG][/CENTER] [B][SIZE="4"]Pistol Pete Hall vs. Shingen Miyazaki[/SIZE][/B] Shingen Miyazaki is one of those guys who always gives at least an honest effort, but if he's put in the ring with a great worker, like Pistol Pete, he can rise to the occassion and do better than he normally does on his own. Miyazaki was game, as always, for Hall's offense. He withstood the Triplet Elbow Drops. He kicked out of the Cattle Rush. He even kicked out of a short Pistol Whip Lariat. But, when Pistol Pete pulled down his elbow pad and hit Miyazaki with a few stiff bionic elbows, the crowd and Miyazaki knew that his time was running short. After a particularly strong bionic lariat, Miyazaki stumbled backwards and checked to see if his head was bleeding. Pistol Pete took that opportunity to bound off the ropes, sprint towards Miyazaki and nearly launch himself over the top rope while hitting a huge Pistol Whip Lariat. Seeing as though Miyazaki was barely conscious, he didn't kick out. [B]Winner: Pistol Pete in 9:55 with the Pistol Whip Lariat.[/B] [IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/gbasalmon/GCG%20Diary/TEW%20Graphics/grade_bminus.jpg[/IMG] [CENTER][IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/gbasalmon/GCG%20Diary/TEW%20Graphics/Generic18.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/gbasalmon/GCG%20Diary/ToshiharuHyobanshi.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/gbasalmon/GCG%20Diary/TEW%20Graphics/icon_vs.gif[/IMG] [IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/gbasalmon/GCG%20Diary/JimmyCox.jpg[/IMG][/CENTER] [B][SIZE="4"][U]World Heavyweight Title Match[/U] Toshiharu Hyobanshi (C) vs. Jimmy Cox[/SIZE][/B] This match did happen just last Wednesday, but this one was so much better. There was a palpable sense that Cox feared for his job, as he is one of those GCG'ers that is working on a written contract. His offense was crisp and deadly tonight, as always focusing on his opponent's head and shoulders. Hyobanshi was rubbing his neck only five minutes into the match. However, Hyobanshi had some punishment to dish out to Cox also. He staggered Cox with a Nova Blast after Nova Blast, working on Cox's neck also. The finish finally came when Cox went for a clothesline, which temporarily took him off balance. Hyobanshi sidestepped it, nailed Cox with a Hyobanshi Face Plant, then crushed Cox with the Nova Bomb Redux for the win and his first official title defense. [B]Result: Hyobanshi in 17:44 with the Nova Bomb Redux.[/B] [IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/gbasalmon/GCG%20Diary/TEW%20Graphics/grade_bplus.jpg[/IMG] [SIZE="5"][B]OVERALL SHOW RATING: [IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/gbasalmon/GCG%20Diary/TEW%20Graphics/grade_b.jpg[/IMG][/B][/SIZE] [B][U]Overall Notes[/U][/B] For a show with such a pall over it, this was an awesome show, maybe our best show this year. Everyone involved brought it to the table tonight, and the only match that didn't get some sort of a B was Takayuki versus Cameron Vessey. If Takayuki was facing a more established star, we're sure it would have graded out higher. This definitely helped our standing in Kanto, and puts us on the precipice of possibly being close to cult status. Even so, there is still the spectre of financial problems looming over GCG, and the possibility of some cuts. We need to reduce our expenses somehow. There is no quick fix however, so we need to just keep on putting on great shows with our core of superstars and hope that we can ride things out.

[Gremlinator]

I simply love all the videos you've got. You've got to tell me how to make some lol. The video for Tour Awards was pretty awesome and a good idea.

[Gozer]

I know I've said it before, but... your layout and use of graphics is WAY beyond the rest of the board. Usually banners and such end up looking cluttered more than anything else, but yours are really smooth and well-placed. Do you have a design background or somethin?

[gbasalmon]

[QUOTE=Gremlinator;195750]I simply love all the videos you've got. You've got to tell me how to make some lol. The video for Tour Awards was pretty awesome and a good idea.[/QUOTE] Would you believe that I made them with just the Windows Movie Maker that comes with your computer (I'm assuming you're on a PC)? It's all about lining up the images with the music and making sure the transitions between pictures work correctly.

[gbasalmon]

[QUOTE=Gozer;195762]I know I've said it before, but... your layout and use of graphics is WAY beyond the rest of the board. Usually banners and such end up looking cluttered more than anything else, but yours are really smooth and well-placed. Do you have a design background or somethin?[/QUOTE] Not to toot my own horn, but I don't have a design background in the slightest. Most of the logos I've created for the game are, while excessively modified in Illustrator, clipart files. For the most part, I just constantly hit the preview post button to see how it looks, and make modifications as it seems necessary. I'm glad you enjoy it, and I hope you'll keep reading. The diary is about two weeks in game time behind and hopefully I can keep the company financially solvent even longer.

[Monkeypox]

I'm just gonna say "I agree with those two guys". You've got a great knack for visuals.

[gbasalmon]

[QUOTE=Monkeypox;196188]I'm just gonna say "I agree with those two guys". You've got a great knack for visuals.[/QUOTE] Well, unfortunately I don't have the same knack in running a business. Where I am in the game right now, I have a little more than $2,000 in the bank. Yeah, that's right, $2,000. If this version of GCG goes under, I might start up a new one just to see if I can make it work.

[gbasalmon]

Sorry for the lack of updates lately, but I've been exploring the Cornellverse with a plethora of games that I have been juggling. I am admittedly losing steam on this diary, due in no small part to the fact that I've effectively ridden GCG into the ground financially (as I referenced a few posts up). There will be a few more updates to get this up to where I am currently, but after that, I can't guarantee anymore. Heck, maybe I'll try to make USPW watchable next. It's worth a shot...

[Tigerkinney]

[QUOTE=gbasalmon;196243]Well, unfortunately I don't have the same knack in running a business. Where I am in the game right now, I have a little more than $2,000 in the bank. Yeah, that's right, $2,000. If this version of GCG goes under, I might start up a new one just to see if I can make it work.[/QUOTE] Don't worry that's my achiles heel as well, I'm pretty good at booking, but I'm hopeless when it comes to the financial side. Still I must say this diary has been very good and your visuals are excellent. I've started putting pictures of the belts for the title matches in my diary, and I'll admit I got that idea from this diary. If this one goes under because of the finances, I do hope you come back with another diary, as I've enjoyed reading this one.

[Remianen]

[QUOTE=gbasalmon;197472]Heck, maybe I'll try to make USPW watchable next. It's worth a shot...[/QUOTE] You've got a better shot at making GCG richer than SWF, I'd wager. Then again, J Silver did a great job with USPW so I'm guessing it's possible.

[gbasalmon]

[CENTER] [IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/gbasalmon/GCG%20Diary/GCC_birthplace.png[/IMG] [B][SIZE="5"][FONT="Georgia"]Monday, Week 3, April 2007 Doshisha Athletic Center in Kanto in front of 1,000 people Announcers: Hidetada Kozu & Hanshiro Furusawa[/FONT][/SIZE][/B] [IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/gbasalmon/GCG%20Diary/CameronVessey.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/gbasalmon/GCG%20Diary/TEW%20Graphics/icon_vs.gif[/IMG] [IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/gbasalmon/GCG%20Diary/NaonobuMurkami.jpg[/IMG][/CENTER] [B][SIZE="4"]Cameron Vessey vs. Naonobu Murkami[/SIZE][/B] We decided to really put Cameron through the paces tonight, as he was facing Naonobu Murkami, who has made every star that we have in GCG right now. If you want to be someone in GCG, you have to go through Naonobu. Unfortunately for Cameron, it is not quite his time yet. Naonobu took the win, but Vessey surely took away some knowledge that will surely help him later in his career. [B]Winner: Murkami in 8:29 with the Divine Spirit Driver.[/B] [IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/gbasalmon/GCG%20Diary/TEW%20Graphics/grade_c.jpg[/IMG] [CENTER][IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/gbasalmon/GCG%20Diary/AmericanElemental.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/gbasalmon/GCG%20Diary/TEW%20Graphics/icon_vs.gif[/IMG] [IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/gbasalmon/GCG%20Diary/EagleKawasawa.jpg[/IMG][/CENTER] [B][SIZE="4"]American Elemental vs. Eagle Kawasawa[/SIZE][/B] This was a rematch from last Monday's dark match. Unfortunately for them, it wasn't quite as good as their first effort. They didn't have the same snap in their steps as they did last week, but it was still a passable match by any stretch of the imagination. Eagle yet again took the win, but Elemental is slowly starting to climb up the ladder in GCG even through losing. [B]Winner: Kawasawa in 14:22 with the Vision Quest.[/B] [IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/gbasalmon/GCG%20Diary/TEW%20Graphics/grade_cplus.jpg[/IMG] [CENTER][IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/gbasalmon/GCG%20Diary/Takayuki2000.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/gbasalmon/GCG%20Diary/TEW%20Graphics/icon_vs.gif[/IMG] [IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/gbasalmon/GCG%20Diary/JungleJack.jpg[/IMG][/CENTER] [B][SIZE="4"][U]Non-Title Match[/U] Takayuki 2000 (c) vs. Jack Marlowe[/SIZE][/B] Jack Marlowe is still one of the top superstars in GCG, even though he's made it known that he doesn't want to stay a GCG superstar. He can have a good match with anyone who can brawl along with him, and Takayuki definitely falls into that category. T-2000 took everything that Marlowe could dish out, and gave out more than enough of his own, and eventually broke down Marlowe enough that he could hook in the Persian Deathlock for the victory. It's a shame Marlowe has gotten too big for his britches and is leaving us next Friday, because this could have been a match to build towards at Spirit of Victory. [B]Winner: Takayuki in 12:34 with the Persian Deathlock.[/B] [IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/gbasalmon/GCG%20Diary/TEW%20Graphics/grade_bminus.jpg[/IMG] [CENTER][IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/gbasalmon/GCG%20Diary/ShingenMiyazaki.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/gbasalmon/GCG%20Diary/TEW%20Graphics/icon_vs.gif[/IMG] [IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/gbasalmon/GCG%20Diary/ToshiharuHyobanshi.jpg[/IMG][/CENTER] [B][SIZE="4"][U]Non-Title Match[/U] Shingen Miyazaki vs. Toshiharu Hyobanshi (c)[/SIZE][/B] It has been said many times already that Miyazaki is one of those superstars who rises to the occassion, and tonight he did, in spades. Hyobanshi took Miyazaki to heights that he hadn't quite gotten to yet. Miyazaki was yet again able to withstand all of Hyobanshi's assaults, even kicking out of the Nova Bomb Original. After that happened, Hyobanshi went a little nuts and started blindly attacking Miyazaki. Miyazaki withstood that and nearly won the match with the Stone Cutter. Hyobanshi kicked out of that, though, and used that adrenaline rush to scoop Miyazaki up into the Nova Bomb Redux and get the win. [B]Winner: Hyobanshi in 13:22 with the Nova Bomb Redux.[/B] [IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/gbasalmon/GCG%20Diary/TEW%20Graphics/grade_bplus.jpg[/IMG] [CENTER][IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/gbasalmon/GCG%20Diary/HiroyasuGakusha.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/gbasalmon/GCG%20Diary/TEW%20Graphics/icon_vs.gif[/IMG] [IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/gbasalmon/GCG%20Diary/JimmyCox.jpg[/IMG][/CENTER] [B][SIZE="4"]Hiroyasu Gakusha vs. Jimmy Cox[/SIZE][/B] These two gentlemen haven't met quite yet, and even though they don't click at all, it was still a great match. Gakusha was his usual overly intense self, and Cox played the underdog, taking all of Gakusha's offense and even kicking out of a pinning attempt after a Roaring Gakusha Strike. Cox couldn't quite ever get close enough to hook in the Immortal Driver, and that spelled doom for him, as Gakusha eventually wore him down with a barrage of T-Bone suplexes and clotheslines and even a Gakusha Strike through the ropes to the outside. After that, Gakusha simply rolled Cox back into the ring, underhooked both arms, and sent him crashing down to the canvas with the Gakusha Golden Bomb for the win. [B]Winner: Gakusha in 11:58 with the Gakusha Golden Bomb.[/B] [IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/gbasalmon/GCG%20Diary/TEW%20Graphics/grade_bminus.jpg[/IMG] [SIZE="5"][CENTER][B]Final Rating: [IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/gbasalmon/GCG%20Diary/TEW%20Graphics/grade_bminus.jpg[/IMG][/B][/CENTER][/SIZE] [B][U]Overall Notes[/U][/B] This was another great show. Perhaps our strategy of concentrating on our core group of superstars is not a bad idea at all. Even our dark match was at least an average match. If we're going to completely change our image in Japan, we can't have any matches below C-, and we accomplished that tonight again. Hopefully we can do it again on Friday, when we again gain the services of Dark Angel and Pistol Pete Hall.

[gbasalmon]

[CENTER][SIZE="5"][B][IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/gbasalmon/GCG%20Diary/GCG_blownup.png[/IMG] [FONT="Georgia"]Friday, Week 3, April 2007 from Ibaraki Community Hall in Kanto in front of 1,000 people Announcers: Hidetada Kozu & Hanshiro Furusawa[/FONT][/B][/SIZE] [B][SIZE="4"]Pre-Show[/SIZE][/B] [IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/gbasalmon/GCG%20Diary/BarryGriffin.jpg[/IMG][IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/gbasalmon/GCG%20Diary/HenryBennett.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/gbasalmon/GCG%20Diary/TEW%20Graphics/icon_vs.gif[/IMG] [IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/gbasalmon/GCG%20Diary/DarkAngel.jpg[/IMG][IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/gbasalmon/GCG%20Diary/NaonobuMurkami.jpg[/IMG][/CENTER] [B][SIZE="4"]Dark Match: Barry Griffin & Henry Bennett vs. Bold Guard (Dark Angel & Naonobu Murkami)[/SIZE][/B] The only thing that saved this match was the quality of the men involved, because Angel & Murkami don't have even the slightest bit of chemistry together. They were still better than Griffin & Bennett, though, and Angel got the win for his team with the Descent Into Hell. [B]Winner: Bold Guard in 14:12 when Angel used the Descent Into Hell on Griffin.[/B] [IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/gbasalmon/GCG%20Diary/TEW%20Graphics/grade_cminus.jpg[/IMG] [CENTER][IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/gbasalmon/GCG%20Diary/PistolPeteHall.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/gbasalmon/GCG%20Diary/TEW%20Graphics/icon_vs.gif[/IMG] [IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/gbasalmon/GCG%20Diary/CameronVessey.jpg[/IMG][/CENTER] [B][SIZE="4"]Pistol Pete Hall vs. Cameron Vessey[/SIZE][/B] If this match would have happen ten years ago, and Cameron Vessey were not 9 years old at the time, we would have had no problem with it. As it stands now, neither Pistol Pete or Vessey have enough stamina to make it through a match of this length fully fit. They were both starting to fade by the end, but Pistol Pete still had enough to drop the elbow pad, and we all know what happens after that. [B]Winner: Pistol Pete in 15:52 with a Pistol Whip Lariat.[/B] [IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/gbasalmon/GCG%20Diary/TEW%20Graphics/grade_cplus.jpg[/IMG] [CENTER][IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/gbasalmon/GCG%20Diary/ShingenMiyazaki.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/gbasalmon/GCG%20Diary/TEW%20Graphics/icon_vs.gif[/IMG] [IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/gbasalmon/GCG%20Diary/ToshiharuHyobanshi.jpg[/IMG][/CENTER] [B][SIZE="4"]Non-Title Match Shingen Miyazaki vs. Toshiharu Hyobanshi (c)[/SIZE][/B] This was an instant replay of Monday's match, complete with two more great performances. The match was much longer this time, but Miyazaki and Hyobanshi just spread out the great story they told in the first match a bit more and made it flow a bit better. Miyazaki was still the plucky underdog, but Hyobanshi was still better in the end, for now. [B]Winner: Hyobanshi in 21:47 with the Nova Bomb Redux.[/B] [IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/gbasalmon/GCG%20Diary/TEW%20Graphics/grade_b.jpg[/IMG] [CENTER][IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/gbasalmon/GCG%20Diary/TEW%20Graphics/Japanese.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/gbasalmon/GCG%20Diary/DarkAngel.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/gbasalmon/GCG%20Diary/TEW%20Graphics/icon_vs.gif[/IMG] [IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/gbasalmon/GCG%20Diary/Takayuki2000.jpg[/IMG][/CENTER] [B][SIZE="4"]Openweight Title Match Dark Angel vs. Takayuki 2000 (c)[/SIZE][/B] Dark Angel wasn't just brought in to be in a dark match tonight, he was to challenge for the Openweight Title. He tried his hardest, but these two just don't mesh in the ring at all. It really hasn't been a good night for Angel chemistry wise. Takayuki was able to capitalize on Angel's legs not being quite right after the earlier tag match and locked in the Persian Deathlock to retain his title. [B]Winner: Takayuki 2000 in 23:03 to retain the Openweight Title.[/B] [IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/gbasalmon/GCG%20Diary/TEW%20Graphics/grade_c.jpg[/IMG] [CENTER][IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/gbasalmon/GCG%20Diary/HiroyasuGakusha.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/gbasalmon/GCG%20Diary/TEW%20Graphics/icon_vs.gif[/IMG] [IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/gbasalmon/GCG%20Diary/JimmyCox.jpg[/IMG][/CENTER] [B][SIZE="4"]Hiroyasu Gakusha vs. Jimmy Cox[/SIZE][/B] Last time they matched up, these two caught lightning in a bottle and gutted their way to a great match. Tonight, they couldn't quite reach those lofty standards. That's not to say this was a bad match, it was just not as great as their earlier match. Cox did finally hit the Immortal Driver on Gakusha, but Hiroyasu kicked out of it, which is the first time that anyone has ever kicked out of the Immortal Driver. Gakusha slowly built up to his trademark intensity and then finished Gakusha off with the Gakusha Golden Bomb. [B]Winner: Gakusha in 20:36 with the Gakusha Golden Bomb.[/B] [IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/gbasalmon/GCG%20Diary/TEW%20Graphics/grade_cplus.jpg[/IMG] [B][SIZE="5"][CENTER]Final Rating: [IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/gbasalmon/GCG%20Diary/TEW%20Graphics/grade_cplus.jpg[/IMG][/CENTER][/SIZE][/B] [B][U]Overall Notes[/U][/B] This was a decent show overall, but not nearly as good as it could have been. When you let competitors call their own matches, sometimes you strike gold, but sometimes it's fool's gold. Tonight was a little more of the latter than we'd like. Still, Hyobanshi-Miyazaki was greatness. When Miyazaki is a main eventer in about a year or so, we very well might see this match again with more on the line, possibly even with the other man holding the belt. We now look forward to Monday, when the tournament will start to crown new World Heavyweight Tag Team Champions. Team Toronto won the belts but were not allowed to take them back to PGHW. Therefore, we've convened a tourney which will feature four teams - Shotaro Ikina & Yasuhide Tayama, Nathan Coleman & Stuart Ferdinand, American Elemental & Eagle Kawasawa, and Bold Guard (Dark Angel & Naonobu Murkami).

[gbasalmon]

One more show to get up to the current time, then we'll see where we go from there...

[gbasalmon]

I thought I'd explain how the tag team tournament is going to work, if I can stay solvent enough to have it all play out. It is going to be a round-robin tournament, with each team facing the other three twice. Two points will be awarded for a win, one each for a draw, and (obviously :) ) no points for a win. After that is completed, the top two teams will face each other to decide the new tag team champion. After cards that have a tournament match on them, the standings will be updated in the next post. The tournament will conclude in June at our tour-closing supershow, Spirit of Victory, if we make it there.

[gbasalmon]

[CENTER][IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/gbasalmon/GCG%20Diary/GCG_blownup.png[/IMG] [FONT="Georgia"][SIZE="5"][B]Monday, Week 2, April 2007 GCG Spirit of Victory Tour @ Doshisha Athletic Center in Kanto in front of 1,000 people Announcers: Hidetada Kozu & Hanshiro Furusawa[/B][/SIZE][/CENTER][/FONT] [B][SIZE="4"][CENTER]Pre-Show[/CENTER][/SIZE][/B] [CENTER][IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/gbasalmon/GCG%20Diary/CameronVessey.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/gbasalmon/GCG%20Diary/TEW%20Graphics/icon_vs.gif[/IMG] [IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/gbasalmon/GCG%20Diary/NathanColeman.jpg[/IMG][/CENTER] [B][SIZE="4"]Dark Match: Cameron Vessey vs. Nathan Coleman[/SIZE][/B] This was another step in the learning process of Cameron Vessey, but there are rumblings backstage that Vessey, and those in the same boat as him, aren't quite happy with their lot and want to shake things up. Coleman didn't do anything to change that perception, as he pretty much dominated Vessey for most of the match. However, Vessey made a comback towards the end, even debuting his finisher, his version of the Vessey Line, which he calls Vessey Line 2.0. Coleman kicked out of it, though, built up his momentum again, and nailed Vessey with the Pioneer Twist for the win. [B]Winner: Coleman in 11:02 with the Pioneer Twist.[/B] [IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/gbasalmon/GCG%20Diary/TEW%20Graphics/grade_cminus.jpg[/IMG] [CENTER][IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/gbasalmon/GCG%20Diary/AmericanElemental.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/gbasalmon/GCG%20Diary/TEW%20Graphics/icon_vs.gif[/IMG] [IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/gbasalmon/GCG%20Diary/NaonobuMurkami.jpg[/IMG][/CENTER] [B][SIZE="4"]American Elemental vs. Naonobu Murkami[/SIZE][/B] This match featured two of the competitors from two different teams entered in the World Heavyweight Tag Team Tournament. A.E. will team with Eagle Kawasawa, and Murkami will team with Dark Angel. Murkami is trying to show A.E. a more mat-based style, hoping to help him broaden his skills. A.E. tried, but he isn't showing anything quite yet. Murkami took the win with a Divine Spirit Driver, and looked a little tired for the effort. [B]Winner: Murkami in 16:52 with the Divine Spirit Driver.[/B] [IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/gbasalmon/GCG%20Diary/TEW%20Graphics/grade_c.jpg[/IMG] Before the next match, Namboku Makuda, Cameron Vessey, Julian Watson, and Eagle Kawasawa come out and all take a seat ringside. The crowd didn't quite like this development. [IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/gbasalmon/GCG%20Diary/TEW%20Graphics/grade_eminus.jpg[/IMG] [CENTER][IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/gbasalmon/GCG%20Diary/ShotaroIkina.jpg[/IMG][IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/gbasalmon/GCG%20Diary/YasuhideTayama.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/gbasalmon/GCG%20Diary/TEW%20Graphics/icon_vs.gif[/IMG] [IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/gbasalmon/GCG%20Diary/NathanColeman.jpg[/IMG][IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/gbasalmon/GCG%20Diary/StuartFerdinand.jpg[/IMG][/CENTER] [B][SIZE="4"]World Heavyweight Tag Team Tournament Match Ikina & Tayama vs. Coleman & Ferdinand[/SIZE][/B] The first match in the World Heavyweight Tag Tournament was this meeting between two teams who are far from strangers. This match was much tighter than their other matches, and all four showed good energy throughout. In the end, Ikina & Tayama ended up victorious, and registered one win in the round-robin portion of the tournament. [B]Winner: Ikina & Tayama in 13:58 when Tayama used the Super Ikina Driver on Ferdinand.[/B] [IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/gbasalmon/GCG%20Diary/TEW%20Graphics/grade_dplus.jpg[/IMG] After the match, all four of the visitors outside the ring jumped in and beat down Nathan Coleman. The crowd did not like this at all, and this mini-storyline looks to be dead in the water as we speak, if we don't tweak it slightly. [IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/gbasalmon/GCG%20Diary/TEW%20Graphics/grade_fplus.jpg[/IMG] [CENTER][IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/gbasalmon/GCG%20Diary/HiroyasuGakusha.jpg[/IMG][IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/gbasalmon/GCG%20Diary/KiminobuKuroki.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/gbasalmon/GCG%20Diary/TEW%20Graphics/icon_vs.gif[/IMG] [IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/gbasalmon/GCG%20Diary/BarryGriffin.jpg[/IMG][IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/gbasalmon/GCG%20Diary/HenryBennett.jpg[/IMG][/CENTER] [B][SIZE="4"]Gakusha & Kuroki vs. Griffin & Bennett[/SIZE][/B] This match was not a part of the tournament, but instead showcased two of the top stars in GCG. Gakusha and Kuroki brutalized Griffin & Bennett the whole match, tossing them around with a variety of suplexes and slams that very nearly incapacitated the two and definitely tired them out. Gakusha, of course, took the win with his Gakusha Golden Bomb and looked like a million bucks. [B]Winner: Gakusha & Kuroki in 15:48.[/B] [IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/gbasalmon/GCG%20Diary/TEW%20Graphics/grade_cminus.jpg[/IMG] [CENTER][IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/gbasalmon/GCG%20Diary/JungleJack.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/gbasalmon/GCG%20Diary/TEW%20Graphics/icon_vs.gif[/IMG] [IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/gbasalmon/GCG%20Diary/JimmyCox.jpg[/IMG][/CENTER] [B][SIZE="4"]Jack Marlowe vs. Jimmy Cox[/SIZE][/B] These two gentlemen continued the underwhelming tone of this show, as they put in a solid but unspectacular match. Marlowe is on his way out the door, so you can guess who took the win in this match. Marlowe may be rounding down his interest in GCG, as he did seem uninspired this match. Cox took the win with his patented Immortal Driver. [B]Winner: Cox in 12:08.[/B] [IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/gbasalmon/GCG%20Diary/TEW%20Graphics/grade_cplus.jpg[/IMG] Next, we had Hanshiro Furusawa hyping up our main event - Toshiharu Hyobanshi vs. Rhino Umaga, who coincidentally is now the Burning Openweight Champion, having beaten Nissho Yuasa a week ago. [IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/gbasalmon/GCG%20Diary/TEW%20Graphics/grade_cminus.jpg[/IMG] [CENTER][IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/gbasalmon/GCG%20Diary/ToshiharuHyobanshi.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/gbasalmon/GCG%20Diary/TEW%20Graphics/icon_vs.gif[/IMG] [IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/gbasalmon/GCG%20Diary/RhinoUmaga.jpg[/IMG][/CENTER] [B][SIZE="4"]Toshiharu Hyobanshi vs. Rhino Umaga[/SIZE][/B] This match was great, especially seeing as though there wasn't much hype coming in. Hyobanshi and Umaga have pretty good chemistry, as they're more than capable of battering each other convincingly for as long as need be. Hyobanshi did gain the upper hand after a missed Rhino Charge, and he focused on Rhino's shoulder for the rest of the match. After being worn down, Rhino was easy pickings for a Nova Bomb Redux for the win. [B]Winner: Hyobanshi in 15:55.[/B] [IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/gbasalmon/GCG%20Diary/TEW%20Graphics/grade_b.jpg[/IMG] [B][CENTER][SIZE="5"]Final Rating: [IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/gbasalmon/GCG%20Diary/TEW%20Graphics/grade_bminus.jpg[/IMG][/SIZE][/CENTER][/B] [B][U]Final Thoughts[/U][/B] Don't run angles. Don't run angles. Don't run angles. Did I say don't run angles? If they weren't on this show, it might have had a chance. Periodically killing your own crowd is not a good idea at all. Even so, Friday promised to be a good show, as we'll have Dark Angel and Pistol Pete back, and both will be in action.

[gbasalmon]

[B][U]World Heavyweight Tag Team Tournament Standings[/U][/B] Shotaro Ikina & Yasuhide Tayama - 2 points Nathan Coleman & Stuart Ferdinand - 0 points American Elemental & Eagle Kawasawa - 0 points Dark Angel & Naonobu Murkami - 0 points This coming Friday, two more tournament matches will take place when Coleman & Ferdinand look to put a win up on the board against American Elemental & Eagle Kawasawa, and when Ikina & Tayama look to continue their momentum against the veteran tag team of Dark Angel & Naonobu Murkami. The complete listing of announced matches is then as follows: [LIST] [*]World Heavyweight Tag Team Tournament Match: Bold Guard (Coleman & Ferdinand) vs. American Elemental & Eagle Kawasawa [*]World Heavyweight Tag Team Tournament Match: Ikina & Tayama vs. Bold Guard (Dark Angel & Naonobu Murkami) [*]Cameron Vessey vs. Shingen Miyazaki [*]World Heavyweight Title Match: Toshiharu Hyobanshi (c) vs. Jimmy Cox [/LIST] The last show also saw the birth of two factions in GCG. The faction of Julian Watson, Eagle Kawasawa, Namboku Makuda, and Cameron Vessey will be known as the [U][B]Lions' Den[/B][/U], and Dark Angel, Naonobu Murkami, Nathan Coleman, and Stuart Ferdinand form the [U][B]Bold Guard[/B][/U]. Each faction also has one more member, who will fight each other this coming Friday. When these two additional members are revealed, their entrance videos will be made available on [COLOR="Blue"]GCG.co.jp[/COLOR]...

[gbasalmon]

Due to financial constraints, the World Heavyweight Tag Team Tournament has been shortened to one round. Therefore, every team will face the others only once instead of twice.

[gbasalmon]

Alright guys, due to all the new info available in the latest patch and also my running GCG into the ground, I'm closing up this diary. I do plan on starting up another GCG diary in the future, but for now, you can take a looksee at my 4C diary ([url]http://www.greydogsoftware.com/forum/showthread.php?t=21458000)[/url]. There's one card up and there should be another one up in the next few days. I greatly appreciate all of the positive feedback that I've gotten on this diary, and I'll use it to make my future attempts better! Again, thanks!