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  • [Results] New Japan, 7/19/06 by Stuart - 19 Jul 2006
    --> "CIRCUIT 2006 TURBULENCE" <--
    The tour ended on a quiet note today in Odate, with the juniors bringing down the curtain on a series that has truly lived up to its name. Minoru vs. Kanemoto was the main focus in today's 5 vs. 5 junior main event, fought over three falls. It was originally 6 vs. 6, but due to Wataru's injury (seemingly his eye and not his head) in Sapporo, he was removed, and thus so was Hirooki Goto. CTU's exquisite teamwork was too much for the regular army today, as they won 2-1. Gedo grabbed the first fall, dropping his Superfly splash on Devitt, before Taguchi struck back by downing Black Tiger with the Dodon. The third fall became very dramatic when Kanemoto and Minoru got in there to finish it. Minoru would hit the Minoru Special, forcing Koji to tap out, and meaning they have directly beaten each other twice each on this series. Usually, the Super Jr. champion challenges the IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Champion on the July Hokkaido big show, but they are doing the slow burn with Kanemoto vs. Minoru. Minoru challenged Kanemoto for a title shot afterwards, but first of all they will meet at the CTU show, when Minoru & Mochi battle Kanemoto & Wataru (if the latter can make it). IWGP Heavyweight Champion, Hiroshi Tanahashi, received huge cheers during his introduction today. He carried the belt and appeared dignified for his match, where he and Nagata faced Tenzan & Tomko. It was Tana's first match as champion and the regular formula changed, as instead of the heels beating him up, it was Nagata taking the brunt of their punishment, while the champion waited for the tag. The two isolated Tomko at the end, Tanahashi hitting the Sling Blade and Nagata following up with a backdrop hold for another win over Tomko. Tomko's first tour is over and he is sure to have learnt a lot, now the question is whether he'll be back. After the match Tanahashi said half of him was about joy and half about a sense of responsibility. Tanahashi promised to enjoy WRESTLE LAND, then win the G1 Climax without any losses. Yano and Ishii were separated for the first time in what seems like an age today, having singles matches. Despite numerous pins over his big senior Iizuka in tags, Yano couldn't quite defeat him in singles today, showing that the two formats can be very different. Ishii, on the other hand, defeated his Riki Pro rival of old, Uwano, pinning him after a brainbuster.

    Demoted from main event to opening match due to Wataru's injury, Hirooki Goto was back with the young lions today, teaming with Naito against Yujiro & Hirasawa. Goto has been noticeably slumping of late, particularly in the Super Jr., where he managed just two wins and was unconvincing. It hasn't gotten much better on this tour, but it reached alarming levels when he was pinned before Naito today, as Yujiro finished with a diving headbutt for the first time. Having been exceeded by his younger generation, Goto finally drew the line and announced he will go to Mexico on August 1st for a learning excursion (length unknown). He will start up in CMLL shortly, where he will look to become stronger like his generation rival Taguchi, and his de facto farewell match will be at the CTU Korakuen show on the 30th. The 2005 Young Lion Cup winner promised to become a better wrestler, then return. Speaking of Goto, he snapped at Lesnar in his blog the other day, because Lesnar's cancellation meant the card had to be changed and Goto couldn't wrestle. This is unusual of Goto, who is usually very quiet and mild-mannered.

    NJPW, 7/19/06
    Odate Citizen Gymnasium
    1,260 Fans
    - No Vacancy

    1. Yujiro & Mitsuhide Hirasawa beat Hirooki Goto & Tetsuya Naito (8:07) when Yujiro used a diving headbutt on Goto.
    2. Tomohiro Ishii beat Takashi Uwano (9:12) with a brainbuster.
    3. Takashi Iizuka beat Toru Yano (10:34) with a sleeper hold.
    4. Riki Choshu, Manabu Nakanishi & Naofumi Yamamoto beat Giant Bernard, Black Strong Machine & Togi Makabe (11:12) when Nakanishi used the Hercules Cutter on Machine.
    5. Hiroshi Tanahashi & Yuji Nagata beat Hiroyoshi Tenzan & Travis Tomko (12:17) when Nagata used a backdrop hold on Tomko.
    6. 2/3 Falls: Minoru, Jushin Thunder Liger, Jado, Gedo & Black Tiger beat Koji Kanemoto, Tiger Mask, Negro Casas, Ryusuke Taguchi & Prince Devitt (20:38). Gedo used a Superfly splash on Devitt (7:55). Taguchi used the Dodon on Black Tiger (12:05). Minoru used the Minoru Special on Kanemoto (20:38).


    Tanahashi interview, Naigai Times information, Lesnar's stubbornness by Stuart - 18 Jul 2006

    A new day has broken and there is a new IWGP Heavyweight Champion. But unlike usual, Tanahashi wasn't interviewed at New Japan offices, but rather on the ferry, as New Japan moves to its last stop (Odate) on a tour that really has lived up to its "TURBULENCE" title. Tanahashi said his body is aching after yesterday's brutal tournament. But he is happy and feels he has grown up as a person and pro wrestler a lot in the past month, thanks to wrestlers, fans, and even the media. When he was told "Do your best as a true champion" by the New Japan interviewer, Tanahashi said, "The keyword is true champion. Lesnar and Fujita are two examples of champions who were missing from tours in recent years. The title is our organization's symbol and the champion is our organization's face. I want to appear on each provincial tour with the title and remind fans of what a champion is supposed to be, and fasten main events as a true champion. Also more than ever, I want to take care of my physical condition so that I can achieve my duty as a champion." Tanahashi was asked about the near future. He is prioritizing the G1, naturally, but also isn't neglecting WRESTLE LAND. He is excited at the prospect of facing a talent like Milano Collection AT in WRESTLE LAND, not to mention the mysterious Makai Masked Devilock, and wants to continue leading that brand, as it gives him experiences he couldn't get in the main ring. Tanahashi plans to do his best so that every fan who watches a New Japan show wants to come back next time, and hopes he achieved that first of all in Sapporo yesterday. By the way, the Daruma doll has its missing eye back, because New Japan's wish of recapturing its title came true, albeit not quite as expected.

    Naigai Times brings the hard gossip as usual, today suggesting that President Simon faces banishment if he doesn't have the right answers when he returns home. Vice-president Sugehayashi received a call from Simon to tell him Lesnar wouldn't be appearing, but they haven't heard from Simon since then. There will be intense talks when he returns, and steps towards possible legal action against Lesnar will be taken. There has been a storm of criticism from inside and outside of New Japan towards Simon's clumsiness in this whole situation. By kind of blaming New Japan for the "visa problem" (smile), Simon's father-in-law, Antonio Inoki, is also blaming him, as everyone knows that Simon is in charge of dealing with Lesnar. Members of management suggested to Naigai Times that Simon could lose all of his support and be isolated, and that alarm bells are ringing concerning his future as president. The damage done from Lesnar's betrayal and subsequently Simon's clumsiness is very serious, and he is really the only one who can take the blame at this point, for pushing the Lesnar ace route when there were many inside who opposed it and called for an early end when Lesnar failed to win the hearts of New Japan fans. There is also the controversial "INOKI GENOME" show set for 9/1, which many think Simon is prioritizing over New Japan, and the realistic possibility that if the Inokis force this show, TV Asahi could shut down World Pro Wrestling, its third longest running show and New Japan's only national outlet. Simon's future may depend on whether he has the right answers upon returning to Japan and whether he has his priorities straight.

    Yuji Nagata spoke out about the Lesnar situation in his weekly column for Naigai Times. Nagata said recent New Japan has had far too many scandals (although they are not exclusively recent, as New Japan's history is full of them). He talked about the last minute cancellations of Sapp, Fujita, Shibata, and now Lesnar, and said that it was both the clumsiness of New Japan's negotiators and problems with the outside parties. Nagata said the New Japan roster has become unified again recently, probably because Choshu is there to lead tours, and that not only have shows improved, but fans have started returning. However, he said the betrayal of not having Lesnar in Sapporo as advertised may be a step back. He and the other wrestlers did their best though to overcome that problem, and most fans left the Tsukisamu Green Dome feeling as if they got their money's worth. Although he lost to Tanahashi after defeating Tomko, Nagata was most happy about being able to show the fans a hot match. Finally, Nagata sent a message to Lesnar, saying he may have first-class skill, but he has no consideration whatsoever for the fans.

    According to Tokyo Sports, Lesnar not only refuses to give the third generation IWGP Heavyweight Title belt back, but he may be set to defend it without authorization for New Korea Pro-Wrestling, after receiving an offer from the group. You wouldn't believe it, but rumours are already flowing of Nakamura vs. Lesnar for "Lesnar's version of the title" at "INOKI GENOME" on 9/1.


    G1 combinations announced by Stuart - 17 Jul 2006
    Block combinations have been determined for this year's G1 and announced. There will be only half as many G1 matches per show as recent years, which some may consider a good thing and some a bad thing (New Japan felt eight matches tired out fans and lessened the impact of each match individually). This is very much going to be a "hard fight through contents", as the star power is significantly down on recent years, not only on the outsider side but on the New Japan side with Chono and Nakamura absent. Each show typically has two big matches and two smaller matches. Because the G1 was cut down from twelve to ten men, each wrestler will also get a day off. Its said that special matches will be constructed on each show, with Akebono (if he's healthy after K-1) and the juniors likely to have some interesting matches, and certain other names (including Takayama) having come up as candidates recently. The biggest test for Kojima back before New Japan fans is likely to be on the final two days of group stage matches, when he faces Tanahashi in Nagoya, then Nakanishi at Sumo Hall. The TV schedule is still not finalized, but I'd guess those current without any tapings listed may run on Samurai! TV.

    NJPW, 8/6/06 (SXW LIVE)
    Niigata City Gymnasium


    1. G1 Climax - Block B: Hiroyoshi Tenzan vs. Koji Kanemoto
    2. G1 Climax - Block B: Yuji Nagata vs. Naofumi Yamamoto
    3. G1 Climax - Block A: Jushin Thunder Liger vs. Satoshi Kojima All Japan
    4. G1 Climax - Block A: Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Manabu Nakanishi

    NJPW, 8/8/06
    Yokohama Bunka Gymnasium


    1. G1 Climax - Block B: Naofumi Yamamoto vs. Togi Makabe
    2. G1 Climax - Block A: Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Jushin Thunder Liger
    3. G1 Climax - Block A: Giant Bernard vs. Satoshi Kojima All Japan
    4. G1 Climax - Block B: Yuji Nagata vs. Hiroyoshi Tenzan

    NJPW, 8/9/06
    Grand Cube Osaka


    1. G1 Climax - Block B: Koji Kanemoto vs. Naofumi Yamamoto
    2. G1 Climax - Block B: Yuji Nagata vs. Togi Makabe
    3. G1 Climax - Block A: Manabu Nakanishi vs. Jushin Thunder Liger
    4. G1 Climax - Block A: Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Giant Bernard

    NJPW, 8/10/06
    Aichi Prefectural Gymnasium


    1. G1 Climax - Block B: Togi Makabe vs. Koji Kanemoto
    2. G1 Climax - Block B: Hiroyoshi Tenzan vs. Naofumi Yamamoto
    3. G1 Climax - Block A: Manabu Nakanishi vs. Giant Bernard
    4. G1 Climax - Block A: Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Satoshi Kojima All Japan

    NJPW, 8/12/06 (SXW LIVE)
    Tokyo Ryogoku Kokugikan


    1. G1 Climax - Block B: Hiroyoshi Tenzan vs. Togi Makabe
    2. G1 Climax - Block A: Giant Bernard vs. Jushin Thunder Liger
    3. G1 Climax - Block B: Yuji Nagata vs. Koji Kanemoto
    4. G1 Climax - Block A: Manabu Nakanishi vs. Satoshi Kojima All Japan

    NJPW, 8/13/06 (PPV)
    Tokyo Ryogoku Kokugikan


    1. G1 Climax - Semi Final: Block A 1st place vs. Block B 2nd place
    2. G1 Climax - Semi Final: Block B 1st place vs. Block A 2nd place


    [Results] New Japan, 7/17/06 by Stuart - 17 Jul 2006

    --> "CIRCUIT 2006 TURBULENCE" <--
    29-year-old Hiroshi Tanahashi today became New Japan's bright light after a dark couple of days. Tanahashi outlasted five bigger and older superstars today in the IWGP Heavyweight Title Tournament to finally live out his dream of becoming the IWGP Heavyweight Champion. It was a tournament that occupied much of today's four hour show at the Tsukisamu Green Dome, which, in another bright point, was about 70% full, much better than expected after refunds were offered following Lesnar's disappearing act (and 3,955 was New Japan's highest number there since July, 2004). Round one started out with what you could argue was the biggest match of the entire tournament, Tenzan vs. Akebono. Tenzan's condition has been improving a little lately, and today he used a Superfly splash, taught to him by one of his coaches (Gedo), but had trouble handling Akebono's weight. A crushing loss for Tenzan right before the G1 saw him flattened by Akebono's body press, and the "King of Tournaments" exited in round one. He will look to continue his harder training of late and aim towards a better G1 campaign. Nagata fought off Travis Tomko, winning quite convincingly in the end. Nagata avoided Tomko's Swanton bomb, and won with a backdrop hold. The semis started with Bernard vs. Akebono, and not known for his stamina, Akebono couldn't last long with Bernard, who rather than try and take the former Yokozuna off his feet, eventually just cradled him for the win. The other semi was called a very good match between Nagata and Tanahashi, their third of the year. They were 1-1 going into this, and at a disadvantage, Nagata fought really well and controlled large portions of the match. In the end though, Tanahashi's freshness allowed him to advance, as he used the ground Cobra Twist (countering a knee kick), made famous of course by certain New Japan legends, to pin Nagata. So there was no heroic final march for any of the four round one participants, the two semis finalists with free passes advancing safely.

    The main event was then Tanahashi vs. Bernard, a rematch of their very heated Korakuen war last month. Tsukisamu Green Dome is known for being a tough crowd to please, but they were into much of today's show, and this one more than anything. There were huge "Tanahashi" calls, but also some "Bernard" chants from the crowd. Like last time, the gaijin overpowered the native, but at the same time had to be wary of his trickery. Bernard used an F5 (Verdict) during the match, but it had less effect than expected, I guess sending multiple messages, and Tanahashi also survived several of Bernard's other big moves, such as the Baldo bomb and corner splash. Bernard had help from the outside, Tomko interfering more than once. He was later banished by referee Tiger Hattori, ending a string of boos. Hattori also hit the ground briefly, after Tanahashi had countered the Bernard Driver with his Sling Blade, and no one was present to count when he covered. Tomko returned with a chair, but Tanahashi caught Bernard with a flying forearm, sending the chair into his face and causing bloodshed. Tanahashi then used his new Sling Blade off the top rope, followed by a regular Sling Blade, and covered for three perfect counts and one big gold belt! Tanahashi was in fact given the second generation title (Hashimoto's), because the other one is in America, and its former holder, Brock Lesnar, told Tokyo Sports (through someone else) that he isn't giving it back, because he is the true champion. Many fans rushed to ringside after the match, and the heat was said to have been absolutely incredible (hopefully comes off as well on TV). Tanahashi was interviewed in the ring, and said he'd done his best without giving up, and that the belt is heavier than he expected. Regarding Lesnar's last minute cancellation, Tanahashi again said he is sorry, in response to which many fans shouted "It isn't your fault!". Tanahashi smiled, and said from now on the kindness of fans will be repaid through is matches. He was asked to say something to the fans to end his interview, and Tanahashi replied, "I love you! And I love New Japan Pro-Wrestling!". He wants to make today the dawn of New Japan. Tanahashi will now greet the G1 Climax as the champion, a far cry from last August when he couldn't even beat Yano and lost to most of his seniors. The "future" that we talked about a few years ago may have arrived, and the other young generation ace should be making a move towards returning home soon...

    A tag team revolution is starting and the reason is Real Wild Child (or HOOOOOO FEAR! as they are nicknamed by the Japanese internet scene). Nakanishi & Omori today added another set of tag belts to their NWA Intercontinental Tag Team Title (which wasn't on the line today, even though Tokyo Sports said it would be the other day), defeating the IWGP Provisional Tag Team Champions, Koshinaka & Makabe. The champions, who have been causing all sorts of problems on the current tour, used rulebreaking tactics, but despite that, Koshinaka was as popular as ever. RWC used some good teamwork, but so did Koshinaka & Makabe, at one point isolating Nakanishi at ringside with a union piledriver, leaving Omori in a terrible position. Makabe nearly had Omori, firing three running lariats at him, but Nakanishi was back by then, and the two hit the Washington Jouyaku (McEnroe/Axe Bomber combination) that won them the NWA belts, and while Omori blew away his former friend Koshinaka with an Axe Bomber, Nakanishi dropped Makabe with the Hercules Cutter for the three count and belts! After a title drought of around six years, Nakanishi is suddenly a double champion. Even though they are not the "real" tag champions, they now hold the old belts, while ChoTen have the new ones. Speaking of ChoTen, Chono was doing commentary for the match (more on him below), and he entered the ring post-match to congratulate the new champions. After feigning a handshake, he KO'd both of them and advertised himself as the "true champion". A collision between ChoTen and Real Wild Child is surely on the horizon now, once Chono returns from injury! Wataru Inoue's attempt to repeat his Super Jr. win over Tiger Mask failed today when he challenged for the NWA Jr. Heavyweight Title. This was said to be a fairly ordinary match, not one of the highlights today. The finish was very nasty and concerning, as Tiger dropped Inoue with a brutal avalanche-style backdrop, then finished him off with a Tiger suplex hold. Wataru, who missed much of last year with two separate concussions, wasn't very responsive after the match and had to be stretchered to the back. Once again, the veteran juniors win when it matters most, despite good efforts from the young generation. Tiger Mask is now returning his focus to Liger, who you may remember accepted Tiger's invitation to challenge for this title after their Super Jr. semi final. Tiger wants to receive Liger's challenge for his V3 defense.

    Yano & Ishii's sublime teamwork led them to a big win today, over Choshu & Yamamoto. Choshu declined to put himself in the tournament, so replaced Iizuka in this match, and at times treated Yano and his pupil Ishii like children, showing that he still has some of his old strength. Yamamoto's lack of stamina was conspicuous today, something he may want to sort out before the G1, and Yano, who isn't in the G1 despite having pinned Yamamoto regularly in recent months, pinned the young lion with his Oni Koroshi. Today's fourth match was said by some to be the best on the show, although others leaned towards Tanahashi vs. Bernard and Tanahashi vs. Nagata. This was a junior match that did deliver between the Japan/Ireland/Mexico junior connection and CTU, the finish of an exciting bout seeing Kanemoto (who, according to his blog, has remodeled his physique back to how it was during his Team 2000 days) pin Minoru again! Their inevitable title match is surely not too far off, but having originally been expected to take place today, the question is when? Today's opening match was also have said to be very good, much more than most expected from an opener. Team Hokkaido - Uwano, Ishikari & Hirasawa - overcame Iizuka (also from Hokkaido), Yujiro & Naito in a match where the young men showed lots of fire, while Iizuka just kind of stood back. Taichi Ishikari in his first match on the main New Japan brand, made a good impression, but it was Hirasawa who picked up the win, submitting Naito.

    Antonio Inoki appeared after intermission, hitting the ring for a scheduled interview. There were many cheers and although some tried to boo him, they had no chance. Inoki, who incredibly tried to subtly blame New Japan for the Lesnar incident in today's Tokyo Sports, completely avoided the issue, and talked about how often he flies from New York to Japan. Inoki then announced that all ¥380,000 (US$3,265) seats for his scheduled "INOKI GENOME" show on 9/1 have been sold out (even though tickets are not on sale to the public yet, it seems his acquaintances bought them). Inoki left with a patented "1-2-3-DAA!". Before the tag title match, Chono hit the ring for his long awaited showdown with Simon Inoki. Chono updated the fans on his condition, then went on another anti-Simon tirade, asking where "Simon Kelly" was. It appears that President Inoki is still in America though, busy organizing "INOKI GENOME 2006" while his company has a major show. Chono blamed Simon for certain problems, although didn't go into detail, then left for the commentary booth with an "I AM CHONO!".

    * How do you like the new banner on my site? This is the first new one in a few years, and I have LilCube to thank for it (he's also designed a couple of new banners for the forums).

    NJPW, 7/17/06 (WPW/NJ+IWTV Internet)
    Tsukisamu Green Dome
    3,955 Fans


    1. Takashi Uwano, Taichi Ishikari & Mitsuhide Hirasawa beat Takashi Iizuka, Yujiro & Tetsuya Naito (11:37) when Hirasawa used a chickenwing armlock on Naito.
    2. IWGP Heavyweight Title Tournament - Round 1: Akebono beat Hiroyoshi Tenzan (6:55) with a running body press.
    3. IWGP Heavyweight Title Tournament - Round 1: Yuji Nagata beat Travis Tomko (7:48) with a backdrop hold.
    4. Koji Kanemoto, Negro Casas, Ryusuke Taguchi & Prince Devitt beat Minoru, Jushin Thunder Liger, Jado & Gedo (10:35) when Kanemoto used a Tiger suplex hold on Minoru.
    5. Toru Yano & Tomohiro Ishii beat Riki Choshu & Naofumi Yamamoto (10:38) when Yano used the Oni Koroshi on Yamamoto.
    6. IWGP Heavyweight Title Tournament - Semi Final: Giant Bernard beat Akebono (4:45) with a horizontal cradle.
    7. IWGP Heavyweight Title Tournament - Semi Final: Hiroshi Tanahashi beat Yuji Nagata (13:46) with a ground Cobra Twist.
    8. NWA Jr. Heavyweight Title: Tiger Mask (c) beat Wataru Inoue (12:13) with a Tiger suplex hold (2nd defense).
    9. IWGP Provisional Tag Team Title: Manabu Nakanishi & Takao Omori ZERO1-MAX beat Shiro Koshinaka & Togi Makabe (c) (15:17) when Nakanishi used the Hercules Cutter on Makabe to become the new champions.
    10. IWGP Heavyweight Title: Hiroshi Tanahashi beat Giant Bernard (17:44) with the Sling Blade to become the 45th champion.

    -

    The tour climax has seen several changes. What was a junior eight man tag is now a junior twelve man tag (and 2/3 falls), and the recent tradition of giving juniors main events on smaller shows (excluding the last tour, where they main evented all shows, big or small) continues, as they will bring down the curtain on this tour. Not sure if Wataru's status is in doubt after he was stretchered out today. The new champion will team with Nagata against Tenzan & Tomko in a pretty big tag match, while Yano and Ishii are separated for a change (this almost feels like when Jado and Gedo have singles matches), Ishii facing his Riki Pro rival Uwano and Yano battling Iizuka.

    NJPW, 7/19/06
    Odate Citizen Gymnasium


    1. Yujiro vs. Mitsuhide Hirasawa
    2. Takashi Uwano vs. Tomohiro Ishii
    3. Takashi Iizuka vs. Toru Yano
    4. Riki Choshu, Manabu Nakanishi & Naofumi Yamamoto vs. Giant Bernard, Black Strong Machine & Togi Makabe
    5. Hiroshi Tanahashi & Yuji Nagata vs. Hiroyoshi Tenzan & Travis Tomko
    6. 2/3 Falls: Koji Kanemoto, Tiger Mask, Negro Casas, Wataru Inoue, Ryusuke Taguchi & Prince Devitt vs. Minoru, Jushin Thunder Liger Jado, Gedo, Black Tiger & Hirooki Goto


    [Results] New Japan, 7/16/06, 7/17 revised card by Stuart - 16 Jul 2006
    --> "CIRCUIT 2006 TURBULENCE" <--
    The show must go on, and there was some bright news today after yesterday's fiasco, with a packed house today in Asahikawa on day three of the Hokkaido leg. The main event continued the conflict between Koshinaka & Makabe and Choshu('s boys), the two teaming with Tenzan against the all-star team of Choshu, Nagata & Akebono... and winning! Times have changed, and while he can still be formidable, Choshu is no longer the near unbeatable leader of New Japan he once was, and today fell to Koshinaka's jumping hip attack after some good teamwork from the heels. So not only has he been pinned by Koshinaka this tour, but also Makabe earlier on it, meaning Yano & Ishii have revenge to get at LOCK UP. Bernard & Tomko, two entrants in tomorrow's tournament, defeated New Japan's young generation team of Tanahashi & Yamamoto, Bernard finishing off Yamamoto. Yano & Ishii were beaten today and are faltering a little, with two losses on the past three shows now. They were defeated by Nakanishi & Iizuka, with Nakanishi pinning Yano. Taguchi is undergoing the typical "young junior after losing title" syndrome now, and was beaten quite routinely by Tiger Mask today, one day before Tiger battles Wataru. Negro Casas picked up his first direct win since returning to New Japan, pinning rookie Naito in the third match, which was a big chance for Naito, who is getting some early opportunities in the junior division (perhaps he will get the Anzawa spot sooner rather than later). Today's second match was strangely placed, as it could probably pass for a main event in a building of this size. IWGP Jr. Tag Team Champions, Jado & Gedo, were beaten by CTU leaders, Minoru & Liger, when Liger pinned Gedo. Jado & Gedo have a history of beating all-star teams in tags, when they have trouble doing likewise in singles, but not today.

    Many comments were made today regarding tomorrow's tournament. Choshu isn't sure of the details, but knows this is a very serious affair for New Japan. He sympathizes with the wrestlers, but wants them to overcome the problems with their talent and effort. Choshu said tomorrow's tournament will be a big trial for Tanahashi in particular. Tanahashi again apologized for what has happened, but said he will continue running without stopping. Tanahashi talked about facing foreigners tomorrow, almost guaranteeing he will take on at least one of Bernard, Tomko, or Akebono. Tanahashi dived in the freezing Lake Kussharo at 3am last night, and said he looked up at the beautiful starlit sky, and succeeded in washing away his disappointment. He will press forward and do his best for New Japan. Nagata said the first victim of this mess are the fans, and he promised to show the highest quality wrestling tomorrow to try and make up for what has happened. Nagata said that although Lesnar may be a first-class wrestler, he has no heart, and while Mr. Saikyo may not be an "global superstar", he will show the heart of a pro wrestler tomorrow. Tenzan said this tournament is a great chance for him to regain the belt before the G1, and he wants to destroy Akebono. Akebono is also looking forward to the challenge, saying he's always up for any match. Bernard wants to face Tanahashi in tomorrow's final, and promised he or Tomko will win. Tomko said even if he loses, Bernard will win.

    NJPW, 7/16/06
    Asahikawa Local Industry Promotion Center
    1,477 Fans
    - Super No Vacancy Full House

    1. Yujiro & Prince Devitt beat Takashi Uwano & Mitsuhide Hirasawa (11:59) when Devitt used a cross armbreaker on Hirasawa.
    2. Minoru & Jushin Thunder Liger beat Jado & Gedo (13:01) when Liger used the CTB on Gedo.
    3. Koji Kanemoto, Negro Casas & Wataru Inoue beat Black Tiger, Hirooki Goto & Tetsuya Naito (13:10) when Casas used a la magistral on Naito.
    4. Tiger Mask beat Ryusuke Taguchi (7:47) with a rounding body press.
    5. Manabu Nakanishi & Takashi Iizuka beat Toru Yano & Tomohiro Ishii (13:09) when Nakanishi used the Hercules Cutter on Yano.
    6. Giant Bernard & Travis Tomko beat Hiroshi Tanahashi & Naofumi Yamamoto (12:09) when Bernard used the Bernard Driver on Yamamoto.
    7. Hiroyoshi Tenzan, Shiro Koshinaka & Togi Makabe beat Riki Choshu, Yuji Nagata & Akebono (9:48) when Koshinaka used a jumping hip attack on Choshu.

    -

    Tomorrow's full card has been announced after all the turmoil. On paper, it is a much better lineup than it was before, but the circumstances that brought it together are the problem. Round one has one huge match in Tenzan vs. Akebono, followed by Nagata vs. Tomko. The winners of those matches will be at a serious disadvantage though, because they then have to face Bernard (Tenzan or Akebono) and Tanahashi (Nagata or Tomko) soon after. Bernard and Tanahashi get passes to the semis, I assume, because one was the previous #1 contender and the other is the current #1 contender. Choshu has been moved to the fifth match, replacing Iizuka, who replaces Hirooki Goto in the opener.

    NJPW, 7/17/06 (WPW/NJ+IWTV Internet)
    Tsukisamu Green Dome


    1. Takashi Iizuka, Yujiro & Tetsuya Naito vs. Takashi Uwano, Taichi Ishikari & Mitsuhide Hirasawa
    2. IWGP Heavyweight Title Tournament - Round 1: Hiroyoshi Tenzan vs. Akebono
    3. IWGP Heavyweight Title Tournament - Round 1: Yuji Nagata vs. Travis Tomko
    4. Koji Kanemoto, Negro Casas, Ryusuke Taguchi & Prince Devitt vs. Minoru, Jushin Thunder Liger, Jado & Gedo
    5. Riki Choshu & Naofumi Yamamoto vs. Toru Yano & Tomohiro Ishii
    6. IWGP Heavyweight Title Tournament - Semi Final: Winner of Tenzan/Akebono vs. Giant Bernard
    7. IWGP Heavyweight Title Tournament - Semi Final: Winner of Nagata/Tomko vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi
    8. NWA Jr. Heavyweight Title: Tiger Mask (c) vs. Wataru Inoue
    9. IWGP Provisional Tag Team Title: Shiro Koshinaka & Togi Makabe (c) vs. Manabu Nakanishi & Takao Omori ZERO1-MAX
    10. IWGP Heavyweight Title: Winner of #6 vs. Winner of #7


    TanaKen meet up by Stuart - 16 Jul 2006

    Well, a more lighthearted story is needed I guess, and here is one. After a very long time apart, TanaKen got back together recently, Tanahashi and Kenzo, along with Hiroko, meeting up for a chat that was transcripted by Pia. Tanahashi said they hadn't seen each other since Kenzo's last trip to the dojo, where they had hugged and wished each other the best of luck. Of course, Kenzo would follow his teacher Choshu to World Japan, then after that head to WWE. Tanahashi said during their dojo days, he attended to Muto and Kenzo attended to Hashimoto, and in ways that was symbollic. After Kenzo left, they did lose contact and there was hesitation from both to reestablish it, but never any hostility. Kenzo thought Tanahashi might have been upset at him because the two were in line for an IWGP Tag Team Title shot (and probably would have won it, since TanaYoshie did in their place). Tanahashi loved their tag team, because it had good balance, with Kenzo the big aggressor and Tana the quick athlete. Hiroko asked about his team with Nakamura, and Tanahashi smiled, saying his position was similar to in TanaKen. Kenzo then said he feels upset that he wasn't able to protect New Japan, but still feels a responsibility as a New Japan trueborn. Tanahashi called Kenzo a true "major leaguer", having been bred in New Japan, then gone on to wrestle in WWE. Tana doesn't think he himself would ever get that chance, because he is only 5'11", and WWE tends to look for big men.

    Then Tanahashi came to the big questions, and asked Kenzo about the possibility of returning to New Japan. Kenzo said, "I don't even know anyone in the offices now!". Tana said that although the company has changed, the dojo practice and wrestling style hasn't changed at all. He said New Japan is currently in a transition stage, and that he means that in a good way. He feels the divide between "company" and "wrestlers" is gradually lessening, and that things are getting better. He talked about WRESTLE LAND and how its allowing him to expand his width as a pro wrestler, and that although "New Japan = Strong Style", New Japan wrestlers need an "overwhelming aura" to reach the top and be accepted, and thinks WL will help him produce that. Tanahashi then said, "Kenzo... TanaKen... can it happen again?". Kenzo said that because of the way he left New Japan, he can't return easily. But he refused to rule it out, saying he also wants to revitalize TanaKen in future. Tanahashi said, "So, Mexico for now?", and Kenzo nodded, saying its important that he keeps growing as a wrestler for now, and who knows what could happen after that. Then they talked about Tanahashi's challenge for Lesnar's title, which of course is out of the window now. Tanahashi did take a shot at Lesnar even then though, saying he has no respect for Japan or its wrestling. The two finished the interview, promising that when they are fully grown up, TanaKen will once again cause a wave in the pro wrestling scene.


    Here Comes the Pain - Goodbye Brock Lesnar by Stuart - 15 Jul 2006
    The worst possible scenario has happened, and Simon Inoki is hanging his head in shame today. Due to "problems with a working visa" (well, there's a new one), Brock Lesnar cannot attend Monday's Tsukisamu Green Dome show and New Japan has stripped him of the IWGP Heavyweight Title. For many, this was expected when he first won the belt, but when he kept returning and returning, doubts started to fade. Whether there is any truth to the "working visa" reason I don't know, but the fact is again an overpriced and undertalented primadonna has turned out to be nothing but a problem for New Japan. Simon Inoki posted a formal apology on the official site and gave refundment details (they don't usually do this, but they realize the severity of this incident), but there will be a tournament on Monday to determine a new champion right before the G1. On a personal note, and I try to stay positive (I will always support New Japan, but not everyone will), Simon Inoki should take all the blame for this and instantly be removed as New Japan president (or better yet, resign his post and take responsibility). Lesnar has been Simon's project when opposition in the company has called for him to get the belt off Brock for months now. There was a high chance that could have happened at the Green Dome, but we'll never know. After regaining so much trust this year, New Japan has again taken a step back and again has to restart from scratch in building fan trust. There may come a time, and it could be this one, that it is too late to do that. There is also the question of how this will effect wrestlers. The tournament on Monday has to be done as well as possible in this situation, and the G1 has to be done even better. The 9/1 Budokan show, an Inoki(s) brainstorm, should be axed immediately by Yuke's, and Naoki Sugehayashi or someone equally suitable has to replace Simon as president.

    And here is the news on the tournament that New Japan has been scrambling to put together all night. Six wrestlers will take part, so I'm not exactly sure how this will be laid out. As you can see, all they have done is cancelled the six man tag and put five of them in a tournament, with Tanahashi instead of Choshu (he might be moved into another match), so they have managed to avoid changing the card too much. There was a rumour that Nakamura's stay in Japan was insurance in case Lesnar bailed out, but this proves that to be false. However, it is time to start thinking about bringing Nakamura home very soon...

    - Hiroshi Tanahashi
    - Hiroyoshi Tenzan
    - Yuji Nagata
    - Giant Bernard
    - Akebono
    - Travis Tomko


    [Results] New Japan, 7/15/06 by Stuart - 15 Jul 2006
    --> "CIRCUIT 2006 TURBULENCE" <--
    Today's show is likely to become the most overshadowed and forgotten in New Japan history as a result of the Lesnar fiasco. Tanahashi was interviewed after the main event, and this sums it up. Tanahashi said all of his hard work on the tour to overthrow Lesnar had come to this. He said that he is most sorry to the fans though, who have been waving their lion mark flags at each show and supporting him. He doesn't know what to tell such people, and all he wants to do is bow to them in apology. He said that supposing there truly is a God of professional wrestling, his help is needed now. With the IWGP Provisional Tag Team Title match, one that probably won't be changed, on the horizon, Koshinaka & Makabe went on another heel rampage tonight, in the final preliminary skirmish before they face Nakanishi & Omori. They defeated Nakanishi & Iizuka and wrapped Makabe's chain around Nakanishi's neck to taunt him.

    NJPW, 7/15/06
    Tottori Dome
    1,400 Fans


    1. Yujiro beat Mitsuhide Hirasawa (7:25) with an avalanche hold.
    2. Wataru Inoue & Prince Devitt beat Black Tiger & Hirooki Goto (11:38) when Inoue used the Staggerin' Blow on Goto.
    3. Jado & Gedo beat Tiger Mask & Negro Casas (10:29) when Gedo used a Superfly splash on Casas.
    4. Toru Yano & Tomohiro Ishii beat Naofumi Yamamoto & Takashi Uwano (13:03) when Yano used the Uragasumi on Uwano.
    5. Minoru & Jushin Thunder Liger beat Koji Kanemoto & Ryusuke Taguchi (13:49) when Minoru used the Minoru Special on Taguchi.
    6. Shiro Koshinaka & Togi Makabe beat Manabu Nakanishi & Takashi Iizuka (7:50) when Koshinaka used a diving hip attack on Iizuka.
    7. Riki Choshu, Yuji Nagata, Hiroshi Tanahashi & Akebono beat Hiroyoshi Tenzan, Giant Bernard, Black Strong Machine & Travis Tomko (14:07) when Nagata used a Shining Wizard on Machine.


    Makabe the Death Match king? by Stuart - 15 Jul 2006
    Kintaro Kanemura is threatening to boycott the upcoming LOCK UP show unless New Japan gives in to one of his demands. Kanemura wants Makabe to head to Apache Army and meet him in a Death Match! Makabe is no stranger to bloodshed, but is a stranger to the Death Match environment. But Kanemura doesn't care, as he has a bone to pick with Makabe after Makabe recently seconded the anti-Apache Army group, masterminded by TAKA Michinoku, to the ring in a match.


    LOCK UP, 7/29/06
    Shin-Kiba 1st RING


    1. Takashi Uwano vs. Yujiro
    2. Mitsuhide Hirasawa vs. Tetsuya Naito
    3. Minoru & Hirooki Goto vs. GENTARO & Asian Cougar
    4. Jado & Gedo vs. BADBOY Hido & MIYAWAKI Kaientai Dojo
    5. Riki Choshu, Naofumi Yamamoto & Daisaku Shimoda vs. Kintaro Kanemura, Tetsuhiro Kuroda & Mammoth Sasaki
    6. Toru Yano & Tomohiro Ishii vs. Shiro Koshinaka & Togi Makabe


    [Results] New Japan, 7/14/06 by Stuart - 14 Jul 2006
    --> "CIRCUIT 2006 TURBULENCE" <--
    New Japan held the first of four shows in Hokkaido today, topped by a couple of trios matches. Akebono picked up a big win in the main event, which saw he, Nagata, and Tanahashi defeat the brute trio of Tenzan, Bernard & Tomko. Akebono crushed Tomko with the Bono Bomber, and returned to the tour in style. The anti-Choshu trio of Machine, Koshinaka & Makabe continue to frustrate Power Hall, again getting the better of him today. They defeated Choshu, Nakanishi & Uwano in the semi, Koshinaka powerbombing Uwano. Choshu's boys, Yano & Ishii, will took to take out Koshinaka & Makabe in the main event of the upcoming LOCK UP show. Before then, Koshinaka & Makabe have to face Nakanishi & Omori, and there was a brawl post-match today after Makabe badmouthed Nakanishi. Speaking of Real Wild Child, New Japan confirmed today that Nakanishi will be dispatched to ZERO1-MAX's 7/23 show in Aomori, where he and Omori will face a team yet to be determined. CTU collided in a trios match today, with all six regular members involved. Minoru, Liger & Hirooki Goto overcame Jado, Gedo & Black Tiger in a heated match full of CTU fun, the group's ace Minoru finishing off Black Tiger with his Minoru Special. Yano & Ishii suffered their first defeat since Korakuen on day two of the tour, falling to Iizuka & Yamamoto. Yano & Ishii would have been favoured, having beaten that combination twice recently, but Iizuka (from nearby Muroran-shi) was able to choke out Ishii for the win over a team who are quickly becoming "tag specialists", ala Jado & Gedo, by teaming every day. These teams meet again on Monday at the Tsukisamu Green Dome, so it could be quick revenge. King's Road youngster, Shota Takanishi, made his New Japan debut in the opening match. 19-year-old Takanishi is from Tomakomai-shi, so New Japan gave him a special gift by letting him appear, as he is again attending to Akebono. There was a lot of focus on Yujiro vs. Takanishi in this match, which after Fujita vs. Kawada ("titans") and Tanahashi vs. Miyamoto ("young generation stars"), was a young lion version of "Strong Style vs. King's Road". Takanishi, actually not the least experienced of the four (that would be Naito, who debuted four months after Takanishi), fought well in the match, but ran into the powerful Yujiro, who hit an avalanche hold, then applied a crab hold for the tap. Although its been said for a while now, after watching some more recent New Japan, Yujiro is definitely ready for a move up the card at any point, and these days is remniscent of a young Kensuke.

    New Japan finally returns to PPV on 8/13, when the final day of the 2006 G1 Climax airs live and unedited on SKY PerfecTV! PPV. This will be New Japan's first PPV show since 2/19 and is the substitute for what, in more prosperous days, would have been a great timeslot on TV Asahi (often live) to air the G1 final. Meanwhile, the other Sumo Hall show (8/12), will air live on J SPORTS ESPN as an SXW special, just like day one in Niigata.

    NJPW, 7/14/06
    Tomakomai City Gymnasium
    1,300 Fans


    1. Yujiro & Tetsuya Naito beat Mitsuhide Hirasawa & Shota Takanishi King's Road (12:07) when Yujiro used a crab hold on Takanishi.
    2. Negro Casas beat Prince Devitt (5:42) with a la magistral.
    3. Koji Kanemoto & Wataru Inoue beat Tiger Mask & Ryusuke Taguchi (11:31) when Inoue used the Triangle Lancer on Taguchi.
    4. Takashi Iizuka & Naofumi Yamamoto beat Toru Yano & Tomohiro Ishii (11:18) when Iizuka used a sleeper hold on Ishii.
    5. Minoru, Jushin Thunder Liger & Hirooki Goto beat Jado, Gedo & Black Tiger (14:26) when Minoru used the Minoru Special on Tiger.
    6. Black Strong Machine, Shiro Koshinaka & Togi Makabe beat Riki Choshu, Manabu Nakanishi & Takashi Uwano (12:18) when Koshinaka used a powerbomb on Uwano.
    7. Yuji Nagata, Hiroshi Tanahashi & Akebono beat Hiroyoshi Tenzan, Giant Bernard & Travis Tomko (15:02) when Akebono used the Bono Bomber on Tomko.

    -

    Masaaki Mochizuki has been officially named as Minoru's partner for what looks like a fittingly great anniversary show for the CTU faction. Both men have come a long way since finishing third in BattlARTS' 1998 Tag Battle, back when their tag team was called "B's". Mochi will be the first of the former Toryumon/Dragon Gate group to appear since the infamous incident in 2000, when Kanemoto worked rough with CIMA, leading to the working agreement ending early after CIMA complained to Ultimo Dragon. Minoru isn't ruling out continuing their team after 7/30 and even hinted at advancing on the Dragon Gate mat if his schedule allows it.

    NJPW/CTU "CTU 2ND ANNIVERSARY ~ CTU DOMINATE IN KORAKUEN", 7/30/06 (Samurai! TV)
    Tokyo Korakuen Hall


    1. CTU Ranger Red, CTU Ranger Blue, CTU Ranger Yellow, CTU Ranger Green & CTU Ranger Pink vs. MIYAWAKI Kaientai Dojo, Daigoro Kashiwa Kaientai Dojo, Teppei Ishizaka Kaientai Dojo, PSYCHO Kaientai Dojo & Apple Miyuki Kaientai Dojo
    2. TAKA Michinoku Kaientai Dojo, Black Tiger & Hirooki Goto vs. Tiger Mask, El Samurai & Ryusuke Taguchi
    3. Jado & Gedo vs. Kintaro Kanemura & Tetsuhiro Kuroda
    4. Kijin Liger vs. BADBOY Hido
    5. Minoru & Masaaki Mochizuki Dragon Gate vs. Koji Kanemoto & Wataru Inoue


    WRESTLE LAND full card, Tenzan vs. Zidane?, other notes by Stuart - 13 Jul 2006
    The full card for WRESTLE LAND's advance on Differ has been announced, with two matches added today. After their staredown at the last WL, Tanaka and Makai Heat will meet in a tag match, Heat teaming with Makai Ray Cobra #2 and Tanaka with a partner yet to be determined. Rumour has it that Tanaka is in talks with Minoru to tag up with him. The other match announced is chapter three of the Genjin vs. Naniwa series, where falls count anywhere. This, along with the Jado, Gedo & X vs. Yano's Drunken Posse combination, has been booked on all three WL shows and is becoming an established custom. Like last time, match order will be announced on the day, but its a safe bet the Tanahashi vs. Milano tag confrontation will headline.


    WRESTLE LAND, 7/23/06
    Tokyo Differ Ariake


    1. Anywhere Fall Match: Tsubo Genjin vs. Gran Naniwa
    2. Jado, Gedo & X vs. Toru Yano, Daigoro Kashiwa Kaientai Dojo & Teppei Ishizaka Kaientai Dojo
    3. Edo Samurai vs. Makai Masked Hurricane
    4. Super Strong Machine & Michiyoshi Ohara vs. Makai Club
    5. Tanaka & X vs. Makai Heat & Makai Ray Cobra #2
    6. Hiroshi Tanahashi & Pegasus Kid vs. Milano Collection AT & Makai Masked Devilock


    Hiroyoshi Tenzan went on a verbal rampage in today's Tokyo Sports. Tenzan is furious at French international footballer, Zinedine Zidane, for stealing his headbutt to the chest move in the recent World Cup Final. The incident, which you can see here, made headlines across the world, and it seems Tenzan isn't happy with it, as Zidane used one of his moves on the highest stage of sports. Tenzan claims to have it trademarked and screamed "Fucking Zidane!", then promised to kill Akebono with it on 7/17.

    Yuji Nagata is opening his own office soon, titled (what else) "NAGATA LOCK". First to come is some sort of health salon in metropolitan Tokyo, scheduled to open in August. His wife may be involved, and his sister Takako Nagata, who already runs a health salon and is a professional nail artist. This seems to be Mr. Saikyo's way of expanding his influence beyond wrestling, much like Chono has done with his successful ARISTTRIST franchise.

    Tanahashi arrived in Hokkaido today, where New Japan now is for all remaining shows on the tour, except for the last. Tanahashi practiced his headlocks and spoke again about the Lesnar match. He has been using Bernard as his main "Virtual Lesnar", but said Bernard is still a strange opponent for him, and isn't sure whether fighting Lesnar will be the same. Tanahashi's main intent is to win-win-win and get the title off a non-touring champion. Tanahashi wants Lesnar to arrive in Japan early to prepare, but isn't expecting it. He wants to use the "flying Sling Blade" he took out in Shizuoka to defeat Lesnar, because it will take an extra impactful move to keep Lesnar down, and a Sling Blade from the top rope might be enough.

    New Japan may soon (indirectly) be involved in a legal battle with Tatsumi Fujinami's new "Muga World Pro-Wrestling" group (whose debut show will be headlined by noted second match on the card from New Japan, Nishimura vs. Hiro). TV Asahi has expressed its concern that Fujinami is calling the group (Muga) World Pro Wrestling, the name of New Japan's national TV show. Although no threats have been made, TV Asahi wants answers from Fujinami, as WPW is the network's third longest running program. Fujinami said half-jokingly that he wanted to gather several things before New Japan collapses, which may only incite his former home.

    After Minoru used the Twister on a recent New Japan show to win, Masaaki Mochizuki yesterday used the Minoru Special on Dragon Gate's "WRESTLE JAM" event at Korakuen Hall. All we're awaiting now is confirmation on Mochi as Minoru's tag partner for the 7/30 CTU show. From what I've heard, Mochi appearing on the CTU show is part of a barter for Jado & Gedo working the WAR show, so it must be a personal deal or something, and Dragon Gate barely seems to be involved.


    [Results] New Japan, 7/12/06 by Stuart - 12 Jul 2006
    --> "CIRCUIT 2006 TURBULENCE" <--
    Another routine show today, the main story being Tanahashi gathering more steam with just five days to go until he challenges Lesnar. Tanahashi picked up the win in the main event, pinning Machine, and talked about how he's gaining results while Lesnar sits at home. Tanahashi said yesterday that a knee is bothering him, but looked in decent condition today. Travis Tomko picked up his first direct win since landing in New Japan, pinning Yamamoto in today's semi. Tomko has had to work hard for results, and today combined strikes, power fighting, and armbarring techniques, before pinning Yamamoto (the foreigners overpowering the natives today). The young generation junior team of Wataru & Taguchi, who face Kanemoto & Tiger Mask on the 16th, scored a big win over another "superstar" team today, Liger & Casas. Wataru, who is unbeaten this month, submitted Casas for the second time on this tour, and Tiger Mask has to be worried with their singles match days away.

    NJPW, 7/12/06
    Noheji Municipal Gymnasium
    1,000 Fans


    1. Yujiro beat Tetsuya Naito (6:39) with a crab hold.
    2. Black Tiger beat Hirooki Goto (7:59) with a reverse cradle.
    3. Toru Yano & Tomohiro Ishii beat Takashi Iizuka & Mitsuhide Hirasawa (13:01) when Ishii used a brainbuster on Hirasawa.
    4. Wataru Inoue & Ryusuke Taguchi beat Jushin Thunder Liger & Negro Casas (12:47) when Inoue used the Triangle Lancer on Casas.
    5. Minoru, Jado & Gedo beat Koji Kanemoto, Tiger Mask & Prince Devitt (12:26) when Jado pinned Devitt after a super powerbomb.
    6. Togi Makabe & Travis Tomko beat Yuji Nagata & Naofumi Yamamoto (11:41) when Tomko used a Jackhammer on Yamamoto.
    7. Riki Choshu, Manabu Nakanishi & Hiroshi Tanahashi beat Hiroyoshi Tenzan, Giant Bernard & Black Strong Machine (15:39) when Tanahashi used the Sling Blade on Machine.


    [Results] New Japan, 7/11/06 by Stuart - 11 Jul 2006
    --> "CIRCUIT 2006 TURBULENCE" <--
    Today's show took place in Nanbu, a small town in Aomori with a population of under 6,000 people. Part of the proceeds were handed to Mayor Kudo and will go to local charities. There wasn't much of note today, just six matches that kept things moving. The main talking point came in the semi final, when Bernard & Tomko defeated Nagata & Tanahashi in something of an upset, Bernard pinning Nagata. Tanahashi had taken out Tomko with a plancha at ringside, so wasn't able to get back and break the cover. Nagata seemed frustrated after the match, saying there is no "theme" to his career right now, and there were some hints of him maybe doing something new soon. Today's main event focused on Makabe vs. Nakanishi, as they are in the (provisional) tag title match next Monday. Makabe provoked Nakanishi with his belt, and pinned Yamamoto to close the show. After the break, classic moments from Hashimoto's career were shown on the big screen, because it is one year ago today since the great man died.

    Couple of Naigai Times notes to fill space. Keep in mind, this newspaper reports a lot of dubious stuff. Firstly, a member of management told the newspaper that Chono is planning a coup d'etat of New Japan, and to do this he will reform nWo Japan, but good luck getting permission to use the nWo name from Vince McMahon. Anyway, they claim this would be different than his post-nWo "Black" factions, as it'd be a full takeover attempt. Secondly, Kojima told Naigai Times that if Tanahashi doesn't dethrone Lesnar, he should be forced to make up for it by undergoing a "G1 Entrance Match" against Akebono. Kojima is looking forward to facing Tanahashi, but wants Tanahashi to be there as IWGP Heavyweight Champion it sounds like.

    NJPW, 7/11/06
    Nanbu Townsman Gymnasium
    1,000 Fans


    1. Yujiro beat Mitsuhide Hirasawa (6:56) with a powerslam.
    2. Koji Kanemoto & Wataru Inoue beat Black Tiger & Hirooki Goto (13:06) when Inoue used a spear on Tiger.
    3. Toru Yano & Tomohiro Ishii beat Takashi Iizuka & Takashi Uwano (13:27) when Yano used the Oni Koroshi on Uwano.
    4. Minoru, Jushin Thunder Liger, Jado & Gedo beat Tiger Mask, Negro Casas, Ryusuke Taguchi & Prince Devitt (10:32) when Minoru used the Minoru Special on Devitt.
    5. Giant Bernard & Travis Tomko beat Yuji Nagata & Hiroshi Tanahashi (13:08) when Bernard used the Bernard Driver on Nagata.
    6. Hiroyoshi Tenzan, Black Strong Machine & Togi Makabe beat Riki Choshu, Manabu Nakanishi & Naofumi Yamamoto (11:36) when Makabe used a lariat on Yamamoto.

    -

    Full cards for 7/14 (still conflicting listings on whether this is an SXW taping), 7/15, and 7/16 have been announced, plus a partial card for the 7/19 tour climax. Shota Takanishi, who left the All Japan dojo to join King's Road (where he became their one and only trueborn) will appear on 7/14 in the young lion match. Takanishi is Akebono's attendant, and also seconded him in previous months while the ex-Yokozuna toured New Japan. This will be young Takanishi's only appearance on the tour, but perhaps he might get further consideration if he impresses. There are some pretty big junior tag matches across the shows, such as Minoru & Liger vs. Jado & Gedo on 7/16, and on the same show, a veteran regular army vs. young generation regular army tag, Kanemoto & Tiger Mask vs. Wataru & Taguchi. Then on 7/19, the "big four" have a tag match, with Kanemoto & Tiger battling Minoru & Liger. Judging by his lack of appearances, El Samurai might be on the shelf with an injury.

    NJPW, 7/14/06
    Tomakomai City Gymnasium


    1. Yujiro & Tetsuya Naito vs. Mitsuhide Hirasawa & Shota Takanishi King's Road
    2. Negro Casas vs. Prince Devitt
    3. Tiger Mask & Ryusuke Taguchi vs. Koji Kanemoto & Wataru Inoue
    4. Takashi Iizuka & Naofumi Yamamoto vs. Toru Yano & Tomohiro Ishii
    5. Minoru, Jushin Thunder Liger & Hirooki Goto vs. Jado, Gedo & Black Tiger
    6. Riki Choshu, Manabu Nakanishi & Takashi Uwano vs. Black Strong Machine, Shiro Koshinaka & Togi Makabe
    7. Yuji Nagata, Hiroshi Tanahashi & Akebono vs. Hiroyoshi Tenzan, Giant Bernard & Travis Tomko

    NJPW, 7/15/06
    Tottori Dome


    1. Yujiro vs. Mitsuhide Hirasawa
    2. Negro Casas & Prince Devitt vs. Black Tiger & Hirooki Goto
    3. Tiger Mask & Wataru Inoue vs. Jado & Gedo
    4. Naofumi Yamamoto & Takashi Uwano vs. Toru Yano & Tomohiro Ishii
    5. Koji Kanemoto & Ryusuke Taguchi vs. Minoru & Jushin Thunder Liger
    6. Manabu Nakanishi & Takashi Iizuka vs. Shiro Koshinaka & Togi Makabe
    7. Riki Choshu, Yuji Nagata, Hiroshi Tanahashi & Akebono vs. Hiroyoshi Tenzan, Giant Bernard, Black Strong Machine & Travis Tomko

    NJPW, 7/16/06
    Asahikawa Local Industry Promotion Center


    1. Yujiro & Prince Devitt vs. Takashi Uwano & Mitsuhide Hirasawa
    2. Negro Casas & Tetsuya Naito vs. Black Tiger & Hirooki Goto
    3. Minoru & Jushin Thunder Liger vs. Jado & Gedo
    4. Koji Kanemoto & Tiger Mask vs. Wataru Inoue & Ryusuke Taguchi
    5. Manabu Nakanishi & Takashi Iizuka vs. Toru Yano & Tomohiro Ishii
    6. Hiroshi Tanahashi & Naofumi Yamamoto vs. Giant Bernard & Travis Tomko
    7. Riki Choshu, Yuji Nagata & Akebono vs. Hiroyoshi Tenzan, Shiro Koshinaka & Togi Makabe

    NJPW, 7/19/06
    Odate Citizen Gymnasium


    1. Negro Casas, Wataru Inoue, Ryusuke Taguchi & Prince Devitt vs. Jado, Gedo, Black Tiger & Hirooki Goto
    2. Koji Kanemoto & Tiger Mask vs. Minoru & Jushin Thunder Liger
    3. Yuji Nagata & Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Hiroyoshi Tenzan & Travis Tomko
    4. Riki Choshu, Manabu Nakanishi & Naofumi Yamamoto vs. Giant Bernard, Black Strong Machine & Togi Makabe


    7/17 Sapporo full card, 9/3 Korakuen double header by Stuart - 10 Jul 2006
    The full card and match order for Sapporo has been announced, with matches #1 to #3 added today. The only heavyweight addition is Iizuka & Yamamoto vs. Yano & Ishii, a match that has been done twice recently (once on this tour, once on the last one), with Yano & Ishii winning both. A junior eight man tag to compliment the later title match has been announced, and should build up to Kanemoto vs. Minoru some more. That match was tentatively scheduled for this show, but has been held off for unknown reasons, probably because Kanemoto is in the G1. The opening young generation tag has a special theme and sees Taichi Ishikari's first participation in New Japan. Ishikari, who worked WRESTLE LAND as Hokkaido, is, as you have probably guessed, a local from Hokkaido. Both Uwano and Hirasawa also are, so it'll be Team Hokkaido against three other young wrestlers. By the way, Koshinaka & Makabe are now listed as (provisional) champions, ending that brief confusion.

    Its now confirmed that New Japan will run a double header at Korakuen Hall on 9/3. At 12:30pm, WRESTLE LAND makes its first advance on Korakuen, with early signs pointing towards a possible Tanahashi vs. Milano Collection AT main event. Then at 6:30pm, the main New Japan brand is at Korakuen to kick off "CIRCUIT 2006 IGNITION". There appears to be no two-for-one type discount either, so its going to be a tough sell, but its possible that WL may find its own fanbase different from New Japan if it keeps improving. Remember also, these shows are taking place just two days after the scheduled 9/1 Budokan show, produced by Inoki with New Japan's cooperation, so if you couple that with the Sumo Hall double header in August, New Japan is maybe starting to push harder into Tokyo again after a quiet four months since the March Sumo Hall show.

    NJPW, 7/17/06 (WPW/NJ+IWTV Internet)
    Tsukisamu Green Dome


    1. Hirooki Goto, Yujiro & Tetsuya Naito vs. Takashi Uwano, Taichi Ishikari & Mitsuhide Hirasawa
    2. Koji Kanemoto, Negro Casas, Ryusuke Taguchi & Prince Devitt vs. Minoru, Jushin Thunder Liger, Jado & Gedo
    3. Takashi Iizuka & Naofumi Yamamoto vs. Toru Yano & Tomohiro Ishii
    4. Riki Choshu, Yuji Nagata & Akebono vs. Hiroyoshi Tenzan, Giant Bernard & Travis Tomko
    5. NWA Jr. Heavyweight Title: Tiger Mask (c) vs. Wataru Inoue
    6. IWGP Provisional Tag Team Title: Shiro Koshinaka & Togi Makabe (c) vs. Manabu Nakanishi & Takao Omori ZERO1-MAX
    7. IWGP Heavyweight Title: Brock Lesnar (c) vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi


    New G1 Climax poster with all ten participants on it. You'll notice Liger is in "Battle Liger" gear on it, which probably means he will come out in his limited edition heavyweight costume, ready for war.




    LOCK UP 7/29 full card by Stuart - 09 Jul 2006
    The full card for chapter three of LOCK UP has been announced. This is the last of the originally scheduled LU shows, and unlike WRESTLE LAND, nothing else has been announced yet. I'm not sure of the financial status, but both shows so far have been overcapacity at 1st RING, so I'd expect it to keep going. The feud from New Japan rolls into LU, with Yano & Ishii battling Koshinaka & Makabe, who seem to have a problem with Choshu. If Koshinaka & Makabe defeat Nakanishi & Omori on 7/17, they will still be IWGP Provisional Tag Team Champions. Choshu leads young men of New Japan (Yamamoto) and Riki Pro (Daisaku) against the Apache Army in the semi, with Mammoth Sasaki making his first appearance. Jado & Gedo face the big man team of Hido & K-DOJO's MIYAWAKI in what could be a difficult match for them. Another CTU vs. Apache/friend match has Minoru & Hirooki Goto opposite GENTARO & Asian Cougar, while the opening two matches are similar to what you'd find on a New Japan card.

    LOCK UP, 7/29/06
    Shin-Kiba 1st RING


    1. Takashi Uwano vs. Yujiro
    2. Mitsuhide Hirasawa vs. Tetsuya Naito
    3. Minoru & Hirooki Goto vs. GENTARO & Asian Cougar
    4. Jado & Gedo vs. BADBOY Hido & MIYAWAKI Kaientai Dojo
    5. Riki Choshu, Naofumi Yamamoto & Daisaku Shimoda vs. Kintaro Kanemura, Tetsuhiro Kuroda & Mammoth Sasaki
    6. Toru Yano & Tomohiro Ishii vs. Shiro Koshinaka & Togi Makabe


    [Results] New Japan, 7/9/06 by Stuart - 09 Jul 2006

    --> "CIRCUIT 2006 TURBULENCE" <--
    New Japan paid tribute to its late son, Shinya Hashimoto, returning to his home area of Gifu today. Although it wasn't an all-out tribute show, with special matches and the like, a floral stand was set up and the second generation IWGP Heavyweight Title, immortalized by Hashimoto, was put on display. After intermission, some of Hashimoto's greatest moments in New Japan played on the screen, then Chono came out for a surprise appearance. Chono went absolutely beserk at President Simon, which has already created a storm of discussion in Japan about how much of it is "pro wrestling" and how much of it is personal. Simon threatened to strip Chono of the IWGP Tag belts recently for not appearing at the last Korakuen show, when Chono was attending a Buddhist ceremony for Hashimoto. Chono tore into Simon today, saying wrestlers like he and Hashimoto had given their blood and sweat for New Japan, and questioning what Simon has given. He asked if Simon has any pro wrestling love, and more bluntly, said Simon has no heart. Many think there are personal feelings involved here, as there has been some outrage towards Simon regarding this 9/1 Budokan show, where it has seemed like he is prioritizing his father-in-law's event over the G1. Chono demanded Simon appear in the ring with him on 7/17 in Sapporo, and said if he did, there would be "a conclusion appropriate for professional wrestling". Chono left the building with no comments for the press. Gifu local Tanahashi wasn't able to decorate his return home with victory in today's main event. Tanahashi, who defeated another Gifu native, Yamamoto, in the main event of New Japan's last show there on 2/12, teamed with Akebono and Tiger Mask against Tenzan, Bernard & Liger. Tanahashi was extremely popular and gave Bernard a lot of problems, continuing to use the touring foreigners as imaginary Lesnars. In the end though, Tenzan spiked Tiger with the TTD to end the match. Tanahashi took the microphone and promised to overthrow Lesnar on the 17th. Monsters collided in the semi final, Travis Tomko having his first singles match since arriving in New Japan. Tomko met the big wall of Nakanishi and was beaten soundly, falling to the Hercules Cutter, the first time Nakanishi has used that in a while.

    The feud between the trio I guess you could call Team LOCK UP (Choshu, Yano & Ishii) and the anti-Choshu group of Machine, Koshinaka & Makabe continued today with a win for Choshu's crew. Ishii picked up a pretty big victory, dropping Machine with a brainbuster for the three count. This is all leading to a big tag match, details on which you can find in the post above. Nagata & Yamamoto had their first match as a team since their loss to Koshinaka & Makabe at Korakuen, defeating the Hokkaido Takashis, Iizuka & Uwano. Uwano (with a new look this tour), who fell to Yamamoto's backdrop today (so one Gifu boy won), is on the latest 7/17 poster (below) along with Hirasawa, since they are locals. Wataru Inoue won the first New Japan Rumble in several years, outlasting seven other juniors in the time-lag battle royal. I'm not sure of the eliminations besides the last, but since over-the-top eliminations and pile-up pins count, there was probably nothing too important. It came down to young generation juniors, Wataru and Hirooki Goto, with Inoue continuing his great form and scoring the pin ahead of his NWA Jr. Heavyweight Title challenge in Sapporo.

    NJPW, 7/9/06
    Gifu Industrial Hall
    3,000 Fans
    - Super No Vacancy

    1. Yujiro beat Mitsuhide Hirasawa (7:01) with a powerslam.
    2. Black Tiger & Durango beat Negro Casas & Prince Devitt (8:09) when Tiger used a tombstone piledriver on Devitt.
    3. Wataru Inoue won a New Japan Rumble (17:04) when he used the Staggerin' Blow on Hirooki Goto. Order of appearance: Minoru, Koji Kanemoto, Hirooki Goto, Wataru Inoue, Gedo, Ryusuke Taguchi, Jado & El Samurai.
    4. Yuji Nagata & Naofumi Yamamoto beat Takashi Iizuka & Takashi Uwano (14:41) when Yamamoto used a backdrop suplex on Uwano.
    5. Riki Choshu, Toru Yano & Tomohiro Ishii beat Black Strong Machine, Shiro Koshinaka & Togi Makabe (9:22) when Ishii used a brainbuster on Machine.
    6. Manabu Nakanishi beat Travis Tomko (8:38) with the Hercules Cutter.
    7. Hiroyoshi Tenzan, Giant Bernard & Jushin Thunder Liger beat Hiroshi Tanahashi, Akebono & Tiger Mask (16:46) when Tenzan used the TTD on Tiger.

    -


    The new NWA Intercontinental Tag Team Champions, Nakanishi & Omori, will challenge the new IWGP Provisional Tag Team Champions, Koshinaka & Makabe, on the big 7/17 pre-G1 show in Sapporo. If you believe the official site though, this is another "decision match" and there are no champions, but to avoid confusing myself and yourself further, I'm going to guess that is a mistake of some sort. Nakanishi & Omori have chance to go one step further on their quest to capture tag belts from across the world, because even though this isn't for the "real" IWGP Tag Title, currently held by ChoTen, the old tag belts are on the line. The winners of this match will most likely meet ChoTen at some point, assuming Chono can return before the deadline, with the old and new belts being unified on that day. Makabe suggested that Nakanishi & Omori risk their NWA belts, making it a double title match. Signs point to this happening if ZERO1-MAX accepts. Koshinaka, who recently had a falling out with Omori, said the opposition have no brains.

    NJPW, 7/17/06 (WPW/NJ+IWTV Internet)
    Tsukisamu Green Dome


    1. NWA Jr. Heavyweight Title: Tiger Mask (c) vs. Wataru Inoue
    2. Riki Choshu, Yuji Nagata & Akebono vs. Hiroyoshi Tenzan, Giant Bernard & Travis Tomko
    3. IWGP Provisional Tag Team Title: Shiro Koshinaka & Togi Makabe (c) vs. Manabu Nakanishi & Takao Omori ZERO1-MAX
    4. IWGP Heavyweight Title: Brock Lesnar (c) vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi


    Akebono hasn't given up, Tanahashi's special education, more by Stuart - 08 Jul 2006
    Akebono hasn't given up on his dream of entering the G1 Climax. He continues to improve his conditioning not only for the G1, but for a K-1 HERO's show he will fight on the day before the G1 begins (probably the reason he isn't already in it). He acknowledges that he still hasn't won over many pro wrestling fans, and said he wants to use the current tour to leave an impression and win a spot in the G1. If you look at the G1 schedule and take into account that the finals are scheduled to take place on one day, the current schedule is set up for a 12 man G1, not a 10 man G1, so they may be ready to surprise us with late entrants (that, or they will have to move the semis to the first Sumo Hall show).

    A follow-up to Nagata talking about assisting Tanahashi at yesterday's show. Yomiuri Sports calls it "super-severe special education for gifted Tanahashi", where both Choshu and Nagata are relentlessly drilling him with instructions to grow up and overthrow Lesnar. Nagata told Tanahashi to do something that gives the fans expectations every day. Choshu told him he is expected to win, and has requested that the press put more pressure on Tanahashi.

    J SPORTS ESPN announced that they will air day one of the G1, 8/6 Niigata City Gymnasium, as a special SXW LIVE telecast. That is the only TV information known about the G1 so far.


    [Results] New Japan, 7/8/06 by Stuart - 08 Jul 2006

    --> "CIRCUIT 2006 TURBULENCE" <--
    Jado & Gedo began their fourth reign as IWGP Jr. Tag Team Champions today in Shizuoka, ending Samurai & Taguchi's five month stint as champions. For much of 2006, the junior tag picture has been a three way fight between these two teams and Kanemoto & Wataru, and after an interval of one year and four months, the famous heel tandem are back on top of the junior tag ranks. Today's main event was a rematch from 5/7 in Kyoto, and like that one, exceeded 30 minutes, as little separated the teams. There was some great back and forth action later on, but the craftsmanship of Jado & Gedo allowed them to isolate Taguchi and double team Samurai, leading to Jado applying his crossface. Samurai fought it, but with the ropes nowhere in sight and Taguchi elsewhere, had to tap out! The regular army monopoly on titles at last came to an end, and CTU rushed to the ring to celebrate with the new champions. It will be interesting to see if this three way feud in the junior tag division has ended now, and whether we'll see some new challengers. If history is anything to go by (first reign, second reign, third reign), it could take a special team to dethrone Jado & Gedo, as once they grab the belts they believe belong to them, it is hard for anyone to take them. Gedo said that he and Jado are the "king of tag teams", and said they are going to fly to the top of Mt. Everest and stay there forever. Jado said they are the world's strongest tag team and would become permanent champions. Samurai & Taguchi, after failing in their V3 defense, requested a rematch, but they may have to join the queue again.

    Tanahashi continued his fine form as the countdown to his match with Lesnar continued. He was able to pin one of the "Virtual Lesnars" in today's main heavyweight match, a six man tag, taking down Tomko with his Sling Blade. He also used a new top rope Sling Blade today, which has more impact on big men like Tomko. Tanahashi gave another interview before the show, saying he wants to change pressure into power and grow up every day. Nagata, who according to the official site yielded the chance to face Lesnar, is assisting Tanahashi in his preparations. Koshinaka and Makabe continued to riot, today hooking up with another anti-Choshu man, B-S Machine, and scoring a big win over Choshu, Nakanishi & Iizuka. Makabe continued his winning ways, pinning Iizuka after hitting a lariat. It'll be interesting to see what happens when Chono returns, if Koshinaka is still around by then, as Chono and Koshinaka have a long-time grudge, but Koshinaka is teaming with members of Chono's crew on this tour. One show after tapping out to Kanemoto's ankle hold, Minoru struck back in another regular army vs. CTU match today, that CTU also won. He, Liger, and Hirooki Goto bested the junior all-star trio of Kanemoto, Tiger Mask & Casas, Minoru surprising fans by unleashing a triangle kick to Twister (twisting brainbuster) combination on Kanemoto for the win. This led to Minoru announcing that he has negotiated with "M.M" from DRAGON GATE to be his partner on CTU's 7/30 anniversary show. We all know who this is, as Masaaki Mochizuki uses that combination, and now we have to wait and see if Minoru's comments lead to confirmation. Minoru and Mochi have history going back a long way, particularly in BattlARTS. They teamed up in the 1998 Tag Battle, met in the final of the semi-famous (among independent fans) Japanese Junior Crown League, and were two outside selections in the 1999 Best of the Super Jr., before Minoru joined New Japan. CTU is intent on wiping the floor with its enemies on 7/30, so is recruiting contacts from around Japan such as "M.M", TAKA, and the CTU Rangers. Tiger Mask and Wataru attended the signing ceremony for their 7/17 NWA Jr. Heavyweight Title match, which appears to be the only feature junior match of the Tsukisamu Green Dome show, unless they decide to add something else late. Wataru said it would be a fair fight, and like in the Super Jr. tournament, he would defeat Tiger cleanly. Tiger said that 24 years ago, before the building they were in today became Twin Messe Shizuoka, the original Tiger Mask defended the same belt there. Although he has no doubt of Wataru's ability, he promised victory and to return to Shizuoka with his title.

    NJPW, 7/8/06 (SXW)
    Twin Messe Shizuoka
    1,453 Fans
    - No Vacancy

    1. Mitsuhide Hirasawa beat Tetsuya Naito (8:49) with a crab hold.
    2. Wataru Inoue & Prince Devitt beat Black Tiger & Durango (9:51) when Inoue used the Triangle Lancer on Durango.
    3. Toru Yano & Tomohiro Ishii beat Naofumi Yamamoto & Takashi Uwano (12:41) when Yano used the Oni Koroshi on Uwano.
    4. Minoru, Jushin Thunder Liger & Hirooki Goto beat Koji Kanemoto, Tiger Mask & Negro Casas (12:05) when Minoru used a triangle kick -> Twister on Kanemoto.
    5. Black Strong Machine, Shiro Koshinaka & Togi Makabe beat Riki Choshu, Manabu Nakanishi & Takashi Iizuka (10:39) when Makabe used a lariat on Iizuka.
    6. Yuji Nagata, Hiroshi Tanahashi & Akebono beat Hiroyoshi Tenzan, Giant Bernard & Travis Tomko (14:42) when Tanahashi used the Sling Blade on Tomko.
    7. IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Tag Team Title: Jado & Gedo beat El Samurai & Ryusuke Taguchi (c) (30:04) when Jado used the Crossface of JADO on Samurai to become the 17th champions.


    WRESTLE LAND 7/23 partial card by Stuart - 07 Jul 2006

    WRESTLE LAND executive committee spokesman, Junji Hirata, today announced the first matches for chapter three of the brand, which sees it upgrade from Shinjuku FACE to Differ Ariake, before advancing on Korakuen Hall. As promised, Kantaro Hoshino unleashes both Milano Collection AT and Makai Masked Devilock on WRESTLE LAND, two of his new assassins (the third, Makai Heat, has yet to be booked). Milano is well known and will begin a super-ikemen feud with Tanahashi, but Makai Masked Devilock is a mystery. Back on 9/15/04 when New Japan ran a show in conjunction with the Devilock designer brand, Tanahashi wore a mask for one night and became Masked Devilock, so Hoshino is playing mind games with the WL ace. The man who played Masked Canadian and impressed so many (they are showing that match on WPW this weekend) is not listed, so perhaps he will be under the mask. As for Milano, Hirata said he has been building a track record all over the world, and is welcome in WL. This will also be a big chance for Pegasus Kid (second generation) in what is likely to be the main event. After their tag skirmish on the last WL, Edo Samurai and Masked Hurricane (Gran Hamada) have a singles match to try and settle their new grudge. Following his betrayal of the Makai Club, Michiyoshi Ohara teams with S-S Machine against Makai on the next show (Tatsutoshi Goto isn't listed, I wonder if he has split with New Japan after the formation of the new Muga group). The Jado & Gedo vs. Yano's Drunken Posse feud continues with their third match. Since Taichi Ishikari "graduated" from the Hokkaido role on the last show, X might not definitely be him. As you can see, storylines are beginning to link well from show to show, so that might start to hold existing fans and bring in new ones (that will be what they hope, anyway, whether it happens is another question).

    WRESTLE LAND, 7/23/06
    Tokyo Differ Ariake


    1. Jado, Gedo & X vs. Toru Yano, Daigoro Kashiwa Kaientai Dojo & Teppei Ishizaka Kaientai Dojo
    2. Super Strong Machine & Michiyoshi Ohara vs. Makai Club
    3. Edo Samurai vs. Makai Masked Hurricane
    4. Hiroshi Tanahashi & Pegasus Kid vs. Milano Collection AT & Makai Masked Devilock

    Other participants: "Orange Prince" Tanaka, Makai Heat, Makai Ray Cobra #2 (I'm not sure if this is meant to be the same as the one last time), Tsubo Genjin, Gran Naniwa


    [Results] New Japan, 7/7/06 by Stuart - 07 Jul 2006
    Accidentally lost my report for this show, so just the results for the archive...

    NJPW, 7/7/06
    Akashi Municipal Industrial Exchange Center
    1,477 Fans
    - Super No Vacancy

    1. Hirooki Goto beat Mitsuhide Hirasawa (6:43) with a cross armbreaker.
    2. Negro Casas, Black Tiger & Prince Devitt beat Tiger Mask, Durango & Tetsuya Naito (11:01) when Black Tiger used a Texas Cloverleaf hold on Naito.
    3. Black Strong Machine beat Takashi Uwano (6:34) with a diving senton.
    4. Toru Yano & Tomohiro Ishii beat Takashi Iizuka & Yujiro (14:37) when Ishii used a brainbuster on Yujiro.
    5. Koji Kanemoto, El Samurai, Wataru Inoue & Ryusuke Taguchi beat Minoru, Jushin Thunder Liger, Jado & Gedo (13:26) when Kanemoto used an ankle hold on Minoru.
    6. Shiro Koshinaka & Togi Makabe beat Riki Choshu & Naofumi Yamamoto (5:55) when Makabe used a lariat on Choshu.
    7. Hiroyoshi Tenzan, Giant Bernard & Travis Tomko beat Yuji Nagata, Manabu Nakanishi & Hiroshi Tanahashi (16:30) when Bernard used the Bernard Driver on Nakanishi.


    G1 Climax participants finalized, new WL arrival by Stuart - 06 Jul 2006

    New Japan today announced the remaining participants for this year's G1 Climax. Akebono has not been granted a spot for whatever reason, which is unique, as they'd usually let a "superstar" in without question, but not this time (unless they add two spots to it yet, which isn't out of the question). The final four participants are Satoshi Kojima, Togi Makabe, Koji Kanemoto, and Naofumi Yamamoto. "Mr. G1" Masahiro Chono will miss his first G1 Climax ever due to his current injury, but the inclusion of Kojima gives the tournament that "outside" influence it always has, but other than that, the tournament is made up of affiliated wrestlers (all of the Japanese entrants are New Japan trueborns). Makabe is granted his third participation in a row, and will look to make up for last year's false start (a bad injury) by making an impression, especially as he has been selected before the on-form Yano. Kanemoto returns for the first time in two years, after being one of the highlights in 2004. Its unclear whether he will carry the IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Title with him into the G1, that could depend on what the schedule for Kanemoto vs. Minoru ends up as. He becomes the second junior to enter this year's after Liger, so they weren't lying about a junior influence in the tournament. Yamamoto is in because, as vice-president Sugehayashi explained, he wants it so much. He doesn't really have the results to justify his place, but does have the fighting spirit.

    Kojima attended an interview today to discuss his participation. Unlike usual, it was Kojima who sent feelers to New Japan about participation, rather than vice versa. After a very successful reign as Triple Crown Champion, Kojima wants to evolve as a wrestler and believes a trip to his original home and the G1 can begin that. Kojima wants to show the fans what he has become in the last five years and hopes to clean sweep the tournament. Kojima said losing the Triple Crown had actually raised his motivation, as it allows him to pursue new things. Politics would no doubt have prevented Kojima entering had he held on to the Triple Crown.

    The ten participants have been separated into two blocks. Block A will feature the third generation contingent of Nakanishi and Kojima, with young generation star Tanahashi, who may very well be the IWGP Heavyweight Champion by August, also in there. Giant Bernard and Liger round out the cast, meaning we can look forward to matches like Nakanishi vs. Kojima, Bernard vs. Liger, Tanahashi vs. Kojima, and Tanahashi vs. Liger. Block B, on paper, is a two horse race, but strange things always happen in the G1. Tenzan and Nagata are the big names in this group, with Makabe, Kanemoto, and Yamamoto the others. Although Block A looks to be more interesting, there are going to be some matches of note from this group, such as a rematch of Nagata vs. Tenzan from last year's G1, plus Nagata vs. Yamamoto in their first singles match since Mr. Saikyo became Yamamoto's mentor. The scale of the G1 this year is smaller than before, as is the name power, especially with no Chono and Nakamura, plus only one big name outsider, but there is confidence in the company that they can overcome this by "fighting with contents" and putting on a great tournament. There is also a feeling that this could be the tournament where the third generation really takes charge, as the top old name (Chono) and top young name (Nakamura) are not there.

    Block A:
    1. Manabu Nakanishi
    2. Giant Bernard
    3. Hiroshi Tanahashi
    4. Jushin Thunder Liger
    5. Satoshi Kojima

    Block B:
    1. Hiroyoshi Tenzan
    2. Yuji Nagata
    3. Togi Makabe
    4. Koji Kanemoto
    5. Naofumi Yamamoto



    With a busted nose from the last WRESTLE LAND, President Hoshino of the Makai Club held a press conference today to threaten Tanahashi and WL some more. Hoshino said Tanahashi will have to pay for what he has done, and introduced the press to a person very interested in WRESTLE LAND. Hoshino's young female accomplice held up a photograph of Milano Collection AT, and Hoshino said that while he isn't a Makai Club member, he is someone that Hoshino wants to send after Tanahashi. Expect Milano to make his WL debut at Differ next time. As for turncoat Michiyoshi Ohara, who ended his brief stint in Makai to resume his old grudge with Hoshino, Hoshino isn't sure who will replace him yet, but is sure that Machine, Goto, and Ohara will be sent to the bottom of Tokyo Bay.


    September schedule by Stuart - 06 Jul 2006
    The schedule for September's tour has been announced, and it continues the "CIRCUIT" series, titled "CIRCUIT 2006 IGNITION". This is the post-G1 tour, and unlike many post-G1 tours, has a big show this year. An Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium double header was supposedly scheduled earlier this year, but only one on 9/24 (the other was supposed to happen on 9/23) has appeared on the released schedule, so the other one is probably not happening (they weren't going to run one in December, now maybe they will?). Since the building was booked up for a special event in the G1, they are having to run the smaller Grand Cube Osaka in August, and so have booked Osaka Prefectural for the following month. It isn't a WPW taping at this stage, only SXW, although the recent trend is to air stuff from other tapings when they run out of footage. The other show of note is 9/18 at Sagamihara City Gymnasium, a big building they have drawn 4,000 fans or more with in recent years with big cards (ie, G1 2004 day one with Nakanishi vs. Takayama), but last year they ran a tiny house show there (with the ZERO1-MAX surprise invasion at the end) and attendance was right down, so it'll be interesting to see what they do with that.

    CIRCUIT 2006 IGNITION
    - 9/3 @ Tokyo Korakuen Hall SAMURAI!
    - 9/6 @ Nagano Movement Park Gymnasium
    - 9/8 @ Chiba Park Gymnasium SXW
    - 9/9 @ Chichibu Citizen Gymnasium
    - 9/12 @ Yamagata Sports Center Sub Arena
    - 9/13 @ Aomori Sangyo Hall
    - 9/14 @ Miyako City Gymnasium Sea Arena
    - 9/15 @ Fukushima National Athletic Meet Gymnasium
    - 9/16 @ Kuki City Gymnasium
    - 9/18 @ Sagamihara City Gymnasium SXW
    - 9/19 @ Kira Messe Numazu
    - 9/24 @ Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium SXW


    [Results] New Japan, 7/5/06 by Stuart - 05 Jul 2006
    --> "CIRCUIT 2006 TURBULENCE" <--
    Day three of the tour saw only one surprise, and that was on the undercard. The main event went as expected, Nakanishi & Tanahashi defeating Bernard & Makabe. Tanahashi outsmarted both opponents at the end, leading to a Bernard lariat hitting Makabe, then Tana dropping the provisional IWGP Tag Team Champion with a Dragon suplex hold for the win, continuing his great form before the Lesnar match. MMA star, Ryuta Sakurai, appeared after the match to hand the victor's prize to Tanahashi. Tanahashi said the theme of this tour is "to BELIEVE". He believes he can defeat Brock Lesnar and is asking the fans to trust him. Akebono made his first of seven appearances on this tour, rejoining one of his mentors, Choshu, along with Nagata against Tenzan, Machine & Tomko. Akebono was in good touch on his return to New Japan after an appearance in Yamato on the last tour, pinning Machine with a splash. He asked Nagata to dance with him after the match, and Mr. Saikyo did. Akebono has dropped quite a lot of weight recently, and told the press that he is trying to create a body that can respond to the pro wrestling tour system. He is also trying to improve his stamina, because he wants to enter the G1 in August, and knows how hard that would be. Akebono is teaming with Choshu and Nagata a lot this tour, and Choshu said he is leaving Akebono to Nagata. Nagata said all Akebono has to do is show joy, anger, and humor, as these are merits of a pro wrestler. The signing ceremony for Samurai & Taguchi vs. Jado & Gedo was held before the show, with plenty of back and forth insults. These teams were part of a lead-in bout today, a trios match also featuring Tiger Mask and Liger. The champions went 2-1 in preliminary skirmishes on this tour, Taguchi pinning Gedo after hitting his Dodon. There will be one more match before the teams fight over the belts, an eight man tag on the next show. Prince Devitt picked up his first win over anyone notable since joining New Japan, downing Hirooki Goto in a tag today. Goto's slump from the Super Jr. continued when he fell to Prince's swinging DDT.

    Aged 40, Masahiro Chono is finally a daddy! Chono's wife, Martina, gave birth to a healthy little boy yesterday. Chono is delighted, as he was starting to give up on ever having children. Martina is also well, despite having to undergo a cesarean section. They haven't decided on a name yet, but they want one that is both Japanese and German (Martina's nationality). Chono will begun full rehab on his injury next week, aiming at a comeback as soon as possible.

    NJPW, 7/5/06
    Mito Citizen Gymnasium
    1,500 Fans


    1. Takashi Uwano & Mitsuhide Hirasawa beat Yujiro & Tetsuya Naito (11:11) when Hirasawa used a cross armbreaker on Naito.
    2. Negro Casas & Black Tiger beat Wataru Inoue & Durango (12:02) when Casas used a la magistral on Durango.
    3. Koji Kanemoto & Prince Devitt beat Minoru & Hirooki Goto (11:43) when Devitt used a swinging DDT on Goto.
    4. Toru Yano & Tomohiro Ishii beat Takashi Iizuka & Naofumi Yamamoto (13:42) when Yano used the Oni Koroshi on Yamamoto.
    5. Tiger Mask, El Samurai & Ryusuke Taguchi beat Jushin Thunder Liger, Jado & Gedo (11:17) when Taguchi used the Dodon on Gedo.
    6. Riki Choshu, Yuji Nagata & Akebono beat Hiroyoshi Tenzan, Black Strong Machine & Travis Tomko (10:58) when Akebono used a running body press on Machine.
    7. Manabu Nakanishi & Hiroshi Tanahashi beat Giant Bernard & Togi Makabe (13:42) when Tanahashi used a Dragon suplex hold on Makabe.


    New Japan participation at WAR's last show by Stuart - 04 Jul 2006
    New Japan will send some wrestlers to WAR's final show on 7/27, which they are helping to put together (through referee Unno, who used to be WAR's head official). Jado and Gedo, who used to dominate WAR's six man tag ranks with Kodo Fuyuki, are being dispatched by New Japan (and CTU's feud with Apache heads to yet another ring), while Choshu will send Tomohiro Ishii (who doesn't have a New Japan contract, but is basically a New Japan wrestler at this point) as well. Shiro Koshinaka is reviving Heisei Ishingun on the show, with two former members and a mystery partner (rumoured to be Makabe, but more likely another old member, as this WAR vs. New Japan's HI group was a big program in the 90s). There has been talk of a HI revival in New Japan, but with Koshinaka the only former member currently working there (Goto and Ohara are appearing at WRESTLE LAND, but not on main brand shows), it might be hard to do.

    WAR "WAR FINAL -REBORN TO FUTURE-", 7/27/06
    Tokyo Korakuen Hall


    1. Tomohiro Ishii vs. Koji Ishinriki
    2. Magnum TOKYO Dragon Gate & Eagle Sawai vs. X & X
    3. Ryo Saito Dragon Gate, Dragon Kid Dragon Gate & Genki Horiguchi Dragon Gate vs. Susumu Yokosuka Dragon Gate, Kenichiro Arai Dragon Gate & Yasushi Kanda Dragon Gate
    4. Jado New Japan & Gedo New Japan vs. Kintaro Kanemura & GENTARO
    5. WAR vs. Heisei Ishingun: Genichiro Tenryu, Koki Kitahara, Masao Orihara & Don Fujii Dragon Gate vs. Shiro Koshinaka, Michiyoshi Ohara, Masashi Aoyagi & X


    Updated cards for July by Stuart - 03 Jul 2006
    Full cards for 7/5 to 7/12 (7/11 and 7/12 now added) have been announced, plus additional matches to other shows to reflect the participation of Koshinaka, who is appearing for most of the tour. Jado & Gedo get their long awaited rematch in the 7/8 Shizuoka main event, challenging Samurai & Taguchi for the IWGP Jr. Tag Team Title. This program has been going on for several months now, and their last title match went over half an hour. After pinning Tiger Mask in the Best of the Super Jr. tournament, Wataru has been granted a shot at Tiger's NWA Jr. Heavyweight Title on the 7/17 Sapporo big show. The expected Kanemoto vs. Minoru IWGP Jr. match remains unannounced. 7/9 Gifu is going to have a tribute for Hashimoto, including a special table for flower bouquets from fans. Tanahashi, who leads a team in the main event, is a Gifu local, hence his leading role. The New Japan Rumble with juniors will in fact be every man for himself as New Japan has removed the "vs" that separated the regular army and CTU.

    NJPW, 7/5/06
    Mito Citizen Gymnasium


    1. Yujiro & Tetsuya Naito vs. Takashi Uwano & Mitsuhide Hirasawa
    2. Wataru Inoue & Durango vs. Negro Casas & Black Tiger
    3. Koji Kanemoto & Prince Devitt vs. Minoru & Hirooki Goto
    4. Takashi Iizuka & Naofumi Yamamoto vs. Toru Yano & Tomohiro Ishii
    5. Tiger Mask, El Samurai & Ryusuke Taguchi vs. Jushin Thunder Liger, Jado & Gedo
    6. Riki Choshu, Yuji Nagata & Akebono vs. Hiroyoshi Tenzan, Black Strong Machine & Travis Tomko
    7. Manabu Nakanishi & Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Giant Bernard & Togi Makabe

    NJPW, 7/7/06
    Akashi Municipal Industrial Exchange Center


    1. Hirooki Goto vs. Tetsuya Naito
    2. Tiger Mask & Prince Devitt vs. Negro Casas & Black Tiger
    3. Black Strong Machine vs. Takashi Uwano
    4. Takashi Iizuka & Yujiro vs. Toru Yano & Tomohiro Ishii
    5. Koji Kanemoto, El Samurai, Wataru Inoue & Ryusuke Taguchi vs. Jushin Thunder Liger, Minoru, Jado & Gedo
    6. Riki Choshu & Naofumi Yamamoto vs. Shiro Koshinaka & Togi Makabe
    7. Yuji Nagata, Manabu Nakanishi & Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Hiroyoshi Tenzan, Giant Bernard & Travis Tomko

    NJPW, 7/8/06 (SXW)
    Twin Messe Shizuoka


    1. Takashi Uwano vs. Tetsuya Naito
    2. Wataru Inoue vs. Black Tiger
    3. Naofumi Yamamoto & Yujiro vs. Toru Yano & Tomohiro Ishii
    4. Koji Kanemoto, Tiger Mask & Negro Casas vs. Jushin Thunder Liger, Minoru & Hirooki Goto
    5. Riki Choshu, Yuji Nagata & Takashi Iizuka vs. Black Strong Machine, Shiro Koshinaka & Togi Makabe
    6. Manabu Nakanishi, Hiroshi Tanahashi & Akebono vs. Hiroyoshi Tenzan, Giant Bernard & Travis Tomko
    7. IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Tag Team Title: El Samurai & Ryusuke Taguchi (c) vs. Jado & Gedo

    NJPW, 7/9/06
    Gifu Industrial Hall


    1. Yujiro vs. Tetsuya Naito
    2. Negro Casas vs. Black Tiger
    3. Takashi Iizuka & Takashi Uwano vs. Toru Yano & Tomohiro Ishii
    4. New Japan Rumble: Koji Kanemoto, El Samurai, Wataru Inoue, Ryusuke Taguchi, Minoru, Jado, Gedo & Hirooki Goto
    5. Riki Choshu, Yuji Nagata & Naofumi Yamamoto vs. Black Strong Machine, Shiro Koshinaka & Togi Makabe
    6. Manabu Nakanishi vs. Travis Tomko
    7. Hiroshi Tanahashi, Akebono & Tiger Mask vs. Hiroyoshi Tenzan, Giant Bernard & Jushin Thunder Liger

    NJPW, 7/11/06
    Nanbu Townsman Gymnasium


    1. Yujiro vs. Mitsuhide Hirasawa
    2. Koji Kanemoto & Wataru Inoue vs. Black Tiger & Hirooki Goto
    3. Takashi Iizuka & Takashi Uwano vs. Toru Yano & Tomohiro Ishii
    4. Tiger Mask, El Samurai, Negro Casas & Ryusuke Taguchi vs. Jushin Thunder Liger, Minoru, Jado & Gedo
    5. Yuji Nagata & Naofumi Yamamoto vs. Giant Bernard & Travis Tomko
    6. Riki Choshu, Manabu Nakanishi & Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Hiroyoshi Tenzan, Black Strong Machine & Togi Makabe

    NJPW, 7/12/06
    Noheji Municipal Gymnasium


    1. Yujiro vs. Tetsuya Naito
    2. Hirooki Goto vs. Black Tiger
    3. Takashi Iizuka & Mitsuhide Hirasawa vs. Toru Yano & Tomohiro Ishii
    4. Wataru Inoue & Ryusuke Taguchi vs. Jushin Thunder Liger & Negro Casas
    5. Koji Kanemoto, Tiger Mask & El Samurai vs. Minoru, Jado & Gedo
    6. Yuji Nagata & Naofumi Yamamoto vs. Hiroyoshi Tenzan & Giant Bernard
    7. Riki Choshu, Manabu Nakanishi & Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Black Strong Machine, Togi Makabe & Travis Tomko

    NJPW, 7/14/06
    Tomakomai City Gymnasium


    1. Riki Choshu, Manabu Nakanishi & Takashi Uwano vs. Black Strong Machine, Shiro Koshinaka & Togi Makabe
    2. Yuji Nagata, Hiroshi Tanahashi & Akebono vs. Hiroyoshi Tenzan, Giant Bernard & Travis Tomko

    NJPW, 7/15/06
    Tottori Dome


    1. Manabu Nakanishi & Takashi Uwano vs. Shiro Koshinaka & Togi Makabe
    2. Riki Choshu, Yuji Nagata, Hiroshi Tanahashi & Akebono vs. Hiroyoshi Tenzan, Giant Bernard, Black Strong Machine & Travis Tomko

    NJPW, 7/17/06 (WPW/NJ+IWTV Internet)
    Tsukisamu Green Dome


    1. NWA Jr. Heavyweight Title: Tiger Mask (c) vs. Wataru Inoue
    2. Riki Choshu, Yuji Nagata & Akebono vs. Hiroyoshi Tenzan, Giant Bernard & Travis Tomko
    3. IWGP Heavyweight Title: Brock Lesnar (c) vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi


    Inoki's mega-show set with huge cast, Chono visits Hashimoto, Fujinami update, more by Stuart - 03 Jul 2006
    Weekly Pro i-mode has posted the outline for Antonio Inoki's 9/1 super-show, and as you can see below, its quite staggering. "INOKI GENOME 2006" will be Inoki's attempt to revive the heat of the Inoki vs. Ali era, and an Exhibition Match between Inoki's daughter and Simon's wife, Hiroko, and Muhammad Ali's daughter, Lalia Ali (a pro boxer), has been announced. Simon said he doesn't want to see this, for obvious reasons, but it seems determined (Nikkan says "negotiating", Weekly Pro says "determined", take your pick). The list you see below could theoretically make up one of the biggest cards ever, but its very important to note, as with any Inoki event, that negotiations have not begun with any of these names yet (so we might as well add Fedor, Cro Cop, Muto, Misawa, Kobashi, Hogan, Rock, and Giant Baba to the list) and in Inoki tradition, big names are being announced before they are locked down, so the final list of wrestlers/fighters could look much different than the one below. For example, fighters affiliated with both DSE and FEG appear on this list, which is an instant complication. New Japan will provide back up to it (financially or not, I'm not sure; Update: Nikkan Sports says this is a New Japan event...), and President Simon is a main player in putting it together. They are talking about constructing a tournament featuring many of these names to determine the apparent strongest man on earth, rules unknown (Different Style Fight would be ideal you'd have to think, for various reasons). Nakamura's name is on this list, so if he agrees to what Inoki has in mind, this could serve as a possible return date for him in Japan. BIG MOUTH LOUD's Murakami and Shibata have also appeared on the list, and since Uei is a long-time Inoki follower, there is a fair chance they may appear.

    NJPW/Antonio Inoki's "INOKI GENOME 2006", 9/1/06
    Tokyo Nippon Budokan


    - Exhibition Match: Hiroko Inoki vs. Lalia Ali ("under negotiation")

    Scheduled participants ("under negotiation"): Josh Barnett, Don Frye, LYOTO, Bas Rutten, Ken Shamrock, Tommy Morrison (boxer), Mark Coleman, Brock Lesnar, Naoya Ogawa, Yuji Nagata, Manabu Nakanishi, Shinsuke Nakamura, Takashi Iizuka, Toru Yano, Kazunari Murakami, Katsuyori Shibata, Gangdong-gu (member of the South Korea National Amaresu Team)


    Masahiro Chono visited the grave of his beloved friend, Shinya Hashimoto, yesterday, and swore that New Japan would return to the Tokyo Dome soon. Hashimoto was intent on helping the struggling pro wrestling industry before his death, and was months away from a return to New Japan. Chono apologized to Hashimoto, saying that the pro wrestling slump had not been fixed this year either, but it would be soon. He also told Hashimoto that no one has forgotten him, and that New Japan, Hustle, and ZERO1-MAX would all be paying tribute to him in July. While Chono was in Gifu, President Simon was getting angry in Tokyo, because Chono was supposed to attend the Korakuen show and watch the tournament. This led to Simon considering the idea of stripping ChoTen of their IWGP Tag Team Title belts. Tenzan isn't completely happy with Chono either, disappointed that he consented to the tournament happening. Tenzan would have preferred to defend the belts in 1 vs. 2 matches.

    New Japan, for the first time, acknowledge Tatsumi Fujinami's departure today. In a brief snippet on the official site, Simon Inoki said they had numerous talks with Fujinami, but couldn't quite reach an agreement. He wants to ensure Fujinami and New Japan have a good relationship in future, so that they might cooperate again some day. This Fujinami situation has ended almost with a whisper, which isn't good for Fujinami and his remaining name value.

    Daily Sport had an article on last night's Japan vs. Australia match, with some amusing notes. Some fans chanted "Nippon, Nippon, Nippon!" like at the World Cup, and Daily Sports said Japan had trouble with Australia's height and speed, just like in the other sport. "Kimigayo", Japan's national anthem, played after CTU's win, and Daily Sports said "Minoru Japan" had won the match.

    Nikkan Sports highlighted Makabe from yesterday's show, as it was the first title (they ignored the one he held in Britain) he has held in his ten year career. Even though Koshinaka and Makabe are not officially the IWGP Tag Team Champions, they are being called "new champions" and "title holders", and if they hold on to the belts and ChoTen don't meet their deadline, yesterday's tournament final will in fact belatedly become an IWGP Tag Team Title Tournament, with Koshinaka & Makabe the 49th champions. The other question is, if ChoTen don't meet the deadline, but Koshinaka & Makabe lose the old belts on 7/17, does that count as two title reigns?

    Days after going on sale, Yamamoto's "SKULL BEE" line is sold out, just as his tank top was. Like Choshu, CTU, Tiger Mask, and Tanahashi, Yamamoto is becoming very popular in goods sales.


    [Results] New Japan, 7/2/06 by Stuart - 02 Jul 2006

    --> "CIRCUIT 2006 TURBULENCE" <--
    The least likely of the four teams to win today's IWGP Provisional Tag Team Champions Tournament at Korakuen Hall, the duo Nagata predicted would disintegrate due to their lack of teamwork, left the famous building victorious. In May, Koshinaka and Makabe shook hands, but as Koshinaka explained days ago, it was really just mutual respect for a good fight. New Japan assumed they were friends, so they had to team up... and miraculously came out on top. The first semi final of today's tournament to crown provisional IWGP Tag Team Champions in ChoTen's absence saw the new monster team of Bernard & Tomko defeat Yano & Ishii. Yano & Ishii fought pretty well, but were ultimately taken apart, with Bernard pinning Yano. The second semi final saw an intense match between Nagata & Yamamoto and Koshinaka & Makabe. During the match, Nagata hit Koshinaka over the head with a chair, and Koshinaka bled instantly and it wouldn't stop. With the assistance of Makabe though, he pulled through, and pinned Yamamoto following his diving hip attack. In the final, Koshinaka came out looking truly old school, with a white headband on. But even that couldn't stop the blood, and he was a mess by the end of the match, as they battled Bernard & Tomko. Korakuen rose with huge "Koshinaka!" chants, but for 90% of the match, the Japanese team was slaughtered by the foreigners. It was a momentary cradle by Makabe on Tomko that caused the huge upset and meant that Koshinaka & Makabe now hold the old IWGP Tag Team Title. They may never get a match with "real champions" ChoTen though, because Nakanishi was sat at ringside and demanded a shot at the provisional champions, on behalf of he and Omori (which ties quite nicely into Omori and Koshinaka ending their friendship during the New Japan vs. ZERO1-MAX & Koshinaka trios match recently). This match looks likely to happen on 7/17 at Tsukisamu Green Dome with the old belts on the line. Simon has suggested stripping ChoTen of their belts completely of late.

    Most of the other feature matches involved the juniors. CTU defeated the regular army in the sixth match, Jado avenging yesterday's direct loss to Samurai. There are many concerns from fans about Kanemoto's physical condition, which hasn't been good for a quite a while. Today he managed to confuse Gedo for El Samurai, and some suspect this could be the effect of painkillers. Wataru is still in fantastic touch following an impressive Super Jr. tournament. After pinning Negro Casas in a tag yesterday, he repeated his Super Jr. feat, pinning Black Tiger again today. Japan's Minoru & Hirooki Goto gained perfect revenge for their country from the World Cup, beating Australia's Hartley Jackson & Mikey Nicholls. The Aussies impressed Korakuen, moving well and using some very nice moves, including a flawless Shooting Star press from Mikey. In the end though, Minoru dunked Mikey with a stiff backdrop, then applied a cross armbreaker for the tap. Minoru evaluated the Aussies very highly, saying they put up a wonderful fight, and would love to see back in regular matches.

    NJPW, 7/2/06 (SXW)
    Tokyo Korakuen Hall
    1,510 Fans


    1. Takashi Uwano & Mitsuhide Hirasawa beat Yujiro & Tetsuya Naito (12:38) when Uwano used a crab hold on Naito.
    2. World Cup Revenge ~ Japan vs. Australia: Minoru & Hirooki Goto beat Hartley Jackson & Mikey Nicholls (10:56) when Minoru used a cross armbreaker on Nicholls.
    3. IWGP Provisional Tag Team Champions Tournament - Semi Final: Giant Bernard & Travis Tomko beat Toru Yano & Tomohiro Ishii (10:08) when Bernard used the Bernard Driver on Yano.
    4. IWGP Provisional Tag Team Champions Tournament - Semi Final: Shiro Koshinaka & Togi Makabe beat Yuji Nagata & Naofumi Yamamoto (14:47) when Koshinaka used a diving hip attack on Yamamoto.
    5. Tiger Mask & Wataru Inoue beat Negro Casas & Black Tiger (11:39) when Inoue used the Staggerin' Blow on Black Tiger.
    6. Jushin Thunder Liger, Jado & Gedo beat Koji Kanemoto, El Samurai & Ryusuke Taguchi (13:16) when Jado used the Crossface of JADO on Samurai.
    7. Manabu Nakanishi & Hiroshi Tanahashi beat Hiroyoshi Tenzan & Black Strong Machine (13:41) when Tanahashi used a German suplex hold on Machine.
    8. IWGP Provisional Tag Team Champions Tournament - Final: Shiro Koshinaka & Togi Makabe beat Giant Bernard & Travis Tomko (11:15) when Makabe used a schoolboy on Tomko.

    -

    The full card for CTU's Korakuen show was announced at today's show. The CTU Rangers vs. K-DOJO match is listed just like that, so I don't know if the pre-announced K-DOJO team will be changed. Four matches were added today, including one that sees TAKA return to New Japan ring, back in CTU to team with Black Tiger and Goto against a regular army trio (we finally get a Tiger Mask vs. TAKA confrontation). Jado & Gedo go to war with Apache Army aces, Kanemura & Kuroda, the feud still refusing to die. In a rematch from April, when Liger beat Hido quickly, they collide again... but this time Liger is returning to "Kijin" mode (well, there are three ways to say it with the exact same kanji: Kijin, Kishin, and Onigami, all meaning "Fierce God", so I just guessed the one that sounds coolest), which is the form he took when he faced Muta at Kobe World Hall in their famous 1996 match. The other match is of interest, as Minoru will have a mystery partner to take on Kanemoto & Wataru, and no doubt there is going to be plenty of speculation on who this is (maybe Dick Togo?).

    NJPW/CTU "CTU 2ND ANNIVERSARY ~ CTU DOMINATE IN KORAKUEN", 7/30/06 (Samurai! TV)
    Tokyo Korakuen Hall


    1. CTU Ranger Red, CTU Ranger Blue, CTU Ranger Yellow, CTU Ranger Green & CTU Ranger Pink vs. MIYAWAKI Kaientai Dojo, Daigoro Kashiwa Kaientai Dojo, Teppei Ishizaka Kaientai Dojo, PSYCHO Kaientai Dojo & Apple Miyuki Kaientai Dojo
    2. TAKA Michinoku Kaientai Dojo, Black Tiger & Hirooki Goto vs. Tiger Mask, El Samurai & Ryusuke Taguchi
    3. Jado & Gedo vs. Kintaro Kanemura & Tetsuhiro Kuroda
    4. Kijin Liger (Jushin Thunder Liger) vs. BADBOY Hido
    5. Minoru & X vs. Koji Kanemoto & Wataru Inoue


    Puroresu DVD Source update by Stuart - 01 Jul 2006
    Puroresu DVD Source has a brand new update of titles from Japan, including the latest available New Japan stuff. That includes several of the BOSJ shows, such as a memorable Korakuen show featuring Liger vs. Minoru, Wataru vs. Gedo, and of course Kakihara's retirement match/ceremony. There is also some stuff from a little earlier, including the Kyoto show with a half hour IWGP Jr. Tag Title match on top, plus an intense New Japan vs. ZERO1-MAX young generation war. As usual, there is also stuff from all across Japan (and elsewhere), such as the April Apache Army show that has a classic CTU vs. Apache main event, and Wataru vs. GENTARO underneath. So check out Puroresu DVD Source for the latest Japanese pro wrestling titles!


    [Results] New Japan, 7/1/06 by Stuart - 01 Jul 2006

    --> "CIRCUIT 2006 TURBULENCE" <--
    A brand new tour started quietly today in Saitama, the same prefecture two men with New Japan backgrounds, Kazuyuki Fujita and Josh Barnett, were fighting it out in the final eight of the PRIDE Openweight GP. Former WWE monster, Travis "Tyson" Tomko, made his New Japan debut, beginning his alliance with fellow tattoed mammoth, Giant Bernard, and the ChoTen army. The foreigners overwhelmed the regular army foursome today, with Yamamoto (whose new merchandise line is now on sale after his tank top sold out) in particular receiving some brutal punishment. Tomko made a fair impression in his debut match, although due to the fast pace of it, was in and out of the ring like several others. The finish saw Tomko lariat Yamamoto right into Bernard's hands, the Bernard Driver ending young lion Yamamoto's day. Tomorrow, this monsterous duo take part in the IWGP Provisional Tag Team Champions Tournament and it is hard to imagine them losing. Another team in tomorrow's tournament is Yano & Ishii, who defeated Nagata & Iizuka today and continued their great form from the last tour and LOCK UP. Ishii provoked Nagata in the match with a Nagata Lock II, since Nagata & Yamamoto could end up meeting Yano & Ishii in the tournament final tomorrow. Yano pinned Iizuka once again, in terrific touch after downing Tenzan on the Super Jr. tour climax. After dominating the last tour with their tournament, the juniors today began to move towards three title matches. Although nothing is booked yet, its becoming clearer what is on the horizon. The regular army defeated CTU in today's feature match, Samurai submitting Jado. CTU declared that they would take both IWGP Jr. titles, with Kanemoto vs. Minoru (IWGP Jr.) and Samurai & Taguchi vs. Jado & Gedo (IWGP Jr. Tag) almost certain. A Tiger Mask vs. Liger match was heavily hinted at the end of the previous tour, following Tiger's cradle win over Liger. Tiger wanted Liger to challenge for his NWA Jr. Heavyweight Title and Liger agreed, but plans may have changed after today's third match. Tiger and Wataru defeated the returning Negro Casas and Hirooki Goto, Wataru submitting the Mexican legend with his Triangle Lancer. If you recall, Wataru got a huge win over Tiger in the Super Jr. tournament, and appealed today for a shot at the NWA Jr. belt, and having been beaten by Wataru, Tiger said he'd love for this to happen, as he accepts Wataru's ability and knows how popular he is.

    New Japan didn't hold its usual retirement ceremony for Fujinami, who left the company yesterday in the quietest way imaginable (overshadowed in the press by Kenta Kobashi's illness). In the end, he left without any further persuasion from New Japan management, and this top story of a couple of months ago only got a brief mention in today's newspapers. Simon said he had spoken to Fujinami, but they didn't see eye to eye. Fujinami said he would not return to New Japan, and would finish out his days as a wrestler pursuing other "dreams", with Nishimura's new promotion his likely first stop.

    NJPW, 7/1/06
    Honkawagoe Pepe Hall Atlas
    1,000 Fans
    - No Vacancy

    1. Yujiro beat Tetsuya Naito (7:25) with a kakaekomi crab hold.
    2. Black Tiger & Prince Devitt beat Jushin Thunder Liger & Durango (9:08) when Tiger used a tombstone piledriver on Durango.
    3. Tiger Mask & Wataru Inoue beat Negro Casas & Hirooki Goto (12:22) when Inoue used the Triangle Lancer on Casas.
    4. Togi Makabe beat Takashi Uwano (8:44) with a lariat.
    5. Koji Kanemoto, El Samurai & Ryusuke Taguchi beat Minoru, Jado & Gedo (14:38) when Samurai used a chickenwing armlock on Jado.
    6. Toru Yano & Tomohiro Ishii beat Yuji Nagata & Takashi Iizuka (14:18) when Yano used the Oni Koroshi on Iizuka.
    7. Hiroyoshi Tenzan, Giant Bernard, Black Strong Machine & Travis Tomko beat Riki Choshu, Manabu Nakanishi, Hiroshi Tanahashi & Naofumi Yamamoto (15:21) when Bernard used the Bernard Driver on Yamamoto.

    -

    Main matches for the 7/7 Akashi show have been announced.

    NJPW, 7/7/06
    Akashi Municipal Industrial Exchange Center


    1. Hirooki Goto vs. Tetsuya Naito
    2. Tiger Mask & Prince Devitt vs. Negro Casas & Black Tiger
    3. Black Strong Machine vs. Takashi Uwano
    4. Takashi Iizuka & Yujiro vs. Toru Yano & Tomohiro Ishii
    5. Koji Kanemoto, El Samurai, Wataru Inoue & Ryusuke Taguchi vs. Jushin Thunder Liger, Minoru, Jado & Gedo
    6. Yuji Nagata, Manabu Nakanishi & Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Hiroyoshi Tenzan, Giant Bernard & Travis Tomko


    [Results] WRESTLE LAND, 6/30/06 by Stuart - 30 Jun 2006

    "Professional Wrestling Happy Land" opened for the second time today, with chapter two of the WRESTLE LAND brand. Today's show was generally better received than the first, largely because of a strong finish, but most reports agreed a lot can still be done to improve the formula. Hiroshi Tanahashi was again in the leading role, and after some trial and error last time, finally seems to be understanding the environment better. Tanahashi appeared on the big screen before the match and spoke to a female interviewer, who was embarrassed and awestruck by him. Tanahashi allowed the camera to focus on his crotch, which predictably led to loud screams from the ladies in attendance. Tanahashi, in black tights again and using his old entrance theme, faced one of President Hoshino's three new assassins, Masked Canadian. Although most probably expected a gimmick match here, it betrayed expectations in a good way, and was said to be a fantastic main event. Masked Canadian, the real identity of whom no one could guess, was really the sensation of the show, being called a master pro wrestling craftsman as he took apart Tanahashi's lower back/waist area with classic moves. Tanahashi endured this and would go on to win with his Dragon suplex hold, but it was a severe fight and not an easy victory. Tanahashi pulled his tights down just a little for the ladies post-match, and took the microphone, but more on that below, as it tied into another match. Backstage, he said WRESTLE LAND is heading upwards now and finding its niche, and he looks forward to tackling larger venues from now on.

    The regular Makai Club were beaten, as S-S Machine, Goto & Makabe avenged their WL debut show loss to the forces of evil. This turned into a 2 vs. 3 situation, as for some reason Makai #3 wouldn't fight Goto. It became clear why later on, when #3 betrayed Makai #5 (Nagai) with a jumping neckbreaker drop, leading to Machine dropping a senton on the former Harimao'z man for the win. Makai #3 tore off his mask post-match revealing the man many suspected, Michiyoshi Ohara! Ohara went over to the other team and shook hands with his old friend Goto, who he is teaming with in BIG MOUTH LOUD at the moment. He told Hoshino to be ready to enter the doghouse again (used in the Crazy Dogs vs. Makai Club feud). The other two Makai recruits were also beaten, meaning the Club was completely beaten today. Tiger Mask & Edo Samurai overcame Masked Hurricane & Ray Cobra in a straightforward match. Hurricane fooled few with his identity, with one of Tiger Mask's old Michinoku Pro mentors, Gran Hamada, apparently taken over to the dark side. Ray Cobra's identity is unknown, and he is the one who fell to Tiger's tombstone piledriver. Tiger Mask stripped off Cobra's mask post-match, although I don't believe his face was revealed. Samurai and Cobra seemed to pick a quarrel, brawling while Tiger played anti-hero, a match between the two at the next WRESTLE LAND show becoming decisive. With his new recruits failing him on their first attempts, President Hoshino announced the injection of two new Makai assassins next time, those being none other than Masked Devilock (Tanahashi's one night character from 9/04) and Heat (holder of the IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Title defense record and the alter ego of none other than Minoru; more on this below)!

    Minoru was scheduled to face the second generation Pegasus Kid today, but declined. He had been involved in a backstage skit, where he argued with... himself on the telephone over an unreturned porn DVD starring Nana Natsuma. Minoru was replaced by his apparent twin brother (or "childhood friend" according to Minoru), Tanaka, who wore short orange tights, kickpads, and came out to "ZERO" by the B'z. Tanaka didn't have too many problems beating Pegasus Kid, doing so with the "Tanaka Special", which just happens to be the same submission technique as the Minoru Special. After the match, Heat appeared and stared down Tanaka, who looked perplexed by the appearance of Minoru Tanaka's third alter ego. Backstage, Tanaka said he would return to WRESTLE LAND as one of the "babyfaces" (so the opposite of CTU Minoru). Another rematch from the debut show saw more revenge, as Jado & Gedo again forgot to select a partner, but Hokkaido came to the rescue today. In a similar match to their first, those three defeated Yano's Drunken Posse (Ishizaka was kidnapped by the Gasper Pirates before the show, but seemingly managed to escape or was set free), Hokkaido getting the big win by rolling up Ishizaka. After the match, Jado & Gedo finally accepted Hokkaido's ability, and Jado said to him, "Since Mr. (Shinya) Hashimoto gave you the ring name of Taichi Ishikari, you should go back to that!", and Ishikari agreed. Today's opening match was an epic exceeding all classics of the last three decades. For an hour and a quarter, Tsubo Genjin and Gran Naniwa battled it out all over Shinjuku. Unfortunately for the fans, they were only able to see a small portion of that, as Naniwa and Genjin brawled out of the building, forcing their opener to be discontinued. Then we pick up action when Tanahashi grabs the microphone after his main event win. Tanahashi said that his mentor, Tatsumi Fujinami, had left New Japan and sent a yell of thanks to him for all he had done. Before he could say anymore, the two exhausted warriors returned to the ring. Special referee Ted Tanabe refused to officiate it anymore, meaning Tanahashi took over and counted to three after Tsubo hit a brainbuster. The fans were then treated to a bonus track of Tana Genjin & Tsubo Genjin vs. Naniwa Tanaka & Gran Naniwa. I wasn't sure whether to include this in my results, as New Japan didn't print a result for it, but they explain that it was "only for people who attended". Highlights included Tana using an enema attack and Tanaka doing the Naniwa crab walk. In the end, Tana used the Bamiyan stamp (sit on face) for the three count over Naniwa. This, coupled with a good main event, really helped send fans home more satisfied than they might have been without those features.

    WRESTLE LAND upgrades now, with Tokyo Differ Ariake next on 7/23, then Korakuen Hall shows booked for 9/3 and 10/8. I'm not sure what config they are using at Differ, but it will probably be one of the smaller setups. Its clear though that WL doesn't have the popularity yet to sell out Korakuen Hall, so it'll be interesting to see how they approach those shows. There has been talk of some more big names appearing, with numerous names in the rumour mill of late.

    WRESTLE LAND "WELCOME TO THE TREASURE LAND", 6/30/06 (Samurai! TV)
    Shinjuku FACE
    500 Fans
    - Super No Vacancy

    1. Anywhere Fall Match: Tsubo Genjin beat Gran Naniwa (114:53) with a brainbuster.
    2. Jado, Gedo & Hokkaido beat Toru Yano, Daigoro Kashiwa Kaientai Dojo & Teppei Ishizaka Kaientai Dojo (14:28) when Hokkaido used a small package hold on Ishizaka.
    3. Tanaka (Minoru) beat Pegasus Kid (6:16) with the Tanaka Special.
    4. Tiger Mask & Edo Samurai beat Makai Masked Hurricane & Makai Ray Cobra (9:33) when Tiger used a tombstone piledriver on Cobra.
    5. Super Strong Machine, Tatsutoshi Goto & Togi Makabe beat Makai #2, Makai #3 & Makai #5 (10:55) when Machine used a senton bomb on Makai #5.
    6. Hiroshi Tanahashi beat Makai Masked Canadian (19:28) with a Dragon suplex hold.
    7. Bonus Track: Tana Genjin & Tsubo Genjin beat Naniwa Tanaka & Gran Naniwa when Tana used the Bamiyan stamp on Gran Naniwa.


    Interviews with tag teams, Tenzan reassures Chono, WL foreigners unveiled, Akebono on tour by Stuart - 29 Jun 2006

    Three of the four IWGP Provisional Tag Team Champions Tournament combinations attended a press conference with Simon Inoki today to give thoughts just days before the new series starts. Yano called his and Ishii's match with Bernard & Tomko the de facto final, as he doesn't see how the winner can lose to either of the other teams. Ishii said that he and Yano have a track record as a team now, so can't be brushed aside. They plan to make their V1 defense of the old IWGP Tag Team Title belts against those who hold the new IWGP Tag Team Title belts, ChoTen. Yamamoto has two reasons for wanting to win this tournament. One, he wants to appear in the G1 Climax, and realizes he must achieve something to grab one of those remaining spots. Two, he promised to occupy the void left by Nakamura's absence when Shinsuke went overseas to study, but admitted he hasn't. But by becoming a provisional tag champion, he may still be able to. Nagata said if you look at the teams in this tournament, you can see how the tag division has been neglected, and called it a sad situation. He said the price has been paid, but wants to put the fire back in New Japan's tag scene with this tournament. He turned to President Simon and requested the revival of the G1 Tag League. Simon thought about it and said, "I'd love to see that happen", meaning one of New Japan's most popular tournaments of the past may return this year! Makabe said that he and Koshinaka may be a "throw-together" team, but he feels they can win the tournament. Koshinaka was brief and had some sharp words for Yano, which led to a touch-and-go situation between the two, with Ishii having to hold back his tag partner.


    There is another team ready to activate both the New Japan and ZERO1-MAX tag divisions though, and that is Real Wild Child. Yes, Nakanishi and Omori now have a tag name, and were at New Japan offices today with their NWA Intercontinental Tag Team Title. Nakanishi said he has finally found his "number one" tag partner, after many abandoned tag teams in recent years. He said their following target is the IWGP Tag Team Title, but all titles across Japan and the world are in danger as long as they exist. Omori said he wants to cooperate with Nakanishi on the biggest stage. Nakanishi said the next biggest stage would be the Tsukisamu Green Dome on 7/17, and Omori responded that Hokkaido suits them, because it is a big stage and they are a big team. Real Wild Child let their intentions be known - they want to take the old IWGP Tag belts off the provisional tag champions quickly, and we could almost certainly be looking at a match between them and the tournament winners on 7/17 (although Nagata, Bernard, and Tomko were booked in a different match for that show today; whether that is a coincidence or gives something away, that is the question). Were they to win that, a dream tag against ChoTen couldn't be too far off...

    Speaking of ChoTen, Tenzan told Chono through the newspapers this morning not to worry about the G1 Climax and sit it out. Whether Chono, the 1991, 1992, 1994, 2002, and 2005 G1 winner, can make it, is still unknown, but he has never missed a G1 before. Tenzan told Chono to leave the G1 to him, but there were signs of him showing his senpai's manipulative mindset, as he knows that with no Chono in the G1, he would be in no one's shadow, and would have the chance to revive his shelved singles career.


    WRESTLE LAND is under 24 hours away now, and a "certain envelope from a certain person on a certain day in June" arrived in New Japan offices today, a video tape from President Hoshino with the three foreigners from the Makai Dojo. Hoshino also sent a letter, saying he doesn't know what the Gasper Pirates, who kidnapped him at WL1, have in mind, but he has more protection this time. He told Super Strong Machine, Tanahashi, and Tiger Mask to beware, because his new assassins had been undergoing super-secret-special training at the Makai Dojo. He introduced his new henchmen one by one. He said Ray Cobra (left) had first visited Japan in 1987, and that by mixing his DNA with the Makai Club's, an evolved animal, "Makai Ray Cobra", is back in New Japan. As for Masked Hurricane (center), the original fought the Tiger Mask Sayama and lost, and there ended the era of Masked Hurricane. But this new version wants revenge for his master, and is returning to Japan in order to crush the fourth generation Tiger Mask. Masked Canadian (right) challenged Fujinami for the WWWF Jr. Heavyweight Title (or rather, the original did), after Fujinami captured it in New York and returned to Japan in triumph. But he was also defeated. Hoshino's scouts found this new man in Canada though, and initiated him into the Makai Dojo, where he has been born again as a murderous masked man. He heard of his chance to get revenge on New Japan for what happened to the original Masked Hurricane, and who better to feel the "homicidal backbreaker" than the man who has inherited Fujinami's genes, Tanahashi? Can the Japanese heroes - Tanahashi, Tiger Mask, and Edo Samurai - fend off this Makai attack tomorrow, or will WL truly become Makai Land? Stay tuned to find out...

    New Japan announced the participation of Akebono on the upcoming "CIRCUIT 2006 TURBULENCE", the 64th generation Yokozuna entering seven shows. All of his matches were announced today in timely fashion. The second SXW taping of the tour has been moved from 7/14 to 7/8 on the annual schedule (the individual pages has them both as SXW, but 7/8 is already on J SPORTS' broadcast schedule). The Gifu card has been altered a little, with two of the juniors (Tiger and Liger) leaving the New Japan Rumble to take part in an openweight match with Akebono. Koshinaka's name has appeared on the 7/16 card, so he seems to have more bookings on this tour than we original thought.

    NJPW, 7/5/06
    Mito Citizen Gymnasium


    1. Riki Choshu, Yuji Nagata & Akebono vs. Hiroyoshi Tenzan, Black Strong Machine & Travis Tomko

    NJPW, 7/8/06 (SXW)
    Twin Messe Shizuoka


    1. Manabu Nakanishi, Hiroshi Tanahashi & Akebono vs. Hiroyoshi Tenzan, Giant Bernard & Travis Tomko

    NJPW, 7/9/06
    Gifu Industrial Hall


    1. New Japan Rumble: Koji Kanemoto, El Samurai, Ryusuke Taguchi & Wataru Inoue vs. Minoru, Jado, Gedo & Hirooki Goto
    2. Manabu Nakanishi & Takashi Iizuka vs. Toru Yano & Tomohiro Ishii
    3. Riki Choshu, Yuji Nagata & Naofumi Yamamoto vs. Black Strong Machine, Togi Makabe & Travis Tomko
    4. Hiroshi Tanahashi, Akebono & Tiger Mask vs. Hiroyoshi Tenzan, Giant Bernard & Jushin Thunder Liger

    NJPW, 7/14/06
    Tomakomai City Gymnasium


    1. Yuji Nagata, Hiroshi Tanahashi & Akebono vs. Hiroyoshi Tenzan, Giant Bernard & Travis Tomko

    NJPW, 7/15/06
    Tottori Dome


    1. Riki Choshu, Yuji Nagata, Hiroshi Tanahashi & Akebono vs. Hiroyoshi Tenzan, Giant Bernard, Black Strong Machine & Travis Tomko

    NJPW, 7/16/06
    Asahikawa Local Industry Promotion Center


    1. Hiroshi Tanahashi & Naofumi Yamamoto vs. Giant Bernard & Travis Tomko
    2. Riki Choshu, Yuji Nagata & Akebono vs. Hiroyoshi Tenzan, Togi Makabe & Shiro Koshinaka

    NJPW, 7/17/06 (WPW/NJ+IWTV Internet)
    Tsukisamu Green Dome


    1. Riki Choshu, Yuji Nagata & Akebono vs. Hiroyoshi Tenzan, Giant Bernard & Travis Tomko
    2. IWGP Heavyweight Title: Brock Lesnar (c) vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi


    First six G1 participants announced! by Stuart - 28 Jun 2006
    Vice-president Naoki Sugehayashi today announced the first six participants for the 2006 G1 Climax, a little earlier than planned. Only ten spots are available this year, which means just four remain to be filled (I'm almost positive there were originally twelve spots, so this has been cut down even more if so), and there are no doubt going to be some hearts broken this year in New Japan. Three former G1 champions are in - Tenzan, Nagata, and Nakanishi - and one former finalist, Tanahashi, who may be the IWGP Heavyweight Champion by August. Giant Bernard becomes the first foreigner since the 2000 extended edition (which was a failure, as they let the entire undercard in almost) to enter the G1, coinciding with his official status as a fully affiliated New Japan wrestler. No doubt the success of Bernard in the New Japan Cup, which he won in a G1 worthy final, helped them decide this. Sugehayashi said the popularity of juniors and particularly CTU had been undeniable on the previous tour, and so a spot was granted for them. Since Minoru rejected the big chance, wanting to focus on the junior scene, Jushin Thunder Liger returns for his third G1, his first since 2001 (I wonder if he'll come out in his heavyweight costume again). As for the remaining four spots, Chono will have one if he is ready, but Sugehayashi described the situation as "delicate". Shinsuke Nakamura will not return for this tournament, as again we are left waiting for his much anticipated return, which is now more likely to be September. Sugehayashi said that he is negotiating with no less than six wrestlers who are either freelance or work for other promotions for one or two of the last four spots, but not repeating the mistakes of the past, he didn't give their names. He also said there is a chance that more juniors could enter yet. Then there are young men like Yamamoto and Yano who will want a chance, so there is much competition.

    - Hiroyoshi Tenzan (12th participation, 2003 & 2004 winner)
    - Yuji Nagata (8th participation, 2001 winner)
    - Manabu Nakanishi (10th participation, 1999 winner)
    - Hiroshi Tanahashi (5th participation)
    - Giant Bernard (1st participation)
    - Jushin Thunder Liger (3rd participation)


    The CTU Rangers joined Sugehayashi to announce that New Japan's very popular pocket site (which you can see a photo of here) is now available on "NTT DoCoMo" format phones in Japan, and will be available on Vodaphones in August. I wrote a detailed story on this service when it was launched, as it is the first in the pro wrestling world of its kind, offering countless features, including short clips from house shows, live results, wrestler diaries, and interviews. As of this April, it had about 85,000 members, and that is likely to increase now.

    Naigai Times persists with the ridiculous claims that an Antonio Inoki vs. Vince McMahon match could happen. They are talking about Inoki's 9/1 Budokan show as a location for it now, as President Simon talked about the possibility of WWE and CMLL wrestlers appearing there. As for that show, its said that New Japan was originally going to sponsor it, but Yuke's said "no", possibly realizing the fairly high chance that it will lose money. However, Simon has promised New Japan support (according to one blog, without Yuke's permission), and they're talking of running both pro wrestling matches with New Japan stars, and MMA fights with IFL (U.S.) and WFX (South Korea) stars at the event.


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