Post by RYUUSEI Satellite Radio on Nov 7, 2018 15:02:34 GMT -5
Transcript from MONDO SPORTS HOUR! broadcast early this morning...
Folks, we’re looking at a full-blown civil war.
The armistice between MAX-J Owner Chikashi Enatsu and General Manager Masaaki Sano ended yesterday when Enatsu held a press conference where he announced that 11/12 will feature a #1 contendership battle royale to determine who will face the winner of ZENKI vs. Jun Vegas for the MAX Heavyweight Championship. Minutes later, GM Sano and Competition Committee Chairman Rokurou Murakami released a joint statement denouncing the decision and declaring that the Competition Committee must approve all matches involving the defense or contendership for MAX titles.
At MAX HQ in Tokyo, apparently there is a full-blown leadership crisis and the guys in the suits are huddled in their offices and boardrooms. No one is quite sure who will emerge atop MAX-J but all we know is that it’s going to get ugly. An unnamed source close to Sano says the GM feels “betrayed to the core and filled with grief” that he ceded his approval for bookings to Enatsu for 11/12 as an act of good faith, believing that they were on the same page.
Details on the battle royale indicate that four fighters have been scheduled to participate: Mike Musket, former MAX Heavyweight Champion and recent winner of the Tiger’s Festival tournament; Shinjiro Nakama, the most recent contender to challenge ZENKI; Go Gensai, the rising star; and finally, Umetaro Sakamoto, the top student in MAX Dojo. There’s no word from any of fighters on this matter. Contractually, they have been booked to compete and the letter of the law states that they will wrestle the match.
But will Sano and Murakami honor the #1 contendership resulting from the battle royale? At this point, we just don’t know.
The Sword of Lite Grand Prix is gearing up, scheduled to begin on 11/23 and the majority of participants have been determined. We are sure to have a star-studded event. Last year’s show in Yokohama was just brilliant, featuring several highly touted matches and a grand finale that saw Matt Pulver best ZENKI to win the tournament and the coveted katana bejeweled in diamonds.
Lynx – the current MAX Jr. Heavyweight Champion
Tokyo Zombie – the current #1 contender for the title
METAL HERO – a former MAX Jr. Heavyweight Champion
Joseph White – newcomer known as the “Gold Standard Killer”
Sen Oka – a mysterious new junior heavyweight fighter
David Troy – the current World’s Heavyweight Champion of Lion’s Road Pro-Wrestling
Mascara De Muerte IV – globally renowned luchador
AJ Knight – North American all-star and, as it stands, the only participant in last year’s tournament
Tokyo Zombie – the current #1 contender for the title
METAL HERO – a former MAX Jr. Heavyweight Champion
Joseph White – newcomer known as the “Gold Standard Killer”
Sen Oka – a mysterious new junior heavyweight fighter
David Troy – the current World’s Heavyweight Champion of Lion’s Road Pro-Wrestling
Mascara De Muerte IV – globally renowned luchador
AJ Knight – North American all-star and, as it stands, the only participant in last year’s tournament
Sadly, Matt Pulver is unable to compete this year but promised to make sure he returns the ceremonial sword, stating that he hopes that he has served as a worthy wielder over the past year (and indeed, he has).
The exact format of the tournament has not been determined. Last year’s tournament featured 16 fighters, so it is unclear whether
- PREVIEW -
Chikashi Enatsu’s BIRTHDAY JAMBOREE ~ airing via worldPPV
Date: 11/12/2018
Location: Minato Civic Center, Ōsaka, Japan
1. #1 Contender’s Battle Royale: Mike Musket vs. Shinjiro Nakama vs. Go Gensai vs. Umetaro Sakamoto
2. MAX Junior Heavyweight Championship: Lynx (c) vs. Tokyo Zombie