Post by UNION of SPORTS! on Apr 13, 2019 9:08:50 GMT -5
On April 12th, General Manager Masaaki “Genki” Sano took the podium to inform the public that MJPW’s scheduled event, CHAMPION’S GULF, would not take place in Dubai. He announced that TOUKON ROAD’s budget has been in the red ever since the company left Southeast Asia. With a few events struggling to generate ticket sales in Europe, the company could not afford to sustain operations in what was planning to be an expensive venue in Dubai.
Naoki Ojima battled in the opener against Umetaro Sakamoto in a technical wrestling fiesta, both men showing off numerous submission attempts, including a bow and arrow hold from Sakamoto that stretched Ojima to his limit. But in the end, it was Ojima who came out with the victory, hitting three German suplexes in a row to culminate in a three-count. After the match, former MAX Heavyweight Champion Mike Musket would appear and shake Ojima’s hand, offering him a diploma and telling him that he was an official graduate and alumni from MAX Dojo. Ojima was intensely grateful and the two shared a warm embrace in the ring to the applause of the fans.
Newcomer Ace Sky managed to pull out a victory, as well, matching up against the former amateur wrestler turned MMA fighter KOSUKE, utilizing an inside cradle to seal the victory.
In the Jr. Heavyweight Championship, we saw James Edwards attempt his V1 defense against the legendary Thunder Mask. The cagey masked wrestler did his best, but ultimately was unable to unseat Edwards, who struck the world-class junior heavyweight with his patented Violent Gospel to pick up the victory and make his first defense of the title.
The World Tag Team titles would change hands once again, as it would be the combination of GRIM and Falcon Hamada representing the Demon Brigade to defeat the beleaguered partnership of AJ Knight and Alexander Irvine. The two champs would spat at each other repeatedly and this would allow the Demon Brigade’s teamwork to win the day, culminating in GRIM using a poison mist attack on Irvine before hitting him with a Tombstone Piledriver for the 1-2-3 and giving Demon Brigade the win.
In the Royal Road Championship, it was Shinjiro Nakama versus Chris Ravenna in a hard-fought match. Ravenna had been on a roll as of late, but no one has been hotter of course than Shinjiro Nakama who has yet to lose in singles competition on the tour. Ravenna would keep up the pace, hoping to wear out Nakama and force him to chase him around the ring. When he would surprisingly catch Nakama for the Artikulo Uno, he would get a 1… 2… 2.99999 count and just barely miss the pin!
Nakama would battle back, finally getting his mitts on Ravenna and keeping him locked up in a clinch with thick, sternum caving knee strikes. Nakama would then hit the running knee strike and his high-angle German suplex for the 1… 2… 3-NO! A close fall indeed.
The two men would battle well past the twenty-minute mark, with Nakama’s bruised face seemingly swollen up like he had a peanut allergy and Ravenna’s chest bruised in a bluish discoloration. Nakama would manage to cross-block the Artikulo Uno and then hit a running knee strike once more and follow it up with the high-angle German suplex hold to pick up the 1-2-3 and make his V3 defense of the title.
After the match, Nakama would extend a hand to Ravenna as a show of respect, something we have yet to see of the big man. Arnold Cunningham seemed a bit perplexed, but as Nakama told Ravenna, “Again” we saw the Tirador nod in acceptance.
Backstage, Nakama would also be declared the winner of the TOUKON Cup, having accumulated the most points. He would receive a trophy from GM Sano, who expressed gratitude at the big man’s fighting prowess.
In the main event it was Frank Dylan James. His opponent? None other than “American Monster” Jacob Hammerstein. The two fighters would get the 1,800 fans on their feet as they battled. Hammer would absorb the brawling champion’s attacks, and in perhaps the sickest spot of the night, lift the West Virginia mastodon up with his Hammersteiner and drive him into the mat, picking up the 1-2-3 and winning the MAX Heavyweight Championship in the process. Hammerstein would mount the turnbuckle, raising the belt high into the air as the gym filled with applause.
Before the feed cut, we could see the figure of GRIM cutting a stride down the aisle and stopping midway. Hammerstein on the second-rope, with the belt around his waist, returned the stare. The fans applauded and cheered the confrontation appeared poised for the next phase of MJPW.
At his post-event press conference, reporters asked about the scale’s show and the notable absence of several wrestlers. He said that it was a combination of logistics and financial issues that caused the occurrence and blamed himself. He assured the reporters that none of the fighters were facing any disciplinary infractions.
In his concluding remarks, Masaaki “Genki” Sano announced that as of 4/13 he would resign from MJPW and allow the company to move in a new direction. He thanked the fighters who participated on the TOUKON ROAD, saying that he felt gratitude to those who supported the venture. He said the company is already in negotiation with a new GM and he stated that while he could not comment on who the company was thinking about hiring, he said, “it will be a world-class individual who I am sure will lead this company into its brightest era”.
Before departing, he delivered his final words of departure:
TOUKON ROAD FINALE: OUT TO SEA!
Date: 4/13/2019
Location: TOUKON Sakura Maru, Pacific Ocean
Attendance: 1,800 fans (100% capacity)
1. Naoki Ojima defeats Umetaro Sakamoto (10:12) via pinfall with a German suplex hold.
2. Ace Sky defeats KOSUKE (7:18) via pinfall with an inside cradle.
3. MAX Jr. Heavyweight Championship: James Edwards (c) defeats Thunder Mask (14:09) via pinfall after the Violent Gospel (1st defense).
4. World Tag Team Championship: GRIM and Falcon Hamada defeat AJ Knight and Alexander Irvine (c) (15:17) via pinfall after GRIM uses a Tombstone Piledriver on Irvine to become the 12th champions.
5. MAX Royal Road Championship: Shinjiro Nakama (c) defeats Chris Ravenna (25:33) via pinfall with a high-angle German suplex hold.
6. MAX Heavyweight Championship: Jacob Hammerstein defeats Frank Dylan James (c) (16:45) via pinfall after the Hammersteiner to become the 6th champion.
He announced that TOUKON ROAD would conclude onboard the TOUKON Sakura Maru, MAX-J’s cruiseliner on 4/13, in an event called OUT TO SEA! in a wrestling ring constructed in the vessel’s gymnasium. A total of 1,800 passengers would fill the gym to watch a consolidated show, the last of the TOUKON ROAD world tour before the company would return to Japan. Many of the slated wrestlers would not appear for the show due to logistical constraints and other issues. Nevertheless, the TOUKON ROAD finale was at hand...
TOUKON ROAD FINALE: OUT TO SEA!
4/13/2019
TOUKON SAKURA MARU, PACIFIC OCEAN
Newcomer Ace Sky managed to pull out a victory, as well, matching up against the former amateur wrestler turned MMA fighter KOSUKE, utilizing an inside cradle to seal the victory.
In the Jr. Heavyweight Championship, we saw James Edwards attempt his V1 defense against the legendary Thunder Mask. The cagey masked wrestler did his best, but ultimately was unable to unseat Edwards, who struck the world-class junior heavyweight with his patented Violent Gospel to pick up the victory and make his first defense of the title.
The World Tag Team titles would change hands once again, as it would be the combination of GRIM and Falcon Hamada representing the Demon Brigade to defeat the beleaguered partnership of AJ Knight and Alexander Irvine. The two champs would spat at each other repeatedly and this would allow the Demon Brigade’s teamwork to win the day, culminating in GRIM using a poison mist attack on Irvine before hitting him with a Tombstone Piledriver for the 1-2-3 and giving Demon Brigade the win.
In the Royal Road Championship, it was Shinjiro Nakama versus Chris Ravenna in a hard-fought match. Ravenna had been on a roll as of late, but no one has been hotter of course than Shinjiro Nakama who has yet to lose in singles competition on the tour. Ravenna would keep up the pace, hoping to wear out Nakama and force him to chase him around the ring. When he would surprisingly catch Nakama for the Artikulo Uno, he would get a 1… 2… 2.99999 count and just barely miss the pin!
Nakama would battle back, finally getting his mitts on Ravenna and keeping him locked up in a clinch with thick, sternum caving knee strikes. Nakama would then hit the running knee strike and his high-angle German suplex for the 1… 2… 3-NO! A close fall indeed.
The two men would battle well past the twenty-minute mark, with Nakama’s bruised face seemingly swollen up like he had a peanut allergy and Ravenna’s chest bruised in a bluish discoloration. Nakama would manage to cross-block the Artikulo Uno and then hit a running knee strike once more and follow it up with the high-angle German suplex hold to pick up the 1-2-3 and make his V3 defense of the title.
After the match, Nakama would extend a hand to Ravenna as a show of respect, something we have yet to see of the big man. Arnold Cunningham seemed a bit perplexed, but as Nakama told Ravenna, “Again” we saw the Tirador nod in acceptance.
Backstage, Nakama would also be declared the winner of the TOUKON Cup, having accumulated the most points. He would receive a trophy from GM Sano, who expressed gratitude at the big man’s fighting prowess.
In the main event it was Frank Dylan James. His opponent? None other than “American Monster” Jacob Hammerstein. The two fighters would get the 1,800 fans on their feet as they battled. Hammer would absorb the brawling champion’s attacks, and in perhaps the sickest spot of the night, lift the West Virginia mastodon up with his Hammersteiner and drive him into the mat, picking up the 1-2-3 and winning the MAX Heavyweight Championship in the process. Hammerstein would mount the turnbuckle, raising the belt high into the air as the gym filled with applause.
Before the feed cut, we could see the figure of GRIM cutting a stride down the aisle and stopping midway. Hammerstein on the second-rope, with the belt around his waist, returned the stare. The fans applauded and cheered the confrontation appeared poised for the next phase of MJPW.
Sano's announcement!
In his concluding remarks, Masaaki “Genki” Sano announced that as of 4/13 he would resign from MJPW and allow the company to move in a new direction. He thanked the fighters who participated on the TOUKON ROAD, saying that he felt gratitude to those who supported the venture. He said the company is already in negotiation with a new GM and he stated that while he could not comment on who the company was thinking about hiring, he said, “it will be a world-class individual who I am sure will lead this company into its brightest era”.
Before departing, he delivered his final words of departure:
“Not everyone gets the chance to realize their dreams, much less even chase them. The dream of TOUKON ROAD, a traveling festival of warriors which brings hope to fans around the world, has always lived within me. I wanted to pursue that dream and got my opportunity during this short time. We’ve inspired thousands, if not millions, on this journey. It has been a lovely cruise.
“I applaud the champions who have represented this company with virtue. I am grateful to the fighters who demonstrate the beating heart of this company. To the dojo students, your ambition and energy fill me with hope. To ENSOU! TV and our broadcast partners, you gave us the ability to spread our message. And to the fans, of course, we perform our art to honor you, and your attendance and viewership honors us likewise. For together, all of us, honor the art of pro-wrestling.
“May you always travel along the TOUKON ROAD.”
“I applaud the champions who have represented this company with virtue. I am grateful to the fighters who demonstrate the beating heart of this company. To the dojo students, your ambition and energy fill me with hope. To ENSOU! TV and our broadcast partners, you gave us the ability to spread our message. And to the fans, of course, we perform our art to honor you, and your attendance and viewership honors us likewise. For together, all of us, honor the art of pro-wrestling.
“May you always travel along the TOUKON ROAD.”
TOUKON ROAD FINALE: OUT TO SEA!
Date: 4/13/2019
Location: TOUKON Sakura Maru, Pacific Ocean
Attendance: 1,800 fans (100% capacity)
1. Naoki Ojima defeats Umetaro Sakamoto (10:12) via pinfall with a German suplex hold.
2. Ace Sky defeats KOSUKE (7:18) via pinfall with an inside cradle.
3. MAX Jr. Heavyweight Championship: James Edwards (c) defeats Thunder Mask (14:09) via pinfall after the Violent Gospel (1st defense).
4. World Tag Team Championship: GRIM and Falcon Hamada defeat AJ Knight and Alexander Irvine (c) (15:17) via pinfall after GRIM uses a Tombstone Piledriver on Irvine to become the 12th champions.
5. MAX Royal Road Championship: Shinjiro Nakama (c) defeats Chris Ravenna (25:33) via pinfall with a high-angle German suplex hold.
6. MAX Heavyweight Championship: Jacob Hammerstein defeats Frank Dylan James (c) (16:45) via pinfall after the Hammersteiner to become the 6th champion.