BRAVE NEW WORLD - DAY FIVE

5. World's Jr. Heavyweight Title: Chris Ravenna beat James Edwards (c) by submission in 9:15 with a scissored armbar. 

Today's show didn't fill up the Osaka-jo Center as hoped, but it did prove to be a pretty solid show from top to bottom. 

Heartbreak Kanagawa made an impressive debut as he brought his Texas brand of pro-wrestling to MAX Japan and submitted Buster Allen with a spinning toe hold in less than five minutes! Kanagawa said it was his duty to put the old dog down and he did just that. 

The Sons of Gold battled the MAX Dojo students in the second match with Kono Masaki looking particularly good, coming out of the gate real hot - sending Katsuhiko Himura to the floor.  He then tried to remove his t-shirt, but Shinzo Takamori brought it over his head for him - jersey'ing him and feeding him punches until Hiro made the save.  After that, Kono seemed a bit embarrassed about his brother's help and stayed in through four tags from the MAX Dojo team.  Kono scored the win by executing a standing switch out of Takamori's German suplex attempt, then sent the former hockey player into his partner on the apron.  Kono grabbed him in the rear waistlock again, then delivered a ripcord lariat before unleashing his corkscrew moonsault.  Backstage, Hiro was happy that Kono got the win but wished he'd have been a bit more cooperative.  Kono just rolled his eyes.

Naoki Ojima put in a hell of a performance against Shinjiro Nakama, but unfortunately it wasn't enough to stop the Mountain from obtaining his twelfth singles win in a row and his fifth defense of the Royal Road title.  Ojima was relentless from the opening bell, panicking Arnold Cunningham with his fury but the wild spirit landed the young tiger in hot water.  He scored with his corner crossbody splash, then tried to continue on with a tornado DDT... but Nakama chucked him forward and drove knee to the nose to pick up the win! Ojima was checked over and despite his broken nose, was optimistic about his performance.  Arnold Cunningham marched backstage with Shinjiro Nakama and handed the Royal Road title to President Banno, telling him that the Mountain wants a shot at the World's title!

Speaking of the World's title, its holder - Hammerstein fought in non-title action in the semi main grudge match.  He and Tiger Mask Undead started the match off by using the chain like a battle rope, smacking it into each other's face.  As Tiger Mask tried to hastily advance, Hammer dodged him and began lashing him across the back with the dog chain - then tried for the mask.  However, GRIM rushed in and attacked Hammer from behind! Referee Oba tried to pull him off, but it was the arrival of Sheik Spectre - who chucked salt in the eyes of GRIM that got the King of the Dead out of the ring, as the two brawled to the back.  Tiger used this chance to surprise Hammer with the mandible claw, but Hammer used the no DQ rules to his advantage and low-blowed his opponent to get free.  Tiger responded by taking a length of chain between his hands and pressing it down across Hammer's open mouth, then throat.  Somehow, Hammer mustered up the energy to punch Tiger square in the jaw and rattled him.  Hammer pushed him off and tried to get up, but Tiger began returning the lashes from earlier.  The World's Champion rolled over and ate some lashes across the face, drawing gasps from the crowd as he quickly began bleeding.  TMU wrapped the chain around his head and began headbutting his opponent as he lay on the mat, Hammerstein would get his arms up and pulled the Undead one by the collar and down into the mat - a defensive move made worse by the chain wrapped around his head.  Hammerstein took to the offensive, grabbing the chain and unravelling it.  He yanked Tiger to his knees, in position for the screwdriver suplex... but Tiger applied the mandible claw while upside down! Hammer fell backwards into the ropes while Tiger fell over, the World's Champion holding the advantage as Tiger dangled precariously! Referee Oba frantically called for the bell as Dojo students grabbed Tiger to alleviate the pressure on his neck, and to allow Oba to remove the dog collar.  Hammerstein regained his senses as Tiger fell to the ground and crawled under the ring, the lights would go out as Hammerstein tried to give chase.  After a few moments, the lights came back on and Hammerstein emerged from under the ring with the mask in hand, but no Tiger. 

In the main event, James Edwards looked to make his third defense of the World's Jr. Heavyweight title against the man he bested to win the belt, Chris Ravenna.  Johnny Takano brought up that Ravenna defeated James Edwards in Canada in April to win the Lion's Road Heritage Cup and earn this title rematch.  Ravenna tried to get in Edwards' head early, but it didn't seem that Edwards was even interested in being in the ring - looking very unmotivated.  It's something Ravenna noticed too, but he didn't hold back - he razed Edwards' legs with kicks, using the Demon Brigade's work from earlier in the tour to make his job a little bit easier.  With Edwards hobbling on one leg only five minutes into the match, "Tiradores" began going for the kill as Edwards tried to defend against leg attacks.  With the Burning Heart so focused on his leg, Ravenna changed his strategy and lit him up with strikes! Edwards managed to dodge a hook, but a Pele kick found it's mark and sent Edwards wobbling back into the ropes.  As the challenger got back to his feet, the champion came forward and received a punch to the neck! Down he went and Ravenna clamped on a scissored armbar to earn the verbal submission and the World's Jr. title! Ravenna celebrated inside the ring before noticing that the Demon Brigade (sans GRIM and Tiger Mask Undead) had come out, Edwards got back up and saw Falcon Hamada and SHACHIMON hop on the apron.  Ravenna chuckled as he kicked Edwards in the back, sending him into the ropes, then exited - leaving the Brigade to brutalize Edwards!

Backstage, Ravenna reiterated a cold heart is what it takes to win the title.  When asked if he'd joined forces with the Demon Brigade, he shook his head and said that he only fed the wolves.  He chuckled before walking off.