Post by RYUUSEI Satellite Radio on Jul 28, 2018 18:51:42 GMT -5
Guys, it’s the weekend before J1 SUMMIT 2018 and I’ve got to say, I’ve got goosebumps! We’ve waited an entire year and now that we are at the eve of the submit the entire city of Yokohama is amped. MJPW held a celebratory festival/media event called the "J1 SUMMIT EVE" in the downtown area, just across the street from the Ramen museum. The ten fighters that will compete in the round-robin tournament all gathered in a hotel conference center where they spoke a few words and conducted a meet-and-greet with fans.
Of course, whenever the Demon Brigade is present, one is reminded the fan is merely short for fanatic. ZENKI, the MAX Heavyweight Champion, entered with GRIM and Tokyo Zombie, the World Tag Team Champions, accompanied by hundreds of their so-called “zealots” wearing all black and chanting “NIHON! NIHON!” at many of the foreign competitors.
GRIM promised that he would unveil knew mystical techniques that he had learned from spending time in the realm where dwells the Jorougumo.
When Tokyo Zombie was presented with the microphone, he told the fans that while in meditation with the Zombie-gumi, the power of the sutras tattooed on his body had been fully restored to protect him during the tournament.
ZENKI took the microphone to tremendous fanfare. He told the fans that with the entire Demon Brigade competing in the tournament, no doubt they would win. He said an all-Demon Brigade final would produce the most fruitful match ever witnessed in the history of pro-wrestling. He joked he might need to wear nose plugs, for the smelliest of gaijin such as Mike Musket and Hammerstein would be competing in his block.
Speaking of Mike Musket, the winner of last year’s J1 SUMMIT took pictures with many of the fans and apparently even brought some kind of beef stew to the occasion. He said that his injured shoulder had fully healed up and he was ready to repeat this year and earn the shot to reclaim the MAX Heavyweight title from his “good buddy”, Lord ZENKI.
The “American Monster” Jacob Hammerstein received some boos, but he was otherwise diplomatic with the crowd. While he stated his preference for the good ole U.S. of A, he let them know that he was taking the tournament with the utmost seriousness and did not plan to go home empty-handed.
Of course, it wouldn’t be a media day without some fireworks, and it didn’t take long before “Mountain” Shinjiro Nakama and Daichi Kusumoto got into it. During Kusumoto’s introduction when he thanked the fans for showing up, Nakama arrived with his dark sunglasses on and Xpress Fighting Systems Manager, Arnold Cunningham, in tow. Kusumoto said he did not appreciate being interrupted when Nakama reminded him how he had interrupted him from having a “discussion” with Matt Pulver at the PYRAMID GRAPPLING LEAGUE! Well, the two men had to be separated and at one point Nakama threw an office water cooler and chucked it across the stage! Although everyone got a little wet, fortunately no one was hurt.
James Edwards came onto the scene almost in stealth mode by comparison. Fans asked him about last year’s tournament and whether he still held a grudge against Jacob Hammerstein for roughing him up just before the semifinals. He shrugged and said he would let his actions speak for himself in the ring.
Mitsuo Shimada took dozens of pictures with the fans, seeming to be having quite the pleasant time. One of these fans turned out to be a little more than friendly. A young woman hugged him and would not let go, having to be escorted out by security. Shimada was not bothered, however, and told the fans through a translator, “it happens all the time” to uproarious laughter.
Finally, Robb Daniels arrived decked out in a tailored suit and carrying an emerald green SEATTLE PRO banner. The Headliner got on the microphone and told fans that Seattle was better than any city in Japan. When they booed he replied that, “Japan couldn't keep Ichiro from Seattle, and no one's going to keep me from taking J1 SUMMIT trophy back to Seattle either!”
All in all, it was an exciting Saturday night. Only a few days are left and you know all the fighters will be relentlessly be training in preparation for the grueling month ahead!
Of course, whenever the Demon Brigade is present, one is reminded the fan is merely short for fanatic. ZENKI, the MAX Heavyweight Champion, entered with GRIM and Tokyo Zombie, the World Tag Team Champions, accompanied by hundreds of their so-called “zealots” wearing all black and chanting “NIHON! NIHON!” at many of the foreign competitors.
GRIM promised that he would unveil knew mystical techniques that he had learned from spending time in the realm where dwells the Jorougumo.
When Tokyo Zombie was presented with the microphone, he told the fans that while in meditation with the Zombie-gumi, the power of the sutras tattooed on his body had been fully restored to protect him during the tournament.
ZENKI took the microphone to tremendous fanfare. He told the fans that with the entire Demon Brigade competing in the tournament, no doubt they would win. He said an all-Demon Brigade final would produce the most fruitful match ever witnessed in the history of pro-wrestling. He joked he might need to wear nose plugs, for the smelliest of gaijin such as Mike Musket and Hammerstein would be competing in his block.
Speaking of Mike Musket, the winner of last year’s J1 SUMMIT took pictures with many of the fans and apparently even brought some kind of beef stew to the occasion. He said that his injured shoulder had fully healed up and he was ready to repeat this year and earn the shot to reclaim the MAX Heavyweight title from his “good buddy”, Lord ZENKI.
The “American Monster” Jacob Hammerstein received some boos, but he was otherwise diplomatic with the crowd. While he stated his preference for the good ole U.S. of A, he let them know that he was taking the tournament with the utmost seriousness and did not plan to go home empty-handed.
Of course, it wouldn’t be a media day without some fireworks, and it didn’t take long before “Mountain” Shinjiro Nakama and Daichi Kusumoto got into it. During Kusumoto’s introduction when he thanked the fans for showing up, Nakama arrived with his dark sunglasses on and Xpress Fighting Systems Manager, Arnold Cunningham, in tow. Kusumoto said he did not appreciate being interrupted when Nakama reminded him how he had interrupted him from having a “discussion” with Matt Pulver at the PYRAMID GRAPPLING LEAGUE! Well, the two men had to be separated and at one point Nakama threw an office water cooler and chucked it across the stage! Although everyone got a little wet, fortunately no one was hurt.
James Edwards came onto the scene almost in stealth mode by comparison. Fans asked him about last year’s tournament and whether he still held a grudge against Jacob Hammerstein for roughing him up just before the semifinals. He shrugged and said he would let his actions speak for himself in the ring.
Mitsuo Shimada took dozens of pictures with the fans, seeming to be having quite the pleasant time. One of these fans turned out to be a little more than friendly. A young woman hugged him and would not let go, having to be escorted out by security. Shimada was not bothered, however, and told the fans through a translator, “it happens all the time” to uproarious laughter.
Finally, Robb Daniels arrived decked out in a tailored suit and carrying an emerald green SEATTLE PRO banner. The Headliner got on the microphone and told fans that Seattle was better than any city in Japan. When they booed he replied that, “Japan couldn't keep Ichiro from Seattle, and no one's going to keep me from taking J1 SUMMIT trophy back to Seattle either!”
All in all, it was an exciting Saturday night. Only a few days are left and you know all the fighters will be relentlessly be training in preparation for the grueling month ahead!