Post by RYUUSEI Satellite Radio on Aug 24, 2018 2:33:43 GMT -5
Welcome back everyone to the MONDO Sports Hour, recast on RYUUSEI Satellite Radio, bringing you coverage of the latest news and updates in the world of puroresu. I'm your host, Tom Foolery, and we have a very special guest on tonight's program with some breaking news out of MAXIMUM Japan Pro-Wrestling. His name is Solomon Bentley and he is a beat reporter who works for ENSOU! TV. Solomon, welcome to the show.
It's good to be here, Tom.
Now, Solomon, MAXIMUM Japan is currently in its annual singles tournament. Is that right?
That's right, the J1 SUMMIT. It's been amazing thus far. Next week is the semifinals and we've got the MAX Heavyweight Champion ZENKI going up against Jacob Hammerstein, and these two guys don't like each other, man.
Right, I seem to remember watching the highlights and the fans threw air fresheners at Hammerstein?
Yes, that's true. When ZENKI comes out to the ring, they throw cherry blossoms. It's a cool scene, actually. But ZENKI at a press conference made some snide remark about how foreigners smell bad. MAX-J fans are pretty creative, so, that really took the comments to heart. I think it was more about making ZENKI feel comfortable, but if you're Hammerstein, it's probably hard not to see it as an insult.
So it would seem. OK, and who do we have in the other semifinal?
Right, well, in the other match we have Tokyo Zombie versus "Mountain" Shinjiro Nakama. Zombie is undefeated in the tournament so far, but Nakama is an aggressive fighter. That aggression got him in trouble last time, but he's always improving. Like, he struggle in the opening of the PYRAMID Grappling League, but he actually won in the finals even though he didn't have enough points to win the league by that point. So, he's dangerous. But Zombie, who is also a member of the Demon Brigade with ZENKI and one-half of the World Tag Team Champions, he's on a major roll and he beat Nakama once already in the tournament. So, we'll see.
Exciting times in MAX-J. You've also got the Junior Heavyweight title being defended. Our producer wants a METAL HERO t-shirt, you think you could pull that off?
Haha, maybe. But it's true, METAL HERO's gonna make his first defense of the belt against James Edwards, who just barely missed the cut for the semifinals. It should be an exciting match. Both guys love to use their legs, so expect a lot of striking.
We're pumped. Now, Solomon, I understand you have some breaking news for us to report...
Absolutely, Tom. I can officially announce that MAXIMUM Japan Pro-Wrestling has partnered with the Battleground Network to stream ENSOU! TV's coverage of its events to a global audience.
That's huge. So, no more third-party streaming and grainy footage?
That's right. MAX-J's become a global company and as a result with this new deal they have officially reached out to a worldwide audience. You'll be able to catch the same coverage that ENSOU! TV's English language UNION OF SPORTS provides in Japan.
Wow, awesome! When does it start?
Immediately. You'll be able to catch the rest of the J1 SUMMIT, no problem.
Fantastic. Solomon, thanks for being on the show today. We look forward to having you back.
Not a problem, thanks for having me.