New Japan stood in union with a big joint practice session at the Setagaya Dojo at 11:30am yesterday.


They started with some fundemental warm-ups, with Nagata looking commanding and moving very quickly. With Yoshie on all fours, Nagata jumped over him with front and back flips. Other wrestlers followed his example, repeating the practice.


The wrestlers split into groups of two for sparring matches. They used bodyslams, headlock throlws and arm whips, and were repeatedly thrown to the mat. Nagata, who acts as a trainer in the dojo, helping young wrestlers, was again in charge, giving instructions. Nakanishi and Tenzan, eternal rivals who recently put their differences aside for the common cause, did what was described as a Strong Style spar, with a sleeper hold, bridge and armlock.


Uh oh! If you've seen any recent SXWs, you'll have witnessed the segments from the dojo with the new trainees. Under the watchful, stern eye of Kotetsu Yamamoto, who often wields a stick, they are forced to suffer through some difficult practices, such as bridging on their head with him sat on them. He acted as referee for a Tanaken sparring match, growling instructions to them. After all the sparring was over, the roster sat in the ring, meditating, performing mental training.


Nakanishi didn't stop there though, as he simulated his upcoming match against Bob Sapp. With one arm, he threw Yoshie and Yano, at a combined weight of 518lbs, in a joint fireman's carry. He then hit both with a spear, so it was mental preparation for his contest with Sapp. Furthermore, two journalists who were there covering the event for mainstream press outlets, were lightly persuaded into an Argentine backbreaker, and Mr. Unbelievable showed his remarkable strength by lifting both at once.


Nakanishi talked about what Sapp said yesterday, where he boldly commented that he would eat both Nakanishi and Nagata, with Nakanishi as his dessert and Nagata the champagne. Nakanishi smiled, saying, "I will make Sapp my 'appetizer' and consume him!". Nakanishi plans to use his German suplex on Sapp, which should make for quite a sight. Before then, he will attend K-1's 10/5 show to study Sapp as he competes in a fight.

New Japan stands united at "THE SPIRAL", with much on the line. If they lose, the balance of power could switch, with the Foreign Enemy controlling the company they strive to defend so bravely. Before 10/14, some of the wrestlers get chance to warm up on the New Japan/MUGA shows during "FIGHTING SPIRIT SERIES 2002 PROLOGUE" from 10/6 to 10/12. I hope to have real-time coverage of all shows. I can more or less guarantee some real-time coverage before then of NOAH's 10/4 Korakuen Hall show, which kicks off "NAVIGATION AGAINST THE CURRENT 2002".