Yuji Nagata’s eyes are back on the IWGP Heavyweight Title and today’s main event result was his declaration of intent. Like at Sumo Hall recently, Nagata pinned upstart Hirooki Goto, this time while teaming with Tanahashi against Chono & Goto. Nagata promised to win the New Japan Cup and meet the winner of Tanahashi vs. Angle on 5/3 at the Fukuoka International Center. Nagata has a bone to pick with both Tanahashi and Angle, who he lost big matches to, dropping the IWGP belt to Tanahashi on 10/8/07 at Sumo Hall then falling short against Angle on 1/4/08 at the Tokyo Dome. RISE’s Shinsuke Nakamura and Milano Collection AT make their first advance on Pro Wrestling NOAH today and with Wataru Inoue, defeated the GBH trio of Makabe, Yano & Ishii today, Milano cradling Ishii in what is his biggest result in a while. Nakamura fully intends to follow up on his and Goto’s win over Misawa & Sugiura by leading Milano into enemy territory tomorrow and winning. He promised to “engrave” Strong Style on the NOAH ring.

Former JJ Jacks tag partners, Takashi Iizuka and AKIRA, squared off in singles action today. AKIRA entered to the old JJ Jacks theme music and wore their jacket in what may have been an attempt to make Iizuka turn away from the dark side. Iizuka responded by trampling the jacket, beating AKIRA to a bloody pulp, and choking him out with a sleeper hold. Tomoaki Honma won a place in the New Japan Cup by pinning young lion Hirasawa today. Since they were fighting for the right to face Iizuka in the NJC, many suspected a Hirasawa upset here over Iizuka’s GBH cohort, but it wasn’t to be.

Akira Maeda looks set to return to forbidden territory - New Japan. New Japan announced that it will run a “NJPW Greatest Wrestlers” ceremony back at Korakuen on 3/6 for the 37th anniversary show. This sounds similar to WWE’s Hall of Fame concept and the four initiates will be Maeda, the late Black Cat, Kuniaki Kobayashi, and Katsuji Kai (a very old school NJ heel who joined Inoki in forming the company).

NJPW “NEW DIMENSION”, 2/28/09 (SXW)
Tokyo Korakuen Hall
1,600 Fans

1. Ryusuke Taguchi beat Nobuo Yoshihashi (8:06) with a crab hold.
2. New Japan Cup Participant Match: Tomoaki Honma beat Mitsuhide Hirasawa (10:29) with a diving headbutt.
3. Jushin Thunder Liger & Koji Kanemoto beat Tiger Mask & Kazuchika Okada (11:17) when Kanemoto used an ankle hold on Okada.
4. Manabu Nakanishi & Taichi Ishikari beat Jado & Gedo (15:48) when Nakanishi used an Argentine backbreaker on Jado.
5. Takashi Iizuka beat AKIRA (12:38) by referee stop.
6. New Japan Cup Special 6 Man Tag Match: Shinsuke Nakamura, Wataru Inoue & Milano Collection AT beat Togi Makabe, Toru Yano & Tomohiro Ishii (14:48) when Milano used a jackknife hold on Ishii.
7. NEW DIMENSION Special Tag Match: Hiroshi Tanahashi & Yuji Nagata beat Masahiro Chono & Hirooki Goto (16:27) when Nagata used a backdrop hold on Goto.

Yuji Nagata finally relinquished his grip on ZERO1’s World Heavyweight Title today, falling to generation rival and 01 boss Shinjiro Otani in a 20 minute thriller. Nagata seemed unstoppable in 01, having beaten Otani himself previously, as well as the two victories over Masato Tanaka, so had suggested that if he beat Otani again, 01 should be absorbed into New Japan. It wasn’t to be, as Otani edged out Mr. Saikyo with a Dragon suplex to recapture the belt. Nagata told Otani that he had raised the value of 01’s belt and now it was Otani’s responsibility to act as a strong pillar for the struggling company. The ZERO1 fans applauded Nagata, who will now likely focus on New Japan activities again.

ZERO1 “WRESTLER’S BELIEF ‘09″, 2/27/09
Tokyo Korakuen Hall

- World Heavyweight Title: Shinjiro Otani (c) beat Yuji Nagata (20:48) with a Dragon suplex to become the new champion.

You may have been wondering why Yujiro and Tetsuya Naito, aka NO LIMIT, aren’t on any upcoming New Japan cards. Well, after winning top contendership for the Motor City Machine Guns’ IWGP Jr. Tag Team Title recently at Sumo Hall, the young lions are off to America, specifically TNA Wrestling, in an attempt to get an early title shot. They aren’t on any shows before April at least, so we might be able to expect their returns on the 4/5 Sumo Hall show, if not later.

Although it isn’t known yet if Mistico will be on the 4/5 Sumo Hall event, he will be on the 5/3 Fukuoka International Center show, according to Ovaciones and SoloLuchas in Mexico (thanks to TheCubsFan’s great luchablog for this). The problem is, both publiciations offer conflicting reports. Ovaciones says that he’s facing Liger in a title match, which given that Liger has no title and recently failed to win the IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Title, could be a tough task — unless they mean Mistico’s CMLL World Welterweight Championship. SoloLuchas has the more plausible story that Mistico will be challenging Tiger Mask for the IWGP Jr. belt, something that has been teased since his Tokyo Dome appearance. Given that New Japan is treating the Fukuoka show in Golden Week as a major show, booking Mistico isn’t too unsurprising. Dragon Rojo Jr. will also be joining Mistico to work that show.

AKIRA is off New Japan’s 37th anniversary show on March 6th. Why? Because, with the reunion of Heisei Ishingun he has decided to go back to the name he used in those days — his real one — Akira Nogami, for this match only. Nogami will team with the returning Koshinaka and old mainstay, now NOAH regular Masashi Aoyagi against Choshu, Super Strong Machine & Hiro Saito. Meanwhile, New Japan has announced an offer match from Osaka Pro offshoot Okinawa Pro for the 3/29 Okinawa landing.

NJPW “STRONG STYLE 37TH ANNIVERSARY”, 3/6/08 (Samurai! TV)
Tokyo Korakuen Hall

1. Super Strong Machine 25th Anniversary Match: Riki Choshu, Super Strong Machine & Hiro Saito vs. Shiro Koshinaka, Akira Nogami & Masashi Aoyagi
2. Yuji Nagata, Ryusuke Taguchi & Prince Devitt vs. Takashi Iizuka, Jado & Gedo
3. Manabu Nakanishi, Yutaka Yoshie , Wataru Inoue & Koji Kanemoto vs. Togi Makabe, Toru Yano, Tomohiro Ishii & Tomoaki Honma
4. Shinsuke Nakamura & Hirooki Goto vs. Giant Bernard & Karl Anderson
5. 37th Anniversary Special Tag Match: Hiroshi Tanahashi & Tiger Mask vs. Masahiro Chono & Jushin Thunder Liger

NJPW “EXCITING BATTLE IN OKINAWA 2009″, 3/29/09
Okinawa Prefectural Budokan

1. Okinawa Pro Offer Match: Super Delfin , Kaijin Habu Otoko & Menso~re Oyaji vs. Shisaou , Captain “Churaumi Pirates” Zack & Mil Mongoose
2. Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Karl Anderson
3. Shinsuke Nakamura, Hirooki Goto & Milano Collection AT vs. Togi Makabe, Toru Yano & Takashi Iizuka
4. Riki Choshu & Kazuchika Okada vs. Yuji Nagata & Manabu Nakanishi

The schedule for April’s “CIRCUIT 2009 NEW JAPAN BRAVE” has been announced. This bridges the April Sumo Hall and May Fukuoka International Center super-shows, so is likely to focus around the New Japan Cup winner’s quest for momentum leading into his challenge against the winner of Tanahashi vs. Angle

- 4/11 @ Twin Messe Shizuoka
- 4/18 @ Kuwana City Gymnasium
- 4/19 @ Iwade Municipal Townsman Gymnasium
- 4/21 @ Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium #2
- 4/22 @ Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium #2
- 4/24 @ Shunan Sports Center
- 4/26 @ Oita Daihatsu Arena
- 4/27 @ Nagasaki Prefectural Gymnasium
- 4/29 @ Hiroshima Trade Center West Pavillion
- 4/30 @ Oita Event Hall
- 5/1 @ Kagoshima Citizen Gymnasium

New Japan vs. NOAH continues at Budokan Hall on March 1st with the official addition of Nakamura & Milano against Sugiura & Shiozaki. This is a continuation from the Dome where Nakamura & Goto defeated Misawa & Sugiura with Sugiura getting a lot of praise for his performance. This could be a chance for Milano to surface, even if he’s to lose like Sugiura did, as he has been somewhat obscure for a long time now and a big match performance could again put him back in the limelight.

NOAH, 3/1/09 (NTV/G+)
Tokyo Nippon Budokan

- Special Tag Match: Takashi Sugiura & Go Shiozaki vs. Shinsuke Nakamura & Milano Collection AT

Tigers unite in Real Japan on the same day at Korakuen Hall, when the original Tiger Mask and the current generation team up against Riki Choshu & Tatsuhito Takaiwa. Tiger Mask (fourth) said that since Takaiwa is a freelancer now, he has a chance to show what he’s worth here and appear in New Japan (anyone get it?).

Real Japan “CHAOS”, 3/1/09
Tokyo Korakuen Hall

- Tiger Mask 1 & Tiger Mask 4 vs. vs Riki Choshu & Tatsuhito Takaiwa

Alumni assemble for New Japan’s 37th anniversary show at Korakuen in March 6th. Super Strong Machine returns from a long-term injury for his 25th anniversary match, teaming with the returning Hiro Saito against former Heisei Ishingun trio Shiro Koshinaka (his first NJ appearance in a while), AKIRA & Masashi Aoyagi. Yoshie is also on the card in an eight man tag, while the main event pits Tanahashi & Tiger Mask, champions of today, against the Legend team of Chono & Liger. More matches for the New Japan Cup tour as well as the post-tour Okinawa show have also been announced.

NJPW “STRONG STYLE 37TH ANNIVERSARY”, 3/6/08 (Samurai! TV)
Tokyo Korakuen Hall

1. Super Strong Machine 25th Anniversary Match: Riki Choshu, Super Strong Machine & Hiro Saito vs. Shiro Koshinaka, AKIRA & Masashi Aoyagi
2. Yuji Nagata, Ryusuke Taguchi & Prince Devitt vs. Takashi Iizuka, Jado & Gedo
3. Manabu Nakanishi, Yutaka Yoshie , Wataru Inoue & Koji Kanemoto vs. Togi Makabe, Toru Yano, Tomohiro Ishii & Tomoaki Honma
4. Shinsuke Nakamura & Hirooki Goto vs. Giant Bernard & Karl Anderson
5. 37th Anniversary Special Tag Match: Hiroshi Tanahashi & Tiger Mask vs. Masahiro Chono & Jushin Thunder Liger

NJPW, 3/8/09 (WPW)
Aichi Prefectural Gymnasium

1. Tiger Mask, Ryusuke Taguchi, Prince Devitt & Kazuchika Okada vs. Jushin Thunder Liger, Koji Kanemoto, Taichi Ishikari & Nobuo Yoshihashi
2. New Japan Cup - Round 1: Winner of Hirasawa/Honma vs. Takashi Iizuka
3. New Japan Cup - Round 1: Wataru Inoue vs. Tomohiro Ishii
4. New Japan Cup - Round 1: Milano Collection AT vs. Toru Yano
5. Riki Choshu & Masahiro Chono vs. Jado & Gedo
6. New Japan Cup - Round 1: Hirooki Goto vs. Karl Anderson
7. New Japan Cup - Round 1: Manabu Nakanishi vs. Yutaka Yoshie
8. New Japan Cup - Round 1: Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Togi Makabe
9. Hiroshi Tanahashi & Yuji Nagata vs. Giant Bernard & Val Venis

NJPW, 3/14/09
Kuki City Gymnasium

1. Tiger Mask, Ryusuke Taguchi & Prince Devitt vs. Black Tiger, Jado & Gedo
2. Shinsuke Nakamura, Hirooki Goto & Milano Collection AT vs. Giant Bernard, Val Venis & Karl Anderson
3. Hiroshi Tanahashi, Wataru Inoue & Koji Kanemoto vs. Togi Makabe, Tomohiro Ishii & Tomoaki Honma

NJPW, 3/15/09 (SXW)
Tokyo Korakuen Hall

1. New Japan Cup - Round 2:
2. New Japan Cup - Round 2:
3. New Japan Cup - Round 2:
4. New Japan Cup - Round 2:

NJPW, 3/16/09
Tsubame Citizen Gymnasium

1. Manabu Nakanishi & Yutaka Yoshie vs. Hirooki Goto & Taichi Ishikari
2. Shinsuke Nakamura, Ryusuke Taguchi & Prince Devitt vs. Togi Makabe, Jado & Gedo
3. Hiroshi Tanahashi, Yuji Nagata & Tiger Mask vs. Giant Bernard, Karl Anderson & Black Tiger

NJPW, 3/17/09
Kumagaya Citizen Gymnasium

1. Hiroshi Tanahashi, Ryusuke Taguchi & Prince Devitt vs. Togi Makabe, Jado & Gedo
2. Yuji Nagata & Kazuchika Okada vs. Shinsuke Nakamura & Hirooki Goto
3. Manabu Nakanishi, Yutaka Yoshie , Tiger Mask & Koji Kanemoto vs. Giant Bernard, Val Venis, Karl Anderson & Black Tiger

NJPW, 3/20/09
Takamatsu City Gymnasium

1. Tiger Mask, Milano Collection AT & Taichi Ishikari vs. Black Tiger, Jado & Gedo
2. Masahiro Chono & Jushin Thunder Liger vs. Shinsuke Nakamura & Hirooki Goto
3. Hiroshi Tanahashi, Manabu Nakanishi & Yutaka Yoshie vs. Giant Bernard, Val Venis & Karl Anderson

NJPW, 3/21/09
Fukuyama Big Rose

1. Tiger Mask, Ryusuke Taguchi & Prince Devitt vs. Black Tiger, Jado & Gedo
2. Shinsuke Nakamura, Hirooki Goto & Wataru Inoue vs. Togi Makabe, Tomohiro Ishii & Tomoaki Honma
3. Hiroshi Tanahashi, Yuji Nagata & Jushin Thunder Liger vs. Giant Bernard, Val Venis & Karl Anderson

NJPW, 3/22/09 (Samurai! TV)
Amagasaki Memorial Park Gymnasium

1. New Japan Cup - Semi Final:
2. New Japan Cup - Semi Final:
3. New Japan Cup - Final:

NJPW “EXCITING BATTLE IN OKINAWA 2009″, 3/29/09
Okinawa Prefectural Budokan

1. Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Karl Anderson
2. Shinsuke Nakamura, Hirooki Goto & Milano Collection AT vs. Togi Makabe, Toru Yano & Takashi Iizuka
3. Riki Choshu & Kazuchika Okada vs. Yuji Nagata & Manabu Nakanishi

Pro Wrestling NOAH’s Takashi Sugiura and on-fire youngster Go Shiozaki have demanded that Nakamura & Goto, the team that bested Misawa & Sugiura on 1/4, battle them on March 1st at NOAH’s Tokyo Nippon Budokan show. President Sugabayashi has responded to that with a refusal but compromise, saying he doesn’t think Goto’s knee is in the right condition so instead has proposed sending Milano Collection AT to team with Nakamura. He expects Milano can easily match Sugiura’s ground techniques, and look for this match to be determined any day now.

All participants for the New Japan Cup have been announced and it is mostly a home-based cast with the exception of old favourite Yutaka Yoshie, who again returns to his old haunt for special participation. The ongoing Hirasawa vs. Honma feud will culminate with a singles match at Korakuen on 2/28 with the winner getting the last spot. The other participants are: Yuji Nagata, Manabu Nakanishi, Shinsuke Nakamura, Wataru Inoue, Hirooki Goto, Milano Collection AT, Togi Makabe, Toru Yano Takashi Iizuka, Giant Bernard, Tomohiro Ishii, Karl Anderson, and Yutaka Yoshie.

NJPW, 3/8/09
Aichi Prefectural Gymnasium

1. New Japan Cup - Round 1: Winner of Hirasawa/Honma vs. Takashi Iizuka
2. New Japan Cup - Round 1: Milano Collection AT vs. Toru Yano
3. New Japan Cup - Round 1: Wataru Inoue vs. Tomohiro Ishii
4. New Japan Cup - Round 1: Hirooki Goto vs. Karl Anderson
5. New Japan Cup - Round 1: Manabu Nakanishi vs. Yutaka Yoshie
6. New Japan Cup - Round 1: Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Togi Makabe

New Japan also announced the first landing of Val Venis, the former WWE Intercontinental Champion, WWE European Champion, WWE Tag Team Champion, among others. He will join GBH as a recruit by his old friend Giant Bernard. Black Tiger also arrives as another new member of GBH, filling the void recently left by Low Ki.

Finally, the full card for the 2/28 standalone show at Korakuen…

NJPW “NEW DIMENSION”, 2/28/09 (SXW)
Tokyo Korakuen Hall

1. Ryusuke Taguchi vs. Nobuo Yoshihashi
2. New Japan Cup Participant Match: Mitsuhide Hirasawa vs. Tomoaki Honma
3. Tiger Mask & Kazuchika Okada vs. Jushin Thunder Liger & Koji Kanemoto
4. Manabu Nakanishi & Taichi Ishikari vs. Jado & Gedo
5. AKIRA vs. Takashi Iizuka
6. New Japan Cup Special 6 Man Tag Match: Shinsuke Nakamura, Wataru Inoue & Milano Collection AT vs. Togi Makabe, Toru Yano & Tomohiro Ishii
7. New Japan Cup Special Tag Match: Hiroshi Tanahashi & Yuji Nagata vs. Masahiro Chono & Hirooki Goto

He defeated Keiji Muto to win the IWGP Heavyweight Title then officially became the ace of New Japan Pro-Wrestling with his successful V1 defense against Shinsuke Nakamura yesterday, but Hiroshi Tanahashi wants to prove himself to be “global standard” and now has the chance. Tanahashi will make his V2 defense of the belt back at Sumo Hall on April 5th when New Japan runs “RESOLUTION ‘09″. This comes shortly after the New Japan Cup and the winner of that will then challenge the victor of Tanahashi vs. Angle on May 3rd at the Fukuoka International Center!

NJPW “RESOLUTION ‘09″, 4/5/09 (WPW/PPV)
Tokyo Ryogoku Kokugikan

1. IWGP Heavyweight Title: Hiroshi Tanahashi (c) vs. Kurt Angle

NJPW “WRESTLING DONTAKU 2009″, 5/3/09
Fukuoka International Center

1. IWGP Heavyweight Title: Winner of Tanahashi/Angle (c) vs. New Japan Cup 2009 winner

–> “CIRCUIT 2009 NEW JAPAN ISM” <--
New Japan's momentum continued today with a sold out super-show at the hallowed Sumo Hall in Tokyo to follow up on the most successful Tokyo Dome show in some time. Hiroshi Tanahashi is the ace of New Japan Pro-Wrestling and this can no longer be debated after he today won the "ace determination" match against generation rival Shinsuke Nakamura. It was Tanahashi's V1 defense of the IWGP Heavyweight Title he ripped from Keiji Muto's hands at the Tokyo Dome, and it was a match that was described as immense and epic, showing that what was once the "future of New Japan" has now seamlessly transitioned into the "present New Japan". The two top young stars of Japanese wrestling put on an exciting back and forth match, but Tanahashi has incredible momentum right now and pulled through with his High Fly Flow. Tanahashi called himself the "ace of the universe", almost a challenge for a global superstar to appear, and one did as Kurt Angle appeared and issued a challenge for Tanahashi's belt. Tanahashi accepted but with the New Japan Cup coming up a three-way battle (not a three way match... one hopes) could be about to take place over the IWGP Heavyweight Title. For Nakamura, well, this was his third loss in a row in an IWGP Heavyweight Title match but he does seem to have "awoken" this year, performance-wise at least. Can he find the form to follow? Look for an invasion of the "green ring" shortly from the Supernova.

The world famous Team 3D also made a successful V1 defense of the IWGP Tag Team Title, again beating Makabe & Yano in a bloody hardcore match. Many picked MVP to finally get the better of Team 3D today but they seem unable to beat the decorated American tag team in this hardcore environment. Once more it was team leader Makabe who fell to the 3D. Having decisively pushed aside the threat of New Japan's strongest tag team of late, Team 3D now seem invincible, unless a new tandem or an all-star team emerges... or perhaps when (or if) TenKoji return when Tenzan returns in May. Kurt Angle's challenge to Tanahashi wasn't unjustified. He defeated New Japan gaijin ace Giant Bernard earlier in the show with his ankle hold a year after he lost the IWGP unification match to Nakamura in the same building. Since then, Angle has been successful in all of his New Japan appearances though, and hopes to win the "real" IWGP belt that he wasn't able to take from Shinsuke a year ago.

Mexican sensation Mistico successfully defended his CMLL World Welterwight Title against rival Mephisto in a match that show lucha libre to Japan. Mistico's victory wasn't unexpected and it is the IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Title he has his eyes on. Were he to challenge for that soon, it looks like Tiger Mask would be his opponent, after the IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Champion also defended his belt with success, pinning Liger with his new Dangerous suplex hold. But while Mistico wants a shot at the gold, Tiger has another new rival to worry about - the fifth generation Black Tiger, who jumped him after his victory. Many believe a returning trueborn is under the mask as he showed similar characteristics - Tatsuhito Takaiwa, who recently quit ZERO1-MAX and could now be on his way home. The "wall" that is Yuji Nagata is still strong and he seems like the only member of the third generation who the new generation can't fully get ahead of. Mr. Saikyo today warded off the challenge of one of the new "Big 3", Hirooki Goto, pinning him with a backdrop hold. Nagata has a defense of his ZERO1 World Heavyweight Title coming up shortly against Shinjiro Otani, so this win gave him added momentum.

TNA World Tag Team Champions, Beer Money Inc. (James Storm & Robert Roode) made their first New Japan landing, beating Legend's Masahiro Chono & AKIRA when Roode pinned AKIRA. New Japan teams just can't seem to get the better of TNA teams right now, but NO LIMIT intend to change that. After dropping the IWGP Jr. Tag Team Title to the Motor City Machine Guns on January 4th, they today won the right to challenge the TNA duo by winning a four way contendership match today, Naito dropping a Stardust press on Ishikari for the win. The young lions now look set to invade TNA in a quest to win back the belts they let go at the Tokyo Dome.

Naysayers predicted the demise of New Japan for years in what has been a difficult decade for sure but now the company has done what it always promised, got back on its feet and even in the current economic crisis that is hurting many promotions, is in the best position it has been for years. Today's show was the first of five Sumo Hall events planned for this year and April 5th will see the second, with Tanahashi vs. Kurt Angle likely to headline. Also officially announced today was the revival of large-scale wrestling shows in Fukuoka by New Japan, with the old "WRESTLING DONTAKU" set to take place at the Fukuoka International Center on May 3rd.

NJPW, 2/15/09 (WPW/PPV)
Tokyo Ryogoku Kokugikan
9,300 Fans - Super No Vacancy

0. Special Tag Match: Koji Kanemoto & OKUMURA beat Kazuchika Okada & Nobuo Yoshihashi (6:22) when Kanemoto used an ankle hold on Yoshihashi.
1. IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Tag Team Title #1 Contender 4WAY Tag: Yujiro & Tetsuya Naito beat Ryusuke Taguchi & Prince Devitt, Jado & Gedo and Milano Collection AT & Taichi Ishikari (9:04) when Naito used a Stardust press on Ishikari.
2. Riki Choshu, Manabu Nakanishi, Wataru Inoue & Mitsuhide Hirasawa beat Takashi Iizuka, Tomohiro Ishii, Karl Anderson & Tomoaki Honma (7:17) when Inoue used the Oracion Flame on Honma.
3. Special Tag Match - NJPW vs. TNA Augmented Reality: James Storm & Robert Roode beat Masahiro Chono & AKIRA (9:22) when Roode used the DWI on AKIRA.
4. IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Title: Tiger Mask (c) beat Jushin Thunder Liger (11:22) with a Destroy suplex hold (1st defense).
5. Special Singles Match - Burn the Debt: Yuji Nagata beat Hirooki Goto (16:57) with a backdrop hold.
6. CMLL World Welterweight Title - Lucha Libre Globalization: Mistico (c) beat Mephisto (12:01) with the La Mistica.
7. Special Singles Match - Wrestle-incident DIE OR BREED: Kurt Angle beat Giant Bernard (14:19) with an ankle lock.
8. IWGP Tag Team Title - Hardcore Rules: “Team 3D” Brother Ray & Brother Devon (c) beat Togi Makabe & Toru Yano (17:50) when Devon pinned Makabe after the 3D (1st defense).
9. IWGP Heavyweight Title: Hiroshi Tanahashi (c) beat Shinsuke Nakamura (24:26) with the High Fly Flow (1st defense).

–> “CIRCUIT 2009 NEW JAPAN ISM” <--
The build up to Sumo Hall is now over with a packed house in Toyohashi today ending the run of shows leading in on what has been a tour of "roaring business" according to the latest NJ article at Kami Pro, with excellent (real) ticket sales and big profits. Along with Makabe pinning Choshu in a six man tag, old favourite El Samurai also made a special appearance today, his first on the main New Japan brand since leaving the company for what was then Muga World. He teamed with fellow veteran AKIRA against the gaijin force of Bernard & Anderson, Samurai falling to Anderson's Gun Stun. The Wataru Inoue vs. Tomohiro Ishii feud that has raged on throughout the tour has led to Wataru demanding an early conclusion. As such, New Japan is considering having them face each other in the opening round of this year's New Japan Cup next month.

NJPW, 2/12/09
Toyohashi City Gymnasium #2
1,300 Fans - Super No Vacancy Full House

1. Jado & Gedo beat Yujiro & Tetsuya Naito (13:35) when Gedo used the Gedo clutch on Naito.
2. Tiger Mask, Ryusuke Taguchi & Prince Devitt beat Jushin Thunder Liger, Milano Collection AT & Taichi Ishikari (13:42) when Tiger used a Tiger suplex hold on Ishikari.
3. Takashi Iizuka & Tomohiro Ishii beat Wataru Inoue & Mitsuhide Hirasawa (14:41) when Iizuka used a sleeper hold on Hirasawa.
4. Giant Bernard & Karl Anderson beat El Samurai & AKIRA (11:33) when Anderson used the Gun Stun on Samurai.
5. Togi Makabe, Toru Yano & Tomoaki Honma beat Riki Choshu, Masahiro Chono & Manabu Nakanishi (10:01) when Makabe used a lariat on Choshu.
6. Hiroshi Tanahashi, Yuji Nagata & Nobuo Yoshihashi beat Shinsuke Nakamura, Hirooki Goto & Kazuchika Okada (17:15) when Nagata used a backdrop hold on Okada.

-

BxB Hulk was still unable to cut down Koji Kanemoto at Korakuen Hall early today as Aniki denied the DRAGON GATE star the revenge he sought from the 2007 Best of the Super Jr. tournament. Kanemoto submitted Hulk with his ankle hold and provoked DRAGON GATE after the match. This led to the arrival of Open The Dream Gate Champion, Naruki Doi, who demanded a match with Kanemoto at the biggest show in DG history, set for March 22nd at Sumo Hall. Although nothing was decided about that, a trios match was set up for DG’s 3/5 Korakuen Hall show with Kanemoto teaming with Masaaki Mochizuki and Don Fujii against Doi, Hulk, and Naoki Tanisaki. Will it lead to Doi risking DRAGON GATE’s top prize against Aniki? Well, probably.

DRAGON GATE, 2/12/09
Tokyo Korakuen Hall

- Koji Kanemoto beat BxB Hulk (12:37) with an ankle hold.

-

Speaking of Kanemoto, he has been moved into the dark match on 2/15, ironically at the same building he could headline at in March. Hirasawa has been at war with Honma during the tour and appealed for the chance to fight GBH. Thus, Kanemoto and the young lion switch places on the card.

NJPW, 2/15/09 (WPW/PPV)
Tokyo Ryogoku Kokugikan

0. Special Tag Match: Koji Kanemoto & Nobuo Yoshihashi vs. OKUMURA & Kazuchika Okada
1. IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Tag Team Title #1 Contender 4WAY Tag: Yujiro & Tetsuya Naito vs. Ryusuke Taguchi & Prince Devitt vs. Jado & Gedo vs. Milano Collection AT & Taichi Ishikari
2. Riki Choshu, Manabu Nakanishi, Wataru Inoue & Mitsuhide Hirasawa vs. Takashi Iizuka, Tomohiro Ishii, Karl Anderson & Tomoaki Honma
3. Special Tag Match - NJPW vs. TNA Augmented Reality: Masahiro Chono & AKIRA vs. James Storm & Robert Roode
4. IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Title: Tiger Mask (c) vs. Jushin Thunder Liger
5. Special Singles Match - Burn the Debt: Yuji Nagata vs. Hirooki Goto
6. CMLL World Welterweight Title - Lucha Libre Globalization: Mistico (c) vs. Mephisto
7. Special Singles Match - Wrestle-incident DIE OR BREED: Giant Bernard vs. Kurt Angle
8. IWGP Tag Team Title - Hardcore Rules: “Team 3D” Brother Ray & Brother Devon (c) vs. Togi Makabe & Toru Yano
9. IWGP Heavyweight Title: Hiroshi Tanahashi (c) vs. Shinsuke Nakamura

–> “CIRCUIT 2009 NEW JAPAN ISM” <--

NJPW, 2/11/09 (Samurai! TV)
Act City Hamamatsu
1,400 Fans - No Vacancy

1. Kazuchika Okada beat Nobuo Yoshihashi (7:24) with a crab hold.
2. Yujiro & Tetsuya Naito beat Ryusuke Taguchi & Prince Devitt (12:58) when Naito used a Japanese leg roll clutch hold on Devitt.
3. Jado, Gedo, Karl Anderson & Tomoaki Honma beat Manabu Nakanishi, Milano Collection AT, Taichi Ishikari & Mitsuhide Hirasawa (14:26) when Honma used a diving headbutt on Hirasawa.
4. Wataru Inoue & Koji Kanemoto vs. Takashi Iizuka & Tomohiro Ishii went to a draw (15:36) when Inoue & Ishii were counted out.
5. Togi Makabe, Toru Yano & Giant Bernard beat Riki Choshu, Masahiro Chono & AKIRA (10:14) when Bernard used a neck-hanging bomb on AKIRA.
6. Hiroshi Tanahashi, Yuji Nagata & Tiger Mask vs. Shinsuke Nakamura, Hirooki Goto & Jushin Thunder Liger went to a draw (30:00) when the time limit expired.

Have you seen the January 4th Tokyo Dome show yet? It was very much an event worth seeing in full and on a big screen with surround sound. Well, our sponsor IVP Videos is now offering the event on DVD for a ridiculously low $1.99. And along with this release, IVP have added over 250 brand new DVDs titles to their catalogue, so go and check ‘em out!

–> “CIRCUIT 2009 NEW JAPAN ISM” <--

NJPW, 2/10/09
Ota City Nitta Gymnasium Ex Arena
1,100 Fans - No Vacancy

1. Tiger Mask, Yujiro & Tetsuya Naito beat Jushin Thunder Liger, AKIRA & Nobuo Yoshihashi (10:17) when Naito pinned Yoshihashi after the Limitless Dream.
2. Ryusuke Taguchi & Prince Devitt beat Jado & Gedo (12:21) when Devitt pinned Gedo.
3. Takashi Iizuka, Giant Bernard & Karl Anderson beat Manabu Nakanishi, Milano Collection AT & Taichi Ishikari (15:33) when Anderson used the Gun Stun on Ishikari.
4. Wataru Inoue & Koji Kanemoto vs. Togi Makabe & Tomohiro Ishii went to a draw (14:15) when Inoue & Ishii were counted out.
5. Riki Choshu & Masahiro Chono beat Toru Yano & Tomoaki Honma (10:23) when Chono used a Shining Yakuza kick on Honma.
6. Shinsuke Nakamura, Hirooki Goto & Kazuchika Okada beat Hiroshi Tanahashi, Yuji Nagata & Mitsuhide Hirasawa (17:14) when Goto used a modified armlock on Hirasawa.

Takashi Iizuka is missing his old “friend” Hiroyoshi Tenzan, who is sidelined until May with the eye injury that forced him (and TenKoji) off the 1/4 Tokyo Dome show. It is almost a year ago now since Iizuka betrayed Tenzan to join GBH, ending their “friendship” tag team. Their bloody feud rolled on all across Japan and their most decisive grudge match to date at Sumo Hall last October saw Iizuka choke out Tenzan for the win. Still the blood feud rolled on after that, but with Tenzan injured Iizuka seems to feel that something is missing from his life. He can’t wait for Tenzan to return so that he can see his blood again.

–> “CIRCUIT 2009 NEW JAPAN ISM” <--

NJPW, 2/8/09 (SXW)
Zepp Sendai
695 Fans - Super No Vacancy Full House

1. Tomoaki Honma beat Kazuchika Okada (10:06) with a diving headbutt.
2. Takashi Iizuka, Jado & Gedo beat Milano Collection AT, Taichi Ishikari & Mitsuhide Hirasawa (13:54) by referee stop (Iizuka beat Hirasawa).
3. Manabu Nakanishi, Wataru Inoue & Koji Kanemoto beat Togi Makabe, Toru Yano & Tomohiro Ishii (15:45) when Ishii was DQ’d.
4. Yuji Nagata, Yujiro & Tetsuya Naito beat Hirooki Goto, Ryusuke Taguchi & Prince Devitt (14:33) when Nagata used a backdrop hold on Devitt.
5. Masahiro Chono & AKIRA beat Giant Bernard & Karl Anderson (10:31) when Chono used a Shining Yakuza kick on Anderson.
6. Hiroshi Tanahashi & Tiger Mask beat Shinsuke Nakamura & Jushin Thunder Liger (15:53) when Tiger used a cradle on Liger.

–> “CIRCUIT 2009 NEW JAPAN ISM” <--

NJPW, 2/7/09 (Samurai! TV)
Tochigi Bunka Center Sub Hall
800 Fans - No Vacancy

1. Karl Anderson beat Nobuo Yoshihashi (6:04) with the Gun Stun.
2. Takashi Iizuka beat Kazuchika Okada (8:27) by referee stop.
3. Ryusuke Taguchi & Prince Devitt beat Milano Collection AT & Taichi Ishikari (11:11) when Taguchi used a la magistral on Ishikari.
4. Giant Bernard, Jado & Gedo beat Manabu Nakanishi, Yujiro & Tetsuya Naito (14:52) when Bernard used the Bernard bomb on Naito.
5. Togi Makabe, Toru Yano & Tomohiro Ishii beat Masahiro Chono, Wataru Inoue & Mitsuhide Hirasawa (14:06) when Makabe used a top rope King Kong kneedrop on Hirasawa.
6. Hiroshi Tanahashi, Yuji Nagata, Tiger Mask & Koji Kanemoto beat Shinsuke Nakamura, Hirooki Goto, Jushin Thunder Liger & AKIRA (16:05) when Tanahashi used the High Fly Flow on AKIRA.

New Japan will run its second youth-centered “LEONIS” show on March 19th back at Osaka World Hall. Although a small building, tickets for the first sold out very quickly and the event was a big success, so the series is being continued.

New Japan also returns to Sumo Hall for a super-show oddly enough in April, on 4/5. This is a sign of the company’s rebirth that they have enough confidence to restore a second early year Sumo Hall show, and this one, titled “RESOLUTION ‘09″, will be a PPV as well as a national TV taping.

And finally, here it is, the complete card for the upcoming Sumo Hall show with some big additions. Yuji Nagata and Hirooki Goto attempt to decide who the better man is in a special singles match. Four teams have been arguing over who should be next to challenge IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Tag Team Champions, Alex Shelley & Chris Sabin, and why not a 4WAY match? It’ll be NO LIMIT vs. Taguchi & Devitt vs. Jado & Gedo vs. Milano & Ishikari to determine who challenges next - possibly in America. OKUMURA, better known in Japan as Shigeo Okumura, returns to his native homeland after a long time, appearing in a dark match along with a man he was associated with in Mexico, Kazuchika Okada, opposite Hirasawa & Yoshihashi. OKUMURA has made a name for himself in CMLL so perhaps this appearance will lead to more in New Japan.

NJPW, 2/15/09 (WPW)
Tokyo Ryogoku Kokugikan

0. Special Tag Match: Mitsuhide Hirasawa & Nobuo Yoshihashi vs. OKUMURA & Kazuchika Okada
1. IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Tag Team Title #1 Contender 4WAY Tag: Yujiro & Tetsuya Naito vs. Ryusuke Taguchi & Prince Devitt vs. Jado & Gedo vs. Milano Collection AT & Taichi Ishikari
2. Riki Choshu, Manabu Nakanishi, Wataru Inoue & Koji Kanemoto vs. Takashi Iizuka, Tomohiro Ishii, Karl Anderson & Tomoaki Honma
3. Special Tag Match - NJPW vs. TNA Augmented Reality: Masahiro Chono & AKIRA vs. James Storm & Robert Roode
4. IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Title: Tiger Mask (c) vs. Jushin Thunder Liger
5. Special Singles Match - Burn the Debt: Yuji Nagata vs. Hirooki Goto
6. CMLL World Welterweight Title - Lucha Libre Globalization: Mistico (c) vs. Mephisto
7. Special Singles Match - Wrestle-incident DIE OR BREED: Giant Bernard vs. Kurt Angle
8. IWGP Tag Team Title - Hardcore Rules: “Team 3D” Brother Ray & Brother Devon (c) vs. Togi Makabe & Toru Yano
9. IWGP Heavyweight Title: Hiroshi Tanahashi (c) vs. Shinsuke Nakamura

–> “CIRCUIT 2009 NEW JAPAN ISM” <--

NJPW, 2/1/09
Tomi Fureai Gymnasium
1,200 Fans - Super No Vacancy

1. Yujiro & Tetsuya Naito beat Koji Kanemoto & Nobuo Yoshihashi (14:41) when Yujiro used a crab hold on Yoshihashi.
2. Takashi Iizuka, Jado & Gedo beat Ryusuke Taguchi, Prince Devitt & Mitsuhide Hirasawa (13:02) when Iizuka used a sleeper hold on Hirasawa.
3. Giant Bernard & Karl Anderson beat Milano Collection AT & Taichi Ishikari (10:04) when Anderson used the Gun Stun on Ishikari.
4. Manabu Nakanishi & Wataru Inoue vs. Toru Yano & Tomohiro Ishii went to a draw (14:47) when Inoue & Ishii were counted out.
5. Riki Choshu & Masahiro Chono beat Togi Makabe & Tomoaki Honma (10:04) when Chono used an STF on Honma.
6. Hiroshi Tanahashi, Yuji Nagata & Tiger Mask beat Shinsuke Nakamura, Jushin Thunder Liger & AKIRA (17:36) when Tanahashi used the High Fly Flow on AKIRA.