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Suzuki to leave All Japan? New trainee revealed! by Irving - 09/04/08 8:54 pm
More stemming from the full confrontation match on 9/13. Minoru Suzuki stated that if his team lost that he would withdraw from All Japan completely, but if they won, that GURENTAI must be featured in all of the main events during the next series.
The other new trainee looks to be Kenichi Konno, former shootfighter who declined the K-1 Tryout to join All Japan, thanks to Hiroshi Hase.
9/13 Full card by Irving - 09/04/08 1:50 am
The full card was released for All Japan's 9/13 Korakuen outing. Minoru Suzuki's wish has been granted as five All Japan wrestlers stepped up to the plate and will take on GURENTAI in a full conclusion match. The pairs will be announced on a later date and so will the rules. Akira Raijin will also be leaving for TNA for 2 years and demanded that he have his farewell match with his bestfriend, dojomate, and rival, Triple Crown champion, Suwama.
AJPW, 9/13/08 (GAORA TV)
Tokyo Korakuen Hall
1. Masanobu Fuchi & Phil Atlas vs. Nobutaka Araya & Nobukazu Hirai
2. Manabu Soya vs. Shuji Kondo
3. Ryuji Hijikata vs. T28
4. Satoshi Kojima, KAI & Hiroshi Yamato vs. TARU, ZODIAC & "brother" YASSHI
5. Akira Raijin Farewell: Suwama vs. Akira Raijin
6. 5x5 Full Conclusion: Keiji Muto, Osamu Nishimura, Joe Doering, Kaz Hayashi & Seiya Sanada vs. Taiyo Kea, Minoru Suzuki 
, NOSAWA Rongai, MAZADA & TAKEMURA
News and notes by Irving - 09/03/08 8:16 am
All Japan held a conference today with a very exhausted T riple Crown champion, Suwama, to announce the champion's next defense. It turns out that it will be against The GREAT MUTA as rumored yesterday, as MUTA wants to hold the Triple Crown again seeing as Keiji Muto is the IWGP champion. At the end of the interview, MUTA appeared over Suwama's shoulder, already playing mind games with the champion.
Suwama then went on to admit that his time as the Triple Crown champion had been difficult, showing that his confidence had somewhat waned due to his hour draw with Taiyo Kea. Suwama's eyes began wandering in the air, but then his stance changed and said that he wanted to turn things around, and probe himself to improve everytime he enters the ring.
Keiji Muto and his IWGP Title were at the All Japan offices, saying that he still has pain from the Goto match, and evaluated New Japan's young hope, saying that he really couldn't tell by one match, but for Goto to creep up without a losing heart. Muto said that he would leave the next challenger up to New Japan when asked if he would rather take on Togi Makabe or Shinsuke Nakamura, however he did say that he was interested in defending against Makabe the most. Muto stated that the passing mark was given by both fans and staff to yesterday's event, and compared with the last few years, the number was good, but that he would try many more methods as the president to enhance All Japan.
AJPW, 9/28/08 (GAORA TV)
Yokohama Bunka Gymnasium
1. Triple Crown: Suwama (c) vs. GREAT MUTA
Shortly after, Keiji Muto's IWGP Title match was made official, set in New Japan on 9/21 against GBH's Togi Makabe!
NJPW, 9/21/08 (WPW)
Kobe World Hall
- IWGP Heavyweight Title: Keiji Muto 
(c) vs. Togi Makabe
Minoru Suzuki has called for a full confrontation between All Japan and GURENTAI for the 9/13 Korakuen Hall outing. Suzuki (from the Yokohama Pancrase dojo) said that he would begin a large rage after seeing that MUTA will recieve the shot at Suwama over him on 9/28, stated that he had been quiet for long enough and would start an abusive on parade on 9/13 until he got his shot at the Triple Crown! Suzuki attacked Director Masanobu Fuchi, at his remarks and telling him that GURENTAI is what keeps All Japan going and that a 5x5 all out war was suitable, and with a fearless smirk stated that his team would win no matter what method they used, since they are all winners. Suzuki wrapped up his rant by calling out "wirepuller" Muto, saying that he smothered the challenge manifestation with his power and that he would put an end to it soon enough.
All Japan will also be participating in a big festival from 9/20 to 9/23 at the Fukuoka Motorboat Race Hall, where something entitled the "All Japan Pro-Wrestling Cup" will take place over three days.
All Japan has replaced the October "SHINING SERIES", with the new "ANNIVERSARY TOUR", which is of course to celebrate All Japan's Anniversary. It looks as if this will be the focus for the upcoming Sumo Hall on 11/3 (which is a Monday).
"ANNIVERSARY TOUR"
10/11 @ Tokyo Korakuen Hall
10/12 @ Yokkaichi Australia Commemoration Hall
10/17 @ Toyahashi City Gymnasium Sub Arena
10/19 @ Seishin Industrial Transportation Special Ring
10/22 @ Aomori City Wholesale Store Town Big Sight
10/23 @ Hirosaki Kasai Gymnastics Center
10/24 @ Iwate Prefectural Gymnasium
10/25 @ Niigata Sun Village
11/1 @ Joetsu Welfare North Hall
11/3 - "PRO-WRESTLING LOVE in RYOGOKU Vol. 6" @ Tokyo Ryogoku Kokugikan
8/31 Results by Irving - 08/31/08 8:26 am
Today All Japan drew around 70% to Sumo Hall (more along the lines of about 8,000 fans), but the good news is that every match so far has recieved good marks, and the Jr. Title match was said to have played to both wrestler's key strengths. It seems as if Akira Raijin might have signed a two year deal with TNA and will be leaving in October, no word on if this is true, but if so, big news for one of All Japan's young stars.
After the semi-final, Shinsuke Nakamura stared Muto down, while Togi Makabe challenged to a chorus full of boos. The main event went a to an hour draw, and was said to have it's highs and lows, but didn't leave a bad taste in the fans' mouths. I'm sure the reason why this was done was to add even more to the story of Kea and Suwama which has been built very carefully since 2006, no word on what's next with Suwama, but with Yokohama around the corner, some sense it's Suzuki or The Great MUTA!
AJPW "PRO-WRESTLING LOVE in RYOGOKU Vol. 5", 8/31/08 (PPV)
Tokyo Ryogoku Kokugikan
10,200 Fans - Super No Vacancy Full House
1. Masanobu Fuchi beat Nobutaka Araya (1:18) with a small package.
2. T28, Hiroshi Yamato & Phil Atlas beat Kaz Hayashi, El Samurai & Antonio Thomas(6:25) when T28 used the Firebird Splash on Thomas.
3. Joe Doering, Akira Raijin & Scott D'Amore beat ZODIAC, Shuji Kondo & "brother" YASSHI (9:10) when Raijin used a moonsault press on YASSHI.
4. Minoru Suzuki , NOSAWA Rongai, MAZADA & TAKEMURA beat Osamu Nishimura, Nobukazu Hirai, Seiya Sanada & Manabu Soya (13:01) when Suzuki used a chickenwing armlock on Hirai.
5. AJPW World Jr. Heavyweight Title: Ryuji Hijikata (c) beat KAI (14:04) when a jujigatame (3rd defense).
6. Satoshi Kojima & Hiroyoshi Tenzan 
beat TARU & Togi Makabe (14:23) when Kojima used a lariat on TARU.
7. IWGP Heavyweight Title: Keiji Muto (c) beat Hirooki Goto (21:13) with a moonsault press (2nd defense).
8. Triple Crown: Suwama (c) vs. Taiyo Kea (60:00) ended in a time limit draw (2nd defense).
Kea's ready! Another newcomer! by Irving - 08/30/08 12:11 pm
Taiyo Kea announced that he would go to any means to win the Triple Crown tomorrow in Tokyo, and would even remove the ban off of his last resort hold, the "H50", which defeated Suwama back in the 2006 Champion Carnival final. Kea also stated that he has been in Hawaii polishing his front necklock with teammate Minoru Suzuki, who has given him "words of encouragement".
So with the new influx of All Japan hitting the net for download, I can confirm that Ryota Hama isn't the only trainee in All Japan (well, as of June - July). Another young newcomer (who can be seen getting bullied a little by Minoru Suzuki) has been duties starting with the 6/10 "Muto Matsuri". He looks to be around the 180cm - 183cm, so he's one of the more normal trainees to enter the dojo in quite sometime (Hajime Suruga, Ryota Hama), and also has a decent look as well. The concern is, with Hama joining the dojo, I haven't really seen the other newcomer in any pictures, so I am interested to see if All Japan cast the young fellow aside for Hama.
8/29 Results by Irving - 08/30/08 12:11 pm
AJPW, 8/29/08
Noheji Municipal Gymnasium
700 Fans - No Vacancy
1. Masanobu Fuchi & Nobukazu Hirai beat Seiya Sanada & Manabu Soya (13:29) when Hirai used the Hirai End on Sanada.
2. Joe Doering beat TAKEMURA (6:47) with a Revolution-style jumping powerbomb.
3. KAI & Antonio Thomas beat Ryuji Hijikata & T28 (12:35) when Thomas used a Fisherman Suplex on T28.
4. Shuji Kondo & "brother" YASSHI beat Kaz Hayashi & Phil Atlas (9:49) when Kondo used the King Kong lariat on Atlas.
5. TARU & ZODIAC beat Satoshi Kojima & Hiroshi Yamato (13:45) when ZODIAC used a Tiger Driver on Yamato.
6. Keiji Muto, Suwama, Osamu Nishimura & Akira Raijin beat Taiyo Kea, Minoru Suzuki , NOSAWA Rongai & MAZADA (18:32) when Raijin used a moonsault press on MAZADA.
Goto ready for Muto! by Irving - 08/29/08 3:30 am
New Japan's Hirooki Goto is a very determined young fighter. The "rough warrior" has been making numerous claims in preparation for his chance at the IWGP Heavyweight Title on 8/31 against All Japan's Keiji Muto. Goto announced today that he has been training with Shibata's father in their training facility in Mie, and has come up with a new move he likes to call the "610 (MUTO)". If this isn't enough, Goto is receiving yells from all over to return the belt to New Japan, as a Beijing Olympics silver medalist by the name of Sahori Yoshida has called for Goto to overthrow Muto and represent the young generation of Japan well. With all this encouragement and confidence, could Goto continue his impressive streak since returning to New Japan in 2007 and unseat one of the most popular and influential wrestlers of our time?
8/28 Results by Irving - 08/28/08 2:08 pm
Nobutaka Araya has canceled his appearances for the 8/28 & 8/29 shows.
AJPW, 8/28/08
Odate Citizen Gymnasium
1,100 Fans1. T28 beat Antonio Thomas
(9:50) with the Firebird Splash.
2. NOSAWA Rongai & TAKEMURA beat Masanobu Fuchi & Hiroshi Yamato
(11:21) when Rongai used a horizontal cradle on Yamato.
3. Ryuji Hijikata beat Phil Atlas
(9:17) with a jujigatame.
4. Satoshi Kojima & KAI beat Kaz Hayashi & Manabu Soya
(15:21) when Kojima used a lariat on Soya.
5. Taiyo Kea, Minoru Suzuki
& MAZADA beat Suwama, Nobukazu Hirai & Akira Raijin
(19:59) when MAZADA used a horizontal cradle on Hirai.
6. Keiji Muto, Osamu Nishimura, Joe Doering & Seiya Sanada beat TARU, ZODIAC, Shuji Kondo & "brother" YASSHI
(13:20) when Doering used the Revolution Bomb on YASSHI.
AJPW, 8/29/08
Noheji Municipal Gymnasium1. Masanobu Fuchi & Nobukazu Hirai vs. Seiya Sanada & Manabu Soya
2. Joe Doering vs. TAKEMURA
3. Ryuji Hijikata & T28 vs. KAI & Antonio Thomas
4. Kaz Hayashi & Phil Atlas vs. Shuji Kondo & "brother" YASSHI
5. Satoshi Kojima & Hiroshi Yamato vs. TARU & ZODIAC
6. Keiji Muto, Suwama, Osamu Nishimura & Akira Raijin vs. Taiyo Kea, Minoru Suzuki
, NOSAWA Rongai & MAZADA
8/27 Results + News and Notes by Irving - 08/27/08 4:43 pm
AJPW, 8/27/08
Kamaishi Citizen Gymnasium
1,100 Fans - No Vacancy
1. Masanobu Fuchi & Seiya Sanada beat Nobukazu Hirai & Antonio Thomas
(12:51) when Sanada used a German Suplex hold on Thomas.
2. ZODIAC beat Manabu Soya
(5:35) with the Tiger Driver.
3. Ryuji Hijikata & Kaz Hayashi beat Phil Atlas & T28
(13:56) when Hijikata used a Fisherman Buster on T28.
4. Osamu Nishimura & Akira Raijin beat MAZADA & TAKEMURA
(16:47) when Raijin used a moonsault press on MAZADA.
5. Satoshi Kojima, KAI & Hiroshi Yamato beat TARU, Shuji Kondo & "brother" YASSHI
(20:55) when Kojima used a lariat on YASSHI.
6. Keiji Muto, Suwama & Joe Doering beat Taiyo Kea, Minoru Suzuki
& NOSAWA Rongai
(15:14) when Muto used a Shining Wizard on Rongai.
Osamu Nishimura stopped through New Japan's 20th Anniversary event at Korakuen Hall for referee Hiroyuki "Red Shoes" Unno to congratulate Unno on the accomplishment yesterday.
Former All Japan Relay announcer (from the NTV days), Kenji Wakabayashi will be on hand at the 8/31 show in order to announce the main event, with Kotetsu Yamamoto and two other former TV Asahi announcers during the New Japan glory period will grace the booth to do commenting on the IWGP Title bout. It also looks as if the show will return All Japan back to national television as it airs on 9/17 with TV Tokyo.
TenKoji continues their pair on New Japan's 9/5 Korakuen show against GBH members, Takashi Iizuka & Karl Anderson. It looks as if TenKoji's purpose will be to exterminate the key members of both the Voodoo Murders and Great Bash Heel within the same week! Also, in order to commemorate TenKoji's 10th Anniversary, All Japan will be selling special edition t-shirts on 8/31.
NJPW, 9/5/08 (SXW)
Tokyo Korakuen Hall- Hiroyoshi Tenzan & Satoshi Kojima
vs. Takashi Iizuka & Karl Anderson
8/25 Results by Irving - 08/25/08 5:45 pm
AJPW, 8/25/08
Ueda Creation Hall
1,100 Fans - No Vacancy
1.
Shinshu Pro-Wrestling Offer ~ I Am The Star: Yashima beat Charles
(8:32) with a lariat.
2. TAKEMURA beat Antonio Thomas
(7:44) with a crabhold.
3. Nobukazu Hirai beat Phil Atlas
(7:44) with the Hirai End.
4. Nobutaka Araya & T28 beat NOSAWA Rongai & MAZADA
(10:21) when Araya used a lariat on MAZADA.
5. Satoshi Kojima, KAI & Hiroshi Yamato beat Osamu Nishimura, Ryuji Hijikata & Akira Raijin
(16:45) when Kojima used a lariat on Raijin.
6. Taiyo Kea & Minoru Suzuki
beat Suwama & Seiya Sanada
(15:03) when Kea used the TKO on Sanada.
7. Keiji Muto, Joe Doering, Kaz Hayashi & Manabu Soya beat TARU, ZODIAC, Shuji Kondo & "brother" YASSHI
(14:25) when Doering used the Revolution Bomb on YASSHI.
8/23 Niitsu results by Irving - 08/23/08 11:52 am
AJPW, 8/23/08 (Samurai! TV)
Niitsu Civic Hall
1,400 Fans - No Vacancy
1. Nobukazu Hirai beat Antonio Thomas
(9:05) with the Hirai End.
2. Nobutaka Araya beat Manabu Soya
(7:33) with a lariat.
3. Osamu Nishimura & Kaz Hayashi beat NOSAWA Rongai & TAKEMURA
(14:40) when Nishimura used a rotation ankle hold on NOSAWA.
4. TARU & ZODIAC beat Joe Doering & Phil Atlas
(12:38) with the Z Buster.
5. Satoshi Kojima, KAI & Hiroshi Yamato beat Keiji Muto, Ryuji Hijikata & T28
(19:38) when Kojima used a lariat on T28.
6. Suwama, Akira Raijin & Seiya Sanada beat Taiyo Kea, Minoru Suzuki
& MAZADA
(20:55) when Suwama used the Last Ride on MAZADA.
Big update by Irving - 08/22/08 2:06 pm
All Japan returned to Korakuen today, which was at around 60%, as is to be expected with a Sumo Hall event around the corner. During intermission, a third event at Sumo Hall this year was confirmed for 11/3 (which even I am a bit concerned about).
After hyping New Japan's Hiroyoshi Tenzan as the new member of the Voodoo Murders, Tenzan did indeed show his face at today's Korakuen, but it was to help out former VM member and sworn bestfriend, Satoshi Kojima! After the Kojima/TARU singles bout, the members of VM attack a bloodied Kojima, with Tenzan returning the favor (as Kojima saved Tenzan from GBH a month prior) and it looks like a confrontation will take place on 8/31 in Sumo Hall!
AJPW, 8/22/08 (GAORA TV)
Tokyo Korakuen Hall
1,650 Fans1. Masanobu Fuchi & El Samurai beat Nobutaka Araya & Nobukazu Hirai when Samurai used a
(6:13) small package on Araya.
2. ZODIAC, Shuji Kondo & "brother" YASSHI beat Seiya Sanada, Manabu Soya & Hiroshi Yamato
(7:15) when ZODIAC used a Tiger Driver on Yamato.
3. Osamu Nishimura, Scott D'Amore & Phil Atlas beat NOSAWA Rongai, MAZADA & TAKEMURA
(9:58) when D'Amore used the Michinoku Driver on MAZADA.
4. Ryuji Hijikata & Kaz Hayashi beat KAI & T28
(12:38) when Hijikata used a cross armbreaker on T28.
5. Satoshi Kojima beat TARU
(11:25) by disqualification.
6. Shinsuke Nakamura
& Hirooki Goto
beat Keiji Muto & Akira Raijin
(18:08) when Nakamura used the Landslide on Raijin.
7. Taiyo Kea & Minoru Suzuki
beat Suwama & Joe Doering
(22:58) when Suzuki used a Gotch-style Piledriver on Doering.
After the fifth match of the 8/22 show, Hiroshi Yamato & KAI entered the interview area, politely disrupting Kojima and Tenzan's interview with Yamato expressing to Kojima that due to both he and KAI spending a year in Mexico, that they knew the true meaning of friendship and were deeply moved by Kojima and Tenzan's undying friendship. Yamato then asked if he and KAI could form a unit with Kojima! Kojima agreed and said that he would like to team with them this series to see if they meshed well.
The cards have been changed to reflect the new unit.
AJPW, 8/23/08 (Samurai! TV)
Niitsu Civic Hall1. Nobukazu Hirai vs. Antonio Thomas
2. Nobutaka Araya vs. Manabu Soya
3. Osamu Nishimura, Kaz Hayashi vs. NOSAWA Rongai & TAKEMURA
4. Joe Doering & Phil Atlas vs. TARU & ZODIAC
5. Keiji Muto, Ryuji Hijikata & T28 vs. Satoshi Kojima, KAI & Hiroshi Yamato
6. Suwama, Akira Raijin & Seiya Sanada vs. Taiyo Kea, Minoru Suzuki
& MAZADA
AJPW, 8/25/08
Ueda Creation Hall1. Antonio Thomas vs. TAKEMURA
2. Nobukazu Hirai vs. Phil Atlas
3. Nobutaka Araya & T28 vs. NOSAWA Rongai & MAZADA
4. Osamu Nishimura, Ryuji Hijikata & Akira Raijin vs. Satoshi Kojima, KAI & Hiroshi Yamato
5. Suwama & Seiya Sanada vs. Taiyo Kea & Minoru Suzuki
6. Keiji Muto, Joe Doering, Kaz Hayashi & Manabu Soya vs. TARU, ZODIAC, Shuji Kondo & "brother" YASSHI
AJPW, 8/27/08
Kamaishi Citizen Gymnasium1. Nobukazu Hirai & Antonio Thomas vs. Seiya Sanada & Manabu Soya
2. Nobutaka Araya vs. ZODIAC
3. Ryuji Hijikata & Kaz Hayashi vs. T28 & Phil Atlas
4. Osamu Nishimura & Akira Raijin vs. MAZADA & TAKEMURA
5. Satoshi Kojima, KAI & Hiroshi Yamato vs. TARU, Shuji Kondo & "brother" YASSHI
6. Keiji Muto, Suwama & Joe Doering vs. Taiyo Kea, Minoru Suzuki
& NOSAWA Rongai
AJPW, 8/28/08
Odate Citizen Gymnasium1. T28 vs. Antonio Thomas
2. Manabu Soya & Hiroshi Yamato vs. NOSAWA Rongai & TAKEMURA
3. Ryuji Hijikata vs. Phil Atlas
4. Nobutaka Araya & Kaz Hayashi vs. Satoshi Kojima & KAI
5. Suwama, Nobukazu Hirai & Akira Raijin vs. Taiyo Kea, Minoru Suzuki
& MAZADA
6. Keiji Muto, Osamu Nishimura, Joe Doering & Seiya Sanada vs. TARU, ZODIAC, Shuji Kondo & "brother" YASSHI
AJPW, 8/29/08
Noheji Municipal Gymnasium1. Nobutaka Araya & Nobukazu Hirai vs. Seiya Sanada & Manabu Soya
2. Joe Doering vs. TAKEMURA
3. Ryuji Hijikata & T28 vs. KAI & Antonio Thomas
4. Kaz Hayashi & Phil Atlas vs. Shuji Kondo & "brother" YASSHI
5. Satoshi Kojima & Hiroshi Yamato vs. TARU & ZODIAC
6. Keiji Muto, Suwama, Osamu Nishimura & Akira Raijin vs. Taiyo Kea, Minoru Suzuki
, NOSAWA Rongai & MAZADA
AJPW "PRO-WRES LOVE in RYOGOKU Vol. 5", 8/31/08 (PPV)
Tokyo Ryogoku Kokugikan1. Masanobu Fuchi vs. Nobutaka Araya
2. Kaz Hayashi, El Samurai & Antonio Thomas vs. T28, Hiroshi Yamato & Phil Atlas
3. Joe Doering, Akira Raijin & Scott D'Amore vs. ZODIAC, Shuji Kondo & "brother" YASSHI
4. Osamu Nishimura, Nobukazu Hirai & Seiya Sanada vs. Minoru Suzuki
, NOSAWA Rongai & TAKEMURA
5.
AJPW World Jr. Heavyweight Title: Ryuji Hijikata (c) vs. KAI
6. Satoshi Kojima & Hiroyoshi Tenzan
vs. TARU & Togi Makabe
7.
IWGP Heavyweight Title: Keiji Muto (c) vs. Hirooki Goto
8.
Triple Crown: Suwama (c) vs. Taiyo Kea
