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"ULTIMATE CRUSH" (5/2/03)
We're entering the midst of 2003 and it has been a tumultuous year to date, with so much happening in New Japan. It started in January at the Tokyo Dome, but the tours have brought more noteworthy happenings this year, with all kinds of interesting things going down. But after three stacked tours in a row, it's time to return to the highest stage, and "ULTIMATE CRUSH" is just around the corner. The motto is "the ultimate decisive battle starts at last - vale tudo vs. professional wrestling!", and for the first time ever, almost half of a New Japan Tokyo Dome convention will be devoted to vale tudo fights. The majority of fights have a pro wrestler involved though, each defending the pride of their adopted sport. The fights are boosted by what is being called a set of rules that exceed those of PRIDE, called "Ultimate Rules". In addition to being a massive summit of Japan's premier fighting codes, this event also celebrates the 60th birthday of Strong Style's creator, Antonio Inoki, the man largely responsible for the massive pro wrestling/VT crossover influence. Inoki will hold his own special event, "ULTIMATE FESTIVAL", the day before "ULTIMATE CRUSH", and it will host fun and games, in addition to some matches selected by "God". I have to say, I don't think there has ever been a Tokyo Dome show with winners so hard to pick. I don't think there is one match where the victor is glaringly obvious.
VS. 
The show will begin with an important match, as it will decide who challenges for the IWGP Heavyweight Title next, most likely in June at Tokyo Nippon Budokan. On one side is Hiroyoshi Tenzan, one of New Japan's top names, but a man frustrated for years now by a lack of sustained singles success. Although he has scored some huge singles wins in his career, one of the most recent being against Kensuke Sasaki in last year's G1 Climax, he has been left saying "almost..." in his quest to win both the IWGP Heavyweight Title and G1 Climax. Opposite him is one of the greatest young prospects in wrestling history, Hiroshi Tanahashi. After returning from his much publicized stabbing late last year, Tanahashi has not only worked himself back into form, but exceeded his previous status and climbed the ladder. He proposed a tournament that would decipher the strongest wrestler under 30 in New Japan, and thus was born the G2 U-30 Climax. Fittingly, the creator of this concept was the first winner, as Tanahashi defeated Shinya Makabe in the final at Hiroshima Sun Plaza on 4/23 before a crowd that was literally dancing in joy at his victory. This earned Tanahashi his biggest singles opportunity to date, a chance to challenge for the most highly esteemed title in professional wrestling, the IWGP Heavyweight Title. Neither man is at 100%, Tanahashi suffering from a dislocated shoulder, and Tenzan from accumulated damage stemming from a horrific landing from his moonsault press last September. Tanahashi and Tenzan last met in the 2003 G1 Climax, and Tenzan won in close to 15 minutes. Since then though, Tanahashi has grown as a wrestler, and should put up an even stronger challenge this time. They met in an important preliminary skirmish days ago on 4/28, Tanahashi teaming with Yutaka Yoshie in his first challenge for an IWGP throne, in this case Masahiro Chono and Tenzan's IWGP Tag Team Title. Yoshie was the only man in full health here, so it gave the upstart team a slight advantage on paper, but they weren't quite able to get the job done, Tanahashi submitting to Chono's Butterfly Lock. Tanahashi needs to look out for Tenzan's Buffalo sleeper at the Tokyo Dome, as this could aggravate his damaged shoulder. Tenzan is by no means invincible though, and in the past has suffered shock losses when least expected (an example being against Yoshie on 12/14/00), so this could be a close one.
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"Submission Master" Takashi Iizuka squares off against "The World's Most Dangerous Man" Ken Shamrock in the second match of the night. This will not be a vale tudo fight, and will see former WWF Intercontinental and NWA Heavyweight Champion, Shamrock, return to the squared circle after his recent UFC clash with Tito Ortiz. Shamrock bolsters the ailing Makai Club, and was scouted by President Hoshino during an excursion to Los Angeles in January. Already an established name in Japan, Shamrock brings with him a mass of credentials, and his last pro wrestling match in the country was at Antonio Inoki's 12/31/00 festival, when he teamed with Don Frye against Keiji Muto & Nobuhiko Takada. Shamrock was originally slated to debut for New Japan on 4/12/97 in the main event of the Tokyo Dome show on that day against Shinya Hashimoto, but he signed for the WWF and plans were hurriedly altered (bringing in Naoya Ogawa, and as they say, the rest is history...). A little over six years later, Shamrock makes his New Japan debut. His opponent is Iizuka, a man who has experience tackling ultimate fighters, having opposed the likes of Don Frye and Brian Johnston before. Iizuka has been slowly working his way back into form following the brain injury that kept him out of action for well over a year. His recent singles match series victory over the man who almost ended his career, Mitsuya "Makai #5" Nagai, seems to suggest that Iizuka could be close to returning to his high 2000 rank, where he became one of the New Japan army's top stars, and very nearly won the IWGP Heavyweight Title. Iizuka's biggest mistake leading into this match may have been provoking Shamrock by calling him "washed up". This has infuriated Shamrock, and Iizuka may have to contend with the infamous "Zone" Shamrock enters when he snaps. Iizuka himself has shown an ill temper lately though, and has been hard to control at times, so if these two snap at the same time, this one could get nasty. It's a tough one to call, Shamrock is the favourite on paper, but Iizuka has it in him to pull off an upset. If Iizuka does manage to defeat Shamrock, this may signal the end for the Makai Club, as their biggest recruit yet would be an instant loser.
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A clash in ideology can lead to mass conflict, and this is what has fueled a new rivalry in New Japan's world famous junior division this year. Heat, Tiger Mask, and friends have led a younger generation movement against Jushin Thunder Liger, Koji Kanemoto, and friends this year. Although the alignments haven't stayed consistent to that concept (examples being young Minoru Fujita joining the Liger/Kanemoto army, and veteran AKIRA siding with the Heat/Tiger Mask army), the junior division is on fire following recent happenings. After struggling to find any form, Heat finally made a breakthrough at Tokyo Ryogoku Kokugikan on 2/16, when he pinned nemesis, Kanemoto, to win a Super Jr. Elimination Match. In the fall prior to that, AKIRA dropped his Musasabi press on Liger, so both junior legends were sunk successively. This led to an IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Tag Team Title bout between the two sides on 3/9 in Nagoya. Kanemoto & Liger avenged their February pinfall losses with a strong victory over AKIRA & Heat, Koji pinning Heat. The next high profile situation in the feud took place on 3/23 before a rabid crowd in Amagasaki. AKIRA challenged Kanemoto for the IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Title in a classic, but fell short and tapped out to an awe-inspiring leglock variation used by Kanemoto. Not only did the veteran army win these important title matches, but also dominated bouts on smaller shows, including a multitude of trios matches. Going into April, the situation seemed hopeless for Heat, Tiger Mask, AKIRA, and their allies, and the possibility of dissolving their movement had to have been considered. But in Hiroshima on 4/23, a shocker changed the momentum and put Liger and Kanemoto on the defensive. Tiger Mask, who failed last year to defeat Kanemoto for the IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Title, succeeded in his second attempt, pinning the dominant champion in a thriller. Suddenly, the upstart army was in control, they had the ultimate crown in junior heavyweight wrestling. And going into the Tokyo Dome, they have chance to win the next best thing in New Japan, the IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Tag Team Title, held by Liger & Kanemoto. This match could help shape the destiny of the junior division, and Liger has promised an exciting match to combat the vale tudo on the show. Can the upstarts monopolize the junior titles in New Japan, or will the veterans hold on to them? In addition, this clash will serve as an important preliminary skirmish to the upcoming "BEST OF THE SUPER JR. X", where both sides will be looking to win the annual junior festival.
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The vale tudo sector begins with an important match, because it sees Antonio Inoki's last successor, LYOTO (Ryoto Machida), make his long awaited debut. Trained by Inoki himself, along with accomplished VT fighters like Wallid Ismail, the young Japanese-Brazilian fighter has studied and trained in jujitsu, karate, and all wrestling. Proud of his heritage, LYOTO was recruited from Brazil by Inoki, just like Inoki himself was recruited from Brazil by the late, great Rikidozan. LYOTO's opponent is popular Pancrase fighter, KENGO (Kengo Watanabe), who is no pushover and will give LYOTO a difficult debut fight. LYOTO has predicted a KO victory, and wants to advance upon PRIDE following the Tokyo Dome convention, where he hopes to truly become Inoki's successor by conquering the mixed martial arts world.
VS. 
Dolgorsuren Sumiyabazar vs. Tsuyoshi Kosaka continues the chain of VT fights. The older brother of New Japan's young phenom, Blue Wolf, and sumo yokozuna, Blue Dragon, Sumiyabazar has a chance to step into the spotlight like his brothers have. He represented Mongolia's amaresu team at two Olympic Games, and fought Kurt Angle in Atlanta. Additionally, with New Japan's support, he is helping establish Mongolia's first ever professional wrestling organization. His opponent is a well known face to fans of Japanese pro wrestling, former RINGS star, Tsuyoshi Kosaka. A well respected and gifted fighter, TK recently competed in the NWF Heavyweight Title Tournament, defeating Tadao Yasuda, before falling to Yoshihiro Takayama in January. Should Sumiyabazar win this fight, he may advance upon PRIDE, and has already targetted the mighty Bob Sapp.
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In his short career, Shinsuke Nakamura has captivated fans with his amazing fighting spirit, both in professional wrestling and mixed martial arts. "Super Rookie", as he is called, made a high profile debut last August against Tadao Yasuda, and lost in short time. After months of training at the Inoki Dojo in America, he returned to Japan for Inoki's 12/31/02 festival, where he fought Daniel Gracie in his first mixed martial arts fight. He lost that fight, but the result wasn't important, Nakamura's heart and determination had won over the fans. Days later, on New Japan's 1/4 Tokyo Dome show, Nakamura incredibly avenged his loss to Yasuda in a tag match, a bloody Nakamura choking the former IWGP Heavyweight Champion out in just his second pro wrestling match! After completing his first tour for New Japan in February, Nakamura returned to Los Angeles, training intensely for several months at various dojos. Nakamura returns to New Japan at the Tokyo Dome against the man who defeated Yasuda on New Year's Eve, Jan "The Giant" Nortje. A towering figure, Nortje has the height and weight advantage over Shinsuke, but he does not have the training Nakamura has received from some of pro wrestling and vale tudo's best. Like Inoki with Andre, the young warrior who has inherited the genes of fighting spirit, Shinsuke Nakamura, has the chance to topple a giant and further his amazing early career progress. He will fight in the name of pro wrestling, and by the end of the night, may be a new hero.
VS. 
He debuted as a threat to New Japan's pro wrestling pride, and almost won the IWGP Heavyweight Title on 1/4 from Yuji Nagata. But going into his second New Japan Tokyo Dome match, Josh Barnett represents professional wrestling against the very dangerous Jimmy Ambriz, the unbeaten King of the Cage ace. In this ultimate clash of UFC king and KOTC king, two Americans looking to make a name for themselves in Japan will square off on the highest stage. Ambriz knocked out World Japan regular, Dan Bobish, in just 46 seconds last August, and is hoping to make a similar impact in Tokyo. But Barnett is one of the most skilled fighters out there, and his combined knowledge of mixed martial arts and pro wrestling make him formidable foe. Barnett has even suggested using suplexes against the big man! The winner of this is highly tipped to fight Bob Sapp at New Japan's next Tokyo Dome convention this October, so the possibility of teacher (Barnett) vs. student (Sapp) is very high.
VS. 
The feature vale tudo fight of the event sees beasts clash. Manabu Nakanishi, one of New Japan's elite stars, enters the vale tudo world to fight a man he resents, Kazuyuki Fujita. Perhaps Japan's two wildest wrestlers, Nakanishi and Fujita have almost identical backgrounds, having represented their country at freestyle (amaresu) 100kg class. Out of their previous seven meetings, all of which took place when Fujita was a New Japan young lion, Nakanishi has a perfect record, with seven wins (9/11/97, 11/29/97, 12/6/97, 12/23/97, 1/4/99, 10/29/99, and 11/28/99). But their eighth match will be an all new experience for Nakanishi, as he steps into Fujita's domain. After leaving New Japan, Fujita became the Japanese heavyweight ace of PRIDE, defeating the likes of Mark Kerr, Ken Shamrock, and Gilbert Yvel. Upon returning to New Japan, he was a much different fighter to the one struggling for victories before his departure, and instantly grasped the IWGP Heavyweight Title. He never lost that title, although failed to win it back from Yuji Nagata last October. But even with all his pro wrestling success, his main strength still lies in vale tudo/mixed martial arts combat. And Nakanishi, following around a month of training with Enson Inoue, must find a way to bring down the brute in his first VT fight. To make things more difficult for Nakanishi, he is at a serious disadvantage, having injured a knee recently. Being Nakanishi, a man who never backs down from any fight, he will still compete at less than 100%, and aim at an eighth successive win over Inoki's disciple.
VS. 
Enson Inoue's entry into New Japan and the Crazy Dogs this February was greeted with much fanfare, but Makai Club terrorist, Kazunari Murakami, wasn't impressed by the mixed martial arts star. Instantly, sparks flared and the two wild men got into repeated heated scuffles that became the focus of the Crazy Dogs vs. Makai Club war. The two were involved in several inconclusive matches, their fighting getting so out of control that the matches were thrown out. But at the Tokyo Dome, they finally meet one on one, in what could be the sleeper hit of the event. Perhaps Murakami is jealous that someone possibly even more unpredictable than he has arrived, but on 5/2, we will find out which of these two fighters is tougher. Expect no technical wrestling, this will be a fight between two blood-thirsty savages that could work the Tokyo Dome into a frenzy.
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Two of the most important figures in professional wrestling, Masahiro Chono and Kenta Kobashi, will clash in a dream match at the Tokyo Dome. One year after his 30 minute draw with Mitsuharu Misawa, Chono faces NOAH's leader, the man who dethroned Misawa for the GHC Heavyweight Title on 3/1. Both men have achieved great success in their careers, and when they met for the first time in NOAH on 1/10, the rabid Tokyo Nippon Budokan crowd was at fever pitch, anticipating every move they made. The fighting was hot on that day, but as big as that tag confrontation was, it pales in comparison to their first ever singles clash. Kobashi, ace of NOAH, and Chono, tag ace and matchmaker of New Japan, have a mutual cause in their GHC Heavyweight Title match on 5/2. Both men are desperate to show that professional wrestling is the most exciting combat code out there, and aim to outshine the vale tudo fights before their bout. The match is hampered though by a serious knee injury Chono suffered in his recent singles match with Shinya Makabe. Chono fought through the pain to successfully defend the IWGP Tag Team Title with Tenzan against Yoshie & Tanahashi on 4/28, but missed the final show of the April tour, and had his knee checked out by a doctor. Chono will fight on, but like Nakanishi, he will go into this battle far below 100%, giving Kobashi a major advantage that he will surely aim to exploit. Regardless of who wins, this match could be one for the ages, and could help shape the destiny and direction of New Japan Pro-Wrestling.
VS. 
It all started on the day Yuji Nagata won the IWGP Heavyweight Title, 4/5/02. Having beaten Tadao Yasuda, Nagata was celebrating his greatest accomplishment, celebrating his return to form after a horrid few months in which he suffered several high profile defeats. He was celebrating when Yoshihiro Takayama appeared from the crowd, and stepped in the ring, making his first New Japan appearance since the New Japan vs. UWF-I interpromotional rivalry. Takayama asked for a handshake, which Nagata accepted, but the big man instantly betrayed New Japan's new ace, hitting his patented "Everest" German suplex! The stage was set, Nagata vs. Takayama at the Tokyo Dome on 5/2/02. The two waged a brilliant battle that Antonio Inoki described as a "perfect world title match". The Tokyo Dome witnessed Nagata make a successful V1 defense of the title, and his record-breaking reign had truly begun. But a year later, things are different. Both men have become far more successful and stronger fighters. Takayama captured both the GHC Heavyweight Title and NWF Heavyweight Title following his loss to Nagata, while Nagata became the leader of Japan's pro wrestling industry, holding it's greatest prize for over a year. Now, their match means a lot more, not only because both men are more important figures than a year ago, but also because both men, not just one, hold titles very precious to New Japan. Nagata remains IWGP Heavyweight Champion, and broke the defense record in an epic bloodbath against Yasuda on 4/23. Takayama is the hottest freelancer in the nation, and holds the throne Inoki immortalized, the NWF Heavyweight Title. Both of these prestigious titles will be on the line in their second singles confrontation. Both men have so much to gain from a win, but perhaps more to lose from a defeat. The victor walks away with two belts, the loser leaves with nothing. Nagata brings to the ring great pride and technique, his moveset comprised of hard strikes, high impact suplexes, and exquisite submissions. Takayama is less versatile in his approach and often sticks to a single, hard-hitting game plan, but his method, though inferior on paper, has led to great success. One thing is for sure, this will not be an easy match for either man, and both will leave it feeling the effects. Yuji Nagata or Yoshihiro Takayama, which man will lead the industry into the second half of 2003?
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