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After a difficult 2002 that saw much rebuilding after the departures of Keiji Muto, Satoshi Kojima, and Kendo Ka Shin, a new year started with "WRESTLING WORLD 2003", the annual January 4th Tokyo Dome convention. A Young Generation Cup was set up, with four men slightly above the young lion rank, but still quite young, fighting it out for a shot at the IWGP Heavyweight Title in February. Several new members of the Makai Club debuted, including a giant named Dai Majin, and a tag team called Harimao'Z, comprised of Makai #4 and Makai #5. The new era of New Japan's legendary junior division began, with an elite trio featuring Koji Kanemoto, Jushin Thunder Liger, and Takehiro Murahama, facing three upstarts, Heat, Masayuki Naruse, and Tiger Mask, in a new faction war. "Super Rookie" Shinsuke Nakamura returned to New Japan after an extended learning excursion in America, and his partner was another man returning from an absence, Michiyoshi Ohara. Together, they battled Makai Club heads, Tadao Yasuda & Kazunari Murakami, Nakamura looking to avenge his debut loss to Yasuda. In limited edition form, the legendary team of TenKoji, Hiroyoshi Tenzan & Satoshi Kojima, reformed, with Kojima returning to New Japan from All Japan for one night, the most dominant IWGP Tag Team Champions in history facing their "godfather", Masahiro Chono, and same generation member, Manabu Nakanishi. The title Antonio Inoki immortalized, the NWF Heavyweight Title, would be revived, with the "KING OF GLADIATOR" tournament to determine a new champion concluding. And in the main event, Yuji Nagata defended his IWGP Heavyweight Title against the youngest UFC Heavyweight Champion in history, and a man who never lost that title in a fight, Josh Barnett.
Foreign participation:
Dai Majin (Makai Club)
Josh Barnett
Special participation:
Michiyoshi Ohara
Satoshi Kojima (All Japan)
Tsuyoshi Kosaka
Yoshihiro Takayama
Takehiro Murahama (Osaka Pro)
NJPW "WRESTLING WORLD 2003", 1/4/03 (WPW)
Tokyo Dome
50,000 Fans - No Vacancy
1. Osamu Nishimura beat Tatsumi Fujinami (8:10) with a Japanese leg roll clutch hold.
2. Young Generation Cup - Semi Final: Yutaka Yoshie beat Shinya Makabe (13:20) with a diving body press.
3. Young Generation Cup - Semi Final: Ryushi Yanagisawa beat Kenzo Suzuki (9:23) with a high knee.
4. Dai Majin & Makai #1 beat Hiro Saito & Tatsutoshi Goto (7:50) when Goto was DQ'd.
5. Makai #4 & Makai #5 beat Takashi Iizuka & Masahito Kakihara (10:54) when Makai #5 used a swan dive knee attack on Iizuka.
6. Koji Kanemoto, Jushin Thunder Liger & Takehiro Murahama  beat Heat, Masayuki Naruse & Tiger Mask (16:10) when Kanemoto used an ankle hold on Naruse.
7. Young Generation Cup - Final: Ryushi Yanagisawa beat Yutaka Yoshie (6:48) with a cross armbreaker.
8. Michiyoshi Ohara & Shinsuke Nakamura beat Tadao Yasuda & Kazunari Murakami (7:12) by referee stop (Nakamura beat Yasuda).
9. Hiroyoshi Tenzan & Satoshi Kojima  beat Masahiro Chono & Manabu Nakanishi (23:18) when Tenzan used the TTD on Chono.
10. NWF Heavyweight Title: Yoshihiro Takayama beat Tsuyoshi Kosaka (10:19) with a knee kick to become the 17th champion.
11. IWGP Heavyweight Title: Yuji Nagata (c) beat Josh Barnett (10:40) with a kneel kick (7th defense).
Points of note:
Before the show, all of the wrestlers entered the ring to open the new year. Former G-EGGS member, Brian Johnston, still recovering from a stroke, made an emotional return to New Japan, thanking the fans for their support. Kazuyuki Fujita also gave a speech, saying he was in good health, and wanted to defeat both Mirko Cro Cop and Bob Sapp in 2003. Fujita said that he probably would't be involved in pro wrestling in 2003, and that he would focus on PRIDE, K-1, and UFC. Following President Fujinami's greeting, Tiger Hattori and Masa Saito, who joined Riki Choshu's World Japan in the days prior to the show, were given flowers in appreciation for their years of service to New Japan.
The Battle of Muga kicked things off, with Tatsumi Fujinami returning to the Tokyo Dome opening match for the first time since his 10/9/00 bloody confrontation with Shinya Hashimoto. Opposite him was a man finding great success, Fujinami's disciple, Osamu Nishimura. Although only 8 minutes long, all of the patented old school moves were shown off, the visitors charmed by the pure technical wrestling on offer. They traded cradles late on, each looking for the cunning finish. Nishimura escaped a ground Cobra Twist cradle, before landing a dropkick and diving kneedrop. Fujinami read Nishimura's intentions, catching a leg and hitting his vaunted dragon screw leg whip. However, after returning a front cradle from Fujinami, Nishimura surprised him with a Japanese leg roll clutch hold to seal one of his most important victories ever, defeating his legendary teacher for the first time in singles competition! Fujinami said he felt Nishimura's enthusiasm today, and had great hopes for his pupil in 2003. Fujinami admitted his body's limitations these days, and said it was impolite to fans for him to go to the ring like this. He said he would train hard and return to the ring in March. Nishimura spoke of the importance of this win, saying he had risen to "Inoki and Fujinami's New Japan" now. He outlined plans to challenge for the IWGP Heavyweight Title and go to India to study new techniques in 2003.
Yutaka Yoshie advanced upon the Young Generation Cup with the dignity of a senior, despite being the youngest of the four participants. He met fellow power fighter, Shinya Makabe, in the first semi final. Right away it got physical, the two colliding and levelling each other with hard elbow shots. Makabe endured Yoshie's relentless attack, and managed to duck a backfist, countering with a lariat. He struck Yoshie with a running lariat, then dropped him with a German suplex hold, lifting Yoshie's huge form effortlessly. Later, Yoshie exploded with a back blow to Makabe, and hit a Thesz press. He climbed the turnbuckles, bringing his 287lbs of bulk down on Makabe, and crushing him for the hard fought win in a grueling battle. Makabe said that Yoshie was good in the match, and had improved since they last fought. Makabe said he lost no morale by this result, and that he had high hopes for the year 2003, including re-challenging Yuji Nagata. Yoshie kept his speech brief, saying, "Next, Yanagisawa or Kenzo, whichever is sufficient".
The second YG Cup semi final was between two pro wrestlers of different styles, Kenzo Suzuki facing Ryushi Yanagisawa. Yanagisawa stunned Kenzo with a flurry of middle kicks, before making him suffer through an ankle hold. Kenzo fought back with a jumping knee attack and high-angle backdrop suplex, reversing the momentum. In response to a high kick attempt, Kenzo tackled Yanagisawa down with a spear, but Yanagisawa got Kenzo in a sleeper hold. He began to break Kenzo down with a front neck lock and various other chokes, but Kenzo became somehow invigorated, having a last wind. He charged at Yanagisawa, but was struck with a high knee to the face, and fell to the mat, being covered. Yanagisawa marched forward, preventing Kenzo from getting his third successive young wrestler tournament win. Backstage, Yanagisawa said Makai would win all of their matches on the show, and promised to avenge his 10/14/02 loss at the Tokyo Dome to Yoshie in the YG Cup final later. Kenzo was a little subdued in his interview, just saying "I want to go upwards more this year". He said he would support Takayama today when he fought Kosaka, but would not second him for his match.
Dai Majin, standing at an incredible height, made his first appearance for the Makai Club under a mask. He teamed with Makai #1, the two going against Team 2000 old guard members, Hiro Saito & Tatsutoshi Goto, the "original heels". Black Cat officiated the match, his first as a referee. Hiro & Goto managed to get the giant out of the ring, and attacked him with chairshots. Black Cat was also struck by a chair, showing that life as a referee wouldn't be easy. He had to DQ Goto, giving the Makai Club a disqualification victory. The giant got angry, smashing a chair across the crown of Goto's head, then lariating Hiro down. Finally, he powerbombed Mr. Senton and covered, Kantaro Hoshino making an unofficial 3 count. Backstage, Hiro and Goto swore to crush this giant.
The new team of Makai #4 & Makai #5, called Harimao'Z, faced the technician team of Takashi Iizuka & Masahito Kakihara in the fifth match of the night. The two newcomers wore silver/white masks, one with blue stylings (#4) and one with red stylings (#5), and shinguards. Both men threw sharp kicks and used many submissions, able to match their New Japan foe. As the match progressed, the atmosphere changed, when Iizuka became very suspicious and realized who Makai #5 was, after the masked man used Toshiaki Kawada's Stretch Plum submission. Things got heated and out of hand, Iizuka tearing Makai #5's shirt off, and the the referee tried to get in between them; when he did, Makai #5 capitalized with a flurry of high kicks to Iizuka in rapid succession. In a dazed state, Iizuka threw a rider punch, but before he could do much else, Makai #4 intruded. The finish left no doubt who Makai #5 was, as he hit a swan dive knee attack, in the exact same form as Mitsuya Nagai's "Hyper Knee". The victim was the man Nagai put out of action for over a year on 6/6/01, Iizuka, and once more Iizuka was sunk into the mat by a knee shot. Despite not being able to prove it, Iizuka and Kakihara listed Nagai by name backstage, and blasted him for his lack of dignity. Iizuka said that if Makai #5 participates on tours, he would tear the mask off and reveal Nagai's face to the world. Kakihara, who formed Team Strongs in All Japan with Nagai, the two holding the All Asia Tag Team Title, said he didn't understand why Nagai entered the Makai Club. Makai #5 thanked Hoshino backstage. Makai #4 refused to talk, perhaps fearing that people would recognize his voice. Hoshino was very arrogant, dismissing the complete defeat for Makai on 12/10 in Osaka, and claiming that New Japan was lukewarm. He singled out Chono, Nagata, and Tenzan as the Makai Club's main targets, those three being the IWGP holders, and said the Makai would create some hot matches in 2003.
Liger wore a crimson red outfit, and it matched his mood, when he teamed with Koji Kanemoto and Osaka Pro's Takehiro Murahama against Heat, Masayuki Naruse & Tiger Mask. Early on, the action was very intense and heated, capturing the interest of fans. Heat was especially impressive, with many kicks and submissions, which he troubled Liger with. However, a furious Liger smacked Heat with a shotei, then planted him with both a powerbomb and Fisherman buster. Liger was in one of his infamous bad moods, and took Heat to the stage, where he gave the children's hero a brainbuster! Murahama used a high kick and a brainbuster of his own, before Kanemoto dropped a moonsault press. Naruse, who was really banged up in the match and wore many bandages, was the one who eventually fell, submitting to Kanemoto's ankle hold. A very impressive win by Liger, Kanemoto & Murahama, who were just too skillful for the opposition. Liger displayed more aggression against the younger opposition, showing immense anger. Backstage, Liger and Kanemoto said the IWGP Jr. Tag Team Title would be recovered from NOAH. Kanemoto said he and Liger would form an all-star team, enter NOAH, and bring the belts home. Liger demeaned today's opposition, picking them apart verbally, and saying they were no match for he and Kanemoto. He guaranteed IWGP Jr. Tag Title recovery from NOAH. Tiger Mask claimed that Liger was afraid of his popularity being taken from younger, newer wrestlers. Heat said that he got a New Year's present, and that he wouldn't make any excuses for the loss. He did say though that soon, perfect results would be achieved from his faction. There was a big scuffle between the sides in the press conference room.
Yoshie or Yanagisawa? One of these men would challenge the winner of Nagata vs. Barnett for the IWGP Heavyweight Title on 2/2, and the YG Cup final would answer that question. Having met at the last Tokyo Dome outing, these two men were familiar, and went at it hard with an elbow exchange right away. Yanagisawa fired low kicks at Yoshie, but the Enforcer retaliated with a back blow. Yoshie hit another Thesz press, a spinebuster, then whipped out a Death Valley bomb like he did last October. However, Yanagisawa struck back with a Muay Thai-style front kick, and fired knees and numerous colourful kicks at the big man's frame. He landed a high kick cleanly, and capitalized with a cross armbreaker for the tap out and #1 contendership! Backstage though, Yanagisawa said he wasn't interested in the IWGP belt, and that the NWF throne was his target. He praised Yoshihiro Takayama, and said he wanted to face Takayama for the NWF strap. He also expressed plans to possibly take over the Makai Club and gain more power. Yoshie said that this year he would be "persistent Yoshie", and keep trying and trying until he found more success.
Two men returned to New Japan, teaming up; Michiyoshi Ohara, a veteran returning from his stay in the MMA world, and Shinsuke Nakamura, after months of training at the L.A. Dojo, and a good fight with Daniel Gracie on 12/31. In his debut match on 8/29/02, Nakamura lost to Tadao Yasuda, and got chance to avenge that when he and Ohara faced Yasuda and the "Terrorist of Heisei" Kazunari Murakami in a tag bout. Nakamura was still sporting a closed wound from his fight with Gracie, but Murakami, the biggest bloodhound of them all, went after it. They call him "Super Rookie", and in just his second match, Nakamura bled more than many veterans have in their entire career. But despite this, with great support, this young phenom fought on, refusing to say die. When the Makai Club tried to interfere from the outside, Hiro and Goto helped out, attacking with chairs. Nakamura made the big tag to Ohara, and the Rabid Dog was back in pro wrestling form, unloading with a running neckbreaker drop, brainbuster, and nodowa otoshi. The intense fight continued, going back and forth, until Nakamura dropped Yasuda on his head with a release German suplex, then strangled him with a front neck lock. In just his second pro wrestling match, Shinsuke Nakamura got a referee stoppage win over former IWGP Heavyweight Champion and current Makai Club leader, Tadao Yasuda! This brilliant youth showed the early makings of a major superstar, and truly lived up to the billing of "Super Rookie". Nakamura said that he had avenged his loss to Yasuda, and said "I am a pro wrestler, and will go anywhere (pro wrestling or mixed martial arts promotions)". Ohara announced the formation of the Crazy Dogs, comprised of himself, Hiro, and his former Freedom Dogs partner, Goto. Ohara also said a big name from the fighting community would accompany him soon. He said about his new army, "The Makai Club will be crushed, and we will be the real foreign army". Hoshino just said, "Lucky, lucky", staggered by the result.
They captivated a nation with some of the most energetic, exciting tag matches ever seen, and for one night, TenKoji, Hiroyoshi Tenzan & Satoshi Kojima, delighted fans again. Kojima appeared first, looking intense as always, but much of the attention switched when fans heard a new theme, and were treated to an amazing new look for Tenzan, who wore a metallic outfit with long black pants like Chono's. Hiroshi Tanahashi seconded TenKoji's opponents, Masahiro Chono & Manabu Nakanishi, after being refused a match on the show due to his healing stab wounds. Nakanishi roared, "I will not allow this!", and attacked Kojima, pounding him with hard level chops. Kojima struck back with Tenryu-style guh punches, and hit a running elbow smash. TenKoji sent Nakanishi off the ropes, but in an old counter technique, Nakanishi speared them both down! TenKoji showed that their teamwork was still perfect, as they used their falling headbutt (Tenzan)/slingshot elbow drop (Kojima) combination in perfect synch on Nakanishi. They co-starred with submissions, Tenzan using a Buffalo sleeper and Kojima a figure-four leglock, and the crowd was enthused by the fast pace. Following a TenKoji Cutter, the brand new Hiroyoshi Tenzan informed his mentor that he was ready to make even more waves in 2003, by spiking Chono with the TTD and cementing a huge victory! TenKoji clasped hands after a great match, their reunion a glowing success. Tanahashi wanted to spoil the party though, and dropkicked both Tenzan and Kojima! The mood was shattered by the young lion's interference, and a big brawl erupted. He was admonished by Nakanishi, who made him stop the reckless attack. Tanahashi grabbed the microphone, apologized, and bowed to an applause. Backstage, Tenzan thanked Kojima for returning to New Japan. Kojima discussed the match, and was happy with his performance, but soon turned his attention to Tanahashi. "I want to fight Tanahashi in All Japan or at WRESTLE-1!". When asked about TenKoji, Chono said, "They were strong". Nakanishi outlined plans to discipline Tanahashi a little, and said he would take Tanahashi under his wing. Tanahashi said his attack was an instinct thing, forced by his hunger to wrestle again. He said that although the doctor told him to take two months off, he would try to return on the upcoming tour. Tanahashi called himself a "problem child" and thanked New Japan for punishing him and making the right decisions for his future. He said he would overcome his problems, and be tougher than ever.
Kotetsu Yamamoto officiated an important match as the NWF Heavyweight Title Tournament came down to two very tough fighters, Yoshihiro Takayama (sporting a bruised eye still from his fight with Bob Sapp) and Tsuyoshi Kosaka. The two started with takedowns and submissions, before getting more physical with punches and knees. Takayama managed to hit his Everest German suplex, but Kosaka rolled out of the ring to avoid a cover. Back in, Kosaka slapped on a triangle choke from a guard position, but Takayama raised himself out of it and hit a running knee kick to the face for the win. Takayama said he had yearned after this title since he was a child, and accepted the belt. Takayama said that he wanted to challenge Yuji Nagata for the IWGP Heavyweight Title again, and unify the titles. He claimed that he would defeat Nagata in the match of the year, and carry the two belts.
And then one match remained, the main event, for the most prestigious title in the wrestling industry. Yuji Nagata (sporting darker blue tights) faced the man who never lost the UFC Heavyweight Title, Josh Barnett, in his V7 defense of the IWGP Heavyweight Title. Barnett said he would humiliate Nagata by using a Mirko-style high kick to defeat him in seconds like Cro Cop did. The bell rang, and he decked Nagata with a left high kick! He quickly went to the ground, applying an array of submissions, and putting Nagata in serious trouble. After a front suplex and Captured suplex, Barnett levelled the champion with a knee kick for a 9 count, Nagata barely making it to his feet. Barnett landed a jumping knee kick, but Nagata fought back a while later with an Exploder, then applied the Nagata Lock II. He went for a wrist-clutch Exploder, but Barnett countered with the same front sleeper that KO'd Nagata in seconds during their scuffle on 12/15! Nagata faded, but survived the hold and lived on. Eventually, Nagata hit the elusive wrist-clutch Exploder, than struck Barnett right in the head with a kneel kick for the 3 count and victory! Barnett accepted defeat like a true sportsman, shaking Nagata's hand and admitting that he was the better man today. But Takayama, who stayed at ringside following his NWF Heavyweight Title win, got in Nagata's face and issued a challenge. Nagata said that Barnett showed great potential in pro wrestling, but needed more experience before he could be a champion. When questioned about the ninth match and Kojima, Nagata was direct. Nagata said he had jumped out of the generation wars, and had ascended above the likes of Kojima now. He outlined plans to remain undefeated in 2003, and break Hashimoto's nine defense record of the title. Barnett said he was disappointed by the result, but would continue aiming for the IWGP Heavyweight Title. Barnett said Nagata has great heart, and excelled at strategy. Barnett said he was puzzled by the rope escape concept briefly, being used to the octagon cage from UFC, but said he had no complaints about pro wrestling's rules. Barnett revealed that he would continue to wrestle in New Japan, and that he would like to wrestle in some tag matches to gain experience. Barnett said he was a free agent, but that he was more interested in pro wrestling than promotions like PRIDE at the moment.
Miscellaneous:
Following the humiliation of complete defeat in Osaka on 12/10, the Makai Club fought back quite well. They finished 4-1 on the day, with two victories and subsequent tournament win from Yanagisawa the highlight. However, their loss was humiliating, with the two men regarded as Makai's peers, Yasuda and Murakami, losing to the returning Ohara and a rookie, Nakamura, who choked out the Makai Club leader.
Back to: "DREAM * WIN" (12/23/02)
Forward to: "FIGHTING SPIRIT 2003" (1/30/03 to 2/16/03)
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