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[Complete Results]
"TOUKON SERIES 2002 PROLOGUE" served as a prelude to the post-Tokyo Dome tour. Spanning three shows, two of which took place at the hallowed Tokyo Korakuen Hall, it had a special theme, with two of the conventions run in conjunction with Tatsumi Fujinami's Muga concept. Featuring old veterans and new debutants, the tour pursued the starting point of professional wrestling, with Catch and Gotch-ism traditions stressed. Takashi Iizuka returned after 487 days of injury leave, five wrestlers from the L.A. Dojo made their New Japan debuts, and several other outsiders were utilized, including former UWF-I star, Tatsuo Nakano. Both Naofumi Yamamoto and Ryusuke Taguchi were scheduled to debut on "HISTORY" (10/12), along with the new masked man, Heat. "HISTORY", where the men who make future history begin their careers. In preparation for his Tokyo Dome clash with Bas Rutten, Osamu Nishimura wrestled two European Catch Rules matches, one of which was against his mentor, Tatsumi Fujinami.
Foreign participation:
American Dragon (L.A. Dojo): 10/6 & 10/9
Jack The Bull (L.A. Dojo): 10/6 & 10/9
Pinoi Boy (L.A. Dojo): All shows
The Havana Pitbulls (Rocky Romero & Ricky Reyes) (L.A. Dojo): 10/6 & 10/9
Tony St. Clair: 10/9 (as a referee) & 10/12
Special participation:
Nobuyuki Kurashima: All shows
Tatsuo Nakano: All shows
Points of note:
Kengo Kimura missed his scheduled special appearances due to an injury suffered while training.
Ryusuke Taguchi's scheduled debut on 10/12 against El Samurai was cancelled due to a head injury, and his first match was postponed. Pinoi Boy stayed behind and replaced Taguchi, who's debut was tentatively re-scheduled for 10/27 at Kobe World Hall.
(10/6) "2002 MUGA IN TOKYO". L.A. Dojo newcomers, Jack The Bull, American Dragon, Rocky Romero, Ricky Reyes and Pinoi Boy, all made their New Japan debuts.
(10/6) Iizuka returned to the ring, his first match since 6/6/01 at Tokyo Nippon Budokan, facing Nishimura. Although he was pinned by Nishimura in a grueling technical match, he took his on-form opponent over 24 minutes. Following the match, Nishimura and other New Japan wrestlers congratulated Iizuka on his comeback.
(10/9) "2002 MUGA IN OSAKA". Mentor met pupil, as Fujinami faced Nishimura in a European Catch Rules Match main event. Tony St. Clair was the special referee of this traditional bout, which had fifteen 4 minute rounds, four of which were used (17:00 in total). Nishimura almost scored his first win over Fujinami by applying a spinning toehold, but Fujinami cut it back with a cradle for the victory.
(10/12) "HISTORY". 24-year-old Naofumi Yamamoto debuted, facing and losing to his senior, Wataru Inoue.
(10/12) In a battle of former UWF-I competitors, Masahito Kakihara and Tatsuo Nakano wrestled to a 15 minute draw.
(10/12) Nishimura's final match before the Tokyo Dome saw him draw in a European Catch Rules Match (five 3 minute rounds, 15:00 in total) with St. Clair.
(10/12) Heat made his pre-debut, teaming with Liger to defeat Fujinami & Tiger Mask, Heat sending a warning to his Tokyo Dome opponent, Koji Kanemoto, by pinning Tiger.
(10/12) In the semi final, former Heisei Ishingun members, Shiro Koshinaka and Tatsutoshi Goto, reunited to face Chono & Tenzan.
(10/12) Three of New Japan's youngest wrestlers (Kenzo, Tanahashi and Blue Wolf) main evented, along with Nakanishi, Tanaken defeating Nakanishi & Wolf. Following the match, Tanaken's Tokyo Dome opponent, the returning Shinya Makabe, lariated Tanahashi.
Miscellaneous:
Nishimura finished 0-1-1 in his European Catch Rules matches on the series, a negative record leading into his match of the same concept with Bas Rutten at the Tokyo Dome.
The only L.A. Dojo member to lose to New Japan wrestlers was Pinoi Boy, who fell in singles matches to Tiger Mask and El Samurai. American Dragon and the Havana Pitbulls both finished the series with 2-0 records, Dragon scoring two singles victories.
Back to: "G1 WORLD 2002" (9/6/02 to 9/22/02)
Forward to: "THE SPIRAL" (10/14/02)
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