Post by Shining Road Review on Apr 28, 2017 22:34:04 GMT -5
- GPWS JUNIOR HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP -
With the success of SAKURA PRO, in 2005 the company held an eight-man round-robin tournament known as the Sword of Lite Grand Prix that would also serve to determine the first GPWS Jr. Heavyweight championship. Izawa Fujiyama would win the tournament to become the first champion and establish instant credibility to the new title. Since its inception, numerous matches have been fought to become champion.
When SAKURA PRO declared bankruptcy in late 2015, the GPWS approved that the Jr. Heavyweight title was to be defended in other promotions throughout Japan. These matches have resulted in the title becoming one of the most honored sub-heavyweight belts in the country. It is not uncommon for outsiders of the company to challenge for the title.
With the success of SAKURA PRO, in 2005 the company held an eight-man round-robin tournament known as the Sword of Lite Grand Prix that would also serve to determine the first GPWS Jr. Heavyweight championship. Izawa Fujiyama would win the tournament to become the first champion and establish instant credibility to the new title. Since its inception, numerous matches have been fought to become champion.
When SAKURA PRO declared bankruptcy in late 2015, the GPWS approved that the Jr. Heavyweight title was to be defended in other promotions throughout Japan. These matches have resulted in the title becoming one of the most honored sub-heavyweight belts in the country. It is not uncommon for outsiders of the company to challenge for the title.
1. 11/30/2005: Izawa Fujiyama defeats Thunder Mask (13:47) by submission with a chicken-wing chokehold to win the 2005 Sword of Lite Grand Prix and become the first champion.
2. 6/13/2006: Shinto Priest #2 defeats Izawa Fujiyama (11:05) by pinfall after the Shriner Kick.
3. 12/9/2006: The Red Marvel defeats Shinto Priest #2 (16:30) by pinfall after the Red Bread Winner.
4. 2/5/2007: Thunder Mask defeats the Red Marvel (12:19) by referee stoppage (punches).
5. 10/4/2007: Grand TURBO defeats Thunder Mask (19:22) by pinfall after a shooting star press.
6. 4/11/2008: Great Leo III defeats Grand TURBO (10:08) by pinfall with the GLS.
7. 9/1/2008: Thunder Mask (2) defeats Great Leo III (14:55) by pinfall after a moonsault press.
8. 3/12/2009: Satoshi Kamakura defeats Thunder Mask (9:42) by submission with a cross armbreaker.
9. 8/21/2009: Tsutomu Sawada defeats Satoshi Kamakura (17:13) by pinfall after a brainbuster.
10. 12/15/2009: Takeshi Morimoto defeats Tsutomu Sawada (15:41) by pinfall after a Volcanic Buster.
11. 1/31/2011: Thunder Mask (3) defeats Takeshi Morimoto (28:14) by pinfall after a Thunder MAX Driver.
12. 6/26/2011: Sheik Spectre defeats Thunder Mask (11:05) by TKO (punches).
13. 12/14/2011: Tenki Ishii defeats Sheik Specter (20:09) by submission with the Tenki Lock III.
-- The title is vacated when Ishii suffers a neck injury. --
14. 2/29/2012: Tsutomu Sawada (2) defeats Sheik Specter (13:50) by pinfall with a dragon suplex (tournament final).
15. 9/9/2012: Sheik Spectre (2) defeats Tsutomu Sawada (18:46) by pinfall after an avalanche-style Ma’a Salama.
16. 3/20/2013: Shigeru Toyama defeats Sheik Spectre (22:11) by pinfall after a moonsault press.
17. 2/13/2014: BLADE Takano defeats Shigeru Toyama (37:28) by pinfall after an avalanche-style Nodachi Bomb.
18. 8/24/2014: Kishin Nozaki defeats BLADE Takano (15:07) by pinfall after a Fisherman buster.
19. 12/29/2014: BLADE Takano (2) defeats Kishin Nozaki (21:03) by referee stoppage (knees).
20. 8/15/2015: DARK FEATHER II defeats BLADE Takano (19:59) by pinfall after the Swallowing Kick.
21. 10/20/2016: Shigeru Toyama (2) defeats DARK FEATHER II (23:42) by submission after the Starboy Special I.
22. 5/6/2017: Thunder Mask (4) defeats Shigeru Toyama (27:19) by pinfall after the Thunder MAX Driver.
23. 1/6/2018: Katsuhiko Himura defeats Thunder Mask (20:04) via pinfall after the Katana Blaster.