Post by Shining Road Review on Oct 8, 2017 11:28:09 GMT -5
Solomon Bentley drinks from a red S.R.R. mug as the show begins. The lights come on and both Kai Harrison and Solomon, dressed dapper in pinstripe suits, smile into the camera from the studio desk.
SOLOMON BENTLEY:
Hello everyone and welcome to the Shining Road Review! I’m here with Kai Harrison and we had a big night tonight. Surprises galore on tonight’s card, eh, Kai?
KAI HARRISON:
That’s right, Solomon. GPWS Jr. Heavyweight Champion Thunder Mask fought Takeshi Morimoto to a time-limit draw in a singles match and the uncharacteristically quiet fighter said that he would make sure that no gaijin would win in the upcoming Sword of Lite Grand Prix! Shortly after his speech, none other than Demon Lord ZENKI hit the stage! He had a momentous staredown with Thunder Mask and he took the microphone himself to say that his failure to capture the MAX-J Heavyweight Championship had not deterred him and that he would also do his best to ensure that the Jr. title would remain in possession of the greatest country on Earth.
SOLOMON BENTLEY:
You know, Kai, as an American living in Japan, this kind of talk concerns me.
KAI HARRISON:
You’re talking about two factions between MJPW and Shining Road that both have a lot of national pride. One thing is for sure, honorable fighters will always earn respect in this country. But you definitely have to earn it. Makoto Ueno winning the World Pro-Wrestling Tournament and becoming the first All-Japan Imperial Champion I think meant a lot for people to see.
SOLOMON BENTLEY:
That brings us to the second surprise of the evening. KRAKEN and Big Cage Mike wrestled an impromptu match after Mike showed up inebriated and threw a wrench at KRAKEN. He suffered the consequences early in the show.
KAI HARRISON [with a chuckle]:
It’s never a good idea to mess with the KRAKEN, Solomon.
SOLOMON BENTLEY:
This left Jimmy Winner and Iron Mack Brody without a partner against Nappa Hirata, Takeda Izumi, and Hiroyuki Fukudome. Well, guess who came out from the back…?
KAI HARRISON:
Oh, we know who…
SOLOMON BENTLEY:
With Mike Musket’s help, the gaijin trio would go onto defeat the Japanese MMA fighters and Musket would down “Battleship” Hirata with his mighty lariat!
KAI HARRISON:
What a match that was. You can see why Mike Musket has become so popular with the Japanese fans despite being a relative newcomer to this country.
SOLOMON BENTLEY:
And now onto the final match of the night where Makoto Ueno would tackle a potent challenger in Yoshihiro Sawamura. It was Greco-Roman versus Kodokan Judo under MMA rules. Who would come out on top…?
He shuffles his papers, relishing in the tension.
SOLOMON BENTLEY:
The fight would go all three rounds…
He takes a sip of coffee.
SOLOMON BENTLEY:
But Makoto Ueno would successfully retain the All-Japan Imperial Championship! Neither man could finish off the other in what was a clinic in grappling this evening. Sawamura nearly caught the big man with an armbar in the second round, but Ueno powered through and would eventually win via unanimous decision.
KAI HARRISON:
An excellent match and congratulations to both fighters, but especially Ueno. He has proven a most capable champion.
SOLOMON BENTLEY:
After the match, Ueno wished well the competitors entering the Sword of Lite Grand Prix which will begin on 10/21 and carry on throughout the week. The winner will become the MAX-J Jr. Heavyweight Champion and also receive the ceremonial Sword of Lite! And this year it is a beautiful katana in a platinum coated sheath.
KAI HARRISON:
It’s a beautiful weapon, Solomon. Whoever wins this tournament will indeed have earned one of the highest honors for light heavyweight wrestlers in this business.
SOLOMON BENTLEY:
Indeed, my friend. Indeed. Who do you like in the tournament?
KAI HARRISON:
There are just so many awesome competitors. Matt Pulver… James Edwards… ZENKI… A.J. Knight… the Avenger… and then you have the champ, Thunder Mask plus all the amazing warriors from Shining Road we’ve come to see here in the Bushidokan on a regular basis.
SOLOMON BENTLEY:
And the week of the Sword of Lite, we will move to the Mirai Dome to compensate for the high attendance levels expected for this event! And that’s where you’ll find us next time on the Shining Road Review. I’m Solomon, he’s Kai, and on 10/21 the Grand Prix begins! See you then!
SPACE STATION BEOWULF Vol. 3~GRECO-ROMAN vs. KODOKAN JUDO!!
Date: October 7, 2017
Location: Bushidokan, Yokohama, Japan
1. Toru Ishii defeats Shinzo Takamori (4:56) with a kneebar.
2. Akira Nakamura and Nobosuke Okada defeat Kishin Nozaki and El Chupacabra Jr. (8:13) by pinall after Nakamura uses a roundhouse kick on Chupacabra.
3. KRAKEN defeats Big Cage Mike (9:29) by pinfall after a leg trap chokeslam.
4. Hayato Hamada and Kazuo Inoue defeat Masahiro Arimoto and BLADE Takano (12:11) by submission when Inoue uses a heel hook on Takano.
5. Zen Hayashi and Hajime Tanaka defeat Kosuke Toriyama and Katsuhiko Himura (15:07) by pinfall after Tanaka uses the Cannon Press Driver on Himura.
6. Ikki Yanagi defeats DARK FEATHER II (14:06) by pinfall after an Ikki lariat.
7. Takeshi Morimoto vs. Thunder Mask ends in a draw (15:00) when the time-limit expires.
8. Mike Musket, Jimmy Winner, Iron Mack Brody defeat Nappa Hirata, Takeda Izumi, Hiroyuki Fukudome (17:44) by pinfall when Musket uses a lariat on Hirata.
9. All-Japan Imperial Championship (MMA Rules): Makoto Ueno defeats Yoshihiro Sawamura (R3 5:00) via judges’ decision (unanimous) (2nd defense).
SWORD OF LITE GRAND PRIX - OPENING ROUND!!!
Dates: Oct 21 – Oct 28, 2017
Location: Mirai Dome, Yokohama, Japan
1. Shigeru Toyama vs. The Avenger
2. James Edwards vs. Kaito Matsushita
3. Sheik Spectre vs. ZENKI
4. BLADE Takano vs. Kishin Nozaki
5. A.J. Knight vs. Kazuo Inoue
6. Matt Pulver vs. El Chupacabra Jr.
7. Thunder Mask vs. Nobosuke Okada
8. Katsuhiko Himura vs. Akira Nakamura
SOLOMON BENTLEY:
Hello everyone and welcome to the Shining Road Review! I’m here with Kai Harrison and we had a big night tonight. Surprises galore on tonight’s card, eh, Kai?
KAI HARRISON:
That’s right, Solomon. GPWS Jr. Heavyweight Champion Thunder Mask fought Takeshi Morimoto to a time-limit draw in a singles match and the uncharacteristically quiet fighter said that he would make sure that no gaijin would win in the upcoming Sword of Lite Grand Prix! Shortly after his speech, none other than Demon Lord ZENKI hit the stage! He had a momentous staredown with Thunder Mask and he took the microphone himself to say that his failure to capture the MAX-J Heavyweight Championship had not deterred him and that he would also do his best to ensure that the Jr. title would remain in possession of the greatest country on Earth.
SOLOMON BENTLEY:
You know, Kai, as an American living in Japan, this kind of talk concerns me.
KAI HARRISON:
You’re talking about two factions between MJPW and Shining Road that both have a lot of national pride. One thing is for sure, honorable fighters will always earn respect in this country. But you definitely have to earn it. Makoto Ueno winning the World Pro-Wrestling Tournament and becoming the first All-Japan Imperial Champion I think meant a lot for people to see.
SOLOMON BENTLEY:
That brings us to the second surprise of the evening. KRAKEN and Big Cage Mike wrestled an impromptu match after Mike showed up inebriated and threw a wrench at KRAKEN. He suffered the consequences early in the show.
KAI HARRISON [with a chuckle]:
It’s never a good idea to mess with the KRAKEN, Solomon.
SOLOMON BENTLEY:
This left Jimmy Winner and Iron Mack Brody without a partner against Nappa Hirata, Takeda Izumi, and Hiroyuki Fukudome. Well, guess who came out from the back…?
KAI HARRISON:
Oh, we know who…
We see the ring where the three Japanese MMA fighters stand across from a somewhat frightened Jimmy Winner and an irritated Iron Mack Brody who are consulting with the referee.
TIM FLOSS:
Are we going to have a 3-on-2 handicap match here, Al?
ALBERT MORDECAI:
I don’t know, Timmy. Big Cage Mike royally messed this one up for his tag team partners.
TIM FLOSS:
This is gonna be a bloodbath. I just don’t know what –
The screech of a hawk echoes
TIM FLOSS:
Are we going to have a 3-on-2 handicap match here, Al?
ALBERT MORDECAI:
I don’t know, Timmy. Big Cage Mike royally messed this one up for his tag team partners.
TIM FLOSS:
This is gonna be a bloodbath. I just don’t know what –
The screech of a hawk echoes
throughout the arena…
All voices go silent in the crowd. The competitors in the ring turn to the entranceway in confusion. The Japanese MMA fighters glance between themselves. Jimmy Winner leans on the top rope with his foot on the bottom rope. He glances back at Iron Mack Brody who gives him a confused shrug indicating that he's not expecting anyone from Buck U Productions to show up.
All voices go silent in the crowd. The competitors in the ring turn to the entranceway in confusion. The Japanese MMA fighters glance between themselves. Jimmy Winner leans on the top rope with his foot on the bottom rope. He glances back at Iron Mack Brody who gives him a confused shrug indicating that he's not expecting anyone from Buck U Productions to show up.
ALBERT MORDECAI:
What the f –
TIM FLOSS:
- Could it be…?
FELIZ NAVIDAD!
FELIZ NAVIDAD!
FELIZ NAVIDAD
PROSPERO AÑO Y FELICIDAD!
Storming from the entranceway is Mike Musket! He has the MAX-J heavyweight title around his waist and chews on a piece of bark as he strides toward the ring. It seems like every fan has raised their smartphone to record his surprising entrance. He climbs onto the apron, cranes his head to the sky and howls to the rafters! The arena shakes with thunder as he enters under the bottom rope and stares down the MMA fighters with the gold title belt gleaming around his waist. He nods to Winner and Brody, the camera catches him saying, "Need some help, fellas?"
TIM FLOSS:
Good Gawd! Good Gawd! It’s the Man of the Mountain, the MAX-J Heavyweight Champion, Mike Musket!
ALBERT MORDECAI:
The crowd’s going bonkers, Timmy! They can’t believe it!
What the f –
TIM FLOSS:
- Could it be…?
FELIZ NAVIDAD!
FELIZ NAVIDAD!
FELIZ NAVIDAD
PROSPERO AÑO Y FELICIDAD!
Storming from the entranceway is Mike Musket! He has the MAX-J heavyweight title around his waist and chews on a piece of bark as he strides toward the ring. It seems like every fan has raised their smartphone to record his surprising entrance. He climbs onto the apron, cranes his head to the sky and howls to the rafters! The arena shakes with thunder as he enters under the bottom rope and stares down the MMA fighters with the gold title belt gleaming around his waist. He nods to Winner and Brody, the camera catches him saying, "Need some help, fellas?"
TIM FLOSS:
Good Gawd! Good Gawd! It’s the Man of the Mountain, the MAX-J Heavyweight Champion, Mike Musket!
ALBERT MORDECAI:
The crowd’s going bonkers, Timmy! They can’t believe it!
SOLOMON BENTLEY:
With Mike Musket’s help, the gaijin trio would go onto defeat the Japanese MMA fighters and Musket would down “Battleship” Hirata with his mighty lariat!
KAI HARRISON:
What a match that was. You can see why Mike Musket has become so popular with the Japanese fans despite being a relative newcomer to this country.
SOLOMON BENTLEY:
And now onto the final match of the night where Makoto Ueno would tackle a potent challenger in Yoshihiro Sawamura. It was Greco-Roman versus Kodokan Judo under MMA rules. Who would come out on top…?
He shuffles his papers, relishing in the tension.
SOLOMON BENTLEY:
The fight would go all three rounds…
He takes a sip of coffee.
SOLOMON BENTLEY:
But Makoto Ueno would successfully retain the All-Japan Imperial Championship! Neither man could finish off the other in what was a clinic in grappling this evening. Sawamura nearly caught the big man with an armbar in the second round, but Ueno powered through and would eventually win via unanimous decision.
KAI HARRISON:
An excellent match and congratulations to both fighters, but especially Ueno. He has proven a most capable champion.
SOLOMON BENTLEY:
After the match, Ueno wished well the competitors entering the Sword of Lite Grand Prix which will begin on 10/21 and carry on throughout the week. The winner will become the MAX-J Jr. Heavyweight Champion and also receive the ceremonial Sword of Lite! And this year it is a beautiful katana in a platinum coated sheath.
KAI HARRISON:
It’s a beautiful weapon, Solomon. Whoever wins this tournament will indeed have earned one of the highest honors for light heavyweight wrestlers in this business.
SOLOMON BENTLEY:
Indeed, my friend. Indeed. Who do you like in the tournament?
KAI HARRISON:
There are just so many awesome competitors. Matt Pulver… James Edwards… ZENKI… A.J. Knight… the Avenger… and then you have the champ, Thunder Mask plus all the amazing warriors from Shining Road we’ve come to see here in the Bushidokan on a regular basis.
SOLOMON BENTLEY:
And the week of the Sword of Lite, we will move to the Mirai Dome to compensate for the high attendance levels expected for this event! And that’s where you’ll find us next time on the Shining Road Review. I’m Solomon, he’s Kai, and on 10/21 the Grand Prix begins! See you then!
- RECAP -
SPACE STATION BEOWULF Vol. 3~GRECO-ROMAN vs. KODOKAN JUDO!!
Date: October 7, 2017
Location: Bushidokan, Yokohama, Japan
1. Toru Ishii defeats Shinzo Takamori (4:56) with a kneebar.
2. Akira Nakamura and Nobosuke Okada defeat Kishin Nozaki and El Chupacabra Jr. (8:13) by pinall after Nakamura uses a roundhouse kick on Chupacabra.
3. KRAKEN defeats Big Cage Mike (9:29) by pinfall after a leg trap chokeslam.
4. Hayato Hamada and Kazuo Inoue defeat Masahiro Arimoto and BLADE Takano (12:11) by submission when Inoue uses a heel hook on Takano.
5. Zen Hayashi and Hajime Tanaka defeat Kosuke Toriyama and Katsuhiko Himura (15:07) by pinfall after Tanaka uses the Cannon Press Driver on Himura.
6. Ikki Yanagi defeats DARK FEATHER II (14:06) by pinfall after an Ikki lariat.
7. Takeshi Morimoto vs. Thunder Mask ends in a draw (15:00) when the time-limit expires.
8. Mike Musket, Jimmy Winner, Iron Mack Brody defeat Nappa Hirata, Takeda Izumi, Hiroyuki Fukudome (17:44) by pinfall when Musket uses a lariat on Hirata.
9. All-Japan Imperial Championship (MMA Rules): Makoto Ueno defeats Yoshihiro Sawamura (R3 5:00) via judges’ decision (unanimous) (2nd defense).
- PREVIEW -
SWORD OF LITE GRAND PRIX - OPENING ROUND!!!
Dates: Oct 21 – Oct 28, 2017
Location: Mirai Dome, Yokohama, Japan
1. Shigeru Toyama vs. The Avenger
2. James Edwards vs. Kaito Matsushita
3. Sheik Spectre vs. ZENKI
4. BLADE Takano vs. Kishin Nozaki
5. A.J. Knight vs. Kazuo Inoue
6. Matt Pulver vs. El Chupacabra Jr.
7. Thunder Mask vs. Nobosuke Okada
8. Katsuhiko Himura vs. Akira Nakamura