GCG: Oudou Revival

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Jinsei Horiguchi, New Head Booker of GCG! 6/2/06
by Oudou2K6 at www.puroresustop.com/gcg

At 12:00 PM, Hanshiro Furusawa, owner and head booker of Golden Canvas Grappling held a press conference at what is considered holy ground for the promotion, Kagawa Sports Field. He addressed the current slump in show attendances for GCG--due in large part because of BHOTWG and PGHW's string of hot shows--saying that there will be a solution to this, one that could prove to turn around GCG's fortunes.

He then introduced Jinsei Horiguchi, for those unfamiliar with him, he originally came through BHOTWG's FIRE Academy, but was released when it was said he didn't have the spirit for wrestling. He moved on to GCG's SUPLEX Dojo and finished up training there, debuting for the promotion in 1995. Horiguchi retired in 2000, having won the Openweight title once and two tag titles, he then went on to create the promotion, Project: GIANT J, a promotion to showcase Japan's junior heavyweight talent. The promotion was bought by Elemental and Elemental II in March 2006 when Horiguchi could no longer finance it.

Which brings us to now, Furusawa said he saw the success of GIANT J between 2001 and 2004, it's hottest years. He said that Horiguchi's creative genius could be the kick that GCG needs and declared Jin Horiguchi the new head booker. After that, Jinsei Horiguchi stepped out before the press and told them of his plans. One of the said plans was that Hito Ichihara, who left PGHW to assist pupil Furusawa in the booking duties of GCG, was now in charge of SUPLEX Dojo saying that the father of MMA could build the perfect fighters that GCG will need for the future.

Next, he reminded the crowd of the extremely competitive era in GCG, 1990-1995...when even though business was bad financially, the action was intense and brutal. He said there will be a return to that era in 2006 and that it will start with the "Summer Fury Tour", kicking off next month.

Finally, he said a goal of GCG was to get at least an hour-thirty on television to show Japan GCG's new found fire, but he acknowledged that to do that, he would have to show what the promotion can do with the thirty minutes they have.

Horiguchi the closed with "While the fate of GCG in this crucial time lies in the hands of the new generation on stage now, that the students that are training in SUPLEX is what will drive the competitive spirit of GCG through the roof." Afterwards, all questions were directed to Hanshiro Furusawa.

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"Summer Fury Tour 2006" Cards, 6/6/06
by Oudou2K6 at www.puroresustop.com/oudou

GCG, "Stars Of The Golden Canvas" (Shikoku Regional TV), 7/5/06
Kagawa Sports Field (2,000)
Shikoku
Samoan Destruction Inc. vs. Henry Bennett & Julian Watson
Dark Angel vs. Eagle Kawasawa
Pete Hall & "Mad" Jack Marlowe vs. Naonobu Murkami & Jimmy Cox
Yoshifusa Maeda vs. Eiji Hamacho
Kazu Yoshizawa vs. Naonobu Murkami

GCG, 7/7/06
Nomura Town Gym (1,000)
Shikoku
Genji "Quick Kick" Nakao vs. Shotaro Ikina
Hirokichi Yoemon vs. Takayuki 2000
GCG World Title #1 Contender Showdown: Eiji Hamacho vs. Pete Hall
Hiroyasu Gakusha vs. Yoshifusa Maeda
GCG World Title #1 Contender Showdown: Kazu Yoshizawa vs. Naonobu Murkami

GCG, "Stars Of The Golden Canvas" (Shikoku Regional TV), 7/12/06
Kochi Citizen Gym (2,000)
Shikoku

GCG, 7/14/06
Tokushima Arena (1,000)
Shikoku

GCG, "Stars Of The Golden Canvas" (SRTV), 7/19/06
Kagawa Sports Field (2,000)
Shikoku

GCG, 7/21/06
Asaka Municipal Gym (1,000)
Honshu

GCG, 7/22/06
Asaka Municipal Gym (1,000)
Honshu

GCG, "Stars Of The Golden Canvas" (SRTV), 7/26/06
Kyoto Arena (2,000)
Honshu

GCG, 7/28/06
Asaka Municipal Gym (1,000)
Honshu

GCG, 7/30/06
Kagawa Sports Field (2,000)
Shikoku

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GCG Official Roster, 6/6/06
Oudou2K6, www.puroresustop.com/gcg

After sometime on GCG's official site, I've finally found the link that shows the current roster. It looks like it's in good enough shape, however, GCG will need more television time if they wish to showcase some of these talented workers to Japan. The following quicklist only has wrestlers who are in GCG at the moment as SUPLEX hasn't listed their trainees yet.

GCG
(Atsushi) Takayuki 2000
Eagle Kawasawa
Eiji Hamacho
Genji "Quick Kick" Nakao
Harumi "Shocker" Okazawaya
Hirokichi "Strong Style" Yoemon
Hiroyasu Gakusha
Jimmy Cox
Kazu Yoshizawa
Mitsunari Fugunaga
Namboku Makuda
Naonobu Murkami
Pete Hall
Sessue Kawate
Toshiharu Hyobanshi

Freelance
Black Eagle (CZCW)
Charlie Whistler (NYCW)
Dark Angel (NOTBPW)
Henry Bennett
Jack Marlowe
Julian Watson
Nathan Coleman
Rhino Umaga
Samoan Machine
UK Dragon
Yasuhide Tayama (WEXXV)

[SWIFT]

GCG Wrestler Invasion, 6/13/06
Randy Sakuragawa, www.grapplefanatics.com

As you may have seen on the initial cards for the "Summer Fury Tour" (if not go to PuroresuStop, they have the cards up) there are a few new faces to GCG. One of the biggest newcomers is "Raging Bull" Eiji Hamacho. On his blog, he said that he was displeased with his position in BHOTWG and with the matches he was often put in stating:

"While I had many good matches with BHOTWG (Burning Hammer Of The Wrestling Gods), I don't feel as though I was used to my full potential--meaning not getting the matches against true competition. While I am grateful for BHOTWG have done for me, but I didn't feel that (Kaneie) Komine and (Hooded) Kudo had my best interest in mind. I am pleased to be heading to GCG, dispite its many misfortunes, I can see it making a turn for the better in the second half of the year and there are many good wrestlers I have had the chance to face in my career." Eiji Hamacho 5/25/06

Also, heading to GCG is Harumi Okazawaya, son of the legendary Hisei "Stunner" Okazawaya. When he signed the contract for GCG in late May, he was said to be heading to Okinawa to train before returning for the "Summer Fury Tour" in July. He gave the "Puroresu Revue" magazine a short interview saying:

"I'm glad to be heading to GCG, I've been wrestling for roughly eight years now and I've only tasted a major promotion once with BHOTWG in 1999. I'm getting ready for the intense competition that will be in GCG on the "Summer Fury Tour" and I can guarantee that I will give you and the fans 100%!" Harumi Okazawaya, "Puroresu Revue" May 2006

Training with him is Hirokichi "Strong Style" Yoemon who is also excited about GCG. One of the unexpected additions to the GCG roster is the controversial Sessue Kawate, father of recent SUPLEX entrant Akira Kawate and uncle of Taro Shionoya, another entrant. "The Snow Man" was once a formidable wrestler in his youth, but drug problems that were made public in 1998 have since ruined his reputation and his ability in-ring. Recently, he was fired from BHOTWG and just signed a GCG contract. It is rumored that he is leaving for training in Hawaii saying that he wishes to be in top shape for his GCG debut--but we'll have to wait and see.

You can read more of Randy "Burning" Sakuragawa's articles in the "Rising Sun of Wrestling" section at www.GrappleFanatics.com!

[SWIFT]

GCG, "Stars Of The Golden Canvas" (Shikoku Regional TV), 7/5/06
Kagawa Sports Field
2,000 Fans

Nice turnout for the taping of Golden Canvas as the Kagawa Sports Field was filled to capacity!

Samoan Destruction Inc. vs. Henry Bennett and Julian Watson
In the first untelevised bout of the evening we had a gaijin showdown. The powerful team of Rhino Umaga and Samoan Machine dominated the bulk of the match really taking it to Henry Bennett with some brutal corner splashes and hip attacks. A missed lariat allowed Bennett to score the tag to Watson! Watson beats Samoan Machine back into the corner then delivers one painful looking elbow smash in the corner. Watson thought he had the win after a nice DDT, but no dice. Julian Watson whips Machine into the ropes and gets bowled over with a SPEAR! Samoan Machine tags out to Umaga who downs Bennett with a HUGE dropkick, knocking him out of the ring! Umaga gets Watson up and plasters him with a big POWERBOMB wait, Umaga holds on--hoists him up--AND A SECOND POWERBOMB!!! Samoan Machine comes in, they whip him into the ropes--Machine ducks down, Watson crosses the river--and right into Umaga's clutches--SAMOAN DRIVER! SAMOAN DRIVER FROM RHINO UMAGA!!! The pin--one, two, and three. No bones about it, this one's over.
Rating: C+

Post Match Comments
Rhino Umaga: THAT'S IT! THAT'S ALL THAT SHE WROTE! Hyobanshi, Makuda--WE'RE COMING FOR YOUR BELTS!
Samaon Machine: ...Hmph.

Eagle Kawasawa vs. Dark Angel
This was a good match between two very good fliers, very fast paced, very even. The two went at it right from the opening bell. There was a nice exchange at the beginning ending in a double dropkick, while Kawasawa was impressed by Dark Angel's speed and agility, Dark Angel was nothing but pleased. The two go to tie up, but Dark Angel pulls away, visiably upset. He told the ref that Kawasawa has oil on his body and that he can't tie up with him. The ref checks and Angel quickly pulls something out of his kneepad and places it in his mouth. After the ref towels Kawasawa down, the match resumes and Kawasawa gets Angel into the corner and begins unleashing kicks to the midsection. He goes to whip him into the opposite corner--Dark Angel reverses--Kawasawa reverses, Angel in the corner--he hops over the shoulder tackle attempt and goes for a sunset flip, but only gets a two count.

Dark Angel whipped Eagle Kawasawa into the ropes, Kawasawa hops over, landing on the apron safely. Dark Angel rushes in, but Kawasawa meets him with a kick over the top rope and to the head staggering his opponent. Kawasawa leaps onto the top rope and looks to be going for the Springboard Hurricarana--but DARK ANGEL BLASTS HIM WITH THE BLACK MIST! Eagle Kawasawa tumbles off the top rope and to the floor below! Dark Angel looks ready to take advantage, but the ref calls for the bell, giving the match to Kawasawa. Enraged, Dark Angel goes outside the ring and pulls Eagle Kawasawa to him feet, kick to the gut--SITOUT POWERBOMB ON THE FLOOR! Dark Angel, a man of very few words in GCG delivered the loudest statement of the night.
Rating: B

Pete Hall and Jack Marlowe vs. Naonobu Murkami and Jimmy Cox
The burly, roughousing "Pistol" Pete Hall teamed up with "Mad" Jack Marlowe to face Naonobu Murkami and Jimmy Cox in our first televised match of the evening. Pete Hall looked fierce in this match, brutalizing both Murkami and Cox with those punishing left hands. When he finally did tag out to Marlowe, the two took advantage when Hall's back was turned and pummeled Marlowe to the mat. Murkami tags out and applies a head scissors, attempting to cut Marlowe's air off, Hall climbed back in and broke that up--not before catching a nice dropkick from Jimmy Cox, knocking him to the outside. The two whipped Marlowe into the corner--corner splash from Murkami, he sets him up on the top turnbuckle--and with Spiderman-like balance, he walks the top rope--and snaps Marlowe off with a nice frankensteiner, the pin by Cox--and he gets pulled out of the ring by two.

Pete Hall plows Jimmy Cox spine first into the ringpost then gives him a spine crushing pendulum backbreaker! Hall turns around--and Murkami dives off the apron with an ax handle!
Jack Marlowe dives between the ropes and rams Murkami into the security railing. Cox gathers himself and works his way over to the legal man, Jack Marlowe. He rolls him back into the ring and hooks the leg--only for a two count. Cox pulls Marlowe to his feet, hooks him for a suplex--no, Marlowe blocks it--and delivers a suplex of his own! Marlowe pulls himself up and begins to climb the turnbuckles, Cox grabs him by the foot and pulls him back down. The two slug it out to their feet, Murkami has his hand extended for the tag--Cox falls backwards into the tag--and Hall with a spine shatter Back Suplex off the apron and to the floor below! Cox looks devastated, Marlowe pulls Cox to his feet--GERMAN SUPLEX HOLD! One! Two!! Cox kicks out!

Marlowe gets Cox up once more--Cox pulls him in for an inside cradle: one, two--Marlowe kicks out. The two get to their feet Cox off the ropes, and an elbow to the spine from Hall. Marlowe with a back suplex, Pete Hall wants the tag...and he gets it! Murkami attempts to make it back to apron, but is stopped by a Hall boot to the head. Cox attempts to fight back against Hall...off the ropes--LARIAT!!! Hall stops Cox cold with that brutal Pistol Whip Lariat, guaranteed to knock the taste out of your mouth! The pin: one, two, and...three!
Rating: B-

Post Match Comments
Pete Hall: Them Samoans talkin' about takin' someone's gold and whatnot, but what they don't realize is that they've got to get past this man, "Mad" Jack Marlowe and the man with the hardest damn lariat in the world, "Pistol" Pete Hall. After I'm done beatin' Eiji Hamacho's ass and eventually taking Maeda's gold, I'll be sure to make a stop off to snatch a knot in Hyobanshi and Makuda's hide and free them of tag team gold. You got somethin' to say, Mad Jack?
Jack Marlowe: *shakes the camera while yelling before storming off*
Pete Hall: That's right, you heard the man.

Yoshifusa Maeda vs. Eiji Hamacho
This was a first time encounter as Eiji Hamacho, "The Raging Bull" took on GCG World Heavyweight Champion, Yoshifusa Maeda and it resembled more of a brawl than a wrestling contest. The two circled each other before locking horns. Hamacho powered Maeda into the corner and unleashed a brutal flurry of chops, before the ref called for him to break...before doing so he deliver a power kick to Maeda's face, busting his nose open. The ref warned him about such a tactic before checking on the champion, able to continue, Maeda got to his feet just in time for Hamacho to push him into the corner once more and unload some brutal chops across the head. The ref once again prys the two apart and Hamacho scores a closed fisted punch to the face, enraging the crowd in attendance. Maeda pulled himself up and took up a stance once more. Hamacho barreled in, but is stopped by a direct dropkick to the knee.

Quickly, Maeda begins stomping away on Hamacho's knee and tearing away at the kneepad, Hamacho attempts kicking Maeda away, Maeda runs towards the ropes and delivers a big stomp across the face of Hamacho--so not technical, Maeda. The ref gives Maeda a warning, but the champion does it again, the ref warns Maeda once more and the champion goes on the assault, attacking Hamacho's knee with stomps. He drapes the targeted knee across the second rope and climbs onto the apron--and jumps from the apron, jammong the knee across the rope hard. He climbs back inside and applies a figure four, which Hamacho quickly reverses. Maeda grabs the ropes and Hamacho releases at four. Eiji Hamacho limps over and pulls Maeda to his feet--and begins choking the champion! The ref breaks the two up once more and Hamacho swings at Maeda only to hit the ref! Referee Shunko Nakada throws the match out declaring it a double DQ. Hamacho rushes at Maeda and the two begin brawling, wrestlers from the back and ringboys enter the ring to seperate the two. Moments later, order is restored.
Rating: B+

Post Match Comments
Eiji Hamacho: I'm not here to play nice and abide by "rules", I'm here to fight and I'm here for championship gold! Yoshifusa Maeda, you've got what I want, you've got what I need, you've got the GCG World Heavyweight Championship and I promise you, before the month is out, on the last day of this tour, I will be wearing that belt around my waist!
Yoshifusa Maeda: Eiji Hamacho is a madman, he's obsessed with violence and harming his opponents to the point that he doesn't care about winning. He resorted to underhanded, illegal tactics and I did the same to give a taste of his medicine. He might have busted my nose tonight, but it's nothing that hasn't happened many times in my 30 years! Next time I meet Hamacho, I'll be ready for him.

Kazu Yoshizawa vs. Naonobu Murkami
Kazu Yoshizawa came out fresh as a daisy with his trademark black robe and blonde hair, it was in great contrast to the limping, battered figure making his way down the aisle and into the ring. The match was one sided from the start with Yoshizawa taking his time in picking away at Murkami, who was still holding his back. Murkami did fight back with a flying forearm and a perfectly executed elbowdrop--but it was no match for the pendulum backbreakers and stomps to the spine Yoshizawa was dishing out. Finally, Murkami makes a comeback with a dropkick to the knees and a rather shoddy Glittering Black Magician. Summoning up more energy from within, he delivered a nice Glittering Black Magician, the pin--only a two. He pulled Yoshizawa to his feet and attempted to hoist him up, but the legend slipped behind and goes for a backslide, only getting a two count.

Once he kicked out, Murkami quickly got to his feet and delivered a couple of knees to the head of Yoshizawa. He then bounced off the ropes, another Glittering Black--NO! Yoshizawa grabs the leg, scoops under...he has Murkami up--backbreaker across the knee...another backbreaker across the knee, he's walking Murkami around the ring, Murkami looks through--SHOULDER BREAKER! The pin, one, two, three. It's over.
Rating: B-

FINAL RATING: B-

GAME RESULT
1. Rhino Umaga & Samaoan Machine def. Henry Bennett & Julian Watson (6:14) with a Samoan Driver
2. Eagle Kawasawa def. Dark Angel (8:34) via DQ
3. Pete Hall & Jack Marlowe def. Naonobu Murkami & Jimmy Cox (13:10) with a Pistol Whip Lariat
4. Yoshifusa Maeda draw Eiji Hamacho (8:21) via DQ
5. Kazu Yoshizawa def. Naonobu Murkami in (8:17) with the Shoulder Breaker

[SWIFT]

EXCLUSIVE: Hito Ichihara's SUPLEX Dojo Class, 7/6/06
Randy Sakuragawa, www.grapplefanatics.com

Looking at the current class for SUPLEX Dojo, it looks to be a couple of second generation wrestlers (one of which is a trainer) and some other shining young wrestlers. Below are what Hito Ichihara has told the "Puroresu Revue" are the star pupils of SUPLEX.

Akira Kawate
D.O.B: 20/06/1985
Height: 6'2
Weight: 245lbs.
From: Yokohoma, Tokyo
Athletic Background: Amaresu, Karate
Akira Kawate is the only son of Sessue Kawate and the only child of his who wrestles. Hito Ichihara said that Kawate is a quick learner and could very well debut early. Ichihara is also impressed with Kawate's karate background not to mention having a pretty good amaresu (amateur wrestling) record and training as his record is near flawless with only two losses.
Hito Ichihara: "Akira Kawate could prove to be even better than his father was in his prime during the late 1980s!"
That's saying alot since Sessue Kawate was a breakout star in 1988 and shined on into 1990. With Ichihara's intensive training, what the legend says could come true.

Hitomaru Suzuki
D.O.B: 11/05/1984
Height: 6'1
Weight: 255lbs.
From: Kodaira, West Tokyo
Athletic Background: Amaresu, Judo
Hitomaro Suzuki is an extremely bright prospect. He recently joined SUPLEX to further strengthen his skills. He was an amaresu standout in high school and trained under his father, Hisamaru Suzuki, owner of the best Judo dojo in Tokyo for years. He debuted last year in March 2005 for PGHW. The thing about Suzuki is that he is already showing great technical skills and is still improving. Most American fans who have seen his 2005 work say that once he has a better grasp of psychology, he will be a major force in wrestling.
Hito Ichihara: "This youngster has the potential to be a great wrestler. His judo background is amazing--nothing less than I expect from a student and son of Hisamaru Suzuki. He also has the drive to improve which is great."

Oda Yakuta
D.O.B: 17/06/1986
Height: 6'3
Weight: 270lbs.
From: Yokohoma, Tokyo
Athletic Background: Amaresu
Oda Yakuta is a rookie worker who is just entered SUPLEX after three or four matches on the indies. While in high school, he a standout in amaresu (when he was lighter) at the same highschool as Akira Kawate and Taro Shionoya. He has a very impressive record only losing to Akira Kawate their senior year.
Hito Ichihara: "This is what I love about these students coming in, they all have some sort of previous martial arts experience and that makes it all the easier to train them since they have some of the fundementals. Oda Yakuta is a great example, he shined in amaresu and has a background with Akira Kawate--this could prove for good training between the two since they're familiar with each other."

Samosuke "Sammo" Furusawa
D.O.B: 21/04/1983
Height: 6'0
Weight: 232lbs.
From: Aoyama, Tokyo
Athletic Background: Amaresu
Sammo Furusawa is the youngest son of Hanshiro Furusawa and brother of Arata "Diamond" Furusawa. Extremely athletic, very intelligent, and barnone the quickest learner of the group, young Sammo graduated college a year early where he was an all-star in amaresu with a clean, untarnished record. Unlike older brother Arata, he is showing signs of greatest and dedication to his future craft and style. Earned the nickname Sammo from Hito Ichihara, but is also called "Sammy" by Pete Hall.
Hito Ichihara: "The kid is a marvel, he's extremely athletic, has good stamina, and is very dedicated to learning and improving. The rate at which he is learning is rivaled only by Akira Kawate's dedication to his training! I'm looking forward to him gracing the GCG ring."
So do we. He seems poised to be a big player in the future.

Taro Shionoya
D.O.B: 02/01/1987
Height: 6'5
Weight: 285lbs.
From: Yokohoma, Tokyo
Athletic Background: Karate, Powerlifting, Kick Boxing
Referred to as "The Wrecking Ball" by Kazu Yoshizawa, Taro Shionoya is a big guy who just joined Ichihara's SUPLEX Dojo. In high school, he was looked at as a "Herculean Japanese" for his incredible strength and great showing in powerlifting. During those high school years, he trained in Karate under Hirokichi "Strong Style" Yoemon. To prepare for pro wrestling, he has continued to train in karate, but has also taken up kick boxing. A little known fact is that Taro Shionoya is the nephew of Sessue Kawate and cousin of Akira Kawate.
Hito Ichihara: "Taro Shionoya is built for power and taking punishment. He may not look fast, flexible, or agile, but he has great leg extension on kicks and delivers his strikes with great accuracy and speed. The downside is that he has no wrestling experience, but that can we worked around. Once he's done with training, he may cause the most trouble in GCG in competition."

It appears that what Jinsei Horiguchi said was true, that this class looks poised to carry GCG into the future. However, it is the current roster that will have to "hold down the fort" so to speak. We'll keep you posted on future happening at the dojo.

You can read more of Randy "Burning" Sakuragawa's articles in the "Rising Sun of Wrestling" section at www.GrappleFanatics.com

[Liamo]

Good start. I've always liked GCG most out of all the Japanese promotions, but I never seem to get anywhere with them and eventually lose interest. Hopefully you do better then I do

[SWIFT]

GCG, 7/7/06
Nomura Town Gym
1,000 Fans

0. Eagle Kawasawa & Burning Takash-ta(WLW) (12:28 Takash-ta Driver) Dark Angel(NOTBPW) & Black Eagle(CZCW)
1. Shotaro Ikina (11:39 Ikina Shotgun) Genji Nakao
2. Hirokichi Yoemon (11:49 Backbrain Kick) Takyuki 2000
3. GCG World Title #1 Contender Showdown: Eiji Hamacho (15:50 Spear) Pete Hall
4. Yoshifusa Maeda (10:41 Maeda Lariat) Hiroyasu Gakusha
5. GCG World Title #1 Contender Showdown: Kazu Yoshizawa (11:57 Inside Cradle) Naonobu Murkami

SHOW NOTES
-The first match wasn't even scheduled, but it helped set the pace for the rest of the night's action. Burning Takash-ta of WLW and Black Eagle of CZCW in the US made their GCG debuts on this show. The match was very fast paced with alot of counters and aerial attacks from Takash-ta, Kawasawa, and Dark Angel. While Black Eagle was in on the frantic action which included many nearfalls and even a nice Dark Angel Sunset Flip on Takash-ta to the floor, he seemed lost in the flurry of action and it really showed. Dark Angel came off as the star of the match. In the last few seconds of the match, Black Eagle attempted a Tornado DDT, but Takash-ta stopped it and reversed it into a TAKASH-TA DRIVER holding the pin and taking the fall. Rating: A
*Following the victory, Black Eagle gave Takash-ta a Reverse DDT, leaving Eagle Kawasawa prone to another Dark Angel SITOUT POWERBOMB! Rating: E

-The first advertised match of the evening was pretty good. Shotaro Ikina has been trying new moves in his matches, the new move of this match was a Running Powerbomb which Genji Nakao reversed into a head scissors takeover and quickly capitalized with some brutally stinging kicks. In the last moments of this match, Nakao was running in for his finishing Kenka Kick when Ikina quickly delivered a dropkick to the knees. Getting to his feet quickly, he bounced off the ropes and blasted the young Nakao with an Ikina Shotgun, scoring the pinfall. The really bad thing about the match was that these two didn't mesh that well, their styles aren't really compatiable. Rating: C

-Hirokichi Yoemon and Takayuki 2000 faced off in our third bout of the night and it was actually pretty good. Yoemon, a seasoned all-rounder, resorted to his knowledge of mat wrestling to combat Takayuki's own technical prowness. When a clear advantage couldn't be established, the match soon fell into a duel of stiff kick and dynamite punches. Yoemon prevailed after two brainbusters followed by a perfect Backbrain Kick. Rating: C

-Eiji Hamacho vs. Pete Hall looked like a great bull vs. bull match on paper, but it fell a little short, perhaps due to a lack of communication. The eternally pissed and grumpy Hamacho really took it to Hall with shoulder tackles and general underhanded tactics. Hall--not to be outdone--put those size 16 cowboy boots to the mush of Hamacho on many an occassion in the match and met him with some of those hammer like left hands. The two brawled almost to the point that the ref lost control! Hamacho blinded Hall by spitting at his eyes and the burly Texan almost decapitated beloved referee Shunko Nakeda with a Pistol Whip Lariat! With Hall trying to see, Hamacho delivered a sick SPEAR to his back while in the corner! Hall slumped to his knees and Hamacho just waited...Hall regains his posture and staggers out of the corner and receives another SPEAR! Hamacho doesn't look done, he pulls Hall to feet, bounces off the ropes and barrels through him with one final SPEAR. Three count and this one is over! Rating: C+

-Maeda faced youngster Hiroyasu Gakusha in our semi-main, which was the other good match of the night. Gakusha almost looked like a mirror of Maeda 30 years ago--akward against veterans, but trying his hardest. While a great bout, it was you standard see-saw battle of technical vs. technical for the most part. The high spot of the match was Gakusha downing Maeda with three consecutive Maeda Lariats, only to have Maeda kick out at the very last minute...so close. The match ended with a MAEDA LARIAT and the pinfall. Rating: A

-Kazu Yoshizawa met Naonobu Murkami in the other match to determine a number one contender. Two nights earlier, the two faced off in a match that saw Murkami again attempt to stay in it against Yoshizawa's assault on his back. This time, Murkami put up more offense attacking Yoshizawa's bad knees, of which the legend tried his best to defend. A straight kick to the back of knee downed Yoshizawa and had him backing off of Murkami, trying to get back to his feet. Each time he tried, Murkami kicked his legs from under him. Finally, Murkami managed to get a Figure Four Leglock on Yoshizawa and looked ready to break the leg. Yoshizawa makes it to the ropes and the hold is broken. At the end of the match, Murkami attempts to take advantage of Yoshizawa with his Brainbuster, however, Yoshizawa counters by holding his weight down and rolling up Murkami, gripping a handful of trunks in the process for the one, two, and three. On "Stars Of The Golden Canvas", Kazu Yoshizawa faces Eiji Hamacho! Rating: B

FINAL RATING: C+

[SWIFT]

GCG SPOTLIGHT #1

Yoshifusa Maeda
D.O.B: 19/01/1954
From: Suma Ward, Kobe
Height: 6'0
Weight: 240lbs.
Titles: GCG World Heavyweight x5, CWC World Light Heavyweight, GCG World Tag Team x3, NOTBPW British Commonwealth x2, 1995 World Wrestling League, 1999 World Tag Team Tournament
Moves: Sleeper Suplex, Backbrain Kick, Maeda Lariat, Triangle Choke,

Yoshifusa Maeda is a well respected veteran of the Japanese wrestling scene, best known as one of the only major star from GCG's glory years to have remained with the promotion throughout its decline. He began his career in the mid 1970s with GCG as a scrawny, mat saavy junior heavyweight.

In 1978, he traveled to America to compete for Jim Keith's Ron Keith Productions, the figurehead company of the Championship Wrestling Council. There, he faced Sam Keith on a few occassions, winning the first tournament to become CWC World Light Heavyweight champion.
When he returned to Japan in 1980, he was a heavier, more toned wrestler whose style was similar to the American brawling style. At the time, the physical essence of strong style was becoming popular amongst Japanese workers and Maeda's rough, physical style meshed well with it. In 1982, he won his first world championship from the gaijin monster Dread in a classic, hard hitting bout. Since then, he has won the belt on four addition occassions, carrying the belt with classic and veteran skill. A superb worker despite his advancing years.

Hiroyasu Gakusha
D.O.B: 13/01/1979
From: Naha, Okinawa
Height: 6'4
Weight: 275lbs.
Titles: GCG Openweight, GCG World Heavyweight Tag Team, 2005 World Tag Team Tournament
Moves: Avalanche Capture Buster, Spinning Brainbuster, Northern Lights, Capture Buster, Belly to Belly Suplex

Hiroyasu Gakusha is a young wrestler trained by Yoshifusa Maeda. Making his debut in 2003, he came off as akward and gangly in the ring. Later that year, he was sent to England to "refine himself" under Phil Chase. After six months there, he came back with a hard hitting style and some mat knowledge. 2005 saw Gakusha add on some muscle and change his look as well as add some suplexes to his bag of moves. He has become quite popular based on the consistency of his performances as his late 2005-early 2006 matches have become favorites amongst puroresu tape traders. Most see him as one of the future stars of GCG without a doubt.

[SWIFT]

GCG, "Stars Of The Golden Canvas" (SR TV), 7/12/06
Kochi Citizen Gym
2,000 Fans

Samoan Machine vs. Shocker Okazawaya Pre-Show
Samoan Machine--accompanied to ringside by tag partner, Rhino Umaga--faced the son of Stunner Okazawaya, Shocker Okazawaya in a match which saw the...well, Samoan Machine destroy and ruin any chance of offense from the younger Okazawaya. Just when it seemed the match would turn around in his favor after a punishing Lariat, he turned around only to see the Samoan beast back on his feet! Attempting for another Lariat, he was scooped up and dropped, becoming one with the mat via a Samoan Driver! Victory goes to Samoan Machine!
Rating: C+

Post Match Comments
Rhino Umaga: Look at that! The Machine didn't even break a sweat! HAHA!
Samoan Machine: ...Hmph.

Dark Angel, Hiroyasu Gakusha, and Yasuhide Tayama vs. Naonobu Murkami, Eagle Kawasawa, and Jimmy Cox Pre-Show
This was quite the match as all six men went at in this pre-show contest. To say the match was a meshing of styles would be an understatement, with Angel and Kawasawa providing air support for their respective teams, the brawling insanity that ensued after tags were landed at the crowd on their feet! Jimmy Cox slowed down Gakusha with a head scissors--which really wowed the crowd--followed by an Northern Lights Suplex that only got a two after Gakusha bridged out of the pin! Showing the veteran how to do a Northern Lights right, Gakusha twisted Cox around and scored the pin with his own Northern Lights Suplex. Rating: B+

Post Match Comments
Yasuhide Tayama: You waste my time with this six-man, bullsh**! I WANT A CHALLENGE, DAMM*T!!!
Hiroyasu Gakusha: How impressive was that? Maeda, you can waste your time fighting with Hamacho or worrying about Yoshizawa, but I'm the only one who is going to take your championship! You won't know when, you won't know where, but you will know who: Hiroyasu...GA-KU-SHAAAAA!!!

Pete Hall vs. Yoshifusa Maeda
Our first televised match of the evening! This was a great contest between two wrestlers who have faced off many times. "Pistol Pete" kept the heat on the champion with an all out attack on his neck with several chops landing on the side. A hard Irish Whip into the corner almost cause Maeda's spine to erupt through his chest--don't worry, Hall would've pounded it back in with a HUGE CORNER SPLASH! Powerslam for the pin--Maeda gets the shoulder up at exactly two. Fast forward, Maeda and Hall are exchanging blows: Hall dishing out that famed left hand closed fist--much to the ref's chigrin--and Maeda pounding Hall with the elbow shots. Both men off the ropes--LARIAT! Both men are still standing! Hall with a kick to the gut, off the ropes we could see that Pistol Whip La--MAEDA LARIAT! MAEDA LARIAAAAAAATOOOOOO!! The pin: ONE! TWO!! THR--HALL KICKS OUT!!! Maeda pulls Hall to his feet, he looks set for a piledriver--Hall reverses it! A couple of stomps to Maeda's head...Maeda slowly to his feet, Hall still planting the boots to Maeda--Maeda fighting back with punches to the midsection--clubbing ax handle downs the champion.

Hall pulls Maeda to his feet, Maeda on legs that are foreign to him...Hall off the ropes--PISTOL WHIP--LARIAAAAATOOOOO!!! Hall hooks the leg: ONE! TWO!! THRE--MAEDA GETS THE SHOULDER UP! Hall balls Maeda up for the pin: ONE! TWO!! THR--MAEDA POWERS OUT! Hall removes his elbowpad and pulls Maeda to his feet, off the ropes--MAEDA WITH A KENKA KICK TO THE SHOULDER! Hall favoring his arm--Maeda with a FLYING ARMBAR...HALL IS CRAWLING FOR THE ROPES! CAN HE MAKE IT?! CAN HE--HE MAKES IT! At the end of the match, Hall is going to finish Maeda off with a Powerbomb, he hoists him up--Maeda flips out of it--HALL GOING FOR THE PISTOL WHIP LARIAT--it misses--Maeda with a judo toss and he locks on the TRIANGLE CHOKE! Hall is too far from the ropes--Maeda has it locked in tight--and Hall taps! Hall taps out to the Triangle Choke and Yoshifusa Maeda claims the submission victory!
Rating: A

Post Match Comments
Pete Hall: I can't believe it...Sh**...I can't f***in' believe it...
Yoshifusa Maeda: Pete Hall is an extremely strong fighter and he went at me with a fist full of dynamite, but it was intelligence and timing that won this battle tonight. Some are saying that it was like a title match, to me, every match is a title match!

GCG World Title #1 Contender: Eiji Hamacho vs. Kazu Yoshizawa
This was one of those matches that start out like your standard match--but then turns into one hell of a beating. Hamacho has been just barreling through opponent since the ink dried on his contract, Yoshizawa just became another victim in this contest. In the beginning, the two locked up only for Hamacho to toss Yoshizawa into the corner, thinking quickly, the wily veteran went to attack Hamacho's knees only for Hamacho to lift his foot and bury it in his shoulder blade. And thus began a horrific beating by Hamacho who just welled on Yoshizawa. While he did get some offense in, largely due to a lack of strategy in Hamacho's style, the "Raging Bull" was unmoved by his strikes, but did fall prey to his dropkick to the knees.

Yoshizawa quickly applied the Single Leg Crab and held it like Grim Death, but Hamacho pulled himself and Yoshizawa across the ring and grabbed the ropes. Seeing all hope lost, Yoshizawa resorted to an eye gouge and downed Hamacho with a DDT, only getting a very quick two. Yoshizawa again attempted the Single Leg Crab, but Hamacho powered out of it and made a comeback...Yoshizawa managed a second eye gouge and tried to lift him for the Shoulder Breaker, but Hamacho dropped those massive fists across Yoshizawa's back then battered him with a HAMACHO SLEDGE 2K, the pin: one, two--Hamacho pulls Yoshizawa's head up. He drags Yoshizawa to his feet and hoists him up in a scoop slam--SHOULDER BREAKER! YOSHIZAWA'S OWN TRADEMARK MOVE! The pin: ONE! TWO!! THREE!!! This match is over.
Rating: B

Post Match Comments
Eiji Hamacho: Yoshifusa, you hold on to that belt like it was your first born! Because once we meet on the 30th, these hands...the very same hands that destoryed the legend that is--was Kazu Yoshizawa...will take the GCG World Heavyweight Championship from your greedy clutches! Your reign is as good as OVER!

FINAL RATING: B+

GAME RESULT
1. Samoan Machine (8:46 Samoan Driver) Shocker Okazawaya
2. Dark Angel, Hiroyasu Gakusha,& Yasuhide Tayama (10:03 Northern Lights Suplex) Naonobu Murkami, Eagle Kawasawa,& Jimmy Cox
3. Yoshifusa Maeda (16:54 Triangle Choke) Pete Hall
4. Eiji Hamacho (10:52 Shoulder Breaker) Kazu Yoshizawa

[SWIFT]

INSPIRE signs GCG wrestler, 7/12/06
Randy Sakuragawa, www.grapplefanatics.com

Since INSPIRE's recent popularity, they have been targeting wrestlers with in-ring mat skill as well as MMA experience. It has been confirmed that GCG gaijin star, Jimmy "The Submissioner" Cox has been signed to INSPIRE. He is said to be looking forward to the new challenge that he believes INSPIRE will present, but said he will never forget GCG.

GCG owner Hanshiro Furusawa says that he understands the need for a "change in scenery" and that he supports Jimmy Cox's decision and will support him in INSPIRE.

Jinsei Horiguchi said that he believe that Cox will be a great fit for INSPIRE and that no hard feelings exist between Cox and the GCG roster. He said that he respected Jimmy Cox and that the 7/14 Show would be dedicated to his contributions to GCG and that he would face old friend Barry Griffin in the main event.

You can read more of Randy "Burning" Sakuragawa's articles in the "Rising Sun of Wrestling" section at www.GrappleFanatics.com

[SWIFT]

GCG "Jimmy Cox Farewell Show", 7/14/06
Tokushima Arena
1,000 Fans

1. Hirokichi Yoemon (8:13 DQ) Fukusaburu Inao
2. Burning Takash-ta (11:45 Tornado DDT) Black Eagle
3. Eagle Kawasawa (14:58 Double Count Out) Dark Angel
4. GCG World Tag Team #1 Contenders: Rhino Umaga & Samoan Machine (13:46 Rhino Charge) Pete Hall & Jack Marlowe
5. Jimmy Cox Farewell Match: Jimmy Cox (13:08 Montero Special) Barry Griffin

SHOW NOTES
-Fukusaburu Inao of the INSPIRE promotion went at it with Hirokichi Yoemon. The calm and collected Yoemon couldn't handle the rage and submission ability of Inao, but managed a DQ win after Inao refused to release an Elevated Boston Crab even after Yoemon had reached the ropes. Afterwards, Inao said that GCG just got a taste of INSPIRE, the superior form of professional wrestling.
Rating: C

-The Eagle Kawasawa vs. Dark Angel match was good--as usual. The two squared off in hopes of outdoing the other only to come off as mirror images of each other with extremely close nearfalls and crisp counters. Dark Angel almost scored the pin with a Takash-ta Driver, but Kawasawa kicked out at the last moment. After taking out Dark Angel with a tope con giro to the outside, the ref began the count...Kawasawa almost back in the ring, one leg in--and Dark Angel pulls him back out and Kawasawa fails to get back in before 20.
Rating: A

-While the number one contender match was a great brawl, the outcome was very unexpected. Hall and Marlowe really took it to Samoan Destruction Inc, and the Samoans return it with just as much fierocity! With so much chaos going on in the ring, the ref forgot who was the legal man! Pete Hall almost decapitates Samoan Machine with a Pistol Whip Lariat, but the rotund warrior ducks under and tosses the burly Texan over the top rope and to the floor. Legal man, Marlowe climbed into the ring and landed a dropkick, knocking Samoan Machine out of the ring! However, he doesn't see Rhino Umaga who just BLASTED him with the RHINO CHARGE for the three count!
Rating: A

-The Jimmy Cox Farewell Match was emotional as it was the last GCG match from the talented gaijin, Jimmy Cox. He came out wearing the trunks and boots of his debut to the chants of "Jimmy Cox" from the respectful fans. The match was as exciting as when the two first met in GCG. The two exchanged suplex attempts and traded nearfalls--we even saw Cox pull out his trademark Frankensteiner, almost getting the pinfall! Griffin almost put Cox out with a flawless looking Jumping Piledriver, but Cox kicked out at roughly 2.99. With Griffin tiring in the final minutes, he went for a Lariat attempt which was the opening Cox was looking for. He hooked the arm, ducked under, hooked the other arm, and hoisted Griffin up in a Montero Special (Gory Special) for the submission victory.
Rating: B+

-After the match, the two shook hands and Griffin congradulated Cox. Hanshiro Furusawa, Jinsei Horiguchi, and Yoshifusa Maeda came out and congradulated Jimmy Cox as well, Furusawa thanked him for his years of service to GCG and for all the great matches he has had with the company and for his loyalty. Jimmy Cox thanked the GCG fans saying that they accepted him when American promotions didn't and that he is extremely grateful for that. He then said that he would always remember his time with GCG and always remember the fans and that GCG will always be his home. He then left the ring to "Submission Impossible", his initial entrance theme when he first joined GCG and more chants of "Jimmy Cox".

FINAL RATING: A

[SWIFT]

Complete "Summer Fury Tour 2006" Announced, 7/15/06
Oudou2K6, www.puroresustop.com/gcg

GCG has had the full cards up for a while, but here are the remaining dates with cards for the "Summer Fury Tour".

GCG, "Stars Of The Golden Canvas" (SRTV), 7/19/06
Kagawa Sports Field (2,000)
Shikoku
Julian Watson vs. Takayuki 2000
Henry Bennett vs. Shotaro Ikina
Hiroyasu Gakusha vs. Yasuhide Tayama
GCG World Heavyweight Tag Team Championships: Samoan Destruction Inc. vs. Toshiharu Hyobanshi (c) & Namboku Makuda (c)

GCG, 7/21/06
Asaka Municipal Gym (1,000)
Honshu
Henry Bennett vs. Barry Griffin
Dark Angel (NOTBPW) vs. UK Dragon w/Eagle Kawasawa
Hirokichi Yoemon vs. Takayuki 2000
Yasuhide Tayama (WLW) vs. Shocker Okazawaya
Hiroyasu Gakusha vs. Shotaro Ikina

GCG, 7/22/06
Asaka Municipal Gym (1,000)
Honshu
UK Dragon vs. Black Eagle (CZCW)
Henry Bennett vs. Shotaro Ikina
Burning Takash-ta (WLW) vs. Dark Angel (NOTBPW)
Yasuhide Tayama (WEXXV) vs. Yoshifusa Maeda

GCG, "Stars Of The Golden Canvas" (SRTV), 7/26/06
Kyoto Arena (2,000)
Honshu
Julian Watson vs. Yasuhide Tayama (WEXXV)
Eagle Kawasawa vs. Black Eagle (CZCW)
Shocker Okazawaya & Hirokichi Yoemon vs. Kazu Yoshizawa & Nathan Coleman
Eiji Hamacho vs. Toshiharu Hyobanshi

GCG, 7/28/06
Asaka Municipal Gym (1,000)
Honshu
Julian Watson vs. Henry Bennett
Samoan Machine (INSPIRE) vs. Naonobu Murkami
Jack Marlowe (NEPW) vs. Hirokichi Yoemon
Pete Hall vs. Rhino Umaga

GCG, 7/30/06
Kagawa Sports Field (2,000)
Shikoku
Naonobu Murkami vs. Henry Bennett
Nathan Coleman vs. Julian Watson
GCG World Tag Team #1 Contenders: Samoan Destruction Inc. vs. Hirokichi Yoemon & Shocker Okazawaya
Namboku Makuda vs. Shotaro Ikina
Eagle Kawasawa & Burning Takash-ta (WLW) vs. Dark Angel (NOTBPW) & Black Eagle (CZCW)
Yasuhide Tayama (WEXXV) vs. Toshiharu Hyobanshi
Pete Hall vs. Kazu Yoshizawa
GCG World Heavyweight Championship: Eiji Hamacho vs. Yoshifusa Maeda

[SWIFT]

GCG, "Stars Of The Golden Canvas" (SRTV), 7/19/06
Kagawa Sports Field
2,000 Fans

Takayuki 2000 vs. Julian Watson Pre-Show
Julian Watson really went at T2K with several snap suplexes, he then attempted the pinfall after a Stalling Brainbuster, but T2K kicks out at 2! Watson stayed on T2K hoping to score the big win. Towards the end of the match, Watson goes for one final trick and whips Takayuki 2000 into the ropes KENKA KICK--NO! Takayuki rolled under the kick, Watson quickly turned around in time for that 2012 (Cutter)! T2K hooks the leg and takes the pinfall victory.
Rating: C+

Shotaro Ikina vs. Barry Griffin Pre-Show
Wins haven't been coming to often for Barry Griffin--why start today? After a massive Release German Suplex, Shotaro Ikina summons his strength and gets back to his feet quickly, much to the surprise of Griffin and downs the gaijin with a KENKA KICK for the one, two, and the three.
Rating: B

Hiroyasu Gakusha vs. Yasuhide Tayama
A clash of two hard hitters, Tayama was hoping to bring his "5 Minute Destroyer" Contest to GCG, but seeing his opponent is Hiroyasu Gakusha, he had to sit that aside. Exchanging punches, the crowd was behind both men, not knowing who's punch would down who. Finally, Tayama's Throat Punch ended that contest and a wave of boos followed. Tayama's dirty advantage wouldn't last long, especially after a Gakusha reversed a DDT attempt into a nice NORTHERN LIGHTS SUPLEX! ONE! TWO!! TAYAMA KICKS OUT!!! Hiroyasu Gakusha looked ready to put the "Fierce Storm" away with a Lariat, but Tayama scooped him up onto his shoulders in a fireman's carry and spun him out into the TAYAMA CYCLONE! The ref dived in for the pin: ONE! TWO!! Gakusha with his foot on the ropes!

Tayama is really pissed at this point! He drags Gakusha to his feet and whips him to the ropes, bounding off the ropes himself--BOTH MEN CONNECT WITH A SHOTEI! Gakusha and Tayama slump to the mat in a heap! With no choice, the ref starts the ten count...Gakusha on all fours, Tayama is trying to pull himself up with the ropes and--the ref reaches 10! Neither man are on their feet and this is ruled a DRAW.
Rating: B

GCG World Heavyweight Tag Team Championships: Toshiharu Hyobanshi (c) & Namoboku Makuda (c) vs. Samoan Destruction Inc.
Another hardhitting contest with the element of Makuda thrown in, what was often a flurry of fists and feet was put back in its place with a dropkick or leglock from Makuda. With the belts on the line and the SDI hellbent on taking them from the champs. Rhino Umaga dominated the match, beating Makuda early on, when it looked time to finish him, he delivered a brutal RHINO CHARGE--to Hyobanshi who stepped in to save his partner for certain annihilation. Machine suplexed Makuda to the outside and went to work on him, driving him throat first onto the steel guard rail.

The attacks turn back on Hyobanshi with a nice SAMOAN DROP! Makuda makes it back into the ring at 18 and stays out of the way for the most part. The monster Samoan Machine is tagged in, Makuda to his feet--LARIATOOOOO!!! ONE! TWO!! THR--HYOBANSHI BREAKS THE PIN! Hyobanshi begins wailing on Machine and pulls him to his feet--chop to the neck, chop to neck--HYOBANSHI GOES BERZERK WITH THE CHOPS!!! Samoan Machine down to one knee--Rhino Umaga comes over--HARM TOUCH (uraken, hard spinning backfist) TO RHINO UMAGA!!! He turns around and Samoan Machine has the DEATH GRIP APPLIED!!! Toshiharu Hyobanshi isn't the legal man! Makuda is to his knees, he signals for it...a LOWBLOW--and the DREADED SCHOOL BOY!!! Makuda has a handful of tights! ONE! TWO!! THREE!!! Hyobanshi and Makuda keep the belts for their V1 Defense!
Rating: B

FINAL RATING: B

GAME RESULT
1. Takayuki 2000 (7:44 2012) Julian Watson
2. Shotaro Ikina (10:39 Kenka Kick) Barry Griffin
3. Hiroyasu Gakusha (14:28 DRAW) Yasuhide Tayama
4. GCG World Hvywht Tag Team Championships: Toshiharu Hyobanshi (c) & Namboku Makuda(c) (12:46 Dreaded School Boy) Rhino Umaga & Samoan Machine

[Sartagis]

I'm loving this! Good job.