July 30 - 31, 2009
Nippon Budokan
[glow=limegreen,2,300]Elite Zero Grand Champion Title Tournament[/glow]7/30/09 - Afternoon ShowBlock A:Bout #1: Block A Semi-Finals
Tatsumi Fujinami vs. Masahiro Chono
- This great bout opens the action here in Elite Zero Pro Wrestling, as these two styles clash. Chono tried to imply his will, as he used hard hitting moves to wear down the smaller Fujinami. The former Olympic wrestler used his technical skill to take back the advantage. Fujinami used a Dragon Suplex to take the win at 22:57. Fujinami now awaits the winner of the next bout to see who he faces in the Block A finals.
Bout #2: Block A Semi-Finals
The Great Muta vs. Kensuke Sasaki
- Muta and Sasaki renewed their old rivalry here in Elite Pro. They traded hard chops back and forth. Sasaki took the advantage and was pounding on Muta. Muta scored a hard kick to the gut and then sprayed his mist into Kensuke's face. The ref called for the bell at 12:40, awarding Sasaki the bout via DQ.
Block A Finals: Tatsumi Fujinami vs. Kensuke SasakiBlock B:Bout #3: Block B Semi-Finals
Toshiaki Kawada vs. Riki Choshu
- Both men started blistering each other with insane chops and kicks to open this bout. Kawada scored with two blows and then a Brainbuster, but was unable to hold Riki down. Riki was able to not take the full force of the backdrop suplex, but stood up into Kawada's jumping high kick, which allowed him to score the pinfall at 8:05.
Bout #4: Block B Semi-Finals
Akira Maeda vs. Kenta Kobashi
- These two showed great respect for each other with a hand-shake to start the match and neither man pulled hair or used any dirty tactics. Kenta scored with his usual hard chops and scored a near fall after his Burning Lariat. A moonsault that Maeda managed to partially avoided turned the tide. A blocked chop attempt allowed Maeda to use his submission skills to wear down the Orange Crush. Maeda scored the pinfall at 17:09 after using his Dragon Suplex.
Block B Finals: Toshiaki Kawada vs. Akira MaedaBlock C:Bout #5: Block C Semi-Finals
Masa Saito vs. Hiroyoshi Tenzan
- These two bruisers locked up off the bell, but Tenzan drove a knee into Masa's gut. A big chop, followed by a belly-to-back suplex, set up Tenzan's Moonsault. It took 2 straight Moonsaults, but the second scored the pinfall at 2:50.
Bout #6: Block C Semi-Finals
Hayabua vs. Hector Garza
- A completely different type of match that the other half of Block C, as these two top-notch flyers lock horns. Garza, who is well versed in lucha libre, came right at Hayabusa. Hayabusa, who is known to not shy away from anything, was driven back by Garza's early offense. Hector had things going his way until they went out to the floor. Hayabusa took control and never gave Hector an inch. Hayabusa finished off Hector with his Falcon Arrow at 16:57.
Block C Finals: Hiroyoshi Tenzan vs. HayabusaBlock D:Bout #7: Block D Semi-Finals
Hulk Hogan vs. Mitsuhara Misawa
- These two legends did not hold anything back here in this awesome semi-final match. Hogan pounded the smaller Misawa with clubbing blows over and over again, but was unable to secure a pinfall. Hogan even caught Misawa with the Big Leg Drop, but Misawa was able to get his shoulder up and escape, much to the fans delight. Misawa battled back and used his high impact moves to start wearing Hogan down. Misawa tried to use several of his favorite moves on Hogan, but Hulk held his ground. Misawa caught Hulk with a roaring forearm, before he used his Tiger Driver to score the pinfall at 21:09.
Bout #8: Block D Semi-Finals
Andre the Giant vs. Terry Gordy
- Gordy is usually bigger than most of his opponents, but not tonight. Andre clubbed Gordy, after The Freebird tried to drive Andre back with clotheslines. Andre used his size advantage to man-handle Gordy. Terry tried to fire back, but Andre was having none of that, as he used a Big Boot and then his Big Splash to take the win at 8:17.
Block D Finals: Mitsuhara Misawa vs. Andre the Giant =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==
Block Finals7/30/09 - Night ShowBout #9: Block A Finals
Tatsumi Fujinami vs. Kensuke Sasaki
- Fujinami was giving up some size here, but his wrestling skills are his advantage. Sasaki used some power moves to start the match, but Fujinami was able to use his great counters to escape Sasaki's grasp and use suplexes to wear down the Power Warrior. A Dragon Suplex scored a 2-count, but it definitely took its toll on Sasaski, which allowed Fujinami to use his Dragon Backbreaker for the win at 12:02.
Bout #10: Block B Finals
Toshiaki Kawada vs. Akira Maeda
- Maeda tried to start with some fast chops and kicks, but Kawada was not having any of that. He answered with his own chops and hard hitting shots that took the wind out of Akira. Kawada used his dangerous backdrop suplexes and Brainsbusters to deliver high impact offense to the technical wizard. Kawada nailed another Brainbuster, but this time Maeda could not escape and was pinned at 13:50. This win by Kawada meant that the Fujinami vs. Maeda purist dream match will have to wait for another day.
Bout #11: Block C Finals
Hiroyoshi Tenzan vs. Hayabusa
- Tenzan was taking off his coat when Hayabusa jumped him. Hayabusa used several quick moves that hurt the larger man. Hayabusa nailed a top rope splash, but only scored a 2-count. Hayabusa used the fact that Tenzan was dazed to set-up and nail his Falcon's Arrow, but Tenzan kicked out with force and shot back to his feet, as the crowd roared. Tenzan booted Hayabusa hard in the gut and then nailed a huge lariat. Tenzan used his version of the tombstone and then nailed his Moonsault at 10:56 to take the win.
Bout #12: Block D Finals
Mitsuhara Misawa vs. Andre the Giant
- This might be the biggest mis-match of sizes that we will see in this entire tournament. Andre did not seem to want to in the ring and wasted no time pounding on Misawa. Misawa scored a near fall with a flying splash, but was not big enough to hold down Andre. A big boot and then a Big Splash by Andre spelled the end of the match at 5:07.
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Grand Champion Tournament - The Conclusion7/31/09Bout #13: Tournament Semi-Final
Tatsumi Fujinami vs. Toshiaki Kawada
- Fujinami's quest for the gold has been through some of the toughest Japanese wrestlers ever and this match was no different. Kawada took it to Fujinami from the start and nearly scored the win with a backdrop driver about 3 minutes in, but Fujinami was able to sneak a shoulder up. Kawada could smell blood in the water, so he turned up the intensity. Fujinami never gave up, even when Kawada drove him hard into the mat repeatedly. Kawada finally made a mistake that allowed Fujinami to use his technical skill to take advantage. Fujinami pushed the advantage and drove Kawada to the mat with his Dragon Suplex. Unable to secure the win, Fujinami locked on his Grounded Cobra Twist. Kawada had no choice but to give up, allowing Fujinami to advance to the finals.
Bout #14: Tournament Semi-Final
Hiroyoshi Tenzan vs. Andre the Giant
- Andre did not wait for Tenzan, as he nailed the smaller man with a clubbing blow as soon as he walked in the ring. Andre pounded on Tenzan and tossed him around the ring. Andre tossed Tenzan out of the ring and went out after him. Hiroyoshi, seeing his opening, clipped Andre's knee and caused the big man to fall off the apron and through the ringside table. The fans all stood in awe, as the Giant hit the ground. Tenzan slid back in the ring, as a bloody Andre got to his feet. Tenzan used a dropkick to the knee to knock Andre down to the mat. Tenzan went to the top rope four times in a row, using splashes the first 3-times and his Moonsault the last to score the amazing upset at 11:50!
Bout #15: Elite Zero Pro Wrestling Grand Champion Tournament Finals
Tatsumi Fujinami vs. Hiroyoshi Tenzan
- Many people felt that Fujinami would never get through the powerhouses that were stacked against him thus far in the tournament. Lots of people also felt that Tenzan could not down the Giant. All of the nay-sayers were wrong, as these two honored warriors were showered with cheers as the entered the ring. A very distinct division in the crowd formed, as the younger fans all cheered for Tenzan, while the older fans were pulling for Fujinami. They shook hands before the bout, which drew some nice applause, as they then locked up. Early back and forth action gave neither man an advantage. Tenzan went for a lariat, but missed, allowing Fujinami to use several quick suplexes and joint locks to drive Tenzan down to the mat. Fujinami locked on his Grounded Cobra Twist, but Tenzan was able to escape. The fans could feel the energy growing, as Fujinami used a Dragon Suplex for another near fall. Fujinami went to the top rope and went for a big splash, but Tenzan got his knees up. This caused Tenzan's fans to explode, as their warrior used several quick hard-hitting moves to hurt Fujinami. A tombstone piledriver left Fujinami laying in the ring, while Tenzan nailed his Moonsault to take the win and the championship at 17:26. The entire arena stood an applauded both men. After the bout, Fujinami and Tenzan shook hands, in a sign of absolute respect.
