Big News from All Japan

Following the conclusion of yesterday’s Korakuen Hall show, the event cards have been updated for the remainder of the “SUMMER ACTION SERIES” tour. Among the major additions is that the World Tag and World Junior belts are scheduled to be defended once more this month.

On July 28, the World Tag belts will be in defense as the newly crowned champions of Jake Lee and Naoya Nomura will be defending the belts in a rematch against Zeus and The Bodyguard. The former champions were quick to enact their chance at a rematch as they stated that their history with the World Tag belts will not end here. Bodyguard declared that he will not let the same mistake happen to him twice. While the new champions accepted the challenge as the wish to start off their first reign as champions by solidifying themselves as true champions. Two wins over the former champions will truly prove they are worthy to hold the belts.

Then the World Junior belt will be in defense on July 30, as Hikaru Sato takes on TAJIRI. On the 17th, Hikaru, after a successful defense against Minoru Tanaka, was met with a poison mist from TAJIRI following the match. The champion stated that he stands by his personal goal of accepting a challenge anytime, anywhere, and by anyone. He knows that TAJIRI has had an extensive career both in Japan and overseas, even recent, in the WWE. TAJIRI is indeed known as one of the craftiest wrestlers to still be competing and that is a challenge that Hikaru welcomes. This title reign is all about Hikaru wanting to prove himself as a fighting and defending champion. That he aims to be able to adapt and overcome even the most established of challengers.

As for the upcoming Ryogoku show in August, Hikaru stated that he aims to remain both as the World Junior and Asia Tag champion. That he wishes to defend both belts on the show in a double header

Then All Japan announced the updated cards for their August tour of shows leading up to the Ryogoku show on August 27.

The main event of the Ryogoku Kokugikan show has formally been decided as Shuji Ishikawa will be putting the Triple Crown belt on the line in a rematch against Kento Miyahara. Ishikawa has proven himself to be a fighting champion, as he just managed to best Suwama in his last defense on the 17th. Though now he will be faced with his greatest challenge as champion and the biggest stage that All Japan builds towards. Though Miyahara is an different place this time around as he does not hold the belt for the big show, though he claims he is fully prepared to walk out of Ryogoku as the new champion. That he has tasted the very top and the lead role which he now cannot bear being an uncrowned champion.
Ishikawa stated that he now has a feeling of full confidence and strength as the champion, noting his win over Suwama, and has his own sense of purpose in protecting what it means to be the Triple Crown champion. He acknowledges the strength and determination that Miyahara will be bringing, but much the same he feels that is what he will be doing as well. That he will not lose without giving it his all first.

Then on August 11, Jun Akiyama will be defending the GAORA TV belt against Takao Omori. The match will be contested over a special 25 minute rules as this will be a special match honoring their 25th anniversaries as pro-wrestlers. This match stems off the the recent match pitting Akiyama’s team (Akiyamaz) against Takao Omori’s Axe Bombers. Which saw Omori with the win over Akiyama’s group on the July 17. Following the match, Omori made the challenge against Akiyama and the match has thus been made official. The two have been both friends and rivals since their debut’s in 1992 and this is just another continued tale of their rivalry throughout the years. Omori stated that he wishes to have his moment this year, seeing Akiyama with a belt around his waist, as he seeks a chance to wear a belt around his waist and to cap of this milestone that he has achieved in the ring. Akiyama acknowledged that Omori has beaten him within 7 seconds in the past, but with that said the two may not even being able to settle the match within 25 minutes. With that said, he is even contemplating offering the fans a chance to decide who was the true and deserving winner. Kyohei Wada will be the referee as he is known for his righteous and fairness in the ring.

Among the rest of the August tour of shows will be the “GROWIN’ UP” show on August 3, Hakata StarLanes show on August 11, Ultimo Dragon’s 30th anniversary show at Korakuen on August 19, and then the Ryogoku show on August 27.