Post by 円相! TV on Jul 6, 2024 2:09:15 GMT
J1 PRELUDE (7/5 - 7/26)
The writing window to post any creative stories, promos, etc for the J1 PRELUDE can be found here.
NOTE: Cards are always subject to change and it is also possible for events not currently listed to emerge. All MAX ambassadors and GLOBAL HEROES are candidates to be included in non-advertised events or may have their participation amended without prior discussion (this makes the experience fresh and organic).
As we prepare for the 2024 J1 SUMMIT, there are a host of events that MAX-J fighters will take part in. In preparation for the J1, MAX has been on a sponsor-signing spree with a whole host of new faces - many of whom are trying to get in on the action. You can read about the native Japanese and permanent residents who are sponsored by MAX-J here.
The action will be intense and serve as quite the rising action we get ready for the SUMMIT which will start in mid-August. So far, however, here's what we know about every event that will happen prior to the SUMMIT.
USA-Japan TOMODACHI Infinity
On the 8th of July in Okinawa, U.S.-Japan group is promoting an event that is meant to celebrate the harmony between the two countries. The wider community is set to attend and there is MAX-J participation in two matches. Two recently signed wrestlers ambassadors - Satoshi "Soldier of Fortune" Kamakura and "Demon Hunter" Takashi Yamashita - will square off against two members of MAX-J's Global Heroes initiative, "Crusader" AJ Knight and "Serpiente" SANGRE.
We will also see the Sapporo Hansou and Yacht Club (SHYc) duo of Takeda "Sniper" Izumi and "Snap Shot" Shinzo Takmori square off against "Judoka" Jimmy Winner and a mystery opponent. The rumor mill is ablaze with this one and all we know is that the individual is "highly decorated". There are some who believe that Matt "Wrestling" Pulver may finally make a comeback to the squared circle, but we have no idea if this is certain. Much of the reason for this speculation is that MAX-J has made repeated overtures given the high level of respect that Pulver has among the brand's loyalist. But at this point, it's only a rumor.
CRUISERWORLD II
Later this month we'll see MAX-J return to Tokyo's beautiful Shirahama Beach for CRUISERWORLD II. This time, however, instead of the beach the event will be staged on the deck of a luxury cruiserliner, the Pacific Pearl. The action will occur onboard the ship for nearly 2,000 onboard and several large theatrical screens will line the beaches so that the entire community can view the action.
This will be a two-day event. On Day 1, we'll see the opening round of a junior heavyweight tournament promoted by our own network and our own program known as the Sports Lightning Cup! It will feature numerous junior heavyweights. Many of the fighters will be familiar, but the tournament will mark the return of an "old new" face in Dark Feather II, son of the legendary Izawa Fujiyama, and a recent MAX-J sponsor. Dark Feather was one of the top cruiserweights in the Yokohama-based Shining Road Pro-Wrestling that fans may remember from 2016-17. His towering presence standing at 6'3" gives him incredible reach that he uses to dominate other opponents in his weight class.
On Day 2, we'll see the conclusion of the Sports Lightning Cup in addition to a singles bout between Thunder Mask and AJ Knight if the latter can make weight, a NOVA Cup finals rematch between Katsuhiko Himura and Akira Nakamura fought under the sport form rules, and the new World Jr. Heavyweight Tag Team Champions Falcon Hamada and Jin Hirai attempt their V1 defense versus WAG1's Jeremy Squire and Crazy Boy. Before joining Shin Demon Brigade, Hirai was a member of WAG1 and AJSWC officials believed that the team of Squire and Crazy Boy, who would be intimately familiar with Hirai, would make interesting opponents.
WAKE UP!
While our lightweight fighters will be busy at the end of July, MAX-J heavyweights will be busy in August due to an invitation from Ōkinasaru Championship Wrestling (OCW) to compete at a show in Sendai, Japan. Some believe that these bouts may carry last-minute J1 SUMMIT implications, as the OCW show will occur in an arena with a capacity of 12,500 seats, leading to lots of attention.
The card will feature MAX Ambassador Balloon Yamazaki versus MAX Global Hero NEXUS in a sport form rules bout. Additionally, Ryan Samuels will debut as a MAX sponsor against OCW's own Kenzo "Battleship" Hirata. Apparently, the 4536 Group has been putting significant pressure on GM Sano to extend a sponsorship offer to Hirata, so this bout could be what gives way to such an opportunity. Lastly, IRPW's reigning King of Iron Champion Tiger Mask Red will compete in a highly anticipated non-title bout between Henry Yamazaki (no relation, we believe, to Balloon Yamazaki), formerly known as Mushigahara and a former MAX-J Heavyweight Champion.
PRELUDE TO J1 schedule
Date: 7/8/2024
Location: Okinawa, Japan
1. Satoshi Kamakura and Takashi Yamashita vs. AJ Knight and SANGRE
2. Takeda Izumi and Shinzo Takamori vs. Jimmy Winner and TBA
Date: 7/26/2024
Location: Shirahama Beach, Tokyo, Japan
1. Katsuhiko Himura and Future Mummy vs. Akira Nakamura and Rhythm Saitoh
2. ENSOU! TV ~ Sports Lightning Cup: David Troy vs. Shinzo Takamori
3. ENSOU! TV ~ Sports Lightning Cup: Jimmy Winner vs. LYNX4. ENSOU! TV ~ Sports Lightning Cup: Dark Feather II vs. Orville Newton
5. ENSOU! TV ~ Sports Lightning Cup: Earth Warrior vs. SANGRE
CRUISERWORLD II - Day 2
Date: 7/28/2024
Location: Shirahama Beach, Tokyo, Japan
1. ENSOU! TV ~ Sports Lightning Cup - Semi-Final: Troy/Takamori vs. Winner/LYNX
2. ENSOU! TV ~ Sports Lightning Cup - Semi-Final: Dark Feather/Newton vs. Warrior/SANGRE3. Hajime Nishimoto vs. Rhythm Saitoh
4. AJ Knight vs. Thunder Mask
5. NOVA Cup Finals Rematch (Sport Form Rules): Katsuhiko Himura vs. Akira Nakamura6. ENSOU! TV ~ Sports Lightning Cup - Final: TBD vs. TBD
7. World Jr. Heavyweight Tag Team Championship: Falcon Hamada and Jin Hirai (c) vs. Jeremy Squire and Crazy Boy
WAKE UP!
Date: 8/10/2024
Location: Sendai, Japan
1. Sport Form Rules: NEXUS vs. Balloon Yamazaki
2. Kenzo Hirata vs. Ryan Samuels
3. Tiger Mask Red (Eli Buchanan) vs. Mushigahara (Eiichiro Yamazaki)