Post by 円相! TV on Aug 30, 2024 18:27:39 GMT
Day 9 of the J1 SUMMIT 2024 arrived with a palpable sense of tension and anticipation. The entire nation seemed to have its eyes fixed on the Mirai Dome in Tokyo, where the grand final between ZENKI and Tiger Mask Red was set to take place. The media had been abuzz all day, and with the final being simulcast on World Pay-Per-View (wPPV) across the Asia-Pacific, it was clear that this was more than just a wrestling event—it was a global spectacle.
Security had been beefed up both outside the arena and at ringside, as concerns mounted about the potential for unrest among the passionate Demon Brigade fans, with the thousands of them milling about outside of the arena for most of the day, praying to the gods to give Lord ZENKI the strength to become victorious. Their loyalty to ZENKI was well known, and with the stakes so high, no one was taking any chances. Even as the arena filled to its ultra-high capacity of 20,500 fans, the atmosphere was electric, with everyone eager to see how the day would unfold.
While there were certainly many Demon Brigade fans clad in their black shirts and confident in Lord ZENKI, most of the fighters had significant fanbases in support. We also saw in the crowd a lot of Tiger Mask Red masks, especially among the smaller children, indicating significant support for the foreign fighter. You could see many Americans, probably in the military, who had gotten tickets and were clearly in support of Alexander Irvine. We also saw a number of fans wearing jackets that read on the back "AJ IS LION'S ROAD" to support him, as well. Needless to say, the fans of many of the wrestlers were out in force tonight.
The first match of the night saw Takashi Yamashita and Il Ladro take on Jimmy Winner and NEXUS in a fast-paced, high-energy tag team bout. From the outset, it was clear that Yamashita and Il Ladro had the advantage in terms of teamwork and strategy. Il Ladro's lucha libre-inspired agility complemented Yamashita's hard-hitting strikes, creating a dynamic that kept their opponents on the defensive.
NEXUS, with his methodical approach, attempted to slow down the match, focusing on isolating Il Ladro and wearing him down with a series of submission holds. However, Il Ladro's resilience and quick thinking allowed him to escape and make the hot tag to Yamashita. The momentum shifted as Yamashita entered the ring, unleashing a flurry of strikes that left NEXUS reeling.
The match reached its climax when Yamashita countered a suplex attempt by Jimmy Winner, transitioning into his signature Prosperous Weapon, a devastating sliding elbow that connected flush with Winner's jaw as he was on one knew. The impact was enough to secure the pinfall victory for Yamashita and Il Ladro, much to the delight of the crowd. Winner and NEXUS had put up a valiant fight, but the chemistry and execution of their opponents proved too much to overcome.
Rhythm Saitoh vs. Jin Hirai
Rhythm Saitoh and Jin Hirai faced off in the second match of the night, a contest between two competitors known for their technical prowess and in-ring creativity. Saitoh, fresh off a disappointing tournament run, was looking to regain his momentum, while Hirai sought to establish himself as a top contender in MAX-J.
The match began with a series of quick exchanges, each man trying to outmaneuver the other. Hirai, with his strong striking game, attempted to keep Saitoh at a distance, landing several stiff kicks that left Saitoh clutching his ribs. But Saitoh's ability to adapt and improvise soon came into play, as he countered one of Hirai's strikes with a sudden drop toe hold, transitioning into a front facelock.
Hirai struggled to escape, eventually managing to roll out and attempt a high-risk maneuver from the top rope. But Saitoh was ready, catching Hirai in mid-air with a devastating spinning kick that left Hirai dazed. Saitoh wasted no time, hoisting Hirai up on his shoulders in a fireman's carry, swinging him around and delivering the Edo Fermata, his signature spinning cutter, from a unique position! He then covered to score the pinfall victory. The crowd erupted in applause, recognizing the hard-fought effort from both men, but it was Saitoh who stood tall, having proven that he still had what it takes to compete at the highest level.
Ryan Samuels and David Troy vs. Hiroyuki Fukudome and Shinzo Takamori
In the third match, the powerful team of Ryan Samuels and David Troy faced off against Hiroyuki Fukudome and Shinzo Takamori in a tag team bout that promised to be a battle of strength and strategy. From the opening bell, it was clear that Samuels and Troy were out to make a statement, using their size and power to dominate the early exchanges.
Fukudome and Takamori, despite their experience, found themselves on the back foot as Samuels and Troy methodically picked them apart. Samuels, in particular, showcased his raw power, lifting Fukudome high into the air with a delayed vertical suplex that had the crowd gasping in awe. Takamori, the more agile of the two, tried to mount a comeback, using his speed to land a series of dropkicks that temporarily shifted the momentum.
However, Troy's ring awareness and striking ability proved to be the deciding factor. After isolating Takamori, Troy connected with a series of stiff forearms, followed by a running knee that left Takamori reeling. Sensing the end was near, Troy set up for his finisher, the Rough Divide, on Takamori. The pinfall was academic, and Samuels and Troy celebrated their hard-fought victory as the crowd showed their appreciation for the intense action.
Kenzo Hirata, Akira Nakamura, and Shigeru Toyama vs. Eiichiro Yamazaki, Balloon Yamazaki, and Dark Feather II
In a six-man tag team match that featured a mix of styles and personalities, Kenzo Hirata, Akira Nakamura, and Shigeru Toyama teamed up to take on the trio of Eiichiro Yamazaki, Balloon Yamazaki, and Dark Feather II. The match was fast-paced from the start, with each competitor eager to prove themselves in front of the packed Mirai Dome.
Hirata, the superheavyweight powerhouse, dominated the early portion of the match, using his size and strength to overwhelm his opponents. The Yamazaki brothers tried to use their unique combination of sumo-inspired moves and unorthodox tactics to turn the tide, but Hirata's power was simply too much. Even Dark Feather II, with his mysterious and brooding presence, found himself on the receiving end of Hirata's crushing offense.
The match reached its climax when Hirata hoisted the mammoth-sized Eiichiro Yamazaki into the air for a devastating snap powerbomb, leaving him sprawled on the mat and knocked out cold. With Yamazaki incapacitated, Hirata would roll to the outside of the ring and clutch his back while his teammate Toyama jumped in and seized the opportunity to make the cover, securing the pinfall victory for his team.
After the match, Hirata - now feeling better after stretching his lower back a bit - grabbed a microphone and announced to the world that he had been inspired by Lord ZENKI and was officially joining the Shin Demon Brigade. The announcement sent the Demon Brigade zealots into a frenzy, as they cheered wildly for their new ally.
Hikaru's big save!
During the intermission, Lead ringside attendant Hikaru Yamada stepped in between two fans who had begun to brawl near the ringside area. One was a Demon Brigade member and the other had his hair dyed bright red and was wearing a "GO! Tiger" t-shirt in support of Tiger Mask Red. Yamada put himself between the two and had some harsh words as he threatened what he would do if they escalated. One of the fans apparently lunged at him but Yamada broke out some of the judo from his high school days and put him on his back with an osoti gari - though he controlled the fan's fall so that no one got hurt.
After seeing what Yamada was capable of, the two young men calmed down and as Yamada departed he caught up with J1 Training Camp Head Coach Mike Musket who had been observing the affair. Musket smacked him on the back of the shoulder and someone reported overhearing him say, "You're ready."
#1 Contender for World Jr. Heavyweight Tag Team Championship Thunder Mask and SANGRE vs. El Refresco IV and Satoshi Kamakura
The tag team match to determine the #1 contenders for the World Jr. Heavyweight Tag Team Championship saw Thunder Mask and SANGRE take on the team of El Refresco IV and Satoshi Kamakura. Both teams were eager to secure a title shot, and the match quickly turned into a showcase of high-flying maneuvers and technical prowess.
El Refresco IV and Kamakura started strong, using their speed and agility to keep Thunder Mask and SANGRE off balance. El Refresco IV, in particular, dazzled the crowd with a series of acrobatic moves, including a breathtaking springboard plancha to the outside. Kamakura followed up with a diving crossbody, taking out both of their opponents in a display of teamwork that had the crowd on their feet.
However, Thunder Mask and SANGRE's experience and chemistry began to show as the match wore on. Thunder Mask used his judo background to ground El Refresco IV, setting up SANGRE to take control with his vicious strikes and submissions. The turning point came when SANGRE locked El Refresco IV in a chicken-wing sleeper camel clutch, wrenching back with all his might. Despite El Refresco IV's valiant attempts to escape, the pain was too much, and he was forced to submit, giving Thunder Mask and SANGRE the victory and earning them a shot at the World Jr. Heavyweight Tag Team Championship.
Fighting Spirit Invitational - Final: Katsuhiko Himura vs. Earth Warrior
In the final of the Fighting Spirit Invitational, Katsuhiko Himura faced off against Earth Warrior in a match that pitted Himura's technical expertise against Earth Warrior's unpredictable offense. Both men had fought hard to reach this point, and the crowd was eager to see who would emerge victorious.
The match began with Himura taking control, using his superior grappling skills to keep Earth Warrior grounded. Himura's precision and technique were on full display as he worked over Earth Warrior's limbs, softening him up for a potential submission. Earth Warrior, however, proved to be resilient, using his agility to escape from several tight spots and mount a counterattack.
As the match progressed, Earth Warrior began to gain momentum, using his high-flying moves to keep Himura off balance. A series of dropkicks and a hurricanrana brought the crowd to its feet, but Himura's experience and ring awareness allowed him to weather the storm. The turning point came when Himura caught Earth Warrior in mid-air with a brutal knee strike, followed by a wrist-clutch Northern Lights Bomb that planted Earth Warrior on the mat. The impact was enough to secure the pinfall victory for Himura, who celebrated his hard-earned win and received a small trophy that he held up to the fans as the crowd showed their appreciation.
J1 SUMMIT 2024 - 3rd Place Match: AJ Knight vs. Alexander Irvine
The third-place match in the J1 SUMMIT 2024 was a showdown between AJ Knight and Alexander Irvine, two of the most resilient and determined competitors in the tournament. Both men entered the ring with the scars of battle—Knight with a heavily taped knee and arm, and Irvine with a long black elbow pad covering his injured arm. Despite the physical toll of the tournament, neither man was willing to back down.
The match began with Irvine using his striking ability to target Knight's injured knee, landing several stiff kicks that caused Knight to wince in pain. Knight, however, fought back with his signature grappling style, taking Irvine to the mat and working over his arm with a series of armbars and joint locks. The back-and-forth action kept the crowd on the edge of their seats, as both men exchanged near falls and reversals.
It was AJ Knight who would finally get the offense going when he ducked a lariat and then hit one of the smoothest neckbreakers you've ever seen. With Irvine down, AJ hit a standing leg drop and then got up to his feet, bounced against the ropes, and with Irvine on one knee, he caught him square in the jaw with a shining wizard! Irvine would be laid out flat and AJ would go for a pin but only get a two-count.
Irvine, who may have been playing possum, snatched AJ's arm while he was still draped over him and was sinking his hooks in for a kimura! Knight attempted to roll his way out of it and would eventually get a foot on the ropes. Irvine would break the hold but not before a boot to the face of AJ that sent him into the ropes and stunned him for a bit while the Unnatural One would get to his feet. Irvine would snatch AJ by the hair and spin him around and then drop him with a German suplex hold right on the back of his neck! Knight would kick out just barely before the three-count, however.
As the match wore on, the pace began to slow, with both men showing signs of exhaustion. Irvine attempted to end the match with his Flawless Plex, but Knight managed to break it off and kick Irvine in the gut and hit a Knight fall DDT! Knight would hook the leg for the pin!!
1...
2...
3 - FOOT ON THE ROPES!
Knight would smack the canvas, knowing that opportunities to put an opponent like Irvine away don't come often. Instead, Knight would drag Irvine away from the ropes and then go for his submission finisher and lock on the Templar Stretch! The tied up Irvine would manage to muscle his way to turn over and pin AJ's shoulders to the mat, forcing the Crusader to break the hold!
Knight and Irvine would then exchange elbows, with elbow after elbow, and after each successive move both fighters would considerably slow down and become more sluggish and stagger about. Irvine would go for a major wind-up and Knight would attempt to preempt him with a super-kick, but Irvine would duck and then as AJ turned around kick him in the gut and hook the leg for a Flawless Plex!!
1...
2...
3 - KICKOUT!
The fans were buzzing as Irvine sat up, breathing heavily as his midsection grew and sank with each inhale and exhale. He got up to his feet to go for the move again - but it was AJ who broke it one more time and bounced against the ropes to attempt Irvine's own running forearm smash - the Battle Cry! But Irvine ducked it and bounced against the ropes to truly show him how the Battle Cry was done, with his sleeve-covered elbow like a gun with one round left in the chamber ~ and then AJ super-kicked Irvine's Battle Cry arm!! Irvine would go down in a heap as he clutched the injured elbow again!
AJ roared with as he clinched his fists and he grabbed and extended Irvine's injured arm and removed the elbow sleeve! Fans would shriek in horror as AJ then locked on an armbar in the center of the ring! With both men exhausted and roaring in pain, the struggle continued...
Irvine groaned...
AJ roared...
Irvine kicked his feet, shut his eyes...
AJ wrenched the hold even tighter...
... something popped...
... and Irvine tapped out!! The bell sounds!
Both fighters were bereft of energy as they lay crumpled on the mat as ringside attendants surrounded them with icepacks. It would take seemingly two teams of doctors and nurses to drag the two fighters out of the ring and up the aisle. The onlooking fans knew from the match that had unfolded that while AJ Knight would limp away with the victory, there were no winners - only survivors - of the war that just occurred.
J1 SUMMIT 2024 - Grand Final: ZENKI vs. Tiger Mask Red
The grand final of the J1 SUMMIT 2024 was a match that had been building for weeks—a showdown between ZENKI and Tiger Mask Red, two of the most fearsome competitors in MAX-J. Other than AJ Knight and Alexander Irvine, who were still receiving medical attention, all of the wrestlers in the back had come out and were wearing MAX-J shirts and gym shorts as they sat in makeshift seats near ringside to watch what many are calling the most important moment in MAX-J history. The tension in the Mirai Dome was palpable as the match began, with the entire arena seemingly holding its collective breath in anticipation of the battle to come.
The fans knew that they would be in for something special before the match even began. When Demon Lord ZENKI emerged from the backstage and "VAJURA ON" played on the speakers and we saw a ZENKI that we had never seen before. His costume had the appearance of a lion, presumably to contrast the tiger aesthetic of his opponent, with many Demon Brigade fans claiming he undoubtedly had transformed into a komainu, the name for the lion-dog statues that guard Shinto temples. The Demon Brigade fans hailed the sight of Komainu ZENKI who they believed had been summoned to defend the entire nation of Japan as though the whole country were a temple. This new version of ZENKI was an extremely imposing presence as he stalked down the aisle and entered the ring and awaited his opponent.
Tiger Mask Red would not be outdone in terms of his entrance. As his music hit and he emerged, we witnessed a version of Tiger Mask Red that we had never seen before. This was a man seemingly decked out in armor and he appeared like a super-soldier entering the field of battle. His focus was absolutely intense, with his walk exuding a confidence that certainly matched that of his opponent. Along with Tiger Mask Red's family along with his Kurisutofā Akihiko stood clapping at ringside as the all-world fighter approach and he could be heard hailing the arrival of Warrior-King Tiger Mask Red.
The attention would be directed to inside the ring as GM Masaaki Sano stood in the center and addressed the fans, thanking them all for their passion and also thanking the fighters for an incredible tournament. He gestured toward the J1 SUMMIT trophy and wished ZENKI and Tiger Mask Red well and that they would fight with all of their heart and soul and show the world the power of pro-wrestling.
As each fighter was announced, the fans would throw streamers in the air - black streamers for ZENKI and orange streamers for Tiger Mask Red - not only symbolizing the strongest colors of the two fighters but also the colors of MAX-J. Once the ringside attendants would clear the ring of all debris, the match would begin as the bell sounded!
The match started with both men feeling each other out, exchanging stiff kicks and strikes as they sought to gain the upper hand. Tiger Mask Red, known for his brutal and unforgiving style, targeted ZENKI's legs early on, trying to wear down the Demon Lord and limit his mobility. ZENKI, however, was prepared for this tactic, using his speed and agility to evade Tiger Mask Red's strikes and he would counter by attempting to score a takedown and cut the larger opponent down to size. However, Tiger Mask Red was ready. The fans would applaud the efforts of both fighter as they both attempted to reset.
Eventually, ZENKI would shoot and snag a leg and then push Tiger Mask Red onto his back, allowing ZENKI to leap into a mount where he would attempt to lock in an armbar. However, Tiger Mask Red wouldn't allow it and ZENKI would eventually roll backward and get up to his feet - only to see Tiger Mask Red rush forward with a Boma Ye ~ but ZENKI would duck and roll out of the ring to avoid the maneuver.
A pacing ZENKI would cautiously climb back onto the apron, watching carefully for Tiger Mask Red to bum rush him. ZENKI would slowly enter the ring and the two fighters would reset once again. A collar-and-elbow tie-up favored Tiger Mask Red who locked in a headlock. ZENKI would try to push him away but the headlock would be wrenched in incredibly tight. The slippery ZENKI would slip out and then leap into the air to hit an enzuigiri to the back of Tiger Mask Red's skull! ~ But the move had very little effect! Tiger Mask Red simply turned around. Some fans in the crowd credited the armor-like uniform that this "Warrior-King" variant of Tiger Mask Red wore, noting that he had certainly come ready to the fight.
Tiger Mask Red would stalk ZENKI, attempting to corner him in a turnbuckle and managed to succeed. As ZENKI attempted to drop and slither out of the ring, Tiger Mask Red would snatch his hair and prevent him from doing so, keeping him on his feet and putting him down with a thundrous elbow strike! Tiger Mask Red would pepper ZENKI with soccer kicks to the body. The Demon Lord covered up to block some of the blows, but this would only lead Tiger Mask Red to attempt to pounce down upon him ~ but ZENKI was ready and caught him with a triangle choke hold!
ZENKI would have the hold wrenched tight as Tiger Mask was still standing on his feet. Tiger Mask Red would attempt to lift him up for a powerbomb a couple times, but couldn't quite pull it off, no doubt the toll of the many matches of the J1 SUMMIT being shown on display. Unable to lift ZENKI, Tiger Mask Red dragged the smaller ZENKI far enough so that with his free arm he could grab a rope and force ZENKI to break the hold.
ZENKI would break the hold but then he would kick the legs out from under Tiger Mask Red and then jump on the fighter - but Tiger Mask Red with his strength would buck him off! ZENKI would run against the ropes and attempt a shotei ~ but he would miss and Tiger Mask Red would catch him square with a uranage! He'd go for a pin and get a two-count as ZENKI rolled away quickly.
Tiger Mask Red would follow up on the offense by hitting a boot to the face of a downed ZENKI that left the Demon Lord stunned. Tiger Mask Red would use the opportunity to attempt a German suplex, but ZENKI would hook his leg around Tiger Mask Red and then spin around to gather his own rear waistlock. ZENKI would begin to lift Tiger Mask Red as the fans ooooooh'd, but Tiger Mask Red would kick vigorously and ZENKI would lose control and have to set him down. ZENKI would then jump up and hit another enzuigiri to the back of Tiger Mask Red's skull, and this one seemed to achieve more effect as Tiger Mask Red stumbled forward! ZENKI would hit another enzuigiri! Another! Another! Another! Another ~ Tiger Mask Red would side-step and put a big boot up and catch the flying ZENKI right in the midsection!
Picking up the Demon Lord from the ground, Tiger Mask Red would once again go for the rear waistlock and then slam ZENKI on the back of his head for a German suplex hold!
1...
2...
3-NO!
With ZENKI stunned, Tiger Mask Red would crouch behind him and attempt a Boma Ye with the knee aimed for the back of ZENKI's head - but seemingly with a sixth sense, ZENKI would duck the move and Tiger Mask Red would fly over him. As Tiger Mask Red got to his feet, ZENKI rushed forward with his crushing diving shoulder block - ZANBATOOOOOOH! - and the incredible velocity combine with ZENKI's stout 215lb frame would send Tiger Mask Red flying into a turnbuckle, with many noting once again that the match might have been over if Tiger Mask Red's custom-designed "Warrior-King" suit had not been able to absorb some of the impact.
With momentum on his side, ZENKI kicked Tiger Mask Red in the gut a few times in the corner and sat him on the top turnbuckle. The fans were now on their feet with anticipation and the Demon Brigade fans were yelling out "kill him now!" in Japanese. ZENKI would ascend to the top rope with him but Tiger Mask Red would recover and shove him away! ZENKI would land on his feet, but Tiger Mask Red would leap forward and finally he would land a DIVING BOMA YE! The move sent ZENKI flying and Tiger Mask Red crawed over for the cover!
1...
2...
3!! WAIT! Zenki would just barely get the shoulder up.
"GO TIGER GO!" would be a chant come up through the crowd, with many fans on the foreigner's side. This would prompt the Demon Brigade to start a "ZENKI BOM-BA-YE!" chant as they clapped their hands to overpower the other fans in the crowd. The other MAX-J wrestlers at ringside were talking strategy with one another, pointing in the ring, but also still mesmerized by the action.
The fighters in the ring were of course seemingly oblivious to the chaos going on outside. The exhausted fighters would clamber up to their feet and ZENKI would hit a standing palm strike to Tiger Mask Red's masked face! Tiger Mask Red would respond with a stiff chop to ZENKI's chest! Palm strike! Chop! Palm strike! Chop! Palm strike! Chop! Palm strike ~ and Tiger Mask Red would stagger back a bit and this would allow ZENKI to gain some momentum and - ZANBATOOOOOOOH PART TWO - would see Tiger Mask Red drop to the mat in the center of the ring!
ZENKI would sit up Tiger Mask Red and then drop him back down as he locked in an arm triangle chokehold once again! Tiger Mask Red groaned in pain as ZENKI sunk the hooks in deeper. However, the larger fighter would find a way once more to get a foot on the ropes. ZENKI would delay breaking the hold by a few moments, squeezing every last ounce of advantage, before finally breaking off the hold as the ref admonished him. ZENKI would snatch Tiger Mask Red by the head and stand him up but knee him in the gut and lock him in a front face lock and attempt a suplex. Tiger Mask Re would kick a bit... but ZENKI like a Japanese Hercules lifted him up and dropped him with a VERTICAL-DROP BRAINBUSTER! He'd cover for the pin!!
1...
2...
3 - WAIT!! Tiger Mask Red's rather overworked foot would once again find itself draped along the bottom rope.
ZENKI would sit up and seemingly argue with the referee a bit with some frustration but to no sympathy. ZENKI would snatch up a fistful of mask of Tiger Mask Red and lock in the gutwrench - omigod the ZENKI BOMB! - but Tiger Mask Red would not allow it and power out of the move, hitting ZENKI with a Mongolian Chop that spun him around and capturing both arms - TIGER SUPLEX!!!! The hold is bridged!!!
1...
2...
"3!!!!!"
WAIT!!! The fans yelled "3!!!!!" but the referee's hand had not hit the mat because he noticed that while ZENKI's shoulders were still pinned to the mat, the force of the move had sent his feet into the ropes. Tiger Mask Red kept the hold bridged as the referee attempting to communicate to him that the pin was invalid. Eventually, Tiger Mask Red broke the hold and with agitation yelled at the referee who pointed to ZENKI, who was laying on his face and his feet still caught on the ropes.
Whether things were still lost in translation or not, Tiger Mask Red proceeded to drag ZENKI from the ropes and lock in a Tiger-style double-underhook camel clutch in the middle of the ring! With nowhere to go ZENKI roared in pain as he vigorously shook his head as the ref asked him if he wanted to give up!
Tiger Mask Red stretched the hold even tighter, placing his weight firmly down on the small of ZENKI's back...
"ZEN-KI! GAN-BAT-TE! ZEN-KI! GAN-BAT-TE!" The Demon Brigade fans telling ZENKI to try his hardest caused the Demon Lord to wiggle a bit and somehow muscle his arms forward to break the hold, causing him to fall face first on the mat! Tiger Mask Red would also fall atop him and ZENKI would slide out from behind him! ZENKI would run against the ropes and go for a running shotei ~ swing and a miss ~ and Tiger Mask Red would run against the ropes ~ and ZENKI would preempt him with an abdominal stretch! ZENKI would send repeated elbows into the midsection of Tiger Mask Red, pummeling the Warrior-King costume, and then lock in the gutwrench and lift him up for the powerbomb - ZENKI BOMB!!!!!!
1...
2...
"3!!!!!!"
NO!! Tiger Mask Red kicked out as the Demon Brigade fans shout of "3!!!!!" could not convince the referee otherwise. As ZENKI laid down on his back, the announcer's table broadcast throughout the arena that we had hit the thirty-minute mark of the match, which being a tournament final would have no time limit. For the fighters in the ring, time seemed to stand still because neither one of them moved from the canvas for quite some time. "GO TIGER!" "OKIRO ("wake up") ZENKI!" dueled throughout the arena as the fans would continue to shout to inspire the two fighters.
Simultaneously they would stir and stumble, both men doubled over trying to catch their breath. ZENKI would go for a kick to the gut and attempt to whip Tiger Mask Red across the ring, but the beast also known as Kalidah would reverse it and send ZENKI who would come back around and go upstairs into a fireman's carry and then brought down for a Go 2 Sleep!!!!! ZENKI's head would be thrown back from the force of the maneuver as he would crumple to the canvas! Tiger Mask Red would stumble back into the turnbuckle, every breath a gigantic one as he attempted to right himself but to no avail, simply gassed at this point.
ZENKI would begin to stir, and at this moment Tiger Mask Red would rush from behind ~ BOMA YE KNEE to the back of ZENKI's head! Tiger Mask Red would go for the cover!!!
1...
2...
"3!!!!!!!"
NO - ARE YOU SERIOUS?! ZENKI's shoulder would get up at the nick of time as several Demon Brigade fans somehow survived the near-death experience of thinking that ZENKI had lost it all and those rooting for Tiger Mask Red buried their heads in their hands as once again ZENKI had found a way to pull himself back from the brink. The MAX-J sponsored fighters were also in shock, many of them standing on their feet with their mouths agape in amazement.
Tiger Mask Red sat up for a few moments before laying down for a few more and then finally rolling himself toward the ropes where could get up with their assistance. For a few moments he stood there with his hands on his hips looking at the downed Demon Lord, seemingly contemplating what more he needed to do to put his opponent down.
With his mind made up, Tiger Mask Red grabbed a fistfull of the Komainu lion mane and put ZENKI in powerbomb position in the center of the ring. He then hooked the arms, no doubt intending to set him up for the Tiger Driver '91!!!! Tiger Mask Red would have him in position, take a breath ~ BUT ZENKI'S ARMS SLIPPED AWAY!! ZENKi would grab the ankles of Tiger Mask Red and take his legs out from under him, knocking the wind out of him as Tiger Mask Red fell on his back! ZENKI would then put those legs in a pretzel and wrench him over into the CLOVER LEAF WITH THE HEEL HOOK locked in place! THE NETHERLOCK! THE NETHERLOCK!!!!
The fans were screaming as they'd seen this move end so many matches in the J1 SUMMIT thus far and now ZENKI had the hold wrenched on tight in the center of the ring! ZENKI would lean back, further applying pressure to not only the spine of Tiger Mask Red but also wrenching back on the heel of Tiger Mask Red! Tiger Mask Red would groan in pain...
... he'd struggle..
... he'd grasp for the ropes... clawing at the canvas...
... ZENKI would lose his balance a bit and step backward...
... Tiger Mask Red claw again, inching just a bit more forward...
... ZENKI would back up again...
... Tiger Mask Red would stretch out his arm...
... ZENKI would back up again...
... AND THEN ZENKI WOULD WALK FORWARD! DRAGGING TIGER MASK RED BACK TO THE CENTER OF THE RING!
... Tiger Mask Red would reach out...
... struggling...
... as ZENKI would tighten the hold but also take a couple steps backward to center himself once again, getting closer to the ropes once more...
... Tiger Mask Red would reach out...
... AND THEN TIGER MASK RED WOULD TAP OUT!!! THE BELL SOUNDS!!!
ZENKI would topple over to the canvas and both men would lie there for several minutes. ZENKI's fellow Demon Brigade stablemates - Hayato Hamada, Jin Hirai, Kenzo Hirata, and Shigeru Toyama would rush into the ring to greet their victorious but exhausted leader. Likewise, Tiger Mask Red's family seated at ringside would be allowed to enter into the ring to assist the medical staff who were checking him out.
As the Demon Brigade members would get ZENKI up to his feet, the Demon Lord raised a triumphant fist in the air to the roar of the fans! After seven long years and being the first runner-up of the J1 SUMMIT losing to Mike Musket, who could be seen giving ZENKI a standing ovation in applause, ZENKI had avoided being upset by a foreigner once again and had finally won the J1 SUMMIT! As ZENKI ascended the turnbuckle, Hikaru Yamada led the ringside attendants to bring the J1 SUMMIT 2024 trophy into the ring.
It would be Kenzo Hirata, the newest member of Shin Demon Brigade, who also handed ZENKI a flag of Japan, and the cameras would light up to see ZENKI pose with the trophy while waving the flag. But after the photos, ZENKI wasn't finished. With the flag still in hand, he stepped out of the ring and made his way into the crowd, where the Demon Brigade fans eagerly awaited him. He embraced them and waved the flag as they knelt before him and he then commanded them to stand and join him in celebration! The Demon Brigade zealots danced with excitement and eventually they hoisted Demon Lord ZENKI onto their shoulders as they paraded him around the arena as they celebrated his triumph, a victory that transcended pro-wrestling and on this night, a victory for all of Japan as ZENKI proudly waved the nation's flag as the cameras faded to black.
POST-SHOW FALLOUT
With the J1 SUMMIT 2024 tour finally over, GM Masaaki "Genki" Sano would give a press conference were he once again thanked the fighters, the fans, and all of the trainers and staff for what he could confirm was the largest success in the history of MAX-J. In particular, he was overjoyed that at no point was there ever any allegations or suspicions of foul play during the tournament, something he appreciated dearly.
He ended the press conference by stating that this tour was personal for him, as he has spent nearly five years attempting to atone for MAX-J never properly concluding the 2019 TOUKON ROAD super-tour. He said there were moments when he had given up thinking he would ever be able to erase that black mark from his name, and that when the 4536 Group offered him the role of being the GM of the MAX-J brand, he hoped and prayed that one day he'd get an opportunity to do something great. After a year at the helm and all the time spent organizing the J1 SUMMIT 2024, with the immense success of the tournament he declared MAX-J's honor officially restored.
ZENKI and the Demon Brigade zealots were seemingly up all night, celebrating all throughout downtown Tokyo - in joyous spirits while also being very careful to pick up after themselves and never leave a mess. The camera crews followed them as ZENKI led them on a journey to the Meiji Jingu shrine in Shibuya where many prayers were said and the highest respect was paid to the Emperor and the gods that protect Japan.
Standing before the thousands of his followers, ZENKI told the Demon Brigade fans that their piety had been rewarded and the spirits had assisted them to defeat the invaders. He said that he could not have achieved this victory without their support and that together they had assembled a fighting force of which their ancestors would be proud. ZENKI would end his speech proclaiming that while the time in the future would one day arrive again to defend the nation, for the first time in many years, Japan was now safe.
SUMMARY OF RESULTS
J1 SUMMIT - Day 9
Date: 8/30/2024
Location: Mirai Dome, Tokyo, Japan
Date: 8/30/2024
Location: Mirai Dome, Tokyo, Japan
Attendance: 20,500 fans
1. Takasha Yamashita and Il Ladro defeat Jimmy Winner and NEXUS (10:53) via pinfall when Yamashita uses the Prosperous Weapon on Winner.
2. Rhythm Saitoh defeast Jin Hirai (9:56) via pinfall after hitting the Edo Fermata.
3. Ryan Samuels and David Troy vs. Hiroyuki Fukudome and Shinzo Takamori (11:12) via pinfall after Troy uses the Rough Divide on Takamori.
4. Kenzo Hirata, Akira Nakamura, and Shigeru Toyama vs. Eiichiro Yamazaki, Balloon Yamazaki, and Dark Feather II (12:47) when Shigeru Toyama pins Eiichiro Yamazaki after Hirata uses a snap powerbomb.
5. #1 Contender for World Jr. Heavyweight Tag Team Championship: Thunder Mask and SANGRE defeat El Refresco IV and Satoshi Kamakura (16:20) via submission when SANGRE uses a chicken-wing sleeper camel clutch on El Refresco IV.
6. Fighting Spirit Invitational: Katsuhiko Himura defeats Earth Warrior (17:34) via pinfall after Himura uses a wrist-clutch Northern Lights Bomb.
7. J1 SUMMIT 2024 - 3rd Place Match: AJ Knight defeats Alexander Irvine (19:25) via submission with a cross armbreaker.
8. J1 SUMMIT 2024 - Grand Final: ZENKI defeats Tiger Mask Red (34:41) via submission with the Netherlock.