Kojima's indy title

[Aveburian Knight CMD]

Has anyone heard if Kojima defeated Vampiro to retain the MLW title? Also if Kojima is touring with the MLW is he going to be able to get back into the AJ tag title picture?

[OldSchoolFan]

It's not really a tour. All it is, is 1 shot and then fly back home. MLW just runs once a month so I'd hardly classify them as tours.

[AdamPryde]

Kojima beat Vampiro to retain his MLW Heavyweight title....

[Flipsyde]

Mike Awesome also beat Jerry Lynn to become the #1 Contender to the MLW Heavyweight Title. Not to mention that, from what I read at Strong Style Spirit, Mike Awesome or shall I say The Gladiator as he is calling himself in Japan again, is getting a Triple Crown Title shot at the first AJPW show in January.

Seems like both promotions are giving Gladiator/Awesome the ball and all he gotta do is run with it. I don't know about anyone else but he is a diamond in the rough in my eyes. Seems like Paul Heyman in ECW was the only person who saw that (and of course Atsushi Onita in FMW). I hope he gets his due.

[EvilMidnightBomber]

At the very least, Muta vs. Gladiator will be something fresh. I don't know about you all, but I could stand a break from the usual Tenyru vs. Mutoh/a stuff. Besides, I think Awesome will fit in well in All-Japan, maybe in a Steve Williams kind of role.

[Shepster]

I do think Awesome will do well, but if history has shown us anything it's that he really needs willing opponents. Kojima would be a great match, but I have my reservtions over Mutoh. I just see it being more than likely that he'll be on the lazier side of his game as Awesome isn't a top name.

[Aveburian Knight CMD]

I feel for Kea during all of this. It appeared that MLW was working with AJ to set up/preview a Kea vs. Kojima series matchup (that could have been for the Triple Crown if Mutoh decided to push the younger talent); however, with the injury to Kea, that plan goes to pot. It looks like AJ is trying right their ship by using MLW (if that was their real plan).

[El Fiasco]

I could see Mutoh using Awesome as W-1 fodder...Goldberg v.s. the Gladiator seems like his kind of thing.

[jstonek]

question,

why kojima "defends" the mlw title on the all japan show does all japan make any mention of it.

[EvilMidnightBomber]

question, why kojima "defends" the mlw title on the all japan show does all japan make any mention of it

Well, maybe someone knows more details than I do, but All Japan and MLW have a working agreement. All Japan lends several workers to MLW for it's shows (Kojima, Kea, Awesome, Williams, etc..). It's gives their workers some more exposure here in the States in the event that AJ is able to run a show in the US. Letting Kojima defend the title on AJ shows gives some credibility to MLW's title and gives Kojima a little more credibility as a TC challenger.

Although, at the Excite Series kickoff show, he's set to defend the belt against John Tenta! In the main event!! What is Mutoh smoking?!?!

[jamiemorrisx]

Not to be to disrespectful to MLW, but does it really matter? As someone mentioned they put on one show a month. Most folks don't even know it exists so why should it be mentioned? It really does nothing for All Japan.

[TRZZXQ]

Originally posted by EvilMidnightBomber
Although, at the Excite Series kickoff show, he's set to defend the belt against John Tenta! In the main event!! What is Mutoh smoking?!?!

....and what's wrong with John Tenta?

[jamiemorrisx]

Nothing is wrong with him.....10 years ago.

[Aveburian Knight CMD]

Think of it this way. Tenta is well known in the US/N. American market. For Kojima to pick up a victory over Tenta, it could be seen as a "big name" victory for the champion.

[Haiku Warrior]

John Tenta? Wasn't that guy Golga from the Oddities?