[Michinoku] new title to be created (2002/06/18)

[Hisaharu Tanabe]

Michinoku Pro announced that it would start a tournament for a newly created "Northeastern Junior Heavyweight Title". This will be the first title ever to be recognized and controlled by the promotion. The 16-man league (round-robin tournament) will be held between 7/20 and 8/25. The participants include The Great Sasuke, Tiger Mask, Dick Togo, Masao Orihara, Ikuto Hidaka, Curryman, Pentagon Black, Gran Naniwa, etc.

[El Negro Magnifico]

That'll be somethin' to watch!

[Sean Kassai]

The tournament already sounds like it will be a classic. I just wish that Michinoku Pro would put out DVD's of events like this that could hold all matches unclipped (like a double dvd set).

[Peru-Yakuza]

I just hope he gives it to Tiger Mask and QUITS pushing himself...

But then what would happen with the NWA middleweight title?

[Acid Relapse]

Give it to Tiger Mask!! He deserves it more than anyone else in the company.

[dynamitekidfan]

I really look forward to the tournament for this new title. Tiger Mask winning this sounds like a good idea. I don' think Sasuke will book himself to win this one. But you never know with Sasuke.

By the way, I've heard Gran Hamada isn't in this tournament. That's somewhat of a disappointment.

[TRZZXQ]

Hey, he's the world's greatest 52 year old cruiserweight-I have no problem with Gran Hamada taking a break now and then.

[dynamitekidfan]

Yeah, you're right about that.

And especially in a tournament like this. He would have to wrestle 15 matches in about 30 days. Gran Hamada can still be excellent in the ring. But, at his age you can't expect him to be excellent on an almost daily basis.

[Joe Super]

Hamada is amazing for his age, still in good shape.

[EnigmaDragon]

wow i didn't know Hamada was really that old, i imagined him being in the earily 40s

[The Franceman]

and he procreated Ayako Hamada

[Hisaharu Tanabe]

I believe Hamada and Pogo were the first trainees of New Japan.

[Peru-Yakuza]

Originally posted by Hisaharu Tanabe
I believe Hamada and Pogo were the first trainees of New Japan.

What about Fujiwara?

[Rex Idol]

So, any word on who won this tourney?

[Hisaharu Tanabe]

Dick Togo defeated Tiger Mask in 16-man league final on 8/25 in Sendai to become the first champ.

Originally posted by Peru-Yakuza
What about Fujiwara?

Probably not from the beginning. Hamada and Pogo were already listed on the very first program of New Japan (tour from March,'72), but Fujiwara's name is still not listed for the November tour. He's shown in a group pic on the program for the Jan '72 tour.