Why Ayako has the red belt

[frankp316]

Last Sunday at AJW's 35th anniversary show at Yokohama, Ayako Hamada
won the WWWA Singles Title from Nomoe Nakanishi. This was unexpected
because we all thought that backstage politics wouldn't allow it. Now
that it's happened, we're trying to figure out why it happened and
what AJW is up to. Eventually we'll get to the bottom of this but
here are a few possible theories.

1.Hiroshi Ogawa on the outs-ARSION owner Hiroshi Ogawa has also been
managing AJW since early 2002. At the time, I thought that the two
companies would merge. That never happened and though there has been
some crossover, both companies continue to operate separately. Both
are very low on talent and are in financial trouble. The talent
defections have really hurt AJW. These problems have all occured on
Ogawa's watch. Last Sunday's show was the first indication that the
Matsunagas are tiring of Ogawa's act. The thinking is that if Ogawa
was really in charge, there's no way Ayako Hamada or Michiko Ohmukai
would have got over because he has personal issues with them. It
remains to be seen if Ogawa is out. There's been no announcement yet.

2.Consolidation-I am one of many joshi fans that would like to see
fewer joshi companies. If All Japan's plans to start another joshi
company with Michiko Ohmukai probably being the cornerstone of the
promotion becomes reality, we'll have eight companies. That's way too
many for the fanbase they have. With the exception of GAEA, they're
all losing money but the smaller feds like LLPW & JWP have been
incredibly stubborn in surviving. Certainly consolidation would be
welcome but I doubt it will happen.

3.Ayako Hamada to defend the red belt overseas-I thought this was
just talk when Ayako first said it at last Saturday's press
conference. When she said it again after she won the belt, it was
obvious that she was told to say that. Remember that the belt is
defended in Japan only a handful of times annually. This was Momoe's
third title defense this year. It is likely that is about how many
times Ayako will defend it for AJW for the rest of the year. She
already has tours to the US & Mexico planned so there is obviously
something to this theory. But because Ayako is a freelancer, she's
unlikely to work for AJW unless she's defending the belt. I just
don't understand how this is supposed to benefit AJW. We don't know
what they were thinking and until we do, this is very puzzling.

4.Chigusa is behind it-Ayako also said she would defend the red belt
in GAEA so some have thought that Chigusa Nagayo was behind a last
minute decision to have a title change. If there were some GAEA
wrestlers on the show, I could go along with it. But Chigusa has
shown that she doesn't want to do business with any of the other
companies so I doubt that this is true. I do agree that the notion of
Ayako defending the belt in GAEA is intriguing. Imagine what Ayako
Hamada vs Manami Toyota belt vs belt would draw. Throw Momoe
Nakanishi & Meiko Satomura into that mix and it could be very
interesting. That's only if you buy into the consolidation theory.

These are the theories that have been suggested by joshi fans and I
just thought it would be good to put them all together. Maybe you
have some ideas of your own. Just run them up the flagpole and see if
anyone salutes.

[Pheonix_Chi25]

Very interesting indeed.

I don't think Nagayo is behind it or would Ogawa would try to screw the Matsunaga's, but never say never.

But it is funny that former ARSION Champion, and GAEA member, Hamada would win the belt, and you have Omukai, who I believe is still an ARSION member, on the Zenjo roster as well. I noticed Zenjo brought back Emi (Motokawa) as well.

[delfinkid]

>and you have Omukai, who I believe is still an ARSION member

Omukai announced her departure from Arsion on 02/11/03.

[Hisaharu Tanabe]

Ayako is now listed as a wrestler for "Shinma Office". I could be wrong, but I believe that's her management office (not a wrestling promotion).

Gran Hamada has had a very strong relationship with the Shinma Family for many years. In most cases, Hamada has been just about anywhere Hisashi Shinma tells him to go.

[Pheonix_Chi25]

Originally posted by Hisaharu Tanabe
Ayako is now listed as a wrestler for "Shinma Office". I could be wrong, but I believe that's her management office (not a wrestling promotion).

Gran Hamada has had a very strong relationship with the Shinma Family for many years. In most cases, Hamada has been just about anywhere Hisashi Shinma tells him to go.

So what do you think Hisa, should Ayako join All Japan and leave GAEA behind, or continue to remain a freelancer? Personally I'd wish she would join GAEA. And also, is it safe to say that ARSION is all but dead?

PS To Delfinkid: Thanks for the update, domo arigato.