All Japan Women's update (2005/03/29)

[Hisaharu Tanabe]

Though it was reported on Japanese sports paper websites that All Japan Women's Pro-Wrestling was closing after March 29th, it is now reported on AJW's official site that they will have the April 17 show at Kourakuen Hall as scheduled.

After this card, however, Takashi Matsunaga, founder and chairman, will resign.

Hopefully, this is an indication of a new owner taking the company over.

[Daishikaze]

Actually, the 17th will be there final show. AJW will be no more unfortunately.

[BadNews]

For shame...

[Hisaharu Tanabe]

Actually, the 17th will be there final show. AJW will be no more unfortunately.

Probably so, but they haven't made it official yet.

[Tradewynd]

I would feel sorry for the girls, but if the DSE rumors are true they'll be better off in HUSTLE anyway. Bigger crowds and bigger paydays, not mention more room for advancement for the young girls. Yingling is HUSTLE's biggest star. Everyone that picks up a puro or fight magazine knows what HUSTLE is, what it's about and who their girls are. They get more media attention than New Japan these days. No one in the puro mainstream has any idea what has been happening over the last few years in Zenjyo.

How many garage shows does it take to sell as many tickets as a HUSTLE House event anyway? These girls are going to become mainstream puro stars, and get better paydays on top of it.

Of course, if Zenjyo would have expanded into escort services instead of restaurants, they would be making more money than PRIDE.

[Daishikaze]

Well, I've read that each of the girls will announce their future plans at the last show.

[Tradition Rules]

Well, I've read that each of the girls will announce their future plans at the last show.

I've read this as well, as some may not want to work HUSTLE. And since the comapny has NOT been actually been purchased by ZERO-ONE MAX, they are just helping co-promote the last show (boy, Zenjyo must REALLY be hurting to need help promoting their farewell show), we'll see how many work in HUSTLE & how frequently.





I've also read that 68 yr old Takashi Matsunaga did not want to do a "wholesale" of the company, so dissolution will take place instead and Kumiko Maekawa is expected to keep the WWWA Belt (I wonder about the Tag Titles?) after the the 04/17/05 show and possibly defend against Nanae Takahasi in June in a different promotion. Credit THAT info to Zach Arnold.

I wonder if the title(s) will become "floater" titles defended indifferent promotions? As I've said before, maybe we'll get lucky and see many of the freelancers work mostly for one company and see that company become "major league" quality again. I hope they can get all the still active past major stars of AJWPW (Toyota, Mita, Kyoko & Takao,Shimoda Aja) and some others (Ozaki and her OZ Acadamy crew, Azumi Hyuga) work the last show at Korakuen Hall and I hope it gets taped. That will be one to get on tape or DVD.

T.R!

[Daishikaze]

Supposedly Zenjo has asked all Old Girls to come and work on the last show as well. that might be interesting to see

[Hisaharu Tanabe]

I've also read that 68 yr old Takashi Matsunaga did not want to do a "wholesale" of the company, so dissolution will take place instead and Kumiko Maekawa is expected to keep the WWWA Belt (I wonder about the Tag Titles?) after the the 04/17/05 show and possibly defend against Nanae Takahasi in June in a different promotion. Credit THAT info to Zach Arnold.

It was Masatsugu Matsunaga, one of the brothers, who wanted to keep the Zenjo name.

During the press conference, Takashi sounded like he wouldn't mind closing the promotion while Masatsugu continuously said that he wanted to keep it going "if at least one wrestler wants to follow the company".

Credit: Nikkan Sports

[Pheonix_Chi25]

If I had the money, or a million backers Japanese and American, I'd buy Zenjo and keep it running.

I feel bad because this, and with GAEA closing (or will it?), you will have a lot of Joshi performers out of work or, heavens forbid, Trying to get into the WWE to be something they are not or perform a way they never learned to perform. I hope someone buys Zenjo and keep it running.

[Daishikaze]

If I had the power I would go back in time to make sure they don't make the mistakes they made that put them in this position in the first place.

[Toan]

It is tragic that joshi puroresu finds itself in this predicament... I mean you can only imagine how many people's careers and how many people's dreams of ever having anything to do with puroresu are going to be affected.

I wish that some of the bigger companies had themselves a joshi division... that way they'd have somewhere to go.

[Pheonix_Chi25]

As much as New Japan or NOAH probably would be against it, they should start a Joshi division or a Joshi fed. New Japan Women, Women of The Ark, I'd like the sound of it. What ever happened to M'style? I'd like it if a miracle happens because if not, you will have many of these girls who are big names in Japan trying to get Vince McMahon to sign them and add to the T and A that they really are not.

This is why I wish (NWA)TNA would start a Women's division.

[Tradewynd]

M's Style was only scheduled to run 5 shows, and is not a full blown promotion. Who knows if it will continue beyond that.

The WWE will not sign joshi workers because they will greatly expose the entire women's division, even Trish Stratus. She's got TV matches down, but she hasn't been taught how to work 10 minute matches, let alone 20 minute matches. That was why the WWE turned their nose up at Ayako and Takako but pay Hiroko over $200,000 to do absolutely nothing, because she doesn't expose the women's division. There was also a rumor about concern that the Japanese chicks would either stiff the hell out of them and not be able to communicate in the ring.

Women's division in TNA? With who exactly? It's not like there are ton of good looking chicks who can wrestle available.

I don't see any traditional major company ever considering a joshi division or seperate joshi promotion. Beyond traditional values which dominate the management in puro companies, there is the question of how well it would draw and who will lose their spot to make room for a joshi division. It probably wouldn't draw that well anyway.

HUSTLE is really the only viable alternative for girls right now. HUSTLE's joshi division is starting to pick up, with Yingling looking for Amazons who don't look like Amazons fighting the good fight against Aja Kong's ugliness and with the influx of other great joshi performers like Arisin Z, formerly known as Ayako Hamada, HUSTLE clearly has Vince Russo's understanding of how to utilize women on a wrestling show. Like it or not, barring a miracle HUSLTE is the future of joshi puro.

[Daishikaze]

If Hustle is the future, then Joshi is officially dead.