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Media Advisory
DON "THE ROCK" MURACO AND MASAHIRO CHONO ANNOUNCE HAWAI`I-JAPAN PRO WRESTLING ALLIANCE AT PRESS CONFERENCE FRIDAY, JULY 25
WHAT:
On Friday, July 25, wrestling legend Don "The Rock" Muraco,
commissioner of Hawai`i Championship Wrestling (HCW), and Masahiro Chono,
spokesman and champion of New Japan Pro Wrestling, will announce a new
alliance between their two promotions. The alliance holds deep historical
significance for both federations, and also reflects HCW's mission: a
return to the old-school, "strong style" fighting spirit of
professional wrestling, and the restoration of honor to a sport once beloved
by the ali`i, or kings, of Hawai`i.
In the first Hawai`i-Japan wrestling event in 20 years, the stars of HCW will defend their Kamehameha Heritage heavyweight and Kekaulike tag team title belts against New Japan, the largest promotion in that country. Battle Hawai`i 2003 is set for Saturday, July 26 at Hawaiian Waters Adventure Park on the island of O`ahu.
WHO:
Don Muraco, HCW president Linda Bade, HCW Heavyweight Champion Lopaka,
and New Japan superstar Masahiro Chono will discuss plans and expectations
for their new affiliation. Other New Japan stars Jushin "Thunder"
Liger, Tiger Mask IV, and Yuji Nagata will also be present at the conference.
Translators will be on hand.
WHEN:
Friday, July 26, at 10:00 AM
WHERE:
Japanese Cultural Center, 5th Floor Conference Room
2454 South Beretania, Honolulu, HI
CONTACT:
Hawai`i Championship Wrestling
http://www.808hcw.com
Linda Bade, President
Tel: 808/841-2621
Cell: 808/372-8222
wrestlinghawaii@yahoo.com
Caroline Wright, Publicist
Tel: 808/622-1077
Cell: 808/330-9156
c@wrightforyou.com
-------
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Linda Bade, 808/841-2621 or wrestlinghawaii@yahoo.com
Caroline Wright, 808/622-1077 or c@wrightforyou.com
MASA CHONO TO WRESTLE IN HAWAI`I
O`ahu wrestling federation will defend heavyweight and tag team belts
in battle with New Japan Pro Wrestling
A Honolulu wrestling promotion is preparing for an invasion by Japanese wrestling legend Masahiro Chono and other stars from New Japan Pro Wrestling.
Hawai`i Championship Wrestling (HCW) will defend its Kamehameha Heritage heavyweight title belts from the Japanese promotion in Battle Hawai`i 2003. The fierce midsummer match is set for July 26 at Hawaiian Waters Adventure Park on the island of O`ahu.
Wrestling is wildly popular in Japan, and Masa Chono, former NWA heavyweight champion and IWGP heavyweight and tag team champion, is a star of the sport and spokesman for New Japan Pro Wrestling. Jushin "Thunder" Liger, Tiger Mask IV, Yuji Nagata, and Chono himself will represent New Japan at the three-hour O`ahu extravaganza.
According to HCW commissioner and co-founder Don "The Rock" Muraco, several special matches have been added to the undercard, the first half of the program leading up to the main event matches, for this unique Hawai`i-Japan showdown. HCW's emerging tag team champions, to be determined in an eagerly anticipated July 6th tournament, will defend their titles against the NJPW's masked duo, "Thunder" Liger and Tiger Mask IV.
In the grand finale, Lopaka, the HCW wrestler who recently fought an exhaustive battle against a dozen members of his own federation for the right to wear the heavyweight belt, will meet the legendary Japanese wrestler in defense of his title.
Battle Hawai`i 2003 will begin at 6:00 PM Saturday, July 26, at Hawaiian Waters Adventure Park on the island of O`ahu. Admission for the wrestling match only is $50; admission for dinner, waterpark rides, and the wrestling match is $100. This match is being sponsored by radio station KPOI/FM 97.5, Pepsi, Kinki Nippon Tourist, and Wrestling Hawai`i on Oceanic/Time Warner television. Tickets are available through HCW at 808/841-2621 or at Tower Records. For information, visit http://www.808hcw.com.
###
HAWAI`I CHAMPIONSHIP WRESTLING
Kamehameha Heritage Heavyweight Championship
RANKINGS REPORT
This past Saturday was a very historic night for HCW! Over 130 local
wrestling fans gathered at the E-Club at Kaneohe Marine Corps Base to
witness the crowning of our VERY FIRST HCW Hawaii Heavyweight Champion
in
honor of King Kamehameha I.
At the beginning of the event, HCW's guest of honor, Bill Apter from
Total
Wrestling Magazine, presented HCW Commissioner Don Muraco with the very
first Total Wrestling Magazine Legend Award, to a standing ovation! Another
first for HCW!
Then, 15th ranked Lopaka of The Nightmarchers made his way to the ring,
along with his Tag Team partner, the #2 ranked Ahuna. Lopaka got on the
mic
and, in a somewhat out-of-character move, apologized to Muraco for his
actions of the past. Lopaka dedicated the evening to Muraco's mother,
who
passed away recently, as well as to his own mentor, famed local storyteller
Glen Grant, who died two weeks ago.
Then, the action began. With Lopaka ranked last, he had his work cut
out for
him, in this gauntlet-style tournament.
First up against Lopaka was Kenjiro Katahira (Double K). The match was
very
straight up as the two exchanged vicious blows, followed up by a flying
clothsline by both men. Lopaka gained the advantage and slapped on the
Jaguar Suplex for the 1-2-3. Lopaka moved on.
Second up against Lopaka was Super Jet Akuma, battling a shoulder injury
sustained in Japan earlier this month. The two exchanged handshakes before
getting into action. Another quick exchange, and it looked as if Lopaka
would be eliminated when Jet Akuma excuted a sunset-flip into a Tiger
Bomb
pinfall combination, but Lopaka managed to get his shoulder up. Akuma
then
went for a hurricanrana but Lopaka gained control and forced Akuma's face
hard into the top turnbuckle for the 1-2-3. Lopaka moved on.
Next up was ranked Dragon Wada. Despite his exhaustion, Lopaka did not
want
to waste any time, and went after Wada near the entrance. Wada greeted
Lopaka with a spurt of green and red mist to the face that sent Lopaka
reeling. The action resumed in the ring, where both men exchanged stiff
kicks and blows to each other's face and upper and lower bodies. Lopaka
was
trapped in the corner, receiving running elbows from Wada, when Ref. Kazz
interjected and warned Wada that he'd better get the action out of the
corner. Wada spat even more mist, but Lopaka protected himself and placed
Wada into his Michinoku Driver for the 1-2-3. Lopaka advanced.
Next on the roster was ranked Don Lee, the Real American Hero. Another
sportsman-like handshake was exchanged, and the two got into a technical
battle of armbars and various submission holds. However, as Don Lee went
for
his infamous punch, Lopaka countered it and placed Don Lee into his
Michinoku driver and got the 1-2-3. Lopaka advanced again.
Next up was The Rottweiler, who came to the ring with a viciousness never
seen before. However, it proved to be his downfall. After attempting his
version of the Gore, the Rottweiler got into trouble and Lopaka easily
went
for the 1-2-3 with a schoolboy.
Next up was Mr. Spa Fitness, who had one message and one message only:
"I
want that title!" As Lopaka had already been wrestling for 45+ minutes,
Mr.
Spa Fitness had the advantages of speed and stamina. However, as Mr. Spa
Fitness went for a flying sledgehammer, Lopaka countered with a spin-kick
for the 1-2-3. Lopaka advanced.
At this point, the crowd was really starting to get behind Lopaka--which
was
a change of pace!
Next up: the return and HCW debut of Akua, who came out with all the
confidence in the world. At this point, Lopaka was terribly winded after
having to eliminate so many individuals. Akua got in, and within a minute
applied a devastating double-armed powerbomb into a back breaker. Akua
only
got the 2 count, but it was the closest anyone had gotten to overpowering
Lopaka in this tournament. Lopaka soon regained the advantage after a
mistake by Akua for the 1-2-3. Lopaka advanced again.
Note: As each wrestler was eliminated, they stayed around ringside to
witness who would come out on top!
After an intermission, fan favorite Big Daddy Frank entered the arena,
followed by his comely foursome, the Frankettes. Big Daddy got in there
and
dominated Lopaka right away. At one point he got Lopaka up for the
Heartbreaker, but Big Frank could not get the pinfall as he celebrated
prematurely. This allowed Lopaka to regroup. Frank went for a blow to
the
face, but Lopaka blocked it and managed to get Big Daddy Frank up for
a
Michinoku Driver! As the crowd roared in amazement, Lopaka went for the
1-2-3. Lopaka moved on.
Next up was Ultimate Fighter Caruso, who charged the ring even before
Lopaka, already battered, bruised, and winded, could get to his feet.
UFC
took advantage of it all and pounded on Lopaka with a variety of submission
holds, trying to get his worn-down opponent to submit. There were a few
failed attempts to pin Lopaka using the second rope. Finally, Lopaka got
the
Jaguar Suplex on UFC for the 1-2-3.
Next, Kaniela entered the ring. He and Lopaka have been in battle before,
and they held nothing back. Both managed to get in vicious kicks as Kaniela
worked on Lopaka's left knee. Kaniela even executed a flying drop kick
to
the knee while Lopaka was tied up in the corner. However, as Kaniela went
to
the top rope to execute his Fall From Grace Senton Bomb, Lopaka got to
his
feet and executed a Death Valley Driver to Kaniela from the top rope.
After
that, a Northern Lights Suplex that spelled the end for Kaniela.
Next up was Ahuna, Lopaka's partner in the Night Marchers. Ahuna seized
the
mic and said, "You wanted to do this for the King, so let's show
what
Hawaiians are made of!" Ahuna didn't show his partner any mercy,
for he
wanted the title as much as Lopaka. After a powerful clothesline that
sent
Lopaka to the mat hard, Ahuna only managed to get the 2 count. Lopaka
then
greeted Ahuna with a roundhouse kick, which turned the match around in
Lopaka's favor. Lopaka advanced to the final match.
The final match in the tournament for the first HCW Hawaii Heavyweight
Championship was a battle between Lopaka and #1 ranked Kaimana. Kaimana
did
not let up as he gave Lopaka a taste of the Japanese Strong Style. Lopaka
worked hard to find his second wind. Kaimana was in control for the most
of
the beginning of the match, but a steel chair was introduced to the ring.
Lopaka repeatedly introduced Kaimana's back and legs to the sturdy piece
of
furniture from Home Depot. Because he did not want to disqualify Lopaka,
and
because the fans wanted to see a clear winner, HCW senior referee Chico
did
not interfere. Lopaka then slapped on the Jaguar Suplex for the 1-2-3.
Congratulations, Lopaka: the FIRST HCW Kamehameha Heritage Heavyweight
Champion!
