Hayabusa vs. Mr. Gannosuke 4/29/97

"To me, those guys now are nothing more than scum that flock to FMW, but Gannosuke is a classmate from my university days that I myself want to crush!" Hayabusa declared as he saw the completely changed appearance of his best friend, with whom he had jumped on a night bus with big dreams, joined FMW, and sweated together. The current Hayabusa and Mr. Gannosuke are no longer the Eiji Ezaki and Masashi Honda of the past.

With this bold decision, he hardened his heart and declared that he would mercilessly crush Gannosuke... but the reality was not so easy to accept. Hayabusa was hit by a surprise lariat before the bell and fell outside the ring, but he did not panic, he quickly regrouped and began to counterattack, taking on the challenge head-on. Of course, by doing so, he would be able to regain his composure as he had in the opening match of the previous season.

Perhaps he was hoping to remind Gannosuke of the time when sparks flew over the line, but Gannosuke mockingly ignored him and raised his right arm towards Hayabusa's weak spot. This seemed to ignite Hayabusa's fighting spirit, as he once again seemed to have chosen the path of crushing him, performing a brainbuster on Gannosuke from the apron, throwing him out of the ring, then placing the Vibe Chair on top of it several times, before jumping onto the apron himself and going for a La Quebrada.

It was an attack that felt like Hayabusa's cry of "If you choose that path, I will show you no mercy either." It seemed that his determination had already been solidified. However, at this point, Gannosuke could no longer afford to lose. He cleverly used his manager Quiñones to turn the tables, breaking a wooden stick and stabbing it into Hayabusa's abdomen multiple times, already drawing blood. "Unlike you, I have walked a thorny path," seems to be Gannosuke's reply.

There was no way he could lose if he used rough tactics, and Gannosuke swung like a heel with such confidence that it was hard to believe. There was no need to say which of the two had a tougher or more difficult fight - the man who had fought desperately to protect FMW, and the man who had once abandoned it and suffered in a number of organizations - but the fight between the two seemed to be a demonstration of this.

While Hayabusa performed a Firebird Splash, followed by a Phoenix Splash (although it dodged), Gannosuke used any means necessary to break the rules, following with a Falcon Arrow and a Thunder Fire Powerbomb. The offense and defense, which seemed to clash with each other's way of life, spoke to the intensity of this match, and it felt like a connection was being born that only those fighting could understand.

That's why, after Hayabusa won with a vertical Falcon Arrow, he didn't even pick up the scissors or clippers that were supposed to cut the hair of the loser, Gannosuke, but instead took to the microphone and shouted, "Gannosuke! Everyone here, listen! Gannosuke, I don't need your hair. Even if you say I'm soft... I want to follow the path I believe in. So Gannosuke, bow your head to everyone and move forward with me. Gannosuke, I'm begging you. Please come back. This is the last thing I can ask of you..."

Although Hayabusa seemed determined to crush him, he couldn't completely let go of his deep feelings. Even if it meant being criticized by others, he couldn't abandon his friend in the end, and that was the path Hayabusa chose to believe in. But while Gannosuke may have appeared troubled, he quickly changes course, stomping, punching, and delivering a Thunder Fire Powerbomb. He rips off Hayabusa's mask and even shoves kerosene into his mouth to unleash a fiery blast. This is the ultimate betrayal, completely shattering Hayabusa's innocence. Just as Hayabusa is about to be engulfed in flames after losing his old friend, his dear friend Jinsei Shinzaki rushes in like a rabbit and rescues him, but that doesn't make it all worthwhile. Why can't this heart that is so familiar to Jinsei connect with Gannosuke, his longtime friend? It's no wonder Hayabusa has such doubts.

Of course, Jinsei's actions must have made him truly happy. Even so, all he can do now is realize the magnitude of what he's lost. "I guess I'm too naive. If he'd come back, I wouldn't have minded losing my mask... I can't take it anymore today..." Hayabusa, overcome with grief, made this comment, but his master, Onita, responded with harsh words. "Hayabusa! What's this friendship about?! You're losing because of your feelings! Hey, Gannosuke's the one with the bloodshot eyes. Wake up already! You'll never conquer All Japan like this!" Hayabusa, unable to respond to these words, simply left the room in silence.

Just as his nemesis, Pogo, had done to Onita in the past, he had been burdened with a tragic reality because he trusted others. He was left to wonder if the path he had chosen was wrong. As long as he continued fighting, various inner conflicts would arise. Perhaps Hayabusa had no choice but to suffer in order to grow even greater. Onita had fought the same path, struggling to protect FMW. It's for this reason that he was so harsh. So Hayabusa must overcome this too. How can he truly settle things with Gannosuke? When he does, a new Hayabusa will surely be born.

Hayabusa d. Mr. Gannosuke (13:32) in a Hair vs. Mask Match.

Hayabusa & Tiger Mask IV & Gran Naniwa vs. TAKA Michinoku & Shoichi Funaki & Super Boy 5/3/97

There are two ways to get to Furudono Town in Fukushima Prefecture: by shinkansen from the Gunma area, or by coming from Ueno on the Joban Line. I took the former, transferring to the Suigun Line for an hour to Asaka-Ishikawa Station, then a 40-minute bus ride into the mountains. I was joined by a group of young people who were clearly pro-wrestling fans. When we arrived at the bus stop in front of the gymnasium, there was already a line. They all seemed to have come from the Tokyo area.

They had chosen this town over the Osaka Dome on May 3rd, and no doubt had pored over the timetable and wrestled their way through traffic jams in the middle of Golden Week to get there. Hayabusa was one of them. "I left Ueno at 9am and took the express train to Iwaki, where Michi Pro picked me up in his car, and we arrived at the venue around 12:30. I quite like traveling by train, so it wasn't a problem for me," said Hayabusa, who came to Furudono-cho by train just like the other fans, and said he wanted to experience Michi Pro for himself. This will be his second time participating, following last year's Ryōgoku event, but it can only be experienced by competing on the roads of Michinoku. This will actually be his first time at a Michinoku Pro venue.

Although many FMW fans were in attendance, the unique, warm atmosphere was exactly what Hayabusa was looking for. "Today, I'll try to do things I can't do in FMW...I'd like to enjoy lucha purely if possible. Either way, I want to have a good match." What Hayabusa wanted more than anything right now was a fight that would clear his mind. Heartbroken by his bout with Gannosuke a few days earlier, the Michinoku Pro ring might be a place to heal.

After his friend Jinsei quietly cleared the way, Hayabusa emerged from the crowd. His masked trio with Naniwa and Tiger Mask was truly thrilling. When he was called last out of the six, the cheers didn't come out loud...or so they thought. TAKA's team pounced, drowning out the cheers. At first, Hayabusa seemed caught up in Kaientai's pace, but by the middle of the match, he had regained his rhythm. After the 10-minute mark, he and Tiger performed a dream formation flight. In response to Tiger's tope suicida, Hayabusa performed a tope con hilo. While it's a well-presented move in itself, it later becomes clear that it had a significant meaning on this particular day.

During the battle with his opponent, it was his interaction with TAKA that really drove the match. Though the match was rated highly competitive, TAKA still hasn't forgotten the disappointment of his singles loss last November. While he's unable to directly apply his Pancrase experience in the Michinoku Pro ring, it remains a mental backbone. He was even more brazen in front of Hayabusa than he was in FMW.

However, Hayabusa also showed impressive moves. His swan dive knee kick, standing moonsault, quebrada, and firebird splash all felt more powerful than usual against a Michi Pro fighter. He was about a size larger than the other six. In the second half of the match, Hayabusa unleashed a move unusual for him: the swinging DDT.

"Since neither Sasuke nor Delfin were here at Michinoku Pro today, I wanted to at least use my signature moves to make them happy," he said, revealing that the tope combo he'd performed earlier was a move he'd performed as Sasuke. Incidentally, the swinging DDT is also a signature move of Hamada, who also competed at the Osaka Dome. Even though he fights in the massive dome, his heart is in Michinoku, and Hayabusa embodied the hearts of the three in the Furudono-cho ring. This was his way of repaying his debt.

The second half of the match, featuring stunning moves and aerial combat, was certainly different from the high-energy sprints of FMW. It was Hayabusa who firmly secured the victory. Although TAKA shot down his corner dive, he followed up with a Michidora and landed a screw kick, followed by a spinning falcon arrow! Hayabusa defeated TAKA with the same move he'd used to finish them off in their singles matches.

Although he didn't have time to enjoy lucha due to the fierce attack, "They came at me without any reservations, so it felt good to do it," he said, seemingly achieving the match he had hoped for. After the match, fans swarmed ringside, just like at an FMW venue. Without Sasuke and Delfinsuch a finale would not have been possible without Hayabusa and Kaientai.

"I feel like I was able to experience something in the ring that FMW has forgotten. I want to say thank you to Michinoku Pro and the Michinoku Pro fans today." Feelings like this day are impossible to experience in an FMW world steeped in conflicts that only deepen emotional wounds with each fight. Not only was Michinoku Pro saved, but Hayabusa's participation was also the right decision. After his match with Gannosuke, his face, once filled with despair, was now as clear and bright as the blue sky of Furudono-cho.

Hayabusa & Gran Naniwa & Tiger Mask d. TAKA Michinoku & Shoichi Funaki & Super Boy when Hayabusa pinned TAKA (16:32)

Hayabusa & Koji Nakagawa vs. Hisakatsu Oya & Mr. Gannosuke 5/8/97

At the April 29th Yokohama event, despite what anyone said, Hayabusa, acting on his own volition, stopped Gannosuke from cutting his hair and appealed for his reform. However, the response he received was the worst possible: having his mask ripped off. Hayabusa's innocence was utterly shattered. Afterward, he repeatedly questioned himself, "Am I being too soft!?!?"

But finally, having seemingly come to terms with it, in this match—his first since Yokohama—he attacked Gannosuke the moment he entered the ring, immediately taking the fight outside. However, once the fight returned to the ring, Gannosuke repeatedly refused to engage Hayabusa. He deliberately pushed Nakagawa into Hayabusa's corner, but when it was his turn to fight, he pretended not to notice and tagged in Oya.

Similarly, when Hayabusa pushed Oya into the corner, Gannosuke remained completely indifferent, continuing his contemptuous attitude of "I can't be bothered to fight you." One would think Hayabusa's patience would have reached its limit by now. It should have. But Hayabusa couldn't do it. Despite being betrayed repeatedly, and even after snatching the weapon—a broken stick—that Gannosuke had used to stab Nakagawa in the forehead during his reckless rampage, Hayabusa hesitated, unsure whether to attack with it. This hesitation allowed Oya to attack him, costing him the opportunity to win.

In the end, Gannosuke, who secured the victory with a high-angle Thunder Fire Powerbomb, leisurely disappeared into the locker room, seemingly mocking the compassionate Hayabusa. Meanwhile, Hayabusa commented with a look of anguish on his face. "I think I understand the situation perfectly well, and I'm acting accordingly. Yet, I still get stuck at the most crucial moment. I understand it intellectually, but then I find myself wanting to trust him again... I know I can't move forward if I keep dwelling on this, and I'll just keep going backward."

This likely indicates the deep emotional bond Hayabusa feels towards Gannosuke, but even so, the current situation is a hopeless dead end. The free wings that once existed on Hayabusa's back seem to have disappeared somewhere along the way...

Hisakatsu Oya & Mr. Gannosuke d. Hayabusa & Koji Nakagawa when Gannosuke pinned Nakagawa (17:28)

Hayabusa & Ricky Fuji & Ricky Morton vs. The Gladiator & Hisakatsu Oya & Mr. Gannosuke 5/13/97

With feelings for Gannosuke that he couldn't erase, Hayabusa plunged back into daily battles. He knew this would lead to continued suffering, yet he couldn't escape it. However, Hayabusa fully understood the difference between reality and his ideals. That's why he ignored the Gladiator who came out first and deliberately challenged Gannosuke, trying to somehow sever his feelings. But Gannosuke brushed it off with a nonchalant attitude, causing Hayabusa's anger to explode. He suddenly knocked Gannosuke out of the ring with an elbow attack, then followed up with a dropkick, literally like a falcon.

He tried to ignite a fire in the unmotivated Gannosuke, hoping to resolve his own inner turmoil. However, Gannosuke's anger wasn't directed at Hayabusa, but at Morton, the blue-eyed mercenary who had been participating in FMW since the previous series. He split Morton's forehead with a broken stick, then unleashed a brutal beating with punches to vital areas. With Oya and Gladiator joining in, Morton was left a bloody mess.

After the match, Gannosuke shouted, "I just want to hurt Hayabusa, both physically and mentally," but the victim that day was Morton. Gannosuke claimed he made Morton a bloody mess to inflict further pain on Hayabusa, who was showing his own frustration and impatience. Even so, Morton wasn't just some ordinary wrestler; he was a man who had reached the top of the American wrestling scene.

Backed by his signature "Rock and Roll Call," he finally launched a fierce counterattack. With a super high-flying combined body press with Ricky and a double tope suicida, Morton attacked FMW with his wild spirit unleashed. In that moment, a glimpse of the pride and determination that had once propelled him to victory against formidable opponents like the Road Warriors and the Midnight Express in R&R Express was evident.

He wasn't a relic of the past, but a man very much in the present, stepping into the intensely personal FMW vs. F.M.W. conflict. Although he ultimately suffered a pinfall defeat after being subjected to a concentrated attack, Morton made his presence felt. Ultimately, the troubled Hayabusa was still unable to find the answers he sought, and his struggles continued, but for Hayabusa and the other FMW wrestlers, Morton was a truly reassuring ally. How will the "rock and roll spirit" be utilized in the ongoing, bitter conflict? No matter the circumstances, Morton will undoubtedly face them head-on, as long as that passionate beat continues to flow...

The Gladiator & Hisakatsu Oya & Mr. Gannosuke d. Hayabusa & Ricky Fuji & Ricky Morton when Oya pinned Morton (17:28)

Hayabusa & Ricky Fuji vs. The Gladiator & Mr. Gannosuke 5/25/97

The intense rivalry between Tanaka and Kanemura is seen as leading to a generational shift in FMW, but Hayabusa, always seeking his own path, announced his tag team match with Kobashi at the All Japan Pro Wrestling on June 6th Nippon Budokan show on the May 19th Kagoshima event. This showed Hayabusa finally breaking free from his obsession with Gannosuke and looking firmly towards the future... but human emotions are not so easily compartmentalized.

Six days later, at the Hakata event, Hayabusa revealed that he was still unable to escape the shackles of his friendship with Gannosuke. The card that day featured Hayabusa and Ricky vs. Gladiator and Gannosuke. Hayabusa's popularity was incredible. Especially in the venue with its low ceiling and echoing acoustics, the fans' energy was soaring.

Responding to the enthusiastic cheers, Hayabusa volunteered to start the match, ignoring Gladiator and instead delivering an elbow to Gannosuke in the corner, calling him into the ring. Hayabusa unleashed a flurry of moves: dropkicks, a somersault, and a tope feint. The atmosphere was electric. Ricky, too, despite being overwhelmed by Gladiator's power, fought back without hesitation.

It seemed that Hayabusa had finally shaken off everything and was ready to soar in All Japan Pro Wrestling. But after about seven minutes, the tide turned when Gannosuke, as usual, brought out a wooden stick. Gannosuke, after striking Ricky's forehead, naturally turned his aggression towards Hayabusa. Hayabusa knocked him away with a swan dive elbow, but although he held the stick, he stood still, refusing to use it. "Winning against Gannosuke using something like this would be meaningless..." Was this Hayabusa's weakness?!

However one interprets it, the match was decided at that moment. Taking advantage of Hayabusa's good nature, Gannosuke and Gladiator gradually seized control of the match, and in the end, Gannosuke pinned Ricky with a Thunder Fire Powerbomb after a hard-fought battle. But that wasn't the end of it.

Gannosuke carried out the "Hayabusa burning" he couldn't do at the April 29th Yokohama event due to interference. Hayabusa, his left shoulder engulfed in flames, still muttered, "I might be an idiot, but I want to believe in him. The day will surely come when he understands..." as he headed to the locker room. This was despite Gannosuke roaring, "He's an idiot! He hasn't done anything in his own promotion, and he's talking about All Japan? I burned him to a crisp because he was saying such disrespectful things!"

Gannosuke had literally burned Hayabusa's "free wings." If Hayabusa remains bound by this friendship, he won't be able to fly. Of course, Hayabusa is aware of this. But Hayabusa is the kind of person who wants to cling to friendship regardless. If he's acting with full awareness of the consequences, then he has no choice but to persevere. If he sees it through, the answer will eventually become clear...

The Gladiator & Mr. Gannosuke d. Hayabusa & Ricky Fuji when Gannosuke pinned Ricky (16:02)

Hayabusa & Jun Akiyama vs. Takao Omori & Kentaro Shiga 6/6/97

This was Hayabusa's third time competing in All Japan Pro Wrestling. Up until now, he has faced off in a tag team with Shiga, but this can be seen as "natural treatment." Hayabusa's dream of fighting Kobashi needs no further explanation.

However, All Japan Pro Wrestling is not going to accept it so easily. First, they need to see Hayabusa's ability. It all starts from there, which is why he is facing a young wrestler. There, Hayabusa encounters Shiga, who is showing his determination to be a member of All Japan Pro Wrestling. He gets the impression that reaching his dream is not that easy... but he himself understands that well. "It may be a thorny road, but I want to reach my dream by climbing each step one by one," Hayabusa said, fully prepared for the struggles that lie ahead.

However, his two appearances were by no means in vain. Not only did he make his presence known with his brilliant aerial techniques, but he also adapted seamlessly to the fight. This must have been appreciated. Keep an eye on Hayabusa's match-making for the day. He will face Omori, a potential next-generation top wrestler, and then he will team up with Akiyama, who is making his way into the top ranks.

Hayabusa has certainly climbed a step. What kind of fight will he pull off now that he's in the middle of Akiyama and Omori's battle ring? This is the sole focus of the match. It also poses a question of Hayabusa's inherent intensity. In previous matches, he focused on landing his moves reliably and keeping up with All Japan, so while he was able to make his presence felt, he ended up failing to show much of his passion or fighting spirit. Even when Shiga came out fighting with a fighting spirit, he sometimes fought too cleanly.

At the last Budokan event on April 19th, a voice in the audience shouted, "You're not a fan, come forward!" This was a reference to this flaw. What kind of spirit will Hayabusa show this time? The reality is that when facing Omori, he has to go all out to achieve his dream. As per usual, Hayabusa entered the ring with a crotch-passing move over the ropes. The audience applauded at his unavoidable coolness, and Omori applauded again, but this was a complete mockery of Hayabusa, saying, "That's cool." The same goes for Shiga, who is openly hostile. What kind of spirit will Hayabusa show this time?

The reality is that if he's up against Omori, he'll have to go all out or the path to his dream won't open up. Hayabusa, as always, jumps between the legs and enters the ring. The audience applauds at his unavoidable coolness. Omori applauds again, but this is a complete mockery of Hayabusa, saying, "That's cool." The same goes for Shiga. Akiyama, as always, is natural. The sight of Akiyama and Hayabusa, the two men who will carry the world of professional wrestling on their shoulders, standing together is truly picturesque.

Now, let's move on to the match. Hayabusa will be the starting pitcher for Akiyama's team. Seeing this, Omori volunteers to start. He had a sharp gaze. He glared at Hayabusa. Hayabusa didn't back down. After a glaring exchange, they were about to grapple when Shiga, in the corner, hit Hayabusa with a swan-style dropkick. Without a moment's hesitation, Omori and Shiga launched a barrage of stomps.

The two launched their first attacks, but Hayabusa didn't flinch. He landed a quebrada, sending Omori flying out of the ring, and then followed it up with an Atomico over the top rope! His attack, fueled by his fighting spirit, quickly regained his footing. This was all there was to it. Hayabusa's intensity was evident that day.

However, he wasn't able to completely overwhelm Omori. Why? Because of their physical differences. Hayabusa and Omori are thicker than one another. His horsepower allowed him to withstand Hayabusa's attacks. His moves felt heavier than Hayabusa's, but Akiyama surpassed them. In any case, out of the four, Akiyama's moves carry the most weight. He pushes back against Shiga and Omori as well. And while he charges forward with spirit against Hayabusa, Akiyama is outraged at Shiga's incompetence, unable to make a move against him. He mercilessly crushes him. Akiyama puts on a severe attack.

Hayabusa and Omori were well worth watching, but it's fair to say that Akiyama left the biggest impact in this match. And it was Akiyama who decided the match. He hit Shiga with an Exploder, but Hayabusa's move misfired just before the finish. Perhaps angered by this, he quickly left the ring once the match was over. After the match, Akiyama, perhaps due to Shiga's incompetence, looked dejected and made no comment.

On the other hand, Hayabusa said, "(Akiyama and Omori) are a size bigger than me, and I felt the difference in power, but there are also super heavyweights in FMW. The fact that our bodies are different is no excuse (for not being able to push them down). Among the four of us, I am the odd one out (and I think Omori was naturally aware of this)," and spoke about his future aspirations as follows: "It's already my third time, so I can't say I'm not used to it. Today's result was good, but the content wasn't great. From now on, I need to leave a mark with both content and results, and be recognized by everyone, so I want to work hard so that I can be scheduled to face Kobashi...and the other Four Heavenly Kings as soon as possible."

Hayabusa, who was made to realize once again in the match that day that it's not easy, also said, "I was prepared for the thorny road, but the angle of the mountain I have to climb is getting steeper. I want to keep going and get closer to my dream somehow." These are likely Hayabusa's true feelings. Omori said, "I can't stand the bite of that guy (Hayabusa) "I have no intention of being a scapegoat. No joke," he declared, displaying intense hostility toward Hayabusa, just as he did in the ring. His fight with Omori will likely be a tough one. Akiyama is the only one still battling the Four Heavenly Kings on the All Japan wrestling mat.

Hayabusa must have seen a glimpse of the Four Heavenly Kings' battle from the weight Akiyama displayed. Entering the battle between Akiyama and Omori must have once again experienced the power of All Japan. That's why the match is so rewarding, a learning experience. By letting his emotions show, Hayabusa has climbed another step. However, it's also true that each step brings new challenges. The mountain he must climb is only getting steeper, but Hayabusa never complains and has begun to focus on results and content.

Hayabusa is determined to achieve his dream! As for Akiyama, perhaps due to differences in style between them, he once said, "It's better to fight him than to team up with him."

Hayabusa & Jun Akiyama d. Takao Omori & Kentaro Shiga when Hayabusa pinned Shiga (14:51)

Hayabusa & Ricky Fuji & Nanjyo Hayato & Mr. Pogo # 2 vs. Hisakatsu Oya & Mr. Gannosuke & The Headhunters 6/13/97

Separate from the Kanemura vs. Tanaka survival match, the battle between Hayabusa and Gannosuke is also a major focus of this series. At the final match of the May series on May 25th in Hakata, despite being subjected to Gannosuke's fire attack, Hayabusa declared, "I want to believe in him. The day will definitely come when he understands..." demonstrating his unwavering feelings towards Gannosuke. Then came the opening match of the June series. Gannosuke, along with the Headhunters, who were participating for the first time in two months, and Oya, who had a singles match against Hayabusa scheduled for the June 19th Yamagata event, once again confronted Hayabusa, and once again, Gannosuke made new statements that further angered Hayabusa.

The match was a clean, head-on clash between the FMW regular army and the F.M.W team. There were no weapon attacks or bloodshed... meaning the outcome of the match depended on the overall strength of the teams. The FMW team fought desperately. However, the Headhunters' overwhelming power, Oya's insidious tactics, and Gannosuke's momentum overpowered their efforts. While Oya and Gannosuke kept Hayabusa, Ricky, and Nanjyo at bay, the Headhunters captured Pogo.

The finish was A's moonsault press... The F.M.W team won the opening match in the best possible way. And after the match, Gannosuke grabbed the microphone and roared. "Hayabusa, isn't your damn monk friend here today? Tell that monk this! I'll repay the debt from being interfered with in Yokohama a hundredfold!"

At the April 29th Yokohama Arena event, Jinsei Shinzaki, who participated in the match to show his friendship with Hayabusa, defeated Super Leather of the F.M.W army and also stopped Gannosuke from attempting a fire attack on Hayabusa. "I'll repay the debt tenfold," Gannosuke's fangs were now directed not only at Hayabusa but also at Jinsei. Even in the locker room after the match, Gannosuke couldn't hide his frustration, saying, "Isn't the monk here? Did he run away? If he's your friend, he should protect Hayabusa! I won't forget what happened at the arena. Hayabusa and that damn monk, we'll burn you both alive! We won't let the monk get away with a victory. They're the ones who picked a fight. We'll accept the challenge! It's going to be roasted chicken and roasted monk! We have two debts to settle. The debt from Leather and the debt from being interfered with during the roasted chicken incident. Hayabusa is pathetic, and I don't know if he's his friend or whatever, but that damn monk is also to blame! We'll crush anyone who gets in our way! They shouldn't be able to escape our encirclement, but the fact that other people's names keep coming up one after another is completely unacceptable."

It's unclear why Gannosuke attacked Jinsei a month and a half after the Yokohama event, rather than immediately afterward. Considering Hayabusa's comments, it's possible that Gannosuke is deliberately mentioning Jinsei's name to psychologically manipulate Hayabusa, but who knows...? The future remains uncertain."

Hisakatsu Oya & Mr. Gannosuke & The Headhunters d. Hayabusa & Ricky Fuji & Nanjyo Hayato & Mr. Pogo # 2 when Headhunter A pinned Pogo # 2 (16:40)

Hayabusa vs. Hisakatsu Oya 6/19/97

Gannosuke's tenacity was undeniable. At the opening match at Korakuen Hall, he declared, "I'm going to burn both Hayabusa and the damn monk to death. I won't let the monk get away with it. I'll take on any challenge he throws at me. I owe him two things in Yokohama: the leather jacket and the interruption to my yakitori."

Ever since, every time he faced Hayabusa, he repeatedly called out, "Bring me Jinsei!" Gannosuke never hesitated, day or night, to "burn them both to death." Hayabusa responded, "Jinsei has nothing to do with me. It's your problem." He took a stance to ensure Jinsei wasn't inconvenienced or harmed. He had no intention of bringing Jinsei to FMW.

However, Gannosuke had an idea. "If Hayabusa doesn't bring the damn monk, I'll use force. I'll invade Michinoku Pro." He threatened terrorism. He was determined to drag Jinsei out by any means necessary. It was under these circumstances that the Yamagata show on June 19th took place.

Hayabusa faced off against Oya, and this was their fourth one-on-one match. Their previous three matches had a record of one win, one loss, and one draw, leaving them evenly matched. Their strength was evenly matched, and the wrestling match between the two was well worth watching. Hayabusa. Oya had seen some memorable matches.

However. This time, it was not to be out of the ordinary. The reason for this was the difference in the mindset of the two men. Considering their past records, Hayabusa felt that "the match is not over yet," and went into the match full of energy, but Oya, who had won their previous one-on-one match (September 20th, 1996) in Sapporo, was not motivated, saying "The feud is over. Why do I have to fight him? I can't do this!"

Then, when things got tough, Oya had his second, Gannosuke, step in and ruined the match. Naturally, he lost by disqualification, but he felt that "FMW, who set up this match, was to blame." "I'm sorry," he said, showing no guilt whatsoever. Gannosuke, as Gannosuke, declared, "I'm going to Naruko on the 21st. Tell the monk to be prepared."

The Naruko show on the 21st was set as the day to launch an assault on Michinoku Pro and take Jinsei to the next level, and the Kurikoma show was the following day.

After his match against Hayabusa, Gannosuke took the outrageous step of ripping off his mask. Holding the mask in his mouth, Gannosuke grinned and said, "This is Hayabusa's head substitute. I'll give it to the monk as a souvenir." This man is too dangerous.

Hayabusa d. Hisakatsu Oya (18:02) via DQ

Carl Smokey Ishii designed Hayabusa's new costume, and the two of them attended a press conference in Tokyo on July 10th, where the original design was unveiled. In fact, Hayabusa is a secret fan, saying, "I've been supporting Kome Kome CULB since their debut, and even went to their final concert on both days." He said he was encouraged by the group. Ishii's involvement in the design this time came about when there was a segment called "Produced by Nothing" on the program "Music Space Ammonite" (Fridays from 10pm) which Ishii hosts on TV Tokyo, and Hayabusa himself asked him to come up with a plan for the project.

The press conference started with Ishii greeting in a joking tone, "So... I'm Carl Smokey Ishii", and then at Hayabusa's request, he said that if he grabs the microphone at his private karaoke, he can sing Kome Kome's repertoire, and when he listened to the songs he brought from Japan during his time on the Mexican tour, they shook hands very firmly, and throughout the conference, Kazu and Ishii signed the original drawings, creating a lively atmosphere. Of course, Ishii's words are passionate: "I mixed various images of Hayabusa in my own way, and it took three years of planning and three days to produce, so I think it turned out like this in a very short time. I'm a geek, so I love American comics... There are some that are like Batman, which is popular right now. I think a hero is someone who is refreshing yet slightly creepy. I wanted to create that kind of atmosphere. I think it would be interesting to be able to produce things like an appearance theme in the future."

Regarding Hayabusa, Ishii said, "Until now, my image of Hayabusa had become fixed, so I'm very happy that this concept has been broken in a good way. I've been hitting a lot of walls myself lately... If I wear it all the time, it changes my feelings and image, so I'm thinking about wearing it someday." He was very impressed. The costume will be unveiled to fans at the July 27th Korakuen Hall event. Keep an eye out for "Kayabusa's Romantic Flight with New Wings."

Hayabusa & Jinsei Shinzaki & Koji Nakagawa vs. The Gladiator & Hisakatsu Oya & Mr. Gannosuke 7/19/97

Jinsei Shinzaki's ordeal began. He decided to take part in FMW not for anyone else, but for himself. Fire, barbed wire, lethal weapons... he hoped that by stepping into a world of "evil" that he had barely experienced before, Jinsei would be able to scale up his own life. However, the direct cause of his decision to take part was Gannosuke. Gannosuke had invaded Michinoku Pro and attacked Jinsei. By repeatedly provoking him, he was trying to drag Jinsei out onto the FMW mat. Why? The answer is quite simple.

It was to crush the eyesore Hayabusa and his friends. Jinsei accepted this provocation and stood up, and was even attacked. His anger drove him to action, but... Jinsei harbored another emotion towards Gannosuke besides anger. "I'm interested in Gannosuke as a person. Right now, he's the number one heel... I do acknowledge that in some ways, but I want to know if he's really an evil person." It is well known that Hayabusa is trying to reform Gannosuke, asking him to "go back to his old self."

Jinsei also wants to know Gannosuke's true heart. And it is precisely because he acknowledges this that Gannosuke is an opponent worth fighting. This worth fighting applies not only to Gannosuke, but to F.M.W as a whole. The members are all heavyweights.

Jinsei didn't have many opportunities to fight first-class heavyweights at Michinoku Pro, so there is a great benefit in being able to fight Gannosuke and Gladiator and the others. Jinsei must be hoping to grow by stepping into the world of "first-class snake fighting" in parallel with the world of ".

The Osaka show marked the beginning of his ordeal. Jinsei teamed up with Hayabusa to face Gladiator, Oya, and Gannosuke, but this was the first time the two had appeared together. They made a beautiful picture. It's safe to say that they are an attractive tag team without any logic. The two have been bound by a strong bond since they faced each other at Michinoku Pro's 10/10 Ryogoku show last year.

When Jinsei came to Hayabusa's rescue at FMW, Hayabusa also joined Michinoku Pro, which was short of roster members, showing their connection. Furthermore, Jinsei has been booked to take part in All Japan Pro's July 25th Budokan show.

The two are also aiming in the same direction on the major wrestling mat. Hayabusa and Jinsei are friends, but they are also rivals who can inspire each other in a good way. Therefore, there is no familiarity. Jinsei has also fought as a single wrestler at Michinoku Pro, so the two They pushed their individuality to the forefront.

No teamwork or combined techniques were seen, with Hayabusa commenting, "It's only natural that there would be some awkwardness." Of course, it's impossible to expect harmony right away after the first combination.

F.M.W. skillfully exploited this. Gannosuke and the others completely separated themselves from Hayabusa and Jinsei. They zeroed in on Jinsei and launched a concentrated attack! F.M.W. all came together to crush Jinsei. They demonstrated their power to the newcomer. Furthermore, Gannosuke took out his stick and repeatedly stabbed him in the forehead. Bleeding, Jinsei's movements slowed and he was at a disadvantage. It was a tough fight. Jinsei was confused by F.M.W.'s lethal weapon attacks and quick teamwork.

In the end, Gannosuke landed a praying powerbomb on Nakagawa right in front of Jinsei, ending the match. F.M.W. won by a landslide. Gannosuke said, "We're not finished yet." Tell him to prepare himself for life. But is that all a monk can do? I thought he'd have a better chance, but he's not even close. My plan was wrong. "He's come to humiliate me," he said, denouncing Jinsei while simultaneously declaring his intention to slowly inflict pain on it.

Gannosuke unashamedly proclaims, "I'll burn Hayabusa and Jinsei to death." He gradually upgrades his weaponry from sticks to flame attacks, presumably intent on eradicating human habitation. After the match, Hayabusa tells Jinsei, "I've caused you trouble, but I won't apologize. I believe you came here of your own volition. It's going to be painful for you, but... I'll tell you this: Let's keep trying." Hayabusa had always wanted to avoid involving Jinsei in his battle with Gannosuke, but his efforts proved futile. Although he has caused trouble in Jinsei...

Hayabusa knows that Jinsei has chosen the path of hardship for him, not for himself, and that is why he cheered him on without bowing his head. On the other hand, Hayabusa said, "There is something unresolved inside me," and although he did not apologize, there must be some guilt somewhere in his heart for having dragged Life into it. Hayabusa is often said to be too kind, but... that is also what makes him a good man. Jinsei is a struggle that began with hardship. He said nothing on this day, but it is because he was prepared to enter FMW. He must be feeling the rush of life.

The Gladiator & Hisakatsu Oya & Mr. Gannosuke d. Hayabusa & Jinsei Shinzaki & Koji Nakagawa when Gannosuke pinned Nakagawa (19:06)

Hayabusa & Jinsei Shinzaki & Ricky Fuji & Tetsuhiro Kuroda vs. Hisakatsu Oya & Mr. Gannosuke & The Headhunters 7/27/97

When these two men, Hayabusa and Jinsei, entered the ring, an indescribably unique world was born. Though each had walked a different path, they once faced off against each other in a singles match, building a bond as trusting friends. Because each had their own path, even as a tag team, they never became too familiar with each other.

Rather, each brought out their own unique personalities, creating a team that asserted their own worlds. Perhaps this is why a unique world, where these two colors intertwine intricately, was created. Hayabusa's appearance in this match, complete with a different costume and entrance music, only served to highlight the differences in their colors.

However, by valuing each other's worlds, they hadn't been able to fully express their individuality as a tag team. Though they cooperated with each other, they didn't have what could be called teamwork, and even worse, they might have been overly considerate of each other.

While Jinsei insists that his participation in FMW is merely part of his training, Hayabusa acknowledges this but feels guilty deep down for causing trouble. Unknowingly, they have become reserved with each other. Both are overly concerned about their friend, which has put a brake on their own feelings.

Gannosuke, taking advantage of this, repeatedly provoked them, driving them emotional and even attempting to sever the bond between Hayabusa and Jinsei. If the two had continued to be unable to let go of unnecessary concerns and continued to be overly self-conscious, that bond might have crumbled one day.

Hayabusa has his own legacy, and Jinsei has built his own legacy, and it's not something that can be easily broken. The key is for each of them to step into each other's territory, even if it's just one step at a time. Gannosuke mimics Jinsei's praying pose and uses Hayabusa's Falcon Arrow as a provocation, but for these two, who share a bond, to step into each other's territory has a completely different meaning.

As friends, they need to be considerate of each other, but they should also be able to express their feelings freely. Perhaps the two men themselves were aware of this, as the long-awaited killing techniques were seamlessly deployed one after the other in this match.

With the two Headhunters facing off in the center of the ring, Hayabusa and Jinsei simultaneously unleashed spectacular swan-dive chops. They then struck a pose with a double thrust kick and immediately followed up with a face crusher. True to their strong bond, their attacks were perfectly synchronized and truly impressive.

Even F.M.W. seemed hopeless at this point, with Hayabusa and Jinsei's attacks so good, it seemed as if they had no chance of winning. However, Oya and Gannosuke eventually took control of the match. They zeroed in on Kuroda, whose forehead they'd smashed open with a stick midway through the match, and unleashed a combination lariat and back drop to stop him.

From there, Gannosuke had complete control. He confidently executed a Falcon Arrow and a Praying Thunder Fire Powerbomb, then taunted Hayabusa and Jinsei before pinning them with Gannosuke's original Fire Thunder.

"Hey, Hayabusa, hey you damn monk! You held on until the end. But it's not over yet! I'll send you to the afterlife at Shiodome, so remember that!" In the end, Gannosuke secured victory, then grabbed the microphone and declared their elimination. His target, of course, was Jinsei and Hayabusa.

His obsession, which seems abnormal, even borders on pathological, but in any case, Gannosuke seems content as long as he can torment these two. So, what about Hayabusa? Is he still attached to Gannosuke? The key question is, when he returned to the waiting room, he said: "I dropped the star at a crucial moment... I really wanted to win today for Shiodome and get some momentum, so I'm a little disappointed."

I know there's no point in saying anything about Gannosuke right now, but I want to express my thoughts and feelings to him. "Shiodome is the final showdown between me and Jinsei, and between me and Gannosuke, and no matter who wins or loses, there will be no excuses."

Hayabusa remained assertive in the ring, shouting at Gannosuke, "You'll be the one to cry on August 2nd!" Yet, he still harbors mixed feelings and a desire for Gannosuke to somehow change his ways. To that end, he hopes to bring this fight to a quick end, even if it means borrowing the strength of his friend, Jinsei.

Jinsei and Hayabusa are on different paths, but they have shown remarkable teamwork that deepens their bond. Their shared goal of being one Gannosuke and one All Japan Pro Wrestling has also allowed them to let go of unnecessary attachments. This shows how much trust Hayabusa and Jinsei have in each other. However, Hayabusa believes that their bond with Gannosuke, who must have been his best friend for much longer, will be firmly reconnected. Will the August 2nd Shiodome event really be the end of the grudge between Hayabusa and Gannosuke...?!

Hisakatsu Oya & Mr. Gannosuke & The Headhunters d. Hayabusa & Jinsei Shinzaki & Ricky Fuji & Tetsuhiro Kuroda when Gannosuke pinned Kuroda (21:44)

Hayabusa & Jinsei Shinzaki vs. Hisakatsu Oya & Mr. Gannosuke 8/2/97

Though the sun had long since set, the electronic display on a nearby building showed a temperature of 28°C (82°F). There was barely a sea breeze coming off Tokyo Bay. It was a tropical night. The lukewarm air surrounding the venue hinted at something, as the ultimate showdown between the FMW Regular Army vs. and the American version of FMW was about to begin.

The entrance scene of Jinsei suddenly stood out. Surrounded by three transportation modes: the Shuto Expressway, the Yurikamome Line, and the Shinkansen, the sound of sutra chanting filled the air. Jinsei's theme song and the sleazy atmosphere of Shiodome, with a different charm from the Budokan, were perfectly suited to the atmosphere. I wonder what the drivers driving along the Shuto Expressway, unaware of the circumstances, thought when they suddenly heard this music.

Hayabusa appeared, dressed in the same white robes as Jinsei, as if to demonstrate his resolve. Before they were friends, the two were bound by fate. They shared a heartfelt connection, even in words and words. When one prepares to die, the other also prepares. While they were always behind on their heels, on this day they started with a surprise attack and started to make successful combinations from the beginning. It was doubtful whether they had ever been able to carry a match at their own pace against Gannosuke before.

If they had started with past matches in mind, then their hard work from the first temple would not have been in vain. However, this momentum was disrupted in an unexpected way. Gannosuke slammed into the ropes, causing Jinsei to fall off the ropes. It was a shocking scene, even though Jinsei had crossed over barbed wire and slipped off the ropes due to unavoidable circumstances.

Having fallen from his signature move, Jinsei was faced with what Gannosuke calls "hellish training." As Hayabusa was knocked down outside the ring, Jinsei continued to hang on as his legs were split with a stick and he was kicked in the groin. A rare scream could even be heard. Still, Jinsei refused to take the easy way out. As hardship is part of his training, he did not ask Hayabusa for help to get out of the pinch. Then, with an inexplicable move (it was even godlike), he kicked Gannosuke in the back of the head and was finally replaced by his friend.

From here on, the match, just like last week's Korakuen Hall event, became so high-level that it made you forget the passage of time. Hayabusa and Jinsei soared into the night sky. The two of them had aerial postures with a grace that other wrestlers could not imitate. Rapid succession The crowd's cheers of admiration never ceased as they performed a variety of successful moves.

However, Oya and Gannosuke were also hidden by their opponents, but they made a well-balanced pair. Oya, the cannon-wielding wrestler, stood firm while Gannosuke continued his misdeeds. In the final stages, after surviving the attacks of Hayabusa's team, Oya delivered a series of back drops. Gannosuke followed up with Breaking the Rules, Unfilial, and Profanity, but it was no pinfall. Looking at him, Hayabusa was already staggering.

Why didn't Gannosuke go in for a cover? The mystery was soon solved. He took something out from under the ring and put it in his mouth. This was a prelude to the flame-spraying attack; it seemed he was planning to make Hayabusa into yakitori. I hadn't seen Tongo in a while, so I had completely overlooked him, but that was Gannosuke. That was Gannosuke's aim. Hayabusa was completely unaware. Gannosuke was waiting from close range for his target to stand up. Jinsei was restrained by Oya outside the ring. And then fire spewed from Gannosuke's mouth. Ah, it's all over... That's when it happened.

Jinsei shook off Oya and made a desperate charge at Hayabusa with incredible speed. Hayabusa narrowly escaped being completely burned, but the fire hit Jinsei's upper body directly. In other words, Jinsei, realizing that the flames could not be stopped, made a split-second decision and took Hayabusa's place, becoming engulfed in flames. This was truly the act of throwing oneself into hardship.

If the teachings of Buddhism are to lend a hand to those in difficulty, then on this day, It could be said that Jinsei put this idea into practice. It felt as though we were witnessing a relationship that wasn't merely formal. Hayabusa's heart was surely moved by Jinsei's rescue from the fiery sea of ​​hell that followed at Yokohama Arena. He followed a perfect Bridge Dragon with a powerful Falcon Arrow.

After much suffering, he finally achieved victory. "Today, I heard the three-count together with everyone. Honestly, I don't know what would have happened if Jinsei hadn't been there. I honestly didn't have confidence, and I thought it was bad many times... But neither I nor Jinsei can stop here. We still have dreams that we must fulfill, one by one..." Hayabusa said, looking up at the sky above Shiodome. Jinsei had raised the bar of his training with this fight. Heaven had not abandoned the two of them.

Hayabusa & Jinsei Shinzaki d. Hisakatsu Oya & Mr. Gannosuke when Hayabusa pinned Oya (20:43)

Hayabusa & Koji Nakagawa & Ricky Fuji vs. The Gladiator & Hisakatsu Oya & Mr. Gannosuke 8/5/97

FMW vs. F.M.W. The first round match saw the rendezvous that unfolded on the FMW mat come to fruition, but both groups of wrestlers entered the tournament with a strong desire for the belts.

Hayabusa entered the tournament for a clear reason. The World Street Fight Six-Man Tag Team Championship is FMW's most treasured possession. As the ace of the organization, Hayabusa felt a responsibility to reclaim the belt, which had been lost to another organization.

"We have to get that belt back." Driven by a sense of mission, Hayabusa stepped into the ring for Fuyuki Army. Meanwhile, Gannosuke also had to become the Six-Man Tag Team Champions no matter what. He lost to Hayabusa & Jinsei at FMW's Shiodome event on August 2nd.

Gannosuke had dominated the two up until then, but this big loss changed the situation. FMW was on the rise. Facing a difficult situation, Gannosuke declared, "We'll take the six-man tag belts from Fuyuki-gun in Sapporo. Then we'll take the (World Brass Knuckles) tag belts from Kanemura and Hido. If we become double champions, no one will complain about what we say." Becoming a double champion would once again boost FMW's momentum. Sapporo was the first step toward recovery.

Gannosuke also felt a sense of mission: "I absolutely have to win the belts." This determination was palpable throughout the match. Hayabusa, Nakagawa, and Ricky followed suit, taking the lead from the start. FMW pushed back F.M.W with swift quick touches and teamwork. Gannosuke wasn't giving up. He used his signature rough attacks to halt FMW's charge and turn the tide... but FMW's subsequent attack was spectacular. Gladiator's power, Oya's technique, and Gannosuke's roughness all worked together beautifully.

The trinity took the match down in one fell swoop. And finally, Oya's back drop sealed the win. Hayabusa was unable to accomplish his mission, but commented, "That belt will definitely come back to us. If we don't give up, it will. We've only just begun." Hayabusa has always paved his own path, never giving up even when it gets tough. The same goes for Shiodome. With this, they never gave up on reclaiming the belt. F.M.W advanced to the finals. Taking the belts was within sight.

The Gladiator & Hisakatsu Oya & Mr. Gannosuke d. Hayabusa & Koji Nakagawa & Ricky Fuji when Oya pinned Ricky (14:59) in a Street Fight.

Hayabusa & Jinsei Shinzaki vs. The Gladiator & Super Leather 8/21/97

I visited Hayabusa at the August 21st Yokosuka show, the opening match of FMW's August series. Kobashi has been confirmed to compete at Kawasaki Baseball Stadium. I wanted to hear how he feels about this. "I'm grateful," Hayabusa said, expressing his sincere gratitude that Kobashi will be coming to FMW, but he also seemed a little confused by the current situation.

For now, it's been decided that Kobashi will have a tag match at Kawasaki Baseball Stadium. His partner will definitely be Mossman. As for Kobashi's opponent... FMW intends to withhold any announcement until the end of All Japan's September 6th Budokan show.

"If Kobashi doesn't resonate with Hayabusa at the Budokan show, there's no point in fighting him in Kawasaki." Whether Hayabusa will be able to face Kobashi at Kawasaki Baseball Stadium will depend on how he performs at the September 6th Budokan show. Until that match is over, the Kawasaki showdown won't even be in sight. Despite this, media reports have made it a fait accompli that Hayabusa & Jinsei will be Kobashi's opponents at Kawasaki Stadium.

Hayabusa is perplexed by this "current situation." "Kawasaki says it will be based on the content of the Budokan match, but Kobashi himself said it, so unless that match has substance, I can't see what the future holds," he says, starting with the September 6th Budokan show.

Hayabusa's top priority is to put on a fight that resonates with Kobashi's heart. However, achieving this is no easy task. His opponent is Kobashi. It can be said that he cannot compete unless he goes all out. Hayabusa understands this. There may have been an Osan-like element to his previous All Japan appearances, but this time it won't be like that.

To some extent, this is a match where he will have to put his heart and soul forward. In any case, he will just be putting on the fight that he has been doing up until now. How it will be perceived...it is up to Kobashi and the audience to decide. "I know that this is not a match I can take on with the luxury of worrying about how I want people to see me."

The September 6th Budokan show is a crucial moment for Hayabusa, but he is heading out with the belief that if he applies everything he has learned up to now, a path will surely open up. "Since Kobashi's participation in Kawasaki has been announced, there's no point in him coming if he's not in the mood. I want him to come fully satisfied. For me personally, there's no point if I don't do that, and everything I've done up until now will be for nothing."

At last year's December 11th Komazawa show, Hayabusa said, "I want to get up close and personal with a top-class major league fighter and see what I've done, what I've done as a new fighter. Personally, I'd love to face All Japan's Kobashi." Nine months have passed since then, and Hayabusa will finally face off for the first time at the Budokan. At this point, it should become clear whether what he has done up until now has been right or not... but Hayabusa must find the answer to this question, both for himself and for the sake of the new FMW.

Hayabusa believes that if he can prove that what he has done up until now has not been in vain, he will be able to leave behind something that will resonate with Kobashi. Furthermore, as the ace of FMW, he has an obligation to create an environment in which Kobashi will be happy to come to Kawasaki Stadium. "That's why I have to go into this Budokan with my back to the wall. I don't want Kobashi's participation in Kawasaki to be meaningless. That would be disrespectful to Kobashi."

With these words, Hayabusa stepped into the ring for the opening match. He teamed up with Jinsei to face Gladiator & Leather, but struggled against the power of the two super heavyweights. He was constantly at a disadvantage. In the end, with a great assist from Jinsei, Hayabusa defeated Leather with a Firebird Splash, but to be honest, the match did not go well. Considering how powerful Kobashi is, "I can't keep going like this," Hayabusa thought to himself, and after the match, he could only express regret.

"I was painfully aware of my lack of power when facing a super heavyweight. I won, but at this rate, I can't respond to anything that's said to me. September 6th, and then Kawasaki... I only have a limited amount of time left, but I'll remember the feelings I had three years ago and go with the determination to do my best."

"Three years ago" refers to the time during Hayabusa's tour of Mexico and Florida. At the time, Onita had announced his retirement, and Hayabusa was training like crazy, determined to do his best to promote FMW. The beginning of the new FMW was the electric explosion match between Onita and Hayabusa at 235. However, in Hayabusa's mind, the rebirth began three years ago. For his own sake and that of the new FMW, Hayabusa intends to step into the ring at the Budokan on September 6th with the same desperate determination he had back then.

Hayabusa & Jinsei Shinzaki d. The Gladiator & Super Leather when Hayabusa pinned Leather (17:28)

Hayabusa & Masato Tanaka & Koji Nakagawa vs.  The Gladiator & Hisakatsu Oya & Mr. Gannosuke 8/31/97

Aside from Hayabusa's team winning the title, the excitement of the main event that day was incredible. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say it rivaled the previous Korakuen Hall event, which was even called a "Super Indie Best Tag Team Bout." That time, too, it was a match involving Hayabusa's team and Gannosuke's team. Until recently, the rivalry between FMW and W*ING was the main focus of this wrestling scene, but it seems the tide has turned.

What do the fans who come to see FMW want? And can they discern the trends of the times? The hints are definitely hidden there. I want to encourage W*ING, with the conviction that they won't end like this. Now, with this new mainstream established, the entire new FMW is on the rise. This will undoubtedly boost the morale of Hayabusa, who will be facing Kobashi at the All Japan Budokan show, and Tanaka, who will be challenging Gladiator at Kawasaki Stadium.

No matter how motivated a wrestler is, if the organization itself lacks vitality, their spirits won't be high. The same can be said for the audience. If they can show us matches like this, we can have high expectations for Budokan and Kawasaki Stadium. Every match is an investment in the upcoming big matches.

Of course, for Hayabusa, winning the belt is a necessary condition before the Kobashi match. No matter how good the match is, if he doesn't achieve results, people will think, "What was that all about?" It was good that this desperate situation manifested itself not as pressure, but as motivation.

Early in the match, he went for a Tope Con Hilo, and the steps he took before jumping, the "Okay, let's go!" moment, were unusually energetic. Added to that was Tanaka's passionate spirit, fueled by his upcoming match against Gladiator. That day, he tried not only the TFPB but also the Power Slam. I think he was consciously structuring the match with a super heavyweight opponent in mind. He couldn't reach the pinnacle of FMW, represented by Atsushi Onita.

So, before aiming for that again, he wants to bring back the title of the strongest as a souvenir. Tanaka's challenge to Gladiator was a means of regeneration that he found amidst the shock of his defeat against Kanemura. With the combined strength of these two, Hayabusa pinned Oya. His powerful Dragon Suplex followed by a full-force single-leg Boston crab submission hold showed his intense determination to win the belt. At that moment, Korakuen Hall erupted in a massive cheer! It was surprising how much joy Hayabusa's victory brought...

Come to think of it, this was the first time he had ever held a championship belt. Immediately after his rebirth, Hayabusa won the Brass Knuckle Singles Championship in a decisive match against Oya, but then relinquished it on the spot, saying he wanted to "compete with everyone."

Since then, he had strangely had no luck with championship belts. That's why he must have been so genuinely happy; when he received the certificate and the belt, he hugged them lovingly, as if a baby had just been born (his wife was due to give birth in October).

On the microphone, he shouted words of gratitude to Tanaka, Nakagawa, and all the fans who supported him. With Onita's words, "The new FMW is divided into Hayabusa's world and Tanaka's world," the two had embarked on their own separate paths. Therefore, it felt like a very long time since they had accomplished something together. And now, this concrete event has solidified the image of these two champions standing side-by-side.

The friendly rivalry between these two top aces might be just beginning. Hayabusa with the belt certainly had a fresh look. At Budokan, he should challenge Kobashi with this "current" version of himself.

FMW 6 Man Street Fight Tag Team Championship Match: Hayabusa & Masato Tanaka & Koji Nakagawa d. The Gladiator & Hisakatsu Oya & Mr. Gannosuke when Hayabusa pinned Oya (13:01)

Hayabusa & Jinsei Shinzaki vs. Kenta Kobashi & Kentaro Shiga 9/6/97

As they faced each other in the ring, Hayabusa stared motionless, his time finally coming. The person he'd always wanted to fight was right in front of him.

Though this long-awaited match against Kobashi was here, Hayabusa felt no joy. A palpable tension hung over him. A sense of tension permeated Hayabusa's mind. At last year's December 11th Komazawa event, Hayabusa stated, "I want to face a top-class wrestler in the majors and see what I've done and what we've achieved since the new FMW. Personally, I'd love to fight Kobashi."

Hayabusa's initial motivation was to test how far he could go against Kobashi... but the situation has changed dramatically. Kobashi, who will be competing at Kawasaki Stadium on September 28, said, "If Hayabusa doesn't resonate with me, there's no point fighting in Kawasaki." While a tag team match between Kobashi and Hayabusa is rumored to be the definitive match at Kawasaki Stadium, the match has yet to be announced.

Whether Hayabusa can face Kobashi in Kawasaki will depend on the results of this Budokan showdown. This is no longer a time to test his strength. He had to show Kobashi something that would convince him that he was worthy of fighting in Kawasaki. This was probably why Hayabusa was feeling nervous, but this was the only thing Hayabusa had to show. A passionate spirit. Kobashi was also waiting for this.

Kobashi has a passionate spirit and prides himself on passionate battles. The "something that resonates" he is looking for is a passionate spirit that can keep up with the passion he puts into pro wrestling. However, there was one thing that bothered him. Hayabusa is known for his flying techniques and is expected to be elegant. He has made it a priority to meet this expectation, but I feel that this has created a drawback.

Before we knew it, Hayabusa had started fighting too cleanly and his intensity was no longer seen. So, what about Kobashi? Hayabusa has recently regained the dedication he had at the start of the new FMW, but whether he can hang on to Kobashi's passionate fight remains to be seen. Furthermore, seeing the two face off against each other made the difference in their physical physiques starkly clear.

Concerns arose as to whether Hayabusa could withstand Kobashi's heavy attacks. Hayabusa's partner is Jinsei. This is his second appearance in Tenjuku. At his first appearance at the Budokan on July 25th, Jinsei commented, "I feel like I still have a lot to learn in Tenjiku." Competing in All Japan allows him to scale himself up in a completely different way from the ordeal of FMW. His last match was against Akiyama and Hase, but this time, his opponent is Kobashi, who is even better. It's well worth learning from.

Also, his participation in All Japan is likely a way to support his friend Hayabusa, who is nervous about competing against Kobashi. Yes, I agree. Now, as for the much anticipated match, Hayabusa and Shiga volunteered to start, but... Hayabusa's eyes were not on Shiga, but on Kobashi in the corner. Even when Shiga attacked him, he didn't take his eyes off Kobashi. "Come out, see how I feel," Hayabusa must have been saying with his eyes. Kobashi responded and entered the ring. At that moment, the arena was filled with tremendous cheers. Kobashi landed several anti-chops, clearly showing how highly anticipated this match between the two was. Hayabusa tried to withstand them, but was sent flying. He was even seen falling on his butt.

Hayabusa was taken aback by the heavy attacks. Kobashi makes a gesture that says, "Get up!", but this is also a call to arms saying, "Is that all you've got? Bring it on!" Hayabusa senses Kobashi's feelings: "Each move was really heavy and painful, but each one was like saying, 'Do your best, give it your all,'" and he braces himself for a reverse chop and lands an elbow.

Kobashi doesn't go down easily because of the weight difference, but Hayabusa doesn't give up. He lands multiple blows and sends Kobashi flying. Hayabusa responds to Kobashi's passion with passion. It's not flashy, but that's fine against Kobashi. No tricks. He goes at Hayabusa head-on, desperately.

However, as the damage accumulates, Hayabusa's movements slow down, he becomes nervous, and by maintaining a sense of tension, he wastes unnecessary energy and stamina. Compared to the beginning, from the 10-minute mark in the middle, Hayabusa's spirit was somewhat lackluster, and he pushed forward, but Hayabusa's body couldn't keep up. He was spinning his wheels. Still, he deserves praise for somehow managing to hang on to Kobashi.

Jinsei encouraged Hayabusa and led him. Like Hayabusa, he was pushed back by Kobashi's heavy attacks on several occasions. It was a shock and heat he experienced for the first time. For Jinsei, the fight with Kobashi must have been meaningful, even though it was hard... but he would cleverly take the time to regain his composure and push Kobashi back. Jinsei's efforts were remarkable. Shiga also did well.

With all the attention focused on Kobashi Hayabusa, followed by Kobashi himself, he made a strong statement, as if to say, "I won't let myself be forgotten." Kobashi lifted Hayabusa onto his shoulders and performed an incredible move, a swinging DDT, from the top of the corner. He put up a great fight, countering a Shinzaki's Prayer Power Bomb into a spinning shrimp hold. The match began with Hayabusa attacking Shiga with a Firebird Splash. Kobashi held up his index finger and said, "Our eyes meet. That's when it happened."

After the match, Kobashi and Hayabusa performed a Hayabusa Splash in the ring to decide the match. Kobashi fought Hayabusa at Kawasaki Stadium, and there was something resonating within him. Please read on. Hayabusa's comments in a separate article also reflect his determination to go to Kawasaki, saying, "I intend to give it my all in Kawasaki and live up to Kobashi's expectations."

"I was able to perform with my heart full and with the expectation that a passionate feeling would come, and Kobashi felt that if the match had been more heated and the match had been more different, Hayabusa would not have been able to perform as well. I was too nervous and wasn't able to give it my all, but I decided that my passionate feelings were conveyed."

<Hayabusa after the match>

He's heavy. Every single punch. It was more effective than I expected. Today, I won, but I wish I had had more opportunities to fight Kobashi. But I feel like there was something that will lead me to Kawasaki. I definitely heard Kobashi say one more time, so I want to fight again, with that feeling in my heart, and with passion.

(Do you want Kawasaki Stadium to be focused on singles or tag matches?)

Whether it's singles or tag matches, if I have the opportunity to face that person just once more, that's what I want.

(Was Kobashi what you expected?)

Like I said, each of his moves was very heavy and painful, but each and every one of them "Do your best," "Do your best," and so on and so forth, it really motivated me.

(How did you feel?)

In today's match, I decided to take Kobashi head-on and not try any tricks. For someone like me who consciously uses flying techniques in my imagination, opportunities to go straight for him like that are rare, so I tried to go straight for him as much as possible today. As a result, I feel like I've been helped a lot in my life again, but anyway, starting tomorrow, I'll do my best again. Thank you so much to everyone who supported me today, Kobashi, and everyone involved for giving me this opportunity.

(Do you feel like you were able to convey your feelings of Kobashi to All Japan fans?)

That's not clear yet... I was pretty straightforward with Kobashi, but I'm not sure how it went with the audience. I think it all depends on the reaction from now on. If it didn't work out, then it didn't work out, but I just need to climb one step at a time with each round.

Hayabusa & Jinsei Shinzaki d. Kenta Kobashi & Kentaro Shiga when Hayabusa pinned Shiga (20:32)

— This interview is being released right before your match against Kobashi at Kawasaki Stadium, and the dream you first spoke of last year at Komazawa has finally come true. Now, what I'm wondering is, at that time, when Onita said, "The new FMW has split into two directions: Hayabusa's and Tanaka & Kanemura's," didn't you think that you yourself might be deviating from the mainstream of FMW?

Hayabusa: Oh, that wasn't the case at all. Certainly, the directions were different, but I think we were all still working under the umbrella of FMW. Whether we were in a death match ring or in another promotion's ring, we were still FMW wrestlers, and we held onto that conviction.**

— While you were out of action, Tanaka and Kanemura rose to prominence, which was a positive for the promotion, but as a result, even after Hayabusa returned, their style of wrestling became the mainstream. In fact, there were days when they were in the main event and Hayabusa was in the semi-main event.

Hayabusa: I think that was only natural, considering the situation at that time. Ultimately, my heart wasn't fully in it, and I was in a half-hearted state. Someone like that shouldn't be headlining the main event, right? FMW's wrestling is fundamentally about wrestling with heart, you know. Of course, the desire not to lose also emerged at the same time.

—  Was that a big factor? You're not the type to show that kind of thing on the surface, are you, Hayabusa?

Hayabusa: Well, I wouldn't say it's a huge deal, but it's always there. Eventually, I'll have to face Tanaka and Kanemura in singles matches. But there's no need to do that right now. We both need to do what we need to do so that we can face each other in a good way when the time comes. That's why I often say that everyone should just follow the path they believe in. FMW was originally a place where anything goes. As long as you have that core principle and eventually return to it, it doesn't matter where you go. So I didn't think about things like being the odd one out (laughs).

— To put it more bluntly (laughs), you're not that aggressive. Like, "I'm going to be the top guy!"

Hayabusa: For me, professional wrestling was something fun. So, the most important thing is that it's fun and interesting for the people watching now. It's not that I don't have the desire to be at the top, but if that's all I focus on, I won't be able to do the kind of wrestling I want to do. It's not exactly "for me to be me," but I still want to stick to that aspect.

—  I see. But even so, it must be tough. In reality, the daily struggles definitely accumulate damage, and there are moves that have been lost because of that, aren't there? Like the Shooting Star Press or the Triangle Jump Quebrada.

Hayabusa: That's right.

— Well, I wonder if I should reveal this, but you said before that you wanted to try a double rotation moonsault press, but now...

Hayabusa: The image in my head is already complete. However, actually doing it is a different story; it would require more than six months of practice. Not just for me, but that's probably the upper limit of what's possible when it comes to aerial maneuvers.

— It would be shocking if it were possible, though... Going back to what we were talking about earlier, the path splitting into two directions recently feels like the tide has turned.

Hayabusa: I think a big part of that is that a good rival, Gannosuke, has returned.

— A good rival?

Hayabusa: Haha, both. After all, Gannosuke is a special presence for me. Whether we're involved or not, it makes a huge difference. What he's doing isn't exactly good, though. If you asked him, he'd probably say I'm being too soft.

— What does it feel like to have someone you went to school with breathing fire at you?

Hayabusa: (laughs) I've never thought about that. I probably shouldn't say this, but I still don't hate him. If I hated him, I wouldn't be so fixated on this. People say I'm soft, a nice guy, an idiot, and all sorts of things, but I know that better than anyone. Even so, as I said earlier, I want to stick to what I'm doing because I'm doing it with conviction.

— Realistically, if Gannosuke wasn't around right now, it's certain that we wouldn't know what Hayabusa would be doing in the FMW ring.

Hayabusa: People might think I would have sought an escape route outside of wrestling.

— In whatever form, it also means that the dreams of the two of them from their younger days have come true.

Hayabusa: The form has changed quite a bit, hasn't it? (laughs). But, while I can talk about it objectively now, when I'm in a match, I'm not thinking about things like that because I'm in "Hayabusa mode," not thinking of him as my former classmate Ezaki. If he keeps doing bad things, I'll become stubborn and try to convey my feelings.

— Anyway, the fight with Gannosuke continues... but what about Hayabusa? Does he still have the desire to fight Onita, like Tanaka and Kanemura?

Hayabusa: I don't have that in mind. More than that, I want to surpass Onita with something only I can do, something different from Onita.

— Surpassing Onita is something you're conscious of.

Hayabusa: I'm always conscious of that. That's why I'm working so hard to do something different from Onita. I also started with death matches, but at that point, I felt, to some extent, "If things continue like this, I'll just be swept away by the current and it will all end." So, since Tanaka and Kanemura have gained strength in that area, I decided to do my best with what I can do. And ultimately, I want to reach the top in a different way than Onita.

— Hmm, I see.

Hayabusa: I think the same was true for Mr. Onita. When he created FMW, he pursued something that others couldn't do, and that was death match wrestling.

— Ah, I see. But "surpassing" is a difficult thing to define, and even Tanaka and Kanemura are struggling with that. It's not a world of winning and losing, is it?

Hayabusa: I think I'll only feel that when I retire. I'll probably always be running with Atsushi Onita's back in my sights.

— Even if the fans acknowledge that you've surpassed him, that won't change things?

Hayabusa: I don't think I'll feel it. Certainly, it's the fans who decide whether I've surpassed him or not, but unless I completely step away and look at it from a distance, I don't think I'll know myself.

—  That's a long-term perspective (laughs). Speaking of retirement, you previously said that there would come a day when you would stop being Hayabusa and return to being Eiji Ezaki. Within that limited time, are there things you want to accomplish as Hayabusa?

Hayabusa: Hayabusa is approachable because he's a masked wrestler. In that respect, I can appeal to people who don't know anything about pro wrestling. Like Tiger Mask and Mil Máscaras when we were kids, I want people to see something similar in me, even just a little. Right?

— Certainly, that's something you can't do without the mask.

Hayabusa: If people can dream about pro wrestling by watching me, then I think I'll be satisfied as Hayabusa. So, what can I do for that? I'll try my best to meet the fans' expectations. After all, if I take off the mask, I think my own desires will start to surface somewhere.

— In your heart, do you feel that once you reveal your true face, you can never go back to being Hayabusa?

Hayabusa: I suppose I could appear in some capacity. For example, my name could be included on the match card because it's a big show. But when that happens, I don't know if I'll truly be able to perform with the same spirit as Hayabusa... I won't know until the time comes, but I'm not confident (laughs).

— It's just Eiji Ezaki wearing a mask...

Hayabusa: I don't want to become that. I feel like that would be disrespectful to Hayabusa.

- Well, I would be sad that I would not be able to see Hayabusa anymore, but I also want to see the wrestler Eiji Ezaki someday. That's how I feel as a fan.

Hayabusa: To be honest, at my age, when I get to my mid 30s, it's unlikely I'll be able to perform the same moves I do now. I think it would be disrespectful to Hayabusa to continue doing it when I can no longer perform at that level. So... if someone wants to take on the Hayabusa persona, I won't stop them.

— Huh, a second-generation Hayabusa?! I hadn't thought of that.

Hayabusa: Since there are many people who can jump higher than me, it's fine if those people keep doing it. I'm okay with it because I believe what I'm doing is original.

— That way, the dream I mentioned in the previous Hayabusa White Paper – "I want to see a Hayabusa match in person at least once" – will come true (laughs). But I wonder what kind of style Eiji Ezaki has when he's not in character?

Hayabusa: I don't know either (laughs). Hayabusa's character itself isn't fully formed yet. It might naturally lead to him taking off his mask based on his style at that point. So I'm looking forward to seeing what it will be like myself. As I said earlier, it will be when flying becomes too difficult for Hayabusa, so he'll have to find something to replace it. That's something we'll have to create from now on.

— From what I'm hearing, it doesn't sound like you'll take off his mask out of desperation.

Hayabusa: That's right. I'm not going to quit being Hayabusa just because I want to show my face. So, it's not about what criteria would trigger a change, but rather, I think it would be best if it happened naturally. I want to be able to take off the mask and feel good about saying, "Hayabusa, you did a great job." By then, I'll probably be an old man (laughs).

Hayabusa & Jinsei Shinzaki & Masato Tanaka vs. Jake Roberts & The Headhunters 9/11/97

When the Amarillo event was confirmed, Terry proposed a six-man tag team match between Hayabusa, Tanaka, Kanemura vs. The Headhunters, and Super Leather to FMW. Considering the history of FMW wrestling, it seemed unthinkable that Kanemura would team up with Hayabusa and Tanaka.

However, Terry made a provocative comment: "I don't care what the FMW guys think. I'm just grateful to be able to appear on a big American show." The FMW front office, in opposition to this, continued negotiations, resulting in a change in the USA trio to Headhunters and Jake Roberts. By quickly replacing Kanemura with Jinsei, the FMW trio, they were able to secure the match.

Hayabusa, Jinsei, and Tanaka's entrance elicited applause, though not particularly loud. The venue was packed with passionate fans from across the United States, and this applause reflected their excitement at seeing the FMW forces live.

They wanted to show American fans their power—the power of FMW. However, the match unfolded in favor of the USA. The FMW forces were at the mercy of Jake's skill. Even as they tried to break down the Headhunters, A & B hustled under the USA chant. Unusually aggressive, they left the FMW forces no chance to exploit. It was a truly tough fight for the FMW forces.

In the end, Hayabusa managed to finish off B with a Firebird Splash, but the performance was dismal. "I'm not satisfied with the performance. This was Tanaka's first match in America, so I was hoping Jinsei and I could take the lead and show off our strengths, but... neither we nor Tanaka were able to get the hang of it. Jake's skill got the better of us."

Hayabusa reflected after the match. Jinsei, who has a strong track record in America, also failed to get the hang of it. Tanaka, who was experiencing his first match on the American mat, seemed overwhelmed by the atmosphere, devastated, saying, "I don't want American fans to think that FMW is just that good after watching only today's match." FMW's power was not fully demonstrated. For Hayabusa, Jinsei, and Tanaka, this Amarillo expedition ended up being a bittersweet one.

Hayabusa & Jinsei Shinzaki & Masato Tanaka d. Jake Roberts & The Headhunters when Hayabusa pinned Headhunter B (12:05)

Hayabusa & Jinsei Shinzaki & Koji Nakagawa vs. The Gladiator & Hisakatsu Oya & Mr. Gannosuke 9/16/97

The September 28th Kawasaki Showdown is a significant event for Hayabusa. He finally achieved his dream of facing Kobashi for the first time at All Japan's September 6th Nippon Budokan tournament, but he wasn't able to fully express his feelings there.

To show everyone what it all meant, he must give it his all in this Kawasaki showdown. Kobashi sent this message ahead of the Kawasaki showdown: "No words needed, just come at me with passion!" Hayabusa must respond to Kobashi in the match. His opponents this day were the F.M.W. Gladiator, Oya and Gannosuke.

While he should have settled his score with Gannosuke, he deliberately postponed that and focused on fighting a super heavyweight Gladiator, a virtual Kobashi. Here, Hayabusa unleashed an attack seemingly reserved for 30-year-old Kobashi. He blocked Gladiator's reverse chop with both arms and immediately followed up with a right high kick.

He countered a powerbomb with a Frankensteiner, and switched positions after a lariat, launching into a full nelson suplex. He also countered Gannosuke's lariat with a Brain Buster, displaying a number of clever counters to counter Kobashi's extraordinary power. While it's questionable whether these counters would work on Kobashi, it's clear that Hayabusa's passion is evident.

Nakagawa lost the match, and Gannosuke urged Hayabusa to settle the score, saying, "I'll just say one thing: Don't you have something to do before All Japan?!" But instead, he grabbed the microphone and shouted: "Gannosuke! You're in such a hurry, so we'll settle this with you. We'll do it over and over again until you're satisfied. And we'll convey our feelings to you. Wherever we go, whoever we're fighting, we are the new FMW!"

For Hayabusa, the fight with Kobashi is a fight to prove that the fight they've been fighting for the new FMW since Onita left was correct. That's why he says "we" instead of "individuals," and "new FMW" instead of "FMW." It goes without saying that there is a sense of responsibility involved, that he is carrying everyone's feelings on his shoulders.

Once Hayabusa had calmed down, he conveyed Kobashi's message to him, and he muttered just one word: "I'm going to give it my all." Hayabusa spoke with firmness and power, revealing his determination for the Kawasaki showdown.

On September 28th in Kawasaki, passionate spirits and heartfelt emotions will collide, and what kind of drama will unfold? This is a big gamble that will determine the fate not only of Hayabusa, but of the new FMW as well!

The Gladiator & Hisakatsu Oya & Mr. Gannosuke d. Hayabusa & Jinsei Shinzaki & Koji Nakagawa when Gannosuke pinned Nakagawa (14:43)

Hayabusa & Mitsuharu Misawa vs. Jun Akiyama & Satoru Asako 9/28/97

For Hayabusa, this match was full of firsts. It marked his first tag team with Misawa, his first match against Akiyama and Asako, and his first appearance at All Japan's Korakuen Hall.

Furthermore, since this match was the same day as the FMW Kawasaki event, he became the first person in Japan to compete in two events in one day. While Hayabusa's ultimate goal is to face Kobashi, his original motivation for participating was to "go head-to-head with a top-class wrestler, considered to be the best in the majors."

Of course, that includes Misawa and Akiyama. Misawa, in particular, holds a special place in Hayabusa's heart. Misawa transformed from Tiger Mask into his true self, "Mitsuharu Misawa," and rose to become All Japan's ace. While the future holds no certainty, there's every chance Hayabusa will follow a similar path.

In other words, Misawa is a perfect guidepost for Hayabusa's "future." "It was my first time at Korakuen Hall, and I felt like the audience was staring at me...it was a little difficult at first," Hayabusa said after the match. Admittedly, his movements were a little stiff in the early going, but "Asako and others came at me really hard...I was surprised, but it was a relief."

Asako was scheduled to face Hayabusa on April 2nd in Osaka, where Hayabusa made his All Japan Wrestling debut, but he had to withdraw due to an injury just before the match. It was no wonder that Asako was fired up for the match against Hayabusa, which finally came six months later. Asako attacked head-on, Hayabusa responded with speedy movements.

Although they teamed up at the Budokan on June 6th, Akiyama was more interested in facing Hayabusa, saying, "I'd rather fight than team up." While there wasn't much physical contact, Akiyama unleashed chops from a front deathlock, while Hayabusa returned powerful slaps from below, creating a spirited battle.

This is a match we'd love to see again in the future. The two notable combined attacks by Misawa and Hayabusa were a double dropkick and a double arm suplex. It was hard to believe it was their first time performing together, as they showed such perfect coordination.

In the end, Hayabusa pinned Asako with a Firebird Splash for the win. Both expressed positive reactions to their first combined match, with Misawa commenting, "It was just as I expected. I didn't have to say anything, and it was easy because I didn't have to be nervous."

Hayabusa commented, "He was really considerate... I felt at ease knowing Misawa was behind me." This "fusion" is sure to have great significance in the near future.

Hayabusa & Mitsuharu Misawa d. Jun Akiyama & Satoru Asako when Hayabusa pinned Asako (19:36)

Hayabusa & Jinsei Shinzaki vs. Kenta Kobashi & Manukea Mossman 9/28/97

Kenta Kobashi's theme song, "SNIPER," rang out at Kawasaki Stadium, the site of countless legendary FMW events. The entire venue erupted in "Kobashi" calls.

The 50,012-strong crowd enthusiastically cheered in anticipation of the upcoming battle. Looking around, Kobashi slowly made his way to the ring. He had finally come to this place to embrace Hayabusa's passionate feelings.

However, the journey to this point had been extremely painful for Kobashi. The thigh strain he sustained at All Japan's September 15 Korakuen Hall event had worsened in the opening match of the Giant Series, held the day before the Kawasaki event.

Furthermore, on this day, he had already faced the Seiki-gun (Kawada, Taue, and Ogawa) in the main event of All Japan, a fierce battle that lasted 20 minutes and 32 seconds. His right leg had been thoroughly targeted in that match, putting him in grave danger of losing movement at any moment.

It's easy to imagine how tough and dangerous it must have been to wrestle two matches back-to-back in such conditions. Still, for the sake of Hayabusa, who wanted to fight him, and the fans eagerly awaiting his match, Kobashi quickly changed and left All Japan's Korakuen Hall for Kawasaki Stadium, the holy ground of FMW.

"It doesn't matter what organization's ring it is or who my opponent is. I just do my own wrestling." To prove his point, Kobashi stepped into a ring for an organization other than All Japan for the first time. He left Korakuen Hall at 3:05 PM and arrived at Kawasaki Stadium at exactly 5:00 PM. Entering the venue after the fourth match, Kobashi headed straight to the locker room, where he had his right thigh tightly taped and wrapped in bandages. While he would normally do light training like squats, he limited himself to upper-body exercises like push-ups, minimizing strain on his leg.

"If I said it hurt, it would be disrespectful to Hayabusa, to Shinzaki, and to the fans. I'm going to go in fully prepared." Even these casual words reveal Kobashi's attitude toward professional wrestling. Once in the ring, injuries are no excuse. That's Kobashi's belief. In fact, Mossman was the starting wrestler when the match began, but seeing Hayabusa stare intently at Kobashi and remain motionless, he immediately asked for a tag and entered the ring.

He countered Hayabusa's elbow with a powerful chop, knocking him away with just two hits, demonstrating the sheer power of his moves. While the pain in his right leg should have prevented him from moving properly, Kobashi barely felt it at all. After the match, Kobashi said that Hayabusa's Frankensteiner had caused him intense pain, but his burning, sun-like spirit masked the pain, concealing it from those around him.

It was also likely a statement of intent to "don't be shy about your opponent Hayabusa and Jinsei itself." With Kobashi showing this much fighting spirit, Hayabusa could not afford to lose. To be honest, Hayabusa was outmatched in his first match at the Nippon Budokan on September 6th, but in this match he gritted his teeth and stuck with Kobashi.

"As long as I'm in the new FMW, I can't back down!" This thought fueled his spirit as he moved forward again and again, and was imbued in every move he delivered. "New FMW." This was the path that FMW should take, a new direction that Hayabusa had taken since Onita's retirement.

Rather than maintaining the previous image of FMW = death match, he wanted to emphasize that it was an organization that could handle both traditional pro wrestling and deathmatches. However, with Onita's return, the death match aspect became more prominent again, and before long, Hayabusa was the only one continuing the style of the new FMW.

That's why Hayabusa, wanting to further his path, personally requested a fight with Kobashi in All Japan Pro Wrestling, and strongly desired a match against him. He acted on the belief that "a match with Kobashi would be the perfect training for the fight I desire."

Sensing Kobashi's enthusiasm, he resolved to step onto the FMW ring. Furthermore, when Kobashi announced his participation in FMW, he said, "My well-trained body is my lethal weapon," and this is precisely the path Hayabusa is aiming for in the new FMW. A strong physique that can even deflect barbed wire and explosives is a wrestler's greatest weapon. And in terms of offense, Kobashi's chops, brainbuster, and reverse crab hold made the biggest impact of the match.

"You can make such an impact without using lethal weapons or overly flashy moves," was Kobashi's message to Hayabusa. Hayabusa responded to Kobashi's sentiments with aplomb. He drove Kobashi into a corner with multiple palm-like slaps to his face. Up until now, Hayabusa had focused on aerial attacks, but now he demonstrated his power with simple striking techniques.

Kobashi held back with a "Come on!" high kick, but Hayabusa stubbornly delivered over and over again. This passion is what he calls passionate wrestling, and what Hayabusa calls full-throated pro wrestling. Without a doubt, Hayabusa's thoughts had captured Kobashi's heart.

Kobashi fought with such passion that he didn't even notice his injury, and Hayabusa showed a new side of himself with more powerful attacks than ever before. It was only natural that Jinsei and Mossman wouldn't be on fire. Both fighters fought with determination, even engaging in body presses in the corners.

The match was a heated battle that far exceeded the spectators' expectations, driving the crowd into a frenzy. In particular, when Hayabusa landed his third successful Phoenix Splash on Kobashi, it looked like he'd nearly gotten the three-count if Mossman hadn't stepped in to cut him off. The match was decided by a rolling Kesa-giri chop followed by a powerful lariat, but for both Hayabusa and Kobashi, it was a defeat that set the stage for the next challenge.

It was also a truly meaningful match for Kobashi. Jinsei didn't accept Kobashi's handshake and quickly left the ring, so he didn't join the ring. However, the remaining three men raised their hands high and responded to the roaring cheers of the arena. There was a deep emotion that transcended the outcome.

In fact, after the match, both Hayabusa and Kobashi were showered with praise from all over the arena. And that wasn't just from the audience, but from fellow wrestlers as well. When Kobashi returned to the waiting room, Vader, a top wrestler in the WWF, and Terry Funk, a top wrestler in ECW, came over to offer their congratulations. This shows that a passionate spirit can compete globally, regardless of organization or nationality. His passion was so clear even with a single slap. He's grown so much since the last Budokan performance.

Jinsei is also doing better than he did, and I think they both share the same passion as me. My body is in such a bad state, I can't think about the future, but I'll just give my all in each fight. I think the passion of the All Japan wrestlers who came to serve as my second, my partners Mossman and Johnny, my opponents Hayabusa and Jinsei, and of course the fans who supported me, regardless of organization, all shared a love of pro wrestling, which is why we were able to have a match like today." Kobashi's passion for pro wrestling is his love for it.

Everyone who came to this show must have been so passionate because of their own love for pro wrestling. It doesn't matter which organization or who the opponent is; it's all about the spirit. Kobashi, Hayabusa, Jinsei and Mossman are all proud to be professional wrestlers. They want the people who support them to always be proud and feel the greatness of professional wrestling. This was the message from the four men who clashed in this match, so perhaps Suzuki is the right one.

Kenta Kobashi & Manukea Mossman d. Hayabusa & Jinsei Shinzaki when Kobashi pinned Hayabusa (21:30)

On October 1st, the day after ZEN's launch press conference, FMW held another. This was to respond to the six demands presented by Onita. The press conference was scheduled to start at 3:00 PM, but FMW urgently summoned key wrestlers Hayabusa, Tanaka, Ricky, and Nakagawa at 1:00 PM. They held a meeting.

This magazine visited the office before 1:00 PM, hoping to cover the meeting, but unfortunately, coverage was blocked. However, judging by the stiff expressions on the faces of the wrestlers as they entered the office, it was easy to imagine that the meeting was extremely tense. President Arai and the four wrestlers attended the press conference. Each of their expressions remained stiff. A tense atmosphere hung in the air. The meeting likely had a similar atmosphere.

Amidst this, President Arai began speaking as follows: "Yesterday, we received news from Onita that he would be resigning as a director. In response, we urgently gathered all the wrestlers here today at 1:00 PM and held a meeting that lasted until just now." According to President Arai, the topics discussed at the meeting were roughly the six-point issue raised by Onita and Kuroda's departure from FMW.

"Regarding Kuroda, we have decided to expel him from the wrestlers' association and treat him as having resigned from the company." As for how FMW handled the Kuroda issue... it was as follows: President Arai said Kuroda did not submit his resignation to FMW, and the company respected his wishes and allowed the wrestler to leave on good terms. And they took the stance of "fully accepting" Onita's six demands, which were the most notable.

"This is the conclusion we reached after discussing it with the wrestlers... considering the achievements of our founder, Onita, we would like to fully accept them" (President Arai).

As a result, it has been officially decided that a World Street Six-Man Tag Team Match between Hayabusa, Tanaka, Nakagawa vs. Onita, Kuroda, and Hido will take place in Sapporo on October 14th, and a World Brass Knuckles Tag Team Match between Gannosuke and Oya vs. Onita and Kanemura, as well as a double title match between Tanaka and Hosaka will take place in Sendai on October 19th.

It has also been decided that the name of the final match of the October series, the October 21st Korakuen Hall event, will be the "W*ING Memorial Match," but to be honest, the wrestlers are "confused" and unable to fully grasp the current situation. "I wasn't actually present at yesterday's press conference, so I'm not in a position to comment because I haven't fully digested the situation yet," said Hayabusa. "I don't fully understand the details yet, but the title match has already been decided by the company, so I have no choice but to do it," said Tanaka.

"After Kawasaki, so much has happened in a short space of time, and I haven't actually met or spoken with Onita, so I don't know," said Nakagawa. "I received a call yesterday...it's just yesterday and today, so I'm confused." Ricky Fuji shared the same sentiment. President Arai stated, "I don't know what Onita is thinking, so I think the first priority is to get in touch."

Regarding ZEN's desire to hold independent events at venues reserved by FMW, he only said, "I have to talk to Onita first." However, Onita is determined to crush his independent child, viewing FMW as his "enemy." Hayabusa, Tanaka, and others must accept Onita as FMW's enemy, or they could be crushed by ZEN. I would like to advise Hayabusa, Tanaka and others that they need to make a decision in order to protect FMW. With the launch of the group, the cards have been significantly changed, and the main match cards for the Sapporo and Sendai shows will be ZEN's, as well as the already announced October series.

Hayabusa & Manukea Mossman vs. Jun Akiyama & Kentaro Shiga 10/11/97

On September 28th, Hayabusa had his second match against Kenta Kobashi at the FMW Kawasaki Stadium. While he lost the match after being pinned by Kobashi's lariat, the fact that he had two matches against Kenta Kobashi, a major goal of his All Japan Pro Wrestling participation, was a significant achievement. Furthermore, the second match took place in his own promotion, FMW, making it an even greater accomplishment for Hayabusa. However, Hayabusa didn't want to end his pursuit of All Japan Pro Wrestling here.

On the Kawasaki Stadium ring, he declared to Kobashi, "I will continue to chase after you. I want to go even further!" He reaffirmed his goal. Then, on October 11th, Hayabusa appeared again in All Japan Pro Wrestling at the Fukuoka event. If we consider the period up to the Kawasaki Stadium match as the first chapter of Hayabusa's major league journey, then this Fukuoka event could be considered the beginning of the second chapter.

Hayabusa's first match in this new chapter saw him teaming up with Mossman, whom he had faced at Kawasaki Stadium, against the team of Akiyama and Shiga. Previously, Hayabusa's matches in All Japan Pro Wrestling had a somewhat detached feel to them.

This was likely because Hayabusa's focus was solely on Kobashi, resulting in a somewhat lukewarm approach to matches against other wrestlers. On October 1st, after defending the Asia Tag Team Championship at the Osaka event, Akiyama and Omori stated, "Wrestlers from other promotions tend to set their sights on wrestlers above them, and these matches against their target wrestlers often take place in large venues like the Budokan. We have our own established territory here, so we don't want to compete for the Asia Tag Team Championship with those kinds of people."

They were implying that while homegrown wrestlers have to work their way up through the ranks to finally compete against top wrestlers, wrestlers from other promotions can simply enter and easily challenge the top wrestlers. If that were the case, feelings of jealousy would inevitably arise, and such confrontations between wrestlers wouldn't lead to the intense battles that would have lasting impact. That kind of atmosphere was already starting to permeate the air.

However, between Hayabusa and Akiyama on this day, a palpable killing intent could be felt, dispelling any such negativity. These two were aware of each other from the very start of the match. Both eager to be the first to engage, they quickly entered into a fierce battle of intense stares. This was the second encounter between Akiyama and Hayabusa. Their previous match on September 28th at Korakuen Hall had also been intense, but this one surpassed it.

Even when they weren't directly involved in a move, just their presence in the ring created an atmosphere of almost palpable animosity. This reached its peak after about 10 minutes. While Akiyama had Mossman in a Cobra Twist and was relentlessly squeezing him, Hayabusa immediately intervened, delivering a swift kick to Akiyama's face. This connected perfectly. Akiyama's expression instantly filled with rage, and he aggressively confronted Hayabusa, thrusting his chest out.

Hayabusa responded in kind, glaring at Akiyama and thrusting his own chest out. It was a moment of extreme tension. This was the first time such an atmosphere had developed since Hayabusa joined All Japan Pro Wrestling. However, wasn't this precisely the kind of atmosphere that this match needed? The moment Akiyama and Hayabusa faced each other, glaring intensely, it felt as if they could truly fight each other as rivals.

Throughout the match, they continued to engage in this battle of intense stares whenever the opportunity arose. Unfortunately, an accident occurred when Mossman's attempted DDT was incomplete, causing Akiyama to bleed profusely from his mouth, which hampered both wrestlers' ability to move freely. Ultimately, Hayabusa won the match, flawlessly executing a Firebird Splash on Shiga for the three-count.

In what could be considered a major restart to his career, Hayabusa secured a victory in this match. During the match, there was a palpable sense of animosity between Akiyama and Hayabusa, but after the final bell, all was forgiven. The two shook hands, and Hayabusa, returning to the locker room, looked incredibly refreshed, saying, "It would be interesting to fight Akiyama again. Now that I've come this far, I want to fight against the best possible opponents."

This showed a shift in Hayabusa's goals, which had previously seemed solely focused on Kobashi. Akiyama, on the other hand, remained silent due to a mouth injury. While it would have been interesting to hear his comments, given the circumstances, his silence was understandable. And then, it was announced that Hayabusa and Jinsei would be participating in the World's Strongest Tag Team League tournament.

Naturally, this meant he would face Akiyama again, who had shown such promise in this match, and he would also clash with Kobashi once more in the league. In addition, he would face the remaining Four Heavenly Kings (Misawa, Kawada, and Taue), as well as the formidable foreign wrestlers of All Japan Pro Wrestling – a whole new world for Hayabusa. "I'll go into each match with the determination to fight to the death," said Hayabusa. Six months after his debut in All Japan, Hayabusa is forging ahead on the major league road, embarking on the second chapter of his journey towards a great dream.

Hayabusa & Manukea Mossman d. Jun Akiyama & Kentaro Shiga when Hayabusa pinned Shiga (18:12)

Hayabusa & Masato Tanaka & Koji Nakagawa vs. Atsushi Onita & Tetsuhiro Kuroda & Hido 10/14/97

The highly anticipated showdown at the "Northern Holy Ground," Sapporo Nakajima Gymnasium, was scheduled for the second match of the series. This is where Onita joined the fray. The main event of the day was a street fight six-man tag team championship match between Hayabusa, Tanaka, and Nakagawa vs. Onita, Hido, and Kuroda.

It felt like the true launch of ZEN! While ZEN was indeed a group that originated from the FMW wrestling promotion, it was fundamentally the establishment of a new organization. Onita's stated goal was to destroy FMW. It was a situation akin to a lion throwing its cub into a ravine... a fight to the death. Therefore, a scenario of all-out war was created: either destroy or be destroyed.

Of course, Onita had many things in mind for the future. On the other hand, the FMW side felt, "We can't lose if we want to prove what we've accomplished so far" (Hayabusa).

Given the circumstances, a counter-challenge from Onita seemed inevitable. Before the first match, a ZEN autograph session was held, and the response was excellent. The new T-shirts, simply designed with "ZEN" in white letters on a black background, were quite popular. However, what was most striking was Onita's stern expression. "I didn't come back for show or on a whim," were Onita's words.

Yes, the true launch of ZEN simultaneously meant Onita's true comeback. Finally, the main event arrived. The match began with a surprise attack by Onita during the pre-match title ceremony. The match quickly devolved into a chaotic street fight outside the ring, involving Onita, Hayabusa, Kuroda, Tanaka, Hido, and Nakagawa. Hayabusa was the first to return to the ring. Then, still wearing his gown, he launched a plancha towards Onita outside the ring. Onita dodged it and attacked with a chair, brutally striking Hayabusa's throat with the pipe section of the chair. The confrontation between Onita and Hayabusa marked a reunion of sorts, the first since Onita's retirement match.

On May 5, 1995, the future was entrusted to Hayabusa, and Onita's "Jado" spirit was seemingly fulfilled. It's well-known that Hayabusa later took the lead in building the unique character of the new FMW. What was interesting was the fans' reaction. The support was clearly overwhelmingly in favor of FMW.

This can be considered one answer to "what Hayabusa and others have been doing." For Onita, this was something he knew from the beginning. In fact, Onita had said beforehand, "I'm going into the ring expecting to be booed. I'm going to receive my baptism of fire." Onita was the one taking the risk. That's why he wouldn't allow any compromise.

Onita was just as tough on Tanaka as he was on Hayabusa. Tanaka, enduring Onita's barrage of kicks and refusing to fall, showed his fighting spirit. Then, with a sharp glare, Onita delivered a powerful punch with his right fist! Here too, Onita had the upper hand. This wasn't just against his opponents. In the middle of the match, a scene occurred that symbolized Onita's attitude. Onita and Hido assisted, and Kuroda performed a Thunder Fire Powerbomb on Tanaka onto a table. However, the table didn't break.

Immediately, Onita delivered a powerful slap to Kuroda. Onita was serious about destroying FMW, even to the point of "death." Of course, Kuroda also showed his presence. I think Kuroda's decision wasn't wrong. Becoming a member of ZEN seems to be a big step for this man. While Hayabusa delivered a Firebird Splash and other impressive moves, ZEN maintained an aggressive momentum until the end. And the finish was Onita's Thunder Fire Powerbomb. Hayabusa couldn't reach him, and Nakagawa was defeated.

The "picture" painted by Onita's victory was nothing short of a show of dominance. It was a perfect belt-winning performance by Onita ZEN. The difference, ultimately, was a matter of mindset. Hayabusa and the others are likely still struggling to understand Onita's true intentions. The key is to completely let go of all doubts.

"Listen up! We are free! WE ARE FREEDOM!!" Onita shouted into the microphone. Upon returning to the locker room, he slapped Hido and Kuroda to snap them out of their complacency, saying, "Don't get carried away just because you won the belts," before charging back into the ring and scattering Hayabusa and the others.

To reiterate, Onita is serious. What he accomplished in the northern capital that day was merely the first step in his declaration. From this significant first step, the "ZEN (full) sprint" has begun. The newly reformed FMW has already been forced into the position of being the one chasing, it must be said.

FMW 6 Man Street Fight Tag Team Championship Match: Atsushi Onita & Tetsuhiro Kuroda & Hido d. Hayabusa & Masato Tanaka & Koji Nakagawa when Onita pinned Nakagawa (18:05)

Hayabusa & Masato Tanaka & Koji Nakagawa & Ricky Fuji vs. Atsushi Onita & Yukihiro Kanemura & Tetsuhiro Kuroda & Hideki Hosaka 10/15/97

The day after the Sapporo showdown, Onita made a shocking announcement at the Takikawa event. He declared his desire to team up with his mentor, Baba, at All Japan Pro Wrestling's 25th-anniversary show on the 21st of this month.

While we'll delve into the true meaning of this statement later, let's first report on Onita's match that day. Onita teamed up with Kanemura. This was the first time these two had teamed up since the formation of ZEN. This was undoubtedly a major topic of discussion, but the focus of this match was clear: whether Hayabusa and Tanaka could finally break free from their emotional ties to Onita.

In the Sapporo match, Onita had ruthlessly tried to crush FMW. Hayabusa and Tanaka, however, couldn't bring themselves to consider Onita their enemy. The result of the previous day's six-man tag team championship match was a reflection of this mental disparity.

Hayabusa and Tanaka hadn't yet come to terms with their feelings, and this weakness would prove fatal. If they didn't become more ruthless, FMW would be crushed by ZEN. The two needed to quickly sever their emotional ties to Onita, their mentor and father figure.

When the match began, Hayabusa charged at Onita, knocking him out of the ring and delivering a quebrada. Tanaka also bravely attacked Onita. Their intentions were clear. They seemed to understand what they needed to do and acted accordingly, but... their subsequent attacks were lackluster. As usual, their moves lacked conviction. The only possible explanation was their hesitation towards Onita.

The two hadn't completely broken free from their emotional ties. The result was inevitable. ZEN once again defeated FMW. After the match, a triumphant Kanemura shouted at FMW, "You always keep saying you're going to protect FMW like a broken record, but we, ZEN, will definitely crush FMW! Do you understand, you idiots?! We are free! ZEN will unify everything!"

As for Onita, he took a mouthful of water and spat it at Hayabusa. Recognize that this is a fight to the death. This can be interpreted as a message that FMW will collapse if they don't face reality. Onita's actions perfectly reflected the situation at FMW. Hayabusa, feeling a sense of crisis that things were going downhill, cleared his head and said, "I've been painfully reminded of reality. I've come to terms with it. I clearly understand that it's either kill or be killed, so I'll proceed with that in mind."

It was all to protect FMW. However, Tanaka offered no comment. It seems that the man who respected and admired Onita as his last protégé couldn't easily come to terms with the situation... Now, let's move on to Onita's shocking statement mentioned at the beginning.

Atsushi Onita & Yukihiro Kanemura & Tetsuhiro Kuroda & Hideki Hosaka d. Hayabusa & Masato Tanaka & Koji Nakagawa & Ricky Fuji when Onita pinned Ricky (18:11)

Hayabusa & Jinsei Shinzaki vs. The Gladiator & Super Leather 10/19/97

On this day, Hayabusa's long-awaited first daughter was born! At 11:00 AM, his wife, Harumi, safely gave birth to a baby girl weighing 3100g. She was named Ayane. Before the match, Hayabusa was beaming with joy. Since he hadn't yet met his daughter, he was undoubtedly eager to see her as soon as possible.

His first match as a father was a tag team match with his best friend, Jinsei, against the powerful foreign duo of Gladiator and Leather. With Hayabusa and Jinsei already confirmed to participate in All Japan's strongest tag team tournament, this foreign duo could be seen as a test run against All Japan's foreign contingent, such as Williams and Albright, or even Hansen.

However, due to the size difference, they were gradually put on the defensive. Jinsei was caught in a combined attack of Gladiator's powerbomb and Leather's neckbreaker. Hayabusa was also subjected to a series of attacks: Leather's avalanche brainbuster, followed by Gladiaors diving body press and Awesome Bomb.

In this critical moment, Jinsei jumped in and made a crucial save. He grabbed Gladiator's ankle, twisted it in a crucifix hold, and threw him out of the ring, then executed a plancha! It had been a long time since we'd seen Jinsei's plancha.

This scene clearly showed their determination for the strongest tag team tournament. With his friend's selfless help, Hayabusa ultimately secured the victory. He delivered a Tiger Driver and a Firebird Splash to Leather near the corner, achieving a magnificent pinfall win.

After the match, Hayabusa expressed his enthusiasm, saying, "The size disadvantage is unavoidable. But to uphold the name of the strongest tag team and to show everyone what we've accomplished, we'll fight with all our hearts in the All Japan ring!" With the two wings of his beloved wife and child, and his best friend, Hayabusa spread his wings towards the strongest tag team tournament.

Hayabusa & Jinsei Shinzaki d. The Gladiator & Super Leather when Hayabusa pinned Leather (16:25)

Hayabusa & Jinsei Shinzaki & Masato Tanaka & Koji Nakagawa vs. Yukihiro Kanemura & Tetsuhiro Kuroda & Hido & Hideki Hosaka 10/21/97

Before the match that day, an incident occurred where Nakagawa offered his resignation as the wrestlers' association chairman to FMW. Feeling responsible for Kuroda's departure and the increasing power of ZEN, Nakagawa handed his resignation letter to President Arai as a form of "atonement."

President Arai stated that "the company, not just the wrestlers' association chairman, is responsible for this matter," and held onto the resignation letter... but it's safe to say that Nakagawa's resolve is firm and a withdrawal is unlikely. In any case, FMW is currently plagued with problems both inside and outside the ring. As for the problems in the ring... no explanation is needed.

FMW is being completely overwhelmed by ZEN. They have no way to change the situation. The future looks bleak. Indeed, the main event that day only reinforced this feeling. The match was changed from a six-man tag team match to an eight-man tag team match at Onita's request, but when ZEN entered, the arena erupted in boos!

In contrast to Tanaka, it was clear that FMW fans clearly recognized ZEN as their enemy. However, Kuroda was a different story. While there were boos, there were also many cheers. This reaction was not entirely unexpected. It was somewhat predictable.

At the September 16th Korakuen Hall event, even after Kuroda criticized FMW, saying, "I'm working hard, but the company isn't giving me a chance," the audience still gave him warm cheers. Kuroda's efforts were supported by the fans. Kuroda joined ZEN seeking opportunities. The cheers that day can be interpreted as the fans showing understanding for his actions, and as encouragement to "keep working hard even in ZEN." In any case, Kuroda is currently attracting attention, for better or for worse. In the early stages, FMW gained the upper hand. They pushed ZEN back with quick attacks. FMW, in a difficult situation, showed their determination... but Kanemura and Hido grabbed Jinsei and repeatedly attacked his vital points.

Without hesitation, they stopped FMW's momentum, and the flow of the match completely changed. ZEN effectively used barbed wire bats and tables to overwhelm FMW. With Tanaka injuring his left knee, FMW was forced into a disadvantageous position. Despite this, Hayabusa and his teammates refused to give up, launching a desperate counterattack. However, they were unable to overcome ZEN. The match was decided, ending in another decisive victory for ZEN, with Kuroda pinning Tanaka for the win.

Although they were rivals, Kuroda had always been in Tanaka's shadow. This man, fueled by jealousy, transformed that emotion into power and, in a tag team match, finally surpassed Tanaka. Following in the footsteps of Kanemura from Sendai, who had proven his chosen path was correct, Kuroda now did the same. After the match, Kuroda, microphone in hand, screamed, "Hayabusa, Tanaka! Don't act like you're so elite forever!!" The man who had fought relentlessly like a weed, even without the spotlight, had achieved results and unleashed his true feelings. Kuroda had shown Hayabusa and Tanaka his "grassroots spirit." Furthermore, Kuroda declared, "We will absolutely crush FMW!" Amidst a storm of boos, Kanemura declared, "We're going to do what W*ING, Funk Master, and FMW couldn't do. We're going to conquer all the Japanese promotions!"

Gannosuke, who rushed into the ring, shouted, "Kuroda, Kanemura! We're going to destroy FMW! ZEN will take over the independent scene!" Looking at the members of ZEN, their claim of unifying the independent scene seems entirely possible. Gannosuke, who had declared himself a lone wolf, joined Kuroda and others in attacking Hayabusa in the ring. This made it clear to everyone that he was still connected to them and had become a member of ZEN. With Kanemura, Gannosuke, Gladiator, Kuroda, Hido, Hosaka, and Fujita, ZEN is a formidable force.

Individually, this group is incredibly strong. Their "independent scene unification" statement is highly convincing. Furthermore, this illustrates the incredibly difficult future that awaits FMW. Finally, I want to mention how Kanemura, upon returning to the locker room, lashed out at the incompetent Hosaka. He said, "You idiot Fuyuki Army, FMW's Hayabusa and the others, the old W*ING, the previous W*ING, Funk Masters, and all the other Japanese indie wrestling organizations—we were going to conquer them all! If you had taken the belt from Tanaka, the conquest would have been much faster, you idiot! You're slow, you're dragging everyone down. Do you understand? You're half-hearted. You need to work harder!"

Kanemura then poked Hosaka in the chest, essentially saying, "Those without motivation should leave ZEN." With that, Hosaka stormed out of the locker room, saying, "I can't do this anymore!"... This action could also be interpreted as leaving ZEN. This incident created discord and will likely affect their relationship in the future.

Yukihiro Kanemura & Tetsuhiro Kuroda & Hido & Hideki Hosaka d. Hayabusa & Jinsei Shinzaki & Masato Tanaka & Koji Nakagawa when Kuroda pinned Tanaka (14:30)

Hayabusa & Jinsei Shinzaki vs. Jun Izumida & Giant Kimala 11/15/97

Among the members of this year's strongest tag team, Hayabusa and Jinsei Shinzaki were arguably the most attention-grabbing. This was evident in the sheer volume of cheers during their entrance ceremony before the match.

The cheers were just as loud as those for the Misawa, Kawada, and Kobashi teams. Furthermore, this team brought a touch of glamour to the strongest tag team competition. Even though they weren't particularly large, the two stood out amidst the larger wrestlers, creating a unique atmosphere in the ring.

This alone made their participation in the league a great success. Now, with nine more league matches to come, Hayabusa and Jinsei will be facing most of the teams and wrestlers for the first time. Their first opponents were the Kimala and Izumida team. This team had defeated the Misawa and Akiyama team in last year's strongest tag team competition, and with their superior power, they weren't an easy team to beat.

Despite this, Hayabusa and Jinsei dodged Kimala's surprise attack and landed a double face crusher, taking control of the match from the start. As Izumida later commented, "I intended to take the attacks in the first half, but I didn't have the luxury," highlighting the intensity of their performance. Jinsei executed a rope walk, and Hayabusa showcased a swan dive guillotine and a moonsault using the second rope, relentlessly attacking the Kimala team. The Kimala team finally counterattacked after about five minutes. Kimala used his power to regain control, and along with Izumida, used their combined weight in a double attack on Jinsei.

They also attacked Hayabusa with lariats, but couldn't inflict any decisive damage. Hayabusa, however, reversed the situation with a full nelson buster followed by a Firebird Splash, and then entrusted the finish to Jinsei. After stopping Izumida's movements with the crucifix twist he used in his match against The Undertaker, Jinsei finished the match with three diving headbutts.

With a series of takedowns, dives, and finally a submission hold, Hayabusa and Jinsei pinned Izumida, securing a victory in their very first match as a tag team. This also marked a historic win in this league, as it was the first time in 11 years that Japanese wrestlers from other organizations had participated.

After the match, Izumida acknowledged the greatness of Hayabusa and Jinsei, expressing his admiration for their skills. Meanwhile, Hayabusa commented, "We won, but that's not all we're capable of. We want to aim higher, look ahead, and move forward with all our strength. This is just the beginning." Hayabusa is absolutely right. The long and challenging journey for Hayabusa and Jinsei has only just begun.

Real World Tag Team Tournament Match: Hayabusa & Jinsei Shinzaki (2) d. Jun Izumida & Giant Kimala (0) when Shinzaki pinned Izumida (11:51)

Hayabusa & Jinsei Shinzaki vs. Takao Omori & Tamon Honda 11/16/97

Hayabusa and Jinsei achieved a historic victory by defeating Kimala and Izumida, but they couldn't afford to rest on their laurels. After all, these two were outsiders to every team they faced, and every league match against them carried the weight of a rivalry.

For their opponents that day, Omori and Tamon, Hayabusa and Jinsei were a thorn in their side. While Omori, who had faced Hayabusa once before, hadn't been directly pinned, public opinion still considered Hayabusa the superior wrestler. Of course, Hayabusa himself didn't think so, but the image of Hayabusa as the ace of FMW, an independent promotion, contrasted sharply with Omori and Tamon's image as young wrestlers from All Japan Pro Wrestling, making the former appear superior in the eyes of the audience.

Therefore, Omori and Tamon had to win this match not only against their opponents but also against public perception. This unwavering determination fueled their energetic fight. Their willingness to absorb their opponents' attacks head-on and retaliate with striking techniques was a clear manifestation of this resolve. Hayabusa and Jinsei, in turn, utilized their agility to find an opening, leading Omori and Tamon to employ their teamwork, resulting in a heated and intense battle.

While a close match was expected, who could have predicted such a spectacular contest? The four wrestlers, with similar career lengths (Hayabusa 6 years, Omori 5 years, Jinsei and Tamon 4 years), seemed to have naturally developed a strong rivalry. Even Hayabusa's Falcon Arrow, Jinsei's Gokuraku Gatame, and Tamon's Tamon's Powerbomb failed to secure a victory.

At this point, the wrestler with the stronger will to win would have the advantage, and that advantage belonged to Omori and Tamon, who were fighting not only their opponents but also public opinion. When Omori countered Jinsei's Praying Powerbomb with a Neil Kick, Tamon unleashed his original German Suplex on Jinsei! The throw, executed with ample momentum, gained even more power, and resulted in a three-count. Omori and Tamon, embracing each other and celebrating their victory, firmly told the reporters who came to get their comments: "This isn't an upset victory, so please don't write it that way!" (Omori)

"As long as we're carrying the banner of our stable, we can't afford to lose." (Tamon). Without dwelling on the relief of victory, Omori and Tamon's expressions shone as they spoke. However, even though Hayabusa and Jinsei lost, there's no doubt that this match was meaningful. It proved that there are many opponents on the All Japan Pro Wrestling mat who can help them grow as wrestlers. This challenging path is worth walking! Hayabusa and Jinsei's training continues...

<Hayabusa after the match>

I felt something like renewed determination from those two. I thought I went all out without holding back, but perhaps because they're the strongest tag team, their level of intensity was different, and I could see their fierce desire for victory. Yesterday, I said I wanted to have a good match regardless of the outcome, but once it started, I still wanted the win, and I'll do my best in the remaining seven matches with the same determination not to lose to them. Today, I really felt like I wanted to compete against those two outside of the league matches. In that sense, I think things are going to become more and more exciting for me and Jinsei. I think I've started to see the future through this experience. Today, I'll honestly accept the loss as a loss, and without saying anything, I'll move on to the next match, and the next.

Real World Tag Team Tournament Match: Takao Omori & Tamon Honda (2) d. Hayabusa & Jinsei Shinzaki (2) when Honda pinned Shinzaki (15:28)

Hayabusa & Jinsei Shinzaki vs. Barry Windham & Justin Bradshaw 11/19/97

This year's strongest tag team tournament saw a clash between two newly participating teams: Hayabusa and Jinsei Shinzaki, and the Blackjacks from WWF, at the Kochi event. Remarkably, three of the four wrestlers were making their debut in the strongest tag team tournament. Windham was also making his return after 14 years, making the event truly fresh.

Surprisingly, research revealed that Jinsei and Bradshaw had previously faced each other when Jinsei was competing in WWF as Hakushi, meaning a WWF vs. FMW match was taking place in the All Japan ring – a testament to the unique nature of this year's strongest tag team tournament, as has been said repeatedly.

These two teams' records so far were 1 win and 1 loss for Hayabusa's team, and 1 win and 2 losses for the Blackjacks. While they had secured some victories, these numbers weren't strong enough to put them in contention for the top spot. As newcomers, both teams desperately needed a win to make an impression, making this a crucial match for both sides.

Regarding the match itself, based on their previous performances, Hayabusa's team was perceived as a team that relied on aerial maneuvers, while the Blackjacks were seen as a power-based team.

However, the match unfolded differently. Hayabusa and Jinsei anticipated their opponents would rely on brute force and planned to disrupt them with their usual high-flying techniques and speed. But the Blackjacks didn't stick to a one-dimensional fighting style. Instead, they targeted Hayabusa's left elbow, which was protected by a brace, and focused their attacks there.

Windham, in particular, relentlessly attacked that area. Windham had a long and successful career in NWA, and this style of fighting was second nature to him. It's a fundamental principle to exploit an opponent's weakness, and it's essential for victory. However, this unexpected strategy caught Hayabusa off guard. Windham's surprising tactics resulted in Hayabusa's left arm being subjected to continuous attacks for over five minutes.

Hayabusa and Jinsei tried their best to help each other, but the Blackjacks attacked near their corner, leaving Jinsei unable to intervene. By the time Jinsei finally managed to help, it was already too late. While Hayabusa and Jinsei showed some resistance with moves like Jinsei's Gokuraku Gatame and Hayabusa's German Suplex, ultimately, Bradshaw overpowered Hayabusa with a lariat followed by a powerbomb reminiscent of a Thunder Fire Powerbomb, ending the match.

In this battle between two newly formed tag teams, the Blackjacks won by combining strength and skill. After the match, Hayabusa was visibly shocked. "I was deceived by appearances. I thought they were just a team with brute strength, and I didn't expect them to attack so effectively. I couldn't read their strategy. I'm sorry to Jinsei," he said, full of regret.

Jinsei shook his head, silently indicating that it wasn't Hayabusa's fault, which was perhaps the only consolation. For Hayabusa and Jinsei, who aim for the top, this defeat presented another challenge. The strongest tag team division is indeed the ultimate training ground. They have no choice but to use this defeat as a springboard to move forward.

Real World Tag Team Tournament Match: Barry Windham & Justin Bradshaw (4) d. Hayabusa & Jinsei Shinzaki (2) when Bradshaw pinned Hayabusa (15:04)

Hayabusa & Jinsei Shinzaki vs. Stan Hansen & Bobby Duncum, Jr. 11/20/97

For Hayabusa and Jinsei, who were competing on the All Japan Pro Wrestling mat as part of their training, the battles against the Four Heavenly Kings weren't the only opportunities for development. Another prominent feature of All Japan Pro Wrestling since its founding was its impressive roster of foreign wrestlers. For these two young wrestlers from FMW and Michinoku Pro, facing Hansen, who had reigned at the top of the Japanese wrestling scene for over a decade, was an ideal challenge for their self-improvement.

Sensing their determination, Hansen, upon entering the ring, immediately provoked Jinsei, then waved off Duncan and started the match himself. The Hayabusa vs. Hansen confrontation began immediately. Hayabusa quickly attempted a back suplex, but Hansen easily shrugged him off. Jinsei then tagged in and attacked Hansen, but he too was completely ineffective. His attempted rope walk was thwarted by a punch to the body, and he was constantly on the defensive. Hansen's relentless headlock was unbreakable; even when Hayabusa tried to break it with punches, Hansen wouldn't let go.

But Hayabusa, who had been completely outmatched until now, showed his fighting spirit. With a shout of "Damn it!", he unleashed a powerful missile kick, finally sending Hansen flying out of the ring. Jinsei followed him, luring him into a lariat that accidentally hit the ring post. They then immediately began a concentrated attack on Hansen's left arm, finally turning the tide.

Seizing this opportunity, Hayabusa and Jinsei targeted Duncan after 12 minutes, unleashing a series of powerful moves. Hayabusa's Frankensteiner, Firebird Splash, and Jinsei's Gokuraku Gatame brought them close to victory. However, Hansen, who had repeatedly interfered, tagged in and launched a fierce counterattack. Displaying his classic bull-fighting style, he ultimately secured the victory with a lariat on Hayabusa.

"There, I felt Hansen's immense pride, the kind that says, 'Try to grasp something from fighting me!' I thought I had fully calculated the danger of his powerful blows, but I couldn't quite finish him off. The weight of his single techniques was incredible; that's probably the source of his greatness and pride, the reason he's been at the top of All Japan Pro Wrestling for so long... I learned a lot today. I want to move forward little by little, gaining experience like this." (It would be a lie to say I wasn't nervous against Hansen. I might have been overwhelmed by the atmosphere. There were some parts where my movements were sluggish...) Hayabusa's eyes, as he spoke these words, were far from lifeless.

Of course, the same was true for his partner, Jinsei. They understand that matches are meant to be won, but for these two still developing wrestlers, focusing solely on winning wouldn't lead to any growth. The match between Hayabusa's team and the All Japan Pro Wrestling wrestlers wasn't a rivalry between promotions; Hayabusa and Jinsei are fighting as a test to improve themselves. Some might view Hayabusa and Jinsei's matches as a major vs. indie scenario, but they themselves don't think that way. This isn't limited to Hayabusa and Jinsei; the same applies to the All Japan wrestlers.

Those of the same generation fight to grow together, and the more experienced wrestlers act as obstacles to help them grow. It would be too heartless to ignore these pure feelings and judge Hayabusa and Jinsei solely on the results. Even though they are from different promotions, we shouldn't forget that they are comrades in spirit, sharing the same ring. Even though they lost today, they will surely grasp something that will lead to victory next time. Hayabusa's eyes held a passionate determination, almost like an obsession.

Real World Tag Team Tournament Match: Stan Hansen & Bobby Duncum, Jr. (4) d. Hayabusa & Jinsei Shinzaki (2) when Hansen pinned Hayabusa (15:24)

Hayabusa & Jinsei Shinzaki vs. Toshiaki Kawada & Akira Taue 11/23/97

The match against Jinsei was about to begin. He threw his opponent aside. Taking advantage of the situation, Taue lifted him up. Suddenly, I want to return to the story of Hayabusa's first participation in All Japan Pro Wrestling at the April Osaka show.

There, Kawada watched Hayabusa's match and left the following comment: "I wish he had trained with us from the beginning as a new recruit. He has considerable potential." This was a positive comment. Because he recognized Hayabusa's potential, he made a statement implying that it would be a waste to let him develop in the independent circuit.

November 23rd, Sendai show. Kawada was scheduled to clash with Hayabusa for the first time, but... Kawada's comments regarding the match were dismissive: "This isn't a junior heavyweight league." He made negative remarks about participating in the strongest tag team tournament. Why? Hayabusa and Jinsei had a weight disadvantage in the league. On the All Japan mat, where heavy and large wrestlers gather, it was inevitable that the two would struggle. Although he recognized their potential, he didn't feel the need to be wary of them in a fight—Kawada's aforementioned statement was an expression of his pride as a top wrestler in All Japan.

Kawada showed a stance of not being very interested in the match against Hayabusa and Jinsei. This set the focus of this match. Kawada goes all out against opponents he finds challenging, but he fights with a cold demeanor against opponents he's not interested in. Could Hayabusa and Jinsei make Kawada take notice? That was the key point of this match. Hayabusa understood this, which is why he went to the ring with the goal of "getting into Kawada's field of vision."

Hayabusa and Jinsei entered the ring to a huge ovation. The audience, understanding the focus of the match, was eagerly anticipating and watching to see if the two wrestlers could get into Kawada and Taue's sights. The match started with Kawada against Hayabusa, an immediately captivating matchup. Hayabusa was the first to attack, delivering an elbow strike as soon as they locked up. Even after being countered with elbows and knee kicks, he didn't flinch, delivering a running jumping knee and a swan dive dropkick. Hayabusa relentlessly attacked Kawada, and his approach to Taue was the same. Hayabusa was full of fighting spirit, and this was reflected in his life as well.

Kawada and Taue refused to allow him to perform his rope-walking move, but Hayabusa, as if determined to have his way, successfully executed it on Taue. He then unveiled a new backflip-style kick called "Reincarnation" on Kawada, who had his back turned! This can be considered a new move devised specifically for this tag team match. If you were to describe the two wrestlers that day in one word, it would be "aggressive and daring." Their teamwork was impeccable, and they tenaciously fought back even when they were being attacked. The determination of these two to make their presence felt exploded.

After the match, Kawada commented, "It was interesting because it was our first match, and the audience enjoys seeing them jump and leap. So, even though I could have avoided the moves, I deliberately took them... but after taking Hayabusa's missile kick and Jinsei's diving headbutt, both my shoulders were injured." Although he had initially taken their attacks with a sense of superiority, he ended up being taken aback. Firebird Splash, Praying Powerbomb... Hayabusa and Jinsei created several "almost" moments.

As Taue said, "I thought they would be a little lighter... but I realized they were dangerous. After taking their combination move (double face crusher) and Hayabusa's German suplex, my mind went blank." Hayabusa and Jinsei managed to strip Kawada's team of their composure. The audience was excited by the efforts of these two, giving them loud cheers. There were even instances of booing directed at Kawada and Taue.

In the end, Kawada showcased his power with a powerful lariat followed by a powerbomb, securing the pinfall victory. It was a deserved win, but Hayabusa and Jinsei's efforts were truly remarkable. It's safe to say they proved themselves worthy opponents in Kawada's eyes. "He's strong... I gave it my all today. ​​This was my first time facing one of the Four Heavenly Kings, and I was reminded of their strength. But now there's another wall I have to overcome. I can't back down now. We'll just take it one match at a time... climbing the hill step by step. And someday, I want to overcome that high wall. (Regarding the tag team tournament) It's not about wins and losses, but about whether the people who watched felt it was meaningful."

This was Hayabusa's comment after the match. Before the match, there were doubts about whether they could even be considered worthy opponents for Kawada and Taue, but Hayabusa and Jinsei showed a fight that made people think, "They can do this much against the Four Heavenly Kings!" In the strongest tag team tournament, what's demanded of these two isn't victory or defeat. The significance lies in Hayabusa and Jinsei putting up a tenacious fight. Their opponents are all highly skilled. They know it's going to be tough, but the struggles they endure will surely come back to them as a positive. "I've said this before, but I wish those kinds of wrestlers had been nurtured in All Japan from the beginning."

On this day, Hayabusa once again showed a performance that made Kawada say just that. There were no negative comments. Looking at the audience's reaction and Kawada and Taue's comments, it's clear that the two's fight that day was meaningful!

Real World Tag Team Tournament Match: Toshiaki Kawada & Akira Taue (8) d. Hayabusa & Jinsei Shinzaki (2) when Kawada pinned Shinzaki (15:28)

Hayabusa & Jinsei Shinzaki vs. Mitsuharu Misawa & Jun Akiyama 11/27/97

With great courage and an unwavering spirit, Hayabusa is boldly challenging the strongest tag team in his wrestling career. While it's true that he's facing a tough battle, he's finally getting the chance to face Mitsuhara Misawa, the Triple Crown Champion and arguably the pinnacle of the wrestling world!

The match against Misawa, whom Hayabusa has long considered one of his idols, holds significant importance for him. This is because Misawa has overcome the same struggles and hardships that Hayabusa currently faces as a masked wrestler, and has risen to become the ace of All Japan Pro Wrestling.

As you know, Misawa once wrestled as Tiger Mask, and by constantly performing the high-flying moves that fans expected, he suffered many unnecessary injuries. Even though he thought, "This isn't my true fighting style," he had to perform those moves as Tiger Mask, carrying that burden throughout his career.

Hayabusa feels the same way now, harboring the desire to one day show his true self as Eiji Ezaki. That's why fighting Misawa, who has removed his mask and become a true champion recognized by everyone, is so meaningful. To further his own growth, Hayabusa needed to clash head-on with Misawa. "I can't hold anything back, so I'm going to give it my all. I'll do my best! That's all I can say," Hayabusa said before the match, not appearing particularly nervous.

However, this short comment was filled with his determination for the match. To leave no regrets, he vowed to give his all against Misawa, a promise he made to himself and his career. This determination was evident in the match from the very beginning, starting with a focused attack on the arm, a fundamental technique of professional wrestling. While Hayabusa and Jinsei are often known for their flashy moves, they are not shallow wrestlers who rely solely on appearances.

Even as independent wrestlers, they possess a solid foundation in wrestling fundamentals—a silent declaration of their skill. The match truly intensified after the 14-minute mark. Hayabusa unleashed a swan dive elbow attack, immediately followed by a kneel kick and a full nelson buster. Akiyama responded head-on with a diving knee attack, leading to a heated exchange of blows. Here, Hayabusa and Jinsei's agility and speed came to the forefront.

Their first target was Misawa, who was downed by Jinsei's diving shoulder tackle, and then subjected to a rapid-fire barrage of attacks from both Hayabusa and Jinsei, including a tope atomico, knee drop, and moonsault. Misawa managed to escape a Prayer Powerbomb with a headscissors whip, but then Akiyama was caught, and the predicament for Misawa and Akiyama continued.

Jinsei landed a powerful Rinne (backflip kick), and Hayabusa followed with a Falcon Arrow. When Misawa tried to intervene, Jinsei hit him with a swan dive missile kick, sending him outside the ring. Hayabusa then executed a triangle jump quebrada, and Jinsei followed with a Sasuke Special #1 (cartwheel top rope quebrada), showcasing their unique and spectacular moves.

Even then, Hayabusa and Jinsei's all-out, no-holds-barred fighting spirit didn't waver. Hayabusa, quickly returning to the ring, slammed Akiyama with a body slam and immediately attempted a Firebird Splash. Akiyama kicked out at two, and then, immediately after Jinsei's Prayer Powerbomb, Hayabusa unleashed his ultimate flying move, the Phoenix Splash.

Everyone thought it was over, but Misawa made the save just before the three count, preventing the victory. Nevertheless, this moment perfectly conveyed the fighting spirit of Hayabusa and Jinsei. During the exchange of powerful moves, Hayabusa and Jinsei were mostly on the offensive, but they said they didn't feel like they had cornered their opponents as much as the audience might have thought.

"They were just too good, completely without weakness. Misawa and Akiyama's defensive strength was truly beyond what we expected. It was tough... It felt like we were just flailing around in the palm of Misawa's hand. I think I really understood Misawa's skill and depth of character even more after this match." This was Hayabusa's comment after the match, and what backed up his words was the incredible performance of Misawa, who suddenly launched a major offensive just before the 20-minute mark.

After catching Hayabusa and executing a Tiger Driver, he immediately followed up with an elbow suicida on Jinsei, who was outside the ring. During this time, Akiyama also recovered, unleashing a Blue Thunder, a diving elbow to the back of the neck, and an Exploder in quick succession, finally securing the pinfall victory over Hayabusa with a second Exploder.

"They're something else. They're small in stature, but I learned that they can compensate for that with teamwork. I wanted to fight Jinsei a little longer, and those two don't feel like independent wrestlers. They feel like rivals of the same generation. Until now, I thought that if Hayabusa and his partner only looked upwards, they would be tripped up, but with each match, they resonate more and more. They fight back when you hit them, and their earnestness comes through." Akiyama, the winner, enjoyed the match against Hayabusa and Jinsei even more than the result itself.

And the same was true for Hayabusa. There's no doubt that he grasped something more important than the outcome in this match. "I feel like I was given a truly unique and special learning experience here, something I couldn't have gotten anywhere else. I realized that I still have a long way to go, and I need to repay Akiyama someday... Although the results are as you can see, this is just the beginning. My learning process is about fighting in a way that leads to something beyond just the results!"

Jinsei did not leave any comments, but his feelings were probably the same as Hayabusa's. That's why, when he first stepped onto the All Japan ring, he said, "This isn't penance, it's training." Penance might be something meaningless to do, but it's a form of training to test oneself by doing it anyway. Training, on the other hand, is a form of discipline where you understand the clear significance of what you're doing and strive for it.

For him, the All Japan ring was truly a form of training. After this match, a strong rivalry was forged between Akiyama, Hayabusa, and Jinsei. They became comrades who would push each other to improve as they chased after the Four Heavenly Kings.
Meanwhile, Misawa, who accepted the challenge, left the following comment about Hayabusa and Jinsei:

"Their speed was impressive, of course, but the weight of their techniques was even greater than it looked. They're both excellent wrestlers. This isn't the end; I want to keep fighting and competing. They made me feel that way today."

This was truly the beginning of a generational struggle that transcended different wrestling organizations. A match between the Four Heavenly Kings (Akiyama, Omori, Hayabusa, and Jinsei) would be one of the matches I'd definitely want to see. It doesn't even have to be a factional battle; a dream-like generational struggle has begun, and we can't let this opportunity pass us by. Not a rivalry between organizations, but a pure struggle—a new era has begun here!

Real World Tag Team Tournament Match: Mitsuharu Misawa & Jun Akiyama (11) d. Hayabusa & Jinsei Shinzaki (2) when Akiyama pinned Hayabusa (21:34)

Hayabusa & Masato Tanaka vs. Mr. Gannosuke & Yukihiro Kanemura 11/28/97

Hayabusa, who had been making sporadic appearances in this series while simultaneously competing in All Japan's "Strongest Tag Team" tournament, returned to Tokyo the morning after his official match against Misawa and Akiyama on the first day of the crucial two-day "Strongest Tag Team" event in Sapporo.

He then rushed to his home ring for the final match of the FMW series at Korakuen Hall on November 28th. Although he had more losses than wins in the "Strongest Tag Team" tournament, Hayabusa, along with his partner Jinsei, had received high praise. He never forgot his responsibility as FMW's ace.

However, though Hayabusa didn't say it himself, the physical and mental toll of competing in the "Strongest Tag Team" tournament must have been immense. FMW fans greeted Hayabusa with enthusiastic cheers. As usual, Hayabusa entered the ring for the main event, the World Brass Knuckles Tag Team Championship match, with a spectacular swan dive. His partner was Tanaka.

Their opponents were the ZEN team of Gannosuke and Kanemura. This match was essentially a clash of the four kings of the FMW mat. The match started with a surprise attack from ZEN, but Hayabusa focused on Gannosuke, landing high kicks and a spinning heel kick.

However, what awaited Hayabusa was the different, harder style of the FMW mat compared to All Japan. Gannosuke and Kanemura frequently used low blows, and Kuroda, Hosaka, and Tankman interfered outside the ring, disrupting Hayabusa and Tanaka's teamwork.

Despite this, Hayabusa pursued Gannosuke with a quebrada and a Firebird Splash, but couldn't deliver the decisive blow. Tanaka also showed intense rivalry towards Kanemura, unleashing powerful elbow strikes and lariats, but couldn't secure the finish. Taking advantage of the opening between Hayabusa and Tanaka, Gannosuke landed a high-angle German suplex and a Thunder Fire.

Hayabusa, whose movements had completely stopped as if he had been utterly defeated, no longer had the strength to retaliate with his finishing move, the Fire Thunder. They fought valiantly in the tag team match, even pinning Onita. Hayabusa and Tanaka had returned to the sacred ground after achieving great feats individually, but what awaited them was a crushing defeat.

The two were thrown into the depths of despair. Even when Kanemura taunted Hayabusa, saying, "You guys lost, so admit defeat and go home!", Hayabusa had no words to reply. "I'm sorry... They're right, we definitely lost today. But I don't care what they say today, I'll return this frustration and humiliation to them two or three times over. To prove what we've accomplished in the past two years (in the new FMW), we will never give up!" Hayabusa vowed revenge, his voice trembling. Will Hayabusa be able to overcome this devastating defeat?

FMW Brass Knuckles Tag Team Championship Match: Mr. Gannosuke & Yukihiro Kanemura d. Hayabusa & Masato Tanaka when Gannosuke pinned Hayabusa (15:39)

Hayabusa & Jinsei Shinzaki vs. Steve Williams & Gary Albright 12/1/97

Sendai, Sapporo, Morioka, Niigata... listing the places I visited with this year's "strongest tag team," they were all places where I felt the winter cold directly. Indeed, everywhere I went, stepping onto the station platform, I was greeted by a cold air incomparably colder than in Tokyo. Yet, I don't retain the feeling of being cold. Once inside the venue, it was overflowing with energy.

In addition to that, I think I myself was unusually excited. Thanks to the stimulation provided by Hayabusa and Jinsei—the dream I wrote about in my report on the Kawada team match in Sendai, "Hayabusa & Jinsei create a best bout as the 'strongest tag team'," continued to unfold. Every single match was the one that excited the audience the most. Based on Giant Baba's philosophy that professional wrestling is about pleasing the audience, they proved themselves more than capable on the All Japan ring.

Even so, it's difficult to have so many good matches consecutively even in their home ring, so why did it happen on the major league stage? This is where the essence of All Japan Pro Wrestling lies. Not just Kawada, but the profound depth of those who have reached the pinnacle—Hayabusa and Jinsei possessed the skill to thrive within that environment.

While Jinsei is a man of few words, Hayabusa always held a high standard for a good match, and even when I said it was good, he would often say, "No, this isn't good enough yet," and become dejected. But during this league tournament, he always had a look of fulfillment on his face. The enjoyment, the wonder, the strength and greatness, the profoundness of professional wrestling... all these elements are packed into the "King's Road" style.

In just nine matches, Hayabusa and Jinsei experienced it with a concentration many times greater than usual. The match where I truly felt their greatness was their first encounter with the Williams & Albright team in Morioka. Among the many teams, this duo was a hardcore strong-style team. Their amateur wrestling-based style meant they were practically from a different genre than Hayabusa and Jinsei.

Despite being such a supernatural clash, the match was a success because Hayabusa and Jinsei, with their smaller physiques, cleverly outmaneuvered and challenged the two larger opponents. Their teamwork was brilliant, and their three-dimensional fighting style compensated for the size difference.

Since it was Michinoku Pro's home turf in Morioka, the Williams team received nothing but boos. Hayabusa and Jinsei, as the absolute babyfaces, were able to showcase their strengths. When they threw their opponents with suplexes and displayed their power, the arena naturally erupted with excitement.

Albright's imitation of Hayabusa's pose and Williams's bowing were arrogant acts designed to play on the audience's emotions. There was even a scene where Hayabusa, after being thrown by Albright with a German suplex, retaliated with the same move, but in the end, a full nelson suplex folded Jinsei in half. It was one of the most crushing defeats they had ever experienced.

"The suplexes and other throwing techniques, and their explosive power, were more effective than I expected. Even though I thought I understood, I couldn't handle it when it actually happened. It felt like rocks were being thrown at me. It was completely different from fighting against Gladiator." Hayabusa, who had gained some immunity to fighting larger foreigners during the feud with the American version of FMW, was completely overwhelmed by this new level of strength. At the same time, he seemed to have a renewed appreciation for the greatness of top wrestlers like Misawa, who regularly clashed with and sometimes even defeated such powerful opponents.

However, it's also true that the audience was highly satisfied. I think what they were looking for in this league match was a team like Ricky Steamboat and Jay Youngblood, who participated in the same tournament in 1982. This match against the Williams and Albright team was the closest thing to that legendary match against Hansen and Brody. In that sense, they can be said to have met expectations.

Real World Tag Team Tournament Match: Steve Williams & Gary Albright (14) d. Hayabusa & Jinsei Shinzaki (2) when Albright pinned Shinzaki (16:11)

Hayabusa & Jinsei Shinzaki vs. Johnny Smith & Wolf Hawkfield 12/2/97

Hayabusa & Jinsei had been drawing thunderous applause at every venue, but up until this point, they had only managed one win, in the opening match against Kimala & Izumida. Other teams had already achieved their second win, and they desperately wanted to clinch it... but... The moment finally arrived at the December 2nd Fukushima event. Hayabusa's joy was all the greater after getting the pinfall from Wolf & Smith, their "hidden weapon," after the three-count. "We somehow managed to win today. If we'd let even the slightest bit of slack, honestly, it could have gone either way... But I'm happy we won, and it's even more so because of the frustration of all the losses we've had up until now... I want to fight both of them again. The more I do it, the more my desire grows. It's like being thrown into a toy box and finding all sorts of things and feeling happy." Coincidentally, this day also marked Jinsei's 31st birthday. Hayabusa must have thought, "I've given him a great present."

Real World Tag Team Tournament Match: Hayabusa & Jinsei Shinzaki (4) d. Johnny Smith & Wolf Hawkfield (8) when Hayabusa pinned Smith (20:18)

Hayabusa & Jinsei Shinzaki vs. Kenta Kobashi & Johnny Ace 12/3/97

The next day, Hayabusa and Jinsei, after securing their long-awaited second victory against Wolf and Smith, finally faced their final official match. The match against Kobashi's team, which they had called "something special" at the opening match – in terms of the theme of directly confronting their opponents with everything they had cultivated throughout the league matches, their previous record didn't matter.

Anyway, the Niigata City Gymnasium was incredibly hyped, comparable to the Budokan or Kawasaki Stadium. Hayabusa and Jinsei truly poured everything they had into Kobashi and Ace. In that sense, I think it was truly the culmination of the league matches. The techniques they developed during their journey together in the main event were unleashed one after another against the world tag team champions. Of course, the retaliation was fierce.

However, Hayabusa's team repelled them all. The endurance they gained from experiencing just eight matches was enough to surprise even Kobashi. The results of the league matches? As you can see! They've had hard-fought matches, and their techniques are becoming heavier. Kobashi said, "It felt a little light at first, but their fighting spirit came out. That fighting spirit came out because they were wearing masks."

Kobashi said that the weight of their attacks, not just their defense, was palpable. What they gained through the league matches... it was increased toughness and wildness in their techniques. Hayabusa and Jinsei unleashed these against GET. In the final stages, Hayabusa unleashed a Dragon Suplex, Falcon Arrow, and Firebird Splash, but Kobashi narrowly dodged the decisive Phoenix Splash. It was a technique so impressive that Akiyama groaned, "I couldn't dodge it. That was amazing." Kobashi must have also thought, "If I get hit by that..."

Afterward, they changed the momentum with a combined attack, and finally, just like at Kawasaki Stadium, Kobashi knocked down Hayabusa with a lariat. But at that point, his mind must have been made up. "You've gotten even bigger. You're growing so much. Are you happy? Yes, this time in a singles match. After doing Budokan and Kawasaki, I found the meaning of doing a singles match. I want to do it with Hayabusa and Jinsei."

Finally, Kobashi uttered the two words: "singles match." For Hayabusa, the strongest tag team match was a rite of passage to make that happen. And he undeniably cleared that hurdle. Shaking hands and promising to fight again, GET left the ring. Only Hayabusa and Jinsei remained. The unending applause seemed to convey not just praise for their efforts in the nine matches, but also a feeling of "thank you." Hayabusa and Jinsei bowed to all four sides, clasped their hands together, and then left the ring.

They stopped briefly on the ramp and exchanged a handshake. They had always refused to shake hands in a casual manner since they first met as rivals. Come to think of it, they might not have shaken hands even once during this league. But no one would object to it now. It was a genuine expression of their feelings during their fruitful journey of orthodox wrestling training...

"We tried to directly apply everything we've learned throughout this league tournament to Kobashi-san. Honestly, the results might have been disappointing, but I think we gained and felt so much more than that. We don't want to let it end here; from next year, we want to make it something even bigger, and once again, we want to embark on a pilgrimage, so to speak, to become the strongest tag team in All Japan Pro Wrestling. For us, it was a league tournament without regrets, one we were satisfied with. We experienced the fundamental, mainstream aspects of professional wrestling, like when we were overseas. We were able to experience the joy of clashing head-on again, and it was fun... though it was tough (laughs)."

All the first-person pronouns in Hayabusa's comments were "we." Jinsei hadn't uttered a single word during the league tournament, but the day after the official matches ended, a letter arrived. It read, "It was a fulfilling league tournament with content comparable to completing the 88th match." Clearly, his feelings were the same as his formidable partner's. Hayabusa & Jinsei, a magnificent conquest of the strongest tag team.

Real World Tag Team Tournament Match: Kenta Kobashi & Johnny Ace (14) d. Hayabusa & Jinsei Shinzaki (4) when Kobashi pinned Hayabusa (22:25)

Hayabusa vs. Hisakatsu Oya 12/5/97

The first thing that struck me was the fans' deep affection for the new FMW. This seemed even stronger than before the establishment of ZEN. It's understandable that Oya received such applause when he told Hayabusa at the previous Korakuen Hall event, "Let's have a match like in the days of the new FMW."

That reaction shows what's most important to the current FMW. The same can be said for ZEN. Everything is judged by the fighting in the ring; that was the direction the new FMW had set. And the one-on-one match between Hayabusa and Oya was a precious match that proved this direction was correct, and it has lived on in the hearts of the fans and the wrestlers themselves.

Oya, too, has a deep affection for the new FMW, even if he doesn't express it openly. Even while belonging to a rival group, he has served as a benchmark for FMW and W*ING wrestlers, contributing to their improvement. Therefore, when that value system seemed to be crumbling, he instinctively tried to correct the course.

It was because of this pure feeling that Hayabusa also aimed for a fight that would live up to it. Hayabusa, wearing the same brown costume as that day, spent the first ten minutes of the match in ground wrestling, just like before. Of course, the audience, who had been hoping for this, watched the ring intently, holding their breath. The difference was that this time, Hayabusa initiated the leg attacks that Oya had used previously.

This proved successful, allowing him to gain an advantage in ground wrestling against the wrestling master. "My legs were giving out, and I thought I was done for many times. It was painful to have my aerial maneuvers, which are my lifeblood, countered," was Hayabusa's comment at the time. He had never before experienced the kind of damage sustained on the ground affecting his aerial maneuvers. Perhaps that's why he remembered the suffering of that day so vividly.

This is a comment from Hayabusa at the time: "I had never before experienced the kind of damage sustained on the ground affecting my aerial maneuvers. That's why I remembered the suffering of that day so vividly." In fact, Oya expressed his frustration at not being able to secure a three-count despite delivering a back drop, using similar words like, "My legs couldn't hold their ground." However, we shouldn't overlook the fact that his performance was among the best he'd shown recently. Oya must have been incredibly motivated.

Just over 10 minutes into the match, Oya, whose strength lies in solid wrestling, even dove from the top turnbuckle towards Hayabusa outside the ring – a major decision for him. As if to respond, Hayabusa countered with the triangle jump quebrada, a move he had recently revived. After enduring a series of back drops, he revived another legendary move just over 20 minutes into the match: the Shooting Star Press. This move was seen almost daily during the New Genesis era and was a signature move of his new style, but it was also very taxing, and in the Gladiator match, he even coughed up blood immediately after performing it, leading to its being sealed away even before the triangle jump quebrada.

Why did he revive it now? While Hayabusa's physical condition may have improved compared to before, wasn't this a straightforward response to Oya's words about "a match like in the New Genesis era"? Hayabusa used the moves he used back then to have the same kind of match... there was a strong sense of dedication in him, no less than Oya's. And that dedication culminated in the Falcon Arrow. The current Hayabusa has plenty of other finishing holds he could use without relying on that one. But for this match, he wanted to finish it with the Falcon Arrow. Because this technique was born in that match against Oya... Hayabusa recreated the legendary match to the very end.

The time was 21 minutes and 37 seconds. Within that time, a powerful rebuttal to ZEN was condensed. "Because ZEN's virus was spreading throughout Korakuen Hall, I felt I had to have a great match here. I don't know yet whether I'll join the regular army, but I want to crush those guys together with Hayabusa." Oya declared his alliance with Hayabusa in front of the fans. Just like that day, the "Oya" chants filled the sacred arena in the ending...

Transcending two and a half years, the two matches were perfectly synchronized. Hayabusa and Oya, having fully embraced the direction of their new partnership, now await how ZEN will respond to the challenge posed by this match.

Hayabusa d. Hisakatsu Oya (21:37)

Hayabusa & Masato Tanaka & Hisakatsu Oya vs. The Gladiator & Tetsuhiro Kuroda & Hideki Hosaka 12/13/97

"I'm sorry... I'll go and have a proper talk with Nakagawa right now. I'm truly sorry for causing you all such distress after you went to the trouble of coming here. But this is a problem between me and Nakagawa... Please forgive me for today. I'm truly sorry," Hayabusa said, bowing deeply to the audience.

What exactly happened between Nakagawa and Hayabusa? Ignoring the angry shouts from the audience, "Speak clearly! Come out and explain!", Nakagawa disappeared into the darkness of the night... This is how it all began. The current strongest trio in FMW, Hayabusa, Tanaka, and Oya, defeated ZEN (Gladiator, Kuroda, and Hosaka), and Hayabusa shouted into the microphone: "We in FMW will definitely crush ZEN with Oya and everyone else! We are FMW! And I promise you all again, we will never let FMW be destroyed!"

At that moment, Nakagawa, who had been silently watching everything from the corner, jumped into the ring with a furious expression and attacked Hayabusa, shouting, "What do you mean you won't let FMW be destroyed, you idiot!" He then lashed out at Tanaka and Oya, who tried to intervene, saying, "What do you mean you won't let it be destroyed? You don't understand anything! You're all the same!" before leaving the ring.

Afterwards, Nakagawa took his belongings from the locker room and even shouted at Ricky, whom he passed by, "Just keep doing that, being all chummy-chummy! You can keep doing that tearful, friendly act for the rest of your lives!" before leaving the venue.

By the time Hayabusa finally returned to the locker room, Nakagawa had already disappeared. Nakagawa, who had been missing for about a month, believing that he himself was responsible for bringing Onita back to the FMW ring, had said this when he returned to the ring and appeared before the fans...

"FMW won't be destroyed, it's all about passionate pro wrestling—those are all Atsushi Onita's words. They're not the words of the new FMW. But while I say I'll surpass Atsushi Onita, if things continue like this, I'll only be following in his footsteps. Only after a battle with ZEN, a fight where it's either destroy or be destroyed, will the words of the new FMW truly emerge. I've thought about this a lot. But I don't know. The only thing I can say is that as a wrestler, I can only find the answer in the ring."

The true meaning behind Nakagawa's sudden attack on Hayabusa lies in this comment. Nakagawa, grappling with the question of what the new FMW should be, understood that Onita's ideas and actions couldn't be simply dismissed. Although he hasn't yet found the answer, Nakagawa believes that following in Onita's footsteps as the new FMW is unacceptable.

For him, the phrase "FMW won't be destroyed" is an absolute taboo. When Hayabusa uttered those words, Nakagawa concluded that "FMW is already over." In any case, it's clear that Nakagawa has given up on the new FMW and severed ties with it. Even if he returns to the ring in the future, it certainly won't be as a wrestler of the new FMW...

Hayabusa & Masato Tanaka & Hisakatsu Oya d. The Gladiator & Tetsuhiro Kuroda & Hideki Hosaka when Hayabusa pinned Hosaka (21:00)

Hayabusa & Jinsei Shinzaki vs. Mr. Gannosuke & Yukihiro Kanemura 12/19/97

Hayabusa and Jinsei, who received high praise for their performance in their tag team training matches in All Japan Pro Wrestling, were strongly influenced by the tag team champions of FMW, Gannosuke and Kanemura. It would be a lie to say they weren't inspired by them.

However, Gannosuke and Kanemura are not straightforward characters. They have their own way of expressing themselves. Therefore, they declared, "What kind of 'strongest tag team' are you? You're the worst!! You're a disgrace to the independent wrestling scene!" (Kanemura).

Because of this, the Komazawa event, which was originally supposed to feature four major singles matches, had its card hastily revised. This led to the creation of the tag team championship match. It went exactly as the champion team intended.

However, since joining ZEN, the fans' animosity towards Gannosuke and Kanemura has been tremendous. Their aforementioned hateful remarks only intensified this, making the booing even louder. They entered the ring amidst a storm of boos. But the two of them were defiant.

Before the match even began, Gannosuke and Kanemura engaged in various provocative acts, even spitting at the audience. Meanwhile, Hayabusa was facing an unexpected handicap. At the December 13th Kawasaki event, he fractured his right rib cartilage during a match with Gladiator.

His appearance, wrapped in bandages, was heartbreaking. Whenever his injured side was attacked, Hayabusa was in agony. In the first half of the match, Jinsei delivered a powerful move that left Kanemura sprawled on the mat. However, Gannosuke skillfully rescued his partner from this predicament, and from then on, the champion team mostly maintained control.

Gannosuke and Kanemura relentlessly targeted Hayabusa's injured area. They placed a chair in the ring and took turns body slamming him onto it. This alone was enough to incapacitate Hayabusa. Even a simple body slam, a mere transitional move, must have felt like a terrifying finishing move to Hayabusa. Furthermore, there was Gannosuke's rare Stretch Plum, etc...

Nevertheless, Hayabusa flew. Hayabusa's daring dive onto Gannosuke outside the ring was the highlight of the match. It was a testament to Hayabusa's dedication to his craft. His professionalism was truly admirable. But the world of professional wrestling is unforgiving.

In the end, as Hayabusa dived from the top turnbuckle, Kanemura thrust his knee into Hayabusa's side, rolling him up for the three count. "If Hayabusa hadn't been injured..." is no excuse. Instead, we should properly appreciate the performance of Gannosuke and Kanemura as champions.

In retrospect, there was a clear process leading to their victory. In this match, Gannosuke's team clearly had the superior "chemistry." Their strategy of targeting Hayabusa worked precisely because they had carefully planned their attack.

"Today, it's all my responsibility... I'm sorry to Jinsei. Even if (my opponents) used dirty tactics, if I couldn't win... I will definitely win next time," said Hayabusa. He had incurred a significant debt.

FMW Brass Knuckles Tag Team Championship Match: Mr. Gannosuke & Yukihiro Kanemura d. Hayabusa & Jinsei Shinzaki when Kanemura pinned Hayabusa (17:49)

Hayabusa & Masato Tanaka & Hisakatsu Oya vs. Atsushi Onita & Tetsuhiro Kuroda & Hido 12/20/97

Hayabusa, Tanaka, and Oya reclaimed the World Street Fight Six-Man Tag Team Championship! FMW, having been dominated by ZEN, finally regained their prized possession... but there was no joy for the new champions. Only anger remained.

For Hayabusa and Tanaka, this match was one they absolutely could not afford to lose. The previous day at the Komazawa show, Hayabusa had lost to Gannosuke and Kanemura, and Tanaka had lost to Onita. This result further demonstrated ZEN's dominance in the power dynamics of FMW vs. ZEN.

FMW wanted to change the tide with a victory, and Hayabusa and his team needed to win and reclaim the belts. Hayabusa, who participated in the same championship tournament held by the Fuyuki Army on August 5th in Sapporo, commented, "That belt belongs to FMW. We have to take it back."

This six-man tag team championship is the only belt born in the new FMW era. It's a belt that the new FMW holds dear and has a strong emotional attachment to. For Hayabusa and his team, reclaiming this prized possession was practically a mission. The significance of FMW winning this match was immense.

However, FMW faced a series of difficult battles. ZEN focused their attacks on Hayabusa's right flank, showing no mercy to his fractured ribs. This immobilized Hayabusa, who was then trapped by ZEN for a long time... FMW was completely dysfunctional as a team. Their counterattacks were sporadic, and they couldn't break through the situation.

They were in a desperate situation, but Hayabusa and his team never gave up. Despite the hardship, Hayabusa and his team refused to give up, and they didn't lose this "new beginning." They patiently endured and waited for their chance for 15 minutes.

Then, the moment arrived. Hayabusa's fierce attack, fueled by sheer determination, successfully divided ZEN. Seizing the opportunity, Oya delivered a brutal back drop! That settled the match. Oya proved to be a reliable man after all.

After the match, Onita poured water on Hayabusa's side, showing concern. He then said, "This belt was made with the little money FMW had, so cherish it," before leaving the ring... but his subsequent actions were unacceptable.

The moment Hayabusa told the fans, "We, the new FMW, will continue to dream together with all of you next year," Onita and the members of ZEN stormed into the ring. They brutally attacked the new champions. What was that show of concern earlier all about?

The reason for the riot was this: Back in the locker room, Onita complained incessantly to the referee about the "fast count." Unable to accept the defeat, he vented his anger through this riot. This was utterly disgraceful. It was nothing but sour grapes. The fans were outraged by ZEN's selfish interference. They booed Onita and his group and demanded they leave. Hayabusa and Tanaka were naturally furious about what had happened.

Hayabusa declared to ZEN, "We will never lose to you!" Tanaka spat out, "If you're so upset, then challenge us. Stop making excuses." There was no joy for the new champions. Only anger remained. It was a truly unpleasant match...

FMW 6 Man Street Fight Tag Team Championship Match: Hayabusa & Masato Tanaka & Hisakatsu Oya d. Atsushi Onita & Tetsuhiro Kuroda & Hido when Oya pinned Hido (17:52)

Hayabusa & Ricky Fuji & Mr. Pogo # 2 vs. Kodo Fuyuki & Jado & Gedo 12/21/97

Fuyuki and Hayabusa clashed for the first time in Japan. This is noteworthy. Four years ago, they faced each other in Mexico, but unlike then, both are now in positions of power. What kind of match will they deliver, and what will emerge from it? The interaction between Fuyuki and Hayabusa has the potential to be a catalyst for the struggling independent wrestling scene.

So, what's different between the two now compared to four years ago? Fuyuki has established his own promotion and become a major figure in the independent scene. His ambition of unifying the independent scene is not just a pipe dream, considering his influence.

Hayabusa leads FMW as its ace, becoming a prominent face of independent wrestling. These two are now fighting each other. It's impossible not to expect a new wave of excitement in the independent scene. Let's get to the result first. The match was spectacular. The wrestling-based exchanges between the two were perfectly matched and flowed smoothly.

This was despite Hayabusa having a fractured rib on his right side, preventing him from going all out, and the fact that it was their first match in a long time, leading them to cautiously test each other's strength. While recent FMW matches have often been marred by factional infighting, these two delivered a purely captivating match.

"The awaited one has arrived," Fuyuki might be thinking. Fuyuki's vision of unifying the independent scene is to "raise the standard of independent wrestling and create a force that can compete with the major promotions."

He wants to improve the overall level of independent wrestling, but drawing the line on how far to raise the standard is a difficult task. However, the interaction between Fuyuki and Hayabusa, while still in its early stages of development, demonstrated that such high-level matches are possible even in the independent wrestling scene.

They showcased a high standard of wrestling. Hayabusa also resonated with Fuyuki's goal of unifying the independent wrestling scene. Hayabusa has always wanted to eliminate the prejudice that independent wrestlers can't wrestle well, and this aligns with raising the overall standard of independent wrestling.

After the match, Hayabusa said, "It was a great match. I think Fuyuki and I share similar ideas, and I hope that by fighting each other, we can create something interesting and new."

While Fuyuki is certainly an opponent that Hayabusa must defeat, given that they belong to different organizations, it's also true that Hayabusa believes their match can make independent wrestling more exciting. Fuyuki vs. Hayabusa truly has the potential to be a catalyst for the independent wrestling scene. If Hayabusa's health improves and they have more matches without any tentative exchanges, their rivalry will undoubtedly become even more intense and exciting. Their clash will be beneficial for independent wrestling!

Kodo Fuyuki & Jado & Gedo d. Hayabusa & Ricky Fuji & Mr. Pogo # 2 when Fuyuki pinned Pogo # 2 (13:42)

Hayabusa & Jinsei Shinzaki & Masato Tanaka vs. Atsushi Onita & Mr. Gannosuke & Yukihiro Kanemura 12/22/97

Where should I even begin to explain...? So much happened at the December 22nd Korakuen Hall event, the last of the four consecutive shows. Chaos. That's the best word to describe the day's events.

First, let's talk about the main event, a cage match involving Hayabusa, Jinsei, Tanaka vs. Onita, Gannosuke, and Kanemura. Gannosuke and Kanemura, skillfully using a ladder, pinned Jinsei and then handcuffed him, giving them the advantage. The result of this cage match was Hayabusa defeating Onita with a moonsault press from the top of the cage, securing his first pinfall victory.

Hayabusa showed Onita the fighting spirit of the new generation. Fans who had continued to support the new generation must have felt a sense of relief. The venue was filled with thunderous cheers, but... in the next moment, something happened in the ring.

Gannosuke and Kanemura, whose relationship with Onita was almost beyond repair, didn't support Onita during the match. And upon seeing him lose, they came to a conclusion: "We can't work with a man like this." The two beat up Onita and left ZEN, forming a team dedicated to "extreme evil."

Then, a man jumped in to help Onita: Nakagawa. What was the true meaning behind this sudden action by the man who had disappeared after breaking ties with FMW at the December 13th Kawasaki event?

Fans listened intently to the words coming from Nakagawa's mouth as he held the microphone. What did Nakagawa say? He said to Onita, "Can you really destroy FMW? You love FMW, don't you? You love this place." To this, Onita replied, "I do love it." The meaning of this conversation between the two can be understood by looking at the comments from the ZEN locker room.

Because he loves FMW, Nakagawa decided to become an anti-establishment figure to revitalize the current FMW, which lacks the spirit of the new generation.

Nakagawa questioned Onita about his true intentions, asking if he had founded ZEN with the same ideals as himself. Onita answered "YES." Despite saying he would crush FMW, his pure teacher-student match against Tanaka at Komazawa showed that, deep down, he still cared for FMW.

It was because he realized this that he decided on a "real indie" direction for ZEN at Komazawa. He didn't want FMW to forget its anything-goes origins and become a more polished, wrestling-focused organization. Nakagawa, sharing the same ideals, decided to join ZEN.

Gladiator, Kuroda, and Hosaka also pledged their allegiance to Onita... The meaning of Onita and Nakagawa's conversation in the ring, and Nakagawa's entry into ZEN, became clear only after what happened backstage.

Onita simply said, "I like it," and retreated to the locker room, leaving the audience confused. Due to the lack of clarity, jeers of "What does Onita want to do?" filled the air, and the audience refused to leave even after the show ended.

The situation was on the verge of turning into a riot. To quell the audience's anger, Hayabusa and Tanaka appeared in the ring and bowed to the crowd, saying: "Next year, to answer your voices, we will turn back time to when Atsushi Onita left. So today, please remember this... just this: We are the new FMW." (Hayabusa)

"We will definitely repay this apology with our matches, so please continue to support us next year." (Tanaka) Hayabusa's voice was choked with tears. The fans believed their words and left the venue. It was a tumultuous final show of the year, but ultimately, the fans believed in the new FMW.

Hayabusa & Jinsei Shinzaki & Masato Tanaka d. Atsushi Onita & Mr. Gannosuke & Yukihiro Kanemura when Hayabusa pinned Onita (17:52) in a War Games Cage Match.

Hayabusa & Jinsei Shinzaki vs. Yukihiro Kanemura & Hido 1/6/98

The FMW 1998 season kicked off with the January 6th Korakuen Hall event. During the pre-match entrance ceremony, Hayabusa, addressing the crowd, declared, "I know many of you had some unpleasant experiences last year... but this year, we'll do our best to make sure everyone can share in a great dream. We'll continue to deliver heartfelt pro wrestling this year, so please support the new FMW!"

His powerful words were met with thunderous cheers from the packed arena. Currently, the FMW men's roster consists of only six wrestlers, including rookie Sasaki. It's undeniable that they are facing a tough battle. Nevertheless, the fans of the new FMW believe in Hayabusa and the others, and continue to support them, hoping they will persevere. FMW must respond to that support.

On this day, Hayabusa entered the ring wearing a pure white costume, a symbol of his desire to start the new year with a fresh, clean slate. The match itself saw Kanemura and Hido engaging in mischievous antics, ignoring the spirit of the competition. Hayabusa and Jinsei struggled against their opponents' blatant foul play, but managed to separate the "Team Evil" members and launch a counterattack. Finally, after receiving a follow-up from Jinsei's Prayer Powerbomb, Hayabusa landed the Firebird Splash, securing the pinfall victory.

Despite the difficulties, Hayabusa achieved a victory in his first match of 1998. Even in the face of adversity, his eyes were not dead. "At least... we started the year with a proper victory. This year, we absolutely have to make it a better year than last year. This year, we will wholeheartedly pursue the path we believe in!" Hayabusa declared clearly after the match. Jinsei nodded silently beside him.

Last autumn saw the return of Onita and the formation of ZEN. From that split, Team Evil was born, and with the involvement of the Fuyuki Army aiming to crush Onita, the current FMW scene is in complete chaos. In this situation, FMW is at a significant disadvantage in terms of manpower. The events of that day's match perfectly reflect the current situation. However, to protect FMW, Hayabusa must continue to fight. Furthermore, in life, he cannot escape the arduous path he has set for himself. The path these two have chosen is incredibly difficult.

In addition to the internal struggles within FMW, Hayabusa and Jinsei have once again expressed their intention to participate in All Japan Pro Wrestling this year, just as they did last year. Balancing two promotions is no easy task, but Hayabusa's goal is to create an independent promotion that can compete with the major leagues. The same is true for Jinsei.

Successfully managing both FMW and All Japan will prove that the path they have chosen is the right one. Therefore, they cannot stop here. In 1998, the two men stood once again at the entrance of a challenging road, and they began to walk straight ahead.

Hayabusa & Jinsei Shinzaki d. Yukihiro Kanemura & Hido when Hayabusa pinned Hido (13:45)

Hayabusa & Jinsei Shinzaki vs. Kodo Fuyuki & Jado 1/7/98

In a first for the pro wrestling world, Hayabusa and Jinsei stepped into the ring of another promotion, one with a black mat and the words "ZEN WORLD" written in bold white letters. Even worse than simply being a guest, they were forced by Onita to participate in the humiliating opening match, a blow to the pride of the "ace" of the new FMW.

"Why do we have to be the openers for ZEN?" Hayabusa didn't say it aloud, but he must have felt a strong sense of indignation. Of course, as professionals, there was a contract for their appearance and corresponding fight money. However, Hayabusa's emotions couldn't be contained by mere business. So what drove Hayabusa and Jinsei to the black mat of ZEN?

"To be honest, it wasn't what we wanted, and there were things we weren't happy about. But today, we wanted to satisfy the fans who came to Korakuen Hall. We wanted to show them that no matter where we go, we will follow the path we believe in..." (Hayabusa)

These words from Hayabusa after the match said it all. Hayabusa's "path we believe in" refers to the path of the "new FMW." True to their beliefs, Hayabusa and Jinsei delivered a high-grade, main-event-worthy match against Fuyuki and Jado in the opening bout.

It's important not to forget that the opposing team of Fuyuki and Jado was a key factor in this match becoming a opening match. Although they had faced each other once before on the WAR mat, this was practically their first encounter. Fuyuki, Jinsei, and of course Hayabusa and Fuyuki engaged in a straightforward, no-nonsense battle that transcended the factional rivalries of the time.

Fuyuki, the "King of Unreasonableness," who often deceives the media even when he loses, showed his true skill and power when in serious mode. Ultimately, the match between these four became a memorable opening match in ZEN's history. The match ended with Hayabusa delivering his new Rolling Senton for the third time, pinning Jado for the victory.

While the ZEN side had aimed to treat the top stars of FMW and the Fuyuki Army as inferior opponents with this match, the ultimate opening match featuring Hayabusa and Jinsei vs. Fuyuki and Jado concluded, leaving a sense of satisfaction that exceeded the expectations for the first match of the event.

Hayabusa & Jinsei Shinzaki d. Kodo Fuyuki & Jado when Hayabusa pinned Jado (15:37)

Hayabusa & Masato Tanaka & Hisakatsu Oya vs. Mr. Gannosuke & Yukihiro Kanemura & Hido 1/16/98

The "guys" showed up again at the series finale, the January 16th Yokkaichi event. It was during the second match. Men in briefs escorted the entering Miss Mongol. They were here! The White Shock Briefs Brothers! There were four of them in total, one more than at the Izumo event. They were multiplying! Hido had joined the group, but according to Jado, "He's still only a probationary member." The reason?

Apparently, Hido still shows some shyness. The Briefs Brothers won't accept him as a full member until he completely lets loose and sheds his inhibitions. They don't compromise. Becoming brothers with these men is no easy feat. Uno, Dos, and Tres, upon entering the ring, greeted the audience with a "Wees!" reminiscent of Chosuke Ikariya, and declared that they would "definitely win" the main event six-man tag team championship and become the new champions.

Afterward, the four men, forming a bizarre... or rather, a formation called the "Brief Train," swaggered back to the locker room. The Brief Brothers were in full comedy mode that day, but in the main event, they did a complete 180-degree turn. Gannosuke, Kanemura, and Jado fought in full serious mode.

As mentioned on the previous page regarding the spirit of "no respect," the three perfectly embodied this principle. They clearly separated the match from the comedy. The challengers launched a head-on attack, and the champions Hayabusa, Tanaka, and Oya accepted the challenge. Neither side backed down, immediately retaliating. The offense and defense shifted rapidly; it was a fast-paced match.

Even that alone was impressive, but in the final stages, there was a series of powerful moves that made it seem like a three-count could happen at any moment. It was a high-quality, excellent match. The audience was ecstatic, and the heated battle ended with a victory for the challenger side. Jado, who had blocked Oya's back drop with a kick to the groin, seized the opportunity and applied the Gedo Clutch.

It was a perfect execution, and the three "no respect" wrestlers became the new champions as they had declared. Immediately afterward, an interesting phenomenon occurred in the arena. When Kanemura told the stunned Hayabusa, "Today we're the stars. You go home," the crowd started chanting "Go home!"

Since Yokkaichi is close to Kanemura's hometown of Tsu, many of his acquaintances were in attendance... but even taking that into account, it was an unbelievable reaction considering how disliked Kanemura and his partners usually are. They had been booed throughout the match that day. Furthermore, when the new champions received their belts, they stripped off their tights, revealing only their briefs underneath, and even then, applause erupted.

FMW 6 Man Street Fight Tag Team Championship Match: Mr. Gannosuke & Yukihiro Kanemura & Jado d. Hayabusa & Masato Tanaka & Hisakatsu Oya when Jado pinned Oya (20:01)

Hayabusa & Masato Tanaka vs. Koji Nakagawa & Tetsuhiro Kuroda 2/6/98

While Atsushi Onita frequently appears in this series, his name does not appear at the February 6th Korakuen Hall show. That makes the main event, "New FMW vs. ZEN," a truly meaningful card. Just a short time ago, Hayabusa, Tanaka, Nakagawa, and Kuroda might have been a hot topic as a match between the new FMW's best, but now it's nothing more than a bitter rivalry between close family members. It was a good match.

The audience must have thoroughly enjoyed it. However, it was clearly different from the feel of "New FMW vs. ZEN." The image conveyed was no different from when they fought within the new FMW. Perhaps the biggest factor in this was the absence of Atsushi Onita. In other words, fans harbored no animosity toward Nakagawa and Kuroda, which left a refreshing impression.

This was certainly not Nakagawa and his teammates' intention. Since they jumped to ZEN to become FMW's biggest and strongest rival, it would be meaningless if they couldn't clearly demonstrate the new team's differences. Both Hayabusa and Tanaka were amazed at their toughness, saying, "Those guys have gotten stronger and tougher since they went to ZEN," but even with that fact, the idea that "ZEN is strong, but the new FMW is dangerous" hasn't been highlighted. It's an issue that goes beyond that. ZEN Onita = "good."

This equation is wrong! I'm not saying they should become "evil." However, if he doesn't have a stronger "edge," then what's the point of them leaving the new FMW and moving to ZEN?!?!?! I think, especially with Nakagawa, that his love for FMW is so strong that he still can't let go of it? Isn't it because that unconscious awareness reaches the audience that this unclear situation continues?

Onita is unable to participate in all matches, and he has delegated full authority to Nakagawa, the "on-site manager," especially when it comes to the matches against the new FMW, presumably knowing the depth of Nakagawa's love for the sport. On this day, the impact of the "diving shoulder blow" he delivered to Hayabusa's back of the head was felt throughout the entire fight, and it felt like the ZEN color "without Onita," which is different from "goodness," became clear for the first time...

After the match, Nakagawa, who was completely drowsy, regained his balance on the apron for just a moment, and glared at Hayabusa and Tanaka. He then demanded that President Arai prepare the ZEN mat for the February 13th event in Chiba. What exactly is Nakagawa planning to express on that jet-black mat? Onita will be standing in the same corner that day. It is certain that an intense ZEN WORLD will unfold... Keep an eye on Nakagawa on February 13th in Chiba!

Hayabusa & Masato Tanaka d. Koji Nakagawa & Tetsuhiro Kuroda when Hayabusa pinned Nakagawa (15:37)

Hayabusa vs. Kodo Fuyuki 2/19/98

Before the match, the merchandise booth for Fuyuki-gun Pro was packed with people. They were selling Brief Brothers briefs and a dubious newspaper called "Fuyuki-Sports" (a parody of Tokyo Sports). Both were limited editions (40 pairs of briefs, 500 copies of the newspaper), and since members of No Respect were signing them for buyers, the crowd surged towards the booth.

The booth also offered change for "tips," further increasing the crowd. That day, Fuyuki-gun Pro distributed two pieces of Japanese paper to attendees, each bearing the names of Fuyuki and Hayabusa. A sign at the entrance read: "After the main event, Fuyuki vs. Hayabusa, please throw your tips into the ring for whoever you think had a good match, regardless of the winner or your favorite. We want you to decide the final outcome."

Why did they do this? Fuyuki wasn't trying to force people to give tips to make money, nor was he comparing his popularity to Hayabusa's. His reason was, "Throwing things is a fun way to relieve stress." However, this was a somewhat embellished explanation of Fuyuki's true intentions, as he is surprisingly shy (1). For Fuyuki-gun Pro, whose business wasn't exactly thriving, the customers were paramount. Therefore, they decided to try anything that would please the audience. It was a form of corporate effort.

However, Fuyuki stipulated that this should be done "before the match starts." He wanted to entertain the audience with a substantial match, but also wanted to entertain them in other ways. That's where the tip-throwing strategy came in. The idea was to keep the audience entertained until the main event by having them think about who would perform better.

Fuyuki's aforementioned comment was a deep form of shyness, but the Brief Brothers standing at the booth and signing autographs had the same goal: fan service. Incidentally, the briefs and Fuyuki-Sports sold out. No Respect was quite popular, and the attendance was also quite good. The arena was packed with 2000 people. Even with a strong lineup of matches, this number is impressive for the struggling independent wrestling scene.

"What we're doing isn't wrong," Fuyuki's words held truth. No Respect, a group known for its serious fighting style but also possessing a comedic side, proved that their versatility, for better or worse, was undeniably attracting fan attention. Fuyuki was grinning, in high spirits, but... his expression when he appeared on the main ramp was stern.

He desperately wanted to win to properly conclude his self-promoted event. Especially since he had challenged Hayabusa, saying, "Is he really the top guy in the indies? Is he only focused on the major leagues? I'll make him understand the path he should be taking!"

He absolutely couldn't afford to lose. It's understandable why Fuyuki had such a serious expression. Hayabusa's expression was the same. Fuyuki believed that because the independent scene was going through a difficult period, Hayabusa needed to settle down and fight in the indies, but Hayabusa had his own ideas. He believed that joining All Japan Pro Wrestling would definitely be a positive for both himself and the independent scene.

To make Fuyuki understand this – this was a fight Hayabusa absolutely couldn't lose either. Needless to say, Fuyuki and Hayabusa were arguably the faces of the independent wrestling scene. These two were about to determine whose argument was correct. It's no exaggeration to say that the outcome of this match would influence the future of independent wrestling. Both men were full of fighting spirit.

As soon as the opening bell rang, they closed the distance... but then a mishap occurred. The second rope came loose. The match was interrupted. It took about four minutes to repair, but there was one concern: had the interruption broken Fuyuki and Hayabusa's concentration? Such worries were unfounded. When the match resumed, the two locked up tightly, demonstrating their high level of intensity. Then, when Fuyuki transitioned into a headlock, surprised cries erupted from the audience.

Fuyuki possesses solid wrestling technique, but was this a tragedy caused by his character overshadowing his skills?! The match format was a Lumberjack Death Match. All members of FMW and No Respect were at ringside, and the rule was that any wrestler who fell outside the ring would be immediately returned to the ring.

It seemed Fuyuki intended to engage in a straightforward fight since going outside the ring was impossible... but that only lasted for the beginning. When he was in trouble, he surprisingly escaped to the outside! This was possible because the members of No Respect defended Fuyuki by punching and kicking the FMW wrestlers.

At this point, the FMW side wouldn't remain silent either. Every time Fuyuki went outside the ring, the seconds from both sides clashed. The Lumberjack Death Match became meaningless. Some fans expressed their anger, and the venue became chaotic, but amidst this, Hayabusa put on a show.

Since Fuyuki was violating the rules, Hayabusa performed an aerial move to the outside, which was technically forbidden by the rules. The arena erupted in cheers. However, the "all-out" attack from Team No Respect didn't stop. Gannosuke tore Hayabusa's mask outside the ring, causing him to bleed profusely. Fuyuki, who had said, "He wears a mask, but when he takes it off, he can become even more popular. Hayabusa has many elements, including his physical size," must have been trying to make Hayabusa realize his potential.

After that, the match became a one-sided attack by Fuyuki. Hayabusa, bleeding heavily, was completely immobilized. Even so, he desperately fought back... but he was ultimately defeated by Fuyuki's backfist. Hayabusa's comments after the loss are in a separate section. Since he couldn't achieve a victory, he couldn't deny Fuyuki's claims, and he slammed the floor in frustration.

Fuyuki, having forcefully suppressed Hayabusa's claims, declared, "As you can see. Next is Onita. (After winning the Double Titles challenger tournament) If I take the belts from Gannosuke, I might consider giving him another challenge."

This put Hayabusa in a difficult position. To secure a rematch with Fuyuki, he first had to win the tournament held in the next series, but with only strong contenders entered, there was no guarantee of victory. Even if he won, there was no guarantee he could reclaim the belts from Gannosuke, who was currently on a hot streak and in top form.

Hayabusa had no choice but to win the belts struggle to push through his demands and restore the original New FMW, but... his path ahead was fraught with difficulties. Fuyuki, who was seriously focused on crushing Onita and had called for a one-on-one match, designated April 30th in Yokohama as the battleground, saying, "The venue is Yokohama. He can't escape now. We'll settle it with a Lumberjack Death Match. It was to prevent Hayabusa from flying, but in Onita's case, it's just to prevent him from running away."

Towards indie unification, Fuyuki also declared, "No matter what happens, I won't back down." The result of this match brought about... Fuyuki laying a significant foundation for indie unification.

Kodo Fuyuki d. Hayabusa (16:17) in a Lumberjack Match.

Hayabusa & Jinsei Shinzaki vs. Mr. Gannosuke & Yukihiro Kanemura 2/28/98

The lineup for Michinoku Pro's Tokushima show was perhaps the most substantial yet. Turning the handicap of not having Sasuke in the lineup into an advantage with the cooperation of other organizations may be an essential concept for Michinoku Pro's future. The same was true for Jinsei Shinzaki. The "relaunch" of Michinoku Pro, his comeback from back pain and a revenge match against Mr. Gannosuke, and his first homecoming in a year and two months.

It's easy to imagine the weight of pressure weighing on his shoulders. Moreover, Michinoku Pro is currently in a position where failure is an absolute no-no, but when they opened the lid, it was a hit! Even in Tokushima, a city known for its difficult conditions for shows, they even opened up the lower level seats of the city gymnasium, filling it to capacity, so they were overjoyed. If this could be the final match for Jinsei, then there would be nothing to complain about. Their opponents were the ultimate egocentric group, the Brief Brothers. They didn't care who was in their hometown.

As expected, Gansuke and Kanemura engaged in a vile and unrestrained frenzy. This was the kind of development Jinsei hated most before the war. As Jinsei's lone battle continued, Gannosuke broke a stick in half and stabbed the other end of the stick into his forehead. Jinsei's big day turned bloody, but it also brought about an unexpected side effect. This stick attack was once Gannosuke's exclusive trademark, but it had faded away since the formation of the Brief Brothers. Now back in action after a long time, Gannosuke was here, completely devoted to evil rather than comedy.

Jinsei had spoken of this match, saying, "Let's bring out the serious side of Gannosuke," but even after being defeated, could Jinsei have truly carried out what he had predicted? Regardless, the bloodshed certainly shut out comedy and vulgarity. It was the spontaneous cheers of Jinsei from the audience that gave Jinsei strength, even as he found himself at a disadvantage. No matter how much training he undergoes, the cheers of his hometown crowd are an encouragement. A packed venue is sure to inspire future Michinoku Pro wrestlers. Jinsei, after his stunning victory, spoke each word thoughtfully in the ring. "Today, with everyone's help, we were able to protect Michinoku Pro Wrestling. Thank you so much."

Hayabusa likely felt the same way. "I'm happy to be able to team up with Jinsei and perform this in Tokushima," he declared, climbing to the corner and shouting, "I'll come to Tokushima again!" (Incidentally, the Brief Brothers attributed their loss to "They wouldn't let us perform a skit that's more important than Shinzaki.) When the exact same match took place at Komazawa late last year, Hayabusa wasn't in top form, and he suffered a humiliating defeat. That should now be resolved with clarity. Jinsei is able to move forward with peace of mind to rebuild Michinoku Pro and realize a rematch with Gannosuke, and Hayabusa is able to move forward to the tournament to decide the challenger for the double crown championship. On this day, Jinsei and Hayabusa won the hope of Tokushima.

Hayabusa & Jinsei Shinzaki d. Mr. Gannosuke & Yukihiro Kanemura when Hayabusa pinned Kanemura (19:10)

Hayabusa vs. Masato Tanaka 3/13/98

Tanaka's neck condition, which had been a cause for concern, remained unsatisfactory. He missed the Towada show. Although he returned at the Muroran tournament on March 10th, the pain had not subsided. However, Tanaka didn't show any concern for his neck during his return match.

He displayed his usual passionate fighting style. This can be said to be Tanaka's way of life. Masato Tanaka is a man who has always forged his own path without complaining, no matter how difficult the circumstances. Of course, this is built upon the foundation of his extraordinary dedication to training. Tanaka didn't become the ace of FMW alongside Hayabusa without hard work.

Even in Sapporo, it was clear that Tanaka would fight with all his might despite his neck injury... and it was also clear that Hayabusa would fight with all his might. Currently, the FMW ring is dominated by "Team No Respect." The overwhelmed FMW's presence is becoming somewhat diluted. Neither Hayabusa nor Tanaka could let things continue like this. The two aces had a duty to prove that "what they had been doing was not wrong" by showcasing a meaningful fight that would define the new FMW.

This match was a battle for the new FMW. At the same time, it was also a battle for themselves. Hayabusa needed to win the tournament and reclaim the belts from Gannosuke in order to fight Fuyuki again. Before the match, Tanaka commented, "I want to see the difference between myself and Hayabusa right now. Everyone says he's a great ace, today is a battle to confirm that."

Tanaka, who could proudly call himself an ace if he defeated Hayabusa, then declared his intention to reclaim the belts, saying, "Those belts were taken from me by Gannosuke. I want to take them back." Neither of them could afford to lose. "The clash of FMW's two great aces! This is the new FMW!"

As the ring announcer made this introduction, both men entered the ring, and voices from the audience shouted, "We're counting on you both!" Fans were hoping that Hayabusa would show his renewed determination, and the match certainly lived up to expectations. Immediately after the gong, the two locked up tightly in the center of the ring. They then transitioned into a ground battle, a development that both men likely desired. It's well known that the new direction for the promotion isn't death matches, but rather wrestling.

Hayabusa and Tanaka undoubtedly initiated the ground battle to reaffirm their fundamental wrestling skills. However, there was no complacency. Hayabusa focused his attack on Tanaka's right arm, twisting it repeatedly to prevent him from using his signature elbow strikes. Tanaka, in turn, repeatedly targeted Hayabusa's legs, attempting to neutralize his opponent's aerial maneuvers. This intense wrestling match continued for over ten minutes, with both Hayabusa suffering significant damage to his legs and Tanaka to his arm... but the two continued to fight in the new FMW.

Hayabusa and Tanaka unleashed their signature moves without hesitation, giving it their all for themselves and FMW. Tanaka landed an elbow and his newly unveiled Screw Ace Crusher Bullet Grenade (a running Death Valley Bomb), while Hayabusa countered with a Con Hilo, Phoenix Senton, and Firebird Splash. This was the pattern throughout the match; neither man backed down.

At one point, Hayabusa, seemingly desperate, even resorted to attacking Tanaka's injured neck. There was no room for error. The same was true for Tanaka. It was an all-out war. The two men clashed with everything they had. Naturally, as time went on, both men became increasingly exhausted.

After 20 minutes, both Hayabusa and Tanaka were staggering, but neither would allow a three-count. There were countless kick-outs throughout the match. Frankly, either man could have won, but... Hayabusa narrowly managed to defeat Tanaka with a vertical Falcon Arrow. Hayabusa attributed his victory to "luck." That statement probably sums it all up.

In their match two and a half years prior, there was a clear gap between Hayabusa and Tanaka, but this match showed that the difference between them had vanished. Tanaka had every right to be proud of his performance, proving himself to be an ace. Both men gave their all. The match was excellent. After the match, fans rushed to ringside, praising both men regardless of the outcome. Hayabusa and Tanaka had captured the hearts of the audience.

Their efforts in the new FMW had not been in vain. After the match, Hayabusa and Tanaka, radiating a sense of fulfillment, embraced. They even knelt and bowed to each other. Oya, Ricky, and other FMW members joined them. All the FMW wrestlers embraced each other. They were overwhelmed with emotion, grateful that Hayabusa and Tanaka had fought so hard for them and showcased the new FMW.

The match lasted 23 minutes and 17 seconds. In that short time, the true spirit of the new FMW was revealed. Hayabusa, also overcome with emotion, said in a tearful voice, "Thank you, Tanaka. Thank you to everyone here. There are so many things I want to say, but I can't find the words right now. Let me just say one thing: We are the new FMW!" Hayabusa shed tears because of the hard work of Tanaka and the other FMW wrestlers, and the support of the fans, which had allowed the new FMW to come this far.

In Sapporo, that culmination of effort took a tangible form. However, Tanaka commented that he was "frustrated" by the result. I think that's a good thing. He will use that frustration as motivation to work even harder. That will make Tanaka even greater. If Hayabusa fights Tanaka again, he will surely demand even more than this time. Hayabusa and Tanaka are still evolving, and that proves that the new FMW has unlimited potential.

However, if possible, the clash between the two aces shouldn't be overused; it should only happen when there's a compelling reason to fight for FMW, like this time. "Since I'm carrying Tanaka's burden as well, wouldn't it be best to aim for the top? I will definitely take back the belts from Gannosuke." Hayabusa, the winner, reaffirmed his vow to reclaim the belt, not only for Tanaka but also for the fans who had wholeheartedly supported them.

FMW 1st Round Double Titles Championship Contendership 1st Round Tournament Match: Hayabusa d. Masato Tanaka (23:17)

Hayabusa vs. Jado 3/16/98

Due to Kanemura lost to Gladiator, this disrupted the planned outcome. Team No Respect found themselves in a situation where they absolutely had to ensure Jado won the tournament to save face. They resorted to any means necessary, with Gannosuke, Gedo, and Hido, who were seconding Jado, interfering in the match.

However, the FMW side didn't stand idly by. Hayabusa was the only FMW wrestler remaining in the tournament, and Tanaka and others provided unwavering support as the last line of defense to reclaim the title. All FMW wrestlers seconded Hayabusa, minimizing the Team No Respect's interference. It was an all-out war. The importance both sides placed on this match was evident, and it was also a crucial match for the independent wrestling scene.

This was the first singles match between Hayabusa and Jado. What kind of performance would these two future pillars of independent wrestling deliver?! The anticipation was immense. In that sense, the interference was regrettable, but it would be premature to say the match was boring because of it. The quality was quite high. Team No Respect's intervention was aimed at injuring Hayabusa, not ruining the match itself.

The exchange between the two was captivating. Both Hayabusa and Jado showed their class in this regard. These two, who prioritize entertaining pro wrestling with substance, delivered a performance worthy of being called the future of independent wrestling. Next time they fight, we hope to see a straight-up match without any interference.

The match saw Hayabusa, who said he "couldn't afford to lose, for Tanaka's sake and for the sake of all the fans who supported him," win a hard-fought victory with a vertical drop Falcon Arrow. Jado, who was defeated, didn't show much frustration, instead saying matter-of-factly, "I guess I'll have to entrust it to Mr. Gannosuke in Yokohama."

The Falcon Arrow was effective. You develop immunity after being hit by it once, but this was the first time... But with that, he can't beat Gannosuke. It's impossible. Before that, he can't beat Gladiator. Even if he can beat Gladiator in speed, he can't in power. Why do I have to praise Gladiator?!" The difference in their desire for victory was likely what separated the two. With this, the ambitions of Team No Respect came to an end.

FMW Double Titles Contendership Semi-Finals Tournament Match: Hayabusa d. Jado (17:15)

Hayabusa  vs. The Gladiator 3/17/98

The result of the first semi-final match was unexpected for Team No Respect. The disrespectful faction had considered it a foregone conclusion that the final match would be between Jado and Kanemura, with the winner challenging Gannosuke.

Completely dominating the FMW ring, they believed this outcome was simply the natural order of things. Team No Respect viewed this tournament and the April 30th Yokohama championship match as the perfect opportunity to once again showcase their power.

Finally, the final match arrived. The matchup was Hayabusa vs. Gladiator. This was their first one-on-one match in two and a half years, since the September 5th match in Sapporo, shortly after the start of the new FMW era. At that time, Gladiator went to Hayabusa before the match and shook his hand firmly, saying, "Let's create a new history for FMW together." And indeed, the Hayabusa-Gladiator match, like the Hayabusa-Oya match, became a wonderfully substantive battle that laid the foundation for the new era.

Hayabusa had proven that what he had been doing in the new FMW era was not wrong in his match against Tanaka at the March 13th Sapporo event, and this final match could also be considered a battle to reaffirm the new era. Upon entering the ring, the two glared at each other in the center of the ring. Neither of them took their eyes off the other until the match began.

The determination of both men for the final match was immense, but Gladiator's was even greater than Hayabusa's. "Those two belts were mine. I will definitely take them back and stand at the top of the indie scene again, and then move on to All Japan. To prove my strength..." Burning with this resolve, Gladiator launched a fierce attack from the start. He unleashed powerful moves such as the Swan Dive Plancha and Diving Body Press, overwhelming Hayabusa.

Hayabusa tried to find a way out with his signature aerial maneuvers, but Gladiator's momentum was unstoppable. He used his power to his advantage, executing moves like the Reverse Kamikaze Awesome Bomb. Hayabusa found himself in a difficult situation. Hayabusa attempted to counterattack, but due to the damage from Gladiator's hard-hitting attacks, plus the fatigue from the grueling matches in the first round and semifinals, he made noticeable mistakes in his techniques.

This was uncharacteristic of Hayabusa. Therefore, his counterattacks were limited to single blows. Nevertheless, Hayabusa persevered, refusing to give up, and seized a momentary opening to execute the Flying Dragon Bomb Hold! He secured a dramatic come-from-behind victory. However, the count was questionable. Gladiator protested, claiming he had kicked out.

Indeed, it looked as if he had kicked out just before the three-count. While it was a highly anticipated match, it undeniably left a bad taste and a sense of incompleteness. Perhaps because both focused too much on winning, it didn't live up to the expectations of a classic, high-quality match that would lay the foundation for a new era.

Hayabusa was naturally dissatisfied with this result. Although he fulfilled his promise of winning the tournament, he couldn't showcase his true abilities. He also felt dissatisfied that his match against Gladiator wasn't what it should have been. It's understandable that after the match, Hayabusa declared to the fans, "Anyway, I won the tournament as promised. Now I'm making a new promise. I will definitely take that belt from Gannosuke, and someday I definitely want to have a title defense match against Gladiator."

"Damn it! Let me fight Hayabusa again here at Korakuen!" Gladiator was also dissatisfied with the result. When Hayabusa defeated Tanaka in Sapporo, he swore to take the belts from Gannosuke "for the sake of the fans who supported Tanaka." But after the final match, another person was added to the list of those for whom he had to fulfill his promise.

To settle the score of this day—Hayabusa now bore the responsibility of becoming a double champion, not only for himself but also for Gladiator.

<Hayabusa after the match>

"It might have been a disgraceful match, but I won the final. Now I can finally stand before the belt for the first time. On April 30th, I will defeat Gannosuke with a decisive three-count pinfall in a way that satisfies everyone, and we will reclaim that belt. Then, as the champion, I want to proudly compete against Gladiator and other wrestlers with the belt on the line."

FMW Finals Double Titles Championship Contendership Tournament Finals Match: Hayabusa d. The Gladiator (14:09)

Hayabusa & Masato Tanaka vs. Mr. Gannosuke & Yukihiro Kanemura 4/17/98

The stipulation for the elimination match was that if the FMW side lost, Hayabusa would have to reveal his face, a condition that generated considerable buzz. Could Hayabusa protect his mask in Sapporo? The audience's attention was naturally focused on Hayabusa that day, but the most outstanding performance came from Tanaka.

This elimination match also had the World Brass Knuckles Tag Team Championship belts at stake. Hayabusa had a mission beyond protecting his mask: reclaiming FMW's prized championship. Hayabusa was determined to win at all costs, but Tanaka, the other ace, also considered reclaiming the championship a crucial mission. Tanaka fought with immense fighting spirit and desperation.

In the match against Gannosuke and Kanemura, he suffered heavy bleeding, but his fighting spirit remained undiminished, and his movements didn't slow down. Finally, he defeated Kanemura. His intensity remained unchanged even in the final match. That day, Tanaka showed a passion equal to Hayabusa's. It's safe to say that the championship would not have been reclaimed without Tanaka's outstanding performance.

Hayabusa & Masato Tanaka d. Mr. Gannosuke & Yukihiro Kanemura when Tanaka pinned Kanemura (14:58)

Hayabusa & Masato Tanaka vs. Kodo Fuyuki & Hido 4/17/98

This is the third time that Fuyuki Pro has held an independent show at "Northern Sanctuary." Despite everything, President Fuyuki is steadily solidifying his foundation towards indie unification and the creation of a third force in professional wrestling. Of course, simply gathering people isn't enough; they can't just come to Sapporo empty-handed. A one-off event carries significant risk.

There needs to be a clear chance of success after deducting necessary expenses such as travel and accommodation. Fuyuki's motto, as he stated when he founded the promotion, is to "completely overturn the conventional wisdom of the professional wrestling world," and his strategy is to win with innovative ideas. The plan for this day is a tag team elimination match in a judo format, with three teams each from the Team No Respect, the newly formed FMW, and Michinoku Pro Wrestling.

Victory means heaven, defeat means hell. As a condition of the match, Hayabusa's unmasked face and Hido's hair are on the line. And this isn't just for show; there are reasons behind each condition. Regarding Hayabusa's mask: "He's undoubtedly a top figure in the indie scene. Considering the future, he'll have to show his face someday," Fuyuki had said previously. The stated purpose is to revitalize the indie scene.

The pressure on his partner, Hido, is to encourage him to break through his limitations. The boss has been paying close attention to Hido, even helping him win the tag team belts at the Sanjo event. And let's not forget that those same belts are also on the line in this match. Hayabusa and Tanaka are the strongest tag team in the new FMW. They've been constantly pushed around by Team No Respect and ZEN, so this is a true test of their mettle. Incidentally, this is the first time Fuyuki and Tanaka have faced each other in the ring, adding another interesting element to the match.

Thanks to image training through video viewing, Hido successfully won the belts at the Sanjo event. From the start, he unleashed a barrage of Rocky punches. However, an accident befalls Hido. Hayabusa's dropkick aggravated the "problem area" in Hido's neck.

According to Fuyuki, "It's because he got carried away and overconfident." In the middle of the match, Fuyuki was in a singles match. Hayabusa attempted a rare Tanga Cross. Fuyuki cried out for help, but Hido was incapacitated outside the ring. After receiving emergency treatment, Hido finally returned around the 17-minute mark. With assistance from his corner man, Fuyuki attempted a lariat and a backfist on Hayabusa.

However, Tanaka made timely interventions each time. From there, Hido showed his fighting spirit with moves like the Moonsault, but ultimately, Hido was caught. Hayabusa's Firebird Splash followed by a Vertical Drop Falcon Arrow led to Hido's defeat and the title change.

Then came the hair-cutting ceremony. Hido glared back at Hayabusa, who said, "As we wished, the belts have returned. We don't need your hair. Do whatever you want," and Hido shaved his own head with clippers. Back in the locker room, Fuyuki's demeanor was different than usual. "If we don't change our direction or our thinking, this will be the end. We need a complete reform." The Brief Brother character is only acceptable if it yields results. The boss himself sounded the alarm and, to reaffirm their spirit, decided to hold a tournament among themselves.

Later, the details were announced as shown in a separate article. The name of the tournament was "B1 Climax." The "B" in B1 stands for "Briefs," and the fact that he softened the image despite the true meaning is typical of Fuyuki's "strategy." Fuyuki is incredibly smart.

FMW Brass Knuckles Tag Team Championship Match: Hayabusa & Masato Tanaka d. Kodo Fuyuki & Hido when Hayabusa pinned Hido (25:24) in a Hair vs. Mask Match.

Hayabusa & Masato Tanaka & Ricky Fuji vs. Yukihiro Kanemura & Jado & Gedo 4/21/98

The main event for FMW's 1,000th show was a six-man tag team match featuring Hayabusa, Tanaka, Ricky vs. Kanemura, Jado, and Gedo. To be honest, given the buzz, attention, and history leading up to it, they could have considered putting Semi main event's Jinsei vs. Gannosuke in the main event. However, the fact that they chose to feature a match with a "currently ongoing" theme of  FMW vs. Team No Respect as the main event likely reflects the company's strong desire to showcase FMW's "now." The regular team members are Hayabusa and Tanaka, the two aces supporting the rebirth of the company, and Ricky, the wrestlers' association president, who joined FMW in May 1990, shortly after its launch, and now boasts the most matches of any men's wrestling promotion. 

Considering the past and present of FMW, it can be said that these three were necessary to be in the main event. However, in the match, Hayabusa was attacked mainly on his waist, and there were many long periods where he was stuck in the middle, forcing the regular team into a defensive battle. At the end, Hido, who was in the second position, sprayed Ricky with spray, then Jado hit him with a power bomb, followed by Kanemura with a diving elbow, and Gedo hit him with a super fly, overwhelming Ricky. The regular team fought desperately to get revenge, but the result was a crushing victory for the underdogs, which clearly shows the current balance of power. It may seem harsh, but this is also the reality of the present.

After the match, Team No Respect occupied the ring and continued to torture the defeated Ricky. Then, in came Kronus from ECW, who was making his FMW debut that day! The arrival of the new foreign wrestler brought the excitement in the arena to the brink of exploding. Kronus' unwavering determination, such as taking on Boss Fuyuki in a bid to win, makes him a very exciting prospect to watch. FMW's first big show of the year, the April 30th Yokohama event, is just around the corner.

Hayabusa will challenge Gannosuke for the double crown, while Tanaka will take on ECW's top wrestler, Bam Bam Bigelow. "I can't be optimistic about how the results of Jinsei and Gannosuke will affect Yokohama, and it could even motivate Gannosuke. But... Yokohama I will win. As the ace of the new FMW, I will definitely leave my mark," said Hayabusa.

"I'm both excited and scared (about the Bigelow match). But I'm determined, too, and if I beat the top wrestler, ECW's view of me will change. This is my chance to prove myself... I'll just do it!" said Tanaka. Both men showed their unwavering determination. At the recent April 17th Fuyuki Army Sapporo show, the two aces, who took back the prized World Brass Knuckles Tag Team belts from the hands of the Fuyuki Army, vowed to make a comeback. For the FMW team, the anniversary of their 1000th FMW match was also the day they set out to reclaim their dominance.

Yukihiro Kanemura & Jado & Gedo d. Hayabusa & Masato Tanaka & Ricky Fuji when Gedo pinned Ricky (20:38)