After much attention from their efforts of self-promotion, the time came for Destination BATTLE GROUND to have their debut event in the hallowed halls of Korakuen Hall. The event opened without a video or even a promotion theme, as Akuma Toyota in a Destination t-shirt simply walked to the ring to give the opening address. Toyota praised the super sellout audience for their support in reviving traditional pro-wrestling. Toyota said tonight would see furious action and unlike some other groups, would have brand new hungry stars instead of "bloated hangers on". WIth that, Toyota personally introduced his first two trainees who jogged to the ring leading to the first match beginning!
Kazuya Tanimoto and Keita Kokubunji exchanged furiously from the gong in an effort to prove themselves in their debut match. The difference between the two was immediately evident as Tanimoto used his girth and physical strength to combat Kokubunji's speed and agility. Tanimoto in particular stood out, as the former power lifter displayed amazing feats of power including hurling Kokubunji high into the air sending Kokubunji crashing to the mat face first. After four minutes of action, Tanimoto sealed the deal with a powerslam followed by a vicious running double axe handle to the chest of Kokubunji; knocking him out for the three count. Backstage; Kokubunji remarked that he had already fallen behind Tanimoto but said that he was up to the challenge after fighting for so long for Toyota to train him. Tanimoto was full of confidence, saying that his power alone would allow him to march up the cards in no time at all...
In a match pitting two returning favorites against two rising young lions, Rui Kuriyama and Kazuki Takagi took on the HYBRID FACTORY graduates of Susumu Nakagawa and Katsunori Sekine. Kazuki Takagi, who has always been a well liked favorite, received a warm reception for his return to the big stage. However, the two stars of the bout were Katsunori Sekine who continued to impress far beyond his one year's experience should allow displaying blistering kicks and heavy suplexes on the much larger Kuriyama and Takagi. And yet, despite Sekine's shine, all eyes were on Rui Kuriyama. The former Kazuma Fujita Dojo graduate and Akuma Toyota protege was a new man having spent significant time in America over the last two years. He sported long black hair, and black spats, along with even more beef on his physique then before. Kuriyama projected an aura as he fought viciously against the two technical youngsters. In the end, Kuriyama definitively won the match with a blasting jumping face kick on Nakagawa followed by a second brutal jumping face kick to put the young fighter down. Sekine refused to accept this loss, shoving Kuriyama post match only to get a jumping high kick from Kuriyama for his troubles. Once backstage, Takagi couldn't believe his eyes at how far Kuriyama had come, nostalgically remembering when he first showed up years ago. Kuriyama thanked Takagi's kind words but said that tonight marked the beginning of a new guard evolution, and that his time as an elite pro-wrestler had finally come...
Two out of the three delinquents allowed into Destination were given their shot in the third battle, as Mikio Tsuruya and Danger Kobayashi took on Masakazu Fujimoto and Eiichi Aihara. Early on, several amusing events took place between Fujimoto and Tsuruya, who had what can only be called a "girth off". Fujimoto, 300+ pounds himself, could hardly believe the ever increasing protruding belly of Tsuruya after he took off his one size too small pink t-shirt. The two exchanged belly attacks, before Tsuruya had to cheat to turn the upper hand. The battle went as originally expected from there, as Tsuruya and his protege; the face painted Danger Kobayashi attacked Fujimoto and Aihara in various heel manners. Due to relaxed disqualification rules, Tsuruya & Kobayashi were able to use different forms of illegal attacks to gain the upperhand. Aihara, the elder journeyman technical wrestler was out of his element--or so you would think, as Aihara was able to brandish his own weapon displaying surprising skill with a kendo stick. Fate was not on the side of Aihara and Fujimoto; however, as a well placed low blow on Aihara allowed Tsuruya to hit his devastating Murder Carnival, a double underhook piledriver on Aihara for the three count. To continue his theme as one of the most perverse men in pro-wrestling, Tsuruya licked his own hand before smearing the sweat and saliva all over the fallen Aihara's face before getting off him. Fujimoto charged the ring, but Tsuruya who normally moves as slow as a glacier, suddenly rolled out of the ring. Fujimoto was incensed at the lack of respect shown by their opponents post match, but Tsuruya simply claimed to be "having fun", claiming that amusing himself was far more important then any wrestling match.
Two of the more physically dominating men in pro-wrestling today clashed in the "MEGATON BRAWL". "Texas Outlaw" Jake Bishop fought tooth and nail with former sumo wrestler, Izumo Yoritomo. Neither man attempted the slightest bit of technical wrestling, instead opting to charge into each other like runaway trucks over and over. The deafening sounds of their hammer blows echoed through the arena, making even the most sturdy fans in the audience groan. Aside from the sheer violence on display, the only thing that could be considered a "move", was when Bishop staggered Yoritomo with an elbow shot, and then hit the Texan Bomber! Instead of being KO'd Yoritomo fell back into the ropes, tangling himself and allowing Bishop to wail away with blows. When Yoritomo was finally freed, Yoritomo exploded (as much as a 6'3, 400 pound man can) out, catching Bishop with a Sea Typhoon Ozeki! Both men were KO'd from this, but when they revived, they went right back to clubbering each other as hard as possible. In the end, their mutual stubbornness overwhelmed them, causing the two to knock down Referee Toyama; not once, not twice, but three times finally forcing Toyama to call for the bell ruling the battle a no-contest. The audience jeered, but the match being over did little to stop the violence as the two bulls battered each other without pause. Finally a flood of officials and ringboys separated the two restoring order to the ring area. Bishop gave no statement, just screaming "YORITOMO! YOU ARE DEAD!" in anger. Yoritomo reverted back to his calm demeanor backstage, saying that the heat of battle simply overwhelmed him but that next time they battled, he would emerge victorious.
The return to Japanese soil of one of the more enigmatic foreigners in pro-wrestling history was next, as former C-1 Heavyweight Champion and the only man ever banned from CRIMSON for his violence, the "California Devil" Stephen Priest returned to the big stage for the first time since 2008. Priest continued his new look, coming to the ring in a long trench coat-style jacket, metal cross, leather style pants, and a red wine bottle. He was flanked by Mikio Tsuruya and Danger Kobayashi, once again reaffirming their alliance. His opponent, who also has undergone a reinvention was Keiji Hirano, who since the pro-wrestling crash reinvented himself with a strict diet and strength training program. Gone was Hirano's cocky demeanor and medium length bleached hair, instead replaced with a deadly serious expression, black trunks, and short cropped non-bleached hair. Hirano was flanked by old friend Izumo Yoritomo, who came out to help keep any eye on Priest's accessories. In what on paper appeared to be a mismatch, it was nothing close to that. Keiji Hirano surprised the Korakuen audience with his amazing speed and surprising strength proving to be more then a match for the former world champion. After several minutes of Hirano's dominance, Priest took over after Hirano missed a tope and showed just why he was banished so long ago. Priest brandished a sharp object of indistinguishable form, and used the object to carve at Hirano behind the referee's back, jabbing Hirano in the forehead multiple times. Along with his evil actions, Priest showed that he is still an amazing technical wrestler tying Hirano in knots with a variety of painful submission holds. Hirano wouldn't be put down so easily, as he fought back heroically despite his right arm having been gouged open by Priest's assault. After a beautiful release German Suplex, Hirano went up for a moonsault press only to be momentarily distracted by Danger Kobayashi. This distraction delayed Hirano's moonsault for several seconds, giving Priest plenty of time to recover and roll out of the way. Priest followed up with the Surreal Prophet exploder suplex on Hirano, but Hirano survived! Priest, undaunted then hit a second Surreal Prophet before grabbing Hirano's arms, flipping him over, and putting him in a side straightjacket chokehold! Hirano attempted to escape, fighting valiantly, but eventually passed out in the hold forcing the referee stoppage! After tugging and pulling on Priest, Priest finally relinquished the hold allowing Yoritomo to tend to the unconscious Hirano. Priest stood over the body of Hirano in a creepy manner with a faraway look in his eyes, before backing off and leaving the ring with incident. Backstage, Priest simply stood and slowly "drank" his red wine, more or less just spilling it all over his chest as Tsuruya talked for him. Tsuruya dubbed the crossarm chokehold move the "Black House". Tsuruya also named their faction "BLOOD SAVIORS" and that tonight was just the beginning for a new, violent, evil revolution in Destination.
Finally, it was time for the big battle that drew the audience into Korakuen Hall, as "CRUSADE OF DISCIPLINE" brought two of the strongest men from their respective fields to bear on one another. In one corner pitted the former Olympic freestyle hopeful and successful professional fighter Akira Aoki against the unquestioned ace of the pro-wrestling world, and general manager of Destination; Akuma Toyota! Both men regarded each other with high amounts of respect leading to a friendly handshake before the battle began. From the opening bell, the two styles made for a compelling stylistic contrast as Aoki constantly attempted to close the distance to use his wrestling while Toyota wanted to turn the match into a slugfest with both men throwing bombs at the other. Aoki scored the first major blow, as he suddenly shot in, spun behind Toyota and hit Toyota with a beautiful release German Suplex! Aoki immediately followed up by attempting to secure back mount, but Toyota wisely forced the break by grabbing the ropes. After a moment to collect his thoughts, Toyota re-engaged Aoki. Aoki tried the same move, but this time Toyota was ready and blasted Aoki head on with an elbow as he shot in. This stunned Aoki allowing Toyota to land a lariat! Toyota covered but Aoki kicked out at one, and fled the ring himself. This set the pace of the battle, as any time either man gained the upper advantage, the other would find a way to negate that advantage forcing the two back to a stalemate. Later in the match, Aoki was able to slam Toyota to the ground with a modified hip throw/powerslam, before securing full mount! Aoki unleashed with his world famous ground and pound, using palm strikes instead of fists due to the rules. Toyota covered up, but could do nothing to block all the shots coming his way. Very quickly, Toyota's face swelled significantly and he began to bleed from a cut over his eye. Sensing the weakness in Toyota, Aoki shifted gears and attempted to secure a cross armbar from mount! Toyota clasped hands and rolled, putting Aoki on his back before displaying his freakish strength by deadlifting all 250 pounds of Aoki, hitting a modified powerbomb to break out of the armbar! Both men laid on the ground spent for quite awhile before both struggled to their feet at roughly the same time. They decided to clash head on like men in one final exchange in the middle, trading blows. Aoki looked to be having the advantage with palm strikes, but Toyota suddenly ducked out of the way of a wild swing before CRASHING into Aoki's nose with a headbutt! This stunned Aoki allowing Toyota to hit a short range lariat to Aoki's chest! Aoki was flung backwards, bouncing off the ropes, and was met with a Lariat that Toyota threw his entire bodyweight and strength behind! Toyota collapsed on top of Aoki, securing the three count and the all important main event debut victory in Destination BATTLE GROUND's first event!
Both men were tended to after the match while the fans applauded their efforts. After several minutes, the two climbed to their feet and embraced before Aoki left the ring. Toyota wrapped a towel around his bleeding head and took a microphone. Toyota thanked the audience for "witnessing the rebirth" of pro-wrestling. However, Toyota's post-show speech was cut off as Stephen Priest meandered to ringside, causing a stir. Priest showed no particular hurry to get to the ring, which only served to increase Toyota's anger at Priest's interruption. Finally, Priest wandered into the ring and stood in front of Akuma Toyota with a sly smile on his face. Toyota demanded to know what he wanted, to which Priest said nothing. Toyota bellowed for Priest to say what he wanted, but still Priest would say nothing. Toyota finally had enough, his little patience snapping, as he shoved Priest hard in the chest. Priest bounced off the ropes, before coming off and field goal kicking Toyota directly in the groin! The great equalizer felled Toyota, as Priest pounced like a ravenous dog, ripping and tearing at Toyota's flesh. Priest even went as far as to attack Toyota's eye, almost attempting to rip it out all the while screaming incoherently in rage at Toyota claiming he would "kill" him. Priest was pulled off by ringboys, but Priest flung them off before leaving under his own accord but not before once again adopting a sly smile before vanishing backstage...
Destination BATTLE GROUND ~ War 001
Tokyo, Japan
Korakuen Hall
2,192 (Super no Vacancy Full House)
03/14/13
1. BATTLE #1: Kazuya Tanimoto defeated Keita Kokubunji at 4'19 with a running double axe handle
2. BATTLE #2: Rui Kuriyama & Kazuki Takagi defeated Katsunori Sekine & Susumu Nakagawa at 8'08 when Kuriyama pinned Nakagawa with a jumping high kick
3. BATTLE #3: Mikio Tsuruya & Danger Kobayashi defeated Masakazu Fujimoto & Eiichi Aihara at 14'24 when Tsuruya pinned Aihara with the Murder Carnival
4. BATTLE #4 ~ MEGATON BRAWL: "Texas Outlaw" Jake Bishop fought Izumo Yoritomo to a no contest at 10'20
5. BATTLE #5 ~ REVIVAL OF THE CALIFORNIAN DEVIL: Stephen Priest defeated Keiji Hirano at 15'08 with the Black House
6. BATTLE #6 ~ CRUSADE OF DISCPLINE: Akuma Toyota defeated Akira Aoki at 14'01 with a lariat
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