Chono and New Japan issue challenge to Muraco's Honolulu promotion
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Linda Bade, wrestlinghawaiiatyahoo.com
Caroline Wright, wrestlingatwrightforyou.com
MASA CHONO TO WRESTLE IN HAWAI`I
O`ahu wrestling federation will defend heavyweight and tag team belts
in battle with New Japan Pro Wrestling
A Honolulu wrestling federation is preparing for an invasion by Japanese
wrestling legend Masahiro Chono and other stars from New Japan Pro
Wrestling.
The stars of Hawai`i Championship Wrestling (HCW) will defend the Kamehameha
Heritage heavyweight title belts against the Japanese promotion at the
highly anticipated "Battle Hawai`i 2003," set for July 26 at Hawaiian Waters
Adventure Park on O`ahu.
Wrestling is wildly popular in Japan, and Masa Chono, former NWA heavyweight
champion and IWGP heavyweight and tag team champion, is one of the most
highly regarded and recognizable athletes in the business, and a spokesman
for New Japan Pro Wrestling. Chono and top New Japan wrestlers Jushin
"Thunder" Liger, Tiger Mask IV, and Yuji Nagata will represent the Japanese
invasion at the three-hour O`ahu extravaganza.
According to HCW commissioner and co-founder Don "The Rock" Muraco, several
special matches have been added to the undercard, the first half of the
program leading up to the main event matches, for this unique Hawai`i-Japan
showdown. HCW's emerging tag team champions, to be determined in an eagerly
anticipated July 6th tournament, will defend their titles against the NJPW's
masked duo, "Thunder" Liger and Tiger Mask IV.
In the grand finale, Lopaka, the HCW wrestler who recently fought a
extraordinary battle against a dozen members of his own federation for the
right to wear the heavyweight belt, will meet the legendary Chono in defense
of the HCW gold.
Battle Hawai`i 2003 will begin at 6:00 PM Saturday, July 26, at Hawaiian
Waters Adventure Park on O`ahu. Admission for the wrestling match only is
$50; admission for dinner, waterpark rides, and the wrestling match is $100.
This match is being sponsored by radio station KPOI/FM 97.5, Pepsi, Kinki
Nippon Tourist, and Wrestling Hawai`i on Oceanic/Time Warner television.
Tickets are available through HCW at 841-2621 or at Tower Records. For
information, visit http://www.808hcw.com.
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Hawai'i Championship Wrestling
FACT SHEET
Linda Bade, wrestlinghawaiiatyahoo.com
Caroline Wright, wrestlingatwrightforyou.com
Website www.808hcw.com
History Wrestling was once a sport of the ali`i, or kings, of Hawai`i. With
deep respect for Hawaiian tradition as its guiding principle, and a return
to the golden era of professional wrestling as its ultimate goal, Hawai`i
Championship Wrestling (HCW) was founded in February 2003 by legendary
former championship wrestler and O'ahu native Don "The Rock" Muraco, and
Linda Bade, a Honolulu television producer.
As a wrestler for Punahou High School, Don Muraco captured two major ILH
Wrestling Championships and the HHSAA Championship in 1966 and '67. Muraco
joined the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) in 1980, and was twice named WWF
's Intercontinental Champion. He earned immortality through his grueling
cage match with Jimmy "Superfly" Snuka at Madison Square Garden, and with
WWF Heavyweight Champion Hulk Hogan in 1985. He is the owner of Muraco's
House of Pain, Hawai'i's only official professional training center, and
co-founder and commissioner of HCW.
Live Events HCW produces and promotes up to 24 live professional wrestling
events each calendar year. Formatted as true family entertainment, these
events provide Hawai`i wrestling audiences with two hours of action,
athleticism and fun. HCW maintains venue relationships with the Harry &
Jeanette Weinberg Foundation, the Enlisted Men's Club at Kaneohe Marine
Corps Base, the Hard Rock Café in Waikiki, and the Waikiki Shell, through
the City and County of Honolulu.
On Saturday, July 26, the warriors of HCW will battle the stars of New Japan
Pro Wrestling. The legendary Masahiro Chono, accompanied by top New Japan
wrestlers Jushin "Thunder" Liger, Tiger Mask IV, and Yuji Nagata, will
represent the Japanese invasion at the first Hawai`i-Japan wrestling event
in 20 years. The evening's main events will include the first Kekaulike Tag
Team title championship, and an attempt by Chono to capture HCW's Kamehameha
Heritage Heavyweight Championship.
Custom-crafted belts for both championships were designed to honor
Kamehameha and the ali`i of Hawai`i. The Kamehameha Heritage heavyweight
title is dedicated to the memory and spirit of the great king. In an
exhaustive and extraordinary battle on June 28, 2003, HCW wrestler Lopaka
claimed the heavyweight title belt as his own. The heavyweight tag titles in
the Kekaulike series were created to honor the king's most trusted warriors:
Kame`e'iamoku and Kamanawa.
Title Belts The title belts for these series were designed and manufactured
by master craftsman Reggie Parks, creator of title belts for many of the
world's top pro wrestling and boxing promotions, and his team of artisans.
Each belt, plated with copper, nickel, and gold, bears intricately carved
images of King Kamehameha I, the chain of Hawaiian islands, the HCW crest,
and the Hawai`i state seal and motto (Ua mau ke ea o ka `aina i ka pono, or
The life of the land is perpetuated in righteousness).
Television Highlights from live events, plus comedy sketches and coverage of
community events, are shown on Wrestling Hawai`i, a weekly, half-hour
television program for local Time-Warner affiliate station Oceanic Cable 16.
Produced by HCW and affiliate SammyKitty Productions, the program is hosted
by popular island comedian and radio personality Augie T., and has placed in
the Top 3 programs in OC16's most recent Nielsen ratings.
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HAWAI`I CHAMPIONSHIP WRESTLING
Kamehameha Heritage Heavyweight Championship
MATCH REPORT
July 1, 2003, Honolulu: This past Saturday was a very historic night for
HCW! A sellout crowd of Hawai`i wrestling fans gathered at the E-Club at
Kaneohe Marine Corps Base to witness the crowning of our VERY FIRST HCW
Hawaii Heavyweight Champion in honor of King Kamehameha I.
At the beginning of the event, HCW's guest of honor, Bill Apter from Total
Wrestling Magazine, presented HCW Commissioner Don Muraco with the very
first Total Wrestling Magazine Legend Award, to a standing ovation! Another
first for HCW!
Then, 15th ranked Lopaka of The Nightmarchers made his way to the ring,
along with his Tag Team partner, the #2 ranked Ahuna. Lopaka got on the mic
and, in a somewhat out-of-character move, apologized to Muraco for his
actions of the past. Lopaka dedicated the evening to Muraco's mother, who
passed away recently, as well as to his own mentor, famed local storyteller
Glen Grant, who died two weeks ago.
Then, the action began. With Lopaka ranked last, he had his work cut out for
him, in this gauntlet-style tournament.
First up against Lopaka was Kenjiro Katahira (Double K). The match was very
straight up as the two exchanged vicious blows, followed up by a flying
clothsline by both men. Lopaka gained the advantage and slapped on the
Jaguar Suplex for the 1-2-3. Lopaka moved on.
Second up against Lopaka was Super Jet Akuma, battling a shoulder injury
sustained in Japan earlier this month. The two exchanged handshakes before
getting into action. Another quick exchange, and it looked as if Lopaka
would be eliminated when Jet Akuma excuted a sunset-flip into a Tiger Bomb
pinfall combination, but Lopaka managed to get his shoulder up. Akuma then
went for a hurricanrana but Lopaka gained control and forced Akuma's face
hard into the top turnbuckle for the 1-2-3. Lopaka moved on.
Next up was ranked Dragon Wada. Despite his exhaustion, Lopaka did not want
to waste any time, and went after Wada near the entrance. Wada greeted
Lopaka with a spurt of green and red mist to the face that sent Lopaka
reeling. The action resumed in the ring, where both men exchanged stiff
kicks and blows to each other's face and upper and lower bodies. Lopaka was
trapped in the corner, receiving running elbows from Wada, when Ref. Kazz
interjected and warned Wada that he'd better get the action out of the
corner. Wada spat even more mist, but Lopaka protected himself and placed
Wada into his Michinoku Driver for the 1-2-3. Lopaka advanced.
Next on the roster was ranked Don Lee, the Real American Hero. Another
sportsman-like handshake was exchanged, and the two got into a technical
battle of armbars and various submission holds. However, as Don Lee went for
his infamous punch, Lopaka countered it and placed Don Lee into his
Michinoku driver and got the 1-2-3. Lopaka advanced again.
Next up was The Rottweiler, who came to the ring with a viciousness never
seen before. However, it proved to be his downfall. After attempting his
version of the Gore, the Rottweiler got into trouble and Lopaka easily went
for the 1-2-3 with a schoolboy.
Next up was Mr. Spa Fitness, who had one message and one message only: "I
want that title!" As Lopaka had already been wrestling for 45+ minutes, Mr.
Spa Fitness had the advantages of speed and stamina. However, as Mr. Spa
Fitness went for a flying sledgehammer, Lopaka countered with a spin-kick
for the 1-2-3. Lopaka advanced.
At this point, the crowd was really starting to get behind Lopaka--which was
a change of pace!
Next up: the return and HCW debut of Akua, who came out with all the
confidence in the world. At this point, Lopaka was terribly winded after
having to eliminate so many individuals. Akua got in, and within a minute
applied a devastating double-armed powerbomb into a back breaker. Akua only
got the 2 count, but it was the closest anyone had gotten to overpowering
Lopaka in this tournament. Lopaka soon regained the advantage after a
mistake by Akua for the 1-2-3. Lopaka advanced again.
Note: As each wrestler was eliminated, they stayed around ringside to
witness who would come out on top!
After an intermission, fan favorite Big Daddy Frank entered the arena,
followed by his comely foursome, the Frankettes. Big Daddy got in there and
dominated Lopaka right away. At one point he got Lopaka up for the
Heartbreaker, but Big Frank could not get the pinfall as he celebrated
prematurely. This allowed Lopaka to regroup. Frank went for a blow to the
face, but Lopaka blocked it and managed to get Big Daddy Frank up for a
Michinoku Driver! As the crowd roared in amazement, Lopaka went for the
1-2-3. Lopaka moved on.
Next up was Ultimate Fighter Caruso, who charged the ring even before
Lopaka, already battered, bruised, and winded, could get to his feet. UFC
took advantage of it all and pounded on Lopaka with a variety of submission
holds, trying to get his worn-down opponent to submit. There were a few
failed attempts to pin Lopaka using the second rope. Finally, Lopaka got the
Jaguar Suplex on UFC for the 1-2-3.
Next, Kaniela entered the ring. He and Lopaka have been in battle before,
and they held nothing back. Both managed to get in vicious kicks as Kaniela
worked on Lopaka's left knee. Kaniela even executed a flying drop kick to
the knee while Lopaka was tied up in the corner. However, as Kaniela went to
the top rope to execute his Fall From Grace Senton Bomb, Lopaka got to his
feet and executed a Death Valley Driver to Kaniela from the top rope. After
that, a Northern Lights Suplex that spelled the end for Kaniela.
Next up was Ahuna, Lopaka's partner in the Night Marchers. Ahuna seized the
mic and said, "You wanted to do this for the King, so let's show what
Hawaiians are made of!" Ahuna didn't show his partner any mercy, for he
wanted the title as much as Lopaka. After a powerful clothesline that sent
Lopaka to the mat hard, Ahuna only managed to get the 2 count. Lopaka then
greeted Ahuna with a roundhouse kick, which turned the match around in
Lopaka's favor. Lopaka advanced to the final match.
The final match in the tournament for the first HCW Hawaii Heavyweight
Championship was a battle between Lopaka and #1 ranked Kaimana. Kaimana did
not let up as he gave Lopaka a taste of the Japanese Strong Style. Lopaka
worked hard to find his second wind. Kaimana was in control for the most of
the beginning of the match, but a steel chair was introduced to the ring.
Lopaka repeatedly introduced Kaimana's back and legs to the sturdy piece of
furniture from Home Depot. Because he did not want to disqualify Lopaka, and
because the fans wanted to see a clear winner, HCW senior referee Chico did
not interfere. Lopaka then slapped on the Jaguar Suplex for the 1-2-3.
Congratulations, Lopaka: the FIRST HCW Kamehameha Heritage Heavyweight
Champion!