iD 2008: The Final Three NJPW Wrestlers Are...

Posted by Phil Jones

Indypendence Day 2008

NJPW Wrestlers 4, 5 & 6

The second three participants from New Japan Pro Wrestling have been named. Joining Jado, Gedo, & Prince Devitt are Wataru Inoue, Ryusuke Taguchi, & Shinsuke Nakamura. The Japan based promotion felt that these 6 stars were the right mix to give wrestling fans here in the UK a true taste of what NJPW is about and gauge the interest for future projects.

Wataru Inoue

During university, he trained at Animal Hamaguchi's esteemed dojo, practising there for three years. He joined New Japan in March, 1998, and wouldn't debut until October, 1999. He and Katsuyori Shibata were opening match sparring partners for a long-time, and became good friends. Wataru showed a good sense for wrestling, and understood many of it's intangibles quickly. After learning all the basics of professional wrestling, the two began teaming up against more established juniors. Their greatest accomplishment as a team came in the 2001 G1 Jr. Tag League when they headlined Korakuen Hall and upset Jushin Thunder Liger & El Samurai, Wataru submitting the mighty Liger in the centre of the ring! Following an injury that kept him sidelined for eight months until July 2003, Wataru returned to action with a brand new look and attitude, beginning a new phase of his career. In 2005, an epic IWGP Jr. Tag Team Title win with Kanemoto showed Wataru's progress, and despite being riddled with injuries, his rank increased that year. He finally captured the IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Title in late 2007 and dominated the division into 2008. After achieving the inspiring feat of winning the Best of the Super Jr. tournament while holding the title, he vacated the belt and in June, 2008, announced his graduation to the heavyweight division. With almost too much fighting spirit to carry, Wataru is one of the most talented and charismatic young wrestlers in the world, and has become one of New Japan's most popular talents in recent times.


Ryusuke Taguchi

Yearning for a career in New Japan Pro-Wrestling as early as his high school days, he joined Tokai University's wrestling section, competing well in freestyle events (76kg class). He joined New Japan in March 2002, after passing the stern entry test, and debuted in November of that year against Toru Yano. Taguchi revealed his ambition early, devoting himself to the junior division and saying he wanted to become a good all-around wrestler of the Jushin Thunder Liger kind. When Heat cancelled appearances and forfeited entry to the tenth annual Best of the Super Jr., Taguchi was given an early chance in his career, and stepped in as Heat's replacement. Growth was rapid, some established junior names falling to the 'junior supernova', and in 2004 he overcame seven other young generation members to win the Young Lion Cup, before winning the Young Lion Toukon Tournament later that year. In January, 2005, Taguchi left for an overseas learning excursion to CMLL in Mexico, and upon returning later that year looked different and wrestled different, displaying a new hybrid of Strong Style and lucha libre. In July 2007, Taguchi did what no other young trueborn junior had managed in the 2000s prior to him, lifting the IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Title, the result of much growth. Although Taguchi's career is still young, he is one of the most gifted young wrestlers in the world, using a lively style and showing great pride in his work.

Shinsuke Nakamura

Shinsuke Nakamura began amaresu during his high school days, and stuck with it after joining Aoyama Gakuin University. He captained his university team, and left shining results, winning tournaments and representing his country at a world meet. He easily passed a New Japan admission test in September 2001, formally joining the company in March 2002. He made a high profile debut at Tokyo Nippon Budokan in August 2002, facing much-hated Makai Club leader, Tadao Yasuda. Nakamura was nicknamed "Super Rookie", and before he even made contact with Yasuda, fans were chanting his name in unison. Instantly, a connection many wrestlers strive for had been made between Nakamura and the fans, and he hadn't even done anything! The "Super Rookie" title, which many wrestlers lose quickly, stuck, and Nakamura headed over to America and the L.A. Dojo. Nakamura trained hard for a vale tudo fight at Antonio Inoki's New Year's Eve festival, receiving much guidance from Inoki himself. Although Nakamura lost to Daniel Gracie in his vale tudo debut, the fans were very impressed by his effort, and the loss only boosted his status. In January 2003, at the Tokyo Dome, Nakamura wrestled his second match for New Japan, teaming with Michiyoshi Ohara against Yasuda & Kazunari Murakami. He fought through massive blood loss with great fan support, and in his second pro wrestling match, he choked out Yasuda, a former IWGP Heavyweight Champion! In May 2003, at the Tokyo Dome, Nakamura returned in triumph from a long excursion to America, entering his second vale tudo fight. He faced a much taller, much heavier, and much more experienced K-1 fighter named Jan "The Giant" Nortje, and won easily. A new hero was born, the press calling Nakamura a "supernova" the next day. He was gained entry into the prestigious G1 Climax, and left a positive impression with two wins. In December 2003, Nakamura shattered the foundations of pro wrestling by upsetting Hiroyoshi Tenzan to win the IWGP Heavyweight Title, just one year and four months into his career! Then, in January he headlined the Tokyo Dome, unifying the IWGP and NWF Heavyweight belts by defeating Yoshihiro Takayama! Although he was forced to vacate the belt due to injuries a month later, he had already made a huge impact on the wrestling world. In January 2005, he and Tanahashi headlined the Tokyo Dome against each other, a historic match that showed the future of New Japan in the boldest fashion. After becoming bigger and stronger from a six month learning excursion to the U.S. in 2006, Nakamura returned in triumph that October, with a darker attitude, and immediately won the G1 Tag League with Masahiro Chono. Nakamura is the new bearer of "toukon" (fighting spirit), and is endorsed by the master of New Japan, Antonio Inoki. Nakamura is a man who considers professional wrestling his code, yet who carries such strength and heart that he can fight effectively in other combat codes. A tall and confident figure, with impressive skill, speed, and technique, Nakamura is the supernova, sporting a brand new style, and many consider him without doubt the future ace of the entire industry.
What is iD 2008?

iD 2008 will be the largest celebration of Indypendent wrestling ever to take place in Europe. The three day spectacular begins on Friday 26th September with some of the top names in Indy wrestling taking part.

On Friday 26th we shall host the first ever "Indys" wrestling awards. These awards will be an annual event, much like the academy awards for Indy wrestling, aimed at recognising outstanding efforts and achievement during the year. With the top wrestling publications & industry experts casting votes on awards such as: Promotion of the Year, Match of the Year, and Performer of the Year, these will be the most prestigious awards in Indy wrestling. This is an event like never before, with limited tickets being made available to fans to join the worlds top performers, various promotion officials, and the industries top media professionals, for an evening meal and then the full excitement and suspense of the awards ceremony.

Over the Saturday and Sunday, 27th & 28th September, there are a feast of wrestling show to celebrate "Indypendence Day".

Saturday 27th September will see "The Eve of Indypendence" show take place at the Wolverhampton Civic Hall. The Civic Hall has been chosen as the ideal venue for the weekend long event due to its central location within the UK, as well as it stunning appearance, and its interior layout which lends itself perfectly to hosting a wrestling extravaganza such as this. With a capacity of nearly 1,500, the atmosphere in the venue will be electrifying as the top star from around the globe take part in this amazing event, designed to showcase wrestling in all it's glory.

Prior to the Saturday show fans will have a chance to meet with the wrestlers as they prepare for the night ahead at a special autograph / signing session held in the back bar of the Civic Hall.

Following the Saturday show fans will once again be given the opportunity to interact with the stars of the weekend at the VIP After Party. Tickets for this will be very limited and age restricted to over 18's only.

Sunday 28th September is Indypendence Day. To celebrate this there will be not one but two shows.

In the afternoon one of the UK's finest promotions IPW:UK will be combining the Indypendence Day celebrations with their own four year anniversary celebrations and putting on a special show that will be a great opportunity to show off the best in British wrestling.

Then, on the evening of Sunday 28th September, the Indypendence Day supershow shall take place. Limits shall be pushed and boundaries broken as the card on International Stars give everything they have in this final showcase of Indy wrestling.

Ticket Information

Tickets for this event will go on sale on Friday 4th July 2008 and will be priced from £15.00 to £50.00
They are available via:
The event website: www.indypendenceday.co.uk
The Midlands Box Office: http://www.midlandboxoffice.com or Tel: 0870 320 7000

Weekend packages for this event are available through the website only:
www.indypendenceday.co.uk
or by contacting: sales@indypendenceday.co.uk

Credit: www.indypendenceday.co.uk

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