AJPW New Year Giant Series 2003 - Tag 8

ZOHASH.COM EXCLUSIVE REPORT

ALL JAPAN PRO WRESTLING PRESENTS "REBEL'S REIGN" - JANUARY 13TH, OSAKA PREFERENCE GYMNASIUM

Osaka, Japan - In a night filled with thrilling tag team matches and a main event for the ages, All Japan Pro Wrestling's "Rebel's Reign" PPV event did not disappoint. The sold-out crowd of 4,800 at the Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium witnessed some of the best wrestling in the world today.

Tag Team Turmoil

The evening kicked off with a pair of tag team matches that showcased the depth of AJPW's roster. Kazushi Miyamoto and Masanobu Fuchi successfully defended their titles against Gran Naniwa and Taichi Ishikari, with Miyamoto securing the pin at 10:18. In the second bout, Jimmy Yang and Kaz Hayashi outlasted Fuego and Super Dragon in a hard-hitting contest that saw Yang deliver a devastating top-rope splash to secure the win at 11:52.

Abdullah The Butcher and Nobukazu Hirai looked dominant in their tag team match against Ryuji Hijikata and Tomoaki Honma, finishing off their opponents with a vicious Butcher's Axe handle smash at just 7:18. However, it was Mike Rotundo, Shigeo Okumura, and Steve Williams who stole the show in their six-man tag team affair against George Hines, Hideki Hosaka, and Johnny Smith. The veterans put on a clinic, showcasing their technical prowess before finishing off their opponents with a three-count at 16:29.

The Main Event

After several intense tag team matches, fans were treated to the highly anticipated Triple Crown Title match between Great Muta and The Gladiator. In a thrilling contest that saw both men give it their all, Muta emerged victorious, submitting his opponent with the moonsault at 18:11.

In a post-match interview, an ecstatic Great Muta praised his opponents for a hard-fought battle before dedicating his title reign to the fans in attendance. With this win, Muta cements his position as one of the top stars in AJPW.

FINAL SCORECARD

• Kazushi Miyamoto and Masanobu Fuchi (10:18) defeated Gran Naniwa and Taichi Ishikari
• Jimmy Yang and Kaz Hayashi (11:52) defeated Fuego and Super Dragon
• Abdullah The Butcher and Nobukazu Hirai (7:18) defeated Ryuji Hijikata and Tomoaki Honma
• Mike Rotundo, Shigeo Okumura, and Steve Williams (16:29) defeated George Hines, Hideki Hosaka, and Johnny Smith
• 200% Machine and Genichiro Tenryu (13:40) defeated Arashi and Nobutaka Araya
• Kazuhiko Ogasawara and Shinya Hashimoto (15:32) defeated Kendo Kashin and Satoshi Kojima
• Great Muta (18:11) defeated The Gladiator to retain the Triple Crown Title

CLOSING THOUGHTS

"Rebel's Reign" was an absolute treat for AJPW fans, with some of the best wrestling seen in Japan this year. With a stacked roster and consistently strong events, All Japan Pro Wrestling continues to be a force to be reckoned with in the world of professional wrestling.

This reporter gives "Rebel's Reign" 4.5 out of 5 stars. For more on this event, stay tuned to zohash.com!

Card Details

• Date: 13 Jan 2003
• Promotion: All Japan Pro Wrestling
• Arena: Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium
• Attendance: 4800
• Type: Pay Per View
• Broadcast Type: Live
• Broadcast Date: 13 Jan 2003

Matches

1. Kazushi Miyamoto and Masanobu Fuchi defeat Gran Naniwa and Taichi Ishikari in a Tag Team Match
   Match Time: 10:18

2. Jimmy Yang and Kaz Hayashi defeat Fuego and Super Dragon in a Tag Team Match
   Match Time: 11:52

3. Abdullah The Butcher and Nobukazu Hirai defeat Ryuji Hijikata and Tomoaki Honma in a Tag Team Match
   Match Time: 07:18

4. Mike Rotundo, Shigeo Okumura and Steve Williams defeat George Hines, Hideki Hosaka and Johnny Smith in a Six Man Tag Team Match
   Match Time: 16:29

5. 200% Machine and Genichiro Tenryu defeat Arashi and Nobutaka Araya in a Tag Team Match
   Match Time: 13:40

6. Kazuhiko Ogasawara and Shinya Hashimoto defeat Kendo Kashin and Satoshi Kojima in a Tag Team Match
   Match Time: 15:32

7. Great Muta(C) defeat The Gladiator in a Triple Crown Title Match
   Match Time: 18:11