PRIDE OF PURORESU CROWN 2017
PARTICIPANTS AMIS SHELTON -
アミス・シェルトンFederation: Extreme Wrestling Corporation
Nicknames:
"The Real FN Deal, The Dream Eater, The King of Tomorrow"Height: 5',10”
Weight: 200 Lbs
Put simply? Amis is egotistical and extremely cocky. He wrestles with a huge chip on his shoulder and has a massive drive to become the greatest wrestler in the world. He enters every match believing that he is going to be the victor and that everybody else is beneath him. He craves the spotlight and has learnt from his history that taking no for an answer gives you nothing in wrestling. Amis Shelton grew up in a world where he exceeded in everything, but yet struggled in wrestling. Deep down he knew he was good, but he wasn't given a big break yet, despite wrestling for 10 years. He was finally given the opportunity in Brutal Force Wrestling, which led to his ego growing to unbelievable heights, now he's travelling the world in hopes of conquering every federation out there.
He's egotistical and he'll tell you exactly what he thinks of you. That is Amis Shelton.
ASUKA YOSHIRO - アスカ・ヨシロFederation: New Japan Fighting Championship
Nicknames: N/A
Height: 5'11
Weight: 240lbs
A Japanese wrestler who's been in the game for over twenty years. Despite that, he hasn't eased up. He's still the same hardcore motherfucker he was twenty five years ago, and he doesn't plan on easing up either.
BRYAN LAUGHLIN - ブライアンラフリンFederation: Free Agent
Nicknames: Hunter of Horrorwood
Height: 6'2"
Weight: Fluctuates between 219 & 225
A UWF Universal World Champion in his early twenties, Bryan was forced to take years off due to a concussion and upon returning became 4CW XTV Champion and has departed the company since
CHANDLER SCOTT - ブライアンウィリアムズFederation: Frontier Grappling Arts
Nicknames: N/A
Height: 6'1"
Weight: 222 Lbs
Chandler's still as brash and confident as ever. But after years of having an adversarial relationship with the fans, they've finally embraced each other. Despite his new role as a fan favorite, there are still some babyfaces that hate him and vice versa.
CHRIS CRIPPLER -
クリス・クリプラーFederation: SKYFIRE Wrestling
Nicknames: N/A
Height: 5’11”
Weight: 256lbs
Christopher Martin (Born December 3rd 1964) is the son of a former professional wrestling world heavyweight champion and model. He is best known for rising to fame during the late 80’s and early 90’s on the independent circuit in Britain, Germany, Dubai and South Africa, before going over to Japan, Mexico and finally North America. Never taking his famous fathers name or mention of him during his career, he managed to become a multi-time Heavyweight Champion, travelling across the world for different promotions, gaining a huge reputation within the sport as he’d outshone his father and became known as a “British Legend”. Chris stepped away from the industry he’d loved to focus on behind the scenes. Training up-and-coming wrestlers, being a road agent, producer and streaming announcer for certain promotions, still maintaining his own training regime as every now and again he’d perform in the ring. Skyfire Wrestling was brought to his attention and caught his eye.
CHRIS MADISON - クリスマディソンFederation: Frontier Grappling Arts & New Japan Fighting Championship
Nicknames: "Mayhem"Height: 6'0"
Weight: 220lbs
Chris Madison grew up in the suburbs of Long Island, New York. Ever since he reached an eligible age, his father pushed him to compete in all forms of hand to hand combat. It became second nature and a trend that continued throughout high school and a few years of college before finally turning to Professional Wrestling at the age of 20. Madison made an early name for himself for his adept ability to take punishment. Often being showcased like a sideshow in all forms of "Extreme" wrestling matches before finally catching his first big break with OWF, a developmental territory of ICW. From there he bounced around, eventually landing in Pro Championship Wrestling. Once again showing great promise, Madison was a fixture amongst names like Brad Jackson, Spiral, Pat & Ian McCoy, and Big Daddy Kraven. But for once in his life, Madison wasn't the star. As good as he was, he couldn't find room at the dinner table with Brad Jackson and Spiral gaining most of the spotlight. Madison once again bounced around before eventually leaving North America to take his talents to Japan where he perfected his craft. It took six years before Chris Madison returned and he picked up right where he left off, joining APW and becoming their Overdrive Champion with only a few months under his belt. Along with the APW Overdrive Championship, Madison earned the honors of becoming the first CXP Heavyweight Champion and the Second-to-None Champion, both titles he held as the promotions closed their doors. Coming off of a successful 220 title defense against arch nemesis, Brad Jackson, there was no doubt that the fire to compete still burned and Frontier Grappling Arts seems the likely destination. In a short stint he and partner Tommy Knox made a push for the FGA Tag Team Championships but came up unsuccessful. Madison took a short period of time off to let the bumps and bruises that come with the wrestling business heal up and found his way to 4CW, debuting at Ante Up in July of 2015. Over the past year he has remained undefeated, locking up with the best 4CW had to offer while earning their 4CW Pride Championship. After a bitter contract dispute, Chris Madison decided it was best for him to walk away from 4CW, surrendering the Pride Championship, touring around different promotions until finally signing a contract for a second run in FGA. It was there he suffered his first defeat over a fourteen month undefeated stretch at the hands of Annie Dupree in the second round of the Wildcard Lottery Tournament. Chris refused to get discouraged by his failure and eventually worked his way into the FGA Pride Championship picture, capturing the belt at Only The Strong Survive in his second five-star championship match against the highly talented, Molly Reid.
SEIFER BLACK - コーダFederation: NJFC
Nicknames: N/A
Height: 6'7"
Weight: 235 lbs.
Born in Canada and raised in a orphanage he ran away from the orphanage in his early teens and came across a family nearby who where a wrestling family who took him in and taught him how to wrestle. Then at 18 he moved to Japan and learned Pureso from the masters before going back to the states to make a name for himself.
A believer in right and wrong he will fight anyone he believes to be evil no matter what the cost. A fun loving guy most of the time but is dangerous when he gets serious.
HIROYOSHI SUZUKI - ヒロヨシ・スズキFederation: New Japan Fighting Championship
Nicknames: "
The Master of Perfection"Height: 6 ft 3 inches
Weight: 237lbs
Trained by his father who was also a professional wrestler, Hiroyoshi Suzuki is considered one of the greats in Japan due to his early exposure during his early twenties, winning multiple titles garnered much attention - with comparisons to his father also being made, and soon enough Hiroyoshi Suzuki became a global star.
SLADE LAVEY - ヒジョ・デル・オニ・ワードFederation: New Japan Fighting Championship
Nicknames: “Slaughterhouse”Height: 5'9
Weight: 210lbs.
Slade is a Chicago native who relocated to Detroit in times of familial turmoil as a teenager. In an effort to seek discipline in his life, he began studying martial arts. Particularly drawn to Jiu-Jitsu and Judo, he found himself proficient enough to enter tournaments. Finding success in this realm and also being a fan of professional wrestling, Slade sought out the proper training which led him to perform mainly in the Great Lakes region. Relatively unknown, he is prepared to take the next step in his career. Macabre, psychological, and rugged enigma. Believes in only divulging what he wishes people to know, anything else holds potential to be a tactic. He favors anarchy, violence, and combat.
JASON CASHE - ジェイソン・カシェFederation: Four Corners Wrestling & New Japan Fighting Championship
Nicknames: "tRoUbLeD1", "The Influential"Height: 6'0"
Weight: 225-230 Lbs.
Being in the business since 01' Jason Cashe (Formerly Kash) has seen almost everything. Been stabbed by fans, cut by rivals, kidnapped a rival's girlfriend and threatened to not only marry her but "violate" her. He even drank Milk of Magnesia and pooped on the windshield of someone's Limo. He has been called many things, has earned many championships. His history with the Commentary and other staff from his days in Total Carnage Wrestling brought his interest to 4CW. He was the "IT" factor in TCW and hasn't stop being that since. Multiple Time World Champion, Cashe has come a far way from being a Dope Dealer in the streets of Decatur, Georgia to being a name in the world of Wrestling. Now going by his Legal Name of Cashe, Jason Cashe is now heading into a new direction of his storied career. His sights set on cementing his Family name in the History books just as he had done with the "Kash" name.
JAMES EDWARDS - ジェームズエドワーズ
Federation: Freelancer
Nicknames: "The Burning Heart"Height: 5'9"
Weight: 204lbs
Already considered one of the most talented and hardest hitting strikers in the world barely two years into his career, James will always consider them his bread and better. The manner in which he uses them will depend on his mindset. When he is focused and calm, James will use heavy, well-timed blows to conserve energy and cause the most damage to his opponent. Not a particularly talented chain wrestled, there is nothing pretty about his ground game; he will latch onto a body part like a Doberman and stretch his foe for all they are worth. Submissions are his way of recovering after being rocked or to slow down large or faster opponents. Due to a dearth of athleticism, James' aerial moves take some time for him to set up and are usually only for last-ditch efforts when nothing else has worked. The newest addition to James arsenal is a variety of takedowns, martial arts throws, and flash pins for defensive or momentum shifting purposes. These are ugly as sin, but are designed to hurt more than anything because James always will put a little extra something on them.
KEN HIDEYOSHI - ケン秀吉Federation: New Japan Fighting Championship
Nicknames: "The Undisputed King of Japan"Height: 6'3"
Weight: 237lbs
One of the most notorious professional wrestlers in Japan, Ken Hideyoshi has accomplished what a lot of professional can only dream of. He's headlined shows in the Tokyo Dome, he's faced some of the best wrestlers in the world, made the transition to mixed martial arts and held championships after championships after championships. There's a reason why they call him the
"Undisputed King of Japan".
KONRAD RAAB - コンラッドラーブFederation: New Japan Fighting Championship
Nicknames: "The Iceman", "The German Sensation" and "The German Suplex Machine"Height: 6'4"
Weight: 230lbs
He entered in this business under his wife's guidance who's been training him for his debut match against Vantage as a non wrestler which he lost, but then in his second ever match in WEW, he won against Angelica Monroe and got himself into the StarrDome. During the preparations for Angelica Monroe match, he had his first title shot against Evan Envi for the North American title. Since he trained in the Starrdome, we see a whole new look to Konrad as he matured quite a lot and learned a lot more to the wrestling business. Now he enters in a world he's never experienced before, Japanese wrestling where Konrad hears that they respect this business and it's time for him to prove his skills and learn a lot from wrestling in Japan to see if it gets him anywhere because he feels the Japanese wrestlers respect the sport more than the Americans do. He's ready to take on the best wrestlers in NJFC.
KYO NATSUMI - 夏実Federation: New Japan Fighting Championship
Nicknames: N/A
Height: 6'0"
Weight: 22lbs
At 37 years of age, there isn't much that Kyo Natsumi hasn't done. He's conquered the independent scene in Japan, became somewhat of an "middle tier messiah" within a number of promotions. But if there's one thing that's dampening his legacy, it would be the fact that Natsumi has never held a world championship. Coming to New Japan Fighting Championship, he hopes he can fulfill this one last mission before hanging the boots.
MARK STORM - 嵐をマークする
Federation: Freelancer
Nicknames: "Your Hero And Mine, The Reckoning of Professional Wrestling"Height: 6'3
Weight: 220lbs - 225lbs
A schizophrenic professional wrestler who has been in the game ever since 2008, wrestling in the independent circuits and trying to make a name for himself. Mark was born into a dysfunctional family - his mother worked two jobs trying to provide for the family whilst his father was rarely seen in his childhood, however the two did have a positive relationship as Mark Storm grew from a boy to a man. Mark however got involved with the wrong crowd; and when he was sixteen was put in a juvenile facility after drugs were found in an apartment that he was living in with his other so-called "friends". Mark spent six weeks in the juvenile facility and upon his release decided to move away from New York and move in with his father, who encouraged him to do something with his life. Mark was already nortoriously known in the streets of New York because of his street fighters and success in that. He brought that with him when he moved to Alberqurque with his Dad, continuing an unbeaten record upon the streets. His father then encouraged him to become a fighter, and actually get paid for fighting others.
Mark started with mixed martial arts initially however made the transition to professional wrestling in 2008, where he joined independent federation TEW and UNW, two federations Mark eventually got inducted into the hall of fame, because of his work there. Whilst in the two feds, Mark managed to become a grandslam champion in both federations, doing this within the first three years of his professional career, a record that hasn't been matched ever. He left both promotions after three years and began to embark on an adventure that would see him wrestle around the globe, trying to make a name for himself, and hone new skills from different parts on the planet. He then made a big leap and dipped his toe into the professional gam
MITSUO SHIMADA - シマダミツオ
Federations: New Japan Fighting Championship
Nicknames: "The Savior, The Myth And The Legend."Height: 5'11 ft
Weight: 225lbs
This is an ongoing process. But for now, Mitsuo Shimada is a professional wrestler primarily known for his time spent within the wrestling scene of Japan. He is, somewhat of a star, or at least a star in the making. His time has been divided between numerous independent promotions within Japan, but now that he's come to New Japan Fighting Championship, he's looking to become the number one wrestler in Japan.
Mitsuo lost his father at the age of nine, when he was a killed in a supposed freak accident however there have been many claims throughout the years that his father was in fact murdered, despite this, these claims have been ignored by authorities. He was raised by his mother and uncle, the brother of his father, who was a amateur professional wrestler and helped Mitsuo through his troublesome years. As a teen, he'd grown angry at the world and to vent out his anger, his uncle would often take him to the local gymnasium, where they'd spar and train for long hours in the day, often missing school to do so. Although not being the perfect student in terms of behavior, academically he was superb and regarded as a genius by many of pupils and teachers. But he wasn't interested in academics. Through his training, he developed an interest in the arts of professional wrestling.
RICKY VALERO - リッキーバレロFederation: Frontier Grappling Arts & New Kingdom PRO
Nicknames: The Franchise, The King of Wrestling, God
Height: 5’11”
Weight: 227 lbs.
A decorated veteran in the ring, Ricky Valero has wrestled throughout the world with much success. No place has been greater to Valero, however, than The Land of the Rising Sun. Valero’s early career skyrocketed after a move to Japan and was rejuvenated again almost three years ago when he joined the Puroresu United/Glory for Puroresu roster. Though despised by Japanese fans for his rule-breaking antics and status as a Gaijin, he is revered and well respected for all he has accomplished in the world of professional wrestling.
STACY JONES - ステイシージョーンズFederation: HYBRID Wrestling
Nicknames: "The Glampire"Height: 5'7"
Weight: 150lbs
Started training when she was 14 by her adoptive father, Albert after witnessing a Lucha Libre wrestling event in Madison Square Garden. Has a half-brother who specializes in Puroresu and has had some training from him in that style. Currently dating Jennifer Lawson and has two children from a previous relationship. Longs to fulfill her dream of one day becoming a World Champion.
TERENCE TILLMAN - テレンス・ティルマンNicknames: “Terrific”
Height: 5'11"
Weight: 230 lbs
Triple T was introduced to wrestling at an early age by his great grandfather who watched it religiously for years. It was how the two bonded. Just before he passed, “Grand Pa” Tillman told Terrence “Let me know what happens on wrestling the next time I see you.” Tillman decided he would do more than that, he would become a wrestler himself. Tillman went on to wrestle in college and worked two jobs to pay his way through a local wrestling school. The head coach there heard about Lion’s Den and immediately sent in Triple T’s highlight video. Terrence Tillman now has the chance to do more than talk about what he saw on wrestling when he sees his great grandfather again he can tell him about everything he “did” in wrestling.
TOMMY KNOX - トミーノックスNickname: "The American Highlife"Height: 6'2"
Weight: 236 lbs
Finally getting his break into the professional scene, Tommy Knoxville started his career with Pro Championship Wrestling in the late Summer of 2006. After the company's closure, Tommy made a few appearances in Pro Wrestling: X where he captured the Primetime Championship in a multi-person match. Towards the end of 2006, Tommy then signed with Total Carnage Wrestling, where he won the Television Championship in 2007. Due to legalities, TcW closed over the Summer of 2007, which then led Tommy to Global Championship Wrestling at the end of the year. In the company's final event, Tommy won the United States Championship in the Winter of 2008. After taking a break from the ring for over a year, Tommy reemerged in Wrestling Championship Federation where he won the Tag Team Championships with long time friend, brother in arms, and ally met in TcW - Jason Cashe (Kash then). Allowing his bad habits to get the best of him, Tommy failed to appear for a championship defense, leaving Cashe to fend for himself, which ultimately led to a short-lived rivalry between the two. Falling off the map again, Tommy was nowhere to be seen for over two years before emerging once again, this time signing with Action Packed Wrestling in the Winter of 2013. Starting on the shows developmental brand, Meltdown, we watched as his attitude and persona changed, dropping the end of his last name and going by Knox, eventually moving up the ranks to the flagship brand, Overdrive. Outside of the ring, Tommy made alliances with a local motorcycle club in Long Beach, where he was later patched in as a full member. Joining forces with an ally he met back in PCW, the Black Hand was formed in APW, under the guidance of him and Chris Madison. Putting in work each and every week, Knox found himself with an opportunity to challenge for the Overdrive Championship, leading to him capturing the belt and becoming a force to be reckoned with within the Overdrive brand. With distractions outside of the ring and with the club, Tommy lost sight of things within APW, losing the Overdrive Championship. Having to set his career aside for the time being, Tommy left it all behind to deal with personal matters, which ultimately led to betrayal. APW was the last full-time gig Tommy has been a part of. Since then, he's appeared in one-off matches, tag teaming with Chris Madison, but predominantly with Jason Cashe. In the Spring of 2016, Tommy and Cashe traveled to Japan where they competed in a tag team tournament for New Japan Fighting Championship, winning the NJFC Tag Team Championships.
OWEN GONSALVES - オーウェンゴンサーブNicknames: "Indestructible", "The Submission Alchemist", "High Flyah Messiah", "The Visionary"Height: 5'11"
Weight: 205 lbs
Owen grew up around a family who was nowhere near poverty but nowhere near millionaires. Owen was the second oldest of 4 brothers and lived with his father and now late, mother. Owen grew up idolising the likes of Donovan Kayl, Bronx Goldie, Ricky Valero, "100% Proof" Adam Edwards, "Mr. Wrestling" Steve Frei and Micah King. Wrestling was one of the Gonsalves' family's great traditions always sitting together and watching different televised wrestling shows so naturally the 4 brothers would wrestle in the backyard, living room, on the bed and even in the garage but only one would ever go as far as trying to make a living out of the extreme sport known as professional wrestling, that would be Owen.
Owen self trained himself at the age of 12 for about 2 months before his father found that his son was interested deeply in the sport and took it in his own hands to take his son to Detroit, Michigan for training. Owen left Melbourne, Australia at the age of 13 only weeks after his 13th birthday, with his father. Owen trained and wrestled in Detroit for nearly 6 years and in this time span Owen would've lost his mother to an illness, moved in with one of his trainers due to his father returning home and even breaking both his ankles until finally at the age of 18, Owen would return to Australia in hopes of starting a career in pro wrestling.
YUJI MISAWA - ゆずミサワNicknames: "The Highlight"Height: 6'1"
Weight: 225lbs
Yuji Misawa is known within the Japanese realm of wrestling but is yet to attain global appeal. He hopes that the Pride of Puroresu Crown will be his platform to display his skills and potentially, become the new GPC World Heavyweight Champion. Within Japan, he's somewhat of an up and coming icon. He's been around a few promotions, making his mark here and there but that's all been within the underground scene, where he has developed a cult following.
MORE TO COME
