=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= SJPW F.A.Q. 4/05/04 =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= What it is: Super Japan Pro Wrestling (SJPW) is a promotion with a long and rich history. The current incarnation has roots with two earlier versions of the promotion that existed from 1997-1998, and again from 1998-1999. At the time, SJPW was a major promotion in Japan, much like the W.W.E. is. When SJPW closed it's doors in 1999, it was one of the top two Puroresu promotions in e-wrestling. Many phenomenal Japanese e-wrestlers made their mark in SJPW, and some went on to achieve great success outside of Japan. Which leads us to today. Jumbo Kobayashi, a former multi-time champion in Old Japan Pro, and last CEO of SJPW, wanted to see SJPW rise from the ashes once more. With so many promotions coming and going, he had a hard time finding major financial backing. He was able to secure some backing, and started up operations in late 2003. However, a series of illnesses kept Jumbo from being able to fully run the organization, and he tried to find a more stable person to take over. Enter Kenshiro Yamashita, the son of former CEO Shinsaku Yamashita. A successful business man, Yamashita hoped to rebuild Super Japan as a well known indie promotion in Japan, and restore some of it's former glory. Unlike his father, Yamashita held no grudges against anyone who had opposed his father, and retained Kobayashi as his trusted advisor. Super Japan runs short tours in different venues across Japan, and currently films a bi-weekly show called The Zone!, which is broadcast across the internet from the promotion's website. Control Center is for flashes that are not run on The Zone!, such as commercials, pre/post match interviews and such. The promotion also has plans for a ppv webcast called "Zenmen Sensou" (Total Combat) Rules, regulations, etc: Now that the background of SJPW is out of the way, let’s cover the rules. Super Japan is a Japanese promotion, which means that things aren’t done the same way as they are in America. The following rules are in effect: 1) Language: Since SJPW currently broadcasts are webcasts, cursing is allowed. However, please keep it a minimum. 2) Anti-ethnic commentary is frowned upon. Japanese wrestlers, even the bad guys, are generally honorable outside the ring. Even the foreigners who wrestle in Japan show respect for the culture, since it’s where they make their livelihood. 3) SJPW is first and foremost, a GAME. If you have a problem with how said game is being run, please contact me about it. However, don’t go on a tirade, and start whining about losses and such. Present your comments reasonably, and I will do my best to resolve them. Also, don’t expect to come in and be given the star treatment. If your wrestler has won accolades elsewhere, those accolades stay elsewhere. You might get a little extra attention from the broadcast crew, but it won’t affect matches, etc. 4) Fun: Try and have it. If we all have fun doing this, it will be worthwhile. Otherwise, it becomes more like work, and work makes things less appealing. Roleplaying, strats, and angles: SJPW is a booked efed. Meaning that it is booked by me, based on what you provide for me to work with. There are three ways for you to provide me with material to book matches: 1) Angles: Unlike American wrestling, angles are a little different in Japan. Feuds are treated more like rivalries. You may not like your rival, but a degree of respect is shown to that rival, and vice versa. Attacking rivals is all right to a limited degree, but for the most part, shouldn't be common outside the Gunryo Division. When you start an angle, it means you and the other handler plan out a start, middle, and finish. You decide where the rivalry starts, how many matches you will face in (not just singles; tag and trios matches will occur in the promotion, so you can take that into account as well), and how the angle finishes. Try not to make them overly grandiose though; I’d prefer if angles don’t dominate the title situations. 2) Roleplays: Roleplaying can be done in one of two ways: Standard roleplays, and update. Standard roleplays are pre-taped comments and/or interviews your wrestler makes before and after matches. Updates are pieces on what your wrestler is doing to establish himself in the public eye. This can take the form of commercials (ie product endorsements for food, drink, clothing, credit cards, etc), news stories (print or televised) on the wrestlers activities (ie charity events, being seen at a baseball game, concert, party, etc). You don’t have to do updates, but it can be a fun (and different) way of showcasing your wrestler outside of the ring. How many roleplays and/or updates you send in is up to you. You choose how active the wrestler will be in establishing themselves. Those who do more are not necessarily doing better than those who do less. Just don’t overdo it! Too much isn’t a good thing either. 3) Strats: Strats are not required. However, if you want to send one in, I will do my best to incorporate it into the match. Please try to keep it brief though, as I don't need alot of detail to work it into things. Championships: SJPW has specific titles that it recognizes. These will be the titles regularly defended on tours, etc. Universal Championship: This is the main SJPW title for the promotion. This title is a merger between the old SJPW All-Asian title, and the PJW Grand Prix title (which itself had been a merger of four titles!). This title is open to all competitors, regardless of age/weight class. Standard rules apply for all matches involving the Universal title, unless specifically requested/agreed upon by both champion and challenger. Sedei-X Championship: Sedei-X (“Generation-X”) is the title for the young lions of puroerasu/luchaerasu. It is a merger of the defunct SJPW cruiserweight title, and the SJPW Welterweight title. Sedei-X matches tend to fit more in the Toryumon (luchaerasu) style of wrestling. High flying in and out of ring action is what you expect from Sedei-X competitors. To qualify for this title, a wrestler must weigh no more than 235 pounds. All Sedei-X matches are no countout matches, with additional stipulations are added depending on the participants. Gunryo Championship: The Gunryo (“War”) title is a special title. Born from the old Koubousen Geijutsu (“Battle Arts”) division of SJPW, the Gunryo belt attracts a diverse set of competitors. While many are Jisatsu or martial artists, the division is open to all competitors/styles. There is no weight limit for this title; all weight classes are free to compete for the Gunryo title. All standard Gunryo matches are No Countout, No Disqualification. Additional stipulations are added depending on the participants. Tournaments: SJPW will hold various tournaments over the course of the year. The Giant Baba Cup (named after the legendary star) will be a yearly heavyweight tournament. There will also be tournaments for Sedei-X, Gunryo, and even a tag team tournament. More info on those will be announced as they are developed. A note about Gaijin Gaijin, or foreign wrestlers, are welcome in SJPW. However, as SJPW is primarily a Japanese promotion, the majority of its stars are also Japanese. Therefore, if you submit a gaijin for the roster, and are turned down, it may be because our limit of gaijin spots are currently filled. Meet the SJPW Staff The current staff of SJPW consists of the following men and women: Kenshiro Yamashita, CEO: Son of former CEO Shinsaku Yamashita, Kenshiro is nothing like his father. An astute business man, he doesn't let his father's past actions or rivalries dictate how he runs the promotion Jumbo Kobayashi,Yamashita's advisor, and founder: A legend from Old Japan, Jumbo was the CEO of the last incarnation of SJPW. He hopes to restore SJPW to it’s former glory once more. Gohei “Tiger” Kikuchi, head trainer and manager of talent acquisition: Tiger Kikuchi is a world famous wrestler. Kikuchi last wrestled in SJPW, before a neck injury ended his career. As head of the Chiimu Tora (Team Tiger) Puroresu Dojo, Kikuchi is responsible for training many stars in SJPW. He is also responsible for signing other talent to the promotion. Shoji Suzuki, assistant trainer and talent consultant: The former Jet Jaguar, Shoji Suzuki has also run Chiimu Tora Pro, an indie Puroerasu promotion that has joined forces with the new Super Japan to make a stronger indie. Shoji still wrestles on and off, but only on a light schedule. Yoshiaru “Tiger” Akada, referee: Tiger Akada was once Kikuchi’s tag team partner at the start of their careers. Akada was forced to retire due to a knee injury early on. He trained to become a referee, and has become one of the most respected referees in all of Japan. He had been retired, but returned to the ring to aid his old friend Kobayashi with SJPW. Akira Ono, color commentator: Akira Ono has been the backbone of SJPW broadcasts in the past. The former Puroerasu superstar tends to like the heels, but he also respects those who show honor in the ring. Ken Otaku, play by play: Ken is new to Puroerasu. He’s young and enthusiastic, and his last name happens to be the same word used to describe rabid fans of Japanese Anime (which Akira tends to not let him live down). Ken is the Joey Styles of SJPW. Keiko Otaku, interviewer: Keiko is Ken’s sister, and handles all interviews with SJPW competitors. She’s young, attractive, and overly enthusiastic. In Closing Comments, questions, etc, can be addressed to me at sjpw_prez@earthlink.net. I’ll do my best to answer any questions you may have. I hope you all enjoy SJPW as much as I do in trying to bring it life.