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Preview: Gatoh Move ChocoPro #33 (7/19/20)

ChocoPro

As the second season of ChocoPro nears its end, this weekend’s episode will be nothing short of a clash of values. On one side of Ichigaya Chocolate Square will stand an upbeat grappler who desires fun and entertainment. On the other side exists a more serious talent who believes that such sophomoric ideas have no place in the world of professional wrestling. Who will come out on top? Here is what viewers should expect heading into episode thirty-three of ChocoPro.

Emi Sakura vs. Tokiko Kirihara

To say that the past month has been a challenge for Emi Sakura would be an understatement. Recently, the owner and founder of Gatoh Move Pro Wrestling had been suffering from severe back issues. It was well-known that Sakura’s back was a point of contention for some time, but it wasn’t until recently that it became especially problematic. From performing maneuvers to even moving around, the elder member of Pencil Army has been struggling to get it together.

On this episode of ChocoPro, Sakura’s struggles will intensify as she faces Tokiko Kirihara. As the former kickboxer of Gatoh Move, Kirihara has been building a name for herself in ChocoPro. She has also shown quite a bit of charisma, as evidenced by her love of Japan’s Showa Era and the pop culture associated with it. If Sakura’s back issues persist, expect Kirihara to pick up a singles victory here.

Lulu Pencil vs. Baliyan Akki

The other half of Pencil Army, Lulu Pencil, will also find herself in singles action on this episode of ChocoPro. Since her debut late last year, she has become something of an internet sensation. Even when Gatoh Move ceased running live shows this past spring, she maintained popularity as she became a regular performer for ChocoPro. What has eluded her, however, is a singles victory. Will this episode prove to be a turning point?

It’s important too note that this isn’t the first time Lulu Pencil has faced Baliyan Akki. As the high-flying sensation from India, Akki hasn’t been short of confidence when facing her. Time and time again, he has “broken the pencil,” almost toying with her during matches. While Akki enters this match with the advantage, will this boastful attitude become his undoing? Tune into this episode of ChocoPro to find out.

Mei Suruga vs. Mitsuru Konno (ChocoPro Main Event)

ChocoPro means different things to different people. For many viewers, it’s an escape, as it approaches professional wrestling in a lighthearted way. A focus on comedy isn’t out of character for a wrestling promotion, but Gatoh Move Pro Wrestling has stood out due to its environment. It’s unlike anything fans have seen before, and as a result, it garnered attention. Perhaps no one in the promotion represents this more easygoing approach quite like Mei Suruga.

Also known as “Mei-chan,” Suruga has what can best be described as a childlike mindset. Whether it’s sipping on juice boxes or being gifted a basketball by Chris Brookes, clutching the latter as a toddler would, there is an innocence to her character that can’t be denied. This isn’t to say that she lacks skill. Suruga has been one of the most formidable competitors in the promotion’s short history. From her Gatoh Move peers to established worldwide talents like Jazz and Kagetsu, she has proven she can hang with the best.

Nonetheless, this playful demeanor hasn’t exactly been well-received by all.

On the previous episode of ChocoPro, Mitsuru Konno teamed with Yuna Mizumori to defeat Lulu Pencil and Emi Sakura, collectively known as Pencil Army. Post-match, Konno spoke in a heated fashion, running down ChocoPro for its focus on fun and games. Konno did this in front of her partner who, in the beer-loving fighter’s mind, wasn’t needed to pick up the win.

https://twitter.com/Mitsuru_gtmv/status/1283410582377345025?s=20

Konno went on to claim that Gatoh Move took an undesirable direction. She didn’t think the company took wrestling seriously and focused specifically on Suruga as an example. In Konno’s mind, the way that Gatoh Move developed wasn’t a result of talents such as Riho leaving. Rather, it was that Suruga was brought in. Konno made the claim that everyone else treated wrestling seriously, whereas the “Apple Devil” saw it as a game. Konno wouldn’t stand for this embarrassment as Gatoh Move changed to, in her mind, a sports club. After all, she had been with the company for quite a few years. Konno believed it to be her obligation to uphold traditional values.

Needless to say, Suruga took umbrage with Konno’s words.

After all, despite her playful demeanor, Suruga became a formidable wrestler. Furthermore, she believed Konno’s aggression to be a deterrent for the company. She specifically mentioned Konno’s intimidation toward Lulu Pencil. This exchange of values would ultimately lead to this match that will take place this weekend.

It can also be argued that this mindset of Konno’s developed in recent months. Since Konno made her Gatoh Move return this past spring, her path has proven rocky. Though she was able to pick up wins in certain situations, such as the aforementioned victory against Pencil Army, her battles with the likes of Brookes and Kaori Yoneyama yielded less desirable results. Perhaps these setbacks have negatively impacted her mindset, which resulted in a shorter fuse.

The best way that this match can be described would be, as mentioned earlier, a clash of values. Will Gatoh Move continue to move in a playful direction facilitated by Suruga? Will it become more grounded in its beliefs with a victory by Konno? No matter where it goes, long-time and new ChocoPro viewers would be wise to give this match a watch.

ChocoPro #33 will air on July 19th at 10 AM JST (July 18th at 3 AM CET and 9 PM EST.)

It will air live on the Gatoh Move YouTube channel for free before being available for on-demand viewing afterward. To support the company, you can sign up for their Patreon, which features multiple tiers, or their own on-demand streaming service linked below.

Stay tuned to the Last Word on Pro Wrestling for more on this and other stories from around the world of wrestling, as they develop. You can always count on LWOPW to be on top of the major news in the wrestling world, as well as to provide you with analysis, previews, videos, interviews, and editorials on the wrestling world. You can watch Gatoh Move on YouTube and via the Gatoh Move Experience.

Robbie Sutter

Robbie Sutter

As a fan for over 20 years, I strongly believe there's no sport better than professional wrestling. Whether it's writing about the sport I love or meeting those that have impacted it in a major way, I always enjoy myself. Outside of wrestling, I'm into writing, gaming, and tokusatsu.

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