Earlier this week, ChocoPro and Gatoh Move Pro Wrestling celebrated. To be more specific, the celebration centered on 25 years since Emi Sakura entered professional wrestling. The show was stacked, to say the least, with everyone from Gatoh Move regulars to stars from various promotions taking part. It also became one of the highest-viewed episodes, which speaks volumes about not just the show but the respect that Sakura has garnered throughout two and a half decades.
Now that the celebration has ended, it’s time to get back to business with regularly scheduled programming. This isn’t to say that the excitement will end, however, especially with the two matches confirmed for this episode of ChocoPro. Here is what viewers can expect, in addition to the standard post-match janken tournament. The winner would be wise to keep their eyes peeled for any nefarious chocolate thieves.
WHAT?!! Wait wait wait!!!!!
Mei vs SAKI
It’s a REMATCH!!!!#ChocoPro #gtmv #AWGカラーズ https://t.co/ImXP0VhSd2
— Mei Suruga 駿河メイ🇯🇵 (@Mei_gtmv) August 21, 2020
Mei Suruga vs. SAKI
Earlier this month, Mei Suruga faced SAKI on the thirty-ninth episode of ChocoPro. This proved to be a competitive encounter; many fans even considered it to be a contender for the best match of season three. Despite the efforts of both wrestlers, the match resulted in a 20-minute draw. Several weeks later, they will meet in this anticipated rematch. Will there be a decisive winner? Given the skills and drive that Suruga and SAKI possess, picking up a victory will be easier said than done.
Since the beginning of ChocoPro season three, Suruga struggled to pick up a singles win. If her matches didn’t end in draws, the “Apple Girl” of Gatoh Move found herself bested by the likes of Tsubasa Kuragaki and Makoto. Meanwhile, SAKI seems to be riding high following Emi Sakura’s 25th anniversary event. It was on this show that she teamed with Yuna Mizumori, reforming Tropikawild, to win a three-way tag team match. Can the colorful star from Actwres girl’Z vanquish Suruga? Will Gatoh Move’s mischievous “Red Devil” finally achieve that sought after singles win?
25 Years, I’m just Getting Started. #17AugSakura25thAnnivShow#chocopro #AEW
あの時、理解できていなかったハヤブサさんの言葉が最後に浮かびました。「お楽しみはこれからだー！」 pic.twitter.com/xvDuXrHbqL
— Emi Sakura🍫 (@EmiSakura_gtmv) August 17, 2020
Tokiko Kirihara vs. Emi Sakura
The aforementioned anniversary show proved to be a major turning point for Tokiko Kirihara. In the opening bout, she faced fellow Gatoh Move rookie Lulu Pencil in a match that proved to be a clash of styles. Though the Pencil Army leader fought valiantly, it would be the Showa Era enthusiast that came out on top, achieving her first-ever singles victory in the process. The “Super Rookie” has been among the blossoming stars in ChocoPro. To flourish further, she will have to overcome a tall challenge in the form of Emi Sakura.
The extensive career of Sakura can’t be emphasized enough. She won multiple titles and reached several accolades since her debut in 1995. What has been just as important, however, is her tutelage. Among the individuals she trained include Kirihara. Since her debut past year, Kirihara developed into a hard-hitting fighter with a focus on mixed martial arts and submissions. While Sakura taught Kirihara everything the “Super Rookie” knows, there are sure to be plenty of tricks up the sleeve of the Freddie Mercury devotee. It may be the tricks in question that provide Sakura with the edge heading into this one-on-one encounter.
ChocoPro #42 will air on August 22nd at 10 AM JST (August 21st 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. Looking to talk wrestling, pro football, or any number of sports? Head on over to the LWOS Boards to engage in conversation with fellow fans!
