Less than two weeks following the Emi Sakura 25th anniversary event, Gatoh Move Pro Wrestling returns with another special episode of ChocoPro. On this episode, Gatoh Move celebrates the one-year anniversary of its class of rookies. For the uninitiated, it was one year before this event that the latest rookies made their Gatoh Move debuts. This class consists of Chie Koishikawa, Rin Rin, Sayaka, Sayuri, Tokiko Kirihara, and Lulu Pencil. Since then, these ladies have made strides in their own ways.
In one year, this class of six Gatoh Move stars builds their ring acumen. Furthermore, they crafted characters and personalities unique to them. From the hard-hitting Showa Era enthusiasm of Kirihara to the earnest, kooky, and shockingly resourceful demeanor of Lulu Pencil, these ladies have come into their own. Now, one year after they first appeared for the purple-and-yellow promotion, they will be celebrated on this special episode of ChocoPro. Here is what viewers can expect.
Lulu Pencil vs. Antonio Honda
Lulu Pencil and Antonio Honda are no strangers to one another. Who could forget when they faced each other in singles competition back in October? This particular match was viewed by many fans as the best comedy match of 2019, showcasing the strengths of both characters. This past March, I included it in my piece of Gatoh Move matches for newcomers to start with. In short, it exemplified the sillier aspects of professional wrestling, which made it endearing to me and many other viewers. In this encounter, the Pencil Army leader fell short to seventeen-time DDT Ironman Heavymetalweight Champion.
練習生お披露目の日に渡された黄色いTシャツ。このシャツで過ごした時間は2ヶ月もなかったはずなのに、タンスを開けて見える黄色に、今でもきっと馴染むだろうと思いを馳せる。始まる前の、まだなにも知らなくて、鼓動が早まるような熱の高まり。#私たちのデビュー物語8・28#gtmv #ChocoPro pic.twitter.com/mZDEKsKAEW
— lulu pencil/ルル ペンシル(女子レスラー) (@lulupencil_gtmv) August 26, 2020
Fast forward to April of 2020, to the third episode of ChocoPro, where they faced each other again. Second verse, same as the first; Lulu Pencil fell to the playful yet capable Honda. Now that Lulu Pencil is one year deep into her professional wrestling career, she has amassed considerable experience. She has become more cunning and even stronger as well, putting in great efforts against her fellow rookies and even joshi veterans such as Ryo Mizunami and Kaori Yoneyama. Nonetheless, the freelance writer of Gatoh Move remains without a singles victory. Can she make this show celebrating the rookies’ one-year anniversary one to remember? Tune in to find out.
Tokiko Kirihara vs. Minoru Fujita
Another Gatoh Move rookie that will be celebrating her one-year anniversary will be Tokiko Kirihara. The kickboxing “Otoki-san” has proven to be a dominant force on ChocoPro. Recently, she picked up her first singles victory over Lulu Pencil at Emi Sakura’s 25th anniversary show. Despite her love for the Showa Era, from its dance moves to the pop culture in general associated with it, Kirihara knows when it’s time to get serious. This match will be one such instance.
今日のチョコプロトーナメントは何故か勝てる自信に満ち溢れてた🍫
そしたら久々の優勝🏆
やっぱり何事も自信持って挑まないとダメですね
改めて気付きました
試合も、もっと自分に自信持って戦い抜くぞ！
ただ、エミペンシルの丸め込みからどうしても逃れられない…#gtmv #ChocoPro pic.twitter.com/etVz228EIP— 桐原 季子 Tokiko Kirihara (@KiraRi_1104) August 22, 2020
Whether in Gatoh Move, Big Japan Pro Wrestling, or anywhere else he appears, Minoru Fujita is a formidable wrestling veteran. His last ChocoPro appearance took place during the aforementioned anniversary show, where he teamed with Antonio Honda in a three-way tag team match won by Tropikawild. Now that Fujita is back in Ichigaya Chocolate Square, can he pick his momentum back up, spoiling Kirihara’s one-year anniversary in the process?
Emi Sakura and Mei Suruga vs. Mitsuru Konno and Yuna Mizumori (Special ChocoPro Tag Team Match)
One of the latest matches announced for this show, Emi Sakura and Mei Suruga will join forces to take on the formidable duo of Mitsuru Konno and Yuna Mizumori. Sakura has trained many wrestlers during her time, but when it comes to the current crop of Gatoh Move stars, Suruga may just be the most confident. Her bubbly personality and mischievous antics led her to become one of the standout ChocoPro personalities.
https://twitter.com/Mitsuru_gtmv/status/1298633748267687938?s=20
Meanwhile, Konno and Mizumori are no strangers to one another. Not only have they competed against one another in heated matches, but they have also fought side by side. Just last month, they were able to defeat the likes of Suruga and Pencil Army members Sakura and Lulu Pencil in tag team competition. Needless to say, the beer-loving, tropical tandem will be a tall challenge for Sakura and Suruga on this celebratory episode of ChocoPro.
ChocoPro #43 will air on August 28th at 8 PM JST (12:00 PM BST 7:00 AM 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!
