Preview: Gatoh Move ChocoPro #48 (9/14/20) Masahiro Takanashi 17th Anniversary

Emi Sakura isn’t the only wrestler celebrating an anniversary in ChocoPro season three. This Monday will mark 17 years since Masahiro Takanashi began his own pro wrestling journey. Gatoh Move Pro Wrestling fans may know him as the General Manager of the promotion, sharing a long history with the promotion that would soon give rise to ChocoPro. However, his exploits as a wrestler outside of management can’t be overlooked.

Having made his debut on September 14th, 2003, Masahiro Takanashi has seen success all across Japan, Dramatic Dream Team being the most prominent. It was here that he staked claim to multiple championships, including 20 reigns with the Ironman Heavymetalweight Championship and two with the Extreme Championship. He also enjoyed success with different tag team partners, including Sakura and Chris Brookes, the latter of whom he would form the team CDK (Calamari Drunken Kings) alongside. Get the rundown on this upcoming anniversary edition of ChocoPro.

Chie Koishikawa and Baliyan Akki vs. Tokiko Kirihara and Lulu Pencil

In this ChocoPro tag team encounter, Baliyan Akki will have a bastion of energy on his hands. It’s important to note that Akki has been largely absent from in-ring competition during season three. Akki has only wrestled two matches during the season in question, with a victory over Lulu Pencil and a loss to Hagane Shinnou. This marks Akki’s first Gatoh Move tag team match during season three, and when it comes to partners, few are as exuberant as Koishikawa. On this episode, they contend with a rather interesting duo.

Across Ichigaya Chocolate Square will be the rookie team of Tokiko Kirihara and Lulu Pencil. The last time Kirihara and Lulu Pencil faced each other was back on episode forty-one, when “Otoki-san” bested the leader of the Pencil Army. Now they stand on the same side with the same purpose in mind. Since the aforementioned episode, neither competitor has been able to pick up a win. Can they steer the proverbial ship in the right direction with a victory over Gatoh Move’s fencing enthusiast and the self-proclaimed “Ace” of ChocoPro?

Tropikawild (Yuna Mizumori and SAKI) vs. Apple Queens (Emi Sakura and Mei Suruga)

If there’s one term that can be used to describe Yuna Mizumori’s goals in ChocoPro, it would be “growth.” Driven by her mentor in Emi Sakura, Mizumori has been testing her mettle against everyone in Gatoh Move. Recent matches have included SAKI, who she will reunite with on this show, and Chris Brookes. Tropikawild is arguably the most successful tag team in Gatoh Move, having held the Asia Dream Tag Team Championship twice as a unit. However, on episode forty-eight, Tropikawild will take on a new tandem posing a challenge.

Sneaky @Mei_gtmv has a perfect plan to slow down Chie! #ChocoPro #gtmv

➡️ https://t.co/Tu9kIFpwkU pic.twitter.com/zc5xkNIP6W

— TDE Wrestling (@tde_gif) September 13, 2020

Together, Apple Queens made an incredible impression in short order. Sakura and Mei Suruga have battled Tokiko Kirihara and Sayaka Obihiro, just to name a few Gatoh Move talents, picking up wins in the process. Now that they’ve proven their collective skill against other tandems, Tropikawild will prove to be their greatest challenge yet. Can they overcome the former titleholders? If so, Apple Queens will further their stock as the tag team to beat. Be on the lookout for this match heading into this upcoming episode of ChocoPro.

Chris Brookes vs. Chon Shiryu (ChocoPro Debut)

Though undefeated in singles action in ChocoPro, the path hasn’t been without its challenges for Chris Brookes. The DDT Universal Champion has found himself up against various challenges, from the mischievous Mei Suruga to the crafty Lulu Pencil. Last time on ChocoPro, he faced Yuna Mizumori in what many viewers considered to be a season three Match of the Year contender. The challenges only continue to pile for Brookes. On this episode, he will face a Japanese wrestling veteran making his ChocoPro debut.

.@OBEYBrookes gets his own fan section in Shinkiba? Talk about an advantage! #ChocoPro #gtmv

➡️ https://t.co/Tu9kIFpwkU pic.twitter.com/hBFNveJBFn

— TDE Wrestling (@tde_gif) September 13, 2020

Those that have watched Gatoh Move for years may be familiar with Chon Shiryu. The kung fu specialist made his last Gatoh Move appearance in March, when he teamed with Pro Wrestling HEAT UP owner TAMURA in a losing effort against Minoru Fujita and Masahiro Takanashi. Following the COVID-19 pandemic, Shiryu has worked primarily in Ice Ribbon, even competing for the Triangle Ribbon Championship. With his return to Ichigaya Chocolate Square, Shiryu is set to make an impression at the expense of Brookes.

ChocoPro #48 will air on September 14th at 8 PM JST (12 PM BST and 7 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. Listed below are the confirmed dates for the remaining episodes of ChocoPro season three.

#49 – September 20 (9 PM EST)
#50 – September 25 (7 AM EST)
#51 – September 27 (9 PM EST)
#52 – September 30 (7 AM EST)
#53 – October 2 (7 AM EST)
#54 (Season Finale) October 4 (9 PM EST)