More About Me

Since the, "About Me" section of this blog is limited to a specific amount of characters, I decided to write a post that discusses more about what I have done in the pro-wrestling industry, beginning with when I first started in it and leading up to now.

Technically, I started back in the 1990's, contributing to, "Pro Wrestling Illustrated" and then, "Pro Wrestling Torch". In 1997, I contributed to The Official Website of the NWO. That same year, I briefly published my own newsletter, "The Wrestling Express".

In 1998, I taught myself how to design websites, and served as a consultant for various independent promotions. That next year, I worked as a website designer/maintainer for Dylan Summers (Necro Butcher) who was running the Texas-based Power Pro Wrestling Federation, and later was involved with Texas Outlaw Promotions.

During the period of 2000-2002, I was involved in many different projects at once. I was working as a website designer/publicist for talent, contributing to WCW.com, writing columns for independent promotions and the website of former WCW star The Stro, and writing for a variety of pro-wrestling media sites (including WrestlingObserver.com and PWTorch.com). In 2003, I began running my own website, World Wrestling Optimum, which consisted of news, articles, and interviews.

In 2004, I started working for the Michigan-based Ultimate Championship Wrestling as a publicist/columnist. They were an affiliate of AWA Wrestling Superstars Live, and I soon became the publicist/columnist of the main governing body of AWA Wrestling Superstars Live as well. During my time working for UCW, I played a major role in bringing in new talent, due to over the years my having had come into contact with many talents being underused and going unnoticed in the industry.

In 2005, I started doing a column for 3PW. With DVDs sold nationwide, they had the potential to become much bigger than they already were at the time, and were very open to my ideas. I pushed for many changes behind-the-scenes. I had encouraged management to improve the production quality of their DVDs, which led to them dealing with a different production company. 3PW management had planned on waiting for it's fan base to increase before getting TV for 3PW. I explained how getting TV for 3PW is what would increase it's fan base, and I was then given the green light to find networks that were interested. Two networks were very interested, and I encouraged 3PW management to meet with them as soon as possible. Unfortunately, the owner of the company instead opted to shut 3PW down, due to losing interest. Working for 3PW put me in connection with the UK-based 1PW, who I worked as a columnist for.

After 3PW shut down, I began working as a publicist for independent promotions, including CHIKARA. I also worked as a columnist for CZW. Interestingly though, it was 2006 at this point yet I'm still most recognized for the work that I had done for 3PW and AWA/UCW.

In 2007 I started working as a columnist for XCW, a promotion that was seen nationally on MAVTV, had a national DVD deal, and also had PPV events. Working for a promotion of national status was my biggest achievement at that point, and two years later I reached a bigger achievement- Big Japan Pro-Wrestling. Along with working for them as a columnist and an Administrator for their Facebook page, I helped bring Big Japan Pro Wrestling together with Combat Zone Wrestling to form a working relationship after a previous working relationship between the two promotions had fallen apart. This new working relationship has led to Big Japan Pro Wrestling having their first event in the United States.

In October 2009 I assisted publicity & promotions company MGM Management with the HULKAMANIA- Let the Battle Begin tour by distributing their press release to pro-wrestling news sites that are popular with Australian fans, and conducting an interview with Solofa Fatu Jr. (better known as, "Rikishi"). Also, in 2012 I wrote a number of columns for Women Superstars Uncensored.

In May 2018 I did social media for Great North Wrestling.

Recently, I have done blogging and social media for Kyushu Pro Wrestling.

I am currently writing for Michinoku Pro Wrestling. Since the time that I began writing for them, Michinoku Pro had a sellout, standing room only event on December 13, 2019 at the Korakuen Hall. The Korakuen Hall is known as a place where many historical moments in the Japanese pro-wrestling scene have occurred. It's to Japan what Madison Square Garden is to the pro-wrestling scene in the United States. The event had an attendance of 1,890. That was the highest reported attendance at the Korakuen Hall to date for a pro-wrestling event since April 2015.

I am available for more writing work. I create, edit, and rewrite promotional content on websites and social media platforms for companies, as well as design, develop, and direct their web presence and brand identity. I can be contacted via info@harold-williams.com

Samples of my work: http://dld.bz/jeRzq

[Michinoku Pro][PREVIEW] 7/18/21 Sendai Hills Hotel Michinoku Hall (Miyagi) Event

On Sunday, July 18th, 1:00 PM start time, Michinoku Pro makes its return to Miyagi's Sendai Hills Hotel Michinoku Hall! The card will be as follows:

Ayumu Gunji
Yasushi Ogasawara
vs.
Brahman Shu (former Tohoku and UWA World Tag Team Champion)
Brahman Kei (former Tohoku and UWA World Tag Team Champion)
(w/ Pretty Ota)

Manjimaru (former Tohoku Tag Team Champion)
Ken45 (former Tohoku & UWA World Tag Team Champion)
vs.
Rasse (former Tohoku Tag Team Champion)
Aisawa No. 1

The Great Sasuke (Tohoku & UWA World Tag Team Champion)
Jinsei Shinzaki (Tohoku & UWA World Tag Team Champion)
vs.
GAINA (former Tohoku & UWA World Tag Team Champion)
Taro Nohashi (former Tohoku & UWA World Tag Team Champion)

Rui Hyūgaji
Yappeman No. 1
Yappeman No. 2
vs.
MUSASHI
Yasutaka Oosera
Koji Kawamura

Tickets are going fast, so don't delay! They are available at Lawson Ticket, Tickets Pia, e+, and Michinoku Pro Wrestling Online Shop.

Reserved seats are 5,000 yen (5,500 yen on the day), and seats for elementary/junior high/high school students are 2500 yen (3000 yen on the day).

[Michinoku Pro][PREVIEW] Takizawa City Tournament 7/17/21

Michinoku Pro presents the Takizawa City Tournament on July 17 at the Takizawa Workers' Physical Education Center in Takizawa City, Iwate (6:00 PM start time) . Existing since 1993, Michinoku Pro was created with Iwate in mind, so many events in Iwate feature matches that are not seen anywhere else in the country!

The card will be as follows:

Taro Nohashi (former Tohoku Junior Heavyweight Champion)
vs.
Rasse

Yappeman No. 1 (former Tohoku & UWA World Tag Team Champion)
Yappeman No. 2 (former Tohoku & UWA World Tag Team Champion)
vs.
Brahman Shu (former Tohoku and UWA World Tag Team Champion)
Brahman Kei (former Tohoku and UWA World Tag Team Champion)
(w/ Pretty Ota)

The Great Sasuke (Tohoku & UWA World Tag Team Champion)
Jinsei Shinzaki (Tohoku & UWA World Tag Team Champion)
vs.
Ayumu Gunji
Yasuyoshi Ogasawara

Manjimaru (former Tohoku Tag Team Champion)
Ken45 (former Tohoku & UWA World Tag Team Champion)
vs.
Yasutaka Oosera
Koji Kawamura

Tohoku Junior Heavyweight Championship match
Rui Hyūgaji (Tohoku Junior Heavyweight Champion)
vs.
MUSASHI (former Tohoku Junior Heavyweight Champion)

Tickets are going fast, so don't delay! They are available at Lawson Ticket, Tickets Pia, e+, and Michinoku Pro Wrestling Online Shop.

Reserved seats are 5,000 yen (5,500 yen on the day), and seats for elementary/junior high/high school students are 2500 yen (3000 yen on the day).

Full Retrospective of Michinoku Pro

Check out my full retrospective article about Michinoku Pro for 𝙈𝙊𝙉𝙏𝙃𝙇𝙔 𝙋𝙐𝙍𝙊𝙍𝙀𝙎𝙐 Issue #3- digital version now available!

http://www.monthlypuroresu.com/shop/

Online Games for Studying English and Having Fun

Along with writing for Michinoku Pro Wrestling in Japan, I also work here as an English teacher, and many of my students visit my blog. English is a very challenging language for them to learn, and they often seek new ways to improve their English skills. I feel that one of the most effective ways to study English is by utilizing training that is educational with a decent balance of fun.

Research has proven that online games can be used as an effective English learning tool. A 2014 study reported that low-level English learners in Iran who learned new words from an online game performed better on a test than the study participants who did not have access to the online game.

I was recently made aware of Plays.org, a website that offers an impressive assortment of games that can be played online. All of the games use HTML5, which means that you are not required to install software in your computer to be able to play them.

One of the categories that Plays.org features is Educational Games, which includes word games. My personal favorite amongst them is, "Waffle" a word finder game developed by Code This Lab.

The goal of, "Waffle" is to try to spell as many words as you can in under 2 minutes. This game will help you remember English words and "think more in English". Also, "Waffle" is very easy to learn and play. This is the game that I recommend that you use as a part of your English studies. However, Plays.org also offers games that are good for when you just want to have fun.

With around 11 million fans, soccer is one of the most popular sports in Japan. Plays.org features "Soccer Online", a billiards-style game with a soccer game theme. Play as your favorite national team as you attempt to knock the ball into your opponent's goal as often as you can before time runs out.

Mega Man (known as, "Rockman" in Japan) is a video game character who was created in 1987 and remains relevant to this day, with a new animated series about the science fiction hero making its debut on national television in the United States only three years ago. The original, "Mega Man" games were side-scrollers, with Mega Man shooting at enemies who he would encounter in his path. Inspired by this popular series of games, "Cyberman V" was created, which is available on Plays.org. This game will be fun for people who are familiar with Mega Man, as well as those who don't know of the character.

Plays.org is a great source for online games. They feature a wide variety of categories, the games are free, and no extra software is needed. Plays.org is definitely worth checking out.

[Michinoku Pro] The Great Sasuke 31st Anniversary Tournament on 9/10/21 at the Korakuen Hall!

This year, Michinoku Pro will celebrate The Great Sasuke's 31 years in the pro-wrestling industry on September 10 at the Korakuen Hall in Tokyo (6:30 PM start time, doors opening at 5:45 PM).

Tickets will be available for advance sale on June 18 (Friday) at 10:00 AM via Michinoku Pro Wrestling Online Shop. On June 19, tickets will be available at Lawson, Ticket Pia, e +, Famiport, Pro Wrestling Champion, and via Michinoku Pro Wrestling Telephone Reservation- 019 (687) 2431.

Special ringside seats are 7,000 yen (7,500 yen on the day), Ringside seats are 6,000 yen (6,500 yen on the day), Reserved seat A is 5,000 yen (5,500 yen on the day), and Reserved seat B is 4,500 yen (5,000 yen on the day).

In an important note, if you purchase a ticket from someplace other than the online shop, you will have to write your address, name, and phone number on the ticket stub (the smaller one) in order to be able to enter the arena. This is a part of contact tracing procedures during the COVID-19 pandemic.

So this is a perfect time to look at at The Great Sasuke's many accomplishments and contributions to the pro-wrestling industry.

The Great Sasuke created Michinoku Pro because he wanted to bring pro-wrestling to his hometown of Iwate. In Michinoku Pro's beginning, the staff consisted solely of owner/founder The Great Sasuke and other members of the Michinoku Pro roster. As a wrestler, he has been very successful in Michinoku Pro competition- Sasuke is a 3-time former Tohoku Junior Heavyweight Champion, and has also won titles in tag-team competition, holding the Tohoku Tag Team Championship on four separate occasions.

In 1994 at NJPW's Super J Cup 1st STAGE, The Great Sasuke made an impact during the junior heavyweight tournament, impressing fans and making more people take notice of him. Sasuke defeated former IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champions Jushin Thunder Liger and El Samurau during the tournament, making it the finals where he faced Wild Pegasus.



In 1996, The Great Sasuke became original holder of the J-Crown, a unification of eight different titles from eight different companies worldwide. Instead of representing one company, the J-Crown simultaneously represented companies in Japan, America, and Mexico.

In 1997, The Great Sasuke appeared in ECW and WWE having matches with other wrestlers from Michinoku Pro- this was many American pro-wrestling fans' first exposure to the Japanese style of wrestling.



The Great Sasuke made the NWA World Middleweight Championship one of the most legitimate middleweight titles in wrestling- although its roots began in America's NWA, he became Champion in 1999 and was the longest-reigning holder of the Championship. Sasuke defended it many times in Japan at Michinoku Pro events.

Join Michinoku Pro on September 10 at the Korakuen Hall as it celebrates The Great Sasuke's 31 years in wrestling!

Tickets will be available for advance sale on June 18 (Friday) at 10:00 AM via Michinoku Pro Wrestling Online Shop. On June 19, tickets will be available at Lawson, Ticket Pia, e +, Famiport, Pro Wrestling Champion, and via Michinoku Pro Wrestling Telephone Reservation- 019 (687) 2431.

Special ringside seats are 7,000 yen (7,500 yen on the day), Ringside seats are 6,000 yen (6,500 yen on the day), Reserved seat A is 5,000 yen (5,500 yen on the day), and Reserved seat B is 4,500 yen (5,000 yen on the day).

In an important note, if you purchase a ticket from someplace other than the online shop, you will have to write your address, name, and phone number on the ticket stub (the smaller one) in order to be able to enter the arena. This is a part of contact tracing procedures during the COVID-19 pandemic.

[Michinoku Pro][RESULTS] 2021 Tokyo Tournament-One Sword Cut- 06/04/21

Michinoku Pro made its return to the Korakuen Hall in Tokyo for the first time this year on June 4 for pro-wrestling action, highlighted by the return of an AEW star and a one-on-one match between two legends of the ring.

In the first match, Yapper Man 1 & Yapper Man 2 faced Koji Kawamura & Yasutaka Oosera.

Although Koji Kawamura & Yasutaka Oosera have not teamed together often, they were able to give Yapper Man 1 & Yapper Man 2 tough competition in this back and forth match.

However, Yapper Man 1 & Yapper Man 2's tag team experience was the most influential factor in this match, resulting in a victory for the former Tohoku & UWA World Tag Team Champions.

Next it was time for legend and AEW star Emi Sakura and her Gatoh Move promotion, as she teamed with Yuna Mizumori to go against Baliyan Akki & Mei Suruga. Sakura and Mizumori are both former Asia Dream Tag Team Champions, and Akki and Suruga are the current Champions.

Gatoh Move impressed fans in attendance at Michinoku Pro's previous event at the Korakuen Hall in December, and they did not disappoint this time either.

In the end, the Asia Dream Tag Team Champions prevailed, with Mei Suruga forcing Emi Sakura to submit.

In the next match, Rasse & Rekka went against GAINA & Taro Nohashi.

GAINA and Taro Nohashi have seen much success as a tag team, being Tohoku & UWA World Tag Team Champions multiple times. But Rasse and Rekka gave both men their all in this match that displayed a good showing by both teams.

In the end, Taro Nohashi gained the win for his team with a pinfall victory over Rasse.

In the semi-main event, Ken45, Manjimaru & Rui Hiugaji faced Ayumu Gunji, MUSASHI & Yasuyoshi Ogasawara.

Like I had mentioned in a previous post, Ayumu Gunji, MUSASHI, and Yasuyoshi Ogasawara consider themselves to be the new generation of Michinoku Pro, and they are striving to be at the top of the company. Meanwhile, Ken45 has been a part of Michinoku Pro for 17 years, Majimaru is the longest-reigning Tohoku Junior Heavyweight Champion in Michinoku Pro history, and Rui Hyūgaji is the current Tohoku Junior Heavyweight Champion (and is in his third reign)- they have earned their spots in the company and have no plans on stepping aside. Which is why this match was an action-packed war.

In the end, Rui Hyugaji showed how he has earned his spot at the top of the Michinoku Pro mountain when he picked up the win for his team after delivering a diving elbow drop.

Due to coronavirus precautions, the main event underwent many changes. Three wrestlers pulled out of the match, which meant it was time for a plan b. And sometimes, "plan b" is, "plan BETTER". What was originally scheduled to be a six man tag team, "Coffin" match changed to a one-on-one, "Coffin" match between two legends of the ring- Jinsei Shinzaki and The Great Sasuke.

Jinsei Shinzaki has wrestled for companies all over the world.

The Great Sasuke was the original holder of the J-Crown, a unification of eight different titles from eight different companies worldwide.

With 59 years of in-ring experience between the two of them, Jinsei Shinzaki and The Great Sasuke always have the ability to make their encounters memorable. However, matches between the two men are a rarity. Shinzaki and Sasuke have wrestled each other only a handful of times in singles action previous to this match. And on this night, it happened for the first time in the legendary Korakuen Hall. So fans in attendance were witnessing history being made.

At the beginning of the match, they approached each other cautiously, fully aware of the skillset of their opponent.

The two legends then engaged in tests of strength.

They then put on a wrestling clinic, attempting to gain an upper hand via technical holds.

Both competitors became more aggressive as the match continued, with The Great Sasuke trapping Jinsei Shinzaki's arm in the coffin, and Shinzaki attacking Sasuke's leg with a chair.

Jinsei Shinzaki walked the top rope as easily as he did 20 years ago.

The Great Sasuke showed he still has the high-flying skills that earned him the J-Crown.

After powerbombing The Great Sasuke into the coffin and then closing it, Jinsei Shinzaki was the victor.

While the fans left the hall and the ring was dismantled, The Great Sasuke remained in the coffin.

Michinoku Pro will return to the Korakuen Hall in Tokyo on Friday, September 10 (6:30 PM start time, doors opening at 5:45 PM)! But not only will this event be limited to only 713 seats, but Michinoku Pro will be appearing at Korakuen Hall only two more times this year! So don't miss this event! Tickets will be available for advance sale on June 18 (Friday) at 10:00 AM via Michinoku Pro Wrestling Online Shop. On June 19, tickets will be available at Lawson, Ticket Pia, e +, Famiport, Pro Wrestling Champion, and via Michinoku Pro Wrestling Telephone Reservation- 019 (687) 2431.

Special ringside seats are 7,000 yen (7,500 yen on the day), Ringside seats are 6,000 yen (6,500 yen on the day), Reserved seat A is 5,000 yen (5,500 yen on the day), and Reserved seat B is 4,500 yen (5,000 yen on the day).

In an important note, if you purchase a ticket from someplace other than the online shop, you will have to write your address, name, and phone number on the ticket stub (the smaller one) in order to be able to enter the arena. This is a part of contact tracing procedures during the COVID-19 pandemic.