How I Met Your Puroresu is a series dedicated to providing background information on matches in hopes of broadening horizons. These matches will be no longer than that of a sitcom as to not overwhelm a first time viewer.
Company: Pro Wrestling ZERO1
Show Title: 21st Midsummer Festival
Match: Masato Tanaka vs Fuminori Abe
Stakes: Fire Festival A Block Match
Length: 18 Minutes
Production Date: July 2, 2021
Air Date: July 2, 2021
A rematch three years in the making. The first encounter came on May 3, 2018 at Isami Kodaka’s Pro Wrestling BASARA where Abe made his home the previous year. Only three years into his career at this point, Tanaka was Abe’s biggest opponent to date.
Coming up through the Sportiva dojo alongside the likes of Toru Sugiura (current King of FREEDOM Champion) and Koji Iwamoto (4x AJPW Junior Champion), Abe quickly became a staple across the Japanese indies. After only a year of experience he’d be seen in All Japan Pro Wrestling, teaming alongside Iwamoto in the 2016 Jr. Tag Battle of Glory.
Ultimately, Abe signed with BASARA and by the end of 2017 was challenging the company’s owner for the promotion’s top title. Although unsuccessful, he proved himself worthy of a bigger role and was given the task of Masato Tanaka, ace of Pro Wrestling ZERO1.
The word legend gets thrown around often but it’s one that fits Tanaka perfectly. He started with FMW which led him to ECW before going on to winning titles in places like NJPW, NOAH and DDT. While ZERO1 has been his home for the last twenty years, he’s been featured in every major promotion across Japan, including Dragongate.
The result may have already been written on the wall when a man coming into his 25th year as a pro faced off with someone only three years into his professional career but don’t tell that to Abe. He put forth an incredible effort that earned the veteran’s respect, even in defeat.
Fast forward three years. Abe has since gone on to capture BASARA’s top title, even defending it against Isami Kodaka. Now he’s taking a step into Tanaka’s world of ZERO1 as a participant of the 21st edition of the Fire Festival; a tournament Tanaka three-peated (06-08) and holds the record of most tournament wins at five.
Time has a way of turning its tides. With more experience comes the hardship of the battles. Now someone with six years of experience, who has since gained accomplishments through singles victories, faces off with a man twenty-eight years in the game but who is now staring down the age of fifty. There is no better time than the present for Fuminori Abe to make his mark.
