TAKA Michinoku Announces Open Challenge for FMW Jr. Heavyweight Title

By: Shane Doorbeejan

After posting the vacant and all-too-precious FMW World Jr. Heavyweight Championship belt to social media this week, TAKA Michinoku – founding member of New Japan’s Just 5 Guys has announced anyone can challenge for the now-defunct promotion’s championship.

For reference, the belt has been used since the creation of the title in October 1993.

With the strap gleaming in all its glory, TAKA Michinoku officially beckoned forth a challenge to anyone willing to seize the opportunity to take part in the tournament. The once-lost legacy of the now-defunct promotion has been revitalized, a phoenix rising from the ashes of time. TAKA’s decision to lay down the gauntlet via social media instantly created a golden opportunity among wrestling enthusiasts and fans alike. The championship belt, once emblematic of fierce rivalries and spectacular matches, is now once again a coveted prize.

As news of the open challenge spread like wildfire, the wrestling community was quick to respond. Big names including the likes of Kota Ibushi (and our Special Edition cover star Unagi Sayaka) wasted no time expressing their intentions to participate in the impending tournament. Their eagerness to compete for this long-lost treasure only adds to the anticipation surrounding the championship’s revival and add more to its legacy.

はい✋

— 飯伏 幸太 (@ibushi_kota) August 31, 2023

Many questions remain: Is TAKA serious? In what promotion would this open challenge take place? Who will ultimately emerge victorious and claim the storied FMW World Jr. Heavyweight Championship belt? As the tournament unfolds, fans are left to speculate on the outcomes of matchups that could potentially pit veteran wrestlers against rising stars and local talent, showcasing a cross-generational clash of skills, intensity and hope.

From tape-trading nostalgia to potential dream matches, there’s a lot to unpack here.

Throughout its history, the FMW World Jr. Heavyweight Championship belt has witnessed the evolution of wrestling. It has been a central figure in defining moments and landmark matches that have etched their mark in the annals of the sport. From nail-biting championship bouts that tested the limits of every competitor to The Great Sasuke and Ricky Fuji who also has expressed interest in the tournament.

As far as a tournament for the FMW World Jr. Heavyweight Championship title goes, puro fans should be understandably excited about the prospects. The resurgence of this championship not only pays homage to its storied past but also opens a gateway to an exciting future. With wrestlers of all calibers throwing their hats into the ring, the stage is set for an epic showdown that promises to be a fitting tribute to the legacy of FMW and its indomitable spirit of wrestling.