EDITORIAL: SRW - The Hardcore History of Shore Road Wrestling

By Johnny Walters

Some of you who watch OJ-FWA may be familiar with the indy promotion SRW. The no-nonsense, smash-mouthed, in-your-face style became the best-kept secret in the New York pro-wrestling scene. In fact, several OJ-FWA performers got their start in SRW. The Spoiler wrestled here for a while before having his career take off in Japan's NOJ. Liliana, while she full-timed as a automobile magazine model, got her start, and perhaps helped define who she was as the "Hardcore Italirican," wrestling for SRW.

However, the story isn't exactly the best for all who came from the promotion. Soon after the promotion's demise, OJ-FWA picked up three of the promotion's top stars: SHALLOW, Russ Morgan, and Trent Frost. SHALLOW and Russ Morgan's ascent in the world of Japanese pro-wrestling in general, and OJ-FWA in particular, while steady, have not set the world on fire. And in the most tragic case, Trent Frost left OJ-FWA after suffering a loss at Yuuki Matsuri 2007.

So, why is it that while Spoiler and Liliana have done well for themselves, arguably the three most important participants in SRW history have not? This is what I hope to find out.

You see, I have a bit of a stake in this. I worked for SRW during this time. This is my recollection of the "hardcore history" of Shore Road Wrestling!

Go! Go! OJ-FWA FIGHT TV - Episode 2x05 - VBCtv.com

On this week's edition of Go! Go! OJ-FWA FIGHT TV, we'll have both Amy Chen and Ami Naito in in-ring action! We'll hear from KAZU, Jack Dod, and Flash Jones! And see for the first time this OJ-FWA CLASSICS matchup - KAZU vs. future world champion, Hidenori Tsujimoto!

OJ-FWA Classics - Kazu Vs. John (C) McKay

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Another blast from the pre-OJ-FWA past in this classic match from 2005 pitting NOJ stalwarts Kazu versus John "(C)" McKay in what has been said to be one of the best matches in the long and storied carreers of both men.

OJ-FWA Classics: Kazu Vs. Hayabusa

NOJ (Now OJ-FWA)'s Kazu takes on Hayabusa in this classic interpromotional matchup (ASPWIII).

OJ-FWA Classics - Champion Soul '03 - The Spoiler vs. John "(C)" McKay

In this edition of OJ-FWA Classics, we take a look at a semi-final match of the 2003 Champion's Soul Tournament - The Spoiler vs. John "(C)" McKay.

Olive Japan: FWA - Yuuki Matsuri

Olive Japan: FWA Presents:
Yuuki Matsuri
Nippon Budoukan
Date: February 25th 2007


Up to now, the event called Yuuki Matsuri has traditionally been an FWA (Female Wrestling Association of Japan) event, and therefore has been a women's only event. FWA wrestlers, along with other wrestlers from other promotions, have gone up against each other. This year's event will be the first event to prominently feature male wrestlers as well.

During the turmoil of merger negotiations that took place between FWA and NOJ, the 2006 event was indefinitely postponed. In fact, this years event wasn't originally going to be a Yuuki Matsuri... in fact, it was simply going to be a regular show taking place at the Shinkuku FACE arena. However, Reiko Hikawa arranged for the event to be held at the famous Budoukan (were the first Yuuki Matsuri took place), and be officially rechristened "Yuuki Matsuri"

"Yuuki (ユーキ)" has a number of meanings. As "yuki" or 雪, it means "snow," and indeed there are a number of "Yuki Matsuri" or "snow festivals" in Japan. The other meaning, as "yuuki" or 勇気, means "courage, valor, or bravery." The name for the event is written in katakana, and kept purposely vague so that both meanings can be evoked.

Here are some matches from previous Yuuki Matsuri Events:

M. Suzuka Vs. Reiko Hikawa (1993)


So Ryung Park Vs. M. Toyota (2003)


Sasori Vs. Moemi Amano (2005)

Triple Main Event:
Sekai Ningen Kyuu Title:
AKi-Man (FREELANCE) Vs. B. Brody (c) (FREELANCE)

Joshi Sekai Title Rematch:
Mary Riegan Vs. R. Hinomoto (c) (RR)

Plus, another special main event match to be announced that will only be seen on the full Google Video version of the event!



Women's Tag Championship Rematch:
J.B. Angels (FREELANCE, FPR) Vs. J. Jack (c) (FREELANCE)

Trent FROST Vs. Arson (PW-RIOT)

geNEON: Dwayne Reade and Ryan Wright (FREELANCE, formerly of Mclanahan Pro) Vs. Team Mullet 2k (with manager E.A.O. Shakenbake)

Kata Mary (LAWL) Vs. Yubari

Russ Morgan Vs. A-Hole Ronald

Eriko Vs. Moemi Amano

Plus, the winners of the 2006 Team Challenge Series to be announced!

NOTE: There is some concern about the fact that almost all the belts in OJ-FWA, with the exception of So Ryung Park's FWA-NA title, are held by those not employed with the company. In fact, only one title match in the event is contested for by an OJ-FWA contracted wrestler. We shall see how this turns out in the future.