Champion Carnival
Clash Royale CLAN TAG#URR8PPP
The Champion Carnival (チャンピオン・カーニバル, Chanpion Kānibaru) is a professional wrestling tournament held by All Japan Pro Wrestling (AJPW). The tournament is also known by the nickname Haru no Saiten (春の祭典, "Spring Festival") and is sometimes abbreviated to CC.[1][2] Created by AJPW founder Giant Baba, the tournament has been held annually since 1973 and is the longest-running singles tournament in professional wrestling, while also ranking as the most prestigious event in the AJPW calendar.[3] It is considered a successor to the World League, held by Japan Pro Wrestling Alliance (JWA) between 1959 and 1972, predating the New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) G1 Climax tournament by a year.[4]
The tournament is held in a round-robin format, where all participating wrestlers face each other once with the winner being awarded two points and the loser none. A draw results in both wrestlers being awarded a point. After all wrestlers have faced each other once, the top two wrestlers advance to the finals to determine the tournament winner.[5]
Baba himself holds the record for most Champion Carnival wins, having won the tournament seven times.[6] Other notable winners include Abdullah the Butcher, Jumbo Tsuruta, Keiji Mutoh, Mitsuharu Misawa, Stan Hansen and Toshiaki Kawada.[6] Three wrestlers have won both the Champion Carnival and the G1 Climax: Mutoh, Satoshi Kojima and Yuji Nagata.[4]
History
Rikidōzan, the creator of the original World League
From 1959 to 1972, the Japan Pro Wrestling Alliance (JWA), run by Rikidōzan, held a tournament called World League (also known as the "World Big League"), which featured both Japanese and foreign professional wrestlers.[4] Rikidōzan himself dominated the annual tournament early on, however, after his death in 1963, the tournament was won six times by Giant Baba and once by Antonio Inoki.[4] JWA folded shortly after both Baba and Inoki left the promotion to create All Japan Pro Wrestling (AJPW) and New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW), respectively.[4] Both men took the concept of World League with them to their new promotions, with Baba creating the "Champion Carnival" in 1973 and Inoki creating the World League in 1974, later renaming it G1 Climax.[4]
The first Champion Carnival took place only six months after Baba had founded AJPW. The initial tournament was held in a single-elimination format and was intended for AJPW's heavyweight wrestlers such as Hiro Matsuda, Samson Kutsuwada and Thunder Sugiyama. For the tournament, Baba also recruited several foreign wrestlers, such as Baron Scicluna, The Destroyer, King Curtis Iaukea and Mark Lewin.[5] Baba himself won the inaugural tournament, defeating Lewin in the finals.[4][5] A year later, AJPW presented the second Champion Carnival, which most notably introduced former Olympian Jumbo Tsuruta, who eventually went on to become one of the promotion's top names. Baba also won the second Champion Carnival, this time defeating Mr. Wrestling in the finals.[5][7] Heading into the 1975 Champion Carnival, Baba changed the tournament's format. Now the four wrestlers who advanced to the semifinals in the single-elimination tournament were put into a round-robin tournament, where the wrestler with the best record would be declared the winner. Baba went on to win the tournament for the third year in a row, defeating Gene Kiniski in the finals.[5][8] A year later, the single-elimination portion of the tournament was eliminated and the Champion Carnival was changed to a pure round-robin tournament, a format it holds to this day.[5] The 1976 tournament was the first Champion Carnival not won by Baba. It was instead won by Canadian Abdullah the Butcher, who defeated Baba in the finals.[5] Baba went on to win the tournament four more times, winning a total of seven out of the ten first Champion Carnivals.[5] In early 1980s, AJPW loaded the Champion Carnival with some of the top foreign wrestlers in the world, including Billy Robinson, Bruiser Brody, Dick Slater, Jack Brisco, Stan Hansen, Ted DiBiase and Terry Funk.[5] However, after rival promotion NJPW took over as the number one promotion in Japan with a record-breaking business streak, AJPW decided to put the Champion Carnival on hiatus, not wanting the tournament to be overshadowed by their competitors. The hiatus lasted from 1983 to 1991.[5]
Mitsuharu Misawa, a two-time winner of the tournament, who took over its booking after Giant Baba's death
In 1991, AJPW had overtaken NJPW and was again the top promotion in Japan, boasting a roster of top foreign wrestlers mixed with top Japanese wrestlers.[5] The 1991 tournament showcased several younger wrestlers, including Kenta Kobashi, Mitsuharu Misawa and Toshiaki Kawada, who bypassed the promotion's aging veterans and went on to become the promotion's cornerstones for the next decade.[5] However, despite the emergence of the younger wrestlers and the participation of foreign wrestlers such as Doug Furnas, The Dynamite Kid, Johnny Ace, Johnny Smith and Mick Foley, the 1991 tournament was won by an AJPW veteran Jumbo Tsuruta, who defeated Stan Hansen in the finals.[5] The 1992 tournament was booked around the storyline of the "young lions" challenging the veterans for AJPW supremacy. Stan Hansen went on to win his first Champion Carnival, defeating Mitsuharu Misawa in the finals.[5][9] Despite losing in the finals, the tournament made Misawa a star, someone earmarked to occupy the promotion's top spot.[5] A year later, Hansen again defeated Misawa in the finals. The 1993 tournament was also noteworthy for introducing rookie Jun Akiyama.[5] In 1994, Toshiaki Kawada became the first of the "young lions" to win the Champion Carnival, defeating "Dr. Death" Steve Williams in the finals in a match that has been called "arguably the greatest Carnival tournament match of all time".[5] For the next several years the tournament was dominated by AJPW's younger wrestlers with Kawada repeating his win, Mitsuharu Misawa winning two tournaments and Kenta Kobashi one tournament.[5] The 1997 tournament ended in a rare three-way draw between Kawada, Kobashi and Misawa, resulting in a round-robin playoff between the three, where Kawada emerged victorious.[5][10]
On January 31, 1999, Giant Baba died, leaving the promotion in the hands of Mitsuharu Misawa.[5] The 1999 Champion Carnival was the first one not booked by Baba. As the new booker, Misawa made a controversial decision to leave Stan Hansen out of the tournament, while giving Vader the win in the finals over Kenta Kobashi.[5] Problems between Misawa and Giant Baba's widow Motoko Baba led to Misawa exiting AJPW in 2000, taking 26 out of the 28 Japanese AJPW wrestlers with him to form the new Pro Wrestling Noah promotion.[11] Struggling to cope with the loss of the majority of its roster, AJPW eventually hired NJPW wrestler Keiji Mutoh to lead the promotion.[12] Mutoh went on to win the Champion Carnival three times (2002, 2004 and 2007),[1] before leaving the promotion in 2013, after which he was replaced by Jun Akiyama.[13] 2013 also saw Akiyama finally win his first Champion Carnival, twenty years after his debut appearance in the tournament.[14]
In recent years, several outsiders have won the tournament, with freelancer Minoru Suzuki winning it in 2009 and 2010,[1] NJPW representative Yuji Nagata winning it in 2011,[15]Big Japan Pro Wrestling (BJW) representative Daisuke Sekimoto winning it in 2016,[2] freelancer Shuji Ishikawa winning it in 2017,[16] and Pro Wrestling Noah representative Naomichi Marufuji winning it in 2018.[17]
List of winners
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Abdullah the Butcher, a two-time and the first non-Japanese winner of the tournament
Toshiaki Kawada (top), a two-time winner of the tournament
Keiji Mutoh, a three-time winner of the tournament
| Year | Winner | Total won | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1973 | Giant Baba | 1 | [5][18] |
| 1974 | Giant Baba | 2 | [5] |
| 1975 | Giant Baba | 3 | [5] |
| 1976 | Abdullah the Butcher | 1 | [5] |
| 1977 | Giant Baba | 4 | [5] |
| 1978 | Giant Baba | 5 | [5] |
| 1979 | Abdullah the Butcher | 2 | [5] |
| 1980 | Jumbo Tsuruta | 1 | [5] |
| 1981 | Giant Baba | 6 | [5] |
| 1982 | Giant Baba | 7 | [5] |
| 1991 | Jumbo Tsuruta | 2 | [5] |
| 1992 | Stan Hansen | 1 | [5] |
| 1993 | Stan Hansen | 2 | [5] |
| 1994 | Toshiaki Kawada | 1 | [5] |
| 1995 | Mitsuharu Misawa | 1 | [5] |
| 1996 | Akira Taue | 1 | [5] |
| 1997 | Toshiaki Kawada | 2 | [5] |
| 1998 | Mitsuharu Misawa | 2 | [5] |
| 1999 | Vader | 1 | [5] |
| 2000 | Kenta Kobashi | 1 | [19] |
| 2001 | Genichiro Tenryu | 1 | [20] |
| 2002 | Keiji Mutoh | 1 | [6] |
| 2003 | Satoshi Kojima | 1 | [6] |
| 2004 | Keiji Mutoh | 2 | [6] |
| 2005 | Kensuke Sasaki | 1 | [1] |
| 2006 | Taiyō Kea | 1 | [1] |
| 2007 | Keiji Mutoh | 3 | [1] |
| 2008 | Suwama | 1 | [21] |
| 2009 | Minoru Suzuki | 1 | [22] |
| 2010 | Minoru Suzuki | 2 | [1] |
| 2011 | Yuji Nagata | 1 | [23] |
| 2012 | Taiyō Kea | 2 | [24] |
| 2013 | Jun Akiyama | 1 | [14] |
| 2014 | Takao Omori | 1 | [25] |
| 2015 | Akebono | 1 | [26] |
| 2016 | Daisuke Sekimoto | 1 | [2] |
| 2017 | Shuji Ishikawa | 1 | [27] |
| 2018 | Naomichi Marufuji | 1 | [17] |
| 2019 |
2002
The 2002 Champion Carnival was held from March 23 to April 10, re-introduced the dual-block round-robin format used in 1991 and 1992, this time with 7 men in each block; the top two scorers in each would advance to a four-man tournament, with Block A's first place finalist facing Block B's runner-up, and vice versa, and the winners wrestling in the final. Despite the Triple Crown Heavyweight Championship being vacant as a result of Toshiaki Kawada injuring his knee after his match against Arashi (thereby forfeiting all his other scheduled matches), All Japan decided not to use the tournament to fill the vacancy, citing the time limit for tournament matches (30 minutes as opposed to 60 in championship bouts).
The winner, Keiji Mutoh, became the first man in history to win both the Champion Carnival and the G1 Climax, as well as the second man (after Vader) to win the Carnival in his first appearance.
| Block A | Block B | ||
|---|---|---|---|
Satoshi Kojima | 11 | Genichiro Tenryu | 12 |
Mike Barton | 10 | Keiji Mutoh | 8 |
Jim Steele | 6 | Taiyō Kea | 7 |
Mitsuya Nagai | 6 | Steve Williams | 7 |
Yoji Anjo | 5 | Mike Rotundo | 3 |
Toshiaki Kawada | 2 | George Hines | 3 |
Arashi | 2 | Nobutaka Araya | 2 |
| Block A | Anjo | Arashi | Barton | Kawada | Kojima | Nagai | Steele |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Anjo | — | Anjo (9:45) | Barton (13:49) | Anjo (Forfeit) | Kojima (18:25) | Draw (30:00) | Steele (14:07) |
Arashi | Anjo (9:45) | — | Barton (9:55) | Kawada (3:20) | Kojima (13:05) | Nagai (10:56) | Arashi (11:10) |
Barton | Barton (13:49) | Barton (9:55) | — | Barton (Forfeit) | Draw (30:00) | Draw (30:00) | Barton (16:51) |
Kawada | Anjo (Forfeit) | Kawada (3:20) | Barton (Forfeit) | — | Kojima (Forfeit) | Nagai (Forfeit) | Steele (Forfeit) |
Kojima | Kojima (18:25) | Kojima (13:05) | Draw (30:00) | Kojima (Forfeit) | — | Kojima (18:06) | Kojima (17:00) |
Nagai | Draw (30:00) | Nagai (10:56) | Draw (30:00) | Nagai (Forfeit) | Kojima (18:06) | — | Steele (11:56) |
Steele | Steele (14:07) | Arashi (11:10) | Barton (16:51) | Steele (Forfeit) | Kojima (17:00) | Steele (11:56) | — |
| Block B | Araya | Hines | Kea | Mutoh | Rotundo | Tenryu | Williams |
| Araya | — | Hines (16:15) | Kea (15:27) | Mutoh (5:13) | Araya (9:19) | Tenryu (7:05) | Williams (5:11) |
Hines | Hines (16:15) | — | Kea (14:18) | Mutoh (8:26) | Rotundo (11:23) | Tenryu (6:54) | Draw (30:00) |
Kea | Kea (15:27) | Kea (14:18) | — | Mutoh (24:04) | Draw (30:00) | Tenryu (15:17) | Kea (13:54) |
Mutoh | Mutoh (5:13) | Mutoh (8:26) | Mutoh (24:04) | — | Mutoh (13:09) | Tenryu (14:15) | Williams (15:16) |
Rotundo | Araya (9:19) | Rotundo (11:23) | Draw (30:00) | Mutoh (13:09) | — | Tenryu (2:09) | Williams (10:28) |
Tenryu | Tenryu (7:05) | Tenryu (6:54) | Tenryu (15:17) | Tenryu (14:15) | Tenryu (2:09) | — | Tenryu (6:32) |
Williams | Williams (5:11) | Draw (30:00) | Kea (13:54) | Williams (15:16) | Williams (10:28) | Tenryu (6:32) | — |
| Semifinals | Final | ||||||||
| A1 | Satoshi Kojima | Sub | |||||||
| B2 | Keiji Mutoh | 15:46 | |||||||
| B2 | Keiji Mutoh | Pin | |||||||
| A2 | Mike Barton | 9:50 | |||||||
| B1 | Genichiro Tenryu | Pin | |||||||
| A2 | Mike Barton | 5:38 | |||||||
2003
The 2003 version of the Champion Carnival took place between March 22 and March 28. Keiji Mutoh, Satoshi Kojima, George Hines, Johnny Smith, Arashi and Nobutaka Araya received byes to the quarterfinals, leaving Yoji Anjo, Gigantes, The Gladiator and Big John Tenta to fight in the first round. Reigning Triple Crown Heavyweight Champion Shinya Hashimoto did not participate, citing prior commitments to his Pro Wrestling Zero1 promotion.
| First Round | Quarterfinals | Semifinals | Finals | |||||||||||||||
| Yoji Anjo | Pin | |||||||||||||||||
| Gigantes | 9:18 | |||||||||||||||||
| Gigantes | Pin | |||||||||||||||||
| Satoshi Kojima | 16:23 | |||||||||||||||||
| Satoshi Kojima | Pin | |||||||||||||||||
| George Hines | 16:16 | |||||||||||||||||
| George Hines | Pin | |||||||||||||||||
| Johnny Smith | 25:02 | |||||||||||||||||
| Satoshi Kojima | Pin | |||||||||||||||||
| Arashi | 16:30 | |||||||||||||||||
| The Gladiator | Pin | |||||||||||||||||
| Big John Tenta | 13:04 | |||||||||||||||||
| Big John Tenta | Pin | |||||||||||||||||
| Keiji Mutoh | 12:21 | |||||||||||||||||
| Keiji Mutoh | Pin | |||||||||||||||||
| Arashi | 18:03 | |||||||||||||||||
| Arashi | Pin | |||||||||||||||||
| Nobutaka Araya | 12:34 | |||||||||||||||||
2004
The 2004 version of the Champion Carnival took between April 10 and April 20.
| Block A | Block B | ||
|---|---|---|---|
Kensuke Sasaki | 7 | Takao Omori | 7 |
Keiji Mutoh | 5 | Satoshi Kojima | 5 |
Jamal | 4 | Taiyō Kea | 4 |
Kaz Hayashi | 2 | Toshiaki Kawada | 2 |
Arashi | 2 | Nobutaka Araya | 2 |
| Block A | Arashi | Hayashi | Jamal | Mutoh | Sasaki |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Arashi | — | Hayashi (9:27) | Arashi (11:13) | Mutoh (10:34) | Sasaki (5:41) |
Hayashi | Hayashi (9:27) | — | Jamal (10:56) | Mutoh (13:31) | Sasaki (14:41) |
Jamal | Arashi (11:13) | Jamal (10:56) | — | Jamal (16:56) | Sasaki (13:17) |
Mutoh | Mutoh (10:34) | Mutoh (13:31) | Jamal (16:56) | — | Draw (30:00) |
Sasaki | Sasaki (5:41) | Sasaki (14:41) | Sasaki (13:17) | Draw (30:00) | — |
| Block B | Araya | Kawada | Kea | Kojima | Omori |
| Araya | — | Kawada (4:02) | Kea (7:16) | Araya (17:55) | Omori (12:22) |
Kawada | Kawada (4:02) | — | Kea (Forfeit) | Kojima (Forfeit) | Omori (Forfeit) |
Kea | Kea (7:16) | Kea (Forfeit) | — | Kojima (18:44) | Omori (14:02) |
Kojima | Araya (17:55) | Kojima (Forfeit) | Kojima (18:44) | — | Draw (30:00) |
Omori | Omori (12:22) | Omori (Forfeit) | Omori (14:02) | Draw (30:00) | — |
| Semifinals | Final | ||||||||
| A1 | Kensuke Sasaki | Pin | |||||||
| B2 | Satoshi Kojima | 16:51 | |||||||
| A1 | Kensuke Sasaki | Pin | |||||||
| A2 | Keiji Mutoh | 15:33 | |||||||
| B1 | Takao Omori | Pin | |||||||
| A2 | Keiji Mutoh | 11:09 | |||||||
2005
The 2005 version of the Champion Carnival took place between April 9 and April 20.
| Block A | Block B | ||
|---|---|---|---|
Satoshi Kojima | 7 | Toshiaki Kawada | 7 |
Kensuke Sasaki | 6 | Jamal | 6 |
Taiyō Kea | 5 | Chuck Palumbo | 5 |
Arashi | 4 | Keiji Mutoh | 5 |
Giant Bernard | 4 | Buchanan | 5 |
Shuji Kondo | 2 | Suwama | 2 |
| Block A | Arashi | Bernard | Kea | Kojima | Kondo | Sasaki |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Arashi | — | Arashi (2:38) | Kea (4:01) | Kojima (15:09) | Kondo (10:33) | Arashi (7:11) |
Bernard | Arashi (2:38) | — | DCO (10:51) | Kojima (8:56) | Bernard (3:20) | Bernard (7:50) |
Kea | Kea (4:01) | DCO (10:51) | — | Draw (30:00) | Kea (10:34) | Sasaki (21:01) |
Kojima | Kojima (15:09) | Kojima (8:56) | Draw (30:00) | — | Kojima (15:44) | Sasaki (29:29) |
Kondo | Kondo (10:33) | Bernard (3:20) | Kea (10:34) | Kojima (15:44) | — | Sasaki (14:29) |
Sasaki | Arashi (7:11) | Bernard (7:50) | Sasaki (21:01) | Sasaki (29:29) | Sasaki (14:29) | — |
| Block B | Buchanan | Jamal | Kawada | Mutoh | Palumbo | Suwama |
Buchanan | — | Buchanan (8:50) | Kawada (7:06) | Mutoh (9:13) | Draw (30:00) | Buchanan (8:34) |
Jamal | Buchanan (8:50) | — | Jamal (17:31) | Mutoh (13:14) | Jamal (14:27) | Jamal (6:08) |
Kawada | Kawada (7:06) | Jamal (17:31) | — | Draw (30:00) | Kawada (9:32) | Kawada (3:36) |
Mutoh | Mutoh (9:13) | Mutoh (13:14) | Draw (30:00) | — | Palumbo (14:39) | Suwama (13:09) |
Palumbo | Draw (30:00) | Jamal (14:27) | Kawada (9:32) | Palumbo (14:39) | — | Palumbo (9:18) |
Suwama | Buchanan (8:34) | Jamal (6:08) | Kawada (3:36) | Suwama (13:09) | Palumbo (9:18) | — |
| Semifinals | Finals | ||||||||
| A1 | Satoshi Kojima | Pin | |||||||
| B2 | Jamal | 16:22 | |||||||
| B2 | Jamal | Pin | |||||||
| A2 | Kensuke Sasaki | 17:32 | |||||||
| B1 | Toshiaki Kawada | Pin | |||||||
| A2 | Kensuke Sasaki | 19:11 | |||||||
2006
The 2006 version of the Champion Carnival took place between April 7 and April 20.
| Block A | Block B | ||
|---|---|---|---|
Suwama | 7 | Minoru Suzuki | 9 |
Taiyō Kea | 6 | Satoshi Kojima | 8 |
Kensuke Sasaki | 5 | D'Lo Brown | 5 |
Keiji Mutoh | 5 | Arashi | 4 |
Yutaka Yoshie | 5 | Matt Morgan | 2 |
Buchanan | 2 | Katsuhiko Nakajima | 2 |
| Block A | Buchanan | Kea | Mutoh | Sasaki | Suwama | Yoshie |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Buchanan | — | Kea (12:53) | Buchanan (11:54) | Sasaki (12:20) | Suwama (17:18) | Yoshie (12:10) |
Kea | Kea (12:53) | — | Draw (30:00) | Kea (18:35) | Suwama (10:15) | Draw (30:00) |
Mutoh | Buchanan (11:54) | Draw (30:00) | — | Draw (30:00) | Draw (30:00) | Mutoh (18:22) |
Sasaki | Sasaki (12:20) | Kea (18:35) | Draw (30:00) | — | Suwama (12:28) | Sasaki (10:35) |
Suwama | Suwama (17:18) | Suwama (10:15) | Draw (30:00) | Suwama (12:28) | — | Yoshie (16:06) |
Yoshie | Yoshie (12:10) | Draw (30:00) | Mutoh (18:22) | Sasaki (10:35) | Yoshie (16:06) | — |
| Block B | Arashi | Brown | Kojima | Morgan | Nakajima | Suzuki |
Arashi | — | Brown (4:28) | Kojima (11:36) | Arashi (7:46) | Arashi (7:18) | Suzuki (4:50) |
Brown | Brown (4:28) | — | Draw (30:00) | Brown (7:32) | Nakajima (7:10) | Suzuki (9:53) |
Kojima | Kojima (11:36) | Draw (30:00) | — | Kojima (10:30) | Kojima (9:15) | Draw (30:00) |
Morgan | Arashi (7:46) | Brown (7:32) | Kojima (10:30) | — | Morgan (5:46) | Suzuki (5:13) |
Nakajima | Arashi (7:18) | Nakajima (7:10) | Kojima (9:15) | Morgan (5:46) | — | Suzuki (8:13) |
Suzuki | Suzuki (4:50) | Suzuki (9:53) | Draw (30:00) | Suzuki (5:13) | Suzuki (8:13) | — |
| Semifinals | Finals | ||||||||
| A1 | Suwama | CO | |||||||
| B2 | Satoshi Kojima | 15:12 | |||||||
| A1 | Suwama | Pin | |||||||
| A2 | Taiyō Kea | 20:21 | |||||||
| B1 | Minoru Suzuki | Pin | |||||||
| A2 | Taiyō Kea | 11:24 | |||||||
2007
The 2007 version of the Champion Carnival took place between March 26 and March 30.
| Block A | Block B | ||
|---|---|---|---|
Keiji Mutoh | 6 | Toshiaki Kawada | 5 |
Kensuke Sasaki | 5 | Satoshi Kojima | 4 |
Suwama | 5 | Tajiri | 4 |
Taiyō Kea | 4 | Minoru Suzuki | 3 |
Toru Owashi | 0 | RO'Z | 2 |
| Block A | Kea | Mutoh | Owashi | Sasaki | Suwama |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Kea | — | Mutoh (19:21) | Kea (14:24) | Draw (30:00) | Draw (30:00) |
Mutoh | Mutoh (19:21) | — | Mutoh (17:23) | Sasaki (25:37) | Mutoh (25:17) |
Owashi | Kea (14:24) | Mutoh (17:23) | — | Sasaki (5:57) | Suwama (10:14) |
Sasaki | Draw (30:00) | Sasaki (25:37) | Sasaki (5:57) | — | Suwama (0:16) |
Suwama | Draw (30:00) | Mutoh (25:17) | Suwama (10:14) | Suwama (0:16) | — |
| Block B | Kawada | Kojima | RO'Z | Suzuki | Tajiri |
Kawada | — | Kawada (15:24) | RO'Z (6:15) | Draw (30:00) | Kawada (14:09) |
Kojima | Kawada (15:24) | — | Kojima (10:53) | Kojima (17:31) | DCO (11:58) |
RO'Z | RO'Z (6:15) | Kojima (10:53) | — | Suzuki (7:24) | Tajiri (5:04) |
Suzuki | Draw (30:00) | Kojima (17:31) | Suzuki (7:24) | — | Tajiri (4:17) |
Tajiri | Kawada (14:09) | DCO (11:58) | Tajiri (5:04) | Tajiri (4:17) | — |
| Final | ||||
| A1 | Keiji Mutoh | Pin | ||
| B1 | Toshiaki Kawada | 22:28 | ||
2008
The 2008 version of the Champion Carnival took place between April 5 and April 9.
| Block A | Block B | ||
|---|---|---|---|
Hiroshi Tanahashi | 6 | Suwama | 5 |
Toshiaki Kawada | 5 | Joe Doering | 4 |
Keiji Mutoh | 5 | Kensuke Sasaki | 4 |
Satoshi Kojima | 4 | Minoru Suzuki | 4 |
Taiyō Kea | 0 | Osamu Nishimura | 3 |
| Block A | Kawada | Kea | Kojima | Mutoh | Tanahashi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Kawada | — | Kawada (13:35) | Kojima (15:41) | Kawada (10:32) | Draw (30:00) |
Kea | Kawada (13:35) | — | Kojima (14:53) | Mutoh (16:41) | Tanahashi (20:53) |
Kojima | Kojima (15:41) | Kojima (14:53) | — | Mutoh (17:36) | Tanahashi (18:10) |
Mutoh | Kawada (10:32) | Mutoh (16:41) | Mutoh (17:36) | — | Draw (30:00) |
Tanahashi | Draw (30:00) | Tanahashi (20:53) | Tanahashi (18:10) | Draw (30:00) | — |
| Block B | Doering | Nishimura | Sasaki | Suwama | Suzuki |
Doering | — | Doering (25:20) | Sasaki (8:01) | Suwama (9:18) | Doering (10:55) |
Nishimura | Doering (25:20) | — | Draw (30:00) | Suwama (15:13) | Nishimura (3:58) |
Sasaki | Sasaki (8:01) | Draw (30:00) | — | Draw (30:00) | Suzuki (12:22) |
Suwama | Suwama (9:18) | Suwama (15:13) | Draw (30:00) | — | Suzuki (9:31) |
Suzuki | Doering (10:55) | Nishimura (3:58) | Suzuki (12:22) | Suzuki (9:31) | — |
| Final | ||||
| A1 | Hiroshi Tanahashi | Pin | ||
| B1 | Suwama | 29:49 | ||
2009
The 2009 version of the Champion Carnival tournament took place between April 5 and April 12.
| Block A | Block B | ||
|---|---|---|---|
Keiji Mutoh | 8 | Satoshi Kojima | 8 |
Kaz Hayashi | 7 | Minoru Suzuki | 6 |
Yoshihiro Takayama | 6 | Taiyō Kea | 5 |
Osamu Nishimura | 5 | Suwama | 5 |
Joe Doering | 4 | Ryota Hama | 4 |
Seiya Sanada | 0 | Zodiac | 2 |
| Block A | Doering | Hayashi | Mutoh | Nishimura | Sanada | Takayama |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Doering | — | Hayashi (11:54) | Mutoh (14:03) | Doering (15:17) | Doering (9:06) | Takayama (8:45) |
Hayashi | Hayashi (11:54) | — | Hayashi (19:08) | Draw (30:00) | Hayashi (10:57) | Takayama (18:10) |
Mutoh | Mutoh (14:03) | Hayashi (19:08) | — | Mutoh (11:06) | Mutoh (13:57) | Mutoh (18:10) |
Nishimura | Doering (15:17) | Draw (30:00) | Mutoh (11:06) | — | Nishimura (15:35) | Nishimura (8:33) |
Sanada | Doering (9:06) | Hayashi (10:57) | Mutoh (13:57) | Nishimura (15:35) | — | Takayama (9:41) |
Takayama | Takayama (8:45) | Takayama (18:10) | Mutoh (18:10) | Nishimura (8:33) | Takayama (9:41) | — |
| Block B | Hama | Kea | Kojima | Suwama | Suzuki | Zodiac |
Hama | — | Hama (9:08) | Kojima (10:21) | Suwama (11:22) | Suzuki (12:27) | Hama (7:30) |
Kea | Hama (9:08) | — | Kea (20:01) | Draw (30:00) | Kea (9:31) | Zodiac (14:38) |
Kojima | Kojima (10:21) | Kea (20:01) | — | Kojima (18:55) | Kojima (21:08) | Kojima (11:19) |
Suwama | Suwama (11:22) | Draw (30:00) | Kojima (18:55) | — | Suzuki (14:45) | Suwama (9:07) |
Suzuki | Suzuki (12:27) | Kea (9:31) | Kojima (21:08) | Suzuki (14:45) | — | Suzuki (13:43) |
Zodiac | Hama (7:30) | Zodiac (14:38) | Kojima (11:19) | Suwama (9:07) | Suzuki (13:43) | — |
| Semifinals | Finals | ||||||||
| A1 | Keiji Mutoh | CO | |||||||
| B2 | Minoru Suzuki | 15:13 | |||||||
| B2 | Minoru Suzuki | Pin | |||||||
| A2 | Kaz Hayashi | 23:35 | |||||||
| B1 | Satoshi Kojima | Pin | |||||||
| A2 | Kaz Hayashi | 16:30 | |||||||
2010
The 2010 version of the Champion Carnival took place between April 3 and April 11.
| Block A | Block B | ||
|---|---|---|---|
Minoru Suzuki | 6 | Masakatsu Funaki | 7 |
Masayuki Kono | 5 | Suwama | 5 |
Ryota Hama | 4 | Kiyoshi | 4 |
Satoshi Kojima | 4 | René Duprée | 2 |
Seiya Sanada | 1 | Taiyō Kea | 2 |
| Block A | Hama | Kojima | Kono | Sanada | Suzuki |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Hama | — | Kojima (12:47) | Kono (11:14) | Hama (11:01) | Hama (18:30) |
Kojima | Kojima (12:47) | — | Kono (27:57) | Kojima (13:54) | Suzuki (17:57) |
Kono | Kono (11:14) | Kono (27:57) | — | Draw (30:00) | Suzuki (14:40) |
Sanada | Hama (11:01) | Kojima (13:54) | Draw (30:00) | — | Suzuki (12:28) |
Suzuki | Hama (18:30) | Suzuki (17:57) | Suzuki (14:40) | Suzuki (12:28) | — |
| Block B | Duprée | Funaki | Kea | Kiyoshi | Suwama |
Duprée | — | Funaki (9:12) | Duprée (10:15) | Kiyoshi (11:34) | Suwama (11:18) |
Funaki | Funaki (9:12) | — | Funaki (14:40) | Funaki (15:47) | Draw (30:00) |
Kea | Duprée (10:15) | Funaki (14:40) | — | Kea (15:02) | Suwama (22:56) |
Kiyoshi | Kiyoshi (11:34) | Funaki (15:47) | Kea (15:02) | — | Kiyoshi (18:55) |
Suwama | Suwama (11:18) | Draw (30:00) | Suwama (22:56) | Kiyoshi (18:55) | — |
| Semifinals | Final | ||||||||
| A1 | Minoru Suzuki | Pin | |||||||
| B2 | Suwama | 16:46 | |||||||
| A1 | Minoru Suzuki | Sub | |||||||
| B1 | Masakatsu Funaki | 13:37 | |||||||
| B1 | Masakatsu Funaki | Sub | |||||||
| A2 | Masayuki Kono | 13:12 | |||||||
2011
The 2011 version of the Champion Carnival tournament took place between April 8 and April 13. Kenso suffered an injury and was forced to drop out of the tournament after his first match, forfeiting the rest of his matches.
| Block A | Block B | ||
|---|---|---|---|
Yuji Nagata | 8 | Seiya Sanada | 8 |
Masakatsu Funaki | 6 | Jun Akiyama | 7 |
Kono | 6 | Minoru Suzuki | 6 |
Suwama | 6 | Taiyō Kea | 5 |
Takao Omori | 4 | Joe Doering | 4 |
Ryota Hama | 0 | Kenso | 0 |
| Block A | Kono | Funaki | Hama | Nagata | Omori | Suwama |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Kono | — | Kono (12:44) | Kono (12:07) | Nagata (13:50) | Omori (12:19) | Kono (15:00) |
Funaki | Kono (12:44) | — | Funaki (8:43) | Funaki (13:07) | Funaki (14:01) | Suwama (18:57) |
Hama | Kono (12:07) | Funaki (8:43) | — | Nagata (11:18) | Omori (8:53) | Suwama (12:25) |
Nagata | Nagata (13:50) | Funaki (13:07) | Nagata (11:18) | — | Nagata (12:14) | Nagata (23:13) |
Omori | Omori (12:19) | Funaki (14:01) | Omori (8:53) | Nagata (12:14) | — | Suwama (16:56) |
Suwama | Kono (15:00) | Suwama (18:57) | Suwama (12:25) | Nagata (23:13) | Suwama (16:56) | — |
| Block B | Akiyama | Doering | Kea | Kenso | Sanada | Suzuki |
Akiyama | — | Akiyama (10:14) | Draw (30:00) | Akiyama (Forfeit) | Akiyama (22:05) | Suzuki (19:21) |
Doering | Akiyama (10:14) | — | Doering (8:44) | Doering (Forfeit) | Sanada (9:36) | Suzuki (16:09) |
Kea | Draw (30:00) | Doering (8:44) | — | Kea (Forfeit) | Sanada (18:37) | Kea (24:33) |
Kenso | Akiyama (Forfeit) | Doering (Forfeit) | Kea (Forfeit) | — | Sanada (Forfeit) | Suzuki (14:25) |
Sanada | Akiyama (22:05) | Sanada (9:36) | Sanada (18:37) | Sanada (Forfeit) | — | Sanada (16:06) |
Suzuki | Suzuki (19:21) | Suzuki (16:09) | Kea (24:33) | Suzuki (14:25) | Sanada (16:06) | — |
| Final | ||||
| A1 | Yuji Nagata | Pin | ||
| B1 | Seiya Sanada | 22:44 | ||
2012
The 2012 version of the Champion Carnival took place between April 21 and May 7. Yutaka Yoshie suffered an injury and was forced to forfeit the rest of his matches. Takumi Soya was injured after his fifth match and was pulled out of the tournament as well, forfeiting his final match. Jun Akiyama, the reigning Triple Crown Heavyweight Champion, did not participate due to commitments with Pro Wrestling Noah.
| Block A | Block B | ||
|---|---|---|---|
Yuji Nagata | 9 | Akebono | 10 |
Suwama | 7 | Taiyō Kea | 9 |
Daisuke Sekimoto | 6 | Seiya Sanada | 8 |
Takao Omori | 6 | Manabu Soya | 6 |
Masayuki Kono | 6 | Yuji Okabayashi | 5 |
Kenso | 4 | Takumi Soya | 2 |
Ryota Hama | 4 | Yutaka Yoshie | 2 |
| Block A | Hama | Kenso | Kono | Nagata | Omori | Sekimoto | Suwama |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Hama | — | Kenso (11:11) | Hama (9:00) | Nagata (9:44) | Omori (9:43) | Hama (10:29) | Suwama (13:47) |
Kenso | Kenso (11:11) | — | Kono (13:11) | Nagata (15:37) | Kenso (19:36) | Sekimoto (13:22) | Suwama (17:17) |
Kono | Hama (9:00) | Kono (13:11) | — | Kono (13:40) | Omori (15:23) | Sekimoto (7:08) | Kono (20:01) |
Nagata | Nagata (9:44) | Nagata (15:37) | Kono (13:40) | — | Nagata (16:25) | Nagata (16:38) | Draw (30:00) |
Omori | Omori (9:43) | Kenso (19:36) | Omori (15:23) | Nagata (16:25) | — | Sekimoto (21:12) | Omori (19:37) |
Sekimoto | Hama (10:29) | Sekimoto (13:22) | Sekimoto (7:08) | Nagata (16:38) | Sekimoto (21:12) | — | Suwama (21:03) |
Suwama | Suwama (13:47) | Suwama (17:17) | Kono (20:01) | Draw (30:00) | Omori (19:37) | Suwama (21:03) | — |
| Block B | Akebono | Kea | Okabayashi | Sanada | M.Soya | T.Soya | Yoshie |
Akebono | — | Kea (7:07) | Akebono (5:50) | Akebono (9:31) | Akebono (8:41) | Akebono (Forfeit) | Akebono (Forfeit) |
Kea | Kea (7:07) | — | Draw (30:00) | Sanada (14:42) | Kea (14:04) | Kea (10:31) | Kea (Forfeit) |
Okabayashi | Akebono (5:50) | Draw (30:00) | — | Sanada (15:45) | Okabayashi (14:44) | Okabayashi (13:28) | Yoshie (10:48) |
Sanada | Akebono (9:31) | Sanada (14:42) | Sanada (15:45) | — | M.Soya (14:30) | Sanada (11:08) | Sanada (Forfeit) |
M.Soya | Akebono (8:41) | Kea (14:04) | Okabayashi (14:44) | M.Soya (14:30) | — | M.Soya (16:24) | M.Soya (Forfeit) |
| T.Soya | Akebono (Forfeit) | Kea (10:31) | Okabayashi (13:28) | Sanada (11:08) | M.Soya (16:24) | — | T.Soya (Forfeit) |
Yoshie | Akebono (Forfeit) | Kea (Forfeit) | Yoshie (10:48) | Sanada (Forfeit) | M.Soya (Forfeit) | T.Soya (Forfeit) | — |
| Semifinals | Final | ||||||||
| A1 | Yuji Nagata | Pin | |||||||
| B2 | Taiyō Kea | 11:51 | |||||||
| B2 | Taiyō Kea | Pin | |||||||
| A2 | Suwama | 22:33 | |||||||
| B1 | Akebono | Pin | |||||||
| A2 | Suwama | 8:18 | |||||||
2013
The 2013 version of the Champion Carnival tournament took place between April 18 to April 29.
| Block A | Block B | ||
|---|---|---|---|
Go Shiozaki | 8 | Jun Akiyama | 8 |
Seiya Sanada | 7 | Kai | 6 |
Suwama | 5 | Akebono | 4 |
Masayuki Kono | 4 | Joe Doering | 4 |
Takao Omori | 4 | Masakatsu Funaki | 4 |
Ryota Hama | 2 | Kenso | 4 |
| Block A | Hama | Kono | Omori | Sanada | Shiozaki | Suwama |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Hama | — | Hama (8:04) | Omori (10:31) | Sanada (9:40) | Shiozaki (10:58) | Suwama (14:01) |
Kono | Hama (8:04) | — | Kono (13:44) | Sanada (10:22) | Shiozaki (14:00) | Kono (19:03) |
Omori | Omori (10:31) | Kono (13:44) | — | Sanada (13:22) | Shiozaki (19:02) | Omori (14:18) |
Sanada | Sanada (9:40) | Sanada (10:22) | Sanada (13:22) | — | Draw (30:00) | Suwama (17:28) |
Shiozaki | Shiozaki (10:58) | Shiozaki (14:00) | Shiozaki (19:02) | Draw (30:00) | — | Draw (30:00) |
Suwama | Suwama (14:01) | Kono (19:03) | Omori (14:18) | Suwama (17:28) | Draw (30:00) | — |
| Block B | Akebono | Akiyama | Doering | Funaki | Kai | Kenso |
Akebono | — | Akebono (5:47) | Doering (4:13) | Akebono (6:20) | Kai (8:44) | Kenso (9:30) |
Akiyama | Akebono (5:47) | — | Akiyama (7:13) | Akiyama (9:42) | Akiyama (16:54) | Akiyama (12:43) |
Doering | Doering (4:13) | Akiyama (7:13) | — | Doering (8:18) | Kai (4:55) | Kenso (11:01) |
Funaki | Akebono (6:20) | Akiyama (9:42) | Doering (8:18) | — | Funaki (12:45) | Funaki (13:17) |
Kai | Kai (8:44) | Akiyama (16:54) | Kai (4:55) | Funaki (12:45) | — | Kai (16:26) |
Kenso | Kenso (9:30) | Akiyama (12:43) | Kenso (11:01) | Funaki (13:17) | Kai (16:26) | — |
| Semifinals | Finals | ||||||||
| A1 | Go Shiozaki | Sub | |||||||
| B2 | Kai | 16:09 | |||||||
| B2 | Kai | Pin | |||||||
| B1 | Jun Akiyama | 18:57 | |||||||
| B1 | Jun Akiyama | Pin | |||||||
| A2 | Seiya Sanada | 12:33 | |||||||
2014
The 2014 version of the Champion Carnival tournament took place between April 13 and April 27. Reigning Triple Crown Heavyweight Champion Akebono, who was leading his block at the time, was forced to pull out of the tournament on April 22 after being hospitalized with poor health, forfeiting his last two matches (The title was eventually declared vacant on May 30, after the tournament was over.) On April 25, Go Shiozaki also withdrew from the tournament due to a broken thumb, and forfeited his final match against Jun Akiyama.
| Block A | Block B | ||
|---|---|---|---|
Suwama | 8 | Joe Doering | 8 |
Takao Omori | 8 | Jun Akiyama | 8 |
Akebono | 6 | Go Shiozaki | 7 |
Kendo Kashin | 4 | Zeus | 3 |
Kento Miyahara | 2 | Yutaka Yoshie | 2 |
Osamu Nishimura | 0 | Kenso | 2 |
| Block A | Akebono | Kashin | Miyahara | Nishimura | Omori | Suwama |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Akebono | — | Akebono (5:25) | Akebono (9:19) | Akebono (8:18) | Omori (Forfeit) | Suwama (Forfeit) |
Kashin | Akebono (5:25) | — | Draw (10:01) | Kashin (5:21) | Omori (5:04) | Kashin (9:44) |
Miyahara | Akebono (9:19) | Draw (10:01) | — | Miyahara (8:47) | Omori (18:16) | Suwama (20:14) |
Nishimura | Akebono (8:18) | Kashin (5:21) | Miyahara (8:47) | — | Omori (12:08) | Suwama (21:18) |
Omori | Omori (Forfeit) | Omori (5:04) | Omori (18:16) | Omori (12:08) | — | Suwama (24:55) |
Suwama | Suwama (Forfeit) | Kashin (9:44) | Suwama (20:14) | Suwama (21:18) | Suwama (24:55) | — |
| Block B | Akiyama | Doering | Kenso | Shiozaki | Yoshie | Zeus |
Akiyama | — | Doering (14:26) | Akiyama (9:45) | Akiyama (Forfeit) | Akiyama (13:34) | Akiyama (15:27) |
Doering | Doering (14:26) | — | Doering (6:43) | Draw (30:00) | Doering (5:37) | Draw (30:00) |
Kenso | Akiyama (9:45) | Doering (6:43) | — | Shiozaki (13:15) | Kenso (11:23) | Zeus (8:02) |
Shiozaki | Akiyama (Forfeit) | Draw (30:00) | Shiozaki (13:15) | — | Shiozaki (17:46) | Shiozaki (21:17) |
Yoshie | Akiyama (13:34) | Doering (5:37) | Kenso (11:23) | Shiozaki (17:46) | — | Yoshie (14:35) |
Zeus | Akiyama (15:27) | Draw (30:00) | Zeus (8:02) | Shiozaki (21:17) | Yoshie (14:35) | — |
| Decision Matches | Final | ||||||||
| A1 | Suwama | Pin | |||||||
| A2 | Takao Omori | 9:55 | |||||||
| A2 | Jun Akiyama | Pin | |||||||
| B2 | Takao Omori | 17:14 | |||||||
| B1 | Joe Doering | Pin | |||||||
| B2 | Jun Akiyama | 9:28 | |||||||
2015
The 2015 version of the Champion Carnival tournament took place between April 5 and April 25.
| Block A | Block B | ||
|---|---|---|---|
Go Shiozaki | 7 | Akebono | 8 |
Suwama | 7 | Kento Miyahara | 7 |
Takao Omori | 6 | Jun Akiyama | 6 |
Kengo Mashimo | 4 | Joe Doering | 6 |
Yutaka Yoshie | 2 | Zeus | 3 |
The Bodyguard | 2 | Kenso | 0 |
| Block A | Bodyguard | Mashimo | Omori | Shiozaki | Suwama | Yoshie |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Bodyguard | — | Bodyguard (12:00) | Omori (14:25) | Shiozaki (19:22) | Suwama (11:17) | Yoshie (11:59) |
Mashimo | Bodyguard (12:00) | — | Mashimo (14:05) | Shiozaki (21:56) | No Contest (9:15) | Mashimo (10:50) |
Omori | Omori (14:25) | Mashimo (14:05) | — | Omori (19:11) | Suwama (10:30) | Omori (15:42) |
Shiozaki | Shiozaki (19:22) | Shiozaki (21:56) | Omori (19:11) | — | Draw (30:00) | Shiozaki (14:33) |
Suwama | Suwama (11:17) | No Contest (9:15) | Suwama (10:30) | Draw (30:00) | — | Suwama (13:39) |
Yoshie | Yoshie (11:59) | Mashimo (10:50) | Omori (15:42) | Shiozaki (14:33) | Suwama (13:39) | — |
| Block B | Akebono | Akiyama | Doering | Kenso | Miyahara | Zeus |
Akebono | — | Akebono (10:07) | Akebono (4:13) | Akebono (11:20) | Miyahara (10:34) | Akebono (6:58) |
Akiyama | Akebono (10:07) | — | Akiyama (7:52) | Akiyama (9:29) | Miyahara (10:02) | Akiyama (19:25) |
Doering | Akebono (4:13) | Akiyama (7:52) | — | Doering (10:41) | Doering (13:11) | Doering (12:14) |
Kenso | Akebono (11:20) | Akiyama (9:29) | Doering (10:41) | — | Miyahara (14:08) | Zeus (14:46) |
Miyahara | Miyahara (10:34) | Miyahara (10:02) | Doering (13:11) | Miyahara (14:08) | — | Draw (30:00) |
Zeus | Akebono (6:58) | Akiyama (19:25) | Doering (12:14) | Zeus (14:46) | Draw (30:00) | — |
| | Block A Decision | | | Final | ||||
| | | | | | | | | |
| | | A2 | Suwama | 16:25 | ||||
| | A1 | Go Shiozaki | 5:35 | | | B1 | Akebono | Pin |
| | A2 | Suwama | Sub | | ||||
2016
The 2016 version of the Champion Carnival tournament took place between April 9 and April 24.
| Block A | Block B | ||
|---|---|---|---|
Daisuke Sekimoto | 8 | Zeus | 10 |
Kento Miyahara | 7 | Ryoji Sai | 8 |
Kengo Mashimo | 7 | Yutaka Yoshie | 8 |
The Bodyguard | 6 | Takao Omori | 6 |
Super Tiger | 6 | Atsushi Aoki | 6 |
Jun Akiyama | 6 | Hideyoshi Kamitani | 2 |
Naoya Nomura | 2 | Jake Lee | 2 |
| Block A | Akiyama | Bodyguard | Mashimo | Miyahara | Nomura | Sekimoto | Tiger |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Akiyama | — | Bodyguard (5:43) | Akiyama (17:19) | Akiyama (9:48) | Akiyama (11:23) | Sekimoto (17:53) | Tiger (7:52) |
Bodyguard | Bodyguard (5:43) | — | Mashimo (13:14) | Miyahara (8:59) | Nomura (9:54) | Bodyguard (13:35) | Bodyguard (9:12) |
Mashimo | Akiyama (17:19) | Mashimo (13:14) | — | Draw (30:00) | Mashimo (7:34) | Sekimoto (13:01) | Mashimo (9:22) |
Miyahara | Akiyama (9:48) | Miyahara (8:59) | Draw (30:00) | — | Miyahara (11:19) | Sekimoto (8:40) | Miyahara (9:42) |
Nomura | Akiyama (11:23) | Nomura (9:54) | Mashimo (7:34) | Miyahara (11:19) | — | Sekimoto (14:09) | Tiger (6:32) |
Sekimoto | Sekimoto (17:53) | Bodyguard (13:35) | Sekimoto (13:01) | Sekimoto (8:40) | Sekimoto (14:09) | — | Tiger (12:11) |
Tiger | Tiger (7:52) | Bodyguard (9:12) | Mashimo (9:22) | Miyahara (9:42) | Tiger (6:32) | Tiger (12:11) | — |
| Block B | Aoki | Kamitani | Lee | Omori | Sai | Yoshie | Zeus |
Aoki | — | Aoki (Forfeit) | Aoki (8:38) | Omori (9:10) | Aoki (7:43) | Yoshie (11:29) | Zeus (6:55) |
| Kamitani | Aoki (Forfeit) | — | Kamitani (8:53) | Omori (Forfeit) | Sai (17:41) | Yoshie (Forfeit) | Zeus (12:46) |
Lee | Aoki (8:38) | Kamitani (8:53) | — | Lee (10:41) | Sai (8:16) | Yoshie (10:52) | Zeus (9:22) |
Omori | Omori (9:10) | Omori (Forfeit) | Lee (10:41) | — | Omori (13:20) | Yoshie (11:07) | Zeus (12:47) |
Sai | Aoki (7:43) | Sai (17:41) | Sai (8:16) | Omori (13:20) | — | Sai (9:43) | Sai (17:50) |
Yoshie | Yoshie (11:29) | Yoshie (Forfeit) | Yoshie (10:52) | Yoshie (11:07) | Sai (9:43) | — | Zeus (13:09) |
Zeus | Zeus (6:55) | Zeus (12:46) | Zeus (9:22) | Zeus (12:47) | Sai (17:50) | Zeus (13:09) | — |
| Final | ||||
| A1 | Daisuke Sekimoto | Pin | ||
| B1 | Zeus | 24:55 | ||
2017
The 2017 version of the Champion Carnival tournament took place between April 16 and April 30.
| Block A | Block B | ||
|---|---|---|---|
Joe Doering | 8 | Shuji Ishikawa | 9 |
Kento Miyahara | 7 | Kengo Mashimo | 8 |
Daisuke Sekimoto | 7 | Suwama | 8 |
Ryoji Sai | 6 | The Bodyguard | 6 |
Kai | 6 | Daichi Hashimoto | 4 |
Zeus | 6 | Naoya Nomura | 4 |
Jake Lee | 2 | Takao Omori | 3 |
| Block A | Doering | Kai | Lee | Miyahara | Sai | Sekimoto | Zeus |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Doering | — | Doering (8:21) | Doering (8:17) | Miyahara (13:12) | Doering (6:22) | Doering (6:42) | Zeus (10:36) |
Kai | Doering (8:21) | — | Kai (15:04) | Miyahara (26:42) | Kai (9:55) | Sekimoto (5:53) | Kai (9:23) |
Lee | Doering (8:17) | Kai (15:04) | — | Miyahara (13:55) | Sai (6:14) | Sekimoto (10:51) | Lee (6:13) |
Miyahara | Miyahara (13:12) | Miyahara (26:42) | Miyahara (13:55) | — | Sai (13:55) | Draw (30:00) | Zeus (13:32) |
Sai | Doering (6:22) | Kai (9:55) | Sai (6:14) | Sai (13:55) | — | Sekimoto (16:08) | Sai (14:22) |
Sekimoto | Doering (6:42) | Sekimoto (5:53) | Sekimoto (10:51) | Draw (30:00) | Sekimoto (16:08) | — | Zeus (11:27) |
Zeus | Zeus (10:36) | Kai (9:23) | Lee (6:13) | Zeus (13:32) | Sai (14:22) | Zeus (11:27) | — |
| Block B | Bodyguard | Hashimoto | Ishikawa | Mashimo | Nomura | Omori | Suwama |
Bodyguard | — | Hashimoto (5:22) | Ishikawa (5:56) | Bodyguard (7:48) | Nomura (8:21) | Bodyguard (9:35) | Bodyguard (5:42) |
Hashimoto | Hashimoto (5:22) | — | Ishikawa (6:28) | Mashimo (9:37) | Hashimoto (5:08) | Omori (12:49) | Suwama (6:14) |
Ishikawa | Ishikawa (5:56) | Ishikawa (6:28) | — | Draw (30:00) | Ishikawa (9:19) | Ishikawa (16:37) | Suwama (13:48) |
Mashimo | Bodyguard (7:48) | Mashimo (9:37) | Draw (30:00) | — | Mashimo (6:49) | Draw (30:00) | Mashimo (15:00) |
Nomura | Nomura (8:21) | Hashimoto (5:08) | Ishikawa (9:19) | Mashimo (6:49) | — | Nomura (0:48) | Suwama (10:04) |
Omori | Bodyguard (9:35) | Omori (12:49) | Ishikawa (16:37) | Draw (30:00) | Nomura (0:48) | — | Suwama (14:02) |
Suwama | Bodyguard (5:42) | Suwama (6:14) | Suwama (13:48) | Mashimo (15:00) | Suwama (10:04) | Suwama (14:02) | — |
| Final | ||||
| A1 | Joe Doering | Pin | ||
| B1 | Shuji Ishikawa | 15:13 | ||
2018
The 2018 version of the Champion Carnival tournament took place between April 7 and April 30.
| Block A | Block B | ||
|---|---|---|---|
Kento Miyahara | 10 | Naomichi Marufuji | 10 |
Yuji Hino | 8 | Zeus | 8 |
Shuji Ishikawa | 8 | Suwama | 8 |
Joe Doering | 8 | Jun Akiyama | 8 |
Shingo Takagi | 8 | Yoshitatsu | 6 |
Ryoji Sai | 6 | Kai | 6 |
Naoya Nomura | 4 | Dylan James | 6 |
The Bodyguard | 4 | Yutaka Yoshie | 4 |
| Block A | Bodyguard | Doering | Hino | Ishikawa | Miyahara | Nomura | Sai | Takagi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Bodyguard | — | Doering (6:29) | Bodyguard (7:17) | Ishikawa (4:26) | Miyahara (Forfeit) | Nomura (9:09) | Bodyguard (11:43) | Takagi (9:09) |
Doering | Doering (6:29) | — | Hino (8:47) | Ishikawa (11:25) | Doering (12:47) | Nomura (4:28) | Doering (5:53) | Doering (9:48) |
Hino | Bodyguard (7:17) | Hino (8:47) | — | Hino (12:48) | Miyahara (19:32) | Hino (7:28) | Sai (9:54) | Hino (16:25) |
Ishikawa | Ishikawa (4:26) | Ishikawa (11:25) | Hino (12:48) | — | Miyahara (16:57) | Ishikawa (14:40) | Sai (17:32) | Ishikawa (18:37) |
Miyahara | Miyahara (Forfeit) | Doering (12:47) | Miyahara (19:32) | Miyahara (16:57) | — | Miyahara (17:44) | Miyahara (18:00) | Takagi (14:28) |
Nomura | Nomura (9:09) | Nomura (4:28) | Hino (7:28) | Ishikawa (14:40) | Miyahara (17:44) | — | Sai (14:56) | Takagi (10:41) |
Sai | Bodyguard (11:43) | Doering (5:53) | Sai (9:54) | Sai (17:32) | Miyahara (18:00) | Sai (14:56) | — | Takagi (11:07) |
Takagi | Takagi (9:09) | Doering (9:48) | Hino (16:25) | Ishikawa (18:37) | Takagi (14:28) | Takagi (10:41) | Takagi (11:07) | — |
| Block B | Akiyama | James | Kai | Marufuji | Suwama | Yoshie | Yoshitatsu | Zeus |
Akiyama | — | Akiyama (3:57) | Akiyama (15:05) | Marufuji (20:53) | Suwama (13:03) | Akiyama (11:12) | Akiyama (7:09) | Zeus (18:50) |
James | Akiyama (3:57) | — | Kai (6:37) | Marufuji (5:39) | James (7:15) | James (10:10) | Yoshitatsu (14:40) | James (4:12) |
Kai | Akiyama (15:05) | Kai (6:37) | — | Marufuji (15:54) | Suwama (13:29) | Kai (10:00) | Yoshitatsu (13:24) | Kai (13:57) |
Marufuji | Marufuji (20:53) | Marufuji (5:39) | Marufuji (15:54) | — | Suwama (19:03) | Marufuji (11:38) | Marufuji (12:29) | Zeus (17:33) |
Suwama | Suwama (13:03) | James (7:15) | Suwama (13:29) | Suwama (19:03) | — | Suwama (11:05) | Yoshitatsu (16:36) | Zeus (15:45) |
Yoshie | Akiyama (11:12) | James (10:10) | Kai (10:00) | Marufuji (11:38) | Suwama (11:05) | — | Yoshie (11:43) | Yoshie (13:32) |
Yoshitatsu | Akiyama (7:09) | Yoshitatsu (14:40) | Yoshitatsu (13:24) | Marufuji (12:29) | Yoshitatsu (16:36) | Yoshie (11:43) | — | Zeus (15:52) |
Zeus | Zeus (18:50) | James (4:12) | Kai (13:57) | Zeus (17:33) | Zeus (15:45) | Yoshie (13:32) | Zeus (15:52) | — |
| Final | ||||
| A1 | Kento Miyahara | Pin | ||
| B1 | Naomichi Marufuji | 24:50 | ||
2019
The 2019 version of the Champion Carnival took place between April 4 and April 29. 18 wrestlers will compete in this tournament with 9 men in each block. Kengo Mashimo was originally scheduled to compete, but was forced to withdraw due to injury. Atsushi Aoki took his place.
| Block A | Block B | ||
|---|---|---|---|
Yuji Okabayashi | 4 | Naoya Nomura | 4 |
Shuji Ishikawa | 3 | Daichi Hashimoto | 4 |
Dylan James | 2 | Suwama | 2 |
Kento Miyahara | 2 | Takashi Yoshida | 2 |
Zeus | 2 | Yoshitatsu | 2 |
Ryoji Sai | 1 | Jake Lee | 0 |
Yuma Aoyagi | 0 | Sam Adonis | 0 |
Atsushi Aoki | 0 | Joe Doering | 0 |
| Gianni Valletta | 0 | Joel Redman | 0 |
| Block A | Aoyagi | Ishikawa | James | Aoki | Miyahara | Okabayashi | Sai | Valletta | Zeus |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Aoyagi | — | Okabayashi (5:28) | |||||||
Ishikawa | — | Ishikawa (7:58) | Okabayashi (22:36) | Draw (30:00) | |||||
James | — | James (8:20) | |||||||
Aoki | Ishikawa (7:58) | — | Miyahara (13:30) | ||||||
Miyahara | Miyahara (13:30) | — | |||||||
Okabayashi | Okabayashi (5:28) | Okabayashi (22:36) | — | ||||||
Sai | Draw (30:00) | James (8:20) | — | ||||||
| Valletta | — | Zeus (4:34) | |||||||
Zeus | Zeus (4:34) | — | |||||||
| Block B | Adonis | Doering | Hashimoto | Lee | Nomura | Redman | Suwama | Yoshida | Yoshitatsu |
Adonis | — | ||||||||
Doering | — | Suwama (9:14) | Yoshitatsu (16:13) | ||||||
Hashimoto | — | Hashimoto (10:28) | Hashimoto (8:00) | Yoshida (7:52) | |||||
Lee | Hashimoto (10:28) | — | Nomura (12:14) | ||||||
Nomura | Nomura (12:14) | — | Nomura (17:43) | ||||||
Redman | Hashimoto (8:00) | — | |||||||
Suwama | Suwama (9:14) | — | |||||||
Yoshida | Yoshida (7:52) | Nomura (17:43) | — | ||||||
Yoshitatsu | Yoshitatsu (16:13) | — |
| Final | ||||
| | ||||
| | ||||
See also
- All Japan Pro Wrestling
- G1 Climax
- Global League
References
^ abcdefg チャンピオン・カーニバル. All Japan Pro Wrestling (in Japanese). Retrieved May 25, 2016..mw-parser-output cite.citationfont-style:inherit.mw-parser-output .citation qquotes:"""""""'""'".mw-parser-output .citation .cs1-lock-free abackground:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/65/Lock-green.svg/9px-Lock-green.svg.png")no-repeat;background-position:right .1em center.mw-parser-output .citation .cs1-lock-limited a,.mw-parser-output .citation .cs1-lock-registration abackground:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d6/Lock-gray-alt-2.svg/9px-Lock-gray-alt-2.svg.png")no-repeat;background-position:right .1em center.mw-parser-output .citation .cs1-lock-subscription abackground:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/aa/Lock-red-alt-2.svg/9px-Lock-red-alt-2.svg.png")no-repeat;background-position:right .1em center.mw-parser-output .cs1-subscription,.mw-parser-output .cs1-registrationcolor:#555.mw-parser-output .cs1-subscription span,.mw-parser-output .cs1-registration spanborder-bottom:1px dotted;cursor:help.mw-parser-output .cs1-ws-icon abackground:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/4c/Wikisource-logo.svg/12px-Wikisource-logo.svg.png")no-repeat;background-position:right .1em center.mw-parser-output code.cs1-codecolor:inherit;background:inherit;border:inherit;padding:inherit.mw-parser-output .cs1-hidden-errordisplay:none;font-size:100%.mw-parser-output .cs1-visible-errorfont-size:100%.mw-parser-output .cs1-maintdisplay:none;color:#33aa33;margin-left:0.3em.mw-parser-output .cs1-subscription,.mw-parser-output .cs1-registration,.mw-parser-output .cs1-formatfont-size:95%.mw-parser-output .cs1-kern-left,.mw-parser-output .cs1-kern-wl-leftpadding-left:0.2em.mw-parser-output .cs1-kern-right,.mw-parser-output .cs1-kern-wl-rightpadding-right:0.2em
^ abc 関本が全日ＣＣ初制覇. Tokyo Sports (in Japanese). April 25, 2016. Retrieved May 25, 2016.
^ Molinaro, John F. "Tenryu wins Carnival Championship, All Japan tournament concludes". Slam! Sports. Canadian Online Explorer. Retrieved May 25, 2016.
^ abcdefg Sempervive, Mike (July 19, 2015). "New Japan 2015 G1 Climax: History, Schedule, Predictions, Scouting Reports". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Retrieved May 25, 2016.
^ abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyzaaabacadaeafagahaiajakalaman Molinaro, John F. "History of All Japan's Carnival tournament". Slam! Sports. Canadian Online Explorer. Retrieved May 25, 2016.
^ abcde 武藤が２年ぶり２度目のＣＣ制覇. Nikkan Sports (in Japanese). Retrieved May 25, 2016.
^ Hoops, Brian (May 14, 2015). "On this day in pro wrestling history (May 14): Kerry Von Erich vs. Superstar Billy Graham, Giant Baba wins Champion Carnival tourney, lots of WCW". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Retrieved May 25, 2016.
^ Hoops, Brian (May 3, 2016). "Daily Pro Wrestling History (05/03): Von Erich Parade of Champions; Steiners wins WCW World Tag Team Titles; AJ Styles wins IWGP Title". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Retrieved May 25, 2016.
^ Martinez, Ryan (April 17, 2008). "This day in history: Jericho wins the WWF title (for a few minutes), the first Spring Stampede and more". Pro Wrestling Insider. Retrieved May 25, 2016.
^ Hoops, Brian (April 19, 2016). "Daily pro wrestling history (04/19): Randy Savage wins WCW World Title; Ric Flairs wins NWA US Title". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Retrieved May 25, 2016.
^ Meltzer, Dave (June 22, 2009). "June 22, 2009 Observer Newsletter: Misawa tragic death, UFC 99, Trump angle, TripleMania, Sylvia". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Campbell, California. ISSN 1083-9593.
^ Adamson, Matt (June 3, 2007). "Destiny 6.03.07: Keiji Mutoh and the Triple Crown". 411Mania. Retrieved May 25, 2016.
^ 秋山ゴーサイン！武藤と“新旧全日社長対決”だ. Tokyo Sports (in Japanese). May 9, 2016. Retrieved May 25, 2016.
^ ab 【全日ＣＣ】秋山が悲願の初優勝！！. Tokyo Sports (in Japanese). April 30, 2013. Retrieved May 25, 2016.
^ 永田裕志"青春"真っ盛り！鈴木を破って優勝決定戦に進出してきた真田を下し、NJCに続きチャンピオン・カーニバルも制覇！. Battle News (in Japanese). Retrieved May 25, 2016.
^ 【全日本】石川修司がＣ・カーニバル初Ｖ！大成長の裏に飯伏への対抗心. Tokyo Sports (in Japanese). May 1, 2017. Retrieved May 1, 2017.
^ ab "AJPW crowns 2018 Champion Carnival winner". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. April 30, 2018. Retrieved April 30, 2018.
^ Hoops, Brian (April 21, 2015). "On this day in pro wrestling history: Hulk Hogan & Eddie Guerrero win gold at '02 Backlash, Giant Baba takes 1st ever Champion Carnival tourney". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Retrieved February 17, 2017.
^ Molinaro, John F. "Kobashi wins Carnival Championship". Slam! Sports. Canadian Online Explorer. Retrieved May 25, 2016.
^ Woodward, Buck; Martinez, Ryan (April 11, 2011). "This day in history: Rogers 'officially' WWWF Champion, DDP wins the WCW title, NWA tag title tourney and more". Pro Wrestling Insider. Retrieved May 25, 2016.
^ "Wrestling years". Pro Wrestling Illustrated. Retrieved May 25, 2016.
^ Nemer, Paul (April 12, 2009). "All Japan Champions Carnival Finals". Wrestleview. Retrieved May 25, 2016.
^ Martin, Adam (November 10, 2013). "Yuji Nagata makes history winning three tournaments". Wrestleview. Retrieved May 25, 2016.
^ Dave, Meltzer (May 8, 2015). "Thurs. update: Itami injury, Uhaa Nation notes, AAA World Cup info, Web site dinner and live Q&A show, Lawsuts, Flair, New Japan marathon Steiner, New UFC fight". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Retrieved May 25, 2016.
^ 全日ＣＣ初Ｖの大森「プロレスやってきてよかった」. Tokyo Sports (in Japanese). April 28, 2014. Retrieved May 25, 2016.
^ Ｃ・カーニバル初制覇の曙 次は３冠奪回だ. Tokyo Sports (in Japanese). April 27, 2015. Retrieved May 25, 2016.
^ Meltzer, Dave (April 30, 2017). "Daily Update: Payback, House of Horrors, Champion Carnival". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Retrieved May 1, 2017.
External links
Official tournament history at All-Japan.co.jp (in Japanese)