- Champion's Carnival
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The Champion's Carnival is an annual professional wrestling tournament held by All Japan Pro Wrestling, established in 1973. Originally a single-elimination tournament, the Champion's Carnival is currently held as a round-robin, with a victory worth 2 points, a time limit draw worth 1 and a loss, double countout or double disqualification worth 0. All matches have a 30-minute time limit. Since 1991, the winner of the tournament, assuming they do not already hold it, receives a shot at the AJPW Triple Crown Heavyweight Championship.
The tournament was not held beginning in 1983 as AJPW was faltering behind New Japan Pro Wrestling, which emphasized junior heavyweight wrestling and its star Tiger Mask Satoru Sayama as a strong draw alongside Antonio Inoki's own quasi-martial arts heavyweight battles. After Genichiro Tenryu left All Japan in 1990, however, the tournament was brought back as a means of providing stronger challenges to the top star remaining, Jumbo Tsuruta. The tour from March to April, however, maintained the "Champion's Carnival" name even without a tournament.
Results
List of winners
- 1973: Giant Baba
- 1974: Giant Baba
- 1975: Giant Baba
- 1976: Abdullah the Butcher
- 1977: Giant Baba
- 1978: Giant Baba
- 1979: Abdullah the Butcher
- 1980: Jumbo Tsuruta
- 1981: Giant Baba
- 1982: Giant Baba
- 1991: Jumbo Tsuruta
- 1992: Stan Hansen
- 1993: Stan Hansen
- 1994: Toshiaki Kawada
- 1995: Mitsuharu Misawa
- 1996: Akira Taue
- 1997: Toshiaki Kawada
- 1998: Mitsuharu Misawa
- 1999: Vader
- 2000: Kenta Kobashi
- 2001: Genichiro Tenryu
- 2002: Keiji Mutoh
- 2003: Satoshi Kojima
- 2004: Keiji Mutoh
- 2005: Kensuke Sasaki
- 2006: Taiyō Kea
- 2007: Keiji Mutoh
- 2008: Suwama
- 2009: Minoru Suzuki
- 2010: Minoru Suzuki
1973
The inaugural Champion's Carnival in 1973 was a 15-man single-elimination tournament, held from March 17 to April 21. Giant Baba, as a result of his position as PWF Heavyweight Champion, was given a bye to the quarterfinals.
First round Second round Semifinals Finals Curtis Iaukea Pin Thunder Sugiyama 11:40 Curtis Iaukea Pin Moose Morowski 12:27 Moose Morowski Pin Motoshi Okuma 12:17 Curtis Iaukea Pin Giant Baba 11:49 Calypso Hurricane Pin Mammoth Suzuki 13:41 Calypso Hurricane Pin Giant Baba 18:45 Giant Baba Pin1 Mark Lewin 19:20 Mashio Koma Sub Mark Lewin 17:31 Mark Lewin Pin Hiro Matsuda 21:55 Hiro Matsuda Sub Antonio Pugliese 16:07 Mark Lewin Pin The Destroyer 20:44 The Destroyer Sub Mad Russian 20:48 The Destroyer Sub Baron Scicluna 19:22 Samson Kutsuwada Pin Baron Scicluna 14:49 1This was a two out of three falls match, which Baba won 2-1, with all three falls being decided via pinfall.
1974
The 1974 Champion's Carnival, held from April 13 to May 14, was another 15-man single-elimination tournament, with the PWF Heavyweight Champion, Giant Baba, being granted another bye to the quarterfinals.
First round Second round Semifinals Finals Joe Soto Pin Jumbo Tsuruta 10:28 Jumbo Tsuruta BYE Abdullah the Butcher NC The Destroyer 4:10 Jumbo Tsuruta Ref Mr. Wrestling 28:32 Mammoth Suzuki Pin Mr. Wrestling 14:50 Mr. Wrestling Pin Thunder Sugiyama 14:17 Thunder Sugiyama Pin Sailor White 12:04 Mr. Wrestling Pin1 Giant Baba 14:20 Curtis Iaukea Pin Mashio Koma 5:08 Curtis Iaukea Pin Giant Baba 4:48 Giant Baba Pin Mark Lewin 17:28 Mark Lewin Pin Akihisa Takachiho 14:50 Mark Lewin Pin Samson Kutsuwada 16:24 Rufus R. Jones Pin Samson Kutsuwada 14:15 1This was a two out of three falls match, which Baba won 2-1, with all three falls being decided via pinfall.
1975
The 1975 Champion's Carnival, held from April 5 to May 3, strayed slightly from the previous formula; it featured the usual single-elimination tournament, but one in which the four finalists would advance to a round-robin, the two top scorers of which would face off in the finals to decide the champion. Mr. Wrestling & Samson Kutsuwada received byes to the second round. Points awarded for the round-robin portion were 1 for a win, and 0 for a loss or draw.
Single-elimination brackets
First round Second round League1 Finals Giant Baba CO Mark Lewin 13:33 Giant Baba Pin Killer Kowalski 26:39 The Great Kojika Pin Killer Kowalski 13:42 Giant Baba Mr. Wrestling Samson Kutsuwada Pin Mr. Wrestling 8:49 Giant Baba Pin2 Gene Kiniski 18:39 The Destroyer Sub Steve Keirn 11:18 The Destroyer Pin Akihisa Takachiho 15:28 Mike George Pin Akihisa Takachiho 9:52 The Destroyer Gene Kiniski Bob Orton, Jr. Pin Jumbo Tsuruta 13:01 Jumbo Tsuruta Pin Gene Kiniski 21:25 Gene Kiniski Pin Motoshi Okuma 8:45 1For detailed results, see below.
2This was a two out of three falls match, which Baba won 2-1, with all three falls being decided via pinfall.Round-robin results
Final standings Wrestler Score Giant Baba 3 Gene Kiniski 2 The Destroyer 1 Mr. Wrestling 0 Results Giant Baba The Destroyer Gene Kiniski Mr. Wrestling Giant Baba X Baba Baba Baba The Destroyer Baba X Kiniski Destroyer Gene Kiniski Baba Kiniski X Kiniski Mr. Wrestling Baba Destroyer Kiniski X 1976
The 1976 Champion's Carnival, held from April 2 to May 8, was a 14-man round-robin tournament, in which the two top scorers would advance to the final match to decide the champion. It introduced the modern round-robin points system, featuring two points for a victory, one for draws, and zero for a loss.
Final standings Wrestler Score Abdullah the Butcher 18 Giant Baba 18 Mario Milano 17 Jumbo Tsuruta 17 Kintaro Oki 17 The Destroyer 16 Curtis Iaukea 16 The Beast 9 Samson Kutsuwada 9 The Great Kojika 7 Buddy Wolf 6 Motoshi Okuma 6 Larry Lane 4 Larry Sharpe 0 Final Abdullah the Butcher d. Giant Baba (9:53) 1977
The 1977 Champion's Carnival, held from April 8 to May 16, was identical in format to the previous year, but with 15 entrants instead of 14. As a result of a tie for second place, there was also a semifinal playoff between Giant Baba and Abdullah the Butcher.
Final standings Wrestler Score Jumbo Tsuruta 21 Giant Baba 20 Abdullah the Butcher 20 Kintaro Ohki 18 The Destroyer 17 Super Destroyer 16 Bull Ramos 16 Akihisi Takachiho 12 Samson Kutsuwada 11 The Great Kojika 10 Motosi Okuma 9 J.J. Dillon 6 Bill White 4 Jose Gonzales 2 Red Wolf 0 Semifinal Final 1 Jumbo Tsuruta Pin 3 Abdullah the Butcher DQ 2 Giant Baba 10:39 2 Giant Baba 9:15 1978
The 1978 Champion's Carnival was another round-robin tournament featuring 15 entrants, held from March 4 to April 7.
Final standings Wrestler Score Abdullah the Butcher 25 Giant Baba 24 Jumbo Tsuruta 22 Kintaro Ohki 20 Kim Duk 17 The Destroyer 16 Don Leo Jonathan 16 Curtis Iaukea 16 Black Terror 12 Ted DiBiase 10 Motoshi Okuma 4 The Great Kojika 4 Rocky Hata 4 Luke Graham 2 Frank Morell 0 Final Giant Baba d. Abdullah the Butcher (11:59) 1979
The 1979 Champion's Carnival was a 16-man league, held from March 3 to April 6.
Final standings Wrestler Score Abdullah the Butcher 24 Jumbo Tsuruta 24 Giant Baba 23 The Destroyer 22 Dick Slater 21 Kintaro Ohki 18 Dos Caras 18 Tor Kamata 16 Mario Milano 10 Takashi Ishikawa 8 Rocky Hata 6 The Great Kojika 6 Motoshi Okuma 6 Billy Francis 4 Don Milano 2 Big Red 0 Final Abdullah the Butcher d. Jumbo Tsuruta (2:11) 1980
The 1980 Champion's Carnival was a 13-man tournament, held from March 28 to May 1.
Final standings Wrestler Score Dick Slater 19 Jumbo Tsuruta 19 Abdullah the Butcher 18 Terry Funk 18 Giant Baba 17 Tiger Toguchi 15 Ted DiBiase 12 Rey Candy 8 The Mysterious Assassin 6 Rocky Hata 4 The Great Kojika 4 Motoshi Okuma 2 Carl Fergie 0 Final Jumbo Tsuruta d. Dick Slater (23:45) 1981
The 1981 Champion's Carnival was a 14-man tournament held from March 27 to April 23. There was an additional semifinal playoff between Giant Baba and Jumbo Tsuruta as the result of a second place tie.
Final standings Wrestler Score Bruiser Brody 20 Giant Baba 19 Jumbo Tsuruta 19 Abdullah the Butcher 18 Jack Brisco 18 Tiger Toguchi 17 Tim Brooks 12 The Avenger 10 Takashi Ishikawa 8 Prince Tonga 6 Rocky Hata 6 The Great Kojika 6 Motoshi Okuma 4 Wayne Ferris 3 Semifinal Final 1 Bruiser Brody Pin 2 Giant Baba 2 Giant Baba 3 Jumbo Tsuruta 1982
The 1982 Champion's Carnival was an 18-man tournament, which, unlike previous years, featured no final; the man with the most points at the end of the league would be the winner. It was held from March 19 to April 16.
Final standings Wrestler Score Giant Baba 29 Bruiser Brody 28 Jumbo Tsuruta 28 Genichiro Tenryu 26 Billy Robinson 25 Mongolian Stomper 20 Alexis Smirnoff 18 Buck Robley 16 Mighty Inoue 11 Rocky Hata 10 Prince Tonga 10 Motoshi Okuma 10 Akio Sato 10 Takashi Ishikawa 9 The Great Kojika 8 Bill Howard 2 Ashura Hara 0 1991
The 1991 Champion's Carnival introduced the modern "dual-block" system, with seven wrestlers in two separate leagues, and the winners of each facing off in the final. It was held from March 23 to April 16. With his victory, Jumbo Tsuruta became the first man to not lose a single match in a round-robin style Champion's Carnival.
Final standings Block A Block B Stan Hansen 12 Jumbo Tsuruta 12 Mitsuharu Misawa 10 Dan Spivey 10 Dynamite Kid 8 Toshiaki Kawada 8 Kenta Kobashi 6 Akira Taue 6 Doug Furnas 4 Dan Kroffat 4 Texas Terminator 2 Johnny Smith 2 Johnny Ace 0 Cactus Jack 0 Final Jumbo Tsuruta (B) d. Stan Hansen (A) (12:53) 1992
The 1992 Champion's Carnival was another two-block round-robin tournament, this time with 10 wrestlers in each block. It was held from March 20 to April 17. Stan Hansen repeated Jumbo Tsuruta's feat the previous year, winning every match he participated in.
Final standings Block A Block B Mitsuharu Misawa 17 Stan Hansen 18 Jumbo Tsuruta 16 Steve Williams 15 Terry Gordy 15 Toshiaki Kawada 12 Johnny Ace 14 Dan Spivey 12 Masanobu Fuchi 10 Kenta Kobashi 11 Doug Furnas 8 Akira Taue 8 Giant KimalaⅡ 6 Dan Kroffat 8 Tsuyoshi Kikuchi 4 Yoshinari Ogawa 4 Master Blaster 2 David Isley 2 Joel Deaton 0 Billy Black 0 Final Stan Hansen (B) d. Mitsuharu Misawa (A) (20:06) 1993
The 1993 Champion's Carnival returned to the single-block round-robin format, this time with 13 men. It was held from March 25 to April 21.
Final standings Wrestler Score Stan Hansen 20 Mitsuharu Misawa 20 Terry Gordy 19 Steve Williams 19 Toshiaki Kawada 18 Akira Taue 17 Kenta Kobashi 12 Davey Boy Smith 8 Johnny Ace 8 The Patriot 7 Dan Kroffat 4 Doug Furnas 4 Jun Akiyama 0 Final Stan Hansen d. Mitsuharu Misawa (20:26) 1994
The 1994 Champion's Carnival was another single-block round-robin tournament, featuring 12 men. It was held from March 19 to April 16.
Final standings Wrestler Score Toshiaki Kawada 19 Steve Williams 19 Stan Hansen 18 Kenta Kobashi 17 Akira Taue 17 Johnny Ace 11 Jun Akiyama 9 John Nord 6 The Eagle 4 Johnny Smith 4 Mitsuharu Misawa 4 Doug Furnas 4 Final Toshiaki Kawada d. Steve Williams (25:48) Results Johnny
AceJun
AkiyamaThe
EagleDoug
FurnasStan
HansenToshiaki
KawadaKenta
KobashiMitsuharu
MisawaJohn
NordJohnny
SmithAkira
TaueSteve
WilliamsJohnny
AceX Draw
(30:00)Ace
(15:11)Ace
(14:41)Hansen
(11:53)Kawada
(15:47)Kobashi
(21:22)Ace
(Forf)Ace
(15:01)Ace
(14:00)Taue
(12:06)Williams
(14:33)Jun
AkiyamaDraw
(30:00)X Akiyama
(12:27)Akiyama
(12:26)Hansen
(11:49)Kawada
(11:25)Kobashi
(14:40)Misawa
(13:57)Akiyama
(8:00)Akiyama
(15:11)Taue
(11:50)Williams
(12:26)The
EagleAce
(15:11)Akiyama
(12:27)X Eagle
(11:12)Hansen
(6:21)Kawada
(12:30)Kobashi
(12:17)Eagle
(Forf)Nord
(11:17)Smith
(17:01)Taue
(10:35)Williams
(4:13)Doug
FurnasAce
(14:41)Akiyama
(12:26)Eagle
(11:12)X Hansen
(16:24)Kawada
(10:25)Kobashi
(15:25)Misawa
(12:15)Furnas
(12:05)Furnas
(14:28)Taue
(12:29)Williams
(14:38)Stan
HansenHansen
(11:53)Hansen
(11:49)Hansen
(6:21)Hansen
(16:24)X Hansen
(19:39)Kobashi
(26:55)Hansen
(Forf)Hansen
(9:03)Hansen
(8:12)Taue
(17:31)Hansen
(16:35)Toshiaki
KawadaKawada
(15:47)Kawada
(11:25)Kawada
(12:30)Kawada
(10:25)Hansen
(19:39)X Kawada
(23:06)Kawada
(Forf)Kawada
(10:02)Kawada
(9:31)Kawada
(20:20)Draw
(30:00)Kenta
KobashiKobashi
(21:22)Kobashi
(14:40)Kobashi
(12:17)Kobashi
(15:25)Kobashi
(26:55)Kawada
(23:06)X Kobashi
(Forf)Kobashi
(11:41)Kobashi
(16:45)Draw
(30:00)Williams
(22:10)Mitsuharu
MisawaAce
(Forf)Misawa
(13:57)Eagle
(Forf)Misawa
(12:15)Hansen
(Forf)Kawada
(Forf)Kobashi
(Forf)X Nord
(Forf)Smith
(Forf)Taue
(Forf)Williams
(Forf)John
NordAce
(15:01)Akiyama
(8:00)Nord
(11:17)Furnas
(12:05)Hansen
(9:03)Kawada
(10:02)Kobashi
(11:41)Nord
(Forf)X Nord
(7:29)Taue
(10:34)Williams
(10:16)Johnny
SmithAce
(14:00)Akiyama
(15:11)Smith
(17:01)Furnas
(14:28)Hansen
(8:12)Kawada
(9:31)Kobashi
(16:45)Smith
(Forf)Nord
(7:29)X Taue
(11:53)Williams
(12:32)Akira
TaueTaue
(12:06)Taue
(11:50)Taue
(10:35)Taue
(12:29)Taue
(17:31)Kawada
(20:20)Draw
(30:00)Taue
(Forf)Taue
(10:34)Taue
(11:53)X Williams
(15:17)Steve
WilliamsWilliams
(14:33)Williams
(12:26)Williams
(4:13)Williams
(14:38)Hansen
(16:35)Draw
(30:00)Williams
(22:10)Williams
(Forf)Williams
(10:16)Williams
(12:32)Williams
(15:17)X 1995
The 1995 Champion's Carnival contained 11 men, and was held from March 21 to April 15.
Final standings Wrestler Score Mitsuharu Misawa 17 Akira Taue 17 Toshiaki Kawada 16 Stan Hansen 16 Kenta Kobashi 13 Johnny Ace 11 Jun Akiyama 6 Doug Furnas 6 Dan Spivey 4 Dan Kroffat 4 Takao Ōmori 0 Final Mitsuharu Misawa d. Akira Taue (27:03) Results Johnny
AceJun
AkiyamaDoug
FurnasStan
HansenToshiaki
KawadaKenta
KobashiDan
KroffatMitsuharu
MisawaTakao
ŌmoriDan
SpiveyAkira
TaueJohnny
AceX Ace
(11:48)Ace
(13:49)Hansen
(15:17)Kawada
(19:22)Draw
(30:00)Ace
(10:49)Misawa
(19:03)Ace
(12:35)Ace
(9:33)Taue
(14:56)Jun
AkiyamaAce
(11:48)X Akiyama
(12:26)Hansen
(10:46)Kawada
(15:20)Kobashi
(18:14)Kroffat
(14:32)Misawa
(12:28)Akiyama
(13:41)Akiyama
(8:12)Taue
(10:26)Doug
FurnasAce
(13:49)Akiyama
(12:26)X Hansen
(5:23)Kawada
(11:37)Kobashi
(14:48)Furnas
(12:14)Misawa
(11:25)Furnas
(9:18)Furnas
(9:38)Taue
(10:19)Stan
HansenHansen
(15:17)Hansen
(10:46)Hansen
(5:23)X Kawada
(21:04)Draw
(30:00)Hansen
(8:50)Draw
(30:00)Hansen
(4:22)Hansen
(6:58)Hansen
(16:04)Toshiaki
KawadaKawada
(19:22)Kawada
(15:20)Kawada
(11:37)Kawada
(21:04)X Draw
(30:00)Kawada
(10:16)Draw
(30:00)Kawada
(11:49)Kawada
(14:55)Taue
(23:51)Kenta
KobashiDraw
(30:00)Kobashi
(18:14)Kobashi
(14:48)Draw
(30:00)Draw
(30:00)X Kobashi
(15:14)Misawa
(22:31)Kobashi
(14:46)Kobashi
(5:57)Taue
(25:22)Dan
KroffatAce
(10:49)Kroffat
(14:32)Furnas
(12:14)Hansen
(8:50)Kawada
(10:16)Kobashi
(15:14)X Misawa
(12:01)Kroffat
(12:27)Spivey
(4:17)Taue
(10:24)Mitsuharu
MisawaMisawa
(19:03)Misawa
(12:28)Misawa
(11:25)Draw
(30:00)Draw
(30:00)Misawa
(22:31)Misawa
(12:01)X Misawa
(11:26)Misawa
(8:42)Draw
(30:00)Takao
ŌmoriAce
(12:35)Akiyama
(13:41)Furnas
(9:18)Hansen
(4:22)Kawada
(11:49)Kobashi
(14:46)Kroffat
(12:27)Misawa
(11:26)X Spivey
(11:41)Taue
(8:40)Dan
SpiveyAce
(9:33)Akiyama
(8:12)Furnas
(9:38)Hansen
(6:58)Kawada
(14:55)Kobashi
(5:57)Spivey
(4:17)Misawa
(8:42)Spivey
(11:41)X Taue
(9:00)Akira
TaueTaue
(14:56)Taue
(10:26)Taue
(10:19)Hansen
(16:04)Taue
(23:51)Taue
(25:22)Taue
(10:24)Draw
(30:00)Taue
(8:40)Taue
(9:00)X 1996
The 1996 Champion's Carnival contained 12 men, and was held from March 22 to April 20. It contained the longest decisive match in the tournament's history, with Toshiaki Kawada defeating Kenta Kobashi in 29:38, just 22 seconds shy of the time limit.
Final standings Wrestler Score Akira Taue 17 Steve Williams 17 Stan Hansen 16 Kenta Kobashi 16 Mitsuharu Misawa 16 Toshiaki Kawada 15 Gary Albright 12 Johnny Ace 10 The Patriot 6 Jun Akiyama 5 Takao Ōmori 2 Tamon Honda 1 Final Akira Taue d. Steve Williams (21:41) Results Johnny
AceJun
AkiyamaGary
AlbrightStan
HansenTamon
HondaToshiaki
KawadaKenta
KobashiMitsuharu
MisawaTakao
ŌmoriThe
PatriotAkira
TaueSteve
WilliamsJohnny
AceX Ace
(16:18)Ace
(30:00)Hansen
(10:04)Ace
(12:31)Kawada
(21:54)Draw
(30:00)Draw
(30:00)Ace
(13:43)Patriot
(14:24)Taue
(19:42)Williams
(18:14)Jun
AkiyamaAce
(16:18)X Albright
(8:19)Hansen
(7:02)Draw
(30:00)Kawada
(1:45)Kobashi
(18:34)Misawa
(17:56)Akiyama
(3:15)Akiyama
(14:05)Taue
(13:26)Williams
(8:15)Gary
AlbrightDraw
(30:00)Albright
(8:19)X Hansen
(11:26)Albright
(8:26)Albright
(17:38)Kobashi
(14:09)Misawa
(18:14)Albright
(6:56)Albright
(10:49)Taue
(15:15)Draw
(30:00)Stan
HansenHansen
(10:04)Hansen
(7:02)Hansen
(11:26)X Hansen
(4:59)Draw
(30:00)Kobashi
(22:15)Hansen
(17:31)Hansen
(5:15)Hansen
(12:44)Taue
(15:08)Draw
(30:00)Tamon
HondaAce
(12:31)Draw
(30:00)Albright
(8:26)Hansen
(4:59)X Kawada
(9:30)Kobashi
(16:31)Misawa
(10:10)Ōmori
(14:16)Patriot
(10:04)Taue
(10:40)Williams
(4:57)Toshiaki
KawadaKawada
(21:54)Kawada
(1:45)Albright
(17:38)Draw
(30:00)Kawada
(9:30)X Kawada
(29:38)Draw
(30:00)Kawada
(7:19)Kawada
(7:51)Draw
(30:00)Williams
(17:30)Kenta
KobashiDraw
(30:00)Kobashi
(18:34)Kobashi
(14:09)Kobashi
(22:15)Kobashi
(16:31)Kawada
(29:38)X Misawa
(24:07)Kobashi
(14:29)Kobashi
(18:07)Draw
(30:00)Kobashi
(27:53)Mitsuharu
MisawaDraw
(30:00)Misawa
(17:56)Misawa
(18:14)Hansen
(17:31)Misawa
(10:10)Draw
(30:00)Misawa
(24:07)X Misawa
(10:23)Misawa
(14:42)Misawa
(18:18)Williams
(19:59)Takao
ŌmoriAce
(13:43)Akiyama
(3:15)Albright
(6:56)Hansen
(5:15)Ōmori
(14:16)Kawada
(7:19)Kobashi
(14:29)Misawa
(10:23)X Patriot
(11:34)Taue
(8:55)Williams
(6:34)The
PatriotPatriot
(14:24)Akiyama
(14:05)Albright
(10:49)Hansen
(12:44)Patriot
(10:04)Kawada
(7:51)Kobashi
(18:07)Misawa
(14:42)Patriot
(11:34)X Taue
(15:38)Williams
(16:07)Akira
TaueTaue
(19:42)Taue
(13:26)Taue
(15:15)Taue
(15:08)Taue
(10:40)Draw
(30:00)Draw
(30:00)Misawa
(18:18)Taue
(8:55)Taue
(15:38)X Draw
(30:00)Steve
WilliamsWilliams
(18:14)Williams
(8:15)Draw
(30:00)Draw
(30:00)Williams
(4:57)Williams
(17:30)Kobashi
(27:53)Williams
(19:59)Williams
(6:34)Williams
(16:07)Draw
(30:00)X 1997
The 1997 Champion's Carnival contained 13 men, and was held from March 22 to April 19. Due to a three-way tie for first place between Toshiaki Kawada, Kenta Kobashi and Mitsuharu Misawa, a one-night round-robin playoff was contested among them, with the winner claiming the tournament.
Final standings Wrestler Score Toshiaki Kawada 19 Kenta Kobashi 19 Mitsuharu Misawa 19 Stan Hansen 18 Akira Taue 18 Steve Williams 18 Gary Albright 12 Johnny Ace 10 Jun Akiyama 9 Giant Kimala 6 Tamon Honda 4 Takao Ōmori 4 Jun Izumida 0 Final Kenta Kobashi dr. Mitsuharu Misawa (30:00)
Toshiaki Kawada d. Mitsuharu Misawa (6:09)
Toshiaki Kawada d. Kenta Kobashi (21:27)Results Johnny
AceJun
AkiyamaGary
AlbrightStan
HansenTamon
HondaJun
IzumidaToshiaki
KawadaGiant
KimalaKenta
KobashiMitsuharu
MisawaTakao
ŌmoriAkira
TaueSteve
WilliamsJohnny
AceX Akiyama
(2:29)Ace
(11:17)Hansen
(14:08)Ace
(14:52)Ace
(Forf)Kawada
(22:37)Ace
(14:19)Kobashi
(16:39)Misawa
(26:27)Ace
(18:23)Taue
(16:38)Williams
(20:44)Jun
AkiyamaAkiyama
(2:29)X Albright
(6:50)Draw
(30:00)Akiyama
(14:46)Akiyama
(Forf)Kawada
(17:16)Kimala
(12:39)Kobashi
(20:13)Misawa
(20:33)Akiyama
(11:25)Taue
(11:25)Williams
(14:12)Gary
AlbrightAce
(11:17)Albright
(6:50)X Hansen
(9:47)Albright
(8:08)Albright
(Forf)Kawada
(7:27)Albright
(6:51)Kobashi
(12:39)Misawa
(13:06)Albright
(4:58)Taue
(8:18)Albright
(11:21)Stan
HansenHansen
(14:08)Draw
(30:00)Hansen
(9:47)X Hansen
(8:05)Hansen
(Forf)Hansen
(10:45)Hansen
(7:17)Kobashi
(19:51)Misawa
(17:59)Hansen
(10:18)Hansen
(15:06)Draw
(30:00)Tamon
HondaAce
(14:52)Akiyama
(14:46)Albright
(8:08)Hansen
(8:05)X Honda
(Forf)Kawada
(7:32)Kimala
(10:09)Kobashi
(13:00)Misawa
(10:15)Honda
(13:38)Taue
(9:45)Williams
(8:45)Jun
IzumidaAce
(Forf)Akiyama
(Forf)Albright
(Forf)Hansen
(Forf)Honda
(Forf)X Kawada
(Forf)Kimala
(Forf)Kobashi
(Forf)Misawa
(Forf)Ōmori
(Forf)Taue
(Forf)Williams
(Forf)Toshiaki
KawadaKawada
(22:37)Kawada
(17:16)Kawada
(7:27)Hansen
(10:45)Kawada
(7:32)Kawada
(Forf)X Kawada
(7:07)Draw
(30:00)Draw
(30:00)Kawada
(9:38)Kawada
(14:17)Draw
(30:00)Giant
KimalaAce
(14:19)Kimala
(12:39)Albright
(6:51)Hansen
(7:17)Kimala
(10:09)Kimala
(Forf)Kawada
(7:07)X Kobashi
(13:23)Misawa
(9:48)Ōmori
(12:38)Taue
(6:50)Williams
(9:43)Kenta
KobashiKobashi
(16:39)Kobashi
(20:13)Kobashi
(12:39)Kobashi
(19:51)Kobashi
(13:00)Kobashi
(Forf)Draw
(30:00)Kobashi
(13:23)X Kobashi
(24:09)Kobashi
(13:53)Taue
(21:22)Williams
(23:50)Mitsuharu
MisawaMisawa
(26:27)Misawa
(20:33)Misawa
(13:06)Misawa
(17:59)Misawa
(10:15)Misawa
(Forf)Draw
(30:00)Misawa
(9:48)Kobashi
(24:09)X Misawa
(12:53)Misawa
(12:14)Williams
(18:21)Takao
ŌmoriAce
(18:23)Akiyama
(11:25)Albright
(4:58)Hansen
(10:18)Honda
(13:38)Ōmori
(Forf)Kawada
(9:38)Ōmori
(12:38)Kobashi
(13:53)Misawa
(12:53)X Taue
(8:31)Williams
(16:27)Akira
TaueTaue
(16:38)Taue
(11:25)Taue
(8:18)Hansen
(15:06)Taue
(9:45)Taue
(Forf)Kawada
(14:17)Taue
(6:50)Taue
(21:22)Misawa
(12:14)Taue
(8:31)X Taue
(18:30)Steve
WilliamsWilliams
(20:44)Williams
(14:12)Albright
(11:21)Draw
(30:00)Williams
(8:45)Williams
(Forf)Draw
(30:00)Williams
(9:43)Williams
(23:50)Williams
(18:21)Williams
(16:27)Taue
(18:30)X 1998
The 1998 Champion's Carnival also contained 13 men, and was held from March 21 to April 18.
Final standings Wrestler Score Mitsuharu Misawa 19 Jun Akiyama 19 Kenta Kobashi 18 Toshiaki Kawada 18 Stan Hansen 17 Steve Williams 17 Johnny Ace 14 Gary Albright 12 Akira Taue 8 Takao Ōmori 6 Giant Kimala 4 Wolf Hawkfield 4 Jun Izumida 0 Final Mitsuharu Misawa d. Jun Akiyama (22:05) Results Ace Akiyama Albright Hansen Haw. Izumida Kawada Kimala Kobashi Misawa Ōmori Taue Williams Ace X Akiyama
(11:13)Ace
(9:48)Hansen
(10:18)Ace
(12:57)Ace
(10:56)Draw
(30:00)Ace
(10:54)Draw
(30:00)Misawa
(16:48)Ace
(10:41)Ace
(8:09)Williams
(10:14)Akiyama Akiyama
(11:13)X Akiyama
(6:02)Akiyama
(15:01)Akiyama
(12:42)Akiyama
(17:10)Kawada
(18:01)Akiyama
(10:43)Draw
(30:00)Draw
(30:00)Akiyama
(17:41)Akiyama
(Forf)Draw
(30:00)Albright Ace
(9:48)Akiyama
(6:02)X Hansen
(10:54)Albright
(10:38)Albright
(12:17)Kawada
(9:17)Albright
(8:48)Albright
(13:58)Misawa
(12:35)Albright
(8:42)Albright
(Forf)Williams
(10:04)Hansen Hansen
(10:18)Akiyama
(15:01)Hansen
(10:54)X Hansen
(8:00)Hansen
(7:22)Kawada
(17:50)Hansen
(4:10)Kobashi
(19:32)Draw
(30:00)Hansen
(10:52)Hansen
(6:13)Hansen
(18:58)Haw. Ace
(12:57)Akiyama
(12:42)Albright
(10:38)Hansen
(8:00)X Hawkfield
(12:00)Kawada
(12:05)Kimala
(11:34)Kobashi
(9:09)Misawa
(10:50)Hawkfield
(12:04)Taue
(6:23)Williams
(15:19)Izumida Ace
(10:56)Akiyama
(17:10)Albright
(12:17)Hansen
(7:22)Hawkfield
(12:00)X Kawada
(3:59)Kimala
(11:23)Kobashi
(12:29)Misawa
(11:34)Ōmori
(12:03)Taue
(5:46)Williams
(9:41)Kawada Draw
(30:00)Kawada
(18:01)Kawada
(9:17)Kawada
(17:50)Kawada
(12:05)Kawada
(3:59)X Kawada
(4:05)Kobashi
(11:34)Draw
(30:00)Kawada
(11:52)Kawada
(9:17)Williams
(16:29)Kimala Ace
(10:54)Akiyama
(10:43)Albright
(8:48)Hansen
(4:10)Kimala
(11:34)Kimala
(11:23)Kawada
(4:05)X Kobashi
(12:35)Misawa
(7:22)Ōmori
(12:44)Taue
(9:41)Williams
(11:50)Kobashi Draw
(30:00)Draw
(30:00)Albright
(13:58)Kobashi
(19:32)Kobashi
(9:09)Kobashi
(12:29)Kobashi
(11:34)Kobashi
(12:35)X Misawa
(25:00)Kobashi
(12:42)Kobashi
(Forf)Kobashi
(20:06)Misawa Misawa
(16:48)Draw
(30:00)Misawa
(12:35)Draw
(30:00)Misawa
(10:50)Misawa
(11:34)Draw
(30:00)Misawa
(7:22)Misawa
(25:00)X Misawa
(13:56)Taue
(15:39)Misawa
(18:22)Ōmori Ace
(10:41)Akiyama
(17:41)Albright
(8:42)Hansen
(10:52)Hawkfield
(12:04)Ōmori
(12:03)Kawada
(11:52)Ōmori
(12:44)Kobashi
(12:42)Misawa
(13:56)X Ōmori
(Forf)Williams
(16:26)Taue Ace
(8:09)Akiyama
(Forf)Albright
(Forf)Hansen
(6:13)Taue
(6:23)Taue
(5:46)Kawada
(9:17)Taue
(9:41)Kobashi
(Forf)Taue
(15:39)Ōmori
(Forf)X Williams
(12:44)Williams Williams
(10:14)Draw
(30:00)Williams
(10:04)Hansen
(18:58)Williams
(15:19)Williams
(9:41)Williams
(16:29)Williams
(11:50)Kobashi
(20:06)Misawa
(18:22)Williams
(16:26)Williams
(12:44)X 1999
The 1999 Champion's Carnival was a 10-man tournament, held from March 26 to April 16. The eventual winner, Vader, became the first man since the tournament's creation to win in his first attempt.
Final standings Wrestler Score Kenta Kobashi 16 Vader 15 Mitsuharu Misawa 14 Jun Akiyama 11 Akira Taue 11 Johnny Ace 9 Gary Albright 8 Yoshihiro Takayama 3 Jinsei Shinzaki 2 Takao Ōmori 1 Final Vader d. Kenta Kobashi (19:11) Results Johnny
AceJun
AkiyamaGary
AlbrightKenta
KobashiMitsuharu
MisawaTakao
ŌmoriJinsei
ShinzakiYoshihiro
TakayamaAkira
TaueVader Johnny
AceX Ace
(10:23)Albright
(7:33)Draw
(30:00)Misawa
(12:24)Ace
(13:58)Ace
(12:47)Ace
(8:31)Taue
(11:58)Vader
(9:19)Jun
AkiyamaAce
(10:23)X Akiyama
(8:11)Kobashi
(24:37)Draw
(30:00)Akiyama
(22:03)Akiyama
(18:19)Akiyama
(9:12)Akiyama
(12:48)Vader
(9:22)Gary
AlbrightAlbright
(7:33)Akiyama
(8:11)X Kobashi
(12:25)Misawa
(10:37)Albright
(9:27)Albright
(12:36)Albright
(7:19)Taue
(9:44)Vader
(7:23)Kenta
KobashiDraw
(30:00)Kobashi
(24:37)Kobashi
(12:25)X Kobashi
(24:15)Kobashi
(17:14)Kobashi
(16:20)Kobashi
(11:52)Kobashi
(17:06)Draw
(30:00)Mitsuharu
MisawaMisawa
(12:24)Draw
(30:00)Misawa
(10:37)Kobashi
(24:15)X Misawa
(12:16)Misawa
(16:54)Misawa
(12:47)Draw
(30:00)Misawa
(10:52)Takao
ŌmoriAce
(13:58)Akiyama
(22:03)Albright
(9:27)Kobashi
(17:14)Misawa
(12:16)X Shinzaki
(19:35)Draw
(30:00)Taue
(15:36)Vader
(2:10)Jinsei
ShinzakiAce
(12:47)Akiyama
(18:19)Albright
(12:36)Kobashi
(16:20)Misawa
(16:54)Shinzaki
(19:35)X Takayama
(15:12)Taue
(10:53)Vader
(12:40)Yoshihiro
TakayamaAce
(8:31)Akiyama
(9:12)Albright
(7:19)Kobashi
(11:52)Misawa
(12:47)Draw
(30:00)Takayama
(15:12)X Taue
(11:00)Vader
(5:23)Akira
TaueTaue
(11:58)Akiyama
(12:48)Taue
(9:44)Kobashi
(17:06)Draw
(30:00)Taue
(15:36)Taue
(10:53)Taue
(11:00)X Vader
(7:41)Vader Vader
(9:19)Vader
(9:22)Vader
(7:23)Draw
(30:00)Misawa
(10:52)Vader
(2:10)Vader
(12:40)Vader
(5:23)Vader
(7:41)X 2000
The 2000 Champion's Carnival was a 16-man single-elimination tournament, the first to strictly use such a format since 1974, and was held from March 24 to April 15. It was the last Carnival before nearly all of AJPW's roster, including Kenta Kobashi, Jun Akiyama, Mitsuharu Misawa and Akira Taue, left to form Pro Wrestling Noah. It also featured the shortest match in the tournament's history, with Takao Ōmori defeating Akiyama in seven seconds in the first round.
First Round Quarterfinals Semifinals Finals Tamon Honda Pin Johnny Smith 15:12 Johnny Smith Sub Kenta Kobashi 17:43 Johnny Ace Pin Kenta Kobashi 20:56 Kenta Kobashi Pin Mitsuharu Misawa 26:08 Yoshihiro Takayama Pin Vader 6:04 Vader Sub Mitsuharu Misawa 11:31 Toshiaki Kawada Pin Mitsuharu Misawa 15:35 Kenta Kobashi Pin Takao Ōmori 25:12 Mike Barton Pin Masao Inoue 14:17 Mike Barton Pin Takao Ōmori 15:55 Jun Akiyama Pin Takao Ōmori 0:07 Takao Ōmori Pin Steve Williams 10:33 Akira Taue Pin Steve Williams 17:15 Steve Williams Forf Jun Izumida Wolf Hawkfield Pin Jun Izumida 13:02 2001
The 2001 Champion's Carnival returned to the round-robin format, with 10 men competing; it was held from March 23 to April 11. The winner, Genichiro Tenryu, made his first appearance in the tournament since 1982. This was also the last Carnival to use a single-block round-robin system, as all subsequent tournaments have used the dual-block formula.
Final standings Wrestler Score Genichiro Tenryu 15 Taiyō Kea 15 Toshiaki Kawada 14 Mike Barton 13 Steve Williams 13 Yoshiaki Fujiwara 7 Johnny Smith 7 George Hines 2 Mitsuya Nagai 2 Jim Steele 2 Final Genichiro Tenryu d. Taiyō Kea (17:08) Results Mike
BartonYoshiaki
FujiwaraGeorge
HinesToshiaki
KawadaTaiyō
KeaMitsuya
NagaiJohnny
SmithJim
SteeleGenichiro
TenryuSteve
WilliamsMike
BartonX Barton
(14:02)Barton
(17:13)Barton
(16:12)Kea
(13:17)Barton
(12:48)Barton
(19:01)Barton
(15:07)Tenryu
(11:17)Draw
(30:00)Yoshiaki
FujiwaraBarton
(14:02)X Fujiwara
(10:34)Kawada
(12:11)Kea
(7:57)Fujiwara
(10:31)Draw
(30:00)Fujiwara
(9:06)Tenryu
(5:23)Williams
(7:15)George
HinesBarton
(17:13)Fujiwara
(10:34)X Kawada
(2:24)Kea
(14:41)Hines
(11:56)Smith
(17:25)Steele
(14:36)Tenryu
(4:38)Williams
(14:08)Toshiaki
KawadaBarton
(16:12)Kawada
(12:11)Kawada
(2:24)X Kawada
(20:59)Kawada
(11:50)Kawada
(22:39)Kawada
(9:46)Kawada
(8:17)Williams
(16:59)Taiyō
KeaKea
(13:17)Kea
(7:57)Kea
(14:41)Kawada
(20:59)X Kea
(16:15)Kea
(20:18)Kea
(14:46)Draw
(30:00)Kea
(18:35)Mitsuya
NagaiBarton
(12:48)Fujiwara
(10:31)Hines
(11:56)Kawada
(11:50)Kea
(16:15)X Smith
(14:00)Nagai
(9:12)Tenryu
(3:08)Williams
(4:13)Johnny
SmithBarton
(19:01)Draw
(30:00)Smith
(17:25)Kawada
(22:39)Kea
(20:18)Smith
(14:00)X Smith
(16:05)Tenryu
(5:51)Williams
(12:24)Jim
SteeleBarton
(15:07)Fujiwara
(9:06)Steele
(14:36)Kawada
(9:46)Kea
(14:46)Nagai
(9:12)Smith
(16:05)X Tenryu
(4:45)Williams
(12:44)Genichiro
TenryuTenryu
(11:17)Tenryu
(5:23)Tenryu
(4:38)Kawada
(8:17)Draw
(30:00)Tenryu
(3:08)Tenryu
(5:51)Tenryu
(4:45)X Tenryu
(10:28)Steve
WilliamsDraw
(30:00)Williams
(7:15)Williams
(14:08)Williams
(16:59)Kea
(18:35)Williams
(4:13)Williams
(12:24)Williams
(12:44)Tenryu
(10:28)X 2002
The 2002 Champion's Carnival, 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. Ironically, both block winners, Satoshi Kojima and Genichiro Tenryu, were eliminated in the semifinals.
The winner, Keiji Mutoh, became the first man in history to win both the Champion's Carnival and the G1 Climax, as well as the second man (after Vader) to win the Carnival in his first appearance.
Final standings 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 X Anjo (9:45) Barton (13:49) Kojima (18:25) Anjo (Forf) Draw (30:00) Steele (14:07) Arashi Anjo (9:45) X Barton (9:55) Kawada (3:20) Kojima (13:05) Nagai (10:56) Arashi (11:10) Barton Barton (13:49) Barton (9:55) X Barton (Forf) Draw (30:00) Draw (30:00) Barton (16:51) Kawada Anjo (Forf) Kawada (3:20) Barton (Forf) X Kojima (Forf) Nagai (Forf) Steele (Forf) Kojima Kojima (18:25) Kojima (13:05) Draw (30:00) Kojima (Forf) X Kojima (18:06) Kojima (17:00) Nagai Draw (30:00) Nagai (10:56) Draw (30:00) Nagai (Forf) Kojima (18:06) X Steele (11:56) Steele Steele (14:07) Arashi (11:10) Barton (16:51) Steele (Forf) Kojima (17:00) Steele (11:56) X Block B Araya Hines Kea Muto Rotundo Tenryu Williams Araya X Hines (16:15) Kea (15:27) Mutoh (5:13) Araya (9:19) Tenryu (7:05) Williams (5:11) Hines Hines (16:15) X Kea (14:18) Mutoh (8:26) Rotundo (11:23) Tenryu (6:54) Draw (30:00) Kea Kea (15:27) Kea (14:18) X Mutoh (24:04) Draw (30:00) Tenryu (15:17) Kea (13:54) Mutoh Mutoh (5:13) Mutoh (8:26) Mutoh (24:04) X Mutoh (13:09) Tenryu (14:15) Williams (15:16) Rotundo Araya (9:19) Rotundo (11:23) Draw (30:00) Mutoh (13:09) X Tenryu (2:09) Williams (10:28) Tenryu Tenryu (7:05) Tenryu (6:54) Tenryu (15:17) Tenryu (14:15) Tenryu (2:09) X Tenryu (6:32) Williams Williams (5:11) Draw (30:00) Kea (13:54) Williams (15:16) Williams (10:28) Tenryu (6:32) X Semifinals Finals 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 Champion's Carnival was a 10-man single-elimination tournament, held from March 22 to 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.
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 Muto 12:21 Keiji Mutoh Pin Arashi 18:03 Arashi Pin Nobutaka Araya 12:34 2004
The 2004 Champion's Carnival was a round-robin tournament, featuring five men in each block. It was held from April 10 to April 20.
Final standings Block A Block B Kensuke Sasaki 7 Takao Ōmori 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 Kaz Hayashi Jamal Keiji Mutoh Kensuke Sasaki Arashi X Hayashi (9:27) Arashi (11:13) Mutoh (10:34) Sasaki (5:41) Kaz Hayashi Hayashi (9:27) X Jamal (10:56) Mutoh (13:31) Sasaki (14:41) Jamal Arashi (11:13) Jamal (10:56) X Jamal (16:56) Sasaki (13:17) Keiji Mutoh Mutoh (10:34) Mutoh (13:31) Jamal (16:56) X Draw (30:00) Kensuke Sasaki Sasaki (5:41) Sasaki (14:41) Sasaki (13:17) Draw (30:00) X Block B Nobutaka Araya Toshiaki Kawada Taiyō Kea Satoshi Kojima Takao Ōmori Nobutaka Araya X Kawada (4:02) Kea (7:16) Araya (17:55) Ōmori (12:22) Toshiaki Kawada Kawada (4:02) X Kea (Forf) Kojima (Forf) Ōmori (Forf) Taiyō Kea Kea (7:16) Kea (Forf) X Kojima (18:44) Ōmori (14:02) Satoshi Kojima Araya (17:55) Kojima (Forf) Kojima (18:44) X Draw (30:00) Takao Ōmori Ōmori (12:22) Ōmori (Forf) Ōmori (14:02) Draw (30:00) X Semifinals Finals A1 Kensuke Sasaki Pin B2 Satoshi Kojima 16:51 A1 Kensuke Sasaki Pin A2 Keiji Mutoh 15:33 B1 Takao Ōmori Pin A2 Keiji Mutoh 11:09 2005
The 2005 Champion's Carnival was identical to that of 2004, but with six men in each block instead of five. It was held from April 9 to April 20. In a situation similar to the 2002 tournament, neither block winner, Toshiaki Kawada or Satoshi Kojima, were able to make it to the finals, instead losing to runners-up Jamal and, the eventual winner, Kensuke Sasaki.
Final standings 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 Kohei Suwama 2 Block A Arashi Giant Bernard Taiyō Kea Satoshi Kojima Shuji Kondo Kensuke Sasaki Arashi X Arashi (2:38) Kea (4:01) Kojima (15:09) Kondo (10:33) Arashi (7:11) Giant Bernard Arashi (2:38) X DCO (10:51) Kojima (8:56) Bernard (3:20) Bernard (7:50) Taiyō Kea Kea (4:01) DCO (10:51) X Draw (30:00) Kea (10:34) Sasaki (21:01) Satoshi Kojima Kojima (15:09) Kojima (8:56) Draw (30:00) X Kojima (15:44) Sasaki (29:29) Shuji Kondo Kondo (10:33) Bernard (3:20) Kea (10:34) Kojima (15:44) X Sasaki (14:29) Kensuke Sasaki Arashi (7:11) Bernard (7:50) Sasaki (21:01) Sasaki (29:29) Sasaki (14:29) X Block B Buchanan Jamal Toshiaki Kawada Keiji Mutoh Chuck Palumbo Kohei Suwama Buchanan X Buchanan (8:50) Kawada (7:06) Mutoh (9:13) Draw (30:00) Buchanan (8:34) Jamal Buchanan (8:50) X Jamal (17:31) Mutoh (13:14) Jamal (14:27) Jamal (6:08) Toshiaki Kawada Kawada (7:06) Jamal (17:31) X Draw (30:00) Kawada (9:32) Kawada (3:36) Keiji Mutoh Mutoh (9:13) Mutoh (13:14) Draw (30:00) X Palumbo (14:39) Suwama (13:09) Chuck Palumbo Draw (30:00) Jamal (14:27) Kawada (9:32) Palumbo (14:39) X Palumbo (9:18) Kohei Suwama Buchanan (8:34) Jamal (6:08) Kawada (3:36) Suwama (13:09) Palumbo (9:18) X 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 Champion's Carnival was another 12-man, two-block round-robin tournament, held from April 7 to April 20.
Final standings Block A Block B Kohei 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 Taiyō Kea Keiji Mutoh Kensuke Sasaki Kohei Suwama Yutaka Yoshie Buchanan X Kea (12:53) Buchanan (11:54) Sasaki (12:20) Suwama (17:18) Yoshie (12:10) Taiyō Kea Kea (12:53) X Draw (30:00) Kea (18:35) Suwama (10:15) Draw (30:00) Keiji Mutoh Buchanan (11:54) Draw (30:00) X Draw (30:00) Draw (30:00) Mutoh (18:22) Kensuke Sasaki Sasaki (12:20) Kea (18:35) Draw (30:00) X Suwama (12:28) Sasaki (10:35) Kohei Suwama Suwama (17:18) Suwama (10:15) Draw (30:00) Suwama (12:28) X Yoshie (16:06) Yutaka Yoshie Yoshie (12:10) Draw (30:00) Mutoh (18:22) Sasaki (10:35) Yoshie (16:06) X Block B Arashi D'Lo Brown Satoshi Kojima Matt Morgan Katsuhiko Nakajima Minoru Suzuki Arashi X Brown (4:28) Kojima (11:36) Arashi (7:46) Arashi (7:18) Suzuki (4:50) D'Lo Brown Brown (4:28) X Draw (30:00) Brown (7:32) Nakajima (7:10) Suzuki (9:53) Satoshi Kojima Kojima (11:36) Draw (30:00) X Kojima (10:30) Kojima (9:15) Draw (30:00) Matt Morgan Arashi (7:46) Brown (7:32) Kojima (10:30) X Morgan (5:46) Suzuki (5:13) Katsuhiko Nakajima Arashi (7:18) Nakajima (7:10) Kojima (9:15) Morgan (5:46) X Suzuki (8:13) Minoru Suzuki Suzuki (4:50) Suzuki (9:53) Draw (30:00) Suzuki (5:13) Suzuki (8:13) X Semifinals Finals A1 Kohei Suwama CO B2 Satoshi Kojima 15:12 A1 Kohei Suwama Pin A2 Taiyō Kea 20:21 B1 Minoru Suzuki Pin A2 Taiyō Kea 11:24 2007
The 2007 Champion's Carnival was a 10-man, two-block round-robin tournament. Its schedule was somewhat unique, having been contested over five straight shows at Korakuen Hall, from March 26 to March 30. It also strayed from the usual formula of the four top scorers advancing to the semifinals; instead, the two block winners simply wrestled in the final to determine the champion. The eventual winner, Keiji Mutoh, became only the second person in history to win the Carnival three times, along with Giant Baba.
Current standings Block A Block B Keiji Mutoh 6 Toshiaki Kawada 5 Suwama 5 Satoshi Kojima 4 Kensuke Sasaki 5 TAJIRI 4 Taiyō Kea 4 Minoru Suzuki 3 Touru Owashi 0 RO'Z 2 Block A Taiyō Kea Keiji Mutoh Touru Owashi Kensuke Sasaki Suwama Taiyō Kea X Mutoh (19:21) Kea (14:24) Draw (30:00) Draw (30:00) Keiji Mutoh Mutoh (19:21) X Mutoh (17:23) Sasaki (25:37) Mutoh (25:17) Touru Owashi Kea (14:24) Mutoh (17:23) X Sasaki (5:57) Suwama (10:14) Kensuke Sasaki Draw (30:00) Sasaki (25:37) Sasaki (5:57) X Suwama (0:16) Suwama Draw (30:00) Muto (25:17) Suwama (10:14) Suwama (0:16) X Block B Toshiaki Kawada Satoshi Kojima RO'Z Minoru Suzuki TAJIRI Toshiaki Kawada X Kawada (15:24) RO'Z (6:15) Draw (30:00) Kawada (14:09) Satoshi Kojima Kawada (15:24) X Kojima (10:53) Kojima (17:31) DCO (11:58) RO'Z RO'Z (6:15) Kojima (10:53) X Suzuki (7:24) TAJIRI (5:04) Minoru Suzuki Draw (30:00) Kojima (17:31) Suzuki (7:24) X TAJIRI (4:17) TAJIRI Kawada (14:09) DCO (11:58) TAJIRI (5:04) TAJIRI (4:17) X Final A1 Keiji Mutoh Pin B1 Toshiaki Kawada 22:28 2008
The 2008 Champion's Carnival was held from April 5 to April 9 over five shows, and featured the following participants.
Current standings 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 Toshiaki Kawada Taiyō Kea Satoshi Kojima Keiji Mutoh Hiroshi Tanahashi Toshiaki Kawada X Kawada (13:35) Kojima (15:41) Kawada (10:32) Draw (30:00) Taiyō Kea Kawada (13:35) X Kojima (14:53) Mutoh (16:41) Tanahashi (20:53) Satoshi Kojima Kojima (15:41) Kojima (14:53) X Mutoh (17:36) Tanahashi (18:10) Keiji Mutoh Kawada (10:32) Mutoh (16:41) Mutoh (17:36) X Draw (30:00) Hiroshi Tanahashi Draw (30:00) Tanahashi (20:53) Tanahashi (18:10) Draw (30:00) X Block B Joe Doering Osamu Nishimura Kensuke Sasaki Suwama Minoru Suzuki Joe Doering X Doering (25:20) Sasaki (8:01) Suwama (9:18) Doering (10:55) Osamu Nishimura Doering (25:20) X Draw (30:00) Suwama (15:13) Nishimura (3:58) Kensuke Sasaki Sasaki (8:01) Draw (30:00) X Draw (30:00) Suzuki (12:22) Suwama Suwama (9:18) Suwama (15:13) Draw (30:00) X Suzuki (9:31) Minoru Suzuki Doering (10:55) Nishimura (3:58) Suzuki (12:22) Suzuki (9:31) X Final A1 Hiroshi Tanahashi Pin B1 Suwama 29:49 2009
The 2009 Champion's Carnival was held from April 5 to April 12 over six shows, and featured the following participants.
Current standings 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 Keiji Mutoh Osamu Nishimura Kaz Hayashi Seiya Sanada Yoshihiro Takayama Joe Doering Keiji Mutoh X Mutoh (11:06) Hayashi (19:08) Mutoh (13:57) Mutoh (18:10) Mutoh (14:03) Osamu Nishimura Mutoh (11:06) X Draw (30:00) Nishimura (15:35) Nishimura (8:33) Doering (15:17) Kaz Hayashi Hayashi (19:08) Draw (30:00) X Hayashi (10:57) Takayama (18:10) Hayashi (11:54) Seiya Sanada Mutoh (13:57) Nishimura (15:35) Hayashi (10:57) X Takayama (9:41) Doering (9:06) Yoshihiro Takayama Mutoh (11:06) Nishimura (8:33) Takayama (18:10) Takayama (9:41) X Takayama (8:45) Joe Doering Mutoh (14:03) Doering (15:17) Hayashi (11:54) Doering (9:06) Takayama (8:45) X Block B Satoshi Kojima Suwama Ryota Hama Taiyō Kea Minoru Suzuki ZODIAC Satoshi Kojima X Kojima (18:55) Kojima (10:21) Kea (20:01) Kojima (21:08) Kojima (11:19) Suwama Kojima (18:55) X Suwama (11:22) Draw (30:00) Suzuki (14:45) Suwama (9:07) Ryota Hama Kojima (10:21) Suwama (11:22) X Hama (9:08) Suzuki (12:27) Hama (7:30) Taiyō Kea Kea (20:01) Draw (30:00) Hama (9:08) X Kea (9:31) ZODIAC (14:38) Minoru Suzuki Kojima (21:08) Suzuki (14:45) Suzuki (12:27) Kea (9:31) X Suzuki (13:43) ZODIAC Kojima (11:19) Suwama (9:07) Hama (7:30) ZODIAC (14:38) Suzuki (13:43) X 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 Champion's Carnival was a 10-man, two-block round-robin tournament held over seven events from April 3 to April 11.
Final standings 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 Ryota Hama Satoshi Kojima Masayuki Kono Seiya Sanada Minoru Suzuki Ryota Hama X Kojima (12:47) Kono (11:14) Hama (11:01) Hama (18:30) Satoshi Kojima Kojima (12:47) X Kono (27:57) Kojima (13:54) Suzuki (17:57) Masayuki Kono Kono (11:14) Kono (27:57) X Draw (30:00) Suzuki (14:40) Seiya Sanada Hama (11:01) Kojima (13:54) Draw (30:00) X Suzuki (12:28) Minoru Suzuki Hama (18:30) Suzuki (17:57) Suzuki (14:40) Suzuki (12:28) X Block B René Duprée Masakatsu Funaki Taiyō Kea Kiyoshi Suwama René Duprée X Funaki (9:12) Duprée (10:15) Kiyoshi (11:34) Suwama (11:18) Masakatsu Funaki Funaki (9:12) X Funaki (14:40) Funaki (15:47) Draw (30:00) Taiyō Kea Duprée (10:15) Funaki (14:40) X Kea (15:02) Suwama (22:56) Kiyoshi Kiyoshi (11:34) Funaki (15:47) Kea (15:02) X Kiyoshi (18:55) Suwama Suwama (11:18) Draw (30:00) Suwama (22:56) Kiyoshi (18:55) X Semifinals Finals 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 Champion's Carnival was a 12-man, two-block round-robin tournament held over five events from April 8 to 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.
Final standings Block A Block B Yuji Nagata 8 Seiya Sanada 8 KONO 6 Jun Akiyama 7 Suwama 6 Minoru Suzuki 6 Masakatsu Funaki 6 Taiyō Kea 5 Takao Ōmori 4 Joe Doering 4 Ryota Hama 0 KENSO 0 Block A Masakatsu Funaki Ryota Hama Yuji Nagata KONO Takao Ōmori Suwama Masakatsu Funaki X Funaki (8:43) Funaki (13:07) KONO (12:44) Funaki (14:01) Suwama (18:57) Ryota Hama Funaki (8:43) X KONO (12:07) Ōmori (8:53) Suwama (12:25) Yuji Nagata Funaki (13:07) Nagata (11:18) X Nagata (13:50) Nagata (12:14) Nagata (23:13) KONO KONO (12:44) KONO (12:07) Nagata (13:50) X Ōmori (12:19) KONO (15:00) Takao Ōmori Funaki (14:01) Ōmori (8:53) Nagata (12:14) Ōmori (12:19) X Suwama (16:56) Suwama Suwama (18:57) Suwama (12:25) Nagata (23:13) KONO (15:00) Suwama (16:56) X Block B Jun Akiyama Joe Doering Taiyō Kea KENSO Seiya Sanada Minoru Suzuki Jun Akiyama X Akiyama (10:14) Draw (30:00) Akiyama (Forfeit) Akiyama (22:05) Suzuki (19:21) Joe Doering Akiyama (10:14) X Doering (8:44) Doering (Forfeit) Sanada (9:36) Suzuki (16:09) Taiyō Kea Draw (30:00) Doering (8:44) X Kea (Forfeit) Sanada (18:37) Kea (24:33) KENSO Akiyama (Forfeit) Doering (Forfeit) Kea (Forfeit) X Sanada (Forfeit) Suzuki (14:25) Seiya Sanada Akiyama (22:05) Sanada (9:36) Sanada (18:37) Sanada (Forfeit) X Sanada (16:06) Minoru Suzuki Suzuki (19:21) Suzuki (16:09) Kea (24:33) Suzuki (14:25) Sanada (16:06) X Final A1 Yuji Nagata Pin B1 Seiya Sanada 22:44 Statistics
- Most cups won: Giant Baba, 7
- Most cups won by a foreigner: (tie) Abdullah the Butcher and Stan Hansen, 2 each
- Triple Crown champions who never won the cup: Terry Gordy, Steve Williams, Shinya Hashimoto, Yoshihiro Takayama and Ryota Hama.
- Won both Champion's Carnival and G1 Climax cups: Keiji Mutoh, Kensuke Sasaki, Satoshi Kojima and Yuji Nagata.
Sources
All Japan Pro Wrestling Personnel Tournaments Champion's Carnival • Junior League • World's Strongest Tag Team LeagueActive championships Defunct championships Categories:- All Japan Pro Wrestling tournaments
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