SJPW Top Draw Gone?
by Riki Fudo, October 31st, 1998

Suitcase Straight from Riki Fudo comes the unconfirmed report that Super Tengu has left Super Japan Pro-Wrestling.  Unconfirmed reports have it that Tengu had met with Jumbo Kobayashi about his current program and wanted out of his contract.

"I know that an argument ensued", reports one SJPW locker room source, "I also know that someone used the words 'Fat' and 'Bastard' when addressing Kobatashi."

This comes as a huge shock.  Tengu had been scheduled to meet Jensei Tenru on the November 8th edition of Tsunami.  If the reports of his departure are true, then the current All Asian Heavyweight title tournmaent has taken on a whole new dynamic.  Super Tengu has not seen action since his match on SJPW against The Mandarin.  Rumors had been spreading for weeks that Tengu had been very unhappy about being booked into feuding with Tenru, wanting instead to work a more 'traditional' feud angle with rising star Shishi Fujiwara or his "second Idol" Akira Hashimoto.  In an unpublished interview, Tengu complained to Riki Fudo about his desire to jump to the heavyweight ranks but how Kobayashi and Kenshiro Matsumoto would not give him two months off in order to train for the shift.

"I've done all I can do in the cruiser and welterweight divisions," Tengu said, "I need new challenges, but Kobayashi lacks vision.  In truth, bureaucracy is denying the fans the chance to see the 'real' Tengu."

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