Gatoh Move

***Gatoh Move Pro Wrestling***

**Gatoh Move Pro Wrestling** (**プロレスリングガトームーブ**/Puroresuringugatōmūbu in Japanese, กาโตห์ มูฟ/Kā tow̒ mūf in Thai) is a Japanese *joshi puroresu* or women's professional wrestling promotion, founded by Emi Sakura was formerly based in Bangkok, Thailand following the Sakura's departure from Ice Ribbon. It also described an idol unit "Gatoh Move". The promotion is currently based in Tokyo, Japan. The promotion is most known for hosting shows in Tokyo at *Ichigaya Chocolate Square*, where there is no wrestling ring, only a small performing space in a shape of a square instead.

## History

### Background

While the concept of professional wrestling has been well established in Europe and North America since the 19th century, and in Japan since the end of World War II, Thailand had no exposure to professional wrestling prior to the turn of the millennium. Professional wrestling promotions such as WWE and New Japan Pro Wrestling began holding shows in Thailand since the 2000s, but with no success, due to the most popular sport being Muay Thai. Meanwhile, women's professional wrestler in Thailand began working and being trained by Japanese Joshi promotion All Japan Women's Pro-Wrestling (AJW), as an opportunity to become professional wrestlers, despite the nonexistent promotions and training facilities similar to countries such as the United States.

### Formation and Establishment

On February 12, 2012, Emi Sakura appeared at a JWP Joshi Puroresu event, announcing she was forming a new Joshi promotion such as Ice Ribbon in Bangkok, Thailand. Sakura and Kaori Yoneyama then agreed to a match, where, if Sakura was victorious, Yoneyama would join her in Thailand, but if Yoneyama was victorious, Sakura would make JWP her new home promotion in Japan. The following week, Sakura officially established the Bangkok Girls Pro Wrestling (BKK Pro) promotion, which was later renamed to Gatoh Move Pro Wrestling, which was the combination of sweets in French and move in English, or way to open move forward. On April 22, Sakura defeated Yoneyama in their special singles match, forcing her to join the Gatoh Move promotion.

The promotion held its inaugural event on May 16, and shortly after Sakura was assisted by Yoneyama and male Japanese wrestler Madoka in training wrestlers for the new promotion. On June 4, Gatoh Move and Japanese Joshi promotion LLPW-X co-promoted a tour in Thailand. On August 15, the promotion established its premier tournament the Gath Nun Climax, meaning the Grand One in Thai, inspired in NJPW's tournament G1 Climax. On September 1, Cherry joined the promotion, becoming a coach for the Gatoh Move Dojo. Later that day, Gatoh Move featured the debut of homegrown male wrestlers EK buggy and Golem Thailand. Later that month, the promotion was joined by Japanese wrestler Riho, who left Ice Ribbon in order to join the promotion.

### Regular tours and establishment in Japan

On September 23, Gatoh Move announced they would promote their first tour in Japan the "Gatoh Meet", which was later changed to "Gatoh-Move Japan Tour", which began on October 7, with the tour being sponsored by Public Joy Productions, with the tour starting to being held annually. Initially, the tour was supposed to be held on four days, but it was changed because of scheduling conflicts with some wrestlers that took part in the tour. Also, the tour was usually held on Saturdays, but due to conflicting schedules with Ice Ribbon, the shows had to be divided into an afternoon and an evening show. The tour also provided one of the most important sources of income for the promotion, despite not providing much income due to visa relationships between Japan and Thailand. On November 23, Gatoh Move held its last show at the Sakura dojo. Two days later, Gatoh Move co-promoted a show with another Thai professional wrestling promotion Thai Wrestling Federation.

On February 14, 2013, Gatoh Move opened their own shop on their web site. On April 29, wrestlers from Gatoh Move took part in an All Japan Pro Wrestling show during the finals of the Champion Carnival. In May, Gatoh Move created its annual tag team tournament the "Go-Go Green Curry Koppun Cup", which was won by Antonio Honda and Riho on May 4. On June 20, Gatoh Move debuted its first Thailand native female professional wrestler Blue Lotus. In November 2014, the promotion introduced the idol unit "Gatoh Move", which the women, who were not professional wrestlers could participate.

On August 10, 2015, Gatoh Move held another tour in Japan, featured one of its Thail wrestlers working in Japan. The tour culminated on Gatoh Move holding their first show at the *Korakuen Hall* on August 13, with Riho successfully defending the IWA Triple Crown Championship against Kotori. The event also celebrated Emi Sakura's 20th anniversary in professional wrestling, in which she teamed with Makoto in a winning effort against Hikaru Shida and Sayaka Obihiro.

On March 7, 2016, Gatoh Move announced the creation of its own tag team titles the Asia Dream Tag Team Championship, with the goal of the championship being defended throughout Asia in countries such as Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand. On July 1, 2017, after Emi Sakura retired the IWA Triple Crown Championship and returned it to IWA Japan, Gatoh Move announced the creation of its own singles championship the Super Asia Championship to replace the IWA Triple Crown Championship. On September 22, Riho defeated "Kotori" in the finals of a tournament to become the inaugural Super Asia Champion. On December 21, "Kotori" made her last appearance for the promotion facing Masa Takanashi in a losing effort. In August 2018, Riho defended the Super Asia Championship against Makoto in Guangzhou, China. In October, Gatoh Move formed a working relationship Singapore Pro Wrestling promotion.

On July 2, 2019, Riho made her last appearance for Gatoh Move losing to Emi Sakura in her farewell match. On September 21, it was announced that the Thai branch of the promotion would separate himself from the Japanese branch, forming a new promotion instead, leading the promotion to relocate its office to Tokyo, Japan. Sakura established a new company named Set Up, through which she would run the promotion.

## Roster

* Mei Suruga
* Emi Sakura (Owner)
* Yuna Mizumori
* Baliyan Akki
* Mitsuru Konno
* Tokiko Kirihara
* Lulu Pencil
* Rin Rin
* SAKI
* Sayaka Obihiro
* Tropikawild
* Kaori Yoneyama
* Sayaka
* TAMURA
* Ryo Mizunami
* Sayuri
* Yasu Urano
* Chie Koishikawa
* Chon Shiryu
* Chris Brookes
* Sawasdee Kamen
* Hagane Shinnou
* Kuishinbo Kamen
* An Chamu
* Cherry
* Makoto
* ASUKA
* Fuminori Abe
* Gabai Ji-chan
* HAPPY-MAN
* Hiroyo Matsumoto
* Jeff Man
* Kevin Man

### Staff

* Masahiro Takanashi (*Site supervisor*)
* Saina (*Ring Announcer*)
* Aoi Kitsuki (*Ring Announcer*)
* Drizzle (*Ring Announcer*)

## References

1. ↑ *ja:【結果】ＪＷＰ２・12キネマ* (in Japanese). *Ringstars*. Ameba (2012-02-12). Retrieved on 2012-02-14.
2. ↑ *ja:2012.2.12　東京キネマ倶楽部　試合* (in Japanese). *JWP Joshi Puroresu*. FC2 (2012-02-12). Retrieved on 2012-02-14.
3. ↑ *ja:さくらえみがタイ初のプロレス団体設立へ* (in Japanese). *Tokyo Sports* (2012-02-17). Retrieved on 2012-04-15.
4. ↑ Cite error: Invalid `<ref>` tag; no text was provided for refs named `Fenryu`
5. ↑ "憧れの人"奈苗との一騎打ちに敗れたモーリー「ずっとその背中追い続けてやる！」さくらは引き分けでEVE王座防衛！  (in Japanese). *Battle News* (2012-12-20). Retrieved on 2012-12-20.