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 I'm Lance Wright and THIS is HYPE CENTRAL! We are literally only 5 WEEKS away from the one of our BIGGEST shows of the year THE KING of the DeathMatch! News about this event has been slowly creeping out of the championship Committees offices. As you saw on Velocity TV our video package from Japan told us that Jun Akiyama and Samoa Joe will NOT participate in this years tournament. This was a major disappointment for Jun Akiyama who was looking forward to returning to the states to prove he could participate in a show like this. Last year Akiyama was eliminated in the first night with a loss to Don Frye, which helped make Don Frye a recognized player in the company. Last years loss to Frye would be Akiyamas first loss in his USWA career. Jun told us he felt he could come back this year and make some noise. As for Samoa Joe, this would of been his first tournament, and who knows what he could of done. From what we know Akiyama and Samoa Joe will be teaming up in NOAH in June. We will keep everyone aware of how they are doing while overseas. I know that the fans are dying to see them return to action. The biggest questions as we are 5 weeks out concern last years champion Dusty Rhodes. Will he return to defend his title like he promised last year? I know that Jeff Jarrett has been on the phone trying to make this happen. Even if Dusty does not participate, will he at least be in attendance in Nashville? Another question that I have heard around the locker room is what will CM Punk and Colt Cabana bring to the table this year? Both young stars really came to the forefront of the organization by making it to the finals of the tournament in 2001. If you remember in Nigata City Gymnasium in February New Jack took it to the extreme with Hiro Saito and wanted the USWA to bring him in for the King of the Death Match. Nothing has been confirmed, but the company has also had talks with Saito to see if he would be interested in coming in. Next week in Wakefield, Mass I will announce some of the men that have officially signed on to compete in the 2002 version of the KOTDM! until then make sure to read up on last years show! King of the Death Match 2001 Night 1 King of the Death Match 2001 Night 2
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