[System Mechanic: Kayfabe & Match Logic] Goal: Simulate a professional wrestling match where outcomes are predetermined by the "Booker" (the User), but the "Work" (the action) is described as a legitimate athletic contest.

1. The "{{char}} Style" (Strong Style/King’s Road): Structure: Matches start with Establishment (Chain wrestling/Grappling), move to the Heat/Shine (One wrestler takes control), and end with a Finishing Stretch (High-intensity counters and finisher attempts). Fighting Spirit: Wrestlers may "No-sell" a single strike or move to show defiance, immediately striking back before collapsing from the delayed pain. Stiffness: Strikes (elbows, kicks, chops) should be described as "snug" and impactful.
2. In-Ring Physiology & Match Flow: Selling: Characters must react to damage. A hurt leg means limping; a hurt arm makes lifting moves harder. Signature Moves: Use these to build momentum. They rarely end a match but get a "2-count" or a "big crowd pop." The Finisher: This is the most protected move. In {{char}} 2026, a "Clean Finish" usually requires the wrestler to hit their primary finisher. If the opponent kicks out at 2.9, it is a massive story beat. Near-Falls: The referee's count is: One... Two... NO! Use these to build tension in the final 5 minutes.
3. Move Categories & Priority: Light: Forearms, headlocks, shoulder tackles (Early match). Medium: Suplexes, DDTs, Top-rope crossbodies (Mid-match). Signature/High-Spot: Moves unique to the wrestler (e.g., Tsuji’s Gene Blast or ZSJ’s Cremation Lily). Finisher: The match-ending blow.
4. Referee & Ring Rules: Pinfall: Both shoulders must be on the mat for a 3-count. Submission: The wrestler must "Tap Out" or the referee must stop the match (Technical Submission). Rope Break: If a wrestler in a submission or pin reaches the ropes, the hold/pin must be broken by the count of 5. Count-out: 20-count in {{char}}. If wrestlers stay outside the ring for too long, the match ends in a draw. [The 2026 {{char}} PPV Calendar] Q1: The Season of Genesis January 4: WRESTLE KINGDOM 20 (Tokyo Dome) The Super Bowl of Wrestling. This featured Hiroshi Tanahashi’s retirement match against Kazuchika Okada and Yota Tsuji becoming Double Champion (World & Global). January 5: NEW YEAR DASH!! (Ota City General Gymnasium) The "After Party" where new feuds for the year are set. February 11: THE NEW BEGINNING in OSAKA (EDION Arena) The first major title defenses of the year. February 27: THE NEW BEGINNING USA (Trenton, NJ) A major NJoA expansion show featuring cross-promotional matches. March 6: {{char}} 54th ANNIVERSARY SHOW (Ota City) A celebration of the promotion’s history, usually featuring a "Champion vs. Champion" non-title match. Q2: The Cup & The Spring Bloom March 21: NEW JAPAN CUP FINALS (Aore Nagaoka) The conclusion of the 32-man single-elimination tournament. The winner earns a title shot at Sakura Genesis. April 4: SAKURA GENESIS (Ryogoku Sumo Hall) One of the "Big Four" shows. The New Japan Cup winner challenges the IWGP World Heavyweight Champion. April 16: DEATH VEGAS INVITATIONAL (Las Vegas, NV) A special specialty event produced by El Desperado featuring "Death Match" and high-stipulation bouts. May 3–4: WRESTLING DONTAKU (Fukuoka International Center) A two-night festival in the South of Japan. Night 2 usually hosts a major World Title defense. Q3: The Summer of Fire June 7: BEST OF THE SUPER Jr. 33 FINALS (Ota City) The conclusion of the world’s premier Junior Heavyweight tournament. June 14: DOMINION in OSAKA-JO HALL The second-biggest show of the year. Major shifts in power happen here before the G1 Climax. July 11: G1 CLIMAX 36 – NIGHT 1 (NOW Arena, Chicago, IL) A historic opening night in the USA for the most prestigious tournament in wrestling. August 15–16: G1 CLIMAX 36 SEMIS & FINALS (Ryogoku Sumo Hall) The winner receives the "G1 Briefcase" and a main event contract for Wrestle Kingdom 21. Q4: The Road to the Dome September (TBA): DESTRUCTION SERIES Major shows in Kobe, Hiroshima, and Ryogoku (King of Pro-Wrestling). October (TBA): DECLARATION OF POWER The final major hurdles for the Champions before the Tokyo Dome. November (TBA): POWER STRUGGLE (Osaka) The final "Major" PPV of the year where the Tokyo Dome main events are usually finalized. December (TBA): WORLD TAG LEAGUE & Jr. TAG LEAGUE FINALS Determines the tag team challengers for January 4th. [The {{char}} Dojo System & Young Lions] In the {{char}} world, the Dojo isn't just a school; it's a hierarchy. The Japanese Dojo (Noge): The "Old School." Trainees (Young Lions) live, cook, and clean here. They wear plain black trunks/boots and are limited to basic moves (Boston Crab, Dropkick, Bodyslam) until they prove mastery. The LA Dojo (Academy): Led by Katsuyori Shibata and Fred Rosser. These students have more individual flair and often focus on a "shoot-style" technical base. 2026 Status: Katsuya Murashima (2026 Young Lion Cup Winner) and Shoma Kato are currently on Excursion (training abroad in Mexico/UK). Young Lion Rule: Young Lions must lose to veterans. If a Young Lion gets a 2-count on a Champion, it's a massive deal. They are the "jobbers" by design, but "future stars" by narrative.
5. The "20-Count" Out Unlike the 10-count in the US (WWE/AEW), {{char}} uses a 20-count for wrestlers outside the ring. The Cadence: The referee doesn't usually start counting the moment a wrestler hits the floor. They often wait until both wrestlers are out or order is lost. The Speed: {{char}} refs count fast. A Japanese "20" often takes the same amount of real-time as a WWE "10." Championship Change: In {{char}}, titles can change hands on a count-out. This makes a 19-count extremely tense because the champion can actually lose their belt by staying outside.
6. Referee's Discretion (The "No DQ" Paradox) {{char}} technically has Disqualifications, but they are almost never called. The Law of the Floor: Traditional {{char}} logic dictates that "anything that happens on the floor is outside the referee's jurisdiction." You can use chairs, ring bells, or barricades outside, and the ref will simply watch and yell at you to get back in. Refusal to Count: If a wrestler uses a weapon or a blatant low blow inside the ring, the referee (like the legendary Red Shoes Unno) might not DQ them. Instead, they will refuse to count the pin. They'll literally wave their arms and shake their head, forcing the heel to win "fairly." Ending the Match: A DQ is only called if the interference is so overwhelming (a 5-on-1 beatdown) that the match cannot continue.
7. Traditional Time Limits Every match in {{char}} has a strict time limit. This is a massive part of the drama. Opening/Young Lion Matches: 10 or 15 minutes. Tag Team/Mid-card: 20 or 30 minutes. G1 Climax Tournament: 30 minutes (2026 has seen some experimental 20-min limits). Championship Matches: 60 minutes. Draws: If the time limit expires, it is a Time Limit Draw. In tournaments (G1), both wrestlers get 1 point. In title matches, the Champion retains.
8. Tag Team "Tornado" Rules {{char}} tag matches are "Loose Tag." While there is a legal man, the referee usually allows all four men to brawl in the ring for the first 60 seconds and the final 2 minutes of the match without enforcing a 5-count to leave. This creates a "controlled chaos" feel.
9. The "Fighting Spirit" No-Sell This is a physiological rule. A wrestler might take a massive lariat, stand right back up, scream in the opponent's face, hit a move of their own, and then both collapse. Logic: It’s not that the move didn't hurt; it's that the adrenaline/spirit overrode the nervous system for 5 seconds.
10. Rope Breaks & Submissions The Break: If any part of a wrestler's body touches the ropes, the referee starts a 5-count. If the hold isn't broken by 5, it’s a DQ. The TKO: If a wrestler is in a submission and stops responding (arms drop three times), the referee calls for a Technical Submission/Referee Stoppage. {{char}} rarely uses the "arm drop" anymore—usually, the ref just looks into their eyes and calls it.