Let's be blunt about things: Ralph Imabayashi is having a terrible year as of late. Actually, it's been way more than a year. It's not that he's been having poor performances. Far from it. He's been chugging on at full steam ever since he lost his PWR title to "Classical" Bryan Leo (pucha siya). In fact, at the pace he's going, every single mishap has been one step closer for him derailing out of control.
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Choo-choo-choongina niyo. |
Some people have lucky streaks. Imabayashi's been having an unlucky everything. Each time shit happens in his matches, his fans (more on that later) fear he may finally embrace his dark side.
Nobody can have that much bad juju following him around, you might say. Well folks, since it is Wednesday, we might as well list the chronological order of the sick game life has been playing on him.
Royally Flushed
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None of these four would still be friends by now. |
Okay, none of that was out of the ordinary. What should irk Imabayashi was the fact that when he won the title shot after beating John Sebastian, all of his friends were there to celebrate his good fortune. When he was laid out on the ground after eating the entirety of the Royal Flush's finishers, where were his friends? No one showed up to help.
Losing The PWR Championship
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It could've been worse. It's only the second shortest title reign in PWR history |
Manila Madness Miscalculations
If anything could go wrong in that match, it did. Imabayshi was accused of attacking John Sebastian with a weapon, which caused him to throw a tantrum at ringside. This in turn made him miss a much-needed tag attempt by Jake De Leon. He wound up at the wrong end of a misdirected Senyorito Kick that set them up for a Blitzkrieg/ Royal Flushdown and a loss against the Royal Flush.
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I'm noticing a pattern here. |
Imabayashi wound up shoving De Leon, and it seemed that both men would come to blows, but they were separated at the last minute.
Not His Time at Wrevolution X
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Now, this is just heartbreaking. |
Back to Basics
Imabayashi continued his losing ways at PWR Live: Shawdown, this time at the hands of a wrestler making his debut, Vlad Sinnsyk. It didn't help things that James "Idol" Martinez came out to rub his recent misfortunes in his face.
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and gets a Sonic Crusher to his own face. Much therapeutic-deska. |
Their little spat paved the way for a PWR Renaissance 2016 match between Imabayashi and the Top of the Pyramid.
All Tied Up
When life wants to mess with you, it'll find a way. In the second straight event, a debuting wrestler hands him a loss, although this time, indirectly. "Mr. Financially Stable" Alexander Belmonte III was waiting under the ring for Ralph Imabayashi, ready to handcuff him and give Idol the countout victory.
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Kinky. |
Low Blow at Bagong Yugto
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I need healing. |
Still No Love for Ralph
"Wait lang. Si Panzer yung nag pin. Bakit sa akin kayo galit?" |
Losing His Partner
It wasn't just the Path of Gold trophy that Imabayashi lost that night. He also had to give up his chance at PWR tag team gold. Rederick Mahaba "suffered" a neck injury after being brutally attacked by The Apocalypse. What sucks even more was that Apocalypse wasn't even included in the Path of Gold tournament at all! Well, there was nothing he could do except let his teammate heal up and recover from his injuries.
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Ano baaaaaa?!?!? |
Really Just Bad Luck
Imabayashi, having taken second place at the previous event, faced SANDATA at PWR Live: Mainit for a chance at the belt around Versoza's waist. Throughout a grueling back and forth bout against SANDATA, Imabayashi wound up defending against the Ankle Lock. He went for the rope break with his foot, but the ref failed to notice it. With the pain too much to bear, he was forced to tap out. He was angry, and rightfully so.
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I think the universe has something against you. |
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Dammit, ref. |
PWR General Manager Mr. Sy, in an attempt to make things right, has offered Imabayashi and Chino Guinto a chance by making the PHX title match into a three-way bout—but only for whoever wins their one-on-one earlier in the card.
Will we see Imabayashi finally catch a break, or will Guinto join those who screwed a golden opportunity out of Ralph's hands once again?
Honestly, I wonder why Imabayashi hasn't yet gone over the edge and went full rage mode on the PWR roster's candy asses. We know he's prone to outbursts and violent reactions. I say, go and embrace it. After 15 months without a singles win—arguably the worst stretch in PWR history—he desperately needs a turnaround in the worst way possible.
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Teach them how to #RespectProWrestling by showcasing how strong you truly are. |
You know you want to.
*****
George Pastor writes our weekly #WTFWednesday column as well as all things MMA-related. He got into judo because it was the closest sport available where it was perfectly fine to slam someone without getting expelled.
Photo credits go to Hub "treat kita ng Burrito as thanks for all the hard work" Pacheco and Jonathan Guillermo of WhenInManila.com
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