Watch The Challenge Now!

Both Danielson and Puma reached the finals of the Pacific Cup tournament on April 23rd, 2005 in Vancouver, meeting possibly ECCW's newest junior heavyweight superstar, Aaron Idol, in a three-way match to determine the 2005 Pacific Cup champion. In an epic twenty-five minute battle that saw each man exchange advantage and disadvantage and execute stunning holds and maneuvers, Idol captured the 2005 Pacific Cup by pinning Danielson in the center of the ring after a thunderous top-rope backdrop suplex.

An emotional Idol was elated to finally have his hard work in the junior heavyweight division recognized - and it seemed as Danielson and Puma were expressing their appreciation as well, as the two presented the trophy to Idol and Danielson gave a speech as to how much he respected Idol for what he had done. Suddenly, as Idol turned his back on Danielson and Puma, the two attacked him from behind, laying him out with vicious shots to the back and head, and spitting in the tradition of ECCW by destroying the Pacific Cup trophy itself! As Puma restrained the helpless Idol, Danielson accosted him on the mic, stating New Japan's superiority over the junior heavyweights of ECCW!

Just when it looked hopeless for Idol, Dave Richards sprinted from the backstage area into the ring, and after a brief struggle, Richards was able to evict Danielson and Puma from ringside, much to the delight of the sellout Vancouver crowd! However, the damage had been done - the Pacific Cup trophy was destroyed, and Idol had suffered a bruised sternum at the hands of Danielson and Puma.

Richards got the microphone and stated that even though he was from the United States, ECCW was indeed his home! ECCW owner Dave Republic took the microphone and issued a challenge to Danielson, Puma, and all of New Japan Pro Wrestling, stating that New Japan chairman Antonio Inoki had thirty days to answer ECCW's challenge -- "then we bring the fight to YOU!"

New Japan took their sweet time responding to the challenge, with nothing from them... until the very limit of the 30 days given to them by Republic. On May 24th, at the end of Republic's 30-day open challenge period, New Japan USA Vice-President David Marquez called Republic's office in Port Coquitlam, and rather than talk to Republic directly, left this message on his voicemail:

"Hello, Mr. Republic, this is the New Japan office calling.. it appears you have, uh, some sort of a challenge of sorts sent out to Mr. Inoki. Well, word has reached Tokyo, and Mr. Inoki would like us to relay the following to you:

We're not trying to insult you or anything, but you're on a different level than us when it comes to the pro wrestling business, and unfortunately, Mr. Inoki doesn't have the time to everything that is said or challenged or whatever in the world of pro wrestling. So, unfortunately, we really don't have an answer for you, so you and your.. Juggernauts, and Hot & Bothered, and .. I think you have some kid called Memphis there or something, and a couple of Moondogs.. and I guess, just continue doing your shows, and we wish you all the success in the world, but unfortunately, you're not at our caliber, and thus we're just... not going to answer your challenge. All the success in the world, and.. everything else. So thank you, much success in the future, goodbye."

Click here to listen to the voicemail message (MP3 format)

In addition, Richards demanded that both Puma and Danielson return to ECCW so that Richards and Aaron Idol can face them in the ring! Also, Richards informed Marquez that this extends all the way to the heavyweight division - the NWA/ECCW Champion, the 400 pound Juggernaut, is also ready to face any New Japan wrestlers with the NWA/ECCW Championship on the line!