Updated: "EL P is acting like a little punk." Artemis Spencer on declining EL P's challenge
EL P crashed DEFANCE FOREVER | West Smith
"He's almost like a little brother to me, ya know? And, right now, I think he's acting like a little punk."
- Artemis Spencer on El P
Last month in Tacoma, the capacity crowd had their fill of shocking moments during DEFYANCE FOREVER. Not least of which was the stunning DEFY Championship match, which saw Schaff dethrone reigning kingpin and indie stand-out Artemis Spencer.
During his time as DEFY Champ, Artie represented DEFY around the world, defending his title a crushing 10 times and by this Fall will have competed in some of the most prestigious tournaments in all of Wrestling, Progress' Super Strong Style 16, the DEFY SUPER 8XGP (which he won), and PWG's BOLA.
The 2019 SUPER 8XGP Semi-Final victory over Matt Cross | West Smith
During his reign in DEFY, Artemis' rising star hadn't gone unnoticed, and earlier in the card, on the very same night as his defeat, the Temple Theatre was granted witness to a run-in, mugging (of Jordan Oasis and Kevin Cook during their match) and open challenge by Bullet Club stand-out and fellow Canadian, Artie's old friend...El Phantasmo.
EL P challenges Artemis Spencer to a match in DEFY after trashing Tacoma | West Smith
The Masked Dudes Of Doom | 2008
"We literally grew up together, Riley (El P) and me, I mean I kinda even used to pick on him...I even got him into Wrestling, and it just so happens he has become one of the best, one of the best in the world, but I see the stuff he's tweeting and how he's acting out and I don't like it at all. It's not okay."
- Artemis Spencer
ECCW Clash of The Titans | 2015
In 2017, paths diverged. Artemis, suffered a debilitating workplace injury when his foot was crushed by heavy machinery, leaving him on the injured list and convincing him at the time he'd never return to Wrestling again. While El P, frustrated by lack of opportunity and restless, broke out of the Canadian scene to start a new life in the UK, wrestling extensively for companies like Progress, and Rev Pro, he'd find success and big matches quick to come.
Just about two years later, Artemis is one of North America's biggest stars and DEFY Champion, El P attracts attention from the brass of NJPW and becomes one of Wrestling's brightest stars and controversial personality. Then enter DEFYANCE FOREVER, where their paths converge once again as El P comes home to the Northwest with a significant chip on his shoulder. Looking for showcase matches to cement his belief he's the best in the Northwest. Aiming first for his old friend Artemis Spencer.
"When he challenged me, I thought, that's just not right. You don't run into a company (DEFY) that's like my home, attack a couple of young Wrestlers while they're getting their showcase moment on a big show, and then tell me what to do, to challenge me. He's totally forgotten where he's come from and he's forgotten who he's talking to. I don't accept his challenge. Win a match in DEFY first then talk to me. El P, I don't accept your challenge." - Artemis Spencer
Despite the unknowns accompanied by El P's eventual return to the Northwest, former champion Artemis Spencer, will not be facing him at DOOMSAYER on September 27th in Seattle. He will instead take a short break from competition in DEFY after BOLA to rest and heal after completing a stunning DEFY record of 15 wins 2 losses.
UPDATED Sept. 18, 2019
Announced via Twitter; EL P is no longer accepting any match at DOOMSAYER and has dropped the booking completely.
DEFY brings NJPW and the Super J-Cup to Tacoma on 8/22!
The SUPER J-CUP is ALIVE as DEFY brings New Japan to the Northwest for the very first time!
As reported by Wrestling Observer
NJPW is bringing the Super J-Cup to the United States.
At NJPW's post-Dominion press conference, it was announced that the Super J-Cup is returning and will be held across three shows in the West Coast of the United States this August. This will be the first Super J-Cup tournament since 2016.
The first round will be held at the Temple Theater in Tacoma, Washington on Thursday, August 22. The second round will then take place at the San Francisco State University Student Life Event Center in San Francisco, California on Saturday, August 24, and the tournament will conclude with the semifinals and finals taking place at Walter Pyramid in Long Beach, California on Sunday, August 25.
Tickets for all three shows will go on sale on Monday, June 24 at noon Pacific time.
Participants for the Super J-Cup have yet to be announced, but it will be a 16-wrestler tournament and will feature entrants from NJPW, ROH, CMLL, and other promotions.
Jushin Thunder Liger was announced as the producer of this year's Super J-Cup.