Champion Carnival

The Champion Carnival (チャンピオン・カーニバル Chanpion Kānibaru) is a professional wrestling tournament held by All Japan Pro Wrestling (AJPW). The tournament is also known by the nickname Haru no Saiten (春の祭典, "Spring Festival") and is sometimes abbreviated to CC.[1][2] Created by AJPW founder Giant Baba, the tournament has been held annually since 1973 and is the longest-running singles tournament in professional wrestling, while also ranking as the most prestigious event in the AJPW calendar.[3] It is considered a successor to the World League, held by Japan Pro Wrestling Alliance (JWA) between 1959 and 1972, predating the New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW) G1 Climax tournament by a year.[4]

The tournament is held in a round-robin format, where all participating wrestlers face each other once with the winner being awarded two points and the loser none. A draw results in both wrestlers being awarded a point. After all wrestlers have faced each other once, the top two wrestlers advance to the finals to determine the tournament winner.[5]

Baba himself holds the record for most Champion Carnival wins, having won the tournament seven times.[6] Other notable winners include Abdullah the Butcher, Jumbo Tsuruta, Keiji Mutoh, Mitsuharu Misawa, Stan Hansen and Toshiaki Kawada.[6] Three wrestlers have won both the Champion Carnival and the G1 Climax; Mutoh, Satoshi Kojima and Yuji Nagata.[4]

History

Rikidōzan, the creator of the original World League

From 1959 to 1972, the Japan Pro Wrestling Alliance (JWA), run by Rikidōzan, held a tournament called World League (also known as the "World Big League"), which featured both Japanese and foreign professional wrestlers.[4] Rikidōzan himself dominated the annual tournament early on, however, after his death in 1963, the tournament was won six times by Giant Baba and once by Antonio Inoki.[4] JWA folded shortly after both Baba and Inoki left the promotion to create All Japan Pro Wrestling (AJPW) and New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW), respectively.[4] Both men took the concept of World League with them to their new promotions, with Baba creating the "Champion Carnival" in 1973 and Inoki creating the World League in 1974, later renaming it G1 Climax.[4]

The first Champion Carnival took place only six months after Baba had founded AJPW. The initial tournament was held in a single-elimination format and was intended for AJPW's heavyweight wrestlers such as Hiro Matsuda, Samson Kutsuwada and Thunder Sugiyama. For the tournament, Baba also recruited several foreign wrestlers, such as Baron Scicluna, The Destroyer, King Curtis Iaukea and Mark Lewin.[5] Baba himself won the inaugural tournament, defeating Lewin in the finals.[4][5] A year later, AJPW presented the second Champion Carnival, which most notably introduced former Olympian Jumbo Tsuruta, who eventually went on to become one of the promotion's top names. Baba also won the second Champion Carnival, this time defeating Mr. Wrestling in the finals.[5][7] Heading into the 1975 Champion Carnival, Baba changed the tournament's format. Now the four wrestlers who advanced to the semifinals in the single-elimination tournament were put into a round-robin tournament, where the wrestler with the best record would be declared the winner. Baba went on to win the tournament for the third year in a row, defeating Gene Kiniski in the finals.[5][8] A year later, the single-elimination portion of the tournament was eliminated and the Champion Carnival was changed to a pure round-robin tournament, a format it holds to this day.[5] The 1976 tournament was the first Champion Carnival not won by Baba. It was instead won by Canadian Abdullah the Butcher, who defeated Baba in the finals.[5] Baba went on to win the tournament four more times, winning a total of seven out of the ten first Champion Carnivals.[5] In early 1980s, AJPW loaded the Champion Carnival with some of the top foreign wrestlers in the world, including Billy Robinson, Bruiser Brody, Dick Slater, Jack Brisco, Stan Hansen, Ted DiBiase and Terry Funk.[5] However, after rival promotion NJPW took over as the number one promotion in Japan with a record-breaking business streak, AJPW decided to put the Champion Carnival on hiatus, not wanting the tournament to be overshadowed by their competitors. The hiatus lasted from 1983 to 1991.[5]

Mitsuharu Misawa, a two-time winner of the tournament, who took over its booking after Giant Baba's death

In 1991, AJPW had overtaken NJPW and was again the top promotion in Japan, boasting a roster of top foreign wrestlers mixed with top Japanese wrestlers.[5] The 1991 tournament showcased several younger wrestlers, including Kenta Kobashi, Mitsuharu Misawa and Toshiaki Kawada, who bypassed the promotion's aging veterans and went on to become the promotion's cornerstones for the next decade.[5] However, despite the emergence of the younger wrestlers and the participation of foreign wrestlers such as Doug Furnas, The Dynamite Kid, Johnny Ace, Johnny Smith and Mick Foley, the 1991 tournament was won by an AJPW veteran Jumbo Tsuruta, who defeated Stan Hansen in the finals.[5] The 1992 tournament was booked around the storyline of the "young lions" challenging the veterans for AJPW supremacy. Stan Hansen went on to win his first Champion Carnival, defeating Mitsuharu Misawa in the finals.[5][9] Despite losing in the finals, the tournament made Misawa a star, someone earmarked to occupy the promotion's top spot.[5] A year later, Hansen again defeated Misawa in the finals. The 1993 tournament was also noteworthy for introducing rookie Jun Akiyama.[5] In 1994, Toshiaki Kawada became the first of the "young lions" to win the Champion Carnival, defeating "Dr. Death" Steve Williams in the finals in a match that has been called "arguably the greatest Carnival tournament match of all time".[5] For the next several years the tournament was dominated by AJPW's younger wrestlers with Kawada repeating his win, Mitsuharu Misawa winning two tournaments and Kenta Kobashi one tournament.[5] The 1997 tournament ended in a rare three-way draw between Kawada, Kobashi and Misawa, resulting in a round-robin playoff between the three, where Kawada emerged victorious.[5][10]

On January 31, 1999, Giant Baba died, leaving the promotion in the hands of Mitsuharu Misawa.[5] The 1999 Champion Carnival was the first one not booked by Baba. As the new booker, Misawa made a controversial decision to leave Stan Hansen out of the tournament, while giving Vader the win in the finals over Kenta Kobashi.[5] Problems between Misawa and Giant Baba's widow Motoko Baba led to Misawa exiting AJPW in 2000, taking 26 out of the 28 Japanese AJPW wrestlers with him to form the new Pro Wrestling Noah promotion.[11] Struggling to cope with the loss of the majority of its roster, AJPW eventually hired NJPW wrestler Keiji Mutoh to lead the promotion.[12] Mutoh went on to win the Champion Carnival three times (2002, 2004 and 2007),[1] before leaving the promotion in 2013, after which he was replaced by Jun Akiyama.[13]

In recent years, several outsiders have won the tournament, with freelancer Minoru Suzuki winning it in 2009 and 2010,[1] NJPW representative Yuji Nagata winning it in 2011,[14] and Big Japan Pro Wrestling (BJW) representative Daisuke Sekimoto winning it in 2016.[2] 2013 saw Jun Akiyama finally win his first Champion Carnival, twenty years after his debut appearance in the tournament.[15]

List of winners

Abdullah the Butcher, a two-time and the first non-Japanese winner of the tournament
Toshiaki Kawada (top), a two-time winner of the tournament
Keiji Mutoh, a three-time winner of the tournament
Year Winner Total won Reference
1973 Giant Baba 1 [5]
1974 Giant Baba 2 [5]
1975 Giant Baba 3 [5]
1976 Abdullah the Butcher 1 [5]
1977 Giant Baba 4 [5]
1978 Giant Baba 5 [5]
1979 Abdullah the Butcher 2 [5]
1980 Jumbo Tsuruta 1 [5]
1981 Giant Baba 6 [5]
1982 Giant Baba 7 [5]
1991 Jumbo Tsuruta 2 [5]
1992 Stan Hansen 1 [5]
1993 Stan Hansen 2 [5]
1994 Toshiaki Kawada 1 [5]
1995 Mitsuharu Misawa 1 [5]
1996 Akira Taue 1 [5]
1997 Toshiaki Kawada 2 [5]
1998 Mitsuharu Misawa 2 [5]
1999 Vader 1 [5]
2000 Kenta Kobashi 1 [16]
2001 Genichiro Tenryu 1 [17]
2002 Keiji Mutoh 1 [6]
2003 Satoshi Kojima 1 [6]
2004 Keiji Mutoh 2 [6]
2005 Kensuke Sasaki 1 [1]
2006 Taiyō Kea 1 [1]
2007 Keiji Mutoh 3 [1]
2008 Suwama 1 [18]
2009 Minoru Suzuki 1 [19]
2010 Minoru Suzuki 2 [1]
2011 Yuji Nagata 1 [20]
2012 Taiyō Kea 2 [21]
2013 Jun Akiyama 1 [15]
2014 Takao Omori 1 [22]
2015 Akebono 1 [23]
2016 Daisuke Sekimoto 1 [2]

1973

The inaugural Champion Carnival in 1973 was a 15-man single-elimination tournament, held from March 17 to April 21. Giant Baba, as a result of his position as PWF Heavyweight Champion, was given a bye to the quarterfinals.

First round Second round Semifinals Final
        
Curtis Iaukea Pin
Thunder Sugiyama 11:40
Curtis Iaukea Pin
Moose Morowski 12:27
Moose Morowski Pin
Motoshi Okuma 12:17
Curtis Iaukea Pin
Giant Baba 11:49
Calypso Hurricane Pin
Matty Suzuki 13:41
Calypso Hurricane Pin
Giant Baba 18:45
Giant Baba (PWF C)
Bye
Giant Baba Pin1
Mark Lewin 19:20
Mashio Koma Sub
Mark Lewin 17:31
Mark Lewin Pin
Hiro Matsuda 21:55
Hiro Matsuda Sub
Antonio Pugliese 16:07
Mark Lewin Pin
The Destroyer 20:44
The Destroyer Sub
Mad Russian 20:48
The Destroyer Sub
Baron Scicluna 19:22
Samson Kutsuwada Pin
Baron Scicluna 14:49

1 This was a two out of three falls match, which Baba won 2-1, with all three falls being decided via pinfall.

1974

The 1974 Champion Carnival, held from April 13 to May 14, was another 15-man single-elimination tournament, with the PWF Heavyweight Champion, Giant Baba, being granted another bye to the quarterfinals.

First round Second round Semifinals Final
        
Joe Soto Pin
Jumbo Tsuruta 10:28
Jumbo Tsuruta
BYE
Abdullah the Butcher NC
The Destroyer 4:10
Jumbo Tsuruta Ref
Mr. Wrestling 28:32
Matty Suzuki Pin
Mr. Wrestling 13:41
Mr. Wrestling Pin
Thunder Sugiyama 14:17
Thunder Sugiyama Pin
Sailor White 12:04
Mr. Wrestling Pin1
Giant Baba 19:20
Curtis Iaukea Pin
Mashio Koma 5:08
Curtis Iaukea Pin
Giant Baba (PWF C) 4:48
 
 
Giant Baba Pin
Mark Lewin 17:28
Mark Lewin Pin
Akihisa Takachiho 14:50
Mark Lewin Pin
Samson Kutsuwada 16:24
Rufus R. Jones Pin
Samson Kutsuwada 14:15

1 This was a two out of three falls match, which Baba won 2-1, with all three falls being decided via pinfall.

1975

The 1975 Champion Carnival, held from April 5 to May 3, strayed slightly from the previous formula; it featured the usual single-elimination tournament, but one in which the four finalists would advance to a round-robin, the two top scorers of which would face off in the finals to decide the champion. Mr. Wrestling & Samson Kutsuwada received byes to the second round. Points awarded for the round-robin portion were 1 for a win, and 0 for a loss or draw.

First round Second Round League1 Final
        
Giant Baba (PWF C) CO
Mark Lewin 13:33
Giant Baba Pin
Killer Kowalski 26:39
The Great Kojika Pin
Killer Kowalski 13:42
Giant Baba
Mr. Wrestling
 
 
Samson Kutsuwada Pin
Mr. Wrestling 8:49
 
 
Giant Baba Pin2
Gene Kiniski 18:39
The Destroyer Sub
Steve Keirn 11:18
The Destroyer Pin
Akihisa Takachiho 15:28
Mike George Pin
Akihisa Takachiho 9:52
The Destroyer
Gene Kiniski
Bob Orton, Jr. Pin
Jumbo Tsuruta 13:01
Jumbo Tsuruta Pin
Gene Kiniski 21:25
Gene Kiniski Pin
Motoshi Okuma 8:45

1 For detailed results, see below.
2 This was a two out of three falls match, which Baba won 2-1, with all three falls being decided via pinfall.

Round-robin results

Final standings
Wrestler Score
Giant Baba 3
Gene Kiniski 2
The Destroyer 1
Mr. Wrestling 0
Results Giant Baba The Destroyer Gene Kiniski Mr. Wrestling
Giant Baba X Baba Baba Baba
The Destroyer Baba X Kiniski Destroyer
Gene Kiniski Baba Kiniski X Kiniski
Mr. Wrestling Baba Destroyer Kiniski X

1976

The 1976 Champion Carnival, held from April 2 to May 8, was a 14-man round-robin tournament, in which the two top scorers would advance to the final match to decide the champion. It introduced the modern round-robin points system, featuring two points for a victory, one for draws, and zero for a loss. Reigning NWA International champion Kintaro Ohki participated as a representative of his home promotion in South Korea.

Final standings
Abdullah the Butcher  18 
Giant Baba (PWF C) 18
The Barracuda 17
Jumbo Tsuruta 17
Kintaro Ohki (INT C) 17
The Destroyer 16
Curtis Iaukea 16
The Beast 9
Samson Kutsuwada 9
The Great Kojika 7
Buddy Wolfe 6
Motoshi Okuma 6
Larry Lane 4
Larry Sharpe 0
Final
   
1 Abdullah the Butcher DQ
2 Giant Baba 9:53

1977

The 1977 Champion Carnival, held from April 8 to May 16, was identical in format to the previous year, but with 15 entrants instead of 14. As a result of a tie for second place, there was also a semifinal playoff between Giant Baba and Abdullah the Butcher.

Final standings
Jumbo Tsuruta (UN C)  21 
Giant Baba (PWF C) 20
Abdullah the Butcher 20
Kintaro Ohki (INT C) 18
The Destroyer 17
Super Destroyer 16
Bull Ramos 16
Akihisa Takachiho 12
Samson Kutsuwada 11
The Great Kojika 10
J.J. Dillon 6
Bil White 4
José González 2
Red Wolf 0
  Semifinal     Final
                 
    1  Jumbo Tsuruta Pin
  2  Giant Baba 10:39     2  Giant Baba 10:39
  3  Abdullah the Butcher DQ  

1978

The 1978 Champion Carnival was another round-robin tournament featuring 15 entrants, held from March 4 to April 7.

Final standings
Abdullah the Butcher  25 
Giant Baba (PWF C) 24
Jumbo Tsuruta (UN C) 22
Kintaro Ohki (INT C) 20
Kim Duck 17
The Destroyer 16
Don Leo Jonathan 16
Curtis Iaukea 16
Black Terror 12
Ted DiBiase 10
Buddy Wolfe 6
Motoshi Okuma 4
The Great Kojika 4
Rocky Hata 4
Luke Graham 2
Frank Morell 0
Final
   
1 Abdullah the Butcher CO
2 Giant Baba 11:59

1980

The 1980 Champion Carnival was a 13-man tournament, held from March 28 to May 1.

Final standings
Dick Slater 19
Jumbo Tsuruta (UN C) 19
Abdullah the Butcher 18
Terry Funk 18
Giant Baba (PWF C) 17
Tiger Toguchi 15
Ted DiBiase 12
Ray Candy 8
The Mysterious Assassin 6
Rocky Hata 4
The Great Kojika 2
Motoshi Okuma 6
Carl Fergie 0
Final
   
1 Jumbo Tsuruta Pin
2 Dick Slater 23:45

1981

The 1981 Champion Carnival was a 14-man tournament held from March 27 to April 23.

Final standings
Giant Baba (PWF C) 29
Bruiser Brody 28
Jumbo Tsuruta (UN C) 18
Abdullah the Butcher 18
Jack Brisco 18
Tiger Toguchi 17
Tim Brooks 12
The Avenger 10
Takashi Ishikawa 8
Prince Tonga 8
Rocky Hata 6
The Great Kojika 6
Motoshi Okuma 4
Wayne Ferris 3

1982

The 1982 Champion Carnival was an 18-man tournament, which, unlike previous years, featured no final; the man with the most points at the end of the league would be the winner. It was held from March 19 to April 16.

Final standings
Giant Baba (PWF C) 29
Jumbo Tsuruta (UN C) 28
Abdullah the Butcher 28
Genichiro Tenryu 26
Billy Robinson 25
Mongolian Stomper 20
Alexis Smirnoff 18
Buck Robley 16
Mighty Inoue 11
Rocky Hata 10
Prince Tonga 10
Motoshi Okuma 10
Akio Sato 10
Takashi Ishikawa 9
The Great Kojika 8
Bill Howard 2
Ashura Hara 0

1991

The 1991 Champion Carnival introduced the modern "dual-block" system, with seven wrestlers in two separate leagues, and the winners of each facing off in the final. It was held from March 23 to April 16. With his victory, Jumbo Tsuruta became the first man to not lose a single match in a round-robin style Champion Carnival.

Final standings
Block A Block B
Stan Hansen 12 Jumbo Tsuruta (C) 12
Mitsuharu Misawa 10 Dan Spivey 10
Dynamite Kid 8 Toshiaki Kawada 8
Kenta Kobashi 6 Akira Taue 6
Doug Furnas 4 Dan Kroffat 4
Texas Terminator Hoss 2 Johnny Smith 2
Johnny Ace 0 Cactus Jack 0
Final
   
A1 Stan Hansen Pin
B1 Jumbo Tsuruta  12:53 

1992

The 1992 Champion Carnival was another two-block round-robin tournament, this time with 10 wrestlers in each block. It was held from March 20 to April 17. Stan Hansen repeated Jumbo Tsuruta's feat the previous year, winning every match he participated in.

Final standings
Block A Block B
Mitsuharu Misawa 17 Stan Hansen (C) 18
Jumbo Tsuruta 16 Steve Williams 15
Terry Gordy 15 Toshiaki Kawada 12
Johnny Ace 14 Dan Spivey 12
Masanobu Fuchi 10 Kenta Kobashi 11
Doug Furnas 8 Akira Taue 8
Giant Kimala II 6 Dan Kroffat 8
Tsuyoshi Kikuchi 4 Yoshinari Ogawa 4
Master Blaster 2 David Isley 2
Joel Deaton 0 Billy Black 0
Final
   
A1 Mitsuharu Misawa Pin
B1 Stan Hansen 20:06

1993

The 1993 Champion Carnival returned to the single-block round-robin format, this time with 13 men. It was held from March 25 to April 21.

Final standings
Stan Hansen 20
Mitsuharu Misawa (C) 20
Terry Gordy 19
Steve Williams 19
Toshiaki Kawada 18
Akira Taue 17
Kenta Kobashi 12
Davey Boy Smith 8
Johnny Ace 8
The Patriot 7
Dan Kroffat 4
Doug Furnas 4
Jun Akiyama 0
Final
   
1 Stan Hansen Pin
2 Mitsuharu Misawa 20:26

1994

The 1994 Champion Carnival was another single-block round-robin tournament, featuring 12 men. It was held from March 19 to April 16.

Final standings
Wrestlers Score
Toshiaki Kawada 19
Steve Williams 19
Stan Hansen 18
Kenta Kobashi 17
Akira Taue 17
Johnny Ace 11
Jun Akiyama 9
John Nord 6
The Eagle 4
Johnny Smith 4
Mitsuharu Misawa (C) 4
Doug Furnas 4
Results Johnny
Ace 		Jun
Akiyama 		The
Eagle 		Doug
Furnas 		Stan
Hansen 		Toshiaki
Kawada 		Kenta
Kobashi 		Mitsuharu
Misawa 		John
Nord 		Johnny
Smith 		Akira
Taue 		Steve
Williams
Johnny
Ace		 X Draw
(30:00) 		Ace
(15:11) 		Ace
(14:41) 		Hansen
(11:53) 		Kawada
(15:47) 		Kobashi
(21:22) 		Ace
(Forf) 		Ace
(15:01) 		Ace
(14:00) 		Taue
(12:06) 		Williams
(14:33)
Jun
Akiyama		 Draw
(30:00) 		X Akiyama
(12:27) 		Akiyama
(12:26) 		Hansen
(11:49) 		Kawada
(11:25) 		Kobashi
(14:40) 		Misawa
(13:57) 		Akiyama
(8:00) 		Akiyama
(15:11) 		Taue
(11:50) 		Williams
(12:26)
The
Eagle		 Ace
(15:11) 		Akiyama
(12:27) 		X Eagle
(11:12) 		Hansen
(6:21) 		Kawada
(12:30) 		Kobashi
(12:17) 		Eagle
(Forf) 		Nord
(11:17) 		Smith
(17:01) 		Taue
(10:35) 		Williams
(4:13)
Doug
Furnas		 Ace
(14:41) 		Akiyama
(12:26) 		Eagle
(11:12) 		X Hansen
(16:24) 		Kawada
(10:25) 		Kobashi
(15:25) 		Misawa
(12:15) 		Furnas
(12:05) 		Furnas
(14:28) 		Taue
(12:29) 		Williams
(14:38)
Stan
Hansen		 Hansen
(11:53) 		Hansen
(11:49) 		Hansen
(6:21) 		Hansen
(16:24) 		X Hansen
(19:39) 		Kobashi
(26:55) 		Hansen
(Forf) 		Hansen
(9:03) 		Hansen
(8:12) 		Taue
(17:31) 		Hansen
(16:35)
Toshiaki
Kawada		 Kawada
(15:47) 		Kawada
(11:25) 		Kawada
(12:30) 		Kawada
(10:25) 		Hansen
(19:39) 		X Kawada
(23:06) 		Kawada
(Forf) 		Kawada
(10:02) 		Kawada
(9:31) 		Kawada
(20:20) 		Draw
(30:00)
Kenta
Kobashi		 Kobashi
(21:22) 		Kobashi
(14:40) 		Kobashi
(12:17) 		Kobashi
(15:25) 		Kobashi
(26:55) 		Kawada
(23:06) 		X Kobashi
(Forf) 		Kobashi
(11:41) 		Kobashi
(16:45) 		Draw
(30:00) 		Williams
(22:10)
Mitsuharu
Misawa		 Ace
(Forf) 		Misawa
(13:57) 		Eagle
(Forf) 		Misawa
(12:15) 		Hansen
(Forf) 		Kawada
(Forf) 		Kobashi
(Forf) 		X Nord
(Forf) 		Smith
(Forf) 		Taue
(Forf) 		Willams
(Forf)
John
Nord		 Ace
(15:01) 		Akiyama
(8:00) 		Nord
(11:17) 		Furnas
(12:05) 		Hansen
(9:03) 		Kawada
(10:02) 		Kobashi
(11:41) 		Nord
(Forf) 		X Nord
(7:29) 		Taue
(10:34) 		Willams
(10:16)
Johnny
Smith		 Ace
(14:00) 		Akiyama
(15:11) 		Smith
(17:01) 		Furnas
(14:28) 		Hansen
(8:12) 		Kawada
(9:31) 		Kobashi
(16:45) 		Smith
(Forf) 		Nord
(7:29) 		X Taue
(11:53) 		Willams
(12:32)
Akira
Taue		 Taue
(12:06) 		Taue
(11:50) 		Taue
(10:35) 		Taue
(12:29) 		Taue
(17:31) 		Kawada
(20:20) 		Draw
(30:00) 		Taue
(Forf) 		Taue
(10:34) 		Taue
(11:53) 		X Willams
(15:17)
Steve
Williams		 Williams
(14:33) 		Williams
(12:26) 		Williams
(4:13) 		Williams
(14:38) 		Hansen
(16:35) 		Draw
(30:00) 		Williams
(22:10) 		Willams
(Forf) 		Willams
(10:16) 		Willams
(12:32) 		Willams
(15:17) 		X
Final
   
1 Toshiaki Kawada Pin
2 Steve Williams 25:48

1995

The 1995 Champion Carnival contained 11 men, and was held from March 21 to April 15.

Final standings
Wrestler Score
Mitsuharu Misawa 17
Akira Taue 17
Toshiaki Kawada 16
Stan Hansen (C) 16
Kenta Kobashi 13
Johnny Ace 11
Jun Akiyama 6
Doug Furnas 6
Dan Spivey 4
Dan Kroffat 4
Takao Omori 0
Final
Mitsuharu Misawa d. Akira Taue (27:03)
Results Johnny
Ace 		Jun
Akiyama 		Doug
Furnas 		Stan
Hansen 		Toshiaki
Kawada 		Kenta
Kobashi 		Dan
Kroffat 		Mitsuharu
Misawa 		Takao
Omori 		Dan
Spivey 		Akira
Taue
Johnny
Ace		 X Ace
(11:48) 		Ace
(13:49) 		Hansen
(15:17) 		Kawada
(19:22) 		Draw
(30:00) 		Ace
(10:49) 		Misawa
(19:03) 		Ace
(12:35) 		Ace
(9:33) 		Taue
(14:56)
Jun
Akiyama		 Ace
(11:48) 		X Akiyama
(12:26) 		Hansen
(10:46) 		Kawada
(15:20) 		Kobashi
(18:14) 		Kroffat
(14:32) 		Misawa
(12:28) 		Akiyama
(13:41) 		Akiyama
(8:12) 		Taue
(10:26)
Doug
Furnas		 Ace
(13:49) 		Akiyama
(12:26) 		X Hansen
(5:23) 		Kawada
(11:37) 		Kobashi
(14:48) 		Furnas
(12:14) 		Misawa
(11:25) 		Furnas
(9:18) 		Furnas
(9:38) 		Taue
(10:19)
Stan
Hansen		 Hansen
(15:17) 		Hansen
(10:46) 		Hansen
(5:23) 		X Kawada
(21:04) 		Draw
(30:00) 		Hansen
(8:50) 		Draw
(30:00) 		Hansen
(4:22) 		Hansen
(6:58) 		Hansen
(16:04)
Toshiaki
Kawada		 Kawada
(19:22) 		Kawada
(15:20) 		Kawada
(11:37) 		Kawada
(21:04) 		X Draw
(30:00) 		Kawada
(10:16) 		Draw
(30:00) 		Kawada
(11:49) 		Kawada
(14:55) 		Taue
(23:51)
Kenta
Kobashi		 Draw
(30:00) 		Kobashi
(18:14) 		Kobashi
(14:48) 		Draw
(30:00) 		Draw
(30:00) 		X Kobashi
(15:14) 		Misawa
(22:31) 		Kobashi
(14:46) 		Kobashi
(5:57) 		Taue
(25:22)
Dan
Kroffat		 Ace
(10:49) 		Kroffat
(14:32) 		Furnas
(12:14) 		Hansen
(8:50) 		Kawada
(10:16) 		Kobashi
(15:14) 		X Misawa
(12:01) 		Kroffat
(12:27) 		Spivey
(4:17) 		Taue
(10:24)
Mitsuharu
Misawa		 Misawa
(19:03) 		Misawa
(12:28) 		Misawa
(11:25) 		Draw
(30:00) 		Draw
(30:00) 		Misawa
(22:31) 		Misawa
(12:01) 		X Misawa
(11:26) 		Misawa
(8:42) 		Draw
(30:00)
Takao
Omori		 Ace
(12:35) 		Akiyama
(13:41) 		Furnas
(9:18) 		Hansen
(4:22) 		Kawada
(11:49) 		Kobashi
(14:46) 		Kroffat
(12:27) 		Misawa
(11:26) 		X Spivey
(11:41) 		Taue
(8:40)
Dan
Spivey		 Ace
(9:33) 		Akiyama
(8:12) 		Furnas
(9:38) 		Hansen
(6:58) 		Kawada
(14:55) 		Kobashi
(5:57) 		Spivey
(4:17) 		Misawa
(8:42) 		Spivey
(11:41) 		X Taue
(9:00)
Akira
Taue		 Taue
(14:56) 		Taue
(10:26) 		Taue
(10:19) 		Hansen
(16:04) 		Taue
(23:51) 		Taue
(25:22) 		Taue
(10:24) 		Draw
(30:00) 		Taue
(8:40) 		Taue
(9:00) 		X

1996

The 1996 Champion Carnival contained 12 men, and was held from March 22 to April 20. It contained the longest decisive match in the tournament's history, with Toshiaki Kawada defeating Kenta Kobashi in 29:38, just 22 seconds shy of the time limit.

Final standings
Wrestler Score
Akira Taue 17
Steve Williams 17
Stan Hansen 16
Kenta Kobashi 16
Mitsuharu Misawa (C) 16
Toshiaki Kawada 15
Gary Albright 12
Johnny Ace 10
The Patriot 6
Jun Akiyama 5
Takao Omori 2
Tamon Honda 1
Final
Akira Taue d. Steve Williams (21:41)
Results Johnny
Ace 		Jun
Akiyama 		Gary
Albright 		Stan
Hansen 		Tamon
Honda 		Toshiaki
Kawada 		Kenta
Kobashi 		Mitsuharu
Misawa 		Takao
Omori 		The
Patriot 		Akira
Taue 		Steve
Williams
Johnny
Ace		 X Ace
(16:18) 		Ace
(30:00) 		Hansen
(10:04) 		Ace
(12:31) 		Kawada
(21:54) 		Draw
(30:00) 		Draw
(30:00) 		Ace
(13:43) 		Patriot
(14:24) 		Taue
(19:42) 		Williams
(18:14)
Jun
Akiyama		 Ace
(16:18) 		X Albright
(8:19) 		Hansen
(7:02) 		Draw
(30:00) 		Kawada
(1:45) 		Kobashi
(18:34) 		Misawa
(17:56) 		Akiyama
(3:15) 		Akiyama
(14:05) 		Taue
(13:26) 		Williams
(8:15)
Gary
Albright		 Draw
(30:00) 		Albright
(8:19) 		X Hansen
(11:26) 		Albright
(8:26) 		Albright
(17:38) 		Kobashi
(14:09) 		Misawa
(18:14) 		Albright
(6:56) 		Albright
(10:49) 		Taue
(15:15) 		Draw
(30:00)
Stan
Hansen		 Hansen
(10:04) 		Hansen
(7:02) 		Hansen
(11:26) 		X Hansen
(4:59) 		Draw
(30:00) 		Kobashi
(22:15) 		Hansen
(17:31) 		Hansen
(5:15) 		Hansen
(12:44) 		Taue
(15:08) 		Draw
(30:00)
Tamon
Honda		 Ace
(12:31) 		Draw
(30:00) 		Albright
(8:26) 		Hansen
(4:59) 		X Kawada
(9:30) 		Kobashi
(16:31) 		Misawa
(10:10) 		Omori
(14:16) 		Patriot
(10:04) 		Taue
(10:40) 		Williams
(4:57)
Toshiaki
Kawada		 Kawada
(21:54) 		Kawada
(1:45) 		Albright
(17:38) 		Draw
(30:00) 		Kawada
(9:30) 		X Kawada
(29:38) 		Draw
(30:00) 		Kawada
(7:19) 		Kawada
(7:51) 		Draw
(30:00) 		Williams
(17:30)
Kenta
Kobashi		 Draw
(30:00) 		Kobashi
(18:34) 		Kobashi
(14:09) 		Kobashi
(22:15) 		Kobashi
(16:31) 		Kawada
(29:38) 		X Misawa
(24:07) 		Kobashi
(14:29) 		Kobashi
(18:07) 		Draw
(30:00) 		Kobashi
(27:53)
Mitsuharu
Misawa		 Draw
(30:00) 		Misawa
(17:56) 		Misawa
(18:14) 		Hansen
(17:31) 		Misawa
(10:10) 		Draw
(30:00) 		Misawa
(24:07) 		X Misawa
(10:23) 		Misawa
(14:42) 		Misawa
(18:18) 		Williams
(19:59)
Takao
Omori		 Ace
(13:43) 		Akiyama
(3:15) 		Albright
(6:56) 		Hansen
(5:15) 		Omori
(14:16) 		Kawada
(7:19) 		Kobashi
(14:29) 		Misawa
(10:23) 		X Patriot
(11:34) 		Taue
(8:55) 		Williams
(6:34)
The
Patriot		 Patriot
(14:24) 		Akiyama
(14:05) 		Albright
(10:49) 		Hansen
(12:44) 		Patriot
(10:04) 		Kawada
(7:51) 		Kobashi
(18:07) 		Misawa
(14:42) 		Patriot
(11:34) 		X Taue
(15:38) 		Williams
(16:07)
Akira
Taue		 Taue
(19:42) 		Taue
(13:26) 		Taue
(15:15) 		Taue
(15:08) 		Taue
(10:40) 		Draw
(30:00) 		Draw
(30:00) 		Misawa
(18:18) 		Taue
(8:55) 		Taue
(15:38) 		X Draw
(30:00)
Steve
Williams		 Williams
(18:14) 		Williams
(8:15) 		Draw
(30:00) 		Draw
(30:00) 		Williams
(4:57) 		Williams
(17:30) 		Kobashi
(27:53) 		Williams
(19:59) 		Williams
(6:34) 		Williams
(16:07) 		Draw
(30:00) 		X

1997

The 1997 Champion Carnival contained 13 men, and was held from March 22 to April 19. Due to a three-way tie for first place between Toshiaki Kawada, Kenta Kobashi and Mitsuharu Misawa, a one-night round-robin playoff was contested among them, with the winner claiming the tournament.

Final standings
Wrestler Score
Toshiaki Kawada 19
Kenta Kobashi 19
Mitsuharu Misawa (C) 19
Stan Hansen 18
Akira Taue 18
Steve Williams 18
Gary Albright 12
Johnny Ace 10
Jun Akiyama 9
Giant Kimala II 6
Tamon Honda 4
Takao Omori 4
Jun Izumida 0
Final
Kenta Kobashi dr. Mitsuharu Misawa (30:00)
Toshiaki Kawada d. Mitsuharu Misawa (6:09)
Toshiaki Kawada d. Kenta Kobashi (21:27)
Results Johnny
Ace 		Jun
Akiyama 		Gary
Albright 		Stan
Hansen 		Tamon
Honda 		Jun
Izumida 		Toshiaki
Kawada 		Giant
Kimala 		Kenta
Kobashi 		Mitsuharu
Misawa 		Takao
Omori 		Akira
Taue 		Steve
Williams
Johnny
Ace		 X Akiyama
(2:29) 		Ace
(11:17) 		Hansen
(14:08) 		Ace
(14:52) 		Ace
(Forf) 		Kawada
(22:37) 		Ace
(14:19) 		Kobashi
(16:39) 		Misawa
(26:27) 		Ace
(18:23) 		Taue
(16:38) 		Williams
(20:44)
Jun
Akiyama		 Akiyama
(2:29) 		X Albright
(6:50) 		Draw
(30:00) 		Akiyama
(14:46) 		Akiyama
(Forf) 		Kawada
(17:16) 		Kimala
(12:39) 		Kobashi
(20:13) 		Misawa
(20:33) 		Akiyama
(11:25) 		Taue
(11:25) 		Williams
(14:12)
Gary
Albright		 Ace
(11:17) 		Albright
(6:50) 		X Hansen
(9:47) 		Albright
(8:08) 		Albright
(Forf) 		Kawada
(7:27) 		Albright
(6:51) 		Kobashi
(12:39) 		Misawa
(13:06) 		Albright
(4:58) 		Taue
(8:18) 		Albright
(11:21)
Stan
Hansen		 Hansen
(14:08) 		Draw
(30:00) 		Hansen
(9:47) 		X Hansen
(8:05) 		Hansen
(Forf) 		Hansen
(10:45) 		Hansen
(7:17) 		Kobashi
(19:51) 		Misawa
(17:59) 		Hansen
(10:18) 		Hansen
(15:06) 		Draw
(30:00)
Tamon
Honda		 Ace
(14:52) 		Akiyama
(14:46) 		Albright
(8:08) 		Hansen
(8:05) 		X Honda
(Forf) 		Kawada
(7:32) 		Kimala
(10:09) 		Kobashi
(13:00) 		Misawa
(10:15) 		Honda
(13:38) 		Taue
(9:45) 		Williams
(8:45)
Jun
Izumida		 Ace
(Forf) 		Akiyama
(Forf) 		Albright
(Forf) 		Hansen
(Forf) 		Honda
(Forf) 		X Kawada
(Forf) 		Kimala
(Forf) 		Kobashi
(Forf) 		Misawa
(Forf) 		Omori
(Forf) 		Taue
(Forf) 		Williams
(Forf)
Toshiaki
Kawada		 Kawada
(22:37) 		Kawada
(17:16) 		Kawada
(7:27) 		Hansen
(10:45) 		Kawada
(7:32) 		Kawada
(Forf) 		X Kawada
(7:07) 		Draw
(30:00) 		Draw
(30:00) 		Kawada
(9:38) 		Kawada
(14:17) 		Draw
(30:00)
Giant
Kimala		 Ace
(14:19) 		Kimala
(12:39) 		Albright
(6:51) 		Hansen
(7:17) 		Kimala
(10:09) 		Kimala
(Forf) 		Kawada
(7:07) 		X Kobashi
(13:23) 		Misawa
(9:48) 		Omori
(12:38) 		Taue
(6:50) 		Williams
(9:43)
Kenta
Kobashi		 Kobashi
(16:39) 		Kobashi
(20:13) 		Kobashi
(12:39) 		Kobashi
(19:51) 		Kobashi
(13:00) 		Kobashi
(Forf) 		Draw
(30:00) 		Kobashi
(13:23) 		X Kobashi
(24:09) 		Kobashi
(13:53) 		Taue
(21:22) 		Williams
(23:50)
Mitsuharu
Misawa		 Misawa
(26:27) 		Misawa
(20:33) 		Misawa
(13:06) 		Misawa
(17:59) 		Misawa
(10:15) 		Misawa
(Forf) 		Draw
(30:00) 		Misawa
(9:48) 		Kobashi
(24:09) 		X Misawa
(12:53) 		Misawa
(12:14) 		Williams
(18:21)
Takao
Omori		 Ace
(18:23) 		Akiyama
(11:25) 		Albright
(4:58) 		Hansen
(10:18) 		Honda
(13:38) 		Omori
(Forf) 		Kawada
(9:38) 		Omori
(12:38) 		Kobashi
(13:53) 		Misawa
(12:53) 		X Taue
(8:31) 		Williams
(16:27)
Akira
Taue		 Taue
(16:38) 		Taue
(11:25) 		Taue
(8:18) 		Hansen
(15:06) 		Taue
(9:45) 		Taue
(Forf) 		Kawada
(14:17) 		Taue
(6:50) 		Taue
(21:22) 		Misawa
(12:14) 		Taue
(8:31) 		X Taue
(18:30)
Steve
Williams		 Williams
(20:44) 		Williams
(14:12) 		Albright
(11:21) 		Draw
(30:00) 		Williams
(8:45) 		Williams
(Forf) 		Draw
(30:00) 		Williams
(9:43) 		Williams
(23:50) 		Williams
(18:21) 		Williams
(16:27) 		Taue
(18:30) 		X

1998

The 1998 Champion Carnival also contained 13 men, and was held from March 21 to April 18.

Final standings
Wrestler Score
Mitsuharu Misawa (C) 19
Jun Akiyama 19
Kenta Kobashi 18
Toshiaki Kawada 18
Stan Hansen 17
Steve Williams 17
Johnny Ace 14
Gary Albright 12
Akira Taue 8
Takao Omori 6
Giant Kimala II 4
Wolf Hawkfield 4
Jun Izumida 0
Final
Mitsuharu Misawa d. Jun Akiyama (22:05)
Results Ace Akiyama Albright Hansen Wolf Izumida Kawada Kimala Kobashi Misawa Omori Taue Williams
Ace X Akiyama
(11:13) 		Ace
(9:48) 		Hansen
(10:18) 		Ace
(12:57) 		Ace
(10:56) 		Draw
(30:00) 		Ace
(10:54) 		Draw
(30:00) 		Misawa
(16:48) 		Ace
(10:41) 		Ace
(8:09) 		Williams
(10:14)
Akiyama Akiyama
(11:13) 		X Akiyama
(6:02) 		Akiyama
(15:01) 		Akiyama
(12:42) 		Akiyama
(17:10) 		Kawada
(18:01) 		Akiyama
(10:43) 		Draw
(30:00) 		Draw
(30:00) 		Akiyama
(17:41) 		Akiyama
(Forf) 		Draw
(30:00)
Albright Ace
(9:48) 		Akiyama
(6:02) 		X Hansen
(10:54) 		Albright
(10:38) 		Albright
(12:17) 		Kawada
(9:17) 		Albright
(8:48) 		Albright
(13:58) 		Misawa
(12:35) 		Albright
(8:42) 		Albright
(Forf) 		Williams
(10:04)
Hansen Hansen
(10:18) 		Akiyama
(15:01) 		Hansen
(10:54) 		X Hansen
(8:00) 		Hansen
(7:22) 		Kawada
(17:50) 		Hansen
(4:10) 		Kobashi
(19:32) 		Draw
(30:00) 		Hansen
(10:52) 		Hansen
(6:13) 		Hansen
(18:58)
Wolf Ace
(12:57) 		Akiyama
(12:42) 		Albright
(10:38) 		Hansen
(8:00) 		X Wolf
(12:00) 		Kawada
(12:05) 		Kimala
(11:34) 		Kobashi
(9:09) 		Misawa
(10:50) 		Wolf
(12:04) 		Taue
(6:23) 		Williams
(15:19)
Izumida Ace
(10:56) 		Akiyama
(17:10) 		Albright
(12:17) 		Hansen
(7:22) 		Wolf
(12:00) 		X Kawada
(3:59) 		Kimala
(11:23) 		Kobashi
(12:29) 		Misawa
(11:34) 		Omori
(12:03) 		Taue
(5:46) 		Williams
(9:41)
Kawada Draw
(30:00) 		Kawada
(18:01) 		Kawada
(9:17) 		Kawada
(17:50) 		Kawada
(12:05) 		Kawada
(3:59) 		X Kawada
(4:05) 		Kobashi
(11:34) 		Draw
(30:00) 		Kawada
(11:52) 		Kawada
(9:17) 		Williams
(16:29)
Kimala Ace
(10:54) 		Akiyama
(10:43) 		Albright
(8:48) 		Hansen
(4:10) 		Kimala
(11:34) 		Kimala
(11:23) 		Kawada
(4:05) 		X Kobashi
(12:35) 		Misawa
(7:22) 		Omori
(12:44) 		Taue
(9:41) 		Williams
(11:50)
Kobashi Draw
(30:00) 		Draw
(30:00) 		Albright
(13:58) 		Kobashi
(19:32) 		Kobashi
(9:09) 		Kobashi
(12:29) 		Kobashi
(11:34) 		Kobashi
(12:35) 		X Misawa
(25:00) 		Kobashi
(12:42) 		Kobashi
(Forf) 		Kobashi
(20:06)
Misawa Misawa
(16:48) 		Draw
(30:00) 		Misawa
(12:35) 		Draw
(30:00) 		Misawa
(10:50) 		Misawa
(11:34) 		Draw
(30:00) 		Misawa
(7:22) 		Misawa
(25:00) 		X Misawa
(13:56) 		Taue
(15:39) 		Misawa
(18:22)
Omori Ace
(10:41) 		Akiyama
(17:41) 		Albright
(8:42) 		Hansen
(10:52) 		Wolf
(12:04) 		Omori
(12:03) 		Kawada
(11:52) 		Omori
(12:44) 		Kobashi
(12:42) 		Misawa
(13:56) 		X Omori
(Forf) 		Williams
(16:26)
Taue Ace
(8:09) 		Akiyama
(Forf) 		Albright
(Forf) 		Hansen
(6:13) 		Taue
(6:23) 		Taue
(5:46) 		Kawada
(9:17) 		Taue
(9:41) 		Kobashi
(Forf) 		Taue
(15:39) 		Omori
(Forf) 		X Williams
(12:44)
Williams Williams
(10:14) 		Draw
(30:00) 		Williams
(10:04) 		Hansen
(18:58) 		Williams
(15:19) 		Williams
(9:41) 		Williams
(16:29) 		Williams
(11:50) 		Kobashi
(20:06) 		Misawa
(18:22) 		Williams
(16:26) 		Williams
(12:44) 		X

1999

The 1999 Champion Carnival was a 10-man tournament, held from March 26 to April 16. The eventual winner, Vader, became the first man since the tournament's creation to win in his first attempt.

Final standings
Wrestler Score
Kenta Kobashi 16
Vader (C) 15
Mitsuharu Misawa 14
Jun Akiyama 11
Akira Taue 11
Johnny Ace 9
Gary Albright 8
Yoshihiro Takayama 3
Jinsei Shinzaki 2
Takao Omori 1
Final
Vader d. Kenta Kobashi (19:11)
Results Johnny
Ace 		Jun
Akiyama 		Gary
Albright 		Kenta
Kobashi 		Mitsuharu
Misawa 		Takao
Omori 		Jinsei
Shinzaki 		Yoshihiro
Takayama 		Akira
Taue 		Vader
Johnny
Ace		 X Ace
(10:23) 		Albright
(7:33) 		Draw
(30:00) 		Misawa
(12:24) 		Ace
(13:58) 		Ace
(12:47) 		Ace
(8:31) 		Taue
(11:58) 		Vader
(9:19)
Jun
Akiyama		 Ace
(10:23) 		X Akiyama
(8:11) 		Kobashi
(24:37) 		Draw
(30:00) 		Akiyama
(22:03) 		Akiyama
(18:19) 		Akiyama
(9:12) 		Akiyama
(12:48) 		Vader
(9:22)
Gary
Albright		 Albright
(7:33) 		Akiyama
(8:11) 		X Kobashi
(12:25) 		Misawa
(10:37) 		Albright
(9:27) 		Albright
(12:36) 		Albright
(7:19) 		Taue
(9:44) 		Vader
(7:23)
Kenta
Kobashi		 Draw
(30:00) 		Kobashi
(24:37) 		Kobashi
(12:25) 		X Kobashi
(24:15) 		Kobashi
(17:14) 		Kobashi
(16:20) 		Kobashi
(11:52) 		Kobashi
(17:06) 		Draw
(30:00)
Mitsuharu
Misawa		 Misawa
(12:24) 		Draw
(30:00) 		Misawa
(10:37) 		Kobashi
(24:15) 		X Misawa
(12:16) 		Misawa
(16:54) 		Misawa
(12:47) 		Draw
(30:00) 		Misawa
(10:52)
Takao
Omori		 Ace
(13:58) 		Akiyama
(22:03) 		Albright
(9:27) 		Kobashi
(17:14) 		Misawa
(12:16) 		X Shinzaki
(19:35) 		Draw
(30:00) 		Taue
(15:36) 		Vader
(2:10)
Jinsei
Shinzaki		 Ace
(12:47) 		Akiyama
(18:19) 		Albright
(12:36) 		Kobashi
(16:20) 		Misawa
(16:54) 		Shinzaki
(19:35) 		X Takayama
(15:12) 		Taue
(10:53) 		Vader
(12:40)
Yoshihiro
Takayama		 Ace
(8:31) 		Akiyama
(9:12) 		Albright
(7:19) 		Kobashi
(11:52) 		Misawa
(12:47) 		Draw
(30:00) 		Takayama
(15:12) 		X Taue
(11:00) 		Vader
(5:23)
Akira
Taue		 Taue
(11:58) 		Akiyama
(12:48) 		Taue
(9:44) 		Kobashi
(17:06) 		Draw
(30:00) 		Taue
(15:36) 		Taue
(10:53) 		Taue
(11:00) 		X Vader
(7:41)
Vader Vader
(9:19) 		Vader
(9:22) 		Vader
(7:23) 		Draw
(30:00) 		Misawa
(10:52) 		Vader
(2:10) 		Vader
(12:40) 		Vader
(5:23) 		Vader
(7:41) 		X

2000

The 2000 Champion Carnival was a 16-man single-elimination tournament, the first to strictly use such a format since 1974, and was held from March 24 to April 15. It was the last Carnival before nearly all of AJPW's roster, including Kenta Kobashi, Jun Akiyama, Mitsuharu Misawa and Akira Taue, left to form Pro Wrestling NOAH. It also featured the shortest match in the tournament's history, with Takao Omori defeating Akiyama in seven seconds in the first round.

First Round Quarterfinals Semifinals Finals
            
Tamon Honda Pin
Johnny Smith 15:12
Johnny Smith Sub
Kenta Kobashi 17:43
Johnny Ace Pin
Kenta Kobashi (C) 20:56
Kenta Kobashi Pin
Mitsuharu Misawa 26:08
Yoshihiro Takayama Pin
Vader 6:04
Vader Sub
Mitsuharu Misawa 11:31
Toshiaki Kawada Pin
Mitsuharu Misawa 15:35
Kenta Kobashi Pin
Takao Omori 25:12
Mike Barton Pin
Masao Inoue 14:17
Mike Barton Pin
Takao Omori 15:55
Jun Akiyama Pin
Takao Omori 0:07
Takao Omori Pin
Steve Williams 10:33
Akira Taue Pin
Steve Williams 17:15
Steve Williams Forf
Jun Izumida
Wolf Hawkfield Pin
Jun Izumida 13:02

2001

The 2001 Champion Carnival returned to the round-robin format, with 10 men competing; it was held from March 23 to April 11. The winner, Genichiro Tenryu, made his first appearance in the tournament since 1982. This was also the last Carnival to use a single-block round-robin system, as all subsequent tournaments have used the dual-block formula.

Final standings
Wrestler Score
Genichiro Tenryu (C) 15
Taiyō Kea 15
Toshiaki Kawada 14
Mike Barton 13
Steve Williams 13
Yoshiaki Fujiwara 7
Johnny Smith 7
George Hines 2
Mitsuya Nagai 2
Jim Steele 2
Final
Genichiro Tenryu d. Taiyō Kea (17:08)
Results Mike
Barton 		Yoshiaki
Fujiwara 		George
Hines 		Toshiaki
Kawada 		Taiyō
Kea 		Mitsuya
Nagai 		Johnny
Smith 		Jim
Steele 		Genichiro
Tenryu 		Steve
Williams
Mike
Barton		 X Barton
(14:02) 		Barton
(17:13) 		Barton
(16:12) 		Kea
(13:17) 		Barton
(12:48) 		Barton
(19:01) 		Barton
(15:07) 		Tenryu
(11:17) 		Draw
(30:00)
Yoshiaki
Fujiwara		 Barton
(14:02) 		X Fujiwara
(10:34) 		Kawada
(12:11) 		Kea
(7:57) 		Fujiwara
(10:31) 		Draw
(30:00) 		Fujiwara
(9:06) 		Tenryu
(5:23) 		Williams
(7:15)
George
Hines		 Barton
(17:13) 		Fujiwara
(10:34) 		X Kawada
(2:24) 		Kea
(14:41) 		Hines
(11:56) 		Smith
(17:25) 		Steele
(14:36) 		Tenryu
(4:38) 		Williams
(14:08)
Toshiaki
Kawada		 Barton
(16:12) 		Kawada
(12:11) 		Kawada
(2:24) 		X Kawada
(20:59) 		Kawada
(11:50) 		Kawada
(22:39) 		Kawada
(9:46) 		Kawada
(8:17) 		Williams
(16:59)
Taiyō
Kea		 Kea
(13:17) 		Kea
(7:57) 		Kea
(14:41) 		Kawada
(20:59) 		X Kea
(16:15) 		Kea
(20:18) 		Kea
(14:46) 		Draw
(30:00) 		Kea
(18:35)
Mitsuya
Nagai		 Barton
(12:48) 		Fujiwara
(10:31) 		Hines
(11:56) 		Kawada
(11:50) 		Kea
(16:15) 		X Smith
(14:00) 		Nagai
(9:12) 		Tenryu
(3:08) 		Williams
(4:13)
Johnny
Smith		 Barton
(19:01) 		Draw
(30:00) 		Smith
(17:25) 		Kawada
(22:39) 		Kea
(20:18) 		Smith
(14:00) 		X Smith
(16:05) 		Tenryu
(5:51) 		Williams
(12:24)
Jim
Steele		 Barton
(15:07) 		Fujiwara
(9:06) 		Steele
(14:36) 		Kawada
(9:46) 		Kea
(14:46) 		Nagai
(9:12) 		Smith
(16:05) 		X Tenryu
(4:45) 		Williams
(12:44)
Genichiro
Tenryu		 Tenryu
(11:17) 		Tenryu
(5:23) 		Tenryu
(4:38) 		Kawada
(8:17) 		Draw
(30:00) 		Tenryu
(3:08) 		Tenryu
(5:51) 		Tenryu
(4:45) 		X Tenryu
(10:28)
Steve
Williams		 Draw
(30:00) 		Williams
(7:15) 		Williams
(14:08) 		Williams
(16:59) 		Kea
(18:35) 		Williams
(4:13) 		Williams
(12:24) 		Williams
(12:44) 		Tenryu
(10:28) 		X

2002

The 2002 Champion Carnival, held from March 23 to April 10, re-introduced the dual-block round-robin format used in 1991 and 1992, this time with 7 men in each block; the top two scorers in each would advance to a four-man tournament, with Block A's first place finalist facing Block B's runner-up, and vice versa, and the winners wrestling in the final. Ironically, both block winners, Satoshi Kojima and Genichiro Tenryu, were eliminated in the semifinals. Despite the Triple Crown Heavyweight Championship being vacant as a result of Toshiaki Kawada injuring his knee after his match against Arashi (thereby forfeiting all his other scheduled matches), All Japan decided not to use the tournament to fill the vacancy, citing the time limit for tournament matches (30 minutes as opposed to 60 in championship bouts).The winner, Keiji Mutoh, became the first man in history to win both the Champion Carnival and the G1 Climax, as well as the second man (after Vader) to win the Carnival in his first appearance.

Final standings
Block A Block B
Satoshi Kojima 11 Genichiro Tenryu 12
Mike Barton 10 Keiji Mutoh 8
Jim Steele 6 Taiyō Kea 7
Mitsuya Nagai 6 Steve Williams 7
Yoji Anjo 5 Mike Rotundo 3
Toshiaki Kawada 2 George Hines 3
Arashi 2 Nobutaka Araya 2
Block A Anjo Arashi Barton Kawada Kojima Nagai Steele
Anjo X Anjo (9:45) Barton (13:49) Anjo (Forf) Kojima (18:25) Draw (30:00) Steele (14:07)
Arashi Anjo (9:45) X Barton (9:55) Kawada (3:20) Kojima (13:05) Nagai (10:56) Arashi (11:10)
Barton Barton (13:49) Barton (9:55) X Barton (Forf) Draw (30:00) Draw (30:00) Barton (16:51)
Kawada Anjo (Forf) Kawada (3:20) Barton (Forf) X Kojima (Forf) Nagai (Forf) Steele (Forf)
Kojima Kojima (18:25) Kojima (13:05) Draw (30:00) Kojima (Forf) X Kojima (18:06) Kojima (17:00)
Nagai Draw (30:00) Nagai (10:56) Draw (30:00) Nagai (Forf) Kojima (18:06) X Steele (11:56)
Steele Steele (14:07) Arashi (11:10) Barton (16:51) Steele (Forf) Kojima (17:00) Steele (11:56) X
Block B Araya Hines Kea Mutoh Rotundo Tenryu Williams
Araya X Hines (16:15) Kea (15:27) Mutoh (5:13) Araya (9:19) Tenryu (7:05) Williams (5:11)
Hines Hines (16:15) X Kea (14:18) Mutoh (8:26) Rotundo (11:23) Tenryu (6:54) Draw (30:00)
Kea Kea (15:27) Kea (14:18) X Mutoh (24:04) Draw (30:00) Tenryu (15:17) Kea (13:54)
Mutoh Mutoh (5:13) Mutoh (8:26) Mutoh (24:04) X Mutoh (13:09) Tenryu (14:15) Williams (15:16)
Rotundo Araya (9:19) Rotundo (11:23) Draw (30:00) Mutoh (13:09) X Tenryu (2:09) Williams (10:28)
Tenryu Tenryu (7:05) Tenryu (6:54) Tenryu (15:17) Tenryu (14:15) Tenryu (2:09) X Tenryu (6:32)
Williams Williams (5:11) Draw (30:00) Kea (13:54) Williams (15:16) Williams (10:28) Tenryu (6:32) X
Semifinals Finals
      
A1 Satoshi Kojima Sub
B2 Keiji Mutoh 15:46
B2 Keiji Mutoh Pin
A2 Mike Barton 9:50
B1 Genichiro Tenryu Pin
A2 Mike Barton 5:38

2003

The 2003 Champion Carnival was a 10-man single-elimination tournament, held from March 22 to March 28. Keiji Mutoh, Satoshi Kojima, George Hines, Johnny Smith, Arashi and Nobutaka Araya received byes to the quarterfinals, leaving Yoji Anjo, Gigantes, The Gladiator and Big John Tenta to fight in the first round. Reigning Triple Crown champion Shinya Hashimoto did not participate, citing prior commitments to his Pro Wrestling ZERO1 promotion.

  First Round Quarterfinals Semifinals Finals
                                     
 Yoji Anjo Pin  
 Gigantes 9:18  
   Gigantes Pin  
     Satoshi Kojima 16:23  
 
   
   Satoshi Kojima Pin  
   George Hines 16:16  
   
   
   George Hines Pin
     Johnny Smith 25:02  
 
   
   Satoshi Kojima Pin
   Arashi 16:30
 The Gladiator Pin  
 Big John Tenta 13:04  
   Big John Tenta Pin
     Keiji Muto 12:21  
 
   
   Keiji Mutoh Pin
   Arashi 18:03  
   
   
   Arashi Pin
     Nobutaka Araya 12:34  
 

2004

The 2004 Champion Carnival was a round-robin tournament, featuring five men in each block. It was held from April 10 to April 20.

Final standings
Block A Block B
Kensuke Sasaki 7 Takao Omori 7
Keiji Mutoh 5 Satoshi Kojima 5
Jamal 4 Taiyō Kea 4
Kaz Hayashi 2 Toshiaki Kawada (C) 2
Arashi 2 Nobutaka Araya 2
Block A Arashi Kaz Hayashi Jamal Keiji Mutoh Kensuke Sasaki
Arashi X Hayashi (9:27) Arashi (11:13) Mutoh (10:34) Sasaki (5:41)
Kaz Hayashi Hayashi (9:27) X Jamal (10:56) Mutoh (13:31) Sasaki (14:41)
Jamal Arashi (11:13) Jamal (10:56) X Jamal (16:56) Sasaki (13:17)
Keiji Mutoh Mutoh (10:34) Mutoh (13:31) Jamal (16:56) X Draw (30:00)
Kensuke Sasaki Sasaki (5:41) Sasaki (14:41) Sasaki (13:17) Draw (30:00) X
Block B Nobutaka Araya Toshiaki Kawada Taiyō Kea Satoshi Kojima Takao Omori
Nobutaka Araya X Kawada (4:02) Kea (7:16) Araya (17:55) Omori (12:22)
Toshiaki Kawada Kawada (4:02) X Kea (Forf) Kojima (Forf) Omori (Forf)
Taiyō Kea Kea (7:16) Kea (Forf) X Kojima (18:44) Omori (14:02)
Satoshi Kojima Araya (17:55) Kojima (Forf) Kojima (18:44) X Draw (30:00)
Takao Omori Omori (12:22) Omori (Forf) Omori (14:02) Draw (30:00) X
Semifinals Finals
      
A1 Kensuke Sasaki Pin
B2 Satoshi Kojima 16:51
A1 Kensuke Sasaki Pin
A2 Keiji Mutoh 15:33
B1 Takao Omori Pin
A2 Keiji Mutoh 11:09

2005

The 2005 Champion Carnival was identical to that of 2004, but with six men in each block instead of five. It was held from April 9 to April 20. In a situation similar to the 2002 tournament, neither block winner, Toshiaki Kawada or Satoshi Kojima, were able to make it to the finals, instead losing to runners-up Jamal and, the eventual winner, Kensuke Sasaki.

Final standings
Block A Block B
Satoshi Kojima (C) 7 Toshiaki Kawada 7
Kensuke Sasaki 6 Jamal 6
Taiyō Kea 5 Chuck Palumbo 5
Arashi 4 Keiji Mutoh 5
Giant Bernard 4 Buchanan 5
Shuji Kondo 2 Kohei Suwama 2
Block A Arashi Giant Bernard Taiyō Kea Satoshi Kojima Shuji Kondo Kensuke Sasaki
Arashi X Arashi (2:38) Kea (4:01) Kojima (15:09) Kondo (10:33) Arashi (7:11)
Giant Bernard Arashi (2:38) X DCO (10:51) Kojima (8:56) Bernard (3:20) Bernard (7:50)
Taiyō Kea Kea (4:01) DCO (10:51) X Draw (30:00) Kea (10:34) Sasaki (21:01)
Satoshi Kojima Kojima (15:09) Kojima (8:56) Draw (30:00) X Kojima (15:44) Sasaki (29:29)
Shuji Kondo Kondo (10:33) Bernard (3:20) Kea (10:34) Kojima (15:44) X Sasaki (14:29)
Kensuke Sasaki Arashi (7:11) Bernard (7:50) Sasaki (21:01) Sasaki (29:29) Sasaki (14:29) X
Block B Buchanan Jamal Toshiaki Kawada Keiji Mutoh Chuck Palumbo Kohei Suwama
Buchanan X Buchanan (8:50) Kawada (7:06) Mutoh (9:13) Draw (30:00) Buchanan (8:34)
Jamal Buchanan (8:50) X Jamal (17:31) Mutoh (13:14) Jamal (14:27) Jamal (6:08)
Toshiaki Kawada Kawada (7:06) Jamal (17:31) X Draw (30:00) Kawada (9:32) Kawada (3:36)
Keiji Mutoh Mutoh (9:13) Mutoh (13:14) Draw (30:00) X Palumbo (14:39) Suwama (13:09)
Chuck Palumbo Draw (30:00) Jamal (14:27) Kawada (9:32) Palumbo (14:39) X Palumbo (9:18)
Kohei Suwama Buchanan (8:34) Jamal (6:08) Kawada (3:36) Suwama (13:09) Palumbo (9:18) X
Semifinals Finals
      
A1 Satoshi Kojima Pin
B2 Jamal 16:22
B2 Jamal Pin
A2 Kensuke Sasaki 17:32
B1 Toshiaki Kawada Pin
A2 Kensuke Sasaki 19:11

2006

The 2006 Champion Carnival was another 12-man, two-block round-robin tournament, held from April 7 to April 20.

Final standings
Block A Block B
Kohei Suwama 7 Minoru Suzuki 9
Taiyō Kea 6 Satoshi Kojima (C) 8
Kensuke Sasaki 5 D'Lo Brown 5
Keiji Mutoh 5 Arashi 4
Yutaka Yoshie 5 Matt Morgan 2
Buchanan 2 Katsuhiko Nakajima 2
Block A Buchanan Taiyō Kea Keiji Mutoh Kensuke Sasaki Kohei Suwama Yutaka Yoshie
Buchanan X Kea (12:53) Buchanan (11:54) Sasaki (12:20) Suwama (17:18) Yoshie (12:10)
Taiyō Kea Kea (12:53) X Draw (30:00) Kea (18:35) Suwama (10:15) Draw (30:00)
Keiji Mutoh Buchanan (11:54) Draw (30:00) X Draw (30:00) Draw (30:00) Mutoh (18:22)
Kensuke Sasaki Sasaki (12:20) Kea (18:35) Draw (30:00) X Suwama (12:28) Sasaki (10:35)
Kohei Suwama Suwama (17:18) Suwama (10:15) Draw (30:00) Suwama (12:28) X Yoshie (16:06)
Yutaka Yoshie Yoshie (12:10) Draw (30:00) Mutoh (18:22) Sasaki (10:35) Yoshie (16:06) X
Block B Arashi D'Lo Brown Satoshi Kojima Matt Morgan Katsuhiko Nakajima Minoru Suzuki
Arashi X Brown (4:28) Kojima (11:36) Arashi (7:46) Arashi (7:18) Suzuki (4:50)
D'Lo Brown Brown (4:28) X Draw (30:00) Brown (7:32) Nakajima (7:10) Suzuki (9:53)
Satoshi Kojima Kojima (11:36) Draw (30:00) X Kojima (10:30) Kojima (9:15) Draw (30:00)
Matt Morgan Arashi (7:46) Brown (7:32) Kojima (10:30) X Morgan (5:46) Suzuki (5:13)
Katsuhiko Nakajima Arashi (7:18) Nakajima (7:10) Kojima (9:15) Morgan (5:46) X Suzuki (8:13)
Minoru Suzuki Suzuki (4:50) Suzuki (9:53) Draw (30:00) Suzuki (5:13) Suzuki (8:13) X
Semifinals Finals
      
A1 Kohei Suwama CO
B2 Satoshi Kojima 15:12
A1 Kohei Suwama Pin
A2 Taiyō Kea 20:21
B1 Minoru Suzuki Pin
A2 Taiyō Kea 11:24

2007

The 2007 Champion Carnival was a 10-man, two-block round-robin tournament. Its schedule was somewhat unique, having been contested over five straight shows at Korakuen Hall, from March 26 to March 30. It also strayed from the usual formula of the four top scorers advancing to the semifinals; instead, the two block winners simply wrestled in the final to determine the champion. The eventual winner, Keiji Mutoh, became only the second person in history to win the Carnival three times, along with Giant Baba.

Final standings
Block A Block B
Keiji Mutoh 6 Toshiaki Kawada 5
Suwama 5 Satoshi Kojima 4
Kensuke Sasaki 5 TAJIRI 4
Taiyō Kea 4 Minoru Suzuki (C) 3
Toru Owashi 0 RO'Z 2
Block A Taiyō Kea Keiji Mutoh Toru Owashi Kensuke Sasaki Suwama
Taiyō Kea X Mutoh (19:21) Kea (14:24) Draw (30:00) Draw (30:00)
Keiji Mutoh Mutoh (19:21) X Mutoh (17:23) Sasaki (25:37) Mutoh (25:17)
Toru Owashi Kea (14:24) Mutoh (17:23) X Sasaki (5:57) Suwama (10:14)
Kensuke Sasaki Draw (30:00) Sasaki (25:37) Sasaki (5:57) X Suwama (0:16)
Suwama Draw (30:00) Muto (25:17) Suwama (10:14) Suwama (0:16) X
Block B Toshiaki Kawada Satoshi Kojima RO'Z Minoru Suzuki TAJIRI
Toshiaki Kawada X Kawada (15:24) RO'Z (6:15) Draw (30:00) Kawada (14:09)
Satoshi Kojima Kawada (15:24) X Kojima (10:53) Kojima (17:31) DCO (11:58)
RO'Z RO'Z (6:15) Kojima (10:53) X Suzuki (7:24) TAJIRI (5:04)
Minoru Suzuki Draw (30:00) Kojima (17:31) Suzuki (7:24) X TAJIRI (4:17)
TAJIRI Kawada (14:09) DCO (11:58) TAJIRI (5:04) TAJIRI (4:17) X
Final
   
A1 Keiji Mutoh Pin
B1 Toshiaki Kawada 22:28

2008

The 2008 Champion Carnival was held from April 5 to April 9 over five shows, and featured the following participants.

Final standings
Block A Block B
Hiroshi Tanahashi 6 Suwama 5
Toshiaki Kawada 5 Joe Doering 4
Keiji Mutoh 5 Kensuke Sasaki (C) 4
Satoshi Kojima 4 Minoru Suzuki 4
Taiyō Kea 0 Osamu Nishimura 3
Block A Toshiaki Kawada Taiyō Kea Satoshi Kojima Keiji Mutoh Hiroshi Tanahashi
Toshiaki Kawada X Kawada (13:35) Kojima (15:41) Kawada (10:32) Draw (30:00)
Taiyō Kea Kawada (13:35) X Kojima (14:53) Mutoh (16:41) Tanahashi (20:53)
Satoshi Kojima Kojima (15:41) Kojima (14:53) X Mutoh (17:36) Tanahashi (18:10)
Keiji Mutoh Kawada (10:32) Mutoh (16:41) Mutoh (17:36) X Draw (30:00)
Hiroshi Tanahashi Draw (30:00) Tanahashi (20:53) Tanahashi (18:10) Draw (30:00) X
Block B Joe Doering Osamu Nishimura Kensuke Sasaki Suwama Minoru Suzuki
Joe Doering X Doering (25:20) Sasaki (8:01) Suwama (9:18) Doering (10:55)
Osamu Nishimura Doering (25:20) X Draw (30:00) Suwama (15:13) Nishimura (3:58)
Kensuke Sasaki Sasaki (8:01) Draw (30:00) X Draw (30:00) Suzuki (12:22)
Suwama Suwama (9:18) Suwama (15:13) Draw (30:00) X Suzuki (9:31)
Minoru Suzuki Doering (10:55) Nishimura (3:58) Suzuki (12:22) Suzuki (9:31) X
Final
   
A1 Hiroshi Tanahashi Pin
B1 Suwama 29:49

2009

The 2009 Champion Carnival was held from April 5 to April 12 over six shows, and featured the following participants.

Final standings
Block A Block B
Keiji Mutoh 8 Satoshi Kojima 8
Kaz Hayashi 7 Minoru Suzuki 6
Yoshihiro Takayama (C) 6 Taiyō Kea 5
Osamu Nishimura 5 Suwama 5
Joe Doering 4 Ryota Hama 4
Seiya Sanada 0 ZODIAC 2
Block A Keiji Mutoh Osamu Nishimura Kaz Hayashi Seiya Sanada Yoshihiro Takayama Joe Doering
Keiji Mutoh X Mutoh (11:06) Hayashi (19:08) Mutoh (13:57) Mutoh (18:10) Mutoh (14:03)
Osamu Nishimura Mutoh (11:06) X Draw (30:00) Nishimura (15:35) Nishimura (8:33) Doering (15:17)
Kaz Hayashi Hayashi (19:08) Draw (30:00) X Hayashi (10:57) Takayama (18:10) Hayashi (11:54)
Seiya Sanada Mutoh (13:57) Nishimura (15:35) Hayashi (10:57) X Takayama (9:41) Doering (9:06)
Yoshihiro Takayama Mutoh (11:06) Nishimura (8:33) Takayama (18:10) Takayama (9:41) X Takayama (8:45)
Joe Doering Mutoh (14:03) Doering (15:17) Hayashi (11:54) Doering (9:06) Takayama (8:45) X
Block B Satoshi Kojima Suwama Ryota Hama Taiyō Kea Minoru Suzuki ZODIAC
Satoshi Kojima X Kojima (18:55) Kojima (10:21) Kea (20:01) Kojima (21:08) Kojima (11:19)
Suwama Kojima (18:55) X Suwama (11:22) Draw (30:00) Suzuki (14:45) Suwama (9:07)
Ryota Hama Kojima (10:21) Suwama (11:22) X Hama (9:08) Suzuki (12:27) Hama (7:30)
Taiyō Kea Kea (20:01) Draw (30:00) Hama (9:08) X Kea (9:31) ZODIAC (14:38)
Minoru Suzuki Kojima (21:08) Suzuki (14:45) Suzuki (12:27) Kea (9:31) X Suzuki (13:43)
ZODIAC Kojima (11:19) Suwama (9:07) Hama (7:30) ZODIAC (14:38) Suzuki (13:43) X
Semifinals Finals
      
A1 Keiji Mutoh CO
B2 Minoru Suzuki 15:13
B2 Minoru Suzuki Pin
A2 Kaz Hayashi 23:35
B1 Satoshi Kojima Pin
A2 Kaz Hayashi 16:30

2010

The 2010 Champion Carnival was a 10-man, two-block round-robin tournament held over seven events from April 3 to April 11.

Final standings
Block A Block B
Minoru Suzuki 6 Masakatsu Funaki 7
Masayuki Kono 5 Suwama 5
Ryota Hama (C) 4 Kiyoshi 4
Satoshi Kojima 4 René Duprée 2
Seiya Sanada 1 Taiyō Kea 2
Block A Ryota Hama Satoshi Kojima Masayuki Kono Seiya Sanada Minoru Suzuki
Ryota Hama X Kojima (12:47) Kono (11:14) Hama (11:01) Hama (18:30)
Satoshi Kojima Kojima (12:47) X Kono (27:57) Kojima (13:54) Suzuki (17:57)
Masayuki Kono Kono (11:14) Kono (27:57) X Draw (30:00) Suzuki (14:40)
Seiya Sanada Hama (11:01) Kojima (13:54) Draw (30:00) X Suzuki (12:28)
Minoru Suzuki Hama (18:30) Suzuki (17:57) Suzuki (14:40) Suzuki (12:28) X
Block B René Duprée Masakatsu Funaki Taiyō Kea Kiyoshi Suwama
René Duprée X Funaki (9:12) Duprée (10:15) Kiyoshi (11:34) Suwama (11:18)
Masakatsu Funaki Funaki (9:12) X Funaki (14:40) Funaki (15:47) Draw (30:00)
Taiyō Kea Duprée (10:15) Funaki (14:40) X Kea (15:02) Suwama (22:56)
Kiyoshi Kiyoshi (11:34) Funaki (15:47) Kea (15:02) X Kiyoshi (18:55)
Suwama Suwama (11:18) Draw (30:00) Suwama (22:56) Kiyoshi (18:55) X
Semifinals Finals
      
A1 Minoru Suzuki Pin
B2 Suwama 16:46
A1 Minoru Suzuki Sub
B1 Masakatsu Funaki 13:37
B1 Masakatsu Funaki Sub
A2 Masayuki Kono 13:12

2011

The 2011 Champion Carnival was a 12-man, two-block round-robin tournament held over five events from April 8 to April 13. KENSO suffered an injury and was forced to drop out of the tournament after his first match, forfeiting the rest of his matches.

Final standings
Block A Block B
Yuji Nagata 8 Seiya Sanada 8
KONO 6 Jun Akiyama 7
Suwama (C) 6 Minoru Suzuki 6
Masakatsu Funaki 6 Taiyō Kea 5
Takao Omori 4 Joe Doering 4
Ryota Hama 0 KENSO 0
Block A Masakatsu Funaki Ryota Hama Yuji Nagata KONO Takao Omori Suwama
Masakatsu Funaki X Funaki (8:43) Funaki (13:07) KONO (12:44) Funaki (14:01) Suwama (18:57)
Ryota Hama Funaki (8:43) X KONO (12:07) Omori (8:53) Suwama (12:25)
Yuji Nagata Funaki (13:07) Nagata (11:18) X Nagata (13:50) Nagata (12:14) Nagata (23:13)
KONO KONO (12:44) KONO (12:07) Nagata (13:50) X Omori (12:19) KONO (15:00)
Takao Omori Funaki (14:01) Omori (8:53) Nagata (12:14) Omori (12:19) X Suwama (16:56)
Suwama Suwama (18:57) Suwama (12:25) Nagata (23:13) KONO (15:00) Suwama (16:56) X
Block B Jun Akiyama Joe Doering Taiyō Kea KENSO Seiya Sanada Minoru Suzuki
Jun Akiyama X Akiyama (10:14) Draw (30:00) Akiyama (Forfeit) Akiyama (22:05) Suzuki (19:21)
Joe Doering Akiyama (10:14) X Doering (8:44) Doering (Forfeit) Sanada (9:36) Suzuki (16:09)
Taiyō Kea Draw (30:00) Doering (8:44) X Kea (Forfeit) Sanada (18:37) Kea (24:33)
KENSO Akiyama (Forfeit) Doering (Forfeit) Kea (Forfeit) X Sanada (Forfeit) Suzuki (14:25)
Seiya Sanada Akiyama (22:05) Sanada (9:36) Sanada (18:37) Sanada (Forfeit) X Sanada (16:06)
Minoru Suzuki Suzuki (19:21) Suzuki (16:09) Kea (24:33) Suzuki (14:25) Sanada (16:06) X
Final
   
A1 Yuji Nagata Pin
B1 Seiya Sanada 22:44

2012

The 2012 Champion Carnival was a 14-man, two-block round-robin tournament held over twelve events from April 21 to May 7. Yutaka Yoshie suffered an injury and was forced to drop out of the tournament after his second match, forfeiting the rest of his matches. Takumi Soya was injured after his fifth match and also pulled out of the tournament, forfeiting his final match. Reigning Triple Crown champion Jun Akiyama did not participate due to prior commitments with Pro Wrestling NOAH, his home promotion at the time.

Final standings
Block A Block B
Yuji Nagata 9 Akebono 10
Suwama 7 Taiyō Kea 9
Daisuke Sekimoto 6 Seiya Sanada 8
Takao Omori 6 Manabu Soya 6
Masayuki Kono 6 Yuji Okabayashi 5
KENSO 4 Takumi Soya 2
Ryota Hama 4 Yutaka Yoshie 2
Block A Ryota
Hama 		KENSO Masayuki
Kono 		Yuji
Nagata 		Takao
Omori 		Daisuke
Sekimoto 		Suwama
Ryota
Hama		 X KENSO
(11:11) 		Hama
(9:00) 		Nagata
(9:44) 		Omori
(9:43) 		Hama
(10:29) 		Suwama
(13:47)
KENSO KENSO
(11:11) 		X Kono
(13:11) 		Nagata
(15:37) 		KENSO
(19:36) 		Sekimoto
(13:22) 		Suwama
(17:17)
Masayuki
Kono		 Hama
(9:00) 		Kono
(13:11) 		X Kono
(13:40) 		Omori
(15:23) 		Sekimoto
(7:08) 		Kono
(20:01)
Yuji
Nagata		 Nagata
(9:44) 		Nagata
(15:37) 		Kono
(13:40) 		X Nagata
(16:25) 		Nagata
(16:38) 		Draw
(30:00)
Takao
Omori		 Omori
(9:43) 		KENSO
(19:36) 		Omori
(15:23) 		Nagata
(16:25) 		X Sekimoto
(21:12) 		Omori
(19:37)
Daisuke
Sekimoto		 Hama
(10:29) 		Sekimoto
(13:22) 		Sekimoto
(7:08) 		Nagata
(16:38) 		Sekimoto
(21:12) 		X Suwama
(21:03)
Suwama Suwama
(13:47) 		Suwama
(17:17) 		Kono
(20:01) 		Draw
(30:00) 		Omori
(19:37) 		Suwama
(21:03) 		X
Block B Akebono Taiyō
Kea 		Yuji
Okabayashi 		Seiya
Sanada 		Manabu
Soya 		Takumi
Soya 		Yutaka
Yoshie
Akebono X Kea
(7:07) 		Akebono
(5:50) 		Akebono
(9:31) 		Akebono
(8:41) 		Akebono
(Forfeit) 		Akebono
(Forfeit)
Taiyō
Kea		 Kea
(7:07) 		X Draw
(30:00) 		Sanada
(14:42) 		Kea
(14:04) 		Kea
(10:31) 		Kea
(Forfeit)
Yuji
Okabayashi		 Akebono
(5:50) 		Draw
(30:00) 		X Sanada
(15:45) 		Okabayashi
(14:44) 		Okabayashi
(13:28) 		Yoshie
(10:48)
Seiya
Sanada		 Akebono
(9:31) 		Sanada
(14:42) 		Sanada
(15:45) 		X M.Soya
(14:30) 		Sanada
(11:08) 		Sanada
(Forfeit)
Manabu
Soya		 Akebono
(8:41) 		Kea
(14:04) 		Okabayashi
(14:44) 		M.Soya
(14:30) 		X M. Soya
(16:24) 		M.Soya
(Forfeit)
Takumi
Soya		 Akebono
(Forfeit) 		Kea
(10:31) 		Okabayashi
(13:28) 		Sanada
(11:08) 		M. Soya
(16:24) 		X T.Soya
(Forfeit)
Yutaka
Yoshie		 Akebono
(Forfeit) 		Kea
(Forfeit) 		Yoshie
(10:48) 		Sanada
(Forfeit) 		M.Soya
(Forfeit) 		T.Soya
(Forfeit) 		X
Semifinals Finals
      
A1 Yuji Nagata Pin
B2 Taiyō Kea 11:51
B2 Taiyō Kea Pin
A2 Suwama 22:33
B1 Akebono Pin
A2 Suwama 8:18

2013

The 2013 Champion Carnival was a 12-man, two-block round-robin tournament held over eight events from April 18 to April 29.

Final standings
Block A Block B
Go Shiozaki 8 Jun Akiyama 8
Seiya Sanada 7 KAI 6
Suwama (C) 5 Akebono 4
Masayuki Kono 4 Joe Doering 4
Takao Omori 4 KENSO 4
Ryota Hama 2 Masakatsu Funaki 4
Block A Ryota
Hama 		Masayuki
Kono 		Takao
Omori 		Seiya
Sanada 		Go
Shiozaki 		Suwama
Ryota
Hama		 X Hama
(8:04) 		Omori
(10:31) 		Sanada
(9:40) 		Shiozaki
(10:58) 		Suwama
(14:01)
Masayuki
Kono		 Hama
(8:04) 		X Kono
(13:44) 		Sanada
(10:22) 		Shiozaki
(14:00) 		Kono
(19:03)
Takao
Omori		 Omori
(10:31) 		Kono
(13:44) 		X Sanada
(13:22) 		Shiozaki
(19:02) 		Omori
(14:18)
Seiya
Sanada		 Sanada
(9:40) 		Sanada
(10:22) 		Sanada
(13:22) 		X Draw
(30:00) 		Suwama
(17:28)
Go
Shiozaki		 Shiozaki
(10:58) 		Shiozaki
(14:00) 		Shiozaki
(19:02) 		Draw
(30:00) 		X Draw
(30:00)
Suwama Suwama
(14:01) 		Kono
(19:03) 		Omori
(14:18) 		Suwama
(17:28) 		Draw
(30:00) 		X
Block B Akebono Jun
Akiyama 		Joe
Doering 		Masakatsu
Funaki 		KAI KENSO
Akebono X Akebono
(5:47) 		Doering
(4:13) 		Akebono
(6:20) 		KAI
(8:44) 		KENSO
(9:30)
Jun
Akiyama		 Akebono
(5:47) 		X Akiyama
(7:13) 		Akiyama
(9:42) 		Akiyama
(16:54) 		Akiyama
(12:43)
Joe
Doering		 Doering
(4:13) 		Akiyama
(7:13) 		X Doering
(8:18) 		KAI
(4:55) 		KENSO
(11:01)
Masakatsu
Funaki		 Akebono
(6:20) 		Akiyama
(9:42) 		Doering
(8:18) 		X Funaki
(12:45) 		Funaki
(13:17)
KAI KAI
(8:44) 		Akiyama
(16:54) 		KAI
(4:55) 		Funaki
(12:45) 		X KAI
(16:26)
KENSO KENSO
(9:30) 		Akiyama
(12:43) 		KENSO
(11:01) 		Funaki
(13:17) 		KAI
(16:26) 		X
Semifinals Finals
      
A1 Go Shiozaki Sub
B2 KAI 16:09
B2 KAI Pin
B1 Jun Akiyama 18:57
B1 Jun Akiyama Pin
A2 Seiya Sanada 12:33

2014

The 2014 Champion Carnival was a 12-man, two-block round-robin tournament held over nine events from April 13 to April 27. Reigning Triple Crown Heavyweight Champion Akebono, who was leading his block at the time, was forced to pull out of the tournament on April 22 after being hospitalized with poor health, forfeiting his last two matches. (The title was eventually declared vacant on May 30, after the tournament was over.) On April 25 it was announced that Go Shiozaki had also withdrawn from the tournament due to a broken thumb, and forfeited his final match against Jun Akiyama.

Final standings
Block A Block B
Suwama 8 Joe Doering 8
Takao Omori 8 Jun Akiyama 8
Akebono (C) 6 Go Shiozaki 7
Kendo Kashin 4 Zeus 3
Kento Miyahara 2 Yutaka Yoshie 2
Osamu Nishimura 0 KENSO 2
Block A Akebono Kendo
Kashin 		Kento
Miyahara 		Osamu
Nishimura 		Takao
Omori 		Suwama
Akebono X Akebono
(5:25) 		Akebono
(9:19) 		Akebono
(8:18) 		Omori
(forfeit) 		Suwama
(forfeit)
Kendo
Kashin		 Akebono
(5:25) 		X Draw
(10:01) 		Kashin
(5:21) 		Omori
(5:04) 		Kashin
(9:44)
Kento
Miyahara		 Akebono
(9:19) 		Draw
(10:01) 		X Miyahara
(8:47) 		Omori
(18:16) 		Suwama
(20:14)
Osamu
Nishimura		 Akebono
(8:18) 		Kashin
(5:21) 		Miyahara
(8:47) 		X Omori
(12:08) 		Suwama
(21:18)
Takao
Omori		 Omori
(forfeit) 		Omori
(5:04) 		Omori
(18:16) 		Omori
(12:08) 		X Suwama
(24:55)
Suwama Suwama
(forfeit) 		Kashin
(9:44) 		Suwama
(20:14) 		Suwama
(21:18) 		Suwama
(24:55) 		X
Block B Jun
Akiyama 		Joe
Doering 		KENSO Go
Shiozaki 		Yutaka
Yoshie 		Zeus
Jun
Akiyama		 X Doering
(14:26) 		Akiyama
(9:45) 		Akiyama
(forfeit) 		Akiyama
(13:34) 		Akiyama
(15:27)
Joe
Doering		 Doering
(14:26) 		X Doering
(6:43) 		Draw
(30:00) 		Doering
(5:37) 		Draw
(30:00)
KENSO Akiyama
(9:45) 		Doering
(6:43) 		X Shiozaki
(13:15) 		KENSO
(11:23) 		Zeus
(8:02)
Go
Shiozaki		 Akiyama
(forfeit) 		Draw
(30:00) 		Shiozaki
(13:15) 		X Shiozaki
(17:46) 		Shiozaki
(21:17)
Yutaka
Yoshie		 Akiyama
(13:34) 		Doering
(5:37) 		KENSO
(11:23) 		Shiozaki
(17:46) 		X Yoshie
(14:35)
Zeus Akiyama
(15:27) 		Draw
(30:00) 		Zeus
(8:02) 		Shiozaki
(21:17) 		Yoshie
(14:35) 		X
Decision matches Finals
      
A1 Suwama Pin
A2 Takao Omori 9:55
A2 Takao Omori Pin
B2 Jun Akiyama 17:14
B1 Joe Doering Pin
B2 Jun Akiyama 9:28

2015

The 2015 Champion Carnival was a 12-man, two-block round-robin tournament that took place over ten events from April 5 to April 25.

Final standings
Block A Block B
Go Shiozaki (C) 7 Akebono 8
Suwama 7 Kento Miyahara 7
Takao Omori 6 Jun Akiyama 6
Kengo Mashimo 4 Joe Doering 6
Yutaka Yoshie 2 Zeus 3
The Bodyguard 2 KENSO 0
Block A The
Bodyguard 		Kengo
Mashimo 		Takao
Omori 		Go
Shiozaki 		Suwama Yutaka
Yoshie
The
Bodyguard		 X Bodyguard
(12:00) 		Omori
(14:25) 		Shiozaki
(19:22) 		Suwama
(11:17) 		Yoshie
(11:59)
Kengo
Mashimo		 Bodyguard
(12:00) 		X Mashimo
(14:05) 		Shiozaki
(21:56) 		NC
(9:15) 		Mashimo
(10:50)
Takao
Omori		 Omori
(14:25) 		Mashimo
(14:05) 		X Omori
(19:11) 		Suwama
(10:30) 		Omori
(15:42)
Go
Shiozaki		 Shiozaki
(19:22) 		Shiozaki
(21:56) 		Omori
(19:11) 		X Draw
(30:00) 		Shiozaki
(14:33)
Suwama Suwama
(11:17) 		NC
(9:15) 		Suwama
(10:30) 		Draw
(30:00) 		X Suwama
(13:39)
Yutaka
Yoshie		 Yoshie
(11:59) 		Mashimo
(10:50) 		Shiozaki
(14:33) 		Omori
(15:42) 		Suwama
(13:39) 		X
Block B Akebono Jun
Akiyama 		Joe
Doering 		KENSO Kento
Miyahara 		Zeus
Akebono X Akebono
(10:07) 		Akebono
(4:13) 		Akebono
(11:20) 		Miyahara
(10:34) 		Akebono
(6:58)
Jun
Akiyama		 Akebono
(10:07) 		X Akiyama
(7:52) 		Akiyama
(9:29) 		Miyahara
(10:02) 		Akiyama
(19:25)
Joe
Doering		 Akebono
(4:13) 		Akiyama
(7:52) 		X Doering
(10:41) 		Doering
(13:11) 		Doering
(12:14)
KENSO Akebono
(11:20) 		Akiyama
(9:29) 		Doering
(10:41) 		X Miyahara
(14:08) 		Zeus
(14:46)
Kento
Miyahara		 Miyahara
(10:34) 		Miyahara
(10:02) 		Doering
(13:11) 		Miyahara
(14:08) 		X Draw
(30:00)
Zeus Akebono
(6:58) 		Akiyama
(19:25) 		Doering
(12:14) 		Zeus
(14:46) 		Draw
(30:00) 		X
  Playoff Finals
                           
  A1  Go Shiozaki Sub  
A1  Suwama 5:35  
  A1  Suwama Pin
    B1  Akebono 16:25
 

2016

The 2016 Champion Carnival was a 14-man, two-block round-robin tournament that took place over four events from April 9 to April 17.Joe Doering was scheduled to take part in the tournament, but was forced to pull out after being diagnosed with a brain tumor. He was replaced by Atsushi Aoki. On April 20 it was announced that Hideoyoshi Kamitani injuried himself during a match against Zeus and he forfeited all of his matches.

Final standings
Block A Block B
Daisuke Sekimoto 8 Zeus 10
Kento Miyahara (C) 7 Ryoji Sai 8
Kengo Mashimo 7 Yutaka Yoshie 8
The Bodyguard 6 Takao Omori 6
Super Tiger (II) 6 Atsushi Aoki 6
Jun Akiyama 6 Hideyoshi Kamitani 2
Naoya Nomura 2 Jake Lee 2
Block A Jun
Akiyama 		Bodyguard Kengo
Mashimo 		Kento
Miyahara 		Naoya
Nomura 		Daisuke
Sekimoto 		Super
Tiger
Jun
Akiyama		 X Bodyguard
(5:43) 		Akiyama
(17:19) 		Akiyama
(9:48) 		Akiyama
(11:23) 		Sekimoto
(17:53) 		Tiger
(7:52)
Bodyguard Bodyguard
(5:43) 		X Mashimo
(13:14) 		Miyahara
(8:59) 		Nomura
(9:54) 		Bodyguard
(13:35) 		Bodyguard
(9:12)
Kengo
Mashimo		 Akiyama
(17:19) 		Mashimo
(13:14) 		X Draw
(30:00) 		Mashimo
(7:34) 		Sekimoto
(13:01) 		Mashimo
(9:22)
Kento
Miyahara		 Akiyama
(9:48) 		Miyahara
(8:59) 		Draw
(30:00) 		X Miyahara
(11:19) 		Sekimoto
(8:40) 		Miyahara
(9:42)
Naoya
Nomura		 Akiyama
(11:23) 		Nomura
(9:54) 		Mashimo
(7:34) 		Miyahara
(11:19) 		X Sekimoto
(14:09) 		Tiger
(6:32)
Daisuke
Sekimoto		 Sekimoto
(17:53) 		Bodyguard
(13:35) 		Sekimoto
(13:01) 		Sekimoto
(8:40) 		Sekimoto
(14:09) 		X Tiger
(12:11)
Super
Tiger		 Tiger
(7:52) 		Bodyguard
(9:12) 		Mashimo
(9:22) 		Miyahara
(9:42) 		Tiger
(6:32) 		Tiger
(12:11) 		X
Block B Atsushi
Aoki 		Hideyoshi
Kamitani 		Jake
Lee 		Takao
Omori 		Ryoji
Sai 		Yutaka
Yoshie 		Zeus
Atsushi
Aoki		 X Aoki
(Forfeit) 		Aoki
(8:38) 		Omori
(9:10) 		Aoki
(7:43) 		Yoshie
(11:29) 		Zeus
(6:55)
Hideyoshi
Kamitani		 Aoki
(Forfeit) 		X Kamitani
(8:53) 		Omori
(Forfeit) 		Sai
(17:41) 		Yoshie
(Forfeit) 		Zeus
(12:46)
Jake
Lee		 Aoki
(8:38) 		Kamitani
(8:53) 		X Lee
(10:41) 		Sai
(8:16) 		Yoshie
(10:52) 		Zeus
(9:22)
Takao
Omori		 Omori
(9:10) 		Omori
(Forfeit) 		Lee
(10:41) 		X Omori
(13:20) 		Yoshie
(11:07) 		Zeus
(12:47)
Ryoji
Sai		 Aoki
(7:43) 		Sai
(17:41) 		Sai
(8:16) 		Omori
(13:20) 		X Sai
(9:43) 		Sai
(17:50)
Yutaka
Yoshie		 Yoshie
(11:29) 		Yoshie
(Forfeit) 		Yoshie
(10:52) 		Yoshie
(11:07) 		Sai
(9:43) 		X Zeus
(13:09)
Zeus Zeus
(6:55) 		Zeus
(12:46) 		Zeus
(9:22) 		Zeus
(12:47) 		Sai
(17:50) 		Zeus
(13:09) 		X
Final
   
A1 Daisuke Sekimoto Pin
B1 Zeus 24:55

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 チャンピオン・カーニバル. All Japan Pro Wrestling (in Japanese). Retrieved May 25, 2016.
  2. 1 2 3 関本が全日ＣＣ初制覇. Tokyo Sports (in Japanese). April 25, 2016. Retrieved May 25, 2016.
  3. ↑ Molinaro, John F. "Tenryu wins Carnival Championship, All Japan tournament concludes". Slam! Sports. Canadian Online Explorer. Retrieved May 25, 2016.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Sempervive, Mike (July 19, 2015). "New Japan 2015 G1 Climax: History, Schedule, Predictions, Scouting Reports". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Retrieved May 25, 2016.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 Molinaro, John F. "History of All Japan's Carnival tournament". Slam! Sports. Canadian Online Explorer. Retrieved May 25, 2016.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 武藤が２年ぶり２度目のＣＣ制覇. Nikkan Sports (in Japanese). Retrieved May 25, 2016.
  7. ↑ Hoops, Brian (May 14, 2015). "On this day in pro wrestling history (May 14): Kerry Von Erich vs. Superstar Billy Graham, Giant Baba wins Champion Carnival tourney, lots of WCW". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Retrieved May 25, 2016.
  8. ↑ Hoops, Brian (May 3, 2016). "Daily Pro Wrestling History (05/03): Von Erich Parade of Champions; Steiners wins WCW World Tag Team Titles; AJ Styles wins IWGP Title". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Retrieved May 25, 2016.
  9. ↑ Martinez, Ryan (April 17, 2008). "This day in history: Jericho wins the WWF title (for a few minutes), the first Spring Stampede and more". Pro Wrestling Insider. Retrieved May 25, 2016.
  10. ↑ Hoops, Brian (April 19, 2016). "Daily pro wrestling history (04/19): Randy Savage wins WCW World Title; Ric Flairs wins NWA US Title". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Retrieved May 25, 2016.
  11. ↑ Meltzer, Dave (June 22, 2009). "June 22, 2009 Observer Newsletter: Misawa tragic death, UFC 99, Trump angle, TripleMania, Sylvia". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Campbell, California. ISSN 1083-9593.
  12. ↑ Adamson, Matt (June 3, 2007). "Destiny 6.03.07: Keiji Mutoh and the Triple Crown". 411Mania. Retrieved May 25, 2016.
  13. ↑ 秋山ゴーサイン！武藤と“新旧全日社長対決”だ. Tokyo Sports (in Japanese). May 9, 2016. Retrieved May 25, 2016.
  14. ↑ 永田裕志"青春"真っ盛り！鈴木を破って優勝決定戦に進出してきた真田を下し、NJCに続きチャンピオン・カーニバルも制覇！. Battle News (in Japanese). Retrieved May 25, 2016.
  15. 1 2 【全日ＣＣ】秋山が悲願の初優勝！！. Tokyo Sports (in Japanese). April 30, 2013. Retrieved May 25, 2016.
  16. ↑ Molinaro, John F. "Kobashi wins Carnival Championship". Slam! Sports. Canadian Online Explorer. Retrieved May 25, 2016.
  17. ↑ Woodward, Buck; Martinez, Ryan (April 11, 2011). "This day in history: Rogers 'officially' WWWF Champion, DDP wins the WCW title, NWA tag title tourney and more". Pro Wrestling Insider. Retrieved May 25, 2016.
  18. ↑ "Wrestling years". Pro Wrestling Illustrated. Retrieved May 25, 2016.
  19. ↑ Nemer, Paul (April 12, 2009). "All Japan Champions Carnival Finals". Wrestleview. Retrieved May 25, 2016.
  20. ↑ Martin, Adam (November 10, 2013). "Yuji Nagata makes history winning three tournaments". Wrestleview. Retrieved May 25, 2016.
  21. ↑ Dave, Meltzer (May 8, 2015). "Thurs. update: Itami injury, Uhaa Nation notes, AAA World Cup info, Web site dinner and live Q&A show, Lawsuts, Flair, New Japan marathon Steiner, New UFC fight". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Retrieved May 25, 2016.
  22. ↑ 全日ＣＣ初Ｖの大森「プロレスやってきてよかった」. Tokyo Sports (in Japanese). April 28, 2014. Retrieved May 25, 2016.
  23. ↑ Ｃ・カーニバル初制覇の曙 次は３冠奪回だ. Tokyo Sports (in Japanese). April 27, 2015. Retrieved May 25, 2016.

External links

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