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As this was going on, Fuyuki made his return. Forced to leave FMW, Fuyuki found another way to come back to the company. Fuyuki went to America and held discussions with Paul Heyman, owner of ECW (today, a WWF personality). ECW had a working relationship with FMW and sent wrestlers to appear on their show. Fuyuki came back to FMW as a member of ECW Japan, a new organization that he created. Upon his arrival into FMW, Fuyuki asked wrestlers to join his new group to battle FMW. This led to an 8-Man Tag-Team War between the two branches.
In the match, H, Mr. Ganosuke, Ooya and Ricky Fuji took on Fuyuki, Balls Mahoney, Pitbull and a large female wrestler Kyoko Inoue. The match was intense as H was brutalized, first with a fork from Balls and then Fuyuki, who bites the popular Japanese star. Adding insult to injury, even the woman wrestler powerbombs H. ECW Japan really dominated the FMW squad in this match. There were moments when FMW shined and it looked like they could pick up the victory when Ricky Fuji landed a Bodypress on Balls Mahoney. When Fuji gets up, the powerful woman hits him with a nasty Lariat Clothesline that leveled Fuji. Fuyuki followed it with another Lariat Clothesline, scoring the win and giving ECW Japan First Blood in their war with FMW.
As this was all going on, many wondered where Tanaka would stand in this new feud. A loyal FMW wrestler, Tanaka left for ECW where he won the World title at one time. Would he defend ECW's honor against FMW or rejoin his old friends upon his return? Masato Tanaka returned to FMW on Christmas Day, 1999, and told reporters that he loved FMW and would not be a part of Fuyuki's group, although he still affiliated himself with the American ECW.
Tanaka was putting up his WEW World Championship against the upstart new FMW star. Tanaka never forgot that Kuroda cost him his tag-team match against H and Ganosuke. The beginning of the match was violent, taking place in the stands. Kuroda immediately went after his stiff Kuroda Clothesline and came charging after Tanaka, but Tanaka ended up hitting Kuroda with a Clothesline of his own. Despite the fan's presence, both wrestlers did not hold anything back, landing backdrops and dropkicks. At one point, Tanaka suplexed Kuroda, who went tumbling down the stairs. Tanaka was basically manhandling Kuroda. Tanaka then hit a Double-Arm DDT and a Tornado DDT from the top ropes, but he could only get a two count for his efforts.
Kuroda was not about to go out with a whimper and moved out of the way and locked Tanaka's feet as he ran for a Forearm Smash, thus sending Tanaka to the mat. Kuroda paid homage to Chris Benoit, landing a Triple German Suplex on Tanaka and scoring a two count. The two grapplers exchange Suplexes and Stiff Clotheslines, before Tanaka hit Kuroda with an awesome looking Razor's Edge Powerbomb and a two count. Tanaka even hit his patented Diamond Dust, but couldn't finish off his opponent. The action got fast and furious and at one point as both wrestlers missed some brutal shots. Kuroda then unloaded with a Kuroda Clothesline out of nowhere and scored the upset win to take the WEW World Title.
Tanaka left FMW to go to ECW. Commissioner Arai followed him there and confronted Paul Heyman about signing Fuyuki to an ECW contract. Heyman and Arai exchanged words and Balls Mahoney attacked Arai, telling Big Sal to Avalanche him against the wall. Arai was left with his answer and when he returned to FMW, he let all wrestlers know that they must put aside their differences and destroy ECW Japan.
However, they were fighting a losing battle. ECW Japan was destroying everyone in their path. Fuyuki and the powerful woman wrestler, Inoue actually beat H and Mr. Ganosuke thanks to interference and a knocked out ref to capture the WEW World Tag-Team Titles. In a match for the WEW World Title, Fuyuki virtually destroyed Kuroda thanks to the constant interference of his ECW coalition. However, he didn't win the title, because H made a save and a wild brawl ensued between the FMW and ECW Japan stables. Masato Tanaka came out and attacked Fuyuki and announced to the happy fans that he hated Fuyuki more than anyone in FMW. H went to shake Tanaka's hand, happy to have his friend back, but Tanaka slaped it away and let him know that while he will never obey Fuyuki, he will reorganize ECW and defeat H and his colleagues.
In another match, H defeated Fuyuki. Afterwards, the whole ECW camp comes into the ring, led by Tanaka and beat down Fuyuki, telling him it is time to retire. Tanaka stated that ECW Japan is dead and that the real ECW will reign supreme. H stated that Fuyuki is no longer his target and all that stands in his way is Tanaka.