FUJIWARA ARMBAR'S MATCHES OF NOTE VOL. 1
I can't review everything I watch. I can't even watch all of everything that gets put out there. I am but a man. However, Fujiwara Armbar Enterprises is all about spreading the word about the sport* we love. This is a new feature that will recap any interesting matches going on in various Japanese promotions with a general focus on recent activity, though I can't promise not to jump back in time now and again.
I can't review everything I watch. I can't even watch all of everything that gets put out there. I am but a man. However, Fujiwara Armbar Enterprises is all about spreading the word about the sport* we love. This is a new feature that will recap any interesting matches going on in various Japanese promotions with a general focus on recent activity, though I can't promise not to jump back in time now and again.
These aren't reviews as such, just little spoiler-free guides to maybe help you navigate through some chaff. This round-up covers everything from mid-September to early-October, with a couple just outside.
Kazuki Hashimoto vs. Koji Kanemoto
BJW @ Korakuen
24th August 2014, Korakuen Hall, Tokyo
The first singles match in BJW for the former Tiger Mask III since being released by Wrestle-1 (for not being a terribly nice guy to a fan, allegedly) is a rematch from BJW's New Year show against the young pain magnet Kazuki Hashimoto. I believe I commented on Twitter that this match would fit right in at a G1 Climax; very hard hitting and lots of really believable drama. Kanemoto is still a very tough and capable worker at 47, with his years and an opponent half his age combining making his gnarled tetchiness look entirely real. ****1/4
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| Kento Miyahara |
AJPW Royal Road Tournament
15th September 2014, Korakuen Hall, Tokyo
From the first round of All Japan's heavyweight knockout competition comes this lively dust-up between the new company owner and the star he's grooming. About four minutes in this one opens up into a really grizzly slugfest that starts to remind people what the company has been all about since the early 1980s. The beginnings of Miyahara's star climb. ****
Masakatsu Funaki vs. Kohei Sato
Zero1 Tenka-Ichi Special
19th September 2014, Korakuen Hall, Tokyo
Funaki takes on Sato with the former shooter's Zero1 Heavyweight Championship on the line. Zero1 and Wrestle-1 luminaries crowd the ring to give an edge to a tense battle between stiff kickers, bringing the long-running interpromotional feud to a logical stopping point. Sato has had a fine 2014 and this is a very good and tension-filled title duel, short with good heat. ***3/4
 |
| Masato Tanaka |
Masato Tanaka and Takashi Sugiura vs. Fujita 'Jr' Hayato and Ikuto Hidaka
Zero1 Tenka-Ichi Special
19th September 2014, Korakuen Hall, Tokyo
All four men represent the Dangan Yankees stable formed in January by Tanaka, though he and Sugiura are by far and away the most successful members, carrying both the GHC Tags and the NWA Intercontinental Tags. The latter belts are on the line against two juniors who fight bravely from underneath for the duration. Everyone is absolutely brilliant here, with a special shout-out to Fujita who looks every inch a future star and glues a lot of the match together. Strikes are laid in, the tension creeps up and then everyone shakes hands after the bell. ****1/4
Shuji Kondo vs. Kaz Hayashi
Wrestle-1 First Championship Tournament Day 2
22nd September 2014, Korakuen Hall, Tokyo
A first round match in the tournament to decide the inaugural Wrestle-1 Championship in front of the liveliest W-1 crowd that I've seen. The match is worthy of a major promotion's title tournament, all high wire drama and crunching back and forth action. Hayashi, for those who haven't seen him since WCW, is much improved and Kondo is a little bulldog, snarling and biting all over the place. ***3/4
Koji Kanemoto and Kazuki Hashimoto vs. Shinobu and Shiori Asahi
BJW Saikyou Tag League
23rd September 2014, Korakuen Hall, Tokyo
Kicking off the 'strong' block of the BJW tag league is a match with a real wedge of variety; the highest-grade technical smarts of Koji, the love of getting battered of K-Hash, the aerial ability of Shinobu and the all-around game of Asahi. This merits inclusion for a couple of reasons: i. I did bag on Big Japan in my 'Investigates' piece a little harshly - their strong division basically contains a lot of what I like about wrestling and ii. K-Hash and Koji in a team! ***1/2
Io Shirai vs. Yoshiko
Stardom 5☆ Grand Prix 2014 Day 5
23rd September 2014, Korakuen Hall, Tokyo
The final of Stardom's round robin tournament pits current World of Stardom Champion Yoshiko against the woman she deposed after a 468 day run. Shirai is also the present NEO High Speed Champion, all of which factors into the back story of a high-quality final between a bruiser and a cruiser. What is more amazing is that the match follows Shirai giving an almost equally-exciting performance in the match previous for just as long as this final is. ***3/4
Katsuhiko Nakajima vs. Mitsuhiro Kitamiya
NOAH SEMex in Shinjuku Vol. 3
2nd October 2014, Shinjuku FACE, Tokyo
From NOAH's equivalent of NXT comes this exhibition match between Kensuke Sasaki protege Nakajima and NOAH young boy Kitamiya. There's no commentary but the match tells the story of the kid looking to make an impression against a certified shitkicker just fine. Both of these guys are worthy of higher spots than they possess and this short match shows why. ***1/4
Shuji Kondo vs. Kaz Hayashi
Wrestle-1 First Championship Tournament Day 2
22nd September 2014, Korakuen Hall, Tokyo
A first round match in the tournament to decide the inaugural Wrestle-1 Championship in front of the liveliest W-1 crowd that I've seen. The match is worthy of a major promotion's title tournament, all high wire drama and crunching back and forth action. Hayashi, for those who haven't seen him since WCW, is much improved and Kondo is a little bulldog, snarling and biting all over the place. ***3/4
Koji Kanemoto and Kazuki Hashimoto vs. Shinobu and Shiori Asahi
BJW Saikyou Tag League
23rd September 2014, Korakuen Hall, Tokyo
Kicking off the 'strong' block of the BJW tag league is a match with a real wedge of variety; the highest-grade technical smarts of Koji, the love of getting battered of K-Hash, the aerial ability of Shinobu and the all-around game of Asahi. This merits inclusion for a couple of reasons: i. I did bag on Big Japan in my 'Investigates' piece a little harshly - their strong division basically contains a lot of what I like about wrestling and ii. K-Hash and Koji in a team! ***1/2
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| Katsuhiko Nakajima |
Stardom 5☆ Grand Prix 2014 Day 5
23rd September 2014, Korakuen Hall, Tokyo
The final of Stardom's round robin tournament pits current World of Stardom Champion Yoshiko against the woman she deposed after a 468 day run. Shirai is also the present NEO High Speed Champion, all of which factors into the back story of a high-quality final between a bruiser and a cruiser. What is more amazing is that the match follows Shirai giving an almost equally-exciting performance in the match previous for just as long as this final is. ***3/4
Katsuhiko Nakajima vs. Mitsuhiro Kitamiya
NOAH SEMex in Shinjuku Vol. 3
2nd October 2014, Shinjuku FACE, Tokyo
From NOAH's equivalent of NXT comes this exhibition match between Kensuke Sasaki protege Nakajima and NOAH young boy Kitamiya. There's no commentary but the match tells the story of the kid looking to make an impression against a certified shitkicker just fine. Both of these guys are worthy of higher spots than they possess and this short match shows why. ***1/4
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