superkix

This was a good match with a bad finish. Everything up until the Stretch Plum was classic Fujiwara. Fujiwara working the wristlock, Kawada grinding on him with the headlock before dropping that awesome knee to the head. They both fire off some snug shots, and I didn't see most of this as Fujiwara no selling but rather him being the grizzled old grappler who can take a beating better than most. I mean, Kawada selling his own headbutts is obvious enough. Great headbutt exchanges and the old ring bolt headshot. The match fell apart after the Stretch Plum with some blatant no selling from Fujiwara and the finish sucked. But I enjoyed everything up until that point.

This was pretty fun. I loved Izumida's running shoulderblock to knock Takayama out of the ring. Takayama beating on somebody with kicks and suplexes is never not fun, and Jun gets a fun little comeback, with Kawada-style face kicks, knees, a great running boot in the corner and diving shoulderdrops. Of course, Takayama knees and kicks his way toward the finish, putting Jun down with a brutal head kick.

This match ruled. Imagine Kawada working a spell in BattlARTS, against a former RINGS underdog in Nagai. No pin attempts, only knockdowns and submissions. And for almost 12:00 minutes, these two beat the shit out of each other. Pesky Nagai gets to kicking early on until Kawada snaps on him with elbows, and they trade blows until Kawada boots him down and spits blood. The stage is set. Nagai's shitty underdog performance is incredible, from his selling and expressions to rubbing wrist tape in Kawada's face and kicking the shit out of his leg. Really good struggle from both during the Stretch Plum attempt. And then it shifts into another gear as they start blasting each other with low kicks to the leg. Kawada is super aggressive with his kicks, buckling Nagai's knees and knocking him off his feet. But Nagai's giving it back to him and you can see Kawada's in pain as he limps around the ring, frustrated that Nagai keeps fighting. They slap the hell out of each other but Kawada keeps attacking the leg, putting him in a nasty stomping single leg crab. He keeps trying to submit Nagai with the single leg and after smacking him around and cutting the leg out with a kick, he really cranks on the single leg for the submission. I love a good, fiery underdog story and this delivered on almost all levels, with some great selling from both guys and brutal exchanges. A total hidden gem in Kawada's already stacked portfolio.

I'm curious in regards to your take of him being overrated. He's usually the guy who puts on bangers and most folks agree he's great and wonder why he doesn't get a bigger push, yet seems to be absent from most "best in the world" discussions. He has a particular style that doesn't necessarily mesh well with everyone he goes up against, especially when he's working outside of NJPW, and can come off as tiring and robotic after the 10th strike exchange. That being said, I think he's underrated as a seller and conveys emotion better than most in New Japan.

Tomohiro Ishii

Finally got through this after two failed attempts (aka sleep) and it was a chore that. at times, felt never-ending. I'll echo some of the same negative sentiments about the match, including Okada's weak defense and ZSJ's tendency to just go through holds without giving them any meaning. He's just not very believable -- although, admittedly, some of ZSJ's counters were clever and I like how he always tries to keep Okada from reaching the ropes. He also did a good job of keeping the crowd invested in the submissions and spoiling a lot of Okada's signature spots. But that finish was super weak and it's becoming harder for me to pay attention to 30+ minute NJPW main events.

I am not looking forward to a 90-minute Okada/Omega match.

What a great squash by the master Volk Han, who has to side slam the fire out of underdog Naruse, who comes out of the gate hot, trying to stun Han with open hands and knee strikes. Of course, Han uses some awesome takedowns and submission holds thoughout, including a split-legged kneebar and a standing armbar. Naruse's just trying to hang on at points, either onto Han with a sleeper attempt or onto the ropes. His selling of Han's holds is terrific for a shoot-style match and his hope spot punch to the ribs was a cool moment that lit the crowd up. Naruse ultimately falls victim to Han's stepover armbar but he gave a spirited effort and Han continues to showcase why he's one of the best wrestlers in the world.

Pretty fun match, with Berto working as the big strong dude who smothers Naruse on the mat with his weight and Naruse trying to find the submission. He isn't intimated by Berto's size and immediately pops him with a spinning backhand to start. Berto has some decent takedowns and big jumping kicks but can't do a whole lot on the mat. The match picks up toward the end as they're both trading open hands and Naruse gets busted open with a spinning backhand. Berto keeps trying for a calf hold of some sort but Naruse's able to grab him with a leglock for the tap out.

Both guys have a similar style, although Zouev is less about the throws and more in the same vein as Volk Han, using Sambo takedowns, headscissors, arm submissions, and often turning an opponent's hold against them. Zaza comes out more aggressive than usual, landing some big kicks and a sick spinning backhand to the face. But once they get on the mat, Zoeuv takes control of the situation. He uses a grounded full nelson and a sweet arm-and-shoulder takedown into the submission. Zaza mostly sticks to neat strikes and throws, and his over-exaggerated selling of the leglock was something else. Things get sluggish toward the end as they struggle to get something going on the mat but in the end, Zoeuv catches him a cool neck-crank for the submission.

What a nice find. A match mostly dominated by matwork, with some really good reversals and counters, especially from Malenko. I really liked how Malenko had Fuchi in the double arm hold and tripped him down into a butterfly lock. Fuchi works the arm for a bit and when Malenko bridges out of a hold, Fuchi armwhips him down and tries for the crossface chickenwing, but in a great counter, Joe hooks the leg to take Fuchi down to the mat before going back to the leg. Loved how Fuchi sells Malenko's holds and the annoyed expression on his face when he's able to escape. The finishing stretch is a suplex exhibition from Joe, who hits a snap fisherman suplex hold, a fallaway suplex into the pin, a German and finally, the Northern Lights suplex hold to pin Fuchi. Really good stuff.

This was great. No striking, very few throws or takedowns, but tons of excellent matwork -- in particular, the opening scramble was really good, with Joe showing off his responsiveness to Fujiwara, maintaining control of the leg even as Fujiwara is trying to roll out. The build to the Fujiwara armbar was done well, with Yoshiaki scooting down to the mat in various attempts. But in classic Fujiwara fashion, he takes a moment to boredly rest his chin on his hand while he's trying to snag an armbar. I also really liked how he used the knee on Malenko's chin to escape his control. Sure, there were lulls in the action but the attention to detail, the slick counters and reversals, and the tension built through submission attempts create a technically sweet mat-based encounter.

Really loved the opening with Chabadze controlling Fujiwara on the mat and taking him over with little throws. He seems to have a good mind for the worked match. Fujiwara walking over and smacking him in the face after Chabadze tells him to bring it was awesome. Then Chabadze starts throwing him wirh suplexes but when he tries to turn him over with a single leg, Fujiwara grabs the heel and submits him. Fun match.

Cool suplexes and takedowns from Galdava but the matwork was a little too dry for my tastes. Joe looked decent and the finish was pretty neat but yeah, kind of a nothing match.

Some nice flurries from Flynn and a cool suplex from Sano. The matwork was okay but there were some hot moments up top. Decent match.

This match wraps everything I love about pro-wrestling into the perfect little DDT package. Fantastic and brutal psychology, focused limbwork, tremendous selling, great comebacks, and one of the best slugfests this side of the Mexican border. The comedy shtick was coat checked at the door and these two went to battle. Watching Honda in control of the arm makes me nostalgic for this Honda. Togo tries to arm drag Honda off but Honda holds on and even when Dick is able to toss him off, Honda’s right back on the arm like a puppy on a chew toy. When Togo’s got him in the body scissors, Honda takes advantage of the injured arm in order to escape. Togo’s selling of the left arm, his vocal expressions, the failed Pedigree attempts, the arm giving out on the crossface hold, all add something genuine to the narrative that is often absent from most modern wrestling matches. When Honda injures himself on the dive, Togo seizes on the opportunity, focusing his attack on Honda’s busted forehead. There’s such an awesome visual of Honda swinging wild with blood in his eyes, desperate to fight off Togo, who continues to bully him around the ring, banging his head into the corner. When Honda finally snaps, it’s a thing of beauty as he unloads on Togo with hellfire punches and dragon suplexes him! When neither man can’t seal the deal with their offense and missed finishes, they collide in a fury of punches and beat the shit out of each other until Honda can’t take it anymore and Togo is able to defeat him with that well-built Pedigree and diving senton. My favorite DDT match and one of the all-time greats.

Kengo Mashimo, although I think the period of him being considered overrated has largely passed.

More or less fives minutes of Ikeda getting rocked with headshots, trying to find a way to promptly submit Ono in order to put an end to the relentless barrage of punches and kicks. He’s able to catch a stray kick and plant Ono with a capture suplex early on but Ono’s back up and at ‘em with more brutal straight punches to the skull. Ikeda fires off the occasional kick and when he’s finally able to stun him with a headbutt, he’s unable to take advantage of it as Ono is a persistent little bastard. After a brutal spinning backfist, Ono throws Ikeda with a tiger suplex before kicking him directly in the face. Yikes. They trade hard strikes and Ikeda is able to get him on the mat, where there’s some jockeying for position and control. Ono shifts into a front mount and starts in with the punches but once Ikeda’s able to snag one of his arms, he puts on the Fujiawara armbar and it’s over just as quickly as it began. Short on time and like watching two dudes beat each other silly? Check this one out.

I love Togo, all the little things he does, and of course, my love for Nomura is never in doubt. He understands pro-wrestling better than guys with twice his experience. Savvy matwork to start from both guys, with Togo's experience getting the edge over the younger Nomura. After Nomura kicks the ringpost outside like a dope, Togo supelxes him onto the floor, hits a running senton off the apron to the floor, and continues working the leg inside the ring, putting Nomura in the figure-four. I love how he keeps Nomura's hand away from the leg and ducks the slap attempts. Really good selling of the leg from Nomura, even when he's laying in the kicks. He's able to pull out a flash armbar off a punch attempt and then peppers Togo with some snug open hands. Really liked Togo's first crossface lock off the roll up, and then the finish, catching the PK attempt, sweeping the leg and floating up into the crossface, rolling back when Nomura reaches for the ropes to submit him. Simple formula, good psychology, an invested crowd, and under 15 minutes. This ruled.

Pretty fun CC overall. Nothing that's going to make a MOTY list but really great performances from Akiyama in particular and Shingo works well as the feisty little DG guy.

Like mentioned above, this was one prolonged finishing stretch with some stiff shots, including the lariat that busted Kawada open, but Kawada made Sasaki look like a champ. Loved his collapse into one of the final lariats and the visual of the blood leaking out his nose -- he really sells a beating. Fun match but I enjoyed their 2000 match more.

Ikeda was the star of this match, taking a brutal, brutal beating, mostly at the hands (or, forehead) of Hashi. His selling was phenomenal and despite his constant interfering on his partner’s behalf, I felt for him and wanted to see him reap his vengeance. There’s some lighter-hearted stuff too with Oba being a goofball, falling on his ass on a whiffed kick and flailing his arms around on offense but yeah, this thing was built around the interactions between Ikeda and Hashi. The headbutt exchanges were on another level of uncomfortable, as Hashi busts Ikeda and himself open with some nasty cranium-to-cranium contact. Then when they’re on all fours like a couple of pitbulls ramming their noggins together, yikes. Not only are the headbutts gnarly but there is zero hesitations behind Hashi’s chops and Ikeda’s kicks. Mashimo and Oba have some good chemistry together as they trade strikes for a minute and when Kengo’s up against Ikeda, he’s blasting him with kicks and knees, trying to lay him out for the ten count. There’s a great spot where Mashimo ducks the lariat attempt and plants Ikeda with a uranage, following it up with a sick punt kick to the back. The final showdown between Ikeda and Hashi is incredible and gut-wrenching. Loved the spot where Ikeda gets headbutted by Hashi and he stumbles back to his corner, looking for a tag out, and Oba slaps him in the face! The two of them unload on one another with the stiffest shots they can muster and Ikeda tries to end it via submission but Mashimo breaks it up. Hashi’s pissed now (as if he wasn’t before) and doesn’t let up with the headbutts, repeatedly bashing Ikeda in the corner, turning his forehead into a Margarita pizza pie. Ikeda’s trying to fight back with kicks and he’s finally able to deliver that lariat before laying the final nail in the coffin kicks to Hashi, including one foot to the mouth, which Hashi isn’t able to recover from. Super intense final minutes. What a tag match.

Another decent extended squash with Fuke working on one leg for most of the match. Tons of open hands exchanged in this since Fuke couldn't kick, with some really nasty slaps and kicks from Funaki. On the mat, Funaki's very smothering since Fuke is limited in what he can do. After a hard slap knockdown, Funaki grabs the jujigatame for the quick submission. Eh.

An extended squash but a Minoru Suzuki squash nonetheless. He teases the front necklock that beat Shamrock early on but Kazuo books it for the ropes, selling its brief effects. Kazuo works snug to start, headbutting Suzuki and peppering him with open hands while Suzuki fires off leg kicks. He really lets Minoru have it at one point and Minoru, in true Minoru fashion, tongues at Kazuo in jest, before turning up the aggression. Kazuo's able to get a few double leg takedowns but Suzuki is quick to get him into a submission. Then he starts with the hard elbows and headbutts to the back of the head and a series of nasty knee strikes to the head and face, before quickly choking him out for the submission.

Here's Part 2. And here's the direct LINK! https://fightingnetworkfriends.podiant.co/e/362d9c31fe26fe/ to stream, or subscribe to the RSS feed. You can also search us on Apple Podcasts. FNF 015: RINGS in '93 Pt. 2 Episode 15. FIGHTING NETWORK RINGS IN 1993 Pt. 2, let us close out the year of our master VOLK. We are back to finish off the year of RINGS in '93: does Volk still reign surpreme? Will Maeda return? Will Dick Vrij kick off people's heads? And what about this new dude Zouev? We cover August-December and talk about our favorite matches, spoiler - the Europeans have a killer year. In the third segment we are back to our usually scheduled program, reviewing matches featuring Bob Backlund, Baba, Bruno (RIP), Yoji Anjoh, FMW clusterfucks and a recent modern classic in Wrestle-1. Topics discussed: - Scary ass dogs - Quintet - Thanks for ordering our shirt! It'll be out soon! - RINGS RINGS RINGS - Masayuki Naruse, Volk Han and Nikolai Zouev. Amazing singlets, hairy dudes, wacky submissions and the return of Dimitri Petkov. 3rd Segment Matches: 3/14/18 - Shotaro Ashino vs. Manabu Soya (Wrestle-1) 5/5/01 - Hayabusa & The Great Sasuke vs. Mr. Gannosuke & Tetsuhiro Kuroda (FMW) 12/22/91 - Bob Backland vs. Yoji Anjoh (UWFI) 8/7/68 Bruno Sammartino vs. Giant Baba (JWA) Youtube Playlist: http://tinyurl.com/fnf015 Follow us on Twitter: @fightfriends @trillyrobinson @bren_patrick Email at: [email protected] Instagram: @fightnetworkfriends Youtube at: http://tinyurl.com/FightFriends Store at: http://fightingnetworkfriends.bigcartel.com