Makai Club #1

Just days after losing to Jinsei Shinzaki, Gannosuke is ready! (I’m so bitter about this and it happened 23 years ago lol. It’s only right to be upset about painfully stupid decisions). And again, this pairing doesn’t captivate me. This was just another Poor man’s King Road match with some quality but not nearly enough to interest you in such a way that they intended. Gannosuke had some sparks of quality but he wasn’t that great on offence either. His strong points in the match were his selling. **3/4

ROH World Title Match: Austin Aries (c) vs. James Gibson I’m not a fan of the finish. It’s not inconceivable, but something about Aries collapsing into Gibson while in a Trailer Hitch, fluking his way to the win rubs me the wrong way. But still, these two are so good together. Gibson’s back is near enough fully healed so he’s more of a threat this time around so Aries attacks his arm to create that weakness himself and the match goes on from there. I thought Gibson’s selling was excellent as well. His defensive body language is something that really stood out to me. As soon as Aries trapped his arm in the barricade, he went into defense mode and I love that. Aries crafted some excellent counters out of Gibson's signature moves due to the weak arm in return. This was yet another awesome match between the two. I’d put the Stalemate match ahead of this though. Just on a gut feeling. ****

ROH World Title Match: Austin Aries (c) vs. James Gibson Austin Aries is a gorgeous wrestler to watch. Aries is so slick - he embodies the word - with his offence. It’s like poetry in motion in the way he seemingly glides across the ring. And he does it in a way that helps his wrestling look more solid and grounded than a lot of people who are aesthetically pleasing but it's more of a dance and it perhaps works against them. A wonderful wrestler. I sometimes think that I’m way too high on him but then I’ll watch him in a match, like this one, and think “no, he’s just as incredible as I think”. Enough of the Austin Aries gushing as the match was superb. Not flawless, but I can see what the attempt was. James Gibson, fresh off coming in from WWE, is a hot little indie act and he’s been on a hot streak in Ring Of Honor in particular. So he had a ton of momentum coming in against Aries as a challenger but unfortunately, he’s carrying an injury inflicted by Generation Next member, Roderick Strong at the previous show and Aries knows this. So naturally, Aries zeros in on Gibson's back with a series of strikes and moves that target the area. Aries doesn’t even have to change his arsenal too much - hitting a wicked heat seeking missile bottom rope tope to Gison while he was turned towards the crowd. Gibson to his credit sells his back and makes Aries look great in the process, but he still is fighting, returning with some small work on the neck as well. This was looking to be a really excellent competitive match but, like I said, the match isn’t flawless. I disliked how the rainusters were used towards the end. It’s a signature move for Aries and they trade back and forth - while still being locked in together, retaining some semblance of a struggle - eore ending the match with a double pin. It was a very peculiar way to end a match. Scott Sinclair was sneaking though. He raised Gibson's hand, saying he was the winner, first, which the fans went nuts for, and waited to raise Aries hand as well. So I wonder if this was Gabe trying to gauge how the fans would react for a Gibson title win. They like it, Gabe. ****

There isn't that many matches, sure. But it's something that really defines his title reign for me. It's something that comes to mind immediately which is why people like myself and Micro mention those matches over the majority of matches that are way shorter. And while they usually aren't bad, but like Micro said, there isn't much there and can leave something to be desired. I certainly don't have a wish to rewatch them anytime soon. Rewatchability is a key aspect in a wrestler for me. How much do I actively want to seek out a match or a period of wrestling for a certain wrestling. I really want to watch a lot of Jerry Lawler's matches in Memphis, for example. I don't really want to seek out more Bryan Danielson during his title reign. And I've watched the lot of it already so it's not just me presuming based on match time alone or anything superficial like that. It's only a small part of his career though. Something that would only take him down a few places in the top 100.

It's definitely something that ROH wanted with Gabe famously trying to make the ROH Title into the new NWA Heavyweight Title with the classic 60 draws. WWE rarely goes past 30 minutes unless it's an Iron man match. It's definitely noticeable when the matches go long, outside of modern NXT.

I'm not in love with his ROH run honestly. Those 30 minute matches are exhausting and are something that I never really want to seek out again with some exceptions. I'll watch the Nigel matches but fuck watching those Roderick Strong matches that never end. I'd much prefer watching Austin Aries who works in a brisker pace at a similar quality level, even if Bryan is way more smarter and talented. Bryan has a lengthy run sheet of great matches against plenty of opponents despite some of the flaws of the style in Ring Of Honor. He was also able to adapt and help change the style in WWE somewhat. He turned into a more traditional make comeback guy and turned into one of the best babyaces in wrestling. An excellent wrestler. It's just little things that keep him in that 50-40.

This is risky territory. There are plenty of matches that "could've had anyone other wrestler" in. The facts are that it didn't have any other wrestler in, the match had Okada in.

I loved Jeet’s entrance. It's magnificent. And by far my favourite thing about him. Firstly, he stands in the entrance way for ages with a half smiley and menacing look upon his face with a sword in his mouth. That's all he does to rile the crowd up to the point where he almost has a fight with a fan coming to the ring. The Young Lions and other assistants have to seperate the fan and move him far away to avoid escalating. If there is one thing that I like, it's entrance fights. Then he walks around the ring stalling and threatening the crowd with his fist. Great character work. Inoki walks out with nothing but business on his mind. He is ready and Jeet Singh isn't having it. The match is rather simple; for example, Inoki would try to attack and Jeet Singh would pound on him, drag Inoki around the ring and throw anything that was in his grasp at Inoki. Whether it be a table, a chair or a sword. Inoki is cut open and does his best to sell the beat down. The match is under ⅔ falls, as it was the norm back then, so the double count out threw me a little. However it makes the structure of the match easier to follow. Both lost/won the fall so it's a simple fight to the finish. Singh tones down his wild brawling for more simple stomach claws and chokes, which do look good on a bloody Inoki, to be fair, but is unable to ramp it back up as Inoki is able to make a great comeback, stomping and punching the shit out of Jeet. Then Inoki tears Jeet’s arm out of its socket with some gruesome arm pulls and that's it. Inoki made the comeback and won the match. Inoki Bombaye. ***

I’m not too big on Shinzaki, but I thought he was great in this match. Gannosuke killed the match with his dire heat section and he got the crowd back up to a fever pitch. The match was fun though. Shinzaki attacked Gannosuke while he was coming out of his dressing room and got the advantage early before going through the table. The closing stretch was good with some interesting moes and quality sequences to close out the match, giving Shinzaki the win. Such a great way to build Gannosuke up for his Brass Knuckles title match in 9 days. ***1/2

This is Hiroshi Hase’s 1st IWGP Heavyweight title challenge (and presumably his last) and it’s an absolute blast. The crowd was buzzing when Hase came out. Hase is really under-pushed compared to his opponents when he was maybe the best wrestler in New Japan until he left the company, so him getting a huge spot like this does seem like a big deal. Hase is now sporting a new haircut or the occasion as well, adding the spectacle. The match is definitely Hase’s game, too. The match is mostly grappling that goes back and forth between the two wrestlers, with neither willing to give up so easily, creating this never ending struggle for most of it. It wasn’t particularly complicated; it was more the struggle and each of them presented it that made the mat-work so interesting. To me, it seemed like Hase really wanted to smother Hashimoto and make him tap out Hashimoto, being stubborn, and decided to face Hase head on ia the work on the ribs (the double foot stomp needs a mention because OUCH!). This led to the explosie closing stretch. This is where Hase always shines as well. Hase slaps Hashimoto, making Hashimoto ire ack and then the match turns into a nail biting test of who's going to all irst. Hase does get a little overzealous when he pops up after two DDTs but it's an incredible “Holy Shit” moment and Hashimoto reacts really well to carry on his momentum towards his eventual win. Hase’s chops were lethal and he was ready for Hashimoto's barrage but Hashimoto continued on and scored the win with a ile spinning wheel kick and a leg hooked brainbuster. What a classic bout. ****3/4

This was gross at times. Pogo at one point was carving into Onita at the stomach using a scythe. The explosion looks great, but it's all just for flash rather than drama. This was a fun spectacle with a good Onita performance and a magnificent Gannosuke spot where he dives onto Pogo, eliminating (and blowing up) him and Pogo. That's pretty much it. ***

This was super cool. Malenko had some sick dropkicks to the thighs and generally matched up with the PWFG crew well, Sho Funaki in particular. Even the future Kendo Kashin looked awesome. Ishikawa looked great. He had some wicked stomps. What a talent he was before he put on a mask. ***

I need to see more of her if there is more available but that Dump match is absolutely tremendous. The whole package with the entrances, mid match breakdowns and brawling blew me away. If there is any match of hers to watch, it's that one (date is 20/02/1986)

The big plus about Kento is how much bigger he feels when compared to literally everyone else in All Japan. But past that, you do have a repetitive act who gets by by having a lots of charisma and personality. His peaks are quite up there with quality matches against Naomichi Marufuji, Zeus, Suwama and Akiyama.

Tremendous bout. Bockwinkel delivered a masterclass of selling of his knee while offering some great work on the midsection, primarily the hip of Martel. The match starts with Bockwinkel gaining the quick advantage via a few knees to the stomach but soon gets over hyped and wacks his knee on the turnbuckle after attempting a high knee and gives an opening to Martel. Martel, of course, goes right for it with relentless holds - that Billy Robinson explains perfectly while on commentary. Bockwinkel nibbled at Martel’s ribs and hips, finding a reprieve that backs Martel off for a short while before he uses his bad knee on the move and quickly loses the advantage. And the match follows that formula throughout the match, turning into a dueling limb match. The drama is at a high Martel posting Bockwinkel’s leg, drawing Bockwinkel’s desperate tactics to come out (scratching Martel’s eyes and rabbit punching the hips). Martel wasn't having any of it though and kicked Bockwinkel’s leg out from under him, in an awesome spot. The finish is a bit of a let down but it's a AWA staple. Masa Saito comes in and throws salt in Martel’s eyes while Martel has a Boston Crab locked in, which allows Bockwinkel to score the win and win the title! But wait, the ref reverses his decision after deliberation. Martel retains. Yay. ****3/4

A young Eaton! He’s as super good as well. All of his offence looks good as well. Before the match, he and Jimmy Hart are upset by the appearance of Dutch Mantel so they spend the segment complaining before Dundee shuts them up and starts the match. The match is fast paced and filled with simple wrestling. Loads of punches and strikes. The ring even starts to fall apart towards the end due to the velocity of their bumping. Dundee scores the win, popping the studio audience which sparks a melee. Cool match. ***

One of the most famous matches and angles in Memphis history. If anyone is remotely interested in classic Pro Wrestling, they have watched this exchange between Ric Flair, the NWA Heavyweight Champion and Jerry Lawler, the hometown champion. Jerry Lawler cuts a wonderful promo on Jimmy Hart helping him regain the Southern Heavyweight Title against Kimala before he transitions into coaxing Ric Flair into the title match right there on television. Ric Flair is so cool and calm in this segment. Kevin Nash was likely taking notes somewhere. He initially tries to big league Jerry Lawler by asking who he is, which Lawler handles perfectly and then he goes on about how he is above anyone in Memphis that he may as well face Jerry Lawler rather than his scheduled opponent. The match was a fun studio match that condenses the usual big NWA Champion v Hometown Hero match. Flair starts out cocky before Lawler gets the advantage and proves himself a worthy challenger. Flair does stay on top, using his usual tricks and even almost beats Lawler with the Figure Four before the time limit expires. Flair is so mad that he couldn't get a decisive win so he asks (and gets) five minutes. This unhinged Flair who goes wild but it turns into his undoing as Lawler takes advantage quickly and this causes Flair to flat out run away. Lawler brings up a great point saying that he should be champion as Flair ran away, essentially forfeiting the title. Being unable to get back in the ring is one thing but running away is something else entirely. Flair comes back out later claiming that it wasn't a title match as there was no contract signed. Fair points already. And it was a good way to close out such a classic segment. ***

Fujinami has a couple of gems against Koshinaka (6/2/94), Chono (31/05/91) and Ishikawa (04/01/93).

UWF was originally supposed to be a throwback to 70s New Japan before Sayama was brought on board, Shimma got ousted and then the style naturally turned into what it because I believe. Inoki is a favourite of mine. Despite all of his faults, his clunkers and misteps, he has something that makes me invested instantly. The Masa Saito no ropes match is an absolute classic. Great pre no ropes, incredible post no ropes. Plus Choshu goes apeshit. The match against Fujinami in 88 is my all time favourite New Japan match, doing virtually the impossible by successfully passing the torch through not losing. It takes a genius to do that.

I've been watching some of the weekly WCW 1993 shows and Windham is constantly delivering on those shows. I have no doubt that he was an excellent wrestler and was for way longer than people realise but I probably need to rewatch a lot of his career to put him into perspective because I'm going to rank him but I have no clue where. Not even a ball park.

If I had a criticism against Kawada, it would be how his selling became more of a self conscious thing that'd he put into a match just to have it. It was basically one of his signature spots. If you're going to a show to see Kawada, that's one of the things you're paying for essentially. Perhaps that's a little smarky for the 90s All Japan audience (maybe not). It's the equivalent of getting your shit in. Other than that, I love almost everything about him and his matches. Similar to how I think about Hansen, Kawada is someone who, not matter the match quality, is someone always value for time. I can watch one of his famous Misawa matches or a random match against Tamon Honda and get so much enjoy out of watching Kawada doing his thing. And of course, he has the incredible match resume on top of being a must see wrestler. Excellent in tags, excellent in singles matches, had a very good post peak career, having quality matches against Sasaki, Kojima, Hashimoto, the tags with Fuchi, and there are some gems of his before he became the wrestler we know Kawada to be. I don't think anyone will displace him from my #1 spot. It'll depend on how I see Okada in a few years time.

I wouldn't mind checking out some Trish matches. I didn't really like her growing up, but with a fresh set of eyes and a different outlook on what wrestling is could change that. It didn't work with Lita but Trish isn't Lita.

Nomura need to leave Big Japan to have any chance. I don't even see him getting pushed, let alone facing people who can elevate him as a wrestler. There is only so much you can learn facing Strong BJ trainees. Nomura has gotten the best out of Daichi Hashimoto though. So that's something he can hang his head on.

Fun wrestler. Maybe a bit too low-key to make a top 100. Consistenly enjoyable and capable of having a great match. Abe doesn't ever level up to that higher level though. Even compared to Nomura who is less consistent, depending on Big Japan's booking which is atrocious, but has way more prolific high quality matches and performances.

I'm a Go Shiozaki guy too. Maybe he was too much of a Kenta Kobashi or Kensuke Sasaki try hard but if you ignore those two being clear influences, you have a heck of a fun wrestler in a what was a dry, lifeless promotion for a lot of his main event run.