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Makai Club #1

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  1. Makai Club #1
    It’s quite magnificent, really. El Satanico is not only one of the greatest rudos in history (this includes outside of Mexico, too) but he also showed that he is tremendous in the tecnico role as well. Obviously it’s easy to come across as a great ace if the booking allows it - and I’d certainly say that allowing your partner to escape when you had the chance, taking the responsibility of potentially losing your hair is definitely one of those things - but the drama and emotion that he emits really adds conviction to the booking angles in the match and the overall storytelling. The match plays wonderfully. Los Guerreros del Infierno attacked early on, using the 4 on 3 advantage to overwhelm their opponents and control the bout. Their teamwork is great and allows for a really hot start. Los Infernales makes a comeback but it is always knocked back down to the defensive. However, the rudos are scumbags at heart. The first chance they get, they descend into selfish actions with Tarzan Boy and Rey Bucanero deciding to flee and escape the cage, all while leaving their teammates to a 3 on 2 disadvantage. Then comes the other pivotal moment in the match where Satanico is making his escape before looking back at Averno and seeing him struggle to hold Magica, who is climbing the cage, then deciding to help Averno out and taking responsibility. Thus we have the final two in the Apuestas match - Mascara Magica and El Satánico. This is where Satanico shined with his performance. It felt like a really important moment in his long career and one last gasp on keeping that. And the crowd pop that erupted from Arena Mexico when he got the 3 off the figure four pin was just amazing. ****1/2
  2. Makai Club #1
    From what I could tell, that's pretty much the same thing to Bret.
  3. Makai Club #1
    The finish to this match was awesome. Abe, without breaking motion, was able to reverse Iwamoto’s Kokou no Geijutsu attempt and lock in a crucifix cradle for the three count. Exactly the type of thing you'd expect from this match - lots of nifty counters out of dangerous predicaments. The Astronauts showed good tag chemistry, stringing together a few good double team offensive moves. There was a running bit where they'd do a double team move and end it with either Nomura or Abe kicking Hidaka, who is left flat footed, off the apron. Hidaka at 48 is still as fast as ever, being able to keep up and evade Abe’s attempts early in the match. He is truly blessed with eternal youth. We got some good exchanges from Iwamoto and Nomura as well. Nomura was trying to be his usual dismissive self but Iwamoto wasn't having it and laid in a few hard elbows for good measure. Good match. The eventual Abe/Iwamoto sounds promising. I'll definitely seek that out. ***1/4
  4. Makai Club #1
    Bryan is indeed talented and an excellent wrestler. Extremely consistent for almost all of his active years whether it's making the best out of Gabe's fascination with NWA World Title matches or WWE's "we don't want to actually push you to this point but we have to". But his matches don't ever give me the feeling of the investment that Bret Hart matches can. And I say this a someone who grew up watching Daniel Bryan (I was like 10 when I first knew who Daniel Bryan was). And investment is always going to top out for me. There is no real argument against either though. Both are quality wrestlers and it simply comes down to who do you prefer. And to me, Bret is the one I prefer.
  5. Makai Club #1
    There is nothing better than when two Sambo experts face off against each other. This was filled with tremendous grappling exchanges that almost always came off in a stalemate due to how well matched they are. Han would have the striking advantage but he’s not a killer striker so it’s not a massive edge, although it does earn Han a few Downs. My favourite part of the match was when Kopylov and Han were tangled in each other’s legs in the middle of the ring, leading the ref to call for the break causing an outbreak of applause and chuckles. Kopylov getting the submission win was very surprising, too. Great victory. ****
  6. Makai Club #1
    Out of all their matches, this gets forgotten about (despite the back injury that HBK occurs early on) but it's a very good edition. It's better than the Ground Zero match for sure. Shawn Michaels looks fairly strong in this being the aggressive and most controlling out of the two. I suspect it was a decision to make Michaels look like a resilient, worthy champion for Austin to the new influx of fans that are tuning because its usually the opposite. But he did a fine job. He kept his offence to hard punches to the head and stomach while using the aerial moves sparingly. And when Taker gained back control, Michaels pin-ball’d himself around the ring. Sometimes it was over the top but it was reserved mostly. Then the finish with Kane attacking Taker after initially helping him from goons (The New Age Outlaws & Los Boricuas) and then setting the casket on fire. Super good main event with a strong finishing angle. ***1/2
  7. Makai Club #1
    While short of much depth and star power, this turned out to be a fun and pretty memorable Rumble. Terry Funk delivers a very underrated Rumble performance with his evasive ways of staying in the match, plus a strong opening stretch with Foley and Rock who have great showings of their own. The later story of Stone Cold attacks everyone was interesting and made Austin look like the biggest star of the match (he was). Exciting Rumble. Such a blast. ***1/2
  8. Makai Club #1
    A fine opening match. There was a lot of decent wrestling. Goldust has some decent evasive offence to avoid Vader trying to clatter into him so there was a lot of urgency. The crowd was hot for the action as well. Luna’s interference was minimal and made for a tremendous finish where she got on Vader’s back when he hit the VaderBomb. **1/2
  9. Makai Club #1
    I didn't really get the hype around this. It was a Fiend match that wasn't the worst match of the year so it was better than expected but I don't see a quality match in this other than that. The match was essentially a boring beatdown followed up a fun comeback. And I think the Survivor Series match followed that formula much better than this. There isn't much flaws to pick out as it's not a terrible match, rather an unexciting one. Bryan getting a slightly average match out of a terrible wrestler is cause for praise but the match itself doesn't warrant it, imo.
  10. Makai Club #1
    Adrian Street is known for having a rather effeminate gimmick designed to get a rise out of his opponent (or sometimes the crowd depending on where he was). And that character was on display for sure. The 1700s dress, the prancing/skipping around and the glamorous way Street let the ref touch him down for weapons, extending his legs in an exaggerated way. Breaks would bite at his antics by screaming at him in his typical cry-baby ways, and it was always great when that happened. Street would get a kick out of the rise himself which would make it better. The match wasn’t just Street getting his gimmick over however. The match was focused around serious grappling that was both rough and snug. There were a lot of violent holds that could’ve easily snapped a hand if they weren’t careful. Breaks is no-nonsense unlike Street so most of that was initiated from him but Street was a match for him technique wise and was able to rough it up just as much. Any time Breaks would look to break Street’s wrist, Street would reverse it and lock on a bone crunching hold in return. Breaks was the de facto face, I think, but he was still a real cunt, snapping at Street’s arm after one of the rounds had ended. Street would get some revenge in the next round by ripping at Breaks’ mouth and nose whilst he had Breaks in a side headlock. The match was full of little things like that. I loved Jim Breaks getting a submission (British rules needs two sub wins to win the match or one pin overall) off a Jim Breaks special (lifts opponent by the wrist) and then says to Street “If you can’t carry on, get out!”. It’s so awesome. The final round was tremendous too. Street needed to win that round to cause a draw, so he increases the intensity and urgency of his wrestling, overwhelms Breaks and stomps on his arm while he’s on the floor. One great final flurry from Street before he got the submission win via the Double-Arm Chicken Wing. The match is declared a draw but what a great match it was. Terrific bout. ****1/2
  11. Makai Club #1
    Outstanding match. I admittedly have gotten a little jaded from Misawa in the past few months in this timeline but this was a tremendous effort that quickly reminded me how fantastic Misawa is and what he brings to the table. And it’s not just an incredible comeback - which this match has (And oh boy, does it have it!) - it’s the ability to create an intense, epic atmosphere, drawing everyone in to what he (and what his opponent) is doing. This is Taue’s finest hour as a singles wrestler (maybe not, I’ll see down the line) but Misawa smoked him in performance despite bringing what is also a great performance. Taue kicked Misawa’s ass with all his new, excellently built up new moves while trying to avoid Misawa’s deadly elbows as much as he could. I loved the opening sequence with Misawa blocking the Snake Eyes attempt, returning with an elbow which Taue blocked. 10 seconds of wrestling that set up the match story superbly. The match’s drama was superbly built until the crowd was rocking (along with the hard camera). The reaction for Taue hitting Nodowa was insane. Any attempt by Taue was met with a rise in the crowd and it was only matched by Misawa’s attempts to escape that fate until it inevitably came. Taue’s selling for Misawa’s epic comeback surge was tremendous. The more Misawa popped off his elbow strikes, the more devastating the effect they’d get. First just rocking Tuae. Then Taue would fall to his knee before Misawa floored him and essentially won the match for himself with a wicked elbow strike that included a pin-point rolling elbow. Well deserving of its reputation. ****3/4
  12. Makai Club #1
    This was awesome. Yamazaki was very game for all the strike exchanges. He put so much fire and energy in his offence that it was easy to rally behind him as the underdog. Takada was calm and cool as usual, zeroing in on Yamazaki’s leg, kicking the absolute shit out of the thigh before shooting in for various submission holds. Yamazaki’s selling is excellent as well. His audible screams are perfect for the setting and he made a big effort to escape the holds, further putting the danger of them over. Yamazaki even sells well when he makes his big comeback to win the match by selling his exhaustion and pain after hitting his moves. The struggle for the German suplex was just superb with Yamazaki headbutting Takada in the back of the head while he was fighting to break the grip before launching him. And the final headkick before the pin was just sick. Awesome win for Yamazaki. ****
  13. Makai Club #1
    These two go at each other once again after previously going to a 30 minute draw at the Starting Over Vol.2 event. There is more of the same again - careful, deliberate, both waiting for openings and defending nicely on the mat. Nakano uses his weight brilliantly to add more pressure to Miyato when he takes the back and Miyato is light on his feet to gain some ground of his own. The little spurts where they go back and forth with kicks and slaps is great and adds a little more excitement to the bouts mixed in with the grappling. They escalate nicely as the 15 minute time lapses over, throwing in more dynamic sequences and more big throws. Miyato threw a killer spinning sole kick to the hips of Nakano, almost drawing a 10 count which Nakano then followed it up with a capture suplex once he recovered. One of my favourite moments of the match was Miyato catching Nakano with a high kick and going for a belly to bell but Nakano counted with a nasty headbutt that split Miyato wide open at the eye. Gruesome. Miyato was able to recover and cinched in a deep single leg, getting the victory. Awesome follow up to their other match. ***3/4
  14. Makai Club #1
    I would definitely agree with the sentiments that this is more of a New Japan style match. Which makes sense since they have to reform the in-house style early one. What works, what doesn’t, what has to go, etc. But a great match is a great match so the fans adore it anyway. I loved how both men came across. Akira Maeda felt like the ace, and was presented as the ace. Maeda was the boss. He is no longer the young man that got put in the spotlight after Inoki didn’t join in the first UWF, he is the guy. His assertiveness in the match was great. Takada was super good as the opponent but he was just a step below Maeda and had to constantly follow his lead to keep up. Maeda threw in some great counters and suplexes like his beautiful capture suplex counter to a Takada bodykick. Takada is one of the better shoot-style underdogs there ever is and he’s pretty much that in this match. Like I said already, Maeda was the top dog so Takada was the weak link, who made the best of it. Takada made his moments on top count and hit some super suplexes and strikes that put Maeda in danger. Loved the drama of the match and how it built as the match progressed. The fans surging the ring after Maeda won with the chicken wing was awesome too. ****1/2
  15. Makai Club #1
    “My Eye”. Bloody hell, this was a very gross match by the end. Lawler bloodies Funk’s eye up badly and Funk’s panicked squealing made the finish very uncomfortable and disturbing to watch. Funk desperately calling for the Doctor and Lance Russell (aw) was horrifying but the perfect finish to an incredible match. I never realised just how big the Mid-South Coliseum was until the lights go on and you see a sea of seats. And they made great use of the space, brawling in the crowd seats, using the empty chairs to their advantage. I loved the contrasted tempo of emotions from the two. Funk starts off the match with Lance Russel blowing his lid, itching to face Lawler who came out calm and focused. And the match was the same. The brawling was erratic and aggressive but Lawler was able to calm the storm and use that to win the match. Funk’s trash talking was awesome (yet another good use of the empty arena setting). ****1/2
  16. Makai Club #1
    A cool Dory Funk Jr match outside of his known element. I think Dory Funk Jr, I think St Louis or Tokyo. Not Memphis but it's neat to see a legend out of his comfortable setting. He rocks at it as well. Dory Funk is straight laced at first, using his superior technical skills to control Lawler and run rings around him but Dory gets more and more underhanded with the tables on the outside and even a chain that Jimmy Hart, who is suspended above the ring because it’s Memphis, threw down. Lawler wrestles Dory’s match but even though he’s not as good on the mat, he sells super well and makes the best out of his offence. I really loved how most of Lawler’s offence was him getting Dory back for the cheating also using the chain. Lawler’s fists are hammers most of the time but add a chain to them and it’s deadly. The crowd, of course, are all in on the match. The match is called off for the DQ (in Lawler’s favour) and Lawler beats Jimmy Hart up after the match. Awesome ending. ****
  17. Makai Club #1
    Jerry Lawler coming out to ‘Gonna Fly Now’ with loud trumpets was an incredible entrance. If he went all out for his entrance like this regularly, you can see why Lawler was indeed the King Of Memphis for the next decade. The match gets quite a rep for being the first ever 5* rated match. Not by Dave Meltzer, but Norm Dooly (and Jim Cornette). But as well, this is quite a famous match although not as famous as their Empty Arena match. I loved this match the last time I saw it and re-watching it was just as rewarding. This was a classic memphis bloody brawl, at its finest. Incredible heat. Both roles were executed at a very high quality and we just got enough for a rematch. The match started off heated with Funk initially running from Lawler and getting bounced into the corner and ropes. But Funk catches Lawler with some offence before unleashing some immaculate punches. Lawler then replied with punches of his own and busted Funk open by slamming him into the table. Funk’s bumping and selling for so great. Lawler was just as excellent at the selling. Lawler also got the aid of the blood soaking his white attire - it was visually gross, yet it added to the match greatly. Lawler brought tremendous babyface fire with his fired-up comebacks and his decimation of Funk’s knee with the steel chair. The crowd was unglued when Lawler brought the straps down and they were able to keep that heat for the remainder of the match until the match called for a count-out win for Lawler. ****1/2
  18. Makai Club #1
    Oh Territory politics are at play. Bill Dundee is left alone for his title defence due to his Tommy Rich’s commitments in Georgia against Wayne Farris and Yamamoto, led by Jimmy Hart. Dundee is a level above both of these two but even he can’t overcome the 2 on 1 advantage. Although he puts in a hell of an effort. He batters Farris and Yamamoto to his credit but the disadvantage is just too much. Dundee is excellent in this match. Both when on offence and selling. He came off like a badass but vulnerable when he needed to be. Like a rat trapped in a corner. ***1/2
  19. Makai Club #1
    The young guns are sent out for 30 minutes to warm the crowd and set the tone. Does it go well? Quite. The pace the match in the exactly how you’d expect from a 30 minute draw. There is a lot of tentative stand-up initially with the occasional kick and shooting for the takedown for a good while. But they are always high in intensity. The holds are always snug and worked well from hold to hold. Miyato threws some wicked kicks to the head and then a low kick before trying to tap Nakano out with a head-trapped double wrist lock. I loved how Nakano began getting wise to the low kicks so began checking them more often, although Miyato’s persistence caught him out every now and again. Miyato seemed to favour the Single Leg Boston Crab heavily but Nakano fought for the ropes with all his might and somehow escaped. Nakano went he began throwing big strikes over his own like the overhand palm strike followed by kicks in the corner to a cowering Miyato. His suplexes were awesome as well. Including the one that sent him and Miyato tumbling over the top rope and onto the love which was insane. The finish wasn’t anything memorable. The referee just stopped the match for the time and that was that. It was a simple finish to a simple match. I really dug it and I don’t regret sitting through 30 minutes to two of the lesser guys in the promotion fight each other to a stalemate one bit. ***1/2
  20. Makai Club #1
    Choshu’s Super Cena finish aside, I don’t see much wrong with this. Almost every review and Dave’s DUD rating would suggest that this is a bad match. It’s not in any shape or form. Choshu is clearly still hurting from previous injuries but Fujiwara is so slick, so fluid and just a joy to watch that it didn’t matter. The quick takedowns and the toying was pretty fun to watch. They got the most out of very little and that’s what was so good about this. If you wanted a 5 star classic, watch something else but this was a super fun match that anyone *should* enjoy but I guess not. ***1/4
  21. Makai Club #1
    The whole tournament I've been slightly ragging on Ishii for constantly doing his endless elbow exchange matches but then Taichi and Ibushi totally knock my sock off with their match. Kinda hypocritical I know but :P. Plus Ishii had a totally different match the aforementioned style of match he usually does. Okada vs Ospreay was pretty wicked as well. Ospreay has definitely brushed up on his Marufuji tape watching. Oka (O-Kharn) returning to New Japan is exciting and I'm keen on seeing a fresh Ospreay. But the angle itself was a little flat. And oh, IBUSHI IN THE FINALS! All in all this was an awesome show.
  22. Makai Club #1
    Hashimoto in NOAH! The most famous match of his run given the reputation of it. It’s ungodly violent and stiff, especially with Hashimoto in the driving seat. I believe the story goes that it was even too much for Omori, who isn’t anyone to mess with in his own right and complained, thus ending his NOAH career. But this, Hashimoto is a god and comes off like one in the match. I’m not that aware of Omori’s matches but I love his blonde look. He looks so badass and sleazy. The story of the match is very simple and short. Omori fires off slaps and stiff palm strikes and Hashimoto returns with harder slaps and fucking brutal kicks to the chest/neck. Hashimoto dominates the match but Omori doesn’t go down without a fight. His little hope spot, which was a few lariats and a dragon suplex pin, gets a ton of heat. It was short but awesome. And the finish was just as violent. One big chop and a brutal brainbuster for the win. ***1/2
  23. Makai Club #1
    There are a few different edges to this match. One this is supposed to be Punk’s last match before going to WWE. A last hurrah. So Punk is very emotional for his entrance and the fans are itching for Punk to win the title (which looks unlikely since that’s not the usual thing). But the other side of that story is that it’s actually not the last match he’ll have in the company and would be a catalyst for one of the most famous storylines Ring Of Honor has ever done aka The Summer Of Punk. So much that they tried to recreate it in 2011 somewhat. So not only does this have a great story coming into it, it’s book ended by an even better story. Now it’s time for the match itself to deliver. I thought the match was good at times. A little too much with the kickouts at the end - which sort of make sense in the context of Punk desperate to win the title on his way out and the fans were biting on everything - and there were a few loose counter sequences that didn’t really work for me. But generally, this was really good. The grounded lock into the headstand escape spot was good as usual but what I loved about it was Punk quickly getting to his feet and drop-kicking Aries right in the next. Punk would spend the next 10 minutes attacking the neck as well. It was a great transition into one of the main plot threads of the match. They build up to the finish well tempo wise. I thought Aries was great at being the heel of the match, maximising Punk’s face heat and making it that much better when Punk wins the match. ***3/4
  24. Makai Club #1
    This started out like a house on fire with the two fighting in the sea of streamers both in and out of the ring. Joe beating up Homicide was fun. Joe is so compelling when dishing out offence - he has a great presence, great offence and just a kickass demanous. Homicide fighting from beneath was awesome too. But when he brings out the fork, this match gets better. Him digging it into Joe’s skin was nasty as hell as was the stabbing into the forehead. The match loses a bit of steam down the stretch once it gets a bit King Road Influence heavy. Just a bit long and some of the nearfall setups were very unnecessary. ***3/4
  25. Makai Club #1
    The match was built really well. I know this because I heard about it without watching it, that’s usually a good sign. I dug them taking their promos and heritage into the match as well. I loved how Jey Uso was basically mamed for the most part, only getting limited time to really shine and get some offence in. That hierarchy play is perfectly in tune with the Tribal talk. Roman’s swagger and dominance was very compelling. Jey was very sympathetic and every hope spot led me wanting more and more. BUT like most WWE matches, they trip over their own feet with some small but irritating things. It went too long. This could’ve done with some tightening up. Perhaps it was a matter of Roman dragging it out for respect reasons but you can cut it down and get the same story but better. I have to mention the talking. I get it and it kinda works in the feud but this is something that sounds better on paper than in reality. It was kinda embarrassing and way too cute at times. Roman himself looked awkward because it seems like he didn’t know where to look while he was doing his “I’m the Tribal Leader”. The finish again made sense but I don’t really care for the melodramatic finish with Jimmy coming down and throwing in the towel. These things just gnaw at me and gave me a rather cold feeling towards the match despite all of the good. But I do want to see more of this so job done I guess. ***1/4
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