Control21

I'm loving how you are running WWF so far. Everything feels fresh and exciting. Ric Flair vs Dynamite Kid sounds like a dream match. That probably would have been great in real life if both wrestlers were healthy.

Very well said, @GOTNW. Inoki moved up a few places on my ballot over the past few months. He's right outside of the top 10 now. He had a very remarkable in-ring career for the reasons you just laid out. Couldn't have said it better myself.

Wrestler Eligibility: Wrestlers must wrestle a minimum of 10 matches in a year in either the United States or Canada according to wrestlingdata.com. or cagematch.com. Wrestlers who do not meet that requirement in the year we are currently in or any future year will be considered retired. Rookies will be eligible in the year they debut. It depends on how people want to interpret this. Rey did wrestle in a US show in 1992 according to Cagematch, so technically, he meets the criteria set by the last sentence. But he didn't wrestle 10 shows in the US until 1993/1994, as he was largely doing AAA shows in Mexico in 1992, and they didn't start expanding to the US until 1993/1994.

I think as long as they have a thread and are listed in the nominees list, they should count

I think Sid and Paul E. have started the year strong for WCW. Looking forward to Superbrawl. Sid vs Sting should be a blockbuster match

Looks good to me at first glance. The only thing I would add is that 1994 would probably be more appropriate for Matt Hardy, since that was when he was actually wrestling for other promotions besides his own backyard thing he was doing with his brother.

Nice to have SMW in our game world. I think you will get a very consistent and quality product going with Steve Austin being one of your major players, along with the usual characters we would come to expect for this territory. Can't wait to read more.

I know people scoff at the idea that NJPW is an AEW development territory, basically, but when NJPW makes decisions like this, it's hard to ignore it. Putting the rocket on Newman's back and then immediately having him do a big program for AEW at Wembley is just too blatant. Another possibility is that they are doing all this as a favor for Ospreay, which is just even more stupid.

NJPW hasn't learned its lesson, I guess. What a shitshow.

My revised current top 10: 1. Bret Hart 2. Volk Han 3. Blue Panther 4. Akira Maeda 5. Kiyoshi Tamura 6. Billy Robinson 7. Yoshiaki Fujiwara 8. Mitsuharu Misawa 9. Kenta Kobashi 10. Tsuyoshi Kohsaka

I had intended to do a "Complete and Accurate" series for Volk Han, but real life got in the way, unfortunately. So I'll try to summarize my case for Volk Han here. He'll be my #2 vote in all likelihood, but he has a small chance to take the #1 spot when I submit my ballot. There are very few wrestlers who have the same awareness and "command" of the space in the ring that Volk Han did, especially right out of the gate. Anytime I watch a Volk Han match, I immediately notice two things. The first is how he never loses track of the flow of the match, and never gets "lost." He knows how to keep the crowd engaged and interested in the context of shoot style, and always seems to weave the match in ways that you don't expect immediately. Even if his career was limited to the RINGS style, this is a huge accomplishment for anyone in pro wrestling. It's a very rare gift. The second is how Han seems to manipulate space and create moments where you just have to wonder what you just witnessed. I can think of several moments here, including his debut with Maeda, where he pulls a flying armbar almost out of nowhere. Another example I can think of is his match against Andrei Ruminezei, where he does this incredibly sick combo that seems to defy the movement of time. There's also his matches with the likes of Tamura, Kohsaka, Nagai, and Yamamoto, where he does similar stuff. I know this sounds a bit hyperbolic, but I think there is something to how he can center the ring around him. He does not let the ring center him. The fact that he could maintain such a high consistency of quality matches throughout his career is remarkable. People will note that he only wrestled one match a month for most of his career, and only worked like ~65-70 matches or so. I don't think this critique makes much sense, and it seems to be centered in the American perspective where the real mettle that is valued comes from being able to work a similar number of matches in a month, or even a week, due to the old territory structure or the demands of television wrestling. This is very short-sighted, because regardless of the number of matches you work in a given timeframe, being able to put on a good match for almost every match of your career is a very high demand, especially in the context of the physical toll of shoot-style. Even when Han lost his explosiveness after 1997 or so, he was still able to work very good Pancrase-esque matches with the likes of Kanehara and Grom Zaza. He wasn't good just because of his athleticism and his ability to do certain spots; he was good because he could work a match that wasn't centered around those things. In a way, he's similar to a baseball player who had a short career but an extremely high WAR or batting average. Think Sandy Koufax or Shoeless Joe Jackson. Looking at my Cagematch ratings for Han (not entirely complete, but still a good pool of ratings), he only had two matches ranked below a 6.0 (both against Hans Nijman). Of course, that is a subjective measure (most of this is admittedly, but I like to believe insane talent is hard to deny), but Han is also ranked in the top 15 of Cagematch's rankings at the moment if you factor in rating regardless of the total amount of the votes. The "it factor" with wrestlers gets talked about a lot, and Han had it from the very beginning. When he made his debut against Maeda, the crowd seemingly knew he would be a huge star right out of the gate. "Aura" gets overused a lot these days, but he had it. The way RINGS promoted him, as a somewhat mysterious Soviet Commando badass, was genius. SAMBO was almost unheard of in a pro wrestling context at the time, and I think Han immediately changed how shoot-style would evolve from the moment he debuted. People were not doing the things he did. If the GWE is a vote based purely on in-ring work, I think Han deserves serious consideration for a spot on any ballot, especially in the top 20-30 range. Again, subjectivity comes into play here, because people have to adjust to shoot-style and the RINGS style in particular, but I can't imagine not seeing Han's magisterial work in the ring once you adjust to it. (This post might be edited as I add more thoughts, but this is my opening argument for now)

FWIW, I 100% agree with you

News & Notes (3/30-4/3/1991) Lou Thesz has reportedly returned to Japan following his scouting trip during the NCAA Wrestling Championships, which were held from 3/14 to 3/16. Thesz also made visits to several US wrestling events afterward, which were being held to help determine qualifiers for the 1991 World Championships to be held later this year. Thesz met with UWF officials to discuss his findings. Reportedly, Thesz was very excited about some of the leads he gathered. Sources close to UWF are keeping very mum about details, apparently out of fear that US promotions could hamper their recruitment efforts. (Wrestling Observer, 4/2/1991) Some sources have speculated that UWF could be targeting several names from an increasingly dynamic generation of American amateur wrestlers. Lou Thesz is still a widely respected name in amateur circles, and with the success of Duane and Dennis Koslowski in the UWF, UWF officials apparently hoped they could find receptive ears. However, one source seemed skeptical that the UWF would see much success in recruiting anyone with the Olympics coming up. Despite the success of the Koslowskis, which hasn't gone unnoticed in American wrestling circles, most young American amateur wrestlers want to chase their dreams in the Olympics, and a transition to pro wrestling straight out of college is very rare. (Wrestling Observer, 4/2/1991) With the help of Akira Maeda's connections in the Soviet Republic of Georgia, UWF has reportedly signed Zaza Tkeshelashvili. Zaza apparently impressed during a trial held for potential prospects. Zaza has a background in both amateur wrestling and SAMBO, and some have compared him to a more raw version of Volk Han. (Tokyo Sports, 4/1/1991) Oleg Taktarov, despite controversy during his match in the Netherlands in February, will be making an appearance this month for the next UWF event in Hiroshima. Taktarov reportedly apologized to UWF officials, and members of the UWF Soviet camp pushed for the avoidance of any sanctions. Despite the controversy, Taktarov is seen as a great talent for the future. (Baseball Magazine, 4/2/1991) Akira Maeda has accepted a challenge from Maurice Smith for a match this month in Hiroshima. Maurice Smith scored a big win over Peter Smit in a kickboxing event held in Tokyo, and fans have been clamoring for a match between the two striking specialists since. It will reportedly be a title match. (Weekly Pro Wrestling, 4/3/1991)

Dan Severn Oh wait....

Of course, you are not required to do anything at all. Still, common sense and fair manners suggest to me that if someone is really passionate about shoot-style, and is running a shoot-style group, one should (at least on paper) be happy to accommodate them with two wrestlers (again, two wrestlers who were doing shoot-style shit during this period) from an already deep roster in the spirit of fair play and cooperation. Edit - On the topic of Ruas, Hug, Karelin, etc....if these guys were wrestling the territories weekly in the late 80s and 90s, I would understand the point, but they weren't. They were doing shootfighting or amateur wrestling. I don't have many options to expand my roster. I can't draft, etc., so where else would I turn? Joe Bob Thornton from Wyoming Central Pro?

A modern day SMW would be interesting

UWF officials have denied any interest in Hulk Hogan. Karl Gotch was asked about the potential blockbuster bidding war at his home in Florida, and he reportedly said, "I'd rather eat bird shit!"

Yorinaga Nakamura, Yasuto Sekishima, Peter Senerchia, Marty Jones, Mark Fleming, and Norman Smiley have all been released from UWF. Mitsuya Nagai, Koji Kanemoto, Koichiro Kimura, Willie Peeters, Eric Edelenbos, Oleg Taktarov, Masaaki Satake, and Grom Zaza have joined the UWF roster.

Bob Backlund has been sent to the WWF.

UWF Newborn – “UWF ’91 2nd” March 29th, 1991 Sapporo, Japan Nakajima Sports Center Attendance: 5,200 (sold out) Broadcast: WOWOW (live) Mitsuya Nagai vs Koji Kanemoto - 15:00 draw A testy match between two promising young lions went back and forth, and both Nagai and Kanemoto had moments that looked like they were on the verge of victory, but neither could finish the job before the 15:00 time limit expired. Nagai and Kanemoto continue to look promising in their development. Billy Scott def. Koichiro Kimura via submission (cross-armbreaker), 12:32 The young American seemed very sharp in his match against Kimura, another talented young lion from the latest UWF dojo class. Kimura appeared dangerous at times, but Billy Scott seemed prepared and held out until he managed to snag a cross-armbreaker dead center in the ring. Jerry Flynn/Steve Nelson def. Yusuke Fuke/Tatsuo Nakano via knockout, 15:11 Flynn and Nelson secured a solid win over the experienced duo of Nakano and Fuke. The Americans have continued their development, with Flynn looking dangerous with his range and striking ability. Nelson was formidable on the mat, showing off his wrestling skills against Fuke, pushing the latter to the limit. Nakano appeared to get the upper hand in the second half, but Nakano was caught square on by a high kick from Flynn, giving the Americans a well-earned victory in a tough match. Masaaki Satake def. Willie Peeters via knockout, 13:44 Satake, who recently joined the UWF roster from the kickboxing/karate circuit, was a very tough opponent for the fiery Willie Peeters, who was eager to impress after a promising run in the Netherlands under Chris Dolman's tutelage. The two engaged in a very hot, hard-hitting match that got the Sapporo crowd rocking at times. Both secured numerous knockdowns, but it was Satake who got the victory after hitting Peeters with a devastating combo. World Tag Team Championship: Dennis Koslowski/Duane Koslowski(c) def. Minoru Suzuki/Masakatsu Funaki via pinfall, 17:56 The reigning Tag Team champions earned another successful defense of their championship after Masakatsu Funaki and Minoru Suzuki both pushed them to their limits. The Koslowski brothers were threatened several times throughout the match, and Masakatsu Funaki looked like he was going to continue his hot streak by nearly putting away Duane Koslowski with a well-timed kneebar. Ultimately, the Americans rallied, and Dennis Koslowski hit Minoru Suzuki with a huge suplex and a pinning combination to earn the victory. Masakatsu Funaki did not look happy with his partner after the match. Atsushi Onita def. Yoshiaki Fujiwara via submission (knee scissors), 18:02 Onita would not be denied against the UWF veteran, but Fujiwara made him work for it. The two engaged in one of the best matches of the night, with brilliant matwork and strategy on display. Fujiwara appeared to be on the verge of victory with a Fujiwara Armbar, but Onita fought out of it and launched a brilliant comeback to secure the win. Fujiwara congratulated Onita on his well-earned victory. Perhaps this will be Onita's year? Volk Han def. Tatsumi Fujinami via submission (cross heel hold), 17:15 In a bit of an upset (but not to those who are Volk Han fans), the Dagestani SAMBO specialist made Fujinami tap to the surprise of the fans in Sapporo. Volk had to work extra hard and was down to his last point with Fujinami leading as well, but Volk pulled another rabbit out of his hat with a stunning takedown that led to a cross heel hold. Fujinami fought to get to the ropes, but Volk held on, and Fujinami tapped. Fujinami's masterful catch wrestling was on display, but Volk's SAMBO magic was just too much to deal with. Nobuhiko Takada def. Naoya Ogawa via pinfall, 16:21 In another closely fought bout, the young Judo prodigy nearly caught Takada with an almost perfect STO, but Takada kicked out at the last second to launch a comeback. With both wrestlers tied on 3 points each, it looked like Ogawa was on the edge of a breakthrough, but he needed more to put away Takada down the stretch. Takada's striking seemed to be a major factor here, and Ogawa struggled throughout with his defense against Takada's timing. Takada hit Ogawa with a combination of high kicks before a bridging German Suplex put Ogawa down for good. Takada congratulated Ogawa on the well-fought match. Ogawa will be back for more, that's for sure. Akira Maeda def. Salman Hashimikov via submission (kneebar), 15:50 Salman Hashimikov was eager to get revenge for Karelin from last December, when Maeda triumphed over the Soviet machine to win the U-COSMOS Grand Prix. Maeda was game, though, and despite Salman Hashimikov working his tail off against the reigning Undisputed World Heavyweight champion, the reigning champion was just too good. Hashimikov was impressive at times, defending well against Maeda's strikes and posing a huge threat on the mat with sharp wrestling and matwork. Maeda came away with the victory after catching Hashimikov with a Capture Suplex that sent the Sapporo fans into a frenzy. Maeda quickly followed up with a kneebar to make the Soviet wrestler tap. News and Notes: - UWF announced a brand new dojo class for 1991, and they will begin training shortly. Among names mentioned are: Yoshihiro Takayama, Yoshihisa Yamamoto, Sanae Kikuta, Yuki Ishikawa, Hiromitsu Kanehara, and Masakazu Maeda (no relation to Akira Maeda). This is UWF's largest dojo class yet, and there is a ton of excitement over the talent now working hard in the dojo. It is hoped some debuts will occur later this year. (Baseball Magazine) - Lou Thesz announced he will be taking a scouting trip to the US this spring. It is expected that Thesz will be attending the NCAA wrestling championships to look for potential talent to add to UWF's growing American roster. (Tokyo Sports) - UWF's next event will be on April 26th in Hiroshima. (Tokyo Sports) - More on the strange story about Oleg Taktarov and the finish with Gerard Gordeau from UWF's February event in Amsterdam. Apparently, Taktarov was annoyed with Gerard Gordeau's antics and wanted to give the "cheapshot artist" a taste of his own medicine. He was invited to the show after a UWF scout noticed him at an underground NHB event in the Soviet Union. The Dutch were apparently livid with how Taktarov handled himself and nearly caused a huge brawl backstage, but Chris Dolman managed to calm things down. UWF officials were very high on Taktarov, but it remains to be seen whether or not Taktarov will be invited back to the promotion after nearly causing an international incident. (Wrestling Observer) - Potential departures are expected soon from the UWF. The UWF front office is apparently looking to downsize to a degree while moving further away from pro-wrestling elements. (Wrestling Observer) - UWF plans to do another overseas summer event, with Moscow and a return to Brazil both in contention. Lou Thesz is also pushing for American UWF shows, but there is skepticism that the American audience would be open to UWF's style. (Wrestling Observer) - UWF officials are apparently keeping an eye on AJPW's continued success with Misawa and Kobashi both becoming prominent players over the past year. AJPW sold out Nippon Budokan earlier in January, which marks their 5th consecutive sellout in the venue. (Wrestling Observer)

UWF Newborn – “Free Fight Holland ‘91” February 27th, 1991 Amsterdam, Netherlands Sport Hall South Attendance: 3,833 Broadcast: WOWOW (taped) Yusuke Fuke def. Kevin Kastelle via submission, 2R of 3 (8:41) Naoyuki Taira def. Herman Renting via submission, 3R of 3 (12:11) Fred Hamaker def. Tom von Maurik via judges' decision, 3R of 3 Kiyoshi Tamura def. Eric Edelenbos via submission, 1R of 3 (4:35) Willie Peeters def. Marcel Harmaans via KO, 1R of 3 (3:24) Dick Vrij def. Bart Vale via KO, 2R of 3 (5:09) Oleg Taktarov def. Gerard Gordeau via TKO, 1R of 3 (0:55) (Fans nearly riot after Taktarov got away with a dirty blow. Gordeau's corner throws in the towel to protest. Both corners nearly erupt in a brawl. Chaos in Amsterdam.) Chris Dolman def. Wily Wilhelm via submission, 10:22 Akira Maeda def. Willie Williams via pinfall, 12:39

UWF Newborn – “UWF ’91 1st” January 31st, 1991 Tokyo, Japan Nippon Budokan Attendance: 14,500 (sold out) Broadcast: WOWOW (live) Mitsuya Nagai vs Koji Kanemoto The two young lions were both eager to open the evening with a victory. While Nagai’s strikes were quick and perhaps a bit uncontrolled in terms of pacing, Kanemoto came prepared and weathered an early storm in the opening few minutes. Kanemoto’s strikes were timed better, and this seemed to fluster Nagai as he continued to try to ramp up the pressure. Kanemoto’s grappling was a decisive factor as the match continued. The former NJPW dojo product displayed his technique in suplexes, and a pair of well-executed Germans within the span of a few minutes stunned Nagai as Kanemoto built up a 1-0 lead after a ten count from Yuji Shimada. Nagai got back up and went straight back to work. This time, Nagai found some luck as he hit Kanemoto with a well-timed high kick followed by a series of knees that evened the score at 1-1 after Nagai scored a ten-count of his own. A few minutes later, Kanemoto fired back with a kick combo, which allowed Kanemoto to exploit an opening and wrestle Nagai down to the mat. Kanemoto managed to get off a cross-armbreaker attempt, which forced his opponent to the ropes for a rope break. With a 2-1 lead on points past the ten-minute mark, Kanemoto seemed to be in control. Nagai would not relent, though, and scored a knockdown with just a minute left in the match with a spinning backfist. Kanemoto beat the count just in time, but he did not have much time before the bell sounded. The two would have to settle for a draw. 15:00 draw Erik Paulson vs Steve Nelson Paulson’s experience proved to be problematic for Nelson, who was showing some improvement in the ring. Unfortunately for the younger American, that wouldn’t be enough to tackle Paulson and all of the refined talent he possessed. Nelson’s catch wrestling skills would catch most people by surprise, but Paulson was no ordinary person. His own catch wrestling skills were top-tier, and this gave Nelson fits as he tried to go on the offensive. Paulson’s counters brought Nelson down to the mat almost at will, and he established grappling dominance on the mat pretty quickly. Paulson’s counterwork and sense of timing earned him a 2-0 lead on points after a kneebar attempt several minutes into the match. Steve Nelson tried to get something going with belly-to-belly suplex, but Paulson blocked and managed to slip behind a rear-naked choke, which was enough to put away Nelson, who had no choice but to tap. Paulson defeats Nelson via submission, 8:57 Billy Scott vs Manabu Yamada Scott initiated the bout with aggression, immediately tying up and attempting to impose his catch wrestling skills, working from collar ties into a grinding body lock that gave Yamada some trouble. Yamada responded calmly, using short, low kicks and quick palm strikes to disrupt Scott’s balance before shooting in behind a clinch, chaining a takedown directly into top control. On the mat, Scott showed flashes of promise, scrambling well and briefly threatening a basic double wristlock, but his inexperience surfaced as he overcommitted, allowing Yamada to slip free and reassert positional dominance. Yamada’s rhythm was better established as the match wore on. He mixed short bursts of striking with constant motion on the ground, never settling, always forcing Scott to react. Midway through, Yamada scored a clean takedown off a kick catch and began attacking the legs, feinting a heel hook to draw a rope break. Scott’s fighting spirit carried him forward. He continued to push exchanges and even earned a brief advantage with a front headlock, but transitions lagged just a step behind Yamada’s. In the final minutes, Yamada capitalized on a scramble, rolling through from a loose half guard position and isolating Scott’s leg with precision. He cinched in a tight calf crusher, applying pressure methodically and cutting off Scott’s ability to turn or reach the ropes. Scott resisted, but the pain and leverage were too much. Yamada defeats Scott via submission (calf-crusher), 12:32 Yoji Anjo/Yusuke Fuke vs Jerry Flynn/Koichiro Kimura The match commenced with Jerry Flynn using his height and reach to probe with long kicks and stiff palm strikes against Anjo, briefly controlling distance and forcing Anjo to dart in and out rather than settle. Anjo answered with his usual feistiness, chopping Flynn’s base with low kicks and slipping inside to land short body punches before tagging out, wisely avoiding prolonged clinches where Flynn’s size could become a factor. Fuke’s entry shifted the tone, as he closed the distance patiently and dragged Flynn into a grinding clinch, using inside trips and body locks to bring the fight to the mat and sap Flynn’s energy. Flynn showed improvement in his grappling, defending positionally, and scrambling to his feet, but the effort clearly taxed him. This allowed Kimura to tag in and inject urgency into the match. Kimura’s pace contrasted sharply with Fuke’s methodical approach; he attacked aggressively with quick level changes and leglock entries, forcing Fuke into careful defensive positioning and drawing a rope break after a sudden kneebar attempt. Anjo returned to face Kimura and briefly found success with speed, catching the younger trainee with palm strikes and a snap takedown, but his lack of sustained mat control allowed Kimura to scramble free and threaten again in transition. The closing stretch saw Fuke re-enter and deliberately slow the match, shutting down Kimura’s explosiveness with heavy top pressure, crossfaces, and short positional adjustments. After neutralizing a final leglock attempt, Fuke transitioned smoothly from half guard into a tight pinning combination off a rear waistlock, flattening Kimura with controlled pressure. Kimura bridged and struggled, but Fuke’s balance and positioning held firm. Ryogaku Wada dropped down for the count and finished it before Kimura had the chance to kick out. Anjo & Fuke defeat Flynn & Kimura via pinfall, 13:29 Tatsuo Nakano/Masahito Kakihara vs Kazuo Yamazaki/Kiyoshi Tamura Kakihara was eager to show what he could do and started the proceedings against Yamazaki. The younger hotshot darted in with sharp palm strikes and low kicks against Yamazaki, who calmly absorbed the early offense and answered with precise counters. Yamazaki’s striking began to slow Kakihara just enough to set up brief takedown exchanges, but Kakihara’s explosiveness allowed him to scramble free and tag out before Yamazaki could settle into submission work. Nakano’s entry shifted the tone, as he pressed forward with body punches and kicks, targeting Yamazaki’s midsection and briefly forcing him into defensive movement. Yamazaki responded by taking Nakano down to the mat, threatening a quick juji-gatame that forced Nakano to posture up and retreat, creating space for Tamura to enter. Tamura immediately showcased his growing confidence, flowing from grip to grip on the mat with an ease that belied his age, repeatedly forcing Nakano to defend transitions rather than launch his trademark forward rushes. Kakihara returned and tried to overwhelm Tamura with a flurry of strikes, but Tamura’s composure held, as he slipped underneath a rushed takedown and briefly threatened a leg entanglement before Kakihara escaped with a rope break that gave Tamura’s team a 2-1 lead on points. The closing sequence came soon after. Nakano tagged back in and charged with a looping palm strike, only for Tamura to time the entry perfectly, leaping into a flying armbar from the clinch and snapping into a tight cross-armbreaker before Nakano could react. Nakano tapped almost immediately. Tamura & Yamazaki defeat Nakano & Kakihara via submission (cross-armbreaker), 11:54 Minoru Suzuki vs Wayne Shamrock Suzuki set the tone early, marching forward behind stiff palm strikes and disciplined low kicks, looking to close the distance and drag Shamrock into prolonged grappling exchanges where he exerted control on his favored territory. Shamrock answered by meeting force with force, firing back aggressive palm strikes of his own before suddenly changing levels into explosive takedown attempts, forcing Suzuki to react defensively rather than dictate tempo. The match quickly settled into a rhythm of brief striking clashes followed by frantic mat exchanges, with Suzuki repeatedly threatening cross-armbreakers and double wristlocks in transitions, only for Shamrock to roll through or scramble free using raw athleticism and leverage. Midway through the bout, Suzuki’s aggression began to cost him, as an overcommitted entry allowed Shamrock to snap on a kneebar that forced Suzuki to burn a rope break, followed shortly by another leg entanglement that put Suzuki visibly on the defensive. Shamrock built up a 2-1 lead on points by this point. Suzuki responded by grinding forward again, working clinch knees and short throws, briefly grounding Shamrock and threatening a rear-naked choke that had the crowd buzzing before Shamrock muscled his way loose. As fatigue set in, Shamrock’s conditioning began to show; his pace remained high while Suzuki’s attacks became more urgent and slightly rushed. Suzuki eventually tied things up 2-2 after a keylock attempt forced the American to burn a second rope break in the span of a few minutes. The finishing stretch came when Suzuki attempted to surge forward with a clinch entry, only for Shamrock to counter with a sudden Dragon suplex that dumped Suzuki hard onto the mat, producing a clear knockdown and leaving him slow to respond. Not giving his opponent any rest, Shamrock followed immediately, smothering Suzuki with top pressure and rapid palm strikes to the body and head. Suzuki fought hard to get out of the predicament, but Shamrock kept close and delivered a textbook bridging German suplex for the pinfall attempt. Suzuki tried to escape again, but Motoyuki Kitazawa counted to three before he could. Shamrock defeats Suzuki via pinfall, 15:19 Atsushi Onita vs Naoya Ogawa Ogawa controlled the early phase with calm footwork and standing grappling, repeatedly baiting Onita forward before snapping him down with sharp ashi-waza and a sudden osoto gari that produced the first clean knockdown, forcing Onita to take a count after landing awkwardly on his hip and back. Onita answered by charging back in with wild palm strikes and heavy body punches, absorbing counters just to crash into the clinch, where Ogawa continued to dictate with crisp throws, dumping Onita to the mat and forcing multiple scrambles. Each time Ogawa followed a throw, he looked for quick judo-style pins or armlocks, but his still-green submission depth allowed Onita to wriggle free, often at the cost of rope breaks that steadily built pressure on his scorecard. With the match tied 1-1 on points, Ogawa attempted to set Onita up for a submission on the mat with standing grappling, but Onita’s defense was solid. Ogawa remained composed but increasingly cautious, wary of Onita’s habit of shooting for takedowns. That caution proved decisive late, when Ogawa attempted another forward throw near the ropes, only for Onita to roll through the impact and latch onto Ogawa’s legs in a frantic scramble, dragging him down before Ogawa could fully establish control. From there, Onita clawed his way into a tight knee scissors around Ogawa’s trapped leg, cranking his hips and squeezing with force. Ogawa fought valiantly, trying to posture and turn, but the gi worked against him, limiting his movement as Onita tightened the hold and hammered short palm strikes to the body to sap resistance. With the clock ticking and his leg immobilized, Ogawa had no path to the ropes, and the pain mounted rapidly as Onita cinched the knee scissors deeper. Ogawa had to let this one go against his rival and tapped out. Onita defeats Ogawa via submission (knee scissors), 15:03 Nobuhiko Takada vs Masakatsu Funaki Hot off a huge win over Yoshiaki Fujiwara, Masakatsu Funaki was determined to continue his push further up the UWF ranks. A victory against Nobuhiko Takada tonight would do wonders for him. Takada began in his usual composed manner, testing range with thudding low kicks aimed at Funaki’s thighs and hips, forcing the younger man to check and retreat early. Funaki answered with sharper footwork and faster combinations, slipping inside Takada’s kicks to land quick palm strikes to the chest and jaw before disengaging. The opening minutes saw neither man rushing. Takada used his experience to slow the pace, occasionally tying Funaki up and forcing brief clinches where he could lean, grind, and threaten inside trips or short throws. Funaki showed respect for Takada’s grappling, avoiding prolonged ground exchanges and instead striking on the break, snapping Takada’s head back with crisp palm strikes and chopping kicks to the body. A brief scramble midway through the round saw Takada latch onto a double wristlock attempt after a takedown, but Funaki rolled smoothly and escaped before damage could be done, signaling that this would not be a one-sided veteran lesson. As the match progressed past the ten-minute mark, Funaki’s speed and variety seemed to give Takada some trouble. He increased his output, mixing stabbing front kicks and sharp round kicks to Takada’s ribs with fast palm-strike flurries that forced Takada into a higher guard. Takada remained dangerous, scoring a knockdown with a heavy low kick that swept Funaki off his base and earned a count, but Funaki recovered quickly and responded by pressing Takada backward with relentless forward movement. On the mat, exchanges varied between brief and longer tests. Takada threatened heel hooks and cross-armbreakers whenever Funaki overcommitted, while Funaki used rapid transitions and positional awareness to disengage and return to striking. The cumulative damage began to show on Takada’s face as repeated palm strikes split the skin around his cheekbone and nose, blood beginning to flow despite his attempts to smother Funaki with clinches and methodical pacing. Takada’s toughness was undeniable, even as blood streamed. He continued firing kicks and calmly looking for submissions, but Funaki’s determination allowed him to maintain pressure without fading. The final stretch became a war of attrition, with Funaki clearly sensing that Takada was slowing and increasingly compromised by the damage. Funaki targeted Takada’s head and body relentlessly, landing clean palm strikes whenever Takada attempted to plant and kick, then stepping off-angle to avoid counters. Another sharp exchange near the ropes saw Funaki unleash a rapid combination—body kick, palm strike, and a snapping follow-up that reopened Takada’s cut badly. The referee paused the action as blood poured freely, and ringside doctors were called in to examine Takada, who stood defiantly but was visibly impaired, his vision compromised, and his balance unsteady. Takada protested, insisting he could continue, but the doctor ruled that the bleeding was too severe to proceed. Funaki celebrated as the referee formally called off the match. Not a victory in a manner he wanted, but a huge win for Funaki nonetheless, and the crowd agreed as they cheered wildly. Funaki defeats Takada via TKO, 20:18 Akira Maeda vs Tatsumi Fujinami When Tatsumi Fujinami debuted in 1990, he made his mark with a huge win over Akira Maeda. Maeda followed things up with a victory over Fujinami in October. With the score in the series even, both men wanted to make it known who the better wrestler was. To kick the new year off, Maeda was defending the Undisputed World Heavyweight Championship, which he won in the U-COSMOS tournament. Maeda set the tone early with probing low kicks and hard body kicks, each one thudding into Fujinami’s thighs and ribs, while Fujinami responded by closing distance and tying Maeda up in the clinch, seeking to deny him space to strike. The early grappling exchanges were cautious. Fujinami used short trips and snap takedowns to bring the fight to the mat, immediately working into side control and head-and-arm pressure, while Maeda stayed patient underneath, forcing Fujinami to work and threatening leg entanglements whenever Fujinami tried to advance. A brief scramble near the ropes resulted in a clean rope break with no points lost. As the minutes passed, Maeda began landing heavier kicks on the break, one particularly sharp low kick knocking Fujinami off his base and drawing the first standing count of the match, though Fujinami recovered quickly and nodded back at Maeda, unfazed. By the ten-minute mark, the match had settled into a grinding rhythm defined by Maeda’s striking and Fujinami’s positional grappling. Fujinami scored with a well-timed German suplex that sent Maeda skidding across the mat and earned a knockdown of his own. After the reset, Fujinami followed by rolling through into a tight waistlock and threatening a bridging pin attempt. Maeda kicked free just before the count could develop, rolling to his side and forcing separation. On the mat, Fujinami showed flashes of his brilliance, slipping from a front headlock into a sudden armbar attempt that forced Maeda to scramble desperately toward the ropes, using his first rope break to escape. Maeda answered with renewed aggression, targeting Fujinami’s legs with kicks and then dragging him down into a grinding leglock exchange, applying an achilles hold and later a kneebar that forced Fujinami to burn a rope break of his own. Neither man rushed; each exchange felt earned, the crowd reacting audibly as momentum swung back and forth without ever fully tipping. The championship rounds saw fatigue begin to creep in. With the score tied 2-2 on points after a few more knockdowns and rope breaks from both men, Fujinami continued to hunt for throws, landing a crisp Tiger Suplex that flowed into a bridging pin attempt. 1…..2…….no, KICKOUT! Escaping almost certain defeat, Maeda was fired up. The champion responded with his signature Capture Suplex, hoisting Fujinami overhead and slamming him down hard enough to rattle him and draw a long count. Fujinami barely beat Masami Soranaka’s count, rising slowly. After the match resumed, Maeda shot straight to a clinch, showing his veteran instincts. The mat work grew heavier and more punishing. Maeda started to grind Fujinami down with chest-to-chest pressure and short body punches, Fujinami answering with wristlocks and cranks designed to sap Maeda’s grip and posture. Fujinami eventually managed to gain control of Maeda’s back and dragged him up to his feet as the crowd gasped. Fujinami locked in a bridging Dragon suplex, and Soranaka counted as Fujinami executed the move cleanly. 1….2……no, KICKOUT again! Maeda was not willing to relent, and the Nippon Budokan was going wild. In the final five minutes, Maeda’s unpredictability became the deciding factor. After absorbing a series of mat exchanges, he suddenly surged forward with a flurry of palm strikes, driving Fujinami backward and catching him with a sharp kick that sent Fujinami stumbling backward. Sensing the opening, Maeda pressed relentlessly, dragging Fujinami into another leg attack and forcing a desperate scramble. Fujinami escaped the submission but left himself vulnerable, and Maeda capitalized by hauling him up into a brutal full-nelson suplex, maintaining control and rolling through into a tight pinning combination. Fujinami struggled, bridging and twisting with everything he had left, but Maeda kept control as Soranaka counted. 1......2…..3! Maeda had survived another grueling test with Fujinami, and the champion leapt to his feet as the crowd inside the sold-out Nippon Budokan went wild once again, chanting Maeda’s name in unison. Maeda defeats Fujinami via pinfall, 25:24 Next event: UWF returns to Amsterdam on February 27th for their second event in the Netherlands!

Card Announcement: UWF Newborn – “UWF ’91 1st” January 31st, 1991 Tokyo, Japan Nippon Budokan Mitsuya Nagai vs Koji Kanemoto Erik Paulson vs Steve Nelson Billy Scott vs Manabu Yamada Yoji Anjo & Yusuke Fuke vs Jerry Flynn & Koichiro Kimura Tatsuo Nakano & Mashito Kakihara vs Kazuo Yamazaki & Kiyoshi Tamura Minoru Suzuki vs Wayne Shamrock Atsushi Onita vs Naoya Ogawa Nobuhiko Takada vs Masakatsu Funaki Undisputed World Heavyweight Title: Akira Maeda(c) vs Tatsumi Fujinami

UWF Newborn – “U-Cosmos Grand Prix 1990: Grand Final” December 31st, 1989 Tokyo, Japan Tokyo Dome Attendance: 60,000 (sold out) Broadcast: WOWOW (live) The WOWOW broadcast opens with a VTR package for Akira Maeda vs Aleksandr Karelin, which highlights the journey both wrestlers have taken this year, and previous highlights. Both Maeda and Karelin are interviewed, and they discuss their preparations for the huge main event. Intensive training footage is shown as well. The broadcast teams introduce the viewing audience to the event, and they offer a full breakdown of tonight's card. Of course, there is particular emphasis on the main event. We get the usual live event formalities, including a full pyro display and light show, and the parade of wrestlers set to the UWF theme. Lou Thesz, Billy Robinson, and Karl Gotch are introduced as guests, and both Akira Maeda and Nobuhiko Takada give some opening remarks for the audience. Kiyoshi Tamura vs Masashi Aoyagi Kiyoshi Tamura and Masashi Aoyagi started the proceedings at the Tokyo Dome, and the crowd was already fully invested in what was transpiring in front of them. Aoyagi immediately tried to impose his preferred tempo by firing sharp body kicks and heavy palm strikes, clearly intent on keeping the match short and upright. Tamura absorbed the early offense with composure, checking kicks and retreating just enough to avoid clean knockdowns while probing for an opening into the clinch. Aoyagi landed a stiff low kick that briefly dropped Tamura to a knee, forcing a quick ten count to two before Tamura sprang back up, unfazed and already trying for a takedown attempt. Tamura eventually ducked under a looping palm strike and dragged Aoyagi down with a low single, transitioning smoothly into half guard and then side control, immediately making Aoyagi work to escape. Aoyagi used a rope break to avoid an early armbar attempt, but the reset only favored Tamura’s patience. As the minutes passed, Aoyagi’s bursts became shorter and more fatigued, allowing Tamura to dictate position with relentless scrambles and pressure. Near the twelve-minute mark, Tamura countered a desperate body kick by scooping the leg and spinning Aoyagi to the mat, threading his hips through before Aoyagi could reach the ropes. Tamura rolled fluidly into a tight heel hook, cranking back with precision as Aoyagi slapped the mat in defeat. Tamura defeats Aoyagi via submission (heel hook), 12:20 Ahmed Johnson vs David Gobejishvili David Gobejishvili and Ahmed Johnson created an immediate sense of physical danger in the early minutes. Johnson pressed forward aggressively, thudding heavy body punches and palm strikes into Gobejishvili’s ribs, trying to overwhelm him before the Soviet grappler could establish control. Gobejishvili stayed patient, absorbing punishment just long enough to hunt for a clinch. A brief exchange saw Johnson rock Gobejishvili with a looping palm strike that sent him to a knee for a momentary knockdown, the referee starting a short count before Gobejishvili steadied himself and re-engaged. The Georgian answered by muscling Johnson into a tight body lock and dragging him down, grinding away from side control and scarf hold, forcing Johnson to burn a rope break to escape mounting pressure. As the match approached the ten-minute mark, Johnson’s explosiveness proved to be key; he countered a slow takedown attempt with a sudden double-leg, blasting Gobejishvili to the mat and landing hard in half guard. From there, Johnson muscled his way into full mount, pinning Gobejishvili flat and unloading relentless open-hand palm strikes to the head and body. Gobejishvili tried to bridge and shrimp, but his responses slowed under the barrage, prompting the referee to closely watch for defense. With Gobejishvili no longer intelligently responding, the referee waved it off. Johnson defeats Gobejishvili via TKO, 11:09 Andy Hug vs Maurice Smith Andy Hug and Maurice Smith delivered a high-level striking contest that unfolded like a tactical duel. Hug took the center early, projecting confidence as he worked Smith’s lead leg with thudding low kicks, repeatedly returning to the same target with disciplined intent. Smith answered intelligently, circling laterally and scoring with precise low kicks of his own while mixing in sharp body kicks and straight body punches to keep Hug honest. Midway through the match, Smith timed Hug stepping in with a clean body kick followed by a quick palm strike that knocked Hug off balance and down for a brief count, earning Smith an important early knockdown. Hug rose calmly and adjusted, tightening his guard and increasing the pressure, stepping into short clinches only long enough to land knees before disengaging back to striking range. The damage began to accumulate as Hug’s low kicks visibly slowed Smith’s movement, and a delayed reaction to another heavy kick finally dropped Smith for his first knockdown. Smith continued to fight back, later scoring a second knockdown with a sharp counter kick as Hug overcommitted. From there, Hug methodically closed the door, hammering the leg, mixing in body palm strikes, and finishing exchanges with crisp high kicks. Three more knockdowns followed in quick succession as Smith’s stance collapsed under the sustained punishment, exhausting his points and forcing the referee to halt the bout, awarding Hug a TKO victory. Hug defeats Smith via TKO, 13:16 Eugenio Tadeu vs Andrei Kopylov Eugenio Tadeu entered the bout with his usual fluidity, giving Kopylov early fits as the Soviet grappler attempted to adjust to Tadeu’s pressure and tempo. Tadeu mixed sharp Muay Thai kicks with sudden feints, stepping in and out at odd angles while flashing quick knees meant more to disrupt timing than to overwhelm. Kopylov absorbed the offense despite early frustration, checking kicks and responding with short body punches and low kicks of his own. A brief exchange saw Tadeu score the first knockdown when a well-timed step-in knee caught Kopylov mid-feint, forcing a delayed rise and a count from the referee. Rather than panic, Kopylov tightened the match immediately afterward, using a low single entry to bring the fight to the mat for the first time. Tadeu was dangerous even there, threatening a rolling kneebar and later a sudden guillotine attempt during a scramble, forcing Kopylov to use a rope break to escape one precarious moment. As the minutes passed, the contrast in SAMBO and Tadeu’s Muay Thai-infused Luta Livre became clear. By the middle stretch of the match, Kopylov’s approach gained more momentum. He stopped following Tadeu’s feints and instead attacked the legs directly, timing his entries under kicks and dumping Tadeu to the mat with SAMBO-style trips and body locks. From top position, Kopylov applied heavy chest-to-chest pressure, landing open-hand strikes to the body and thighs while improving his position on the mat. Tadeu continued to scramble, nearly catching a flying triangle off a stand-up, but Kopylov’s balance and patience prevented him from being pulled into the hold. Late in the bout, a failed spinning kick from Tadeu finally gave Kopylov the opening he had been waiting for. He caught the leg cleanly, sat through into a tight kneebar entry, and rolled Tadeu away from the ropes before fully extending. With his movement neutralized and no space to spin free, Tadeu fought briefly before being forced to submit. Kopylov defeats Tadeu via submission, 14:41 Yoji Anjo & Tatsuo Nakano vs Wayne Shamrock & Joe Malenko Both teams took a moment to decide who would start the proceedings before the opening bell, as Ryogaku Wada took a moment to ensure both teams were ready. After a brief discussion, it seemed Nakano and Malenko would be the first up. After the bell, Nakano pressed forward immediately, hammering away at Malenko with body shots and palm strikes. Malenko absorbed the early pressure calmly, eventually tying Nakano up at the wrists and steering him into short grappling exchanges designed to slow things down. Nakano managed to break free with more body punches and a short kick that forced Malenko to reset. Malenko decided to switch things up with a tag to his partner, and Wayne Shamrock’s first tag changed the tone. Shamrock exploded forward with low kicks and driving palm strikes, backing Nakano toward the ropes before dumping him with a forceful double-leg. Nakano burned an early rope break to avoid a quick kneebar attempt. After Shamrock got a point off Nakano with another kneebar attempt to force a second rope break, Anjo was tagged in by his partner, which led to a more competitive exchange. Anjo landed a snapping kick that briefly knocked Shamrock off balance for a counted knockdown. That momentary success drew a strong reaction from the crowd, but Malenko’s return grounded the match again, methodically dragging Anjo into mat sequences where wrist control and positional pressure limited his speed. By the midpoint, Anjo and Nakano had each surrendered points through rope breaks. The final stretch saw Shamrock increasingly assert himself as the match’s physical center. After Malenko neutralized Anjo with a prolonged front headlock exchange, Shamrock re-entered and immediately targeted Nakano, who was already breathing heavily and showing signs of wear. A series of palm strikes split Nakano’s nose, drawing visible blood and forcing him into a desperate clinch. Shamrock broke free with a sudden bodylock and snapped Nakano over with a tight belly-to-belly suplex that scored another knockdown, the referee’s count stretching longer this time. Nakano staggered up, still swinging, but his timing was gone. An attempted counter throw was stuffed, and Shamrock surged through with a second takedown, this time transitioning directly into a heavy mount. Open-hand palm strikes rained down, not wild but forceful and sustained, flattening Nakano as the referee watched closely. Nakano attempted to fight off the attempt by successfully turtling up, forcing Shamrock to switch gears. The American grappler lifted Nakano for a beautiful bridging German suplex. Shamrock held the bridge to force a pinfall count from Wada, and he counted to three, handing the American duo the victory. Shamrock & Malenko defeat Anjo & Nakano via pinfall, 15:28 Duane Koslowski & Dennis Koslowski vs Dick Vrij & Gerard Gordeau The next match, for the UWF World Tag Team Championship, unfolded as a stylistic contrast, with the Koslowski brothers matching up against the volatile striking of Dick Vrij and Gerard Gordeau. Unlike the previous match, both teams decided fairly quickly who would start things off. After the bell, Vrij opened aggressively on Dennis Koslowski, firing heavy low kicks and palm strikes to keep distance. Dennis absorbed the shots and timed a body lock to drag the bout into the clinch. A brief exchange near the ropes resulted in a clean break, but the tone was set. Every successful tie-up favored the reigning champions. Vrij tagged in Gordeau, and Dennis worked patiently from over-unders, using Greco-Roman pressure to force Gordeau down off a trip, only for Gordeau to burn a rope break almost immediately. The two continued to test each other, but Dennis seemed to have a good strategy, which threw off Gordeau as the former Olympian found more ways to dodge Gordeau’s strikes for takedown attempts. After being forced to exhaust a second rope break, Gordeau tagged in Vrij. Vrij fared better initially, landing sharp knees from the Muay Thai clinch and forcing Dennis to reset after a clean knockdown caused by a heavy inside low kick. Dennis tagged in his brother, and Duane responded by changing levels and hurling Vrij with a tight belly-to-belly, forcing a full ten count after slamming Vrij to the mat and evening the momentum. As the match passed the eight-minute mark, the Dutch duo’s reluctance to grapple began to show. Both Dutchmen attempted to land more damage by standing and striking, but both the Koslowski brothers seemed prepared for that strategy. The closing stretch saw the challengers increasingly cornered by sustained mat pressure. Dennis trapped Vrij in a front headlock series, threatening a snap-down into a pinning combination that forced Vrij to scramble free and tag out. Gordeau entered, firing wildly, sneaking in a cheap palm strike behind the referee’s sightline after a clean reset, but the aggression backfired after Duane tagged in. Duane caught a kick and launched him with a powerful Greco-style gutwrench suplex. Gordeau barely beat the count, already down two points, and when he tried to retreat to the ropes again, Duane dragged him back to the center and locked in a crushing belly-to-belly suplex. Duane transitioned seamlessly into a folkstyle-inspired pinning sequence, rolling Gordeau through a tight arm-and-head control, flattening both shoulders just long enough for the referee to slap the mat. The champions were victorious again and had successfully defended their titles against a team that could have caused more trouble if the Koslowski brothers weren’t so well-prepared. Dennis Koslowski & Duane Koslowski defeat Dick Vrij & Gerard Gordeau via pinfall, 15:49 Yoshiaki Fujiwara & Masakatsu Funaki vs Nobuhiko Takada & Minoru Suzuki Nobuhiko Takada and Masakatsu Funaki started things off and immediately established the early pace of the match. Takada used long, thudding low kicks and probing palm strikes to control distance, forcing Funaki to circle and pick his entries carefully. Funaki answered with sharp counters, using inside kicks and a sudden palm strike to the body that briefly staggered Takada. Funaki then drew a clean knockdown count after a fast snap kick caught Takada stepping in. Takada recovered calmly and tagged out to Minoru Suzuki, who went after Funaki with controlled aggression, crashing into his opponent with a clinch and dragging him down into a frantic scramble. Suzuki threatened a quick cross-armbreaker, but Funaki’s speed and awareness allowed him to spin free and reach a clean rope break without penalty. When Fujiwara tagged in, the tempo shifted. Suzuki continued pressing, chaining wrist control into a rear waist lock, but Fujiwara’s defensive instincts neutralized each attempt. Suzuki overcommitted on a transition, and Fujiwara calmly rolled him into top position, grinding from side control and forcing Suzuki to burn his first rope break to escape his predicament. By the midpoint, Takada and Suzuki had expended more energy, while Fujiwara and Funaki remained composed, rotating tags to themselves fresh. Takada attempted to reassert momentum with heavy kicks on Fujiwara, scoring a knockdown with a stiff midsection kick that sent Fujiwara to the mat and forced a count, but Fujiwara rose relatively quickly. The veteran immediately slowed the match again with clinch control and short, punishing body shots in the corner. Suzuki tagged back in and tried to accelerate the pace, attacking with knees and diving into another scramble, but Fujiwara welcomed the engagement, baiting Suzuki into transitions and denying space. Suzuki nearly caught a rear-naked choke during a brief exchange, but Fujiwara peeled the grip, reversed, and settled into a suffocating half-guard. Suzuki, still aggressive, tried to power through and stand, only for Fujiwara to isolate the arm with methodical precision. Fujiwara stepped over the shoulder, locked his grip, and sat back into the Fujiwara Armbar. Suzuki fought valiantly, rolling and trying to turn his body, but with no rope within reach and his arm fully extended, he was forced to submit. Fujiwara & Funaki defeat Takada & Suzuki via submission, 17:06 Bob Backlund vs Volk Han The next match was creating a lot of buzz inside the Tokyo Dome. It would be a meeting between tradition and the new age. Bob Backlund had faced a lot of opponents in his career, but perhaps nothing like Volk Han. Regardless, Backlund was up for the challenge and entered the Tokyo Dome confidently as a good number in the crowd chanted his name. Dvorak’s Symphony No. 9, Movement 4 played in the jam-packed arena as the American marched towards the ring and entered. Volk Han entered next, and the Dagestani was laser-focused as he made his way with Jarre’s “Second Rendez-vous” heralding his arrival. Nobuyuki Furuta made both ring introductions with loud applause for both wrestlers, and Motuyuki Kitazawa performed his checks before the opening bell sounded. The opening phase was a contrast, with Bob Backlund’s measured yet uncontrolled energy going up against Volk Han’s unpredictability. Backlund tested first with a sudden level change into a tight single-leg, driving Han to the mat and immediately settling into a folkstyle ride, grinding his forearm across the face and working methodical pressure to control the hips. Han responded with motion, using small hip turns, a sudden roll-through, and a deceptive attempt at a rolling kneebar that forced Backlund to scramble to his feet before any danger escalated. Backlund answered with short palm strikes and a body punch, then snapped off a quick Fireman’s carry that sent Han flat. Han quickly responded and got to his feet before Kitazawa could start a ten count. Han immediately changed levels with a Kani-basami entry that dumped Backlund sideways, flowing straight into a toehold attempt that Backlund muscled free of through his grizzled strength. The crowd reacted audibly to Han’s creativity, and Backlund knew he had a lot on his hands. By the midpoint, the intensity of the match increased. Backlund repeatedly forced takedowns and managed to give the Dagestani a run for his money through his sense of timing. Han constantly threatened submissions from angles that seemed to come out of nowhere. Backlund scored another knockdown with a sudden side suplex out of a clinch, but Han immediately countered the follow-up ride with a rolling armbar attempt that sent Backlund scrambling again, burning another break. By this point, Han had established a 2-1 lead in points. Backlund had scored a knockdown earlier after catching Han with a series of body punches. The American’s eccentricity crept in, grinning as he escaped. However, his fundamentals remained sharp as he dragged Han back down with a snap double-leg and worked a grinding cradle sequence, forcing Han to fight patiently rather than explode. Han absorbed the pressure, using palm strikes to the body from the bottom to create space, then catching Backlund’s arm for a sudden armlock from the bottom. Han popped Backlund’s arm straight into the air, popping the crowd inside the Tokyo Dome. Backlund quickly reached for the ropes to exhaust another rope break to avoid an almost certain defeat. The exchanges were beginning to tell, though, and each scramble forced him to react rather than dictate. Han’s striking remained secondary, occasional axe kicks and awkward low kicks, but the Dagestani managed to draw Backlund into overcommitments. Both men showed fatigue, but Han’s calm, predatory patience was creating more problems than not. Backlund did catch Volk with a sleeper hold, but the Dagestani managed to break the hold quickly by going for a rope escape. The match was now tied 2-2 on points. Backlund shot once more, securing a body lock and muscling Han down, but in the transition, he left his lead leg exposed. Han ate the pressure, allowing Backlund to settle for half a second before rolling sharply to the side, threading his legs, and trapping the ankle in a tight cross heel hold. The shift was instantaneous. Backlund fought valiantly, trying to roll through and pry at Han’s grip, but Han adjusted, tightening the torque and cutting off any avenue to the ropes. The referee hovered close as Backlund grimaced. With no clean escape and the hold fully cinched, Backlund was forced to submit. The crowd popped as Volk Han was announced as the winner. Han celebrated with some of his compatriots as Backlund slapped the mat in frustration. Han defeats Backlund via submission (cross heel hold), 18:56 Satoru Sayama vs Tatsumi Fujinami While both wrestlers hoped that they would have been in tonight’s grand final, they were determined not to go down in defeat tonight to create some momentum heading into the new year. Sayama was especially disappointed, having been defeated by Marco Ruas two months earlier. The former Undisputed World Heavyweight Champion would have to claw his way back up to the top of the mountain. Fujinami would be standing in his way tonight, and he had plans of his own. The Lmatch opened with electric tension as Satoru Sayama immediately took command of the space, circling lightly and changing levels with sharp feints, while Tatsumi Fujinami stayed upright. Sayama struck first with crisp low kicks and a sudden palm strike to the body, forcing Fujinami to retreat a half step before stepping back in with a tight body lock attempt that Sayama spun out of cleanly. The early exchanges established the central pattern. Sayama’s speed and timing had to adjust to Fujinami’s insistence on bringing the contest into his preferred grappling range. Sayama briefly knocked Fujinami off balance with a fast middle kick followed by a sweeping low kick that forced Fujinami to retreat. Fujinami answered by absorbing a flurry and timing a perfectly placed inside trip from the clinch, dragging Sayama to the mat and immediately settling into a grinding side control. Sayama’s scrambling instincts showed as he bridged and rolled, threatening a quick armbar in transition that forced Fujinami to roll to the ropes and accept a clean rope break with no points lost. The crowd reacted audibly to the technical exchanges. As the match progressed past the ten-minute mark, Fujinami began to assert more consistent mat pressure to disrupt Sayama’s rhythm. A sudden German Suplex from a standing clinch sent Sayama crashing to the mat and earned the first knockdown of the bout, the referee’s count beginning as Sayama sat up slowly, shaking off the impact before rising at five. Sayama responded with urgency, darting in with a spinning roundhouse that clipped Fujinami high and forced him to retreat, then chaining into a fast double-leg that transitioned into a triangle attempt. Fujinami remained composed, stacking carefully and prying free, then rolling through into a crossface that forced Sayama to crawl desperately toward the ropes, burning his first rope break. The exchanges grew increasingly layered. Sayama attacked in bursts, but Fujinami did well to absorb and dictate tempo. Fujinami’s grappling efficiency steadily eroded Sayama’s ability to dictate distance. Each scramble ended with Fujinami closer to the top position, each escape costing Sayama incremental energy as the clock ticked toward the twenty-minute mark. Another burst of offense from Sayama did crack Fujinami’s defense, and a high kick sent Fujinami to the mat for the ten count. Fujinami got up quickly, and Sayama still faced a deficit as Fujinami held a 2-1 lead in points. The final stretch saw a prolonged sequence of reversals that showcased both men at their best. Sayama attempted to reset the pace with a sudden flying armbar entry, but Fujinami anticipated it, catching the hips and driving through into a powerful bridging German suplex that folded Sayama backward. Instead of releasing, Fujinami maintained the bridge, rolling through into a seamless Dragon Suplex variation and stacking Sayama’s shoulders tightly to the mat. Sayama fought valiantly, bridging and twisting to break the pin, but Fujinami adjusted his leverage. The referee dropped to count…1…2…..3!!!! Fujinami secured the important win to close out the new year, and Sayama ended it with another disappointing defeat. Fujinami’s fans celebrated as his theme music played in the Dome, and Sayama quickly retreated with his Shooto cornermen. Fujinami defeats Sayama via pinfall, 21:11 Lou Thesz, Billy Robinson, and Karl Gotch are introduced before the next match and are present for formalities before the main event. Other dignitaries are present, and Thesz gives a short speech that congratulates both Maeda and Karelin for advancing to the final of the 1990 Grand Prix, as well as the other competitors in the tournament for participating. Thesz officially declares the Undisputed World Heavyweight Title vacant for the winner to claim. Aleksandr Karelin vs Akira Maeda The U-COSMOS Grand Prix final was next. It seemed like a match in the making for an entire year. Aleksandr Karelin had seemed unstoppable since his defeat in last year’s Grand Prix semi-finals. Surely he wouldn’t be stopped now. Facing him tonight was Akira Maeda, who had also built up a ton of momentum heading into the Tokyo Dome. After suffering a defeat at the hands of Satoru Sayama last year, Maeda was determined not to let another opportunity slip away. He was the man after all, and he needed this victory to show for it. To become the Undisputed World Heavyweight Champion was to become the very best UWF had to offer, after all. Aleksandr Karelin seemed like an insurmountable task, but if anyone could do it, Maeda was that person. Karelin entered the Tokyo Dome first, marching to the ring with Metallica’s “For Whom The Bell Tolls” playing at full blast. The Soviet machine, wearing his signature red singlet, allowed very little emotion to escape from his facial expressions, and he kept his stern composure as he entered the ring. Next, Maeda arrived to a thunderous ovation as “Captured” by Camel was overpowered by the chants of “Ma-e-da!” from the jam-packed Tokyo Dome. Despite the reception, Maeda did not display any emotion either. With both wrestlers now in the ring, Lou Thesz approached the center and held up the Undisputed World Heavyweight Championship as he presented the title for the crowd while facing all four directions. He also presented the title for both wrestlers. After Thesz’ presentation, Nobuyuki Furuta made the ring introductions, and both wrestlers received loud ovations from the audience. Maeda, of course, received the loudest. Masami Soranaka had the honor of being the referee for this match, and he performed checks on both wrestlers as he explained the rules to both men. After what seemed to be a long wait for the audience, the bell finally sounded. The match commenced with a palpable hush from the audience. The crowd was keenly aware that this was not simply a championship bout, but potentially one of the biggest matches of all time. Aleksandr Karelin stood in the center, his presence almost oppressive, while Akira Maeda circled. Maeda started testing his range with probing low kicks that thudded against Karelin’s thighs. Maeda’s striking was purposeful. Each kick landed with the intention of slowing Karelin’s base and discouraging prolonged clinches. Karelin absorbed them with minimal reaction, stepping forward behind heavy palm strikes that forced Maeda to engage. The first clinch told the early story of the match. Karelin’s hands locked around Maeda’s torso and, with startling ease, he muscled him into a crushing body lock, hoisting him for a belly-to-belly suplex that earned an early knockdown. Maeda rose at four, visibly winded but composed. Karelin remained impassive, already looking to close the distance again. The early minutes were defined by Karelin’s ability to dictate where the fight took place, repeatedly forcing Maeda to defend clinches and survive brief, punishing throws that established the Soviet’s physical dominance. As the match settled into its middle stretch, Maeda adjusted as only he could, increasing his kicking output and angling off after each strike to avoid being squared up. Repeated low kicks started to draw subtle reactions from Karelin, whose forward pressure slowed just enough for Maeda to slip into a brief single-leg attempt. Karelin sprawled and countered with a front headlock, transitioning into a punishing neck crank on the mat that forced Maeda to burn a rope break. With an early 2-0 lead on points, Karelin’s ground work was methodical. The Soviet used chest pressure and short forearms to sap energy before attempting a crushing head-and-arm choke that drew a second desperate scramble. Each escape brought Maeda closer to the prospect of defeat, but with every exchange, he began targeting Karelin’s legs more deliberately. His kicks landed lower, and clinches were disengaged with stomps and shin checks. The bout grew increasingly tense as Maeda’s strategy became clear. He needed to survive the throws, damage the base, and wait for Karelin to overcommit. After the ten-minute mark, Karelin reasserted himself with a terrifying display of raw power, muscling Maeda up from a neutral clinch and executing a high-arching German suplex that rattled the ring. Rather than cover immediately, Karelin transitioned into his gutwrench position, attempting to set up the dreaded Karelin Lift. The crowd stirred as Maeda fought desperately, posting with his legs and twisting his hips just enough to prevent the full rotation. In the struggle, Maeda managed to hook one of Karelin’s legs, rolling through and briefly threatening a kneebar before Karelin kicked free and stood up. It was the first moment of visible uncertainty from Karelin, and Maeda seized on it, hammering the thigh with repeated low kicks and a stiff body punch that forced Karelin to reset. Though Karelin remained dangerous, nearly catching Maeda with a capture suplex of his own, the cumulative damage to his base was beginning to show. Karelin’s steps started to get heavier. A well-timed kick combination from Maeda was enough to drop the Soviet to one knee briefly, but Soranaka initiated a ten count almost immediately, granting Maeda a point to cut the deficit to 2-1. Karelin seemed frustrated by the ten count, but quickly beat it by the count of four. Maeda attempted to get a rare rope break from Karelin by managing to get him a standing headlock, but Karelin was too full of pride to give in, and he managed to push Maeda off him before threatening with another Greco-Roman bodylock. The two ended up near the ropes, which resulted in a clean break from Soranaka. The final phase unfolded with both men visibly fatigued but unwilling to concede ground. Karelin forced one last extended clinch, dragging Maeda down and applying a brutal armlock that threatened to end the match outright. Maeda grimaced but rolled through, stacking his weight and slipping free, immediately diving on Karelin’s exposed leg in the scramble. The transition was chaotic. Maeda threaded his legs through and fell back into a tight heel hook as Karelin tried to turn out. For the first time all night, Karelin’s stoicism cracked. The Soviet’s powerful frame twisted violently as Maeda cinched the hold deeper. Karelin reached desperately for the ropes, inching forward on his elbows as Maeda adjusted his grip and reapplied pressure, leaving no slack. The crowd grew desperate as chants for Maeda broke out again. Karelin fought hard to reach the ropes, but Maeda somehow held on with all of his strength. At 6’3, Maeda was no slouch, and he used his bodyweight and strength to hold on for dear life. Karelin had no choice but to submit or risk his career, tapping firmly as the referee intervened. Maeda released immediately, rolling away and sitting upright, chest heaving as the enormity of the moment sank in. The Tokyo Dome erupted. The mere sight of the seemingly invincible Karelin finally undone was enough to send the Big Egg into a historic frenzy. Maeda defeats Karelin via submission (kneebar), 17:56 Maeda celebrates with the crowd as they continue to go crazy. Karelin lets out a rare display of emotion as he slaps the mat in frustration, before getting up. Maeda and Karelin shake hands, and Karelin raises Maeda's hand as he doesn't waste much time in letting Maeda get the spotlight to himself. Karelin and his cornermen retreat as "Captured" by Camel plays once again in the Tokyo Dome. Maeda and several other UWF stars, including Funaki, Suzuki, Fujiwara, Anjo, and Nakano, continue to celebrate. Lou Thesz formally presents Maeda with the championship belt. They exchange bows as a show of respect. Maeda closes out the show by giving a brief victory speech, and he promises to carry UWF to further heights into the new year. He congratulates Karelin on the great display and that he hopes they haven't seen the last of him. Celebratory fireworks go off afterwards, and the belt is placed around his waist. The commentators recap the events of the evening before formally signing off, and UWF's 1990 is in the books!

Card Announcement: UWF Newborn - "U-COSMOS Grand Prix 1990: Grand Final" December 31st, 1990 Tokyo, Japan Tokyo Dome Kiyoshi Tamura vs Masashi Aoyagi Ahmed Johnson vs David Gobejishvili Andy Hug vs Maurice Smith Eugenio Tadeu vs Andrei Kopylov Yoji Anjo & Tatsuo Nakano vs Wayne Shamrock & Joe Malenko UWF World Tag Team Championship: Duane Koslowski & Dennis Koslowski (c) vs Dick Vrij & Gerard Gordeau Yoshiaki Fujiwara & Masakatsu Fuanki vs Nobuhiko Takada & Minoru Suzuki Bob Backlund vs Volk Han Satoru Sayama vs Tatsumi Fujinami U-COSMOS Grand Prix 1990 Grand Final: Aleksandr Karelin vs Akira Maeda