Ditch
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Takaiwa & Hoshikawa vs Togo & Hidaka, Zero-One December 26th 2003 Background: Zero-One's top juniors (Takaiwa/Hoshikawa) face off against long-time stablemates Togo and Hidaka in a match to determine the promotion's first junior tag champions. Why I think it's underrated: I saw no discussion of this match whatsoever prior to watching it last year. It's easy to miss; the card is instantly forgettable overall. That's unfortunate, because these four go the extra mile to deliver something special. They build off elements established in a series of Hoshikawa vs Hidaka matches in years past, as kick-based Hoshikawa has to survive the anti-leg offense of Hidaka. Good tag structure in the body of the match followed by a big-time finish, including a semi-accidental bump you'll never forget. What it deserves: Top 50 consideration. If they had a hotter crowd and went about 5 minutes shorter it would probably be a MOTYC. As it stands this is a hidden gem.
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4-way trios match, Toryumon August 30th 2003 Background: So they did the 3-way trios in 2001 and 2002. Where do you go from there? Why, a 4-way of course. Why I think it's underrated: This blows the 2001/2002 iterations out of the water, but it happened at a smaller show and didn't get much notice. The mix of athletic sequences, fast-paced action and comedy all leads to a momentous finish. Dragon Gate fans, you must see this. Dragon Gate skeptics, give this a shot, because it avoids many flaws of the current DG style. What it deserves: Top 25 consideration. I rate this as the best match from Toryumon and possibly the whole Toryumon/Dragon Gate universe.
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Kobashi, Honda, KENTA & Marufuji vs Akiyama, Saito, Kanemaru & Hashi, NOAH August 23rd Background: Kobashi's Burning stable and Akiyama's Sternness stable had been at war for the past year, producing quality multi-man tag matches one after another. Marufuji is involved by virtue of his team with KENTA, which means that Kobashi's side includes both sets of tag champions *and* the GHC heavyweight champion. Quite the unit. Why I think it's underrated: As a smaller-show tag designed to build towards Marufuji/KENTA vs Kanemaru/Hashi at the end of the tour, this wouldn't grab headlines. However, it's possibly the best multi-man tag of the decade. We're treated to one good pairing after another, hot nearfalls even in the middle of the match, strong pace given the length, and a finish that feels a lot bigger than you would have expected going in. What it deserves: Top 50. I realize some people will always place title matches ahead of tags, but I think on the merits this deserves to place high.
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Do Fixer vs M2K, trios titles, Toryumon June 29th 2003 Background: Genki Horiguchi and his super-effective backslide made waves in the spring. Can such trickery get it done against a tough M2K unit at the biggest show of the year? Why I think it's underrated: The match was well-received at the time but was somewhat forgotten as time passed. Whereas Toryumon is associated with flash and style, this match thrives on old-school tag structure to properly set up the exciting finish. What it deserves: Top 100. This has something for everyone.
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Kanemoto vs AKIRA, IWGP junior title, New Japan March 23rd 2003 Background: Akira Nogami didn't do much of note in the '90s, including a forgettable run as junior champion. A re-invention in 2000 as part of Chono's stable led to a number of really good technical matches. This is the best of those, as the two of them show remarkable inventiveness and attention to detail. Why I think it's underrated: It's not a highlight-reel spotfest, but more of a chess match. This got some initial praise from show-to-show New Japan viewers but didn't catch the eye of Meltzer et al. I can understand preferring something a bit more spectacular, but this is really tricked-out and stands apart from the usual "tons of nearfalls" Japanese title match cliche. What it deserves: Top 50 consideration. It doesn't hit the dramatic pitch of the very top tier, but creativity and execution make it solid mid-ballot material.
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Akiyama, Saito & Izumida vs Rikio, Morishima & Ikeda, NOAH March 16th 2003 Background: Morishima and Marufuji have a tag title shot against Akiyama and Saito at the end of the tour, so this is designed to build towards it. Oddly enough two lead-ins made the cut but not the title match, which had a weak first half due to its length. Why I think it's underrated: For those of us brought up with US wrestling there's no inherent appeal to a 6-man, especially before the Shield win streak. In Japan it's an integral part of booking and on occasion produces standout matches. Unlike most 6-man tags, this starts hot and sustains a lot of intensity throughout. Ikeda, who tends to take it easy in NOAH, brings his A-game for a change. Even the problematic Izumida contributes. What it deserves: Top 100. They do a great job of making the action unpredictable, and when you add in the pace and stiffness it's all the better.
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Tenryu & Hirai vs Kojima & Hayashi, All Japan October 6th 2002 Background: Tenryu is SO ANGRY with Kaz Hayashi. That punk! Just look at him. And Kojima! Grrrrr! Why I think it's underrated: As with so much of what I'll be highlighting, it's a tag on a smaller show. Nothing is on the line but pride. By now you should be familiar with Tenryu's eternally foul mood, and if you aren't then go back and start watching the Y2K matches. Hirai doesn't have many good performances to his credit but definitely brings it as much as he can. Kojima and Hayashi have the youth and spunk to be perfect foils for Tenryu. What it deserves: Top 100 consideration / on the bubble. Fun, energetic, and ends when it should.
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Kanemaru & Kikuchi vs Samurai & Naruse, IWGP junior tag titles, NOAH September 23rd 2002 Background: Kanemaru and Kikuchi formed a somewhat impromptu tandem in February to tangle with the invading New Japan forces, led by Liger himself. The initial tag is one of the best of the year and I'm confident everyone will watch it. This is another skirmish in the war. Why I think it's underrated: A match that isn't the main event or semi-main, let alone one with junior heavyweights, let alone one with second-tier junior heavyweights, is easy to pass over. Samurai/Naruse is a somewhat random pairing for New Japan to send over, yet improbably enough they're an effective unit. I suspect that a lot of what makes this match good is the momentum of the NJ vs NOAH feud from the August 29th show. What it deserves: Top 100 consideration / on the bubble. Not as good as the top-tier matches in the feud, but most of those are top 50 caliber, so top 100 for this is reasonable.
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[2002-08-29-NJPW-Cross Road] Koji Kanemoto vs Makoto Hashi
Ditch replied to Loss's topic in August 2002
Kanemoto vs Hashi, New Japan August 29th 2002 Background: New Japan versus NOAH was the hot feud of 2002, and this show captured the dynamic as well as any other. Because of the unusual makeup of the card (mostly junior heavyweights from many promotions and no full-time NJ heavyweights) and the location (traditional All Japan/NOAH haunt Tokyo Nippon Budokan), the crowd was a mix of New Japan and NOAH fans, with NOAH's fans often winning out. This is the second of three NJ vs NOAH junior matches. Kanemoto is the IWGP junior heavyweight champion, and as such is the overwhelming favorite. Why I think it's underrated: Despite taking place at Nippon Budokan, the event didn't get the coverage that standard big shows did due to the makeup of its card and the lack of a coherent overall theme. Also, this wasn't a "dream match"; Hashi wasn't nearly as athletic and explosive as Marufuji and KENTA, and didn't attract headlines the way they did. This match takes advantage of the strengths of both men: Kanemoto as the cocky superstar and Hashi as the tough underdog. What it deserves: Top 100. Really solid, plenty of heat, and it doesn't overstay its welcome. -
Dick Togo vs Tiger Mask 4, junior title tournament final, Michinoku Pro August 25th 2002 Background: Michinoku Pro had used several singles titles over the years, typically obscure ones from Mexico. In 2002 they decided to create their own belt and had a huge round-robin tournament to crown a champion. Togo and Tiger Mask 4 were the top two and advanced to the final. Why I think it's underrated: MPro's heyday was 1996, with the Kaientai stable helping to generate one great sprint after another. The promotion lost its consistency when most of the roster went elsewhere, since MPro tours the relatively poor and very rural north part of the country and thus doesn't pay particularly well. A case in point is this bout, with two Michinoku trainees who now only worked part-time for the promotion. Due to its lack of great match production, MPro shows tended to fly under the radar. This match went completely unnoticed from what I can tell, yet I'd say pretty much anyone will enjoy it. Life-long heel Togo is able to push life-long babyface Tiger Mask 4 to the breaking point in a very compact, intense battle. After watching it the first time I thought it was quite a bit longer than it actually was; they cram a lot in there. What it deserves: Top 100. This feels like the climax of a US-style feud more than a Japanese title match, but it will have a hard time going ahead of matches that are twice as long and still great throughout.
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[2002-08-10-NJPW-G1 Climax] Yoshihiro Takayama vs Osamu Nishimura
Ditch replied to Loss's topic in August 2002
Takayama vs Nishimura, G-1 Climax semifinal, New Japan August 10th 2002 Background: Takayama was a hot commodity at the time due to his famous fight in PRIDE against Don Frye, and was a main eventer in both New Japan and NOAH at the same time. Nishimura is a throwback, using '70s-style technical wrestling to combat the brutal bruiser. Why I think it's underrated: G-1 finals always get the spotlight, and understandably so. This not only wasn't a final, but it wasn't wrestled as an "epic". What they do pull off admirably is the sort of style-versus-style matchup that lies at the heart of the G-1 Climax concept. Nishimura gets Takayama into his own 'Muga World' and is able to be competitive, but in the back of your mind is the nagging suspicion that Takayama can crush him with a single blow. The crowd has those same doubts... What it deserves: Top 100. I don't see it as a MOTYC, but it is both distinct and memorable. -
Crazy MAX vs M2K vs Do Fixer, trios titles, Toryumon July 7th 2002 Background: The second of the three-way trios matches gets the honor of headlining the company's annual supershow in Kobe. Why I think it's underrated: As with the 2001 match, this didn't get attention based on Toryumon's perceived status as a second-tier promotion at the time. What it deserves: Top 100. I put this ahead of the rematch a week later by virtue of the rematch's repetition; I credit the original over the sequel every time.
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Tenryu & Araya vs Kea & Miyamoto, All Japan April 27th 2002 Background: Miyamoto, a young lion, seeks to prove himself against much larger competition. Tenryu shows no mercy whatsoever and Araya follows his lead. Why I think it's underrated: As a small-show tag this didn't make headlines, but it's one of the best 'young lion shows fighting spirit' bouts of the decade. Kea might be the biggest heel in this by virtue of how quickly he tags out every time, no matter how much punishment Miyamoto has taken. What it deserves: Top 100. It doesn't quite have the greatness of a top-tier bout, but they really accomplish what they were going for.
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Crazy MAX vs M2K vs Seikigun, trios titles, Toryumon August 14th 2001 Background: The three original factions duke it out for trios supremacy. This was the first multi-way trios match the company attempted, and it tended to be saved for special occasions until recent years. Why I think it's underrated: Toryumon wasn't nearly as well-known outside Japan as Dragon Gate is today. It was the 4th or 5th biggest promotion in Japan and got treated as such. Add in the fact that this wasn't at a big event and it was easy to miss, but I'd say it was the best spotfest that they produced in the first three years of the promotion. Plenty of fun sequences and excitement. What it deserves: Top 100. They went on to top themselves, but this set the standard.
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Kanemoto & Minoru Tanaka vs Dr. Wagner Jr & Silver King, IWGP junior tag titles, New Japan February 3rd 2001 Background: With WCW behind him, Silver King joined real-life brother as a regular part of New Japan's foreign contingent. Wagner is a former junior tag champion, and it stands to reason he would do even better with King as his partner now. Why I think it's underrated: Another year, another under-the-radar match that Stuart put a spotlight on. This is carried by the luchadores. Their teamwork and interaction make the body of the match enjoyable, and a good finishing run is to be expected with the combined level of talent at work here. What it deserves: Top 100 consideration / on the bubble. The crowd could be better, and there are several superior junior tags, but it's on the list for a reason.
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Kanemoto & Minoru Tanaka vs Liger & Makabe, IWGP junior tag team titles, New Japan September 12th 2000 Background: Makabe was a somewhat plus-sized junior heavyweight at this point in his career, and his simplistic moveset was balanced by the power advantage he had over other juniors. Why I think it's underrated: This aired on New Japan's somewhat obscure SXW program, which meant it was hard to come by initially. I only found it because of a positive review by the almighty Stuart. The match relies on Japan's standard "young lion underdog tries to make good" story, with Makabe holding his own against the much more skilled champions. This isn't an earth-shatteringly great match, but it's very solid and builds to a few excellent nearfalls off of relatively small moves. What it deserves: Top 100 consideration / on the bubble.
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This, plus Yukes owning them instead of Inoki, plus the utter failure of the Nagata/Tenzan/Kojima generation to live up to the Musketeers as stars. Okada/Tanahashi/Nakamura aren't drawing like it was 1995, but they definitely feel like a big deal, and NJ is building around them rather than trying to stuff them into being new versions of old stars.
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Let's not forget that in 2014, angles lacking crowd heat can easily be fixed through editing. They'll pick-and-choose the best moments, dub over some music, louden (is that a word?) the announcing, and boom, it looks like an effective angle when they do video packaging. He who controls the present controls the past.
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Andre vs Killer Khan has to be up there.
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Yeah, definitely some weird booking. Granted, TC matches were trending long starting with 6/3/94, but fans know that Hansen isn't going to work a match like that and wouldn't be let down by "only" going 20-25.
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Hansen really lost a step after the 7/29/93 classic IMO. There were still good outings, but not the sort of home runs or consistency he had previously. Both the '95 TC bouts were flat. I'm not a fan of the '96 TC match with Kobashi either, though many do enjoy it. Meanwhile, Kroffat was darn consistent from '92-'95, and RVD was always much better in AJ than ECW match-for-match.
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I'm really, really confused right now...
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It isn't even a contest.
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The MPro tag league final (Delfin/Naniwa vs Yakushiji/Hoshikawa) is worth putting in JIP. As with the 10-man, there's a clipped version on MPro 86 and a full version on 89.
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Just watched the November 1st Michinoku Pro 10-man: SASUKE, CIMA, SUWA, Sumo Fuji & Sasuke The Great [Orihara] vs Delfin, Hamada, Tiger Mask, Naniwa & Yakushiji. There are two versions. The one I got from Lynch, on MPro #86, is clipped, with 19 minutes of 33 shown. There's also a version on MPro #89 that from the listing is pretty much guaranteed to be complete. I suspect that the extra 14 minutes are not needed, and were probably just low-end heel control. The key stuff is the ~15 minute sprint at the end, which is top-notch. Definitely include the clipped version at least.