[2002-02-24-AJPW-Excite Series] Genichiro Tenryu vs Satoshi Kojima

[Loss]

Talk about it here.

[Superstar Sleeze]

Genichiro Tenryu vs Satoshi Kojima - Budokan 02/24/02

Kojima is still wicked over with the fans. I actually listen to wrestling podcasts while listening to these puro matches, but still have the volume up high enough on the match to hear sound effects. The only chants loud to hear are the Kojima ones. I have no problem tuning out Japanese commentary completely so that undercurrent does not affect my ability to listen to the podcasts.

Tenryu is more game than Kawada it seems to carry Kojima to a great match, but still it does not reach MOTYC levels for me. Again, I thought the beginning of the match was the best part. Tenryu was so good at looking down at Kojima. The way he brushes aside one of Kojima's chops is awesome. Then he backs Kojima against the ropes and lets Kojima cover up waiting for the chop only to look like a tool when it never comes. Then the next times he chops the bejeezus out of him in the corner. Basically, Tenryu is awesome, but we already knew that. Kojima "proves" his mettle sending Tenryu tumbling to outside with some forearms and a diving forearm. He does his somersault splash. After a chinlock, Tenryu hits his own somersault splash on Kojima. In a weird moment, Kojima heads for the hilsl, but seems to be spooked by the specter of Giant Baba at the end of the ramp. It is weird because Kojima seems like a babyface to the crowd and because puroresu does not usually that device. Tenryu wrangles him back in and just punches and chops the shit out of him. Kojima resorts to his base instincts: Ace Crusher, Ace Crusher, Ace Crusher! Ok, it was only two, but one was a shitty one off the apron. In a really cool spot, Tenryu tries to enter the ring and Kojima lariats his knee. That spot should be cribbed. Once again, the knee work does not follow to a neat conclusion. Kojima really is a shitty version of Mutoh. Tenryu regains the advantage and hits his wicked sweet spider German/back elbow combo. Tenryu goes back to head games with some playful slaps and Kojima reacts with a scoop piledriver. I love how Kojima hits this weird neckbreaker and afterwards Tenryu just punches him to get the advantage. Tenryu brainbuster leads to a double KO. Tenryu wins a chopfest to get a powerbomb, but only gets 2. Kojima lets out a roar, but then Flair Flops. Huge Kojima chants! Tenryu polishes him off with a brainbuster.

This was a big improvement over the Kawada match because of Tenryu's consistency. The whole match he was playing head games with Kojima about his inexperience and his inferiority. Kojima would power up, but he would never be able to sustain momentum because he lacked the experience. Why hit a weird move when you can just punch someone in the face? Kojima is a bit all over the place on offense, but is good at puro fighting spirit selling. He is a more expressive, but spottier version of Mutoh. I actually really dug the finish where he looks like he is going to do the fighting spirit hulk-up, but just collapses. It shows Kojima has a lot of heart, but does not have the brains yet. ***1/2

[dawho5]

Kojima having to prove himself to Tenryu makes for a good match. Tenryu being condescending makes it even better. Then Tenryu decides that condescending to the punk kid with blond hair isn't enough and starts doing Tenzan spots just to fuck with him. Kojima eventually makes good, pushing Tenryu a bit before the old man decides he's had enough. Tenryu knows he can outlast Kojima in a striking contest, so he does. Kojima wants to use his fighting spirit to get through the pain, but no, he falls right back over. Tenryu puts him away with a brainbuster. This was so much better than the Kawada match. Maybe it was the whole young upstart vs. old man asskicker dynamic that put this one above that match.

[Graham Crackers]

This is very good but feels small. The rematch feels epic but has some spotty selling. I wish we could combine the two and get a truly great match. I'm convinced Tenryu could have had a great match with anybody though to Kojima's credit he's actually good in this one.

[Superstar Sleeze]

Kojima reminds me of a passable modern WWE main eventer. Someone like Edge, who just does not have a ring presence or character. Edge has the benefit of promos and commentary to get over that he is The Ultimate Opportunist, but once he is in the ring, he just feels really normal. Kojima is just a really normal puroresu wrestler.

I like this about the same as I did initially, which means it won't make my ballot. I think this time I could pinpoint my issue. The transitions in this were capricious as all hell. There was no flow to the match at all. It was just Tenryu kicks Kojima ass. Kojima gets a spot and then Tenryu kicks his ass. I don't mind cut offs, but it just felt really my turn, your turn. They were coming up with logical ways to countering each other it was done through kicks to the gut and no-selling. What this match was great for was as a Tenryu offensive showcase. He looked amazing all match with great punches and chops. Then he was moving around like it was 1984 and his big bombs looked great. Kojima is a pretty good fighting spirit worker. I still liked the fighting spirit yell-> flop -> brainbuster finish. It feels like a good first match because it gives Kojima a lot of room to grow. He clearly got his ass kicked, but put up a decent fight so you believe he can get better in a rematch. The transitions in this sucked and I have seen this story told a million times better. ***1/2

[Superstar Sleeze]

Don't let this one scare you off. They have a classic in July that is just awesome. Huge fight feel. Really feels like Kojima is a superstar. Probably the only time I have ever felt that way about him. So check out the July 2002 match.

[Jetlag]

Tenryu carries a mediocre worker to a good match, also water is wet. This was entertaining all the way, lots of fun Tenryu punches, kicks, tubby old man highspots and dick behaviour, but the match didn't have much depth. Kojima simply isn't convincing in trying to take it to Tenryu. His comebacks weren't great and he really needed to just bring a little more than he did. Tho his fighting spirit into Flair flop feels like an excellent comedy spot. Another positive is that the match was short and never dragged.

[dawho5]

On rewatch I agree this did lack flow.  Despite that I still really like it, I just don't expect great flow out of Tenryu matches with lower tier workers.  I thought Kojima's comebacks were right, hit the big moves while you can because the old man is going to start beating the shit out of you soon enough.  Good babyface fire too, so I am a fan of the match.  The fact that it doesn't play out like an epic is one of the good points about the match for me.

[ohtani's jacket]

There are basically two types of wrestlers for me, the type of wrestler I'll only watch against the right opponent and the type of wrestler I'll watch against anyone. You can probably guess which type of wrestler Tenryu is. This was everything you could want out of a Tenryu match. Tenryu beats the shit out of Kojima. Kojima is sick of beating beat on and strikes back. Tenryu beats the crap out of him some more. Any variation on that would have been a waste of time. 

[Calvin]

Kojima's mettle is immediately tested in his debut match for All Japan by a legend, and this match develops into a hard-hitting story of desperation as the grizzled Tenryu stymies the plucky newcomer every step of the way.

***1/2