[1999-04-04-GAEA] Lioness Asuka vs Chigusa Nagayo

[Loss]

Talk about it here.

[Loss]

Just the last few minutes. In what might be a controversial decision to GAEA enthusiasts, we had major space constraints and made a conscious decision to focus more on the types of Joshi matches that have been well-regarded by those commenting on previous yearbooks instead of looking to capture the overall mood of the company. That means that some of the most historically significant matches of their time aren't getting their due, but on the flip side, some really good matches are being spotlighted. This was the biggest match in GAEA history and was a major main event between two 80s icons, but it was also a disappointing overall match, so we opted to just include the finish to nod that it happened but stop there. It's probably worth going through GAEA TV in 1999 in detail at some point, but this match really felt like something that would only be enjoyed by the loyalist crowd.

[FLIK]

Meh, this is a case where it'd have been best to just not include it at all. Yes it's a super important match in the midst of the biggest angle in company history, in the year when they cemented their spot as the #1 joshi company of the late 90's through early 2000's but with none of the build up to the moment or follow up surrounding it included it looses it's specialness.

 

I dunno, closest analogy I can think of is only seeing the finish to this match is kind of like trying to explain the NWO angle to someone by only showing them the Bash 96 main.

[WingedEagle]

FLIK, what else should people check out leading up to this?

[Zenjo]

In 98 and 99 there were 7 Joshi promotions. Having a quick count both Yearbooks have 9 complete matches from them in total. So obviously it's not going to chronicle the scene, instead offering a little taster with some of the better matches. This isn't a specific complaint because I've already got an extensive collection, and plenty of footage is out there for any fan who wants to go deeper. Throughout the Yearbooks project they've extensively covered WWF, WCW, ECW, the various Southern US feds, AJ and NJ. There's plenty of matches from other promotions, but to follow all the main developments through the decade then supplemental viewing is required.

[Tim Evans]

So confused by all this. Who was the girl that had a Muto type bladejob at the end of the match? Why is Aja Kong holding what looks like something I carried for my high school math class? I'm guessing it's some type of contract?

[soup23]

I can be the first to attest that editing these things is a beast. I have used this example before but Hase vs. Kawada from 5/2 was ranked at ***1/2 from me and would have made my top 100 of 1998. It didn't make it onto here and I didn't feel like things were slighted. I like joshi a good deal but having comprehensive joshi stuff to an extent would create a set that wouldn't have much widespread visibility or interest. My optimum set would be 60 discs but that isn't realistic too. The US Scene with the WWF and WCW having so much programming will dominant a chunk of the set. This was easier to bypass in the earlier part of the decade when a given weekend may only have one Superstars interview segment of note.

Anyway the clips here looked pretty good to me and GAEA in 1999 and a promotion overall is something I would like to dive deep into at some point.

[Zenjo]

I'd definitely recommend checking out the full version. There was a big match feel and it remained very heated throughout. Surprisingly they began with technical wrestling. I liked the element of one-upsmanship. Then it quite rightly got down and dirty. Not everything they tried worked, but there were plenty of positive moments. Weapons came into play and it culminated in a fireball to the face no less. Worthy of the occasion. Afterwards the Chigusa loyalists were in stunned disbelief as SSU celebrate. Factional warfare was going down across the wrestling world.

[PeteF3]

Kind of telling of something that after such a raw viscerally emotional tag match, the promoter of the company has to resort to this kind of gaga bullshit for her match. I could give a fuck how much money or mainstream interest this drew, if this action is indicative of the feud as a whole I'm glad it was ignored. As far as matches between '80s icons put on well past their sell-by date I'll stick with Lawler & Dundee and the Fabs, thanks.