[2000-10-09-NJPW-Do Judge] Tatsumi Fujinami vs Shinya Hashimoto

[Microstatistics]

Where the hell did this match come from? I thought Hashimoto was pretty much done in NJPW after 4/7/2000. First half is slow but very compelling as Fujinami uses his technique to keep Hashimoto in check while the latter wants to turn this into a violent slugfest. Obviously that's just a containment strategy rather than one of control and the match devolves into them exchanging nasty shots in extremely intense and heated sequences. Fujinami holds his own but you can guess how it ends. There seemed to be a really involved story going on as Fujinami goes at Hashimoto head on and treats him with what is almost disdain while Hashimoto is absolutely incensed the whole way throughout to the point of actually spitting at Fujinami (who shrugs it off dismissively). Hashimoto's mannerisms and body language in that context were amazing. Brutal finish and emotional postmatch with another classic Hashimoto moment. I doubt anyone else will like it this much but I thought this was low-end MOTYC level. ****

[soup23]

Anyone have any insight as to why this was the opening match. Hashimoto is sporting his short Summer haircut and its weird how inactive and in the waning days of his NJPW we are getting to. Hashimoto also seems slimmed down. This starts with about 10 minutes of grappling. That feels like a lost art in a way so I enjoyed watching it in this atmosphere and the work was compelling enough to keep me hooked. Things really open up with a big strike exchange and some closed punches with both men teeing off on each other bringing Tokyo alive. Hash is able to get a big kick and Fujinami is bloodied up. Hash looks for the brainbuster but settles for the DDT and then locks on a Fujiwara armbar to gain the submission victory. This had old Fujinami and disgruntled Hash in it but they were too stubborn to not have an enjoyable match with each other. ***1/2 (7.2)

[G. Badger]

Slower strong style bout that got very stiff near the close and ended awkwardly. I think what happened here was something more political than wrestling. Hashimoto was released from NJ & started Zero One not much after this I believe so, it's no wonder it's not the best one could hope for.

 

Still, they were punching the shit out of each other though & that was pretty cool stuff. Fujinami was legit hurt for sure. This brought a real sense of violence. Certainly 4 stars.

[superkix]

Slow but effective build to these two just beating the hell out of each other. Fujinami's just trying to contain Hashimoto until he starts slapping Hash silly, then it breaks out into a slap-punch fight, with a pissed Hash spitting at Fujinami. Moment of the match for sure. Then Hash lays into him with big heavy kicks, Fujinami answering back with snug elbows and punches. That high kick/possible KO was either sold terrifically by Fujinami or really knocked him loopy as the finish seemed improvised.

[ohtani's jacket]

This was Hashimoto's comeback match after he retired following his loss to Ogawa. Initially, he was supposed to wrestle in black trunks with no entrance music but I guess that went by the wayside. It's speculation but I think the original idea behind Zero-1 was that it was a supposed to be a Hashimoto led faction/promotion that invaded New Japan, but for whatever reason Hashimoto was fired and Zero-1 became an indy instead.

[ohtani's jacket]

Watched this again. It was a bit slow in parts but the stand-up portions were awesome. Loved Hashimoto taking out his frustrations on the New Japan president by busting his mouth open. Fujinami had shoulder much of the blame for Hashimoto's loss to Ogawa for booking the match in the first place and that is partly the reason why Hashimoto is so aggressive with him. Fujinami supposedly lifted his ban on the Dragon Suplex for this match but he didn't come close to applying it. I like Fujinami's strikes in this and I thought he looked pretty spry. The match could have been a bit better but I guess they were being deliberately uncooperative,

[AstroBoy]

In the hands of lesser wrestlers this would have been a slog.  But the testament is their way to emote through the grappling struggles, the strike exchanges, the real simple fight they put on, elevating it to a big deal.  Solid and unspectacular but a testament to both guys' talents.

 

***1/4

[Superstar Sleeze]

Thanks @ohtani's jacket for the context for this match. I was confused whether this was before or after him getting fired. Why did he get fired? Did he refuse to put someone over? I did not realize he retired after losing to Ogawa at Dome Impact. 

Shinya Hashimoto vs Tatsumi Fujinami - NJPW Tokyo Dome 10/9/00

A lot to unpack here before we get to the match. This is Hashimoto's first match back since losing to Naoya Ogawa at the Dome in April 2000. According to OJ, Hasimoto retired after that show, which I did not realize. This is his comeback match and also this is the opening match which seems like a weird spot for two legends. I am 99% sure this is before Hashimoto gets fired, but maybe there was already a political shitshow brewing. This being Japan even though Hashimoto is fired he still works Inoki Bom Ba Ye on 12/31/00 and the 1/4/01 Dome show. Who the fuck knows what is going on? By Inoki Bom Ba Ye he was already representing Zero-One.

I was expecting to come on here and say this was two legends having a pleasant, lo-fi grappling match with some nice strikes and takedowns. Because it was Hashimoto and Fujinami the stakes felt higher and the charisma energy brought up the work. End it with a gentleman's three as JT would say. Instead all of a sudden at the 10 minute mark they get into this INSANE FIRE FIGHT! Fujinami starts throwing closed fist potatoes. Hashimoto fires back. Every fucking New Japan wrestler should watch this and be like this is how you fucking do a Stand-Up Slugfest! HOLY SHIT THIS WAS ELECTRIC! This is some serious DVDVR/Segunda Caida shit right here. They were throwing live fucking rounds. Hashimoto murderized Fujinami with a punch/high kick comb. Fujinami lips are bloodied and dried. For a second, you legit think fuck Hashimoto murdered the dude. This shit was ferocious. Fujinami is such deadweight Hashimoto cannot hoist him up for the brainbuster and settles for the DDT. The ref calls the match as Fujinami cannot defend himself. 

The ending is ***** but the first ten minutes are ho-hum. Call it ***3/4 but everyone needs to watch this! 

[ohtani's jacket]

I'm not sure if anybody knows the complete truth behind the Hashimoto situation. Dave reported at the time that it was because Choshu found out that Hashimoto was negotiating to appear on the 12/23 NOAH show. Hashimoto was unhappy with the way he'd been treated during the Ogawa feud (and who can blame him?) His plan was to rebuild his career by forming a sub-promotion named NJPW ZERO then wage a war with NOAH. He had Fujinami's backing for this, but Choshu was against it because NJPW was still committed to co-promoting with All Japan. A lot of people thought the dismissal was a work, but Hashimoto wasn't the only one to leave New Japan around this time. In typical Inoki fashion, Antonio promised to back ZERO-ONE, just like he'd promised to join the original UWF, only to pull out at the last moment. This led to open enmity between the two that even extended to people believing Inoki mocked Hashimoto after his death. Choshu and Hashimoto hated each other and had a long history of hostility. It seems a lot of the talent were fed up with both Inoki and Choshu at the time. 

It all started going downhill when Ogawa shot on Hashimoto. Hashimoto lost face over that. Then he tried to force management's hand by claiming he'd retire if he couldn't beat Ogawa and they booked him to lose anyway. 

[fxnj]

4 hours ago, ohtani's jacket said:

It all started going downhill when Ogawa shot on Hashimoto. Hashimoto lost face over that. Then he tried to force management's hand by claiming he'd retire if he couldn't beat Ogawa and they booked him to lose anyway. 

That's hilarious if true. I always thought he enjoyed putting Ogawa over between how hard worked to make him look good in their matches and them becoming friends afterwards.