[2002-01-25-ARSION] Mariko Yoshida vs Michiko Omukai

[ohtani's jacket]

Yoshida was still a top 20 wrestler in the world at this point, and this was a match where we really got to see that. It was a much better all-round match than the Tamada fight, and not necessarily because Omukai was a better opponent. She was pretty much a taller version of Mima Shimoda, though to her credit she knew how to work Yoshida's style. Yoshida pulled out all the stops here and produced a fine performance. I mentioned in the Tamada fight that I wish she had gone freelance at this time, but hopefully there are a few more ARSION matches like this where Yoshida is allowed to do her thing. She looked far from done, and I'd hate to think that her prime was wasted, or shortened, by Lioness Asuka's unfortunate intrusion. 

[Calvin]

It's always a pleasure to watch Yoshida in her environment with an opponent willing to play her game.