UWF Newborn

[Autistic Dragon]

No harm done! Much better to focus on school than this.

[Control21]

Card Announcement:

UWF Newborn - "Fighting Arena Sendai"

June 29th, 1990

Sendai, Japan

Miyagi Sports Center

 

Mitsuya Nagai vs Yusuke Fuke

Masahito Kakihara vs Naoyuki Taira

Peter Senerchia vs Tatsuo Nakano

Dick Vrij vs Yoji Anjo

Andy Hug vs Yorinaga Nakamura

Atsushi Onita vs Naoya Ogawa

Volk Han vs Kazuo Yamazaki

Nobuhiko Takada vs Chris Dolman

Akira Maeda vs Masakatsu Funaki

[Control21]

UWF Newborn – “Fighting Arena Sendai”

June 29^th, 1990

Sendai, Japan

Miyagi Sports Center

Attendance: 7,000 (sold out)

Broadcast: WOWOW (taped)

After WOWOW's pre-show advertisements, the viewing audience is greeted by the usual slick production that serves as a preview for the event, covering all the planned matches, as well as taped interviews leading up to the event. The WOWOW commentary team welcomes everyone to tonight's event and breaks down the card. Soon, Nobuyuki Furuta stands in the middle of the ring inside the arena and commences the official opening of the show. The UWF theme plays in the background, and as usual, we get the parade of wrestlers as they line up inside the ring. Maeda, Takada, Onita, Ogawa, Funaki, and Han get the loudest cheers of the evening. Maeda, Funaki, and Takada hype up the audience with some words, and away we go. 

Mitsuya Nagai vs Yusuke Fuke

After spending a lot of time in the UWF dojo, it was finally Nagai’s chance to get some reps in a live ring. The debuting young lion was still quite raw, and Yusuke Fuke exploited this weakness to his advantage. While Nagai had tons of fire and energy, Fuke was able to use his skill and experience to avoid serious damage. Nagai landed some stiff strikes at least, but Yuke was able to take Nagai to the mat almost at will, and Nagai struggled to defend himself on the mat as he seemed a bit overwhelmed at times. Yuke added to Nagai’s frustration by being a bit patient and seemed to enjoy giving Nagai a lesson in grappling. Yuke built up a quick 3-0 lead on points after a knockdown around the 5:00 mark, and this didn’t change as Nagai continued to get hounded by his opponent. After a brief comeback attempt from Nagai, who exhausted his remaining energy with a flurry of palm strikes, Fuke ended the affair by taking down Nagai with a quick German suplex and locking in a full-Boston crab for the submission victory. Fuke defeats Nagai via submission (full-Boston crab), 8:32

Masahito Kakihara vs Naoyuki Taira

As the fans would expect with these two in the ring, this was a very dynamic affair with both wrestlers being very eager strikers and capable, evolving grapplers. Taira and Kakihara were both happy to open proceedings on their feet, with both exchanging some hard strikes to the delight of the fans. Taira’s kicks seemed to be an early factor, as he managed to change things up with a variety to throw Kakihara off his game. Kakihara found himself down a point early after Taira caught him with a jumping roundhouse, and beat a ten count from Yuji Shimada quickly. Kakihara found himself on the mat soon after, with Taira continuing his momentum with ground control. Kakihara did well on defense, and he was able to get himself out of a potentially dangerous situation when Taira went for a heel hook in the middle of the ring. Kakihara rolled through and was able to secure one of Taira’s free legs to decrease his opponent’s leverage. Back on their feet, Kakihara was able to even things up after catching Taira with a palm strike combo, with the match now even 1-1 on points. Taira beat the ten count quickly as well and went back to work with little time wasted. The match continued with a relatively frenetic pace, and another exchange of knockdowns increased the score to 2-2 on points. Taira continued to hound Kakihara on the mat and managed to secure another rope break from Kakihara with a rear-naked choke attempt, giving Taira the lead 3-2 on points. The decisive moment in the match came when Taira caught Kakihara with a rolling kneebar near the middle of the ring, which was enough to convince Kakihara to tap. Taira defeats Kakihara via submission (kneebar), 11:51

Peter Senerchia  vs Tatsuo Nakano

It had been a while since the young American was last seen in UWF, but the explosive Judoka was eager to make a mark in the promotion. He faced a good test tonight against Tatsuo Nakano.  Senerchia came into the bout with a clear game plan. He wanted to close the distance, impose his strength, and smother Tatsuo Nakano before Nakano could exploit his vulnerabilities on his feet. The opening minutes reflected that intent as Senerchia pressed forward behind tight palm strikes and heavy body punches in the clinch, eventually muscling Nakano down with a powerful kata guruma that landed clean in the center of the ring. Nakano scrambled to the ropes to avoid being flattened further, costing him his first rope break. Senerchia stayed on him, landing another takedown shortly after and working from top position with pressure and occasional open hand strikes to the midsection. Nakano managed to work his way back to his feet, where he finally found some success with low kicks and short palm strikes to disrupt Senerchia’s forward momentum. But just when he seemed to have regained his footing, Senerchia exploded with a high-angle belly-to-belly suplex that drew a pop from the crowd and earned him the first official knockdown of the bout. Nakano had a rough going, but the damage seemed to light a spark in him. Nakano returned fire with renewed aggression, targeting the body and mixing in quick palm strikes to the head, finally forcing Senerchia to retreat. The fight broke into more of a back-and-forth rhythm, with Senerchia continuing to hunt for takedowns and suplexes while Nakano looked to create chaos with strikes. The match turned when Nakano caught Senerchia leaning in too low during a clinch and tagged him flush with a palm strike across the jaw, followed by a low kick and a second, harder palm strike that knocked Senerchia off balance. Nakano immediately pounced, backing the younger man into the corner with body punches and short strikes to the head. A stiff knee to the ribs stunned Senerchia further, and Nakano uncorked a final wild flurry, body shots, an open-hand slap to the ear, and a full extension palm thrust straight to the face. Senerchia collapsed onto his side, dazed and unable to recover before the ten count. The crowd gave Nakano a strong ovation for the comeback win, as the referee waved off the match. Nakano defeats Senerchia via knockout at 13:22.

Dick Vrij vs Yoji Anjo

Dick Vrij and Yoji Anjo were both very eager for a win coming into this match. Anjo approached the match conservatively at first, wary of the Dutchman’s power, circling with a lowered stance and probing with kicks to the thigh. Vrij, ever confident on his feet, looked relaxed but dangerous, waiting for his openings and firing off thudding low kicks that visibly staggered Anjo early. The first few exchanges set the tone. Anjo tried to close the distance with flurries of palm strikes or opportunistic clinches, but Vrij kept finding the mark with body kicks and well-timed knees. One particularly loud right kick to the ribs caused Anjo to wince and drop down to a knee, initiating the first ten count of the match. Anjo beat the count quickly and went on the offense. He attempted a reactive takedown midway through the third minute, but Vrij sprawled and powered free before the two ended up in the ropes, prompting a clean break. Vrij began pressing the action more, and his pressure forced Anjo to try his luck at grappling with the Dutchman. After another stiff body kick, Anjo dove for a single-leg, but Vrij landed a sharp downward palm strike to the back and shook him off. Anjo finally managed to catch a kick and bring the fight to the mat briefly, where he tried to lock up an ankle, but Vrij reached the ropes almost immediately, sacrificing his first rope break in exchange for safety. Back on the feet, Vrij’s dominance became more apparent. He battered Anjo’s legs and ribs, with a particularly brutal sequence of a left body kick followed by a knee from the clinch, dropping Anjo for the second knockdown of the match around the 8-minute mark. Anjo recovered but was taking heavy damage. Anjo again tried to mount offense with a few sneaky palm strikes and even got a partial back take during a scramble, but Vrij’s strength allowed him to shake free and get back to his preferred range. The final sequence came when Vrij backed Anjo into a corner and unloaded a brutal series of knees to the body and palm strikes to the head. One knee landed flush to the midsection and folded Anjo over, leading to a delayed collapse. The referee began his count as Anjo clutched his side, clearly in pain. Though he stirred around the count of eight, he could not get fully upright, and the referee waved it off at 13:04. Vrij defeats Anjo via KO, 13:04.

Andy Hug vs Yorinaga Nakamura

The following match between Hug and Nakamura was a live demonstration of strategy versus power, with Nakamura’s cerebral grappling style tested against Hug’s explosive striking. From the opening bell, Hug imposed his presence, controlling the center with sharp movement and peppering Nakamura’s lead leg with stiff low kicks. Nakamura responded with feints and level changes, looking to create an entry into the clinch or tangle Hug up into a mat exchange, but Hug kept his strikes deliberate. Nakamura managed to clinch briefly and threaten a trip, but Hug framed off and fired a crushing knee to the ribs that dropped Nakamura for the first knockdown at around the three-minute mark. Nakamura recovered and went back to movement, trying to bait Hug into overcommitting, and eventually caught a kick, sweeping Hug’s planted leg to take him down. Nakamura scrambled into a leg entanglement and worked for a heel hook, forcing Hug to scramble toward the ropes, giving up his first rope break but avoiding real danger. The pace slowed a bit, with Nakamura circling and switching levels, but Hug stayed patient and kept chipping away with low kicks, gradually wearing down Nakamura’s mobility. Another takedown attempt followed, but Hug sprawled and spun away before delivering a body kick that visibly staggered Nakamura. Moments later, a head-height left roundhouse from Hug grazed the temple and dropped Nakamura again for another knockdown, as the crowd gasped at the sudden precision. Nakamura, ever the technician, regrouped and went back to work off a clinch, tripping Hug and flowing into a mounted crucifix that transitioned into a shoulder lock. Hug powered out, though, and reached the ropes for his second rope break. With the match nearing the fifteen-minute mark and Hug enjoying a 2-1 lead, Hug sensed momentum turning his way. Nakamura’s movement had slowed, and Hug went back to punishing the legs, now mixing in palm strikes upstairs. After a punishing sequence that forced Nakamura to shell up in the corner, Hug stepped in with a spinning back kick to the liver that crumpled Nakamura instantly. The referee counted him out as Nakamura clutched his side, unable to beat the ten. Hug stood tall, the victor after a methodical dismantling. Hug defeats Nakamura via KO, 15:22.

Atsushi Onita vs Naoya Ogawa

In front of a passionate Sendai crowd, Naoya Ogawa and Atsushi Onita continued a blossoming rivalry, and both were committed to securing a win. The atmosphere buzzed as Onita made his entrance, his wild, rebellious aura still drawing strong reactions from fans who admired his relentless intensity and unpredictable nature. Ogawa followed, calm and focused, his white judo gi crisp as he carried the quiet confidence of a 22-year-old prodigy ready to prove himself. The match began with Ogawa keeping distance and trying to establish control of the center, while Onita immediately pressed forward with aggressive flurries of palm strikes and body punches. Ogawa’s disciplined defense and footwork allowed him to avoid brawling on Onita’s terms, but the veteran still found success landing a hard kick to Ogawa’s thigh, followed by a clinch palm strike that snapped Ogawa’s head back. Ogawa patiently fought for an inside position, timing a clean kosoto gake to bring Onita down to the mat. From side control, Ogawa briefly applied a scarf hold before Onita powered his way to the ropes, earning his first rope break and a valuable reprieve. By the 8:00 mark, Onita got one back on Ogawa after he caught him with a belly-to-belly suplex that turned into a double wristlock attempt on the mat. Ogawa quickly scrambled for the ropes for his first rope break of the match.

Ogawa’s confidence grew as the match progressed, but Onita’s scrappy style remained dangerous. The Sendai crowd roared as Onita taunted Ogawa with slaps to the face, daring the younger man into reckless exchanges. Ogawa resisted, choosing instead to pick his moments carefully. Another key grip exchange saw Ogawa slip under a wild palm strike and launch Onita with a high-impact harai goshi that stunned the veteran. On the mat, Ogawa secured kesa gatame and quickly transitioned to isolate Onita’s arm, but the veteran’s grit earned him a second rope break. With one knockdown scored against him, Onita came back with renewed urgency, landing a body kick and pressing a barrage of palm strikes. Onita caught Ogawa with a single-leg takedown and immediately went to work on the mat, hunting for a leglock. Ogawa scrambled, but Onita was able to finally secure a heel hook attempt that sent Ogawa to the ropes again. With the match tied at 1-1, both men got back on their feet as Ryogaku Wada restarted the match. Onita went for another takedown, but Ogawa fought back and defended well. Onita did not relent, though, and eventually caught Ogawa with a combination of palm strikes that sent Ogawa down to the mat. Onita built up a 2-1 lead on points and seemed to be in control. Onita continued to pressure his opponent and tried to open up Ogawa for another takedown attempt. Ogawa weathered the storm and seized a collar grip, sweeping Onita down with a sasae tsurikomi ashi, establishing dominant top control. Onita tried to fight back from the bottom, but Ogawa trapped an arm and locked in a modified kata-juji choke. The Sendai crowd watched intently as Onita struggled, desperately reaching for the ropes that were out of reach. Ogawa tightened the hold with clinical precision, and after tense moments, Onita’s arm went limp. Referee Masami Soronaka called the match at 15:36, awarding Ogawa a hard-fought submission victory. Ogawa defeats Onita via submission (kata-juji), 15:36

Volk Han vs Kazuo Yamazaki

Volk Han scored an impressive victory over Minoru Suzuki last month and was looking to build on that against a very formidable and respected opponent. Kazuo Yamazaki, dressed in his usual black tights and stoic expression, received a polite welcome from the crowd, while Volk Han made his entrance with a confident look, while Jarre’s “Second Rendez-vous” played in the arena. Volk’s growing legion of fans welcomed him. The two men met at the center of the ring while Motoyuki Kitazawa checked both men before calling for the bell. As soon as the bell sounded, Yamazaki threw out a few probing low kicks, testing Han’s reactions. The Dagestani barely flinched, maintaining a relaxed stance as he watched his opponent move. Yamazaki grew bolder and looked to close the distance with a stiff middle kick, but Han caught the leg and executed a smooth inside trip, immediately entering top control. Yamazaki quickly used the ropes to avoid Han’s follow-up attack, costing him one rope break early. Upon the restart, Yamazaki picked up the pace with a sharp palm strike combination that caught Han on the jaw, followed by a quick left high kick that clipped the side of the head and dropped the Soviet for a knockdown. Han got up quickly, brushing himself off, and returned to the center. Yamazaki tried to repeat the sequence, but this time Han ducked under and launched a rolling kneebar attempt that sent both men scrambling. Yamazaki twisted free but left his leg exposed just long enough for Han to slap on a cross heel hold, which forced the Japanese striker to crawl for the ropes, his second rope break and first official point lost. The match was tied 1-1 on points.

Yamazaki looked increasingly wary of engaging on the ground, knowing Han could threaten from any position. The match entered a tense middle phase, with both men alternating between sudden flurries and cautious circling. Yamazaki landed a few more hard body kicks and sharp slaps in the clinch, but Han’s composure never broke. At one point, Yamazaki tried to shoot in for a takedown of his own, hoping to surprise Han, but the SAMBO wizard sprawled and floated over into a front headlock before transitioning to a standing switch and throwing Yamazaki over with a beautiful SAMBO-style suplex. Han immediately transitioned into a leg entanglement and tried to isolate the knee, but Yamazaki used his speed to kick free, resulting in a clean break as they both hit the ropes. The action restarted with a feeling of mounting danger. Han was beginning to figure out Yamazaki’s timing. After a few more striking exchanges, Han baited a high kick and countered with a rare kani-basami, slicing into Yamazaki’s legs and bringing him down hard. The Dagestani pounced with another leg lock attempt, forcing a third rope break from Yamazaki. The tide had fully turned now. Yamazaki attempted a flying juji-gatame as a last-ditch response to a clinch, but Han blocked the attempt and stepped through into a straight ankle lock that drew a fourth rope break. Yamazaki showed some signs of frustration as he was now down 2-1 on points. He fired off a spinning back kick that missed, and Han answered with a spinning backfist that clipped him behind the ear and sent him reeling. The referee started another count, and Yamazaki needed some time to gather himself before signaling to the referee.

With the match entering its eighteenth minute, the crowd was fully engaged, murmuring with anticipation as both men took a moment to reset. Han was enjoying a 3-1 lead on points and seemed to be in control. Yamazaki, battered but defiant, threw another middle kick, but Han stepped inside and wrapped him up before launching a lightning-fast suplex variation, a double wristlock suplex, that stunned Yamazaki and left him disoriented. Han wasted no time and spun into a mounted position, faking a transition to side control before twisting into a rolling omoplata. The shift was so quick that Yamazaki had no chance to defend. As Han secured the shoulder and torqued the joint with precision, Yamazaki tried to roll through, but Han adjusted, wrapping the free arm and collapsing into a full extension. Trapped with nowhere to go, Yamazaki was forced to submit at 18:02. The referee called for the bell, and Han jumped up, adjusting his wrist wraps while Yamazaki remained seated on the mat, disappointed and seemingly a bit shellshocked as well. Han defeats Yamazaki via submission (rolling omoplata), 18:02

Nobuhiko Takada vs Chris Dolman

The Sendai crowd was locked in with anticipation as Nobuhiko Takada entered to a strong ovation. “Training Montage” from Rocky IV thumped through the arena as Takada’s fans chanted his name. Facing him tonight was the imposing Dutchman Chris Dolman, whose judo and SAMBO credentials had made him a feared opponent despite a mixed record. After Soranaka signaled for the bell, both men took a bit of a cautious approach. Takada took the initiative early with probing low kicks to Dolman’s thighs, trying to keep the larger man from closing the distance. Dolman stayed patient and absorbed the damage, eventually timing a clinch after catching a body kick. From there, he powered Takada to the mat with a heavy inside trip and secured a punishing kesa-gatame, applying short palm strikes to the side of the head. Takada wisely rolled near the ropes, using them to escape before Dolman could isolate the arm, giving up his first rope break. After the restart, Takada stayed light on his feet, wary of Dolman’s grip. He peppered the Dutchman with more kicks to the legs and midsection, forcing Dolman to sag defensively. One stiff left roundhouse caught Dolman clean to the ribs and knocked him back. Takada followed with a palm strike flurry that forced Dolman to cover up and stumble to the mat, drawing the first knockdown of the match. Dolman beat the count and resumed with a bit more urgency, charging into a Greco-style clinch and forcing Takada back into the ropes. After a quick clean break, the referee allowed them to continue, and Dolman used the moment to land a hard body punch before dragging Takada down again with a harai goshi. Dolman once again worked his grinding top control, but Takada used a clever hip escape to initiate a scramble and get back to his feet before Dolman could apply pressure. Another reset followed, and the tempo slowed momentarily as both men reset their strategies.

The second half of the match saw Takada pull away. Dolman attempted to clinch again, but Takada baited him with a feint and landed a crisp high kick to the left side of the head, stunning the Dutchman and sending him crashing down for a second knockdown. Dolman got back up just in time to beat the count, but was visibly stunned. Takada remained clinical and met Dolman back in the center of the ring with more probing low kicks. From there, Dolman grew more aggressive, but the desperation left him vulnerable. A slow attempt at an uchi mata was countered by Takada sprawling and applying a loose guillotine before transitioning into a leg entanglement that forced Dolman to scramble for the ropes for a break. Takada immediately pressured Dolman again after they got back on their feet, and he took the Dutchman down with a rear waistlock takedown. Dolman quickly scrambled again to escape, and Takada now had a 3-1 on points. Upon the restart, Takada remained in the zone, mixing kicks with feints and angling away from Dolman’s clinch attempts. Another well-timed palm strike caught Dolman flush, followed by a leg kick and a spinning back kick to the body that dropped him to one knee again. The referee began the count, and Dolman barely beat it at nine. Takada was now leading 4-1 on points. Undeniably exhausted and low on gas, Dolman tried to bull forward once more, but Takada side-stepped and landed a sharp liver kick that folded the big man again. The crowd reacted with a roar as Dolman collapsed for the fifth time. Soranaka waved it off at 15:04. Takada jumped on the nearest turnbuckle to celebrate with his adoring fans. Dolman was attended to by fellow countrymen who were acting as his cornermen. It was a decisive victory for Takada, and Dolman would need to go back to the drawing board. Takada defeats Dolman via TKO, 15:04.

Akira Maeda vs Masakatsu Funaki

Masakatsu Funaki was finally getting a chance against the top dog in the promotion. After two years of cementing himself as perhaps the best young talent in the promotion, Funaki was eager to score a huge upset tonight and make a statement about the future of the promotion. Maeda, as composed and commanding as ever, took his time in the ring, soaking in the atmosphere in Sendai, while Funaki bowed respectfully before pacing to his corner, his eyes locked forward. Masami Soranaka did the opening pre-match checks before calling for the bell. The early stages reflected an early measured approach from both. Funaki opened with a few low kicks that landed cleanly but without full commitment, likely testing Maeda’s reactions. Maeda answered with a heavy inside kick of his own and a straight palm strike that backed Funaki up early. The first significant exchange came around the four-minute mark, when Funaki slipped under a palm thrust and caught Maeda’s hips for a takedown, but Maeda widened his base and used an overhook to block the entry before dragging Funaki into a standing clinch. A capture suplex attempt from Maeda was stuffed, and the crowd responded with polite applause at the evenly matched exchange. Maeda eventually grounded Funaki off a low single and quickly locked on a heel hook, forcing Funaki to stretch for the ropes for his first rope break. A few moments later, Maeda absorbed a hard body kick and returned fire with a thunderous German suplex, drawing the first knockdown of the bout after Funaki took a bit longer than necessary to respond to Soranaka’s ten count.

Funaki, now trailing by a point, didn’t let the setback affect him. In fact, it seemed to fire him up. After the reset, he came forward more assertively, landing a clean left palm strike and following with a high kick that partially connected with Maeda’s shoulder. Funaki then tried to close the distance for a throw, but Maeda countered with a short belly-to-belly suplex and floated into side control. Funaki squirmed and found a gap to spin into Maeda’s legs, threatening a kneebar of his own, which Maeda had to defend by scooting toward the ropes, prompting a clean break. The bout continued to escalate as both men exchanged kicks at mid-range, with Funaki now showing less hesitation in the pocket. Maeda tried to slow him down with body punches, but Funaki darted in with a jumping palm strike and landed flush, wobbling Maeda and earning a knockdown of his own. Maeda seemed a bit shocked and quickly got back up to beat the ten count. The Sendai crowd perked up, sensing a shift. With the match tied at 1-1 and past the ten-minute mark, the pace quickened. Funaki surprised Maeda with a waistlock takedown and immediately attacked the arm for a juji-gatame, but Maeda postured up and powered out with his legs before settling into top control. A clever leg entanglement allowed Funaki to scramble back to his feet, and he landed a spinning back kick to the ribs that caused Maeda to take a step back. Funaki pressed forward, but a momentary lapse allowed Maeda to catch him coming in with a sharp palm strike and a quick side suplex that earned a second knockdown. Funaki had to gather himself before responding to Soranaka’s count, but he did not seem to be in imminent danger.

Now trailing 2-1 in knockdowns, Funaki still showed no signs of folding. He picked up the urgency and began peppering Maeda with palm strikes to force openings, then tried to shoot in for a low single again. Maeda sprawled and transitioned to a front facelock, but Funaki spun free and nearly trapped Maeda’s leg on the scramble. Maeda escaped, but Funaki stayed on him and managed to score with a flush mid-kick that drew another knockdown, tying the match 2-2. Maeda collapsed to the mat as the Miyagi Sports Center was rocking with thunder.  The crowd cheered as Funaki adjusted his wrist tape, looking sharp and locked in. Maeda, meanwhile, appeared slightly frustrated at the young man’s resilience. A stiff exchange of kicks followed, with both men digging deep, but it was Maeda who finally broke the deadlock with another suplex, this time a high-arching German that spiked Funaki hard on his shoulders for the third knockdown. The pace slowed slightly from there as fatigue set in, but Maeda stayed in control. Funaki managed one more strong sequence, catching Maeda with a spinning back kick and diving into a double wristlock attempt, only for Maeda to inch toward the ropes and force a break. With Maeda already exhausting a rope break from earlier, the match was now tied 3-3 on points. On the restart, Maeda landed a hard palm strike and another low kick that forced Funaki to dig in to remain on his feet. Funaki seemed hurt, and Maeda moved in for the kill. The finish came moments later, when Funaki got caught in the clinch, followed by a lightning-quick Capture Suplex. Maeda quickly went for the pinfall attempt, and Masami Soranaka initiated the count. 1…2….3!!!! Despite a very commendable effort from Funaki, Maeda secured the victory and fended off a huge upset. Maeda defeats Funaki via pinfall, 20:19

After the match, Maeda celebrates, but not before counseling Funaki and congratulating him on the hard-fought match. Funaki makes his way back as Maeda is given his moment to shine. The crowd chants for Maeda as the WOWOW commentary crew recaps the events of the evening. Before signing off, they hype up the upcoming Anniversary show, which will take place July 27th at the Yokohama Arena. They also officially announced UWF's debut show in Brazil, which will take place on August 16th at the Ginásio Gilberto Cardoso in Rio de Janeiro. They tell the fans to stay tuned for match announcements next week. They also confirm the opening round of the UWF U-COSMOS tournament will take place on August 30th at the Nippon Budokan in Tokyo. The commentators sign off, and we get the rolling credits set to highlights from the evening, as Tom Petty's "I Won't Back Down" plays.

[Autistic Dragon]

I am forever amazed at how you can, each and every time, write an entire card and give every match a full, detailed description. The best I can do most times is a describe the finishing sequence.

[spaldoni]

I agree with AD. The match descriptions are incredibly detailed oriented and well written. I can easily visualize all the action going on. 

Nagai sure got a welcoming tonight. 

Taira edges one out with a nice submission move at the end 

Damn, that was an awesome flurry at the end by Nakano 

Vrij sure knocked the wind out of Anjo 

Nakamura took a devastating liver shot. Those will put you down. Big win for Hug 

Wow the youngster Ogawa plays it cool and upsets Onita 

Han's one of my favorites here. Always good to see him get the win. He's got some serious momentum going 

Whoa, Takada gave Dolman a pounding. I'm sure the media will be talking about that 

Props to Funaki for a great showing against one of the best. Maeda pulls it out in dramatic fashion. 

 

 

 

 

[kevinmcfl]

As the others said, amazing job with the write-ups of each match.  Thanks for all the hard work.

I think I am finally getting the feel of the UWF as I am starting to have some confidence with my picks before I read the match, especially as we get to the matches later in the card.  

[LowBlowPodcast]

The vibe is intense, with that gritty shoot-style feel and the sold-out Miyagi Sports Center crowd going wild. Maeda and Funaki’s main event is a banger

[Control21]

Quote

July 14^th, 1990

UWF held a press conference this week to confirm the card for the upcoming 2^nd anniversary show on July 27^th. Satoru Sayama vs Tatsumi Fujinami will be the main event, with the Undisputed World Heavyweight Title on the line. Aleksandr Karelin vs Bob Backlund was also confirmed, with both men present at the press conference for a contract signing. Both men promised to have the best match on the card, with Backlund saying he’s been waiting to get his hands on Karelin for a long time. Backlund talked a lot about how he was getting older and that Karelin was entering his prime, but he had one thing Karelin didn’t have – pedigree inside the squared circle. Backlund promised to win the match for America and called it perhaps the biggest match of his career. Karelin was calm and collected, and called Backlund a worthy opponent, but he was certain he would come out of the match as the victor. Nobuhiko Takada and Akira Maeda also signed the contracts for their match, which is almost certain to be another classic as well. Other matches confirmed include the decider for the new tag team championship between the Koslowski brothers and the team of Victor Zangiev and Salman Hashimikov, along with Ahmed Johnson vs Dick Vrij and Naoya Ogawa vs Yoshiaki Fujiwara.

Before the press conference, UWF was already generating headlines with news of their upcoming August event in Brazil. Apparently, the event planning has captured the attention of the renowned Gracie clan in Brazil, who are famous for popularizing the martial art of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Rickson Gracie, who has had a bit of a rivalry with Marco Ruas over whether or not BJJ was superior to Luta Livre, called the UWF event a “circus” and said that Marco Ruas was dishonoring the country by participating in a “fake” sport. The Brazilian media has been largely silent on the nature of professional wrestling while promoting the event, but Gracie’s comments have caused a few waves. Marco Ruas seems to be ignoring Rickson, and the UWF office has not responded either. Rickson said that he might show up to the event, which would be a bold move. Rickson’s statement has attracted some attention and derision in some media outlets in Brazil, but Rickson also has his fair share of supporters who think the UWF show is disgracing the combat sports community in the country.

A few more Brazilians have been confirmed for the show, which will take place in Rio de Janeiro. Murilo Bustamante and Wallid Ismail, who have trained under Marco Ruas, will be participating in some fashion. Paulo César da Silva, the 7’2 former basketball player and Olympian, will also be in a match. The winner of the upcoming Sayama/Fujinami match this month is expected to wrestle Marco Ruas in the main event for the title. UWF also hopes to have Aleksandr Karelin at the event as well. In fact, rumors are circulating in certain Brazilian press outlets that the UWF plans on having a contingent of their Soviet wrestlers at the event, in case things go “sideways” with the Gracies. There is some real concern that the Gracies could provoke a riot or cause security issues, and UWF officials will be monitoring the situation in the coming weeks, although there is no real concern that the event will need to be postponed or canceled. The UWF is expected to hold a press conference next month in August that will further promote the event to both the Japanese and Brazilian press.