UWF Newborn

[Control21]

UWF Newborn – “UWF ’91 2nd”

March 29^th, 1991

Sapporo, Japan

Nakajima Sports Center

Attendance: 5,200 (sold out)

Broadcast: WOWOW (live)

Mitsuya Nagai vs Koji Kanemoto - 15:00 draw

A testy match between two promising young lions went back and forth, and both Nagai and Kanemoto had moments that looked like they were on the verge of victory, but neither could finish the job before the 15:00 time limit expired. Nagai and Kanemoto continue to look promising in their development.

Billy Scott def. Koichiro Kimura via submission (cross-armbreaker), 12:32

The young American seemed very sharp in his match against Kimura, another talented young lion from the latest UWF dojo class. Kimura appeared dangerous at times, but Billy Scott seemed prepared and held out until he managed to snag a cross-armbreaker dead center in the ring. 

Jerry Flynn/Steve Nelson def. Yusuke Fuke/Tatsuo Nakano via knockout, 15:11

Flynn and Nelson secured a solid win over the experienced duo of Nakano and Fuke. The Americans have continued their development, with Flynn looking dangerous with his range and striking ability. Nelson was formidable on the mat, showing off his wrestling skills against Fuke, pushing the latter to the limit. Nakano appeared to get the upper hand in the second half, but Nakano was caught square on by a high kick from Flynn, giving the Americans a well-earned victory in a tough match. 

Masaaki Satake def. Willie Peeters via knockout, 13:44

Satake, who recently joined the UWF roster from the kickboxing/karate circuit, was a very tough opponent for the fiery Willie Peeters, who was eager to impress after a promising run in the Netherlands under Chris Dolman's tutelage. The two engaged in a very hot, hard-hitting match that got the Sapporo crowd rocking at times. Both secured numerous knockdowns, but it was Satake who got the victory after hitting Peeters with a devastating combo.

World Tag Team Championship:

Dennis Koslowski/Duane Koslowski(c) def. Minoru Suzuki/Masakatsu Funaki via pinfall, 17:56

The reigning Tag Team champions earned another successful defense of their championship after Masakatsu Funaki and Minoru Suzuki both pushed them to their limits. The Koslowski brothers were threatened several times throughout the match, and Masakatsu Funaki looked like he was going to continue his hot streak by nearly putting away Duane Koslowski with a well-timed kneebar. Ultimately, the Americans rallied, and Dennis Koslowski hit Minoru Suzuki with a huge suplex and a pinning combination to earn the victory. Masakatsu Funaki did not look happy with his partner after the match.

Atsushi Onita def. Yoshiaki Fujiwara via submission (knee scissors), 18:02

Onita would not be denied against the UWF veteran, but Fujiwara made him work for it. The two engaged in one of the best matches of the night, with brilliant matwork and strategy on display. Fujiwara appeared to be on the verge of victory with a Fujiwara Armbar, but Onita fought out of it and launched a brilliant comeback to secure the win. Fujiwara congratulated Onita on his well-earned victory. Perhaps this will be Onita's year?

Volk Han def. Tatsumi Fujinami via submission (cross heel hold), 17:15

In a bit of an upset (but not to those who are Volk Han fans), the Dagestani SAMBO specialist made Fujinami tap to the surprise of the fans in Sapporo. Volk had to work extra hard and was down to his last point with Fujinami leading as well, but Volk pulled another rabbit out of his hat with a stunning takedown that led to a cross heel hold. Fujinami fought to get to the ropes, but Volk held on, and Fujinami tapped. Fujinami's masterful catch wrestling was on display, but Volk's SAMBO magic was just too much to deal with.

Nobuhiko Takada def. Naoya Ogawa via pinfall, 16:21

In another closely fought bout, the young Judo prodigy nearly caught Takada with an almost perfect STO, but Takada kicked out at the last second to launch a comeback. With both wrestlers tied on 3 points each, it looked like Ogawa was on the edge of a breakthrough, but he needed more to put away Takada down the stretch. Takada's striking seemed to be a major factor here, and Ogawa struggled throughout with his defense against Takada's timing. Takada hit Ogawa with a combination of high kicks before a bridging German Suplex put Ogawa down for good. Takada congratulated Ogawa on the well-fought match. Ogawa will be back for more, that's for sure.

Akira Maeda def. Salman Hashimikov via submission (kneebar), 15:50

Salman Hashimikov was eager to get revenge for Karelin from last December, when Maeda triumphed over the Soviet machine to win the U-COSMOS Grand Prix. Maeda was game, though, and despite Salman Hashimikov working his tail off against the reigning Undisputed World Heavyweight champion, the reigning champion was just too good. Hashimikov was impressive at times, defending well against Maeda's strikes and posing a huge threat on the mat with sharp wrestling and matwork. Maeda came away with the victory after catching Hashimikov with a Capture Suplex that sent the Sapporo fans into a frenzy. Maeda quickly followed up with a kneebar to make the Soviet wrestler tap.

 

News and Notes:

- UWF announced a brand new dojo class for 1991, and they will begin training shortly. Among names mentioned are: Yoshihiro Takayama, Yoshihisa Yamamoto, Sanae Kikuta, Yuki Ishikawa, Hiromitsu Kanehara, and Masakazu Maeda (no relation to Akira Maeda). This is UWF's largest dojo class yet, and there is a ton of excitement over the talent now working hard in the dojo. It is hoped some debuts will occur later this year. (Baseball Magazine)

- Lou Thesz announced he will be taking a scouting trip to the US this spring. It is expected that Thesz will be attending the NCAA wrestling championships to look for potential talent to add to UWF's growing American roster. (Tokyo Sports)

- UWF's next event will be on April 26th in Hiroshima. (Tokyo Sports)

- More on the strange story about Oleg Taktarov and the finish with Gerard Gordeau from UWF's February event in Amsterdam. Apparently, Taktarov was annoyed with Gerard Gordeau's antics and wanted to give the "cheapshot artist" a taste of his own medicine. He was invited to the show after a UWF scout noticed him at an underground NHB event in the Soviet Union. The Dutch were apparently livid with how Taktarov handled himself and nearly caused a huge brawl backstage, but Chris Dolman managed to calm things down. UWF officials were very high on Taktarov, but it remains to be seen whether or not Taktarov will be invited back to the promotion after nearly causing an international incident. (Wrestling Observer)

- Potential departures are expected soon from the UWF. The UWF front office is apparently looking to downsize to a degree while moving further away from pro-wrestling elements. (Wrestling Observer)

- UWF plans to do another overseas summer event, with Moscow and a return to Brazil both in contention. Lou Thesz is also pushing for American UWF shows, but there is skepticism that the American audience would be open to UWF's style. (Wrestling Observer) 

- UWF officials are apparently keeping an eye on AJPW's continued success with Misawa and Kobashi both becoming prominent players over the past year. AJPW sold out Nippon Budokan earlier in January, which marks their 5th consecutive sellout in the venue. (Wrestling Observer)

 

 

 

[ErictheDragon]

Lots happening behind the scenes in the UWF. Hope Thez can convince the others to come to the states.

[Control21]

News & Notes (3/30-4/3/1991)

Lou Thesz has reportedly returned to Japan following his scouting trip during the NCAA Wrestling Championships, which were held from 3/14 to 3/16. Thesz also made visits to several US wrestling events afterward, which were being held to help determine qualifiers for the 1991 World Championships to be held later this year. Thesz met with UWF officials to discuss his findings. Reportedly, Thesz was very excited about some of the leads he gathered. Sources close to UWF are keeping very mum about details, apparently out of fear that US promotions could hamper their recruitment efforts. (Wrestling Observer, 4/2/1991)

Some sources have speculated that UWF could be targeting several names from an increasingly dynamic generation of American amateur wrestlers. Lou Thesz is still a widely respected name in amateur circles, and with the success of Duane and Dennis Koslowski in the UWF, UWF officials apparently hoped they could find receptive ears. However, one source seemed skeptical that the UWF would see much success in recruiting anyone with the Olympics coming up. Despite the success of the Koslowskis, which hasn't gone unnoticed in American wrestling circles, most young American amateur wrestlers want to chase their dreams in the Olympics, and a transition to pro wrestling straight out of college is very rare. (Wrestling Observer, 4/2/1991)

With the help of Akira Maeda's connections in the Soviet Republic of Georgia, UWF has reportedly signed Zaza Tkeshelashvili. Zaza apparently impressed during a trial held for potential prospects. Zaza has a background in both amateur wrestling and SAMBO, and some have compared him to a more raw version of Volk Han. (Tokyo Sports, 4/1/1991)

Oleg Taktarov, despite controversy during his match in the Netherlands in February, will be making an appearance this month for the next UWF event in Hiroshima. Taktarov reportedly apologized to UWF officials, and members of the UWF Soviet camp pushed for the avoidance of any sanctions. Despite the controversy, Taktarov is seen as a great talent for the future. (Baseball Magazine, 4/2/1991)

Akira Maeda has accepted a challenge from Maurice Smith for a match this month in Hiroshima. Maurice Smith scored a big win over Peter Smit in a kickboxing event held in Tokyo, and fans have been clamoring for a match between the two striking specialists since. It will reportedly be a title match. (Weekly Pro Wrestling, 4/3/1991)

[ErictheDragon]

I really like these news updates. Helps push stories along and keeps the rest of us updated in the absence of a weekly TV show.

[spaldoni]

Jerry Flynn's name looks to be on the rise 

The Koslowskis have an iron grip on the tag titles. I could see them main eventing a show in the near future. 

I agree, this might be Onita's year. 

Han getting a submission win over Fujinami is a big deal. 

I would love to see a Takada/Ogawa rematch 

Big title defense for Maeda. No wonder this event sold out. 

I love the behind the scenes news especially getting more insight on the near riot. Very interesting. 

[Control21]

 

Doing a little experimentation...

[Control21]

Card Announcement:

UWF Newborn – “Battle Dimension: Hiroshima”

April 26^th, 1991

Hiroshima, Japan

Hiroshima Prefectural Gymnasium

Koji Kanemoto vs Mitsuya Nagai

Willie Peeters vs Grom Zaza

Chris Benoit vs Shigeo Miyato

Wayne Shamrock vs Dave Taylor

Manabu Yamada/Yusuke Fuke vs Masahito Kakihara/Masaaki Satake

Oleg Taktarov vs Andrei Kopylov

Kazuo Yamazaki/Kiyoshi Tamura vs Victor Zangiev/Salman Hashimikov

Masakatsu Funaki vs Minoru Suzuki

Undisputed World Heavyweight Title:

Akira Maeda(c) vs Maurice Smith

 

[Control21]

UWF Newborn – “Battle Dimension: Hiroshima”

April 26^th, 1991

Hiroshima, Japan

Hiroshima Prefectural Gymnasium

Attendance: 8,500 (sold out)

Broadcast: WOWOW (live)

Koji Kanemoto vs Mitsuya Nagai

In another spirited contest between the two highly rated young lions, Kanemoto and Nagai pushed each other to a time limit draw once again. Kanemoto gained control of the match early, forcing Nagai to the ropes several times. Nagai then responded with a quick knockdown of his own. The pace settled down, and the two wrestlers engaged in a war of attrition. Neither could find a breakthrough, but both displayed a ton of promise once again. 15:00 draw

Willie Peeters vs Grom Zaza

The highly touted Georgian representative of UWF's Soviet branch debuted in shiny red trunks and blue boots, and he immediately took the Dutchman in a colorful singlet to task by throwing his opponent's defenses off with wild entries and unorthodox striking patterns. The Georgian showed off his throwing abilities by catching Peeters with several Chidaoba-inspired moves that wowed the fans in attendance. Peeters managed to get back into the match by being more selective in his striking, eventually getting Zaza down for a knockdown. Peeters, realizing Zaza was the better grappler on the mat, opted to try and keep things standing, and eventually built up a 2-1 lead on points through another knockdown after several sharp kicks to Zaza's abdomen. The Georgian responded by gaining a sense of Peeter's timing, which eventually led to a shoot variant of a backbody drop suplex and an inverted STF for a submission victory. Zaza defeats Peeters via submission (inverted STF), 10:09

Chris Benoit vs Shigeo Miyato

Benoit's highly anticipated return to the UWF was a success, with the Canadian grappler showcasing why exactly he is one of the pure submission wrestlers of his generation in North America. Benoit did not appear troubled by Miyato's desire to take the match to the mat at first, and was right at home in utilizing counterwork and defensive wrestling to ward off Miyato's activity in hunting for submissions early. When Miyato realized that Benoit needed to be tested with striking, Benoit defended well and showcased improved striking defense compared to his earlier UWF run a year and a half ago. Miyato eventually found success, but Benoit had already built up a 2-1 lead on points through energetic takedowns and smart mat wrestling that led to several ropebreaks. Miyato settled into his own strategy on the mat, but Benoit had a desire to win tonight that couldn't be denied. After Miyato attempted a high kick, Benoit blocked it and turned it into a sharp heel hook for the finish. Benoit defeats Miyato via submission (heel hook), 11:11

Wayne Shamrock vs Dave Taylor

Wayne Shamrock was looking to build up a nice win streak against Dave Taylor, who proved to be a formidable opponent for the stronger Shamrock by using unorthodox catch wrestling skills to unbalance the American and bring him down to the mat. Shamrock took his time to adjust, but once he did, it seemed inevitable that he would come out as the winner. Shamrock's strength advantage led to several punishing suplexes that seemed to throw Taylor off his game, with one of them leading to a knockdown count by the referee. The 1-0 lead on points that Taylor built up through rope breaks earlier in the match was eliminated, and Shamrock eventually found himself cruising with a 3-1 lead on points. Taylor did his best to keep pace with the American, but Shamrock's suplex ability was the key factor as he did enough to wear down the creative British wrestler. A bridging Dragon Suplex was enough to put Taylor away with a pinfall. Shamrock defeats Taylor via pinfall, 11:04

Manabu Yamada & Yusuke Fuke vs Masahito Kakihara & Masaaki Satake

This match was somewhat of a style clash, with the team of Yamada and Fuke excelling in grappling while Kakihara and Satake were more interested in showing off their striking skills. Satake, in particular, was impressive in the early stages of the match, scoring knockdowns on both Fuke and Yamada. Kakihara was also sharp and managed to threaten a third successive knockdown before Fuke reversed a flurry of kicks into a clever heel takedown, followed by a rear-naked choke attempt. Kakihara escaped by grabbing the ropes, but Yamada and his partner continued to apply more pressure whenever Kakihara was in the ring, knowing Satake was the more dangerous striker. Fuke and Yamada were cautious in dealing with him, preferring to weather the storm instead of trying to press and create openings. It was enough, as Yamada managed to get another point off Kakihara later in the match. Satake continued to be dangerous, but his effectiveness decreased over time. By picking their spots, Fuke and Yamada utilized an effective strategy. By the 15:00 mark, Kakihara was being picked on by a rapid tag strategy, and Yamada scored a spinning backfist that caught Kakihara by surprise, resulting in a knockdown that Kakihara couldn't recover from in time. Fuke & Yamada defeat Kakihara & Satake via KO, 15:23

Oleg Taktarov vs Andrei Kopylov

After an interesting debut in Amsterdam, Taktarov was ready for the big time and was anxious to prove it against his compatriot, Andrei Kopylov. Kopylov was more familiar with the UWF setting, and this was apparent early as Taktarov struggled with his timing, with his Soviet partner effectively controlling the match. Taktarov grew into things as time went on, but Kopylov was more active and confident, leading to more rope breaks in his favor. Taktarov's advantages came from his relentlessness, and his pressure eventually created more openings as he exchanged SAMBO-flavored takedowns with Kopylov. Eventually, the match picked up the pace as both wrestlers demonstrated their high-level grappling abilities and SAMBO knowledge with beautiful mat wrestling and creative throws. Kopylov was seemingly more agile despite the relative similarities in size and build, but this didn't deter Taktarov from using a few clever counters to get his way. Both men were eventually tied 2-2 on points, and Taktarov looked more dangerous towards the end. However, Kopylov used his veteran experience in UWF to navigate the increasing pressure of live combat more effectively. A lazy, mistimed leg kick check from Taktarov gave Kopylov the ability to snag a takedown, and he used it to lock in a painful kneebar. Taktarov was nowhere near the ropes and had to tap. Despite the loss, Taktarov did gain a few new fans and looked dangerous. He will have another opportunity soon. Kopylov defeats Taktarov via submission (kneebar), 12:17

Kazuo Yamazaki & Kiyoshi Tamura vs Victor Zangiev & Salman Hashimikov

Both teams were evenly matched, with the wrestling ability of the Soviet duo being countered by the striking and agility of Tamura and Yamazaki. The youthful Tamura was particularly impressive here in all aspects, and Yamazaki showcased both intelligence and wit that gave the Soviets fits at times. Hashimikov was growing more frustrated and tired the longer the match went, and Zangiev started to have some trouble with defending the relentless striking from Tamura and Yamazaki. With both teams tied 2-2 on points, Yamazaki impressed the fans by reversing a Zangiev clinch attempt into a beautiful German suplex. The Soviet wrestler was stunned, and Yamazaki applied a cross-armbreaker for the submission victory. Another frustrating defeat for Hashimikov and Zangiev, and they slip down the tag rankings as Tamura and Yamazaki rise. Tamura & Yamazaki defeat Hashimikov & Zangiev via submission (cross-armbreaker), 14:53

Masakatsu Funaki vs Minoru Suzuki

While these two wrestled together in a few tag team matches over the past year, the rivalry between the two was always apparent. Sporting alliances can only paper over the cracks of personal differences. With a semi-main event billing as well, both wrestlers were even more determined to make a statement tonight. This match was frantic and full of energy from the start. Funaki and Suzuki traded wild opening strikes and engaged in energetic mat wrestling that constantly kept the crowd vocally engaged. With a few lulls to reset the pace and catch their breath with patient mat wrestling, the two constantly kept their foot on the gas pedal. Funaki seemed more dangerous at first, but Suzuki caught his opponent by surprise a few times with violent suplexes and submission wrestling that bordered on psychotic. Suzuki forced Funaki to the ropes a few times with unexpected counterwork and targeted submissions that caught him and the crowd by surprise. Funaki had to reset quickly and caught his opponent with a furious palm strike combo that resulted in a knockdown to even things up again. 

Neither Suzuki nor Funaki was willing to give an inch, even if it meant taking a beating. The two continued to trade striking combos and mat takedowns. What seemed like a sub-10-minute sprint turned into a 20-minute slugfest in no time, and the quality or energy levels did not change one bit. With both tied 3-3 on points, Funaki blocked a palm strike from Suzuki and countered with a clinched knee strike that caught Suzuki dead in the face, resulting in some blood coming from his mouth. Suzuki somehow managed to beat the ten-count, though, and found a way to close the distance with Funaki. Suzuki attempted to work for a German suplex, but Funaki countered and cradled Suzuki into the mat for a sudden pinning combination. Suzuki was caught by surprise and couldn't kick out in time. The fans in the arena went crazy as Funaki scored the victory in an incredible match. Suzuki might have lost tonight, but it also could be a turning point for him. Funaki defeats Suzuki via pinfall, 22:04

Akira Maeda vs Maurice Smith

With the Undisputed World Heavyweight title on the line, Maeda was in top form. Maurice Smith chose to forego his kickboxing gloves and opted to fight Maeda mano-a-mano, perhaps to show that he was becoming a full-blown UWF wrestler who didn't need kickboxing gear to win a match. Maeda was happy to oblige, and the two traded some thunderous kicks in the opening minutes to set the tone. Maeda knew his American foe was still lacking grappling skills despite some improvement, and he chose to exploit this weakness by luring Maurice Smith to throw more strikes, which he countered to create more takedown opportunities. Maurice Smith defended well at first on the mat, but Maeda was clearly the superior grappler and quickly built up a 1-0 lead after two quick forced ropebreaks. Smith tried to score a quick knockdown afterward, but Maeda showcased his own dangerous kicking skills to send Smith to the mat again, this time with a knockdown. While any other opponent might have started to slide here, Smith demonstrated his grit and skill by remaining in the match. Still dangerous, Smith caught Maeda with a sudden palm strike that he used to unload a kicking combo that finally sent Maeda to the mat for the first time. After beating the ten-count, Maeda continued to face renewed pressure from Smith. Smith would find more luck in trying to counter Maeda's timing, and soon scored another knockdown to even things up at 2-2 on points. 

Smith was growing in confidence and appeared more dangerous, but Maeda went back to his game plan instead of trying to engage in an extended striking battle with Smith. Maeda picked his spots more cautiously and found ways to get the American to the mat again. Smith continued to attempt to defend himself on the canvas. Maeda remained patient and started to wear down his opponent by forcing him to spend more time defending and moving on the mat. This proved to be punishing for the American, and it wore down his defense as the match continued. Smith found a moment of luck when he caught Maeda with a high kick that seemed to stun the defending champion, but Maeda found a way to stay on his feet. He caught Smith's next kick and turned it into a Capture Suplex. Maeda took Smith's back afterward and secured a rear-naked choke. Smith would have no escape this time.  Maeda defeats Smtih via submission (rear-naked choke), 16:39

 

News and Notes -

Antonio Inoki sent intermediaries to Tatsumi Fujinami's camp to inquire about a return to New Japan, but this proposal was swiftly turned down. (Gong Magazine, 4/20/1991)

UWF sold 8,500 tickets for their event in Hiroshima. This exceeds their previous total of 5,180 at the same venue last year. The city has recently expanded the arena's capacity, allowing UWF to sell more tickets. (Gong Magazine, 4/20/1991)

UWF officials are discussing a "Next Generation" 8-man tournament this summer. The goal is reportedly to showcase younger talents and give them a launching pad to gain momentum. The tournament could start in June and end in August, but nothing is set yet. (Tokyo Sports, 4/22/1991)

Chris Benoit is expected to return to the UWF at Hiroshima this week to begin his excursion for the rest of the year from the WWF. Benoit is said to be very excited about coming back, as he is a big fan of the UWF style and wants to improve his ability as a submission wrestler even more. (Wrestling Observer, 4/23/1991)

The declining political situation in the Soviet Union is making a return to the country increasingly unlikely this summer, and UWF officials are looking closer at a return to Brazil instead. Nothing is set yet, although UWF officials want to continue their trend of summer international shows to further their international expansion. (Wrestling Observer, 4/23/1991)

We haven't been able to get any further information on Lou Thesz's recruitment efforts in the United States since the last update. He flew back to the United States to resume talks with some of his contacts before returning to Japan to be present at this week's event. (Wrestling Observer, 4/23/1991)

UWF will hold its next event in Nagoya on May 29th. Several names are being discussed for Maeda's next opponent, including Volk Han. (Wrestling Observer, 4/23/1991)

[spaldoni]

Loved that magazine cover

The young lions once again excel on the UWF platform 

Pretty damn good debut for Zaza 

Benoit impresses in his much anticipated return 

When Shamrock goes into suplex mode he's pretty much unstoppable 

Fuke and Yamada rise in the tag rankings. Those spinning backfists are brutal 

Kopylov's experience is the deciding factor 

Tamura and Yamazaki score a major win over the Russians and might've earned themselves a title shot 

Funaki defeats Suzuki in a show stealing thriller 

Smith had his working boots on but Maeda locked in at the end to retain 

Oh man, I hope Han gets that title match with Maeda next month 

It seems attendance is rapidly rising. It's been a blast watching this promotion grow into something big. 

[Control21]

News & Notes (4/27-5/1/1991)

UWF's event in Hiroshima last week sold out with an attendance of 8,500 in the newly expanded prefectural gymnasium. The main event, featuring Akira Maeda and Maurice Smith, was said to be quite good from those in attendance, but the show stealer seemed to be the match between Minoru Suzuki and Masakatsu Funaki. Some are calling it a match of the year contender, and there's been a lot of talk in the Japanese press already about how both should receive title shots soon. It's not clear that it will happen this year, but both wrestlers are quickly becoming the primary challengers to the throne. Chris Benoit also made his return to the promotion with a good win over Shigeo Miyato. I would be surprised if Kazuo Yamazaki and Kiyoshi Tamura don't receive a tag title shot against the Koslowski brothers after their win as well, and that should happen at the anniversary event later this summer. (Wrestling Observer, 4/30/1991)

Oleg Taktarov looked impressive in his debut, and it seems like UWF officials have moved past the incident in Amsterdam, where he nearly caused a riot. It seems natural to me that UWF would follow up with a Taktarov-Dutch feud, at least if they can avoid the guys killing each other in the middle of the ring. (Wrestling Observer, 4/30/1991)

Akira Maeda and Dick Vrij are set for a title bout clash at the next UWF event in Nagoya on May 29th. Contracts will be signed next week at a press conference. Akira Maeda personally requested the match after his win over Maurice Smith. Dick Vrij has impressed UWF representatives by beating a few ranked kickboxers in Europe. Future opponents will likely include Volk Han, who is also in line for a title shot based on UWF's rankings. (Tokyo Sports, 4/28/1991

Lou Thesz will be holding important meetings in the United States later this month as he continues his recruitment efforts inside American amateur wrestling circles. Contacts in the UWF remain confident that the efforts will produce several new signings. Thesz wants the recruits to go through the UWF dojo system instead of debuting right away, and they will be given good salaries if they choose to sign. (Weekly Pro Wrestling, 4/29/1991)

It is all but certain that UWF will be holding a "New Generation" tournament this summer, with the 8-man tournament starting in June. Names are being discussed, but it is likely that Minoru Suzuki, Kiyoshi Tamura, Masakatsu Funaki, and Wayne Shamrock will be the first entrants. (Gong Magazine, 4/29/1991)

[Control21]

Card Announcement:

UWF Newborn - "Battle Dimension: Nagoya"

May 29th, 1991

Nagoya, Japan

Tsuyuhashi Sports Center

Steve Nelson vs Billy Scott

Koji Kanemoto vs Koichi Kimura

Chris Benoit vs Tatsuo Nakano

Masahito Kakihara vs Eric Edelenbos

Kiyoshi Tamura & Kazuo Yamazaki vs Joe Malenko & Erik Paulson

Satoru Sayama & Atsushi Onita vs Naoya Ogawa & Tatsumi Fujinami

Wayne Shamrock vs Yoshiaki Fujiwara

Nobuhiko Takada vs Volk Han

Undisputed World Heavyweight Title:

Akira Maeda(c) vs Dick Vrij

[Control21]

UWF Newborn – “Battle Dimension: Nagoya”

May 29^th, 1991

Nagoya, Japan

Tsuyuhashi Sports Center

Attendance: 5,000 (sold out)

Broadcast: WOWOW (taped)

Steve Nelson vs Billy Scott

The two American young lions met once again, and although Steve Nelson got a bit more offense in than usual, Billy Scott held his ground and showcased his defensive wrestling abilities. Scott never lost control of the match despite an impressive effort from Nelson. Nelson, in particular, was very dangerous when it came to his suplexes, but Scott did well to survive the initial efforts before figuring out how to reverse one into a double wristlock. Nelson was caught by surprise and had to tap with no ropes in sight. Scott defeats Nelson via submission (double wristlock), 8:57

Koji Kanemoto vs Koichiro Kimura

Koji Kanemoto is still quite raw, but the improvement he has made since his debut has been noticeable. Kimura was very conservative in his approach during the match, and this enabled Kanemoto to take some risks offensively. Kimura seemingly preferred to wrestle on the counter, and Kanemoto was happy to oblige. By controlling the tempo, Kanemoto found his comfort zone more easily than Kimura did, especially as he softened up his opponent with low kicks that frustrated Kimura more and more. While Kimura hoped to recover some momentum on the mat, Kanemoto was quite game and knew how to navigate Kimura’s attempts at more methodical grappling, and even found ways to quicken the pace by energetically moving from hold to hold. Kimura had plenty to think about in this match, and Kanemoto seemingly wanted to make a statement against a young lion with a similar skillset level. With a comfortable 3-1 lead on points after two quick knockdowns, Kanemoto caught Kimura with a rolling kick and quickly went for a Boston crab to secure the victory. Kanemoto defeats Kimura via submission (Boston crab), 11:21

Chris Benoit vs Tatsuo Nakano

Benoit wanted to continue his impressive streak in UWF, and Nakano would be no slouch. The Canadian grappler had to contend with Nakano’s powerful striking, and had to adapt early after realizing his takedown-centered strategy would have no bearing if he couldn’t defend against Nakano’s relentless palm strikes. Benoit fired some back on his own, but Nakano didn’t seem too bothered. Eventually, Benoit learned a quick lesson after being caught on the counter by one nasty hit from Nakano. Benoit beat the ten-count after being sent to the mat and started gaining a better sense of Nakano’s approach. As a result, Benoit found more luck securing leg takedowns after ducking more palm strikes and started to find success on the mat by attacking Nakano’s legs. Nakano had to burn a few rope breaks to even the match, and a similar theme would continue as Nakano attempted to neutralize Benoit before he could utilize his strengths more and more. While Nakano wasn’t clueless on the canvas, Benoit clearly had the advantage, and his increasing knowledge of catch-as-catch-can paid dividends. After they found themselves tied 2-2 on points, Benoit hit Nakano with a powerful German suplex that he turned into a rear-naked choke. Nakano did well to leverage himself and prevent Benoit from getting all of it, but Benoit was quick and transitioned into a clever pinning combination that kept Nakano’s shoulders on the mat for the three count. Benoit defeats Nakano via pinfall, 13:44

Masahito Kakihara vs Eric Edelenbos

Eric Edelenbos, coming from Chris Dolman’s Amsterdam gym, was a competent striker with decent submission skills, and he would be no pushover for Kakihara. Kakihara learned quickly that the Dutchman was not afraid to go toe-to-toe and offered a similar danger when it came to hard, fast palm strikes. Kakihara had to adjust quickly after suffering an early knockdown and attempted to change the pace of the match by attacking the Dutchman’s legs and going for takedowns. On the mat, Edelenbos was able to handle himself, but Kakihara dictated the tempo and was much better at finding gaps to exploit. Kakihata evened the match up on points after securing several rope breaks from Edelenbos.  Back on their feet, Kakihara gained a better read on Edelenbos and started to threaten the Dutchman more with a variety of kicks and counter palm strikes. The two would trade one more point each after more knockdowns and rope breaks, but Kakihara would eventually find a way to put Edelenbos away for good with a high kick combo that was enough to cause Edelenbos to lose track of where he was, resulting in a full ten count and a KO. Kakihara defeats Edelenbos via KO, 12:03

Kiyoshi Tamura & Kazuo Yamazaki vs Joe Malenko & Erik Paulson

With Tamura and Yamazaki pushing for a tag team title shot, a win here seemed critical. While Malenko and Paulson were not recent UWF regulars, they were still a formidable catch-based duo that presented plenty of danger on the mat. In a sense, this tag team bout turned into a clash between the striking skills of both Yamazaki and Tamura, and the submission-based wrestling of Paulson and Malenko. That is not to say Tamura and Yamazaki lacked abilities on the mat, of course not, but Tamura and Yamazaki knew that the most effective counter to the more methodical grappling of their opponents was to force the tempo with speed and precision. Tamura, in particular, presented a whole bunch of problems as Malenko, and to a lesser extent, Paulson could not effectively counter Tamura’s urgency early on. Yamazaki offered a slight deviation in his ability to frustrate their opponents on the mat with intelligent counter-grappling whenever Malenko or Paulson attempted to slow things down. While Malenko and Paulson managed to secure two points off Tamura and Yamazaki through rope breaks, the Japanese duo never seemed to be in real danger, and they controlled most of the match. A furious stretch from Tamura saw the young sensation knock down both Paulson and Malenko consecutively, and this secured a roaring pop from the audience. Eventually, Yamazaki delivered a powerful side suplex on Joe Malenko and promptly hunted for and secured a cross-armbreaker for the submission victory. Yamazaki & Tamura defeat Malenko & Paulson via submission (cross-armbreaker), 15:17

Satoru Sayama & Atsushi Onita vs Naoya Ogawa & Tatsumi Fujinami

After a bit of a hiatus, Sayama had finally returned to UWF and was hungry to start a new climb to the top. Sayama and Onita's chemistry as a team was an open question heading into this bout. Ogawa and Fujinami were wise to the potential unpredictability of the two, and they worked in fluid tandem to neutralize Sayama whenever he attempted to quicken the pace. Onita’s grappling added a different dimension to his team's offensive game, and this occasionally caught Fujinami off guard when the two shared the mat. Ogawa was the standout performer on his side, using his considerable size and explosive wrestling instincts to give Onita trouble during their exchanges and limit the damage Onita could do with his Luta Livre skills. Sayama, for his part, was at his sharpest when targeting Fujinami's legs, and he managed to force two rope breaks in succession during a particularly sharp stretch of mat wrestling that energized the crowd. Onita's toughness kept his team in contention whenever Ogawa threatened to overwhelm him, absorbing punishment and wearing down the Judo prodigy that prevented Ogawa from ever fully establishing control. With the match tied on points, Sayama and Onita continued to gain momentum with smart tagging that kept both wrestlers fresh. Fujinami was targeted more, and this resulted in Onita gaining the advantage on the mat for the final time. After Fujinami attempted a dragon screw, Onita countered with a guillotine choke. Fujinami was trapped, and any escape seemed impossible. After some reluctance, Fujinami tapped. Onita defeats Fujinami via submission (guillotine choke), 15:01

Wayne Shamrock vs Yoshiaki Fujiwara

Fujiwara's reputation preceded him, and Shamrock knew better than to be drawn into a patient, methodical chess match on the veteran's terms. Shamrock was aggressive from the opening exchange, attempting to use his athleticism and explosive takedowns to prevent Fujiwara from ever settling into a comfortable rhythm. Fujiwara, ever the craftsman, absorbed the early energy with quiet patience, happy to concede the tempo and wait for Shamrock to overcommit. That moment came sooner than Shamrock would have liked, as a rushed single-leg attempt gave Fujiwara the opening he needed to pounce on a wrist and drag Shamrock into a painful arm entanglement that forced the first rope break of the match. Shamrock recalibrated and became notably more measured in his approach, and the match entered a tighter, more competitive phase as both men fought for positional control on the mat. Shamrock's strength and physical gifts made him a genuine handful whenever he secured top position, and he forced rope breaks of his own by threatening Fujiwara with a rear waistlock that he looked to convert into a choke on two separate occasions. But Fujiwara's mat intelligence was always lurking, and the veteran seemed to study every movement Shamrock made with quiet calculation. After a knockdown from a sharp Fujiwara headbutt evened the points at two apiece, Fujiwara baited Shamrock into another aggressive scramble, and this time had a kimura waiting for him. Shamrock seemed trapped, but his athletic abilities and natural strength allowed him to fight out of it. This surprised the crowd quite a bit and got them behind the American as an underdog. Shamrock pulled off the impossible when he captured Fujiwara with a bridging Dragon suplex that suddenly pinned Fujiwara to the mat for a full three count from the referee. The arena exploded as Shamrock secured a stunning upset. The American celebrated by jumping up on the nearest turnbuckle and taking in the raucous ovation. Shamrock defeats Fujiwara via pinfall, 16:22

Nobuhiko Takada vs Volk Han

The crowd was buzzing in anticipation, and the match delivered on every expectation. Han's reputation as one of the most creative submission wrestlers in the world was well established, and Takada had every reason to be wary of the Dagestani’s ability to conjure holds from seemingly impossible positions. Takada's approach was characteristically disciplined. He used measured kicks to establish distance, probing takedown feints to test Han's reactions, and refused to engage on the mat unless the position was clearly in his favor. Han was unhurried and almost hypnotic in the early going, inviting Takada to engage while carefully constructing his own angles. The match's first genuine moment of danger came when Han caught a Takada kick and converted it into a spinning heel hook in one breathtaking motion, forcing Takada to the ropes immediately. From that point on, Takada's striking became more conservative and deliberate, unwilling to offer Han any further invitations. The rope breaks accumulated in both directions as the match found more of a rhythm. Han threatened with an almost endless variety of arm, leg, and neck attacks from improbable positions, while Takada countered with his sharp combination striking whenever he created enough separation to unload.  On the mat, Takada used his veteran knowledge to exploit any undisciplined openings Han left waiting. Two knockdowns apiece brought the match to its peak tension, with the crowd hanging on every scramble. Takada eventually manufactured enough space to land a thunderous high kick that visibly buckled Han, and he rushed in immediately to secure a cross-armbreaker before Han could clear his head. Han was prepared, though, and immediately rolled through, creating momentum to get Takada on his back. In one swift magisterial move, Han turned a potential cross-armbreaker into a cross heel hold that caught Takada completely by surprise. Unable to reach the ropes, Takada chose to tap and concede the victory to an impressive Volk Han. Han defeats Takada via submission (cross heel hold), 16:46

Akira Maeda vs Dick Vrij

The main event brought two of UWF's most physically imposing figures into direct conflict, and the atmosphere in Nagoya was electric. Vrij's elite kickboxing pedigree made him a dangerous striker, and Maeda had no illusions about the punishment he could absorb if he allowed the match to become a pure stand-up exchange. Maeda's early strategy was sensible. He used his grappling range to smother Vrij's kicking game and drag the match toward the mat whenever possible. Vrij, however, was prepared for this approach and displayed impressive takedown defense in the opening minutes, shrugging off Maeda's collar ties and creating enough separation to pepper him with body kicks that started to take a visible toll. Maeda was rocked badly by a clean head kick midway through the match and was fortunate to beat the ten-count, spending the next several minutes in pure survival mode as Vrij smelled blood and pushed the pressure. To his enormous credit, Maeda weathered the storm with grit and ring intelligence, clinching at every opportunity and disrupting Vrij's timing enough to keep himself in the match. As the late rounds wore on and Vrij's output inevitably slowed, Maeda began to reassert himself, shooting for takedowns with more conviction and beginning to find the mat time he had been denied earlier. Vrij was forced to burn rope breaks in quick succession as Maeda hunted for submissions constantly. Vrij was just trying to survive, even if it meant giving up points easily. Eventually, Maeda had built up a 3-1 lead on points. Vrij was still dangerous, but Maeda was clearly in control. With Vrij visibly fatigued and no longer able to generate the same explosive kicking power, Maeda threw a sharp combination and followed a stumbling Vrij directly to the mat, wrapping him up in a rear-naked choke. Vrij struggled powerfully, but the position was locked, and he had no choice but to submit. Maeda defeats Vrij via submission (rear-naked choke), 18:55

News and Notes (5/25-5/29-1991) -

UWF is getting closer to signing several "high-profile" collegiate American wrestling stars after a round of talks led by Lou Thesz in Virginia. Details are still being kept very close to the vest, but one source mentioned that the deals could be finalized and announced as soon as next month. The contracts will be very financially competitive, and the wrestlers will be assigned to the UWF dojo to begin several months of training before their debut. Some details are still being ironed out, including any potential Olympic clauses and compensation if they choose to withdraw from Olympic qualifying. (Wrestling Observer, 5/28/1991)

The "New Generation" eight-man tournament will begin in June. The brackets were announced at a press conference before the upcoming UWF event in Nagoya. First round matches include Masakatsu Funaki vs Manabu Yamada, Kiyoshi Tamura vs Masahito Kakihara, Minoru Suzuki vs Naoya Ogawa, and Wayne Shamrock vs Yusuke Fuke. The winner will receive a cash bonus and a significant boost in the UWF rankings. (Tokyo Sports, 5/24/1991)

Vader could be making his return to the UWF in the near future, as he is interested in renewing his relationship with the promotion in a working arrangement with World Championship Wrestling. With his unfinished business with Akira Maeda, he would seem like a natural opponent for the current world champion at the upcoming anniversary show in July. (Weekly Pro Wrestling, 5/25/1991)

[spaldoni]

Scott's win will generate him some good buzz 

You can definitely see Kanemoto's improvement 

That kick really woke Benoit up. He rebounded well 

That visual of Kakihara's final high kick shows how devasting kicks can be

Tamura and Yamazaki looked incredible tonight. These guys are legit contenders 

Fujinami took an extreme amount of punishment tonight. Onita and Sayama can be considered for a title shot as well 

HUGE win for Shamrock! This catapults him to another level. 

Han and Takada put on a thriller. Nice comeback from Han. 

Vrij gives Maeda an early scare but Maeda shows why he's the champ by remaining calm and steadily wearing Vrij down for the submission. 

Oh man I would love to see Vader and Maeda go at it again!