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! 

 

 

[Control21]

News and Notes (6/1-6/5/1991)

UWF Newborn ran their "Battle Dimension: Nagoya" show on 5/29 at the Tsuyuhashi Sports Center in Nagoya before a sold-out crowd of 5,000, taped for WOWOW. The undercard was largely what you'd expect from this group, with Billy Scott and Steve Nelson opening in a decent enough young lion match, Scott getting the submission win at 8:57. Koji Kanemoto looked improved against Koichiro Kimura, taking the win via Boston crab at 11:21. Chris Benoit had another strong outing against Tatsuo Nakano, picking up the win with a pinfall off a German suplex-to-choke transition that was creative as hell. Masahito Kakihara handled Eric Edelenbos from the Dolman gym in Amsterdam by KO at 12:03 in a decent match. The Tamura and Yamazaki tag against Joe Malenko and Erik Paulson was probably one of the most fun tag matches this promotion has done, with Tamura in particular looking like a star in the making. Yamazaki closed it out with a cross-armbreaker at 15:17.

The top four matches are really where this show delivered. Wayne Shamrock pulling off the upset over Yoshiaki Fujiwara with a bridging Dragon suplex was a genuine shock, and the Nagoya crowd lost their minds for it. Shamrock fighting out of a double wristlock that Fujiwara trapped him with was incredible, and this was probably Shamrock's best performance in the company to date. Sayama and Onita against Ogawa and Fujinami was a solid tag match, with Onita tapping Fujinami with a guillotine at 15:01. The Takada-Han match was everything you'd want it to be, with Han delivering one of his trademark breathtaking sequences, turning a potential cross-armbreaker into a cross heel hold for the submission win over Takada at 16:46. The main event saw Maeda take a beating from Dick Vrij before gutting out the rear-naked choke win at 18:55. Vrij looked legitimately dangerous and Maeda's comeback from a rough middle stretch made for a compelling main event. Strong show overall, probably one of the better shows UWF Newborn has had this year. (Wrestling Observer, 6/4/1991)

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Bonus! Dave Meltzer's Star Ratings!

Chris Benoit defeated Tatsuo Nakano at 13:44 via pinfall. This was a good match. Nakano's palm strikes are legitimate, and Benoit had to adjust his entire game plan early after getting rocked. The story of Benoit figuring out how to duck under the strikes and attack the legs was well told, and the finishing sequence with the German suplex transitioning into the rear-naked choke that Nakano survived before getting caught in the pinning combination was creative and unexpected. Benoit continues to impress every time out in this promotion and is clearly one of the better workers they have brought in from the outside. ***

Kiyoshi Tamura and Kazuo Yamazaki defeated Joe Malenko and Erik Paulson at 15:17 when Yamazaki submitted Malenko with a cross-armbreaker. This was the best tag match this promotion has done and one of the better matches on the show. The dynamic of Tamura and Yamazaki using speed and striking to counter the more methodical submission work of Malenko and Paulson was well conceived and well executed. Tamura in particular was exceptional here. There is a sequence where he knocks down both Paulson and Malenko in succession that got an enormous reaction and was completely deserved. Yamazaki's counter-grappling was sharp whenever Malenko or Paulson tried to slow things down. Tamura, at this point, looks like one of the best young workers in the world, and every performance reinforces that. ***½

Wayne Shamrock defeated Yoshiaki Fujiwara at 16:22 via pinfall with a bridging Dragon suplex. This was a genuinely great match, and the result was a legitimate shock. Fujiwara is one of the best ever at this style, and Shamrock came in aggressive, which was the right call, but Fujiwara, being Fujiwara, was patient and waited for the opening and got the first rope break with an arm entanglement off a rushed single leg attempt. Shamrock recalibrated and the match got very good from there with both men fighting for position on the mat. The spot where Shamrock fought out of the double wristlock was incredible, and the crowd completely turned for him at that point. For Shamrock to then immediately come back and catch Fujiwara with the bridging Dragon suplex for the pin was as good a finishing sequence as you will see. Fujiwara losing clean to Shamrock here is a big deal and is a significant rub for the American. ****1/4

Volk Han defeated Nobuhiko Takada at 16:46 via submission with a cross heel hold. This was everything you would expect from these two and then some. Han is simply one of the most creative submission wrestlers on the planet right now, and the range of holds he attempted from positions that should not allow for any offense at all is something that has to be seen to be believed. Takada was characteristically disciplined and smart, using his kicks to keep distance and refusing to engage on the mat unless he was confident in his position, which is the correct approach against Han. The finish was the highlight of the entire show. Takada going for a cross-armbreaker and Han rolling through and converting it into a cross heel hold in one motion was breathtaking and the crowd reacted accordingly. Takada tapping to Han is not a small thing and Han continues to look like one of the best workers in the world every single time out. Match of the night by a comfortable margin. ****½

Akira Maeda defeated Dick Vrij at 18:55 via submission with a rear-naked choke. Good main event. Vrij's kickboxing is as legitimate as it gets, and Maeda had no interest in letting this become a stand-up fight, which was the smart call. Vrij's takedown defense was much better than expected in the early going, and he was landing body kicks that were visibly hurting Maeda. The head kick midway through that dropped Maeda was the most dramatic moment of the match, and Maeda was genuinely fortunate to beat the count. What followed was a very good stretch of Maeda using ring intelligence and clinch work to survive before slowly reasserting himself as Vrij tired. Once Maeda started hitting takedowns and hunting submissions consistently, Vrij was in trouble, and the rope breaks piled up quickly. The rear-naked choke finish was decisive. Maeda looked genuinely vulnerable in a way that was good for business, and Vrij looked like a legitimate threat throughout, even in defeat. Strong main event to close out a very good show. ****

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Vader is apparently close to returning to UWF Newborn in what would be a working arrangement between the promotion and World Championship Wrestling. The deal is not finalized, but sources indicate Vader is genuinely interested in renewing his relationship with UWF, and the feeling appears to be mutual. The natural direction if this comes together is a match with Akira Maeda at the anniversary show in July, which would make obvious sense given the unfinished business between the two from Vader's previous run with the promotion. Maeda is the current world champion and needs a credible big match opponent for what figures to be the promotion's most important show of the year, and there are very few names on the planet that fit that bill better than Vader at this point.

The WCW working arrangement angle is worth watching closely. WCW has been increasingly aggressive about exploring working deals with Japanese promotions, and this would not be the first arrangement of this kind. Vader is one of the rare western wrestlers who has demonstrated he can operate credibly in a shoot-style environment, which is precisely why this pairing makes sense in a way it simply wouldn't with most WCW talents. If this gets finalized and Maeda vs. Vader happens at the anniversary show, it would be a genuinely big match and one of the more anticipated bouts the promotion has put together in some time. More on this as it develops. (Wrestling Observer, 6/4/1991)

UWF Newborn officially announced their "New Generation" eight-man tournament at a press conference ahead of the Nagoya show, with first round matches set as Masakatsu Funaki vs. Manabu Yamada, Kiyoshi Tamura vs. Masahito Kakihara, Minoru Suzuki vs. Naoya Ogawa, and Wayne Shamrock vs. Yusuke Fuke. The tournament will begin in June, and the winner receives a cash bonus along with a significant bump in the UWF rankings, which, given how seriously this promotion treats its ranking system, is not a trivial incentive. The bracket is strong, and this is a genuinely interesting collection of young talent. The tournament concept is smart booking for UWF at this stage. Shamrock's recent upset win over Fujiwara has given him real momentum, and a deep run here would go a long way toward cementing him as a legitimate player in the promotion rather than just an impressive foreigner who got lucky on one big night. Funaki and Tamura are probably the two favorites on paper, and a potential final between them would be a very big deal. Suzuki vs. Ogawa is a fascinating stylistic clash and could be the sleeper match of the first round. The winner of this tournament is not going to be handed a world title shot immediately, given where the rankings stand, but a strong performance throughout could absolutely accelerate someone's trajectory in a significant way. Brackets and scheduled dates for the remaining rounds are expected to be announced shortly. (Wrestling Observer, 6/4/1991)

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Now for the big story of the week....

After months of speculation and careful maneuvering behind the scenes, UWF Newborn has finalized deals with five American collegiate wrestling stars in what has to be considered one of the most significant recruitment efforts in the history of the promotion. The signings, which were brokered largely through the tireless efforts of Lou Thesz, represent a major statement of intent from UWF regarding the direction of their American roster. The news was announced at the UWF post-event press conference on Monday afternoon.

The five wrestlers signed are Mark Kerr, Mark Coleman, Kurt Angle, Kevin Randleman, and Randy Couture. All five are legitimate amateur standouts, and the caliber of this group is genuinely exceptional. This is not a case of UWF scraping the barrel for any available American body with a wrestling background. These are serious, decorated amateur competitors, and the acquisition of all five in one swoop is a remarkable achievement for the promotion.

The story began earlier this year when Tokyo Sports reported that Thesz would be making a scouting trip to the United States with the NCAA Wrestling Championships as his primary destination. Thesz attended the championships, held from March 14th through March 16th, and subsequently made visits to several additional American wrestling events being held to determine qualifiers for the 1991 World Championships. Upon returning to Japan, Thesz met with UWF officials and, by all accounts, was very enthusiastic about what he had found. Sources close to the promotion were keeping details extremely tight at that stage, with the fear being that American promotions could potentially interfere with recruitment efforts if word got out too early.

As we noted at the time, there was legitimate skepticism from some corners about how successful this effort would actually be. With the 1992 Olympics on the horizon, convincing decorated American amateur wrestlers to bypass their Olympic dreams in favor of transitioning to professional wrestling in Japan was always going to be a difficult sell. One source familiar with American amateur wrestling circles told us flatly that most young wrestlers at that level have no interest in turning professional before chasing the Olympics, and that the transition from collegiate amateur wrestling to pro wrestling straight out of college remains exceedingly rare regardless of financial incentive. The success of Duane and Dennis Koslowski in UWF had not gone unnoticed in American circles, and Thesz's legendary status in the amateur world gave UWF a credibility that most Japanese promotions simply would not have had, but the Olympic factor was always the central obstacle.

Thesz made multiple trips back to the United States to continue negotiations after his initial scouting run. A significant round of talks was held in Virginia, and it was following that meeting that sources close to the situation indicated deals were imminent. The contracts are described as financially very competitive, which clearly played a role in getting this across the finish line. It was also confirmed that the agreements include provisions addressing the Olympic question, with sources indicating that Olympic participation clauses and compensation structures for wrestlers who might withdraw from Olympic qualifying were among the details being ironed out in the final stages of negotiation. The specifics of those clauses have not been made available.

The plan for all five is not an immediate debut but rather an assignment to the UWF dojo, where they will undergo several months of training before being introduced. Thesz was reportedly insistent on this point, wanting the recruits properly prepared for the UWF style before they were put in front of a crowd. Given the promotion's reputation for working a credible, shoot-style product, this makes obvious sense. Raw athletic talent is one thing, but the UWF style demands a specific kind of preparation that even the most accomplished amateur wrestlers will need time to absorb. The success of the Koslowskis suggests the model works when given proper time, and UWF appears committed to taking the same patient approach here rather than rushing anyone out for a quick publicity pop.

The depth of talent in this group is worth emphasizing. Without getting too deeply into the background of each individual, this is a collection of wrestlers who collectively represent some of the best American amateur wrestling has produced in recent years. If even two or three of them translate effectively to the UWF style, this could prove to be one of the most important roster moves the promotion has ever made. The obvious comparison point remains the Koslowskis, but the sheer volume of signings here suggests UWF is making a much more aggressive and sustained commitment to building an American presence than anything they have done previously.

There will be plenty of questions going forward. How long the dojo period actually runs before any of these five see action remains to be seen. How the Olympic clauses are structured and whether any of them ultimately decide the Olympic dream outweighs the financial opportunity will be something to monitor. And of course, translating elite amateur credentials into compelling professional performances in the UWF style is far from automatic. But as a statement of ambition and organizational reach, this is a genuinely impressive development, and Thesz deserves enormous credit for pulling it off. More details as they become available. (Wrestling Observer, 6/4/1991)

[ErictheDragon]

Here's hoping that UWF & WCW can reach an agreement because that Meada/Vader rematch would be so much money!