[2002-09-15-JWP Shinjuku Valkyrie's Kiss] Carlos Amano vs Command Bolshoi

[Ma Stump Puller]

What do you get when you pair up two super technically talented wrestlers stuck with a unique stipulation on a random house show? Really great work, that's what. Basically the match functions on the simple rule that the match ends on a 2-count rather than the typical 3 required. This brings in itself elevated sense of tension from the usual holds and submissions because any of them, realistically, could get a quick pinfall: that aforementioned tension is cheap and easy here given this simple stip makes the match super unpredictable: something these two can very easily work with as a base. Bolshoi walks into this with some sensationally awesome Rey-style innovative roll-ups alongside nifty lucha transitions while occasionally getting to show off her mat-work when it comes down to it. Amano plays more of the fumbling shooter here as she's consistently trying to get in submissions and/or openings for them but either keeps forgetting the rules or they get exploited in turn to try for more cheap flash pins. There's some brilliant comedy around Amano struggling to escape holds without sticking her shoulders down and the struggle that in turn causes between the two when they're throwing themselves all over the place. Typically this more technically inclined comedy doesn't always click: didn't think that was the case here. The two really explored the concept beyond just barfing up spots and sequences endlessly without much care. They could have done that given this had no stakes towards anything in particular and the match would probably also been quite good, yet they didn't, and I'm so much more happy because of that. 

Despite the potential for this to be a really nothing match with a couple of interesting moments (which this did threaten at points with some of the stalling going on here and there) it turned out to be WAY better than expected; for a 10 minute sprint this is borderline revolutionary, being this high-speed/grappling showcase with a lot of different influences from lucha, catch, shoot-style, etc, just a super fun blend of styles going on here. This finishes up with some hard-hitting shots and bombs between the two (which is funny if only due to it meaning they have to keep kicking out from big suplexes at 1, lol) before Bolshoi goes over with a top rope Uranage for a relatively simple ending. Not their best outing by a long shot but absolutely worth the watch; it's a great use of 10 minutes all things considered.