Genichiro Tenryu vs Shinya Hashimoto, WAR (6/17/93)
Well shit on a stick, just when
you think your expectations may be too severe and hinder whatever
enjoyment you can get out of a match, these two go and do their thing
and wouldn't ya know it...it rules. First few minutes really establish
this Clash of the Titans atmosphere and both men sell the caution in
their game remarkably well, the visual of Hashimoto in the corner not
taking his eyes off of Tenryu as the ref drastically tries to force a
break...god damn. They really pack a lot of explosive violence into
short bursts to really get over the threat each other poses with their
offence, but Hashimoto targeting the leg really creates an intriguing
second half of the match with Tenryu rendered practically immobile and
having to find a new gameplan to escape from his growing nemesis. A few
people could argue the leg selling doesn't go anywhere near the end, i.e
Hashimoto not going for submissions but I thought it served a great
purpose in not only getting over the threat of Hashimoto but also in the
way it forced Tenryu to have to pick his moments and really take an
ass-kicking in a bid to win. Hashimoto also always using the leg as the
base of any attack whether he was on the offensive or defensive also
helped keep the limbwork relevant in the grand context of the match, and
of course Tenryu sold it like death and really established the physical
pain and battle he was in.
Last few minutes are just astonishingly dramatic and electric with very
few kickouts. Both men's occasionally sloppy but always destructive
looking offence as well as the resultant bumping really make you feel
the match could end at any moment, and I loved how both men would use
their striking to establish an opening to hit a bigger move: i.e Tenryu
using his chops and kicks to ground and weaken Hashimoto long enough to
hit the powerbomb. There were a couple of outstanding nearfalls that
were sold superbly by both men, and Tenryu's facial expression
immediately after the match is over perfectly summarised the preceeding
18 minutes of war he'd just gone though. Tenryu's pained facial
expression mid powerbomb due to the strain his injured leg was being put
under was also a really bossy little touch that added so much in the
grand scheme of things I thought it would be rude not to mention it.
NEW JAPAN VS WAR - WHEN THE TIGERS BROKE FREE.
Saturday 7 September 2013
Genichiro Tenryu & Takashi Ishikawa vs Shinya Hashimoto & Michiyoshi Ohara, New Japan (6/14/93)
The first Hashimoto/Tenryu singles match takes place 3 days after this, so its really more aimed at making you want to see these two monsters lump seven shades of shit out of each other, but in amongst all the hatred and contempt for the other's existence they work a really great pseudo STF tag built on Ohara getting mercilessly mauled by Tenryu and Ishikawa. Tenryu's just an absolute cock to poor Ohara and lays into him with a barrage of stiff chips, knees, lariats, slaps and numerous other attacks. Hashimoto though isn't one to be outdone and he manages to connect with a few scorching kicks, especially one on Tenryu when he's against the ropes which looked to have dislodged a couple of teeth. Ohara to his credit sells everything well from the WAR team and really brings this overwhelmed by the occasion passion to everything he hits, and he and Ishikawa have this neat little sub story developing with Ohara looking to topple Ishikawa and allow Hashimoto entry into the ring. Last few minutes are pretty chaotic with Hashimoto roundhousing any motherfucker in sight, and Tenryu hitting one of the filthiest enziguri's of his career which looked like it bent Hashimoto's skull upon impact. Tenryu and Hashimoto fighting amongst themselves lead to a nice completion of the bubbling Ishikawa/Ohara sequences with Ishikawa just having a little bit more to put away the resilient Ohara.
Have to say as well the opening few minutes were about as good as I've seen the 'two guys blatantly ignoring the rules and just trying to fight one another' story done in a ring. The tension and atmosphere helped make the standoffs seem much bigger and Hashimoto taking the time to lariat Tenryu on the apron the minute he and Ishikawa are about to lock up just really cemented me wanting to see them fight like yesterday.
NEW JAPAN VS WAR - WHEN THE TIGERS BROKE FREE.
New Japan vs WAR - Genichiro Tenryu vs Riki Choshu, New Japan (4/6/93)
Overall this was really really
good, atmosphere was absolutely fantastic whenever Choshu looked to be
on top and him basically wrestling the match of his life to try and put
an end to Tenryu was a really engaging story. First half of the match is
rather tepid but its all about building to the explosion and making the
crowd wait for them to start throwing bombs and lumping the shit out of
each other. Tenryu's punts looked vicious and I love how during this
time they're really put over as lethal and dangerous on top of his usual
offence. Bit where Choshu slaps the shit out of him after an intial
lock up was brilliant and Tenryu's shocked 'oh that's how we're gonna do
it' expression just sealed it. Second half of the match really kicks
into another gear like you want this to. Choshu lands a fucking hideous
(in a good way) superplex which looked to have collapsed Tenryu's spine
on impact, and he follows this up with some really good consistent
lariats targeting Tenryu's damaged neck and head before hitting one of
the nastiest knee drops I can recall seeing: looked absolutely filthy
and Tenryu's superb selling just added to the horrific visual. Tenryu
sort of progressively staggering after each blow and looking more and
more hampered by his injury really added to the heated atmosphere and
really got you behind Choshu, in many ways the way they explored this
actually made me not hate Choshu's surprise backdrop after Tenryu hits
his diving elbow: really felt like it was timed well enough to come off
as an important spot to highlight Choshu's resolve and make him a
continuing thorn in Tenryu's side.
Thought the way they teased the struggle in hitting the powerbomb was really well done, especially when Tenryu managed to hit it later on but got only get marginal impact because of the strain it put on his head and neck. Last couple of minutes are amazing, crowd loses their shit for everything Choshu throws at Tenryu who staggers and looks more and more beaten with every blow he takes and the finish is suitably satisfying for the crowd reaction alone (though from a booking perspective I probably do question the choice in winner).
NEW JAPAN VS WAR - WHEN THE TIGERS BROKE FREE.
Thought the way they teased the struggle in hitting the powerbomb was really well done, especially when Tenryu managed to hit it later on but got only get marginal impact because of the strain it put on his head and neck. Last couple of minutes are amazing, crowd loses their shit for everything Choshu throws at Tenryu who staggers and looks more and more beaten with every blow he takes and the finish is suitably satisfying for the crowd reaction alone (though from a booking perspective I probably do question the choice in winner).
NEW JAPAN VS WAR - WHEN THE TIGERS BROKE FREE.
New Japan vs WAR - February '93 - April '93
Genichiro Tenryu, Ashura Hara & Takashi Ishikawa vs Keiji Mutoh, Akira Nogami & Shinya Hashimoto, New Japan (2/5/93)
Oh christ, this right here is what its all about. Everyone bar Mutoh pretty much brings the hate necessary to get over the boiling hot feud, but man oh man is the build to Hashimoto vs Tenryu magnificent here. Both men are by far the two best performers in the match, they only lock up a few times but Hashimoto just beats the crap out of Tenryu with kick after kick and Tenryu bumps and sells like a saint for everything, the moment where he sort of stumbles into the corner reeling off of Hashimoto's onslaught whilst trying to give a bit back only to be unable to stand straight and have Hara and Ishikawa defend him was glorious. Their exchanges afterwards are pretty brief but they pack so much hatred into every blow it doesn't matter, moment where all of the New Japan team lay siege to Tenryu's fallen body on the mat was outstanding and was only bettered by Tenryu being a cocky prick when covering Nogami only to be caught by a fucking tremendous kick to the chin from Hashimoto which he sells like an absolute king collapsing into the corner whilst checking his jaw isn't broken.
Nogami was probably the 3rd best guy in the match, chock full of furry and a relentless babyface energy in defending his company from the invader scum, and he has some really great exchanges against Tenryu where Tenryu sells the audacity of Nogami to try and even touch Tenryu so beautifully. Ishikawa and Hara were pretty much in it for sporadic bursts of offence and to bump for the New Japan team, but Ishikawa in particular was really violent and just comes off as this coked up psycho ready to taste New Japan blood. Post match pull apart again builds beautifully to Tenryu/Hashimoto with Hash having to be restrained by guys who look terrified to be holding a 290 pound monster who's spoiling for a fight. Still, fuck a dumb Keiji Mutoh.
Genichiro Tenryu & Takashi Ishikawa vs Riki Choshu & Tatsumi Fujinami, New Japan (3/23/93)
Another fine continuation in the ongoing saga here and a match which probably has me convinced this feud can't produce anything less than a good match. Choshu and Fujinami's interactions with Tenryu are the real highlight here, little things like Choshu entering the ring off a tag and taking the time to boot an already downed Tenryu on the apron even when he's not legal just add to the bubbling hatred. Loved the opening with Fujinami taking it to Tenryu and hitting a pretty amazing dive to the floor which had the crowd going bonkers. The bread and butter of the match really revolves around Ishikawa getting isolated and absorbing the onslaught of New Japan's diamonds in the rough and making you feel Tenryu's winning streak may be foiled by the opposition, only for him to hit a beautfiful kick to counter a second Fujinami dive late in the match and which served as a great callback spot to the early dive. Tenryu's selling was again off the charts great and was typified by the moment Fujinami caught him entering the ring to cheapshot him and reels off a string of stiff slaps which forces Tenryu to finally collapse to the mat in agony and looking almost like he was dribbling from his mouth.
There were also some really great subtle touches thrown in to keep the crowd alive, Choshu only going halfway into the spinebuster in order to stop Ishikawa having a clear way to cheapshot him was really bossy as was Ishikawa's heat tactics in stealing the Dragon Sleeper and Sharpshooter to further piss off the already irate New Japan fans. Finishing stretch is pretty fucking stellar, just tease after tease with the highlight being Fujinami countering a Tenryu lariat into an attempted dragon suplex only for Ishikawa to counter with a lariat to the back of the head and Tenryu to soon follow up with the devastating powerbomb which Fujinami never recovers from, and which soon leads to Ishikawa picking up one of the biggest wins to date in his career.
Genichiro Tenryu & Takashi Ishikawa vs Riki Choshu & Shinya Hashimoto, WAR (4/2/93)
Oh fucking hell, this was just in another stratosphere of greatness, violence and grandeur of hatred. Everyone puts in a stellar performance here, but once again its Tenryu and Hashimoto who shine brightest. The stare off when they enter the ring....fuck me. 6/17 cannot come soon enough in this feud. Ishikawa is excellent as the underdog scrapping for every bit of blood that comes his way, he just has this great ability to pick his spots and be like that scrappy little terrier that just will not quit until he's fully depleted his victim, his flurry of offence leading to Tenryu PASTING Choshu into the ring post to bloody him was incredible and from there the match just went to another level in terms of pacing and sheer insanity. I can't even begin to describe to you just how many fucking excellent moments we got in this match, they just created this perfect blend of chaos and batshit insanity in everything they did, and the continued tease to Tenryu/Hashimoto was just criminal with what they treated us to: that fucking bump Tenryu takes off the spinning wheel kick...just indescribeable how he flings himself at such a reckless pace into the ropes but shit on a stick if it doesn't look incredible everytime.
Tenryu was just a relentless prick going after Choshu's cut with repeated punts and stomps to the wound, and the visuals of the ref having to forcibly cling to Tenryu to get him to stop whilst he still kicked and flung boot after boot to Choshu was just beautiful. Hashimoto was equally destructive whenever he was in the match and they really booked him tremendously as the shining beacon of hope New Japan had in ending Tenryu's ever continuing rampage of destruction. Finishing stretch is absolutely bonkers with people clobbering each other left and right with chops, punches, slaps, lariats, suplexes and all sorts of brutality. Hashimoto finally scoring a win for New Japan in the feud really served as a huge moment in terms of his star rising, and not 5 seconds after the match is Tenryu slapping the piss out of him and engaging in another pull apart fight. Ending visuals of Hashimoto and Choshu bleeding with Tenryu looking on cocky as ever was incredible.
NEW JAPAN VS WAR - WHEN THE TIGERS BROKE FREE
Oh christ, this right here is what its all about. Everyone bar Mutoh pretty much brings the hate necessary to get over the boiling hot feud, but man oh man is the build to Hashimoto vs Tenryu magnificent here. Both men are by far the two best performers in the match, they only lock up a few times but Hashimoto just beats the crap out of Tenryu with kick after kick and Tenryu bumps and sells like a saint for everything, the moment where he sort of stumbles into the corner reeling off of Hashimoto's onslaught whilst trying to give a bit back only to be unable to stand straight and have Hara and Ishikawa defend him was glorious. Their exchanges afterwards are pretty brief but they pack so much hatred into every blow it doesn't matter, moment where all of the New Japan team lay siege to Tenryu's fallen body on the mat was outstanding and was only bettered by Tenryu being a cocky prick when covering Nogami only to be caught by a fucking tremendous kick to the chin from Hashimoto which he sells like an absolute king collapsing into the corner whilst checking his jaw isn't broken.
Nogami was probably the 3rd best guy in the match, chock full of furry and a relentless babyface energy in defending his company from the invader scum, and he has some really great exchanges against Tenryu where Tenryu sells the audacity of Nogami to try and even touch Tenryu so beautifully. Ishikawa and Hara were pretty much in it for sporadic bursts of offence and to bump for the New Japan team, but Ishikawa in particular was really violent and just comes off as this coked up psycho ready to taste New Japan blood. Post match pull apart again builds beautifully to Tenryu/Hashimoto with Hash having to be restrained by guys who look terrified to be holding a 290 pound monster who's spoiling for a fight. Still, fuck a dumb Keiji Mutoh.
Genichiro Tenryu & Takashi Ishikawa vs Riki Choshu & Tatsumi Fujinami, New Japan (3/23/93)
Another fine continuation in the ongoing saga here and a match which probably has me convinced this feud can't produce anything less than a good match. Choshu and Fujinami's interactions with Tenryu are the real highlight here, little things like Choshu entering the ring off a tag and taking the time to boot an already downed Tenryu on the apron even when he's not legal just add to the bubbling hatred. Loved the opening with Fujinami taking it to Tenryu and hitting a pretty amazing dive to the floor which had the crowd going bonkers. The bread and butter of the match really revolves around Ishikawa getting isolated and absorbing the onslaught of New Japan's diamonds in the rough and making you feel Tenryu's winning streak may be foiled by the opposition, only for him to hit a beautfiful kick to counter a second Fujinami dive late in the match and which served as a great callback spot to the early dive. Tenryu's selling was again off the charts great and was typified by the moment Fujinami caught him entering the ring to cheapshot him and reels off a string of stiff slaps which forces Tenryu to finally collapse to the mat in agony and looking almost like he was dribbling from his mouth.
There were also some really great subtle touches thrown in to keep the crowd alive, Choshu only going halfway into the spinebuster in order to stop Ishikawa having a clear way to cheapshot him was really bossy as was Ishikawa's heat tactics in stealing the Dragon Sleeper and Sharpshooter to further piss off the already irate New Japan fans. Finishing stretch is pretty fucking stellar, just tease after tease with the highlight being Fujinami countering a Tenryu lariat into an attempted dragon suplex only for Ishikawa to counter with a lariat to the back of the head and Tenryu to soon follow up with the devastating powerbomb which Fujinami never recovers from, and which soon leads to Ishikawa picking up one of the biggest wins to date in his career.
Genichiro Tenryu & Takashi Ishikawa vs Riki Choshu & Shinya Hashimoto, WAR (4/2/93)
Oh fucking hell, this was just in another stratosphere of greatness, violence and grandeur of hatred. Everyone puts in a stellar performance here, but once again its Tenryu and Hashimoto who shine brightest. The stare off when they enter the ring....fuck me. 6/17 cannot come soon enough in this feud. Ishikawa is excellent as the underdog scrapping for every bit of blood that comes his way, he just has this great ability to pick his spots and be like that scrappy little terrier that just will not quit until he's fully depleted his victim, his flurry of offence leading to Tenryu PASTING Choshu into the ring post to bloody him was incredible and from there the match just went to another level in terms of pacing and sheer insanity. I can't even begin to describe to you just how many fucking excellent moments we got in this match, they just created this perfect blend of chaos and batshit insanity in everything they did, and the continued tease to Tenryu/Hashimoto was just criminal with what they treated us to: that fucking bump Tenryu takes off the spinning wheel kick...just indescribeable how he flings himself at such a reckless pace into the ropes but shit on a stick if it doesn't look incredible everytime.
Tenryu was just a relentless prick going after Choshu's cut with repeated punts and stomps to the wound, and the visuals of the ref having to forcibly cling to Tenryu to get him to stop whilst he still kicked and flung boot after boot to Choshu was just beautiful. Hashimoto was equally destructive whenever he was in the match and they really booked him tremendously as the shining beacon of hope New Japan had in ending Tenryu's ever continuing rampage of destruction. Finishing stretch is absolutely bonkers with people clobbering each other left and right with chops, punches, slaps, lariats, suplexes and all sorts of brutality. Hashimoto finally scoring a win for New Japan in the feud really served as a huge moment in terms of his star rising, and not 5 seconds after the match is Tenryu slapping the piss out of him and engaging in another pull apart fight. Ending visuals of Hashimoto and Choshu bleeding with Tenryu looking on cocky as ever was incredible.
NEW JAPAN VS WAR - WHEN THE TIGERS BROKE FREE
New Japan vs WAR - October '92 - December '92
Genichiro Tenryu & Koki Kitahara vs Shiro Koshinaka & Kengo Kimura, New Japan (10/23/92)
Oh man pretty much the beginning of the New Japan/WAR feud and Korakuen is fucking rabid throughout. Koshinaka and Kimura are just fucking bullies to the highest degree and beat the piss out of Kitahara throughout, and manage to create a nice underdog story with Kitahara trying to take the fight to both but ultimately needing TENRYU to bail him out of predicaments. TENRYU was just fucking godly in this, there's this incredible moment where Kimura walks round the ropes and tries to punk him out, and TENRYU just starts to ominously stride towards him and pushes the referee aside. TENRYU also gets cut hardway from some stiff punches, and he has at least 6 awesome blood soaked visualsa of him just looking on with both Koshinaka and Kimura with sheer contempt as blood pours down the side of his face. The seconds are also brilliant throughout in constantly trying to kill each other and in the process threatening to send the match into a wild and uncontainable massacre. TENRYU just casually murdering Kohsinaka repeatedly with powerbombs even after the match is over warmed my cockles, fuckin' TENRYU man!
Genichiro Tenryu, Takashi Ishikawa & Koki Kitahara vs Shiro Koshinaka, Kengo Kimura & Masashi Aoyagi, New Japan (11/23/92)
God damn, the heat for Kitahara was astounding. I know his tights were an insult to fashion but good grief Snitsky would have wished for this much heat when he punted a fake baby into the audience. Match is a really good addition in developing the piercing hatred that dominates both camps, feels incredibly chaotic and on the verge of a breakdown throughout with guys constantly chipping away at each other with every opportunity they get. Kimura looked to be legit wounded from an Ishikawa running knee as well, looked ridiculously brutal and appeared to be a misscommunication with Kimura leaving himself no chance to protect himself and Ishikawa running like a gazelle. Tenryu was used in small doses but what we got was the typical Tenryu greatness with some meaty strikes, incredible bumping and selling of his opponent's strikes and some pretty swank facial expressions, bit where he casually punts Koshinaka to break up a pin and then motions he'll beat the piss out of the ref if he even thinks of barking orders at him was tremendous. Tenryu's bump and shocked facial expression off of Aoyagi's spinning wheel kick near the end was inspiring, looked like he was about to fall flat on his arse out of the ring. Everyone played their part well and really got over the tension and hate that was to explode in the coming months and Tenryu got to look like the WAR world beater with the beating he was able to withstand followed by the powerbomb for the instant win. Powerbomb itself looked ridiculously brutal as well with the angle that Kimura's head snapped back off of the mat, all hail TENRYU!
Genichiro Tenryu vs Shiro Koshinaka, New Japan (12/14/92)
Really good match which made Tenryu look like a force to be reckoned with as well as giving Koshinaka a nice loyalist underdog story with him trying unsuccessfully to find ways to put down and contain Tenryu. Action is frantic and jam packed with meaty strikes and I loved how they had Tenryu take over and bloody Koshinaka without ignoring the earlier arm work which had seen Koshinaka control the opening portion. Tenryu's punts and general disgust at Koshinaka was supreme but I would have preferred to see him noticeably grimace a bit more when utlising the injured arm, and I really hated Koshinaka popping up from a DDT to continue the attack as it really didn't feel believeable even with the move being delivered by Tenryu's damaged arm. Tenryu taking the time to hold the arm after the powerbomb was a subtly nice touch however that gave a small glimmer of hope that Koshinaka's efforts had not been in vain, and the resulting crossbody roll through counter made for a tremendous false finish with Tenryu literally getting his shoulder up as the 3 count would have been made. Finishing stretch reflected the whole match with Tenryu looking impervious and well ahead of Koshinaka but still being succeptible to his own arrogance as well as the earlier arm work. Doubt it'll be close to Tenryu's best stuff in the 92-94 period but it serves as a nice continuation of Tenryu's emerging dominance over New Japan and Koshinaka being the latest victim to have no answer to the powerbomb and overwhelming destruction of TENRYU!~!
NEW JAPAN VS WAR - WHEN THE TIGERS BROKE FREE.
Oh man pretty much the beginning of the New Japan/WAR feud and Korakuen is fucking rabid throughout. Koshinaka and Kimura are just fucking bullies to the highest degree and beat the piss out of Kitahara throughout, and manage to create a nice underdog story with Kitahara trying to take the fight to both but ultimately needing TENRYU to bail him out of predicaments. TENRYU was just fucking godly in this, there's this incredible moment where Kimura walks round the ropes and tries to punk him out, and TENRYU just starts to ominously stride towards him and pushes the referee aside. TENRYU also gets cut hardway from some stiff punches, and he has at least 6 awesome blood soaked visualsa of him just looking on with both Koshinaka and Kimura with sheer contempt as blood pours down the side of his face. The seconds are also brilliant throughout in constantly trying to kill each other and in the process threatening to send the match into a wild and uncontainable massacre. TENRYU just casually murdering Kohsinaka repeatedly with powerbombs even after the match is over warmed my cockles, fuckin' TENRYU man!
Genichiro Tenryu, Takashi Ishikawa & Koki Kitahara vs Shiro Koshinaka, Kengo Kimura & Masashi Aoyagi, New Japan (11/23/92)
God damn, the heat for Kitahara was astounding. I know his tights were an insult to fashion but good grief Snitsky would have wished for this much heat when he punted a fake baby into the audience. Match is a really good addition in developing the piercing hatred that dominates both camps, feels incredibly chaotic and on the verge of a breakdown throughout with guys constantly chipping away at each other with every opportunity they get. Kimura looked to be legit wounded from an Ishikawa running knee as well, looked ridiculously brutal and appeared to be a misscommunication with Kimura leaving himself no chance to protect himself and Ishikawa running like a gazelle. Tenryu was used in small doses but what we got was the typical Tenryu greatness with some meaty strikes, incredible bumping and selling of his opponent's strikes and some pretty swank facial expressions, bit where he casually punts Koshinaka to break up a pin and then motions he'll beat the piss out of the ref if he even thinks of barking orders at him was tremendous. Tenryu's bump and shocked facial expression off of Aoyagi's spinning wheel kick near the end was inspiring, looked like he was about to fall flat on his arse out of the ring. Everyone played their part well and really got over the tension and hate that was to explode in the coming months and Tenryu got to look like the WAR world beater with the beating he was able to withstand followed by the powerbomb for the instant win. Powerbomb itself looked ridiculously brutal as well with the angle that Kimura's head snapped back off of the mat, all hail TENRYU!
Genichiro Tenryu vs Shiro Koshinaka, New Japan (12/14/92)
Really good match which made Tenryu look like a force to be reckoned with as well as giving Koshinaka a nice loyalist underdog story with him trying unsuccessfully to find ways to put down and contain Tenryu. Action is frantic and jam packed with meaty strikes and I loved how they had Tenryu take over and bloody Koshinaka without ignoring the earlier arm work which had seen Koshinaka control the opening portion. Tenryu's punts and general disgust at Koshinaka was supreme but I would have preferred to see him noticeably grimace a bit more when utlising the injured arm, and I really hated Koshinaka popping up from a DDT to continue the attack as it really didn't feel believeable even with the move being delivered by Tenryu's damaged arm. Tenryu taking the time to hold the arm after the powerbomb was a subtly nice touch however that gave a small glimmer of hope that Koshinaka's efforts had not been in vain, and the resulting crossbody roll through counter made for a tremendous false finish with Tenryu literally getting his shoulder up as the 3 count would have been made. Finishing stretch reflected the whole match with Tenryu looking impervious and well ahead of Koshinaka but still being succeptible to his own arrogance as well as the earlier arm work. Doubt it'll be close to Tenryu's best stuff in the 92-94 period but it serves as a nice continuation of Tenryu's emerging dominance over New Japan and Koshinaka being the latest victim to have no answer to the powerbomb and overwhelming destruction of TENRYU!~!
NEW JAPAN VS WAR - WHEN THE TIGERS BROKE FREE.
NEW JAPAN VS WAR (1992-1994) - WHEN THE TIGERS BROKE FREE~!
Between late 1992-early 1994, Japanese Wrestling in addition to being exposed to the wonderous All Japan 'Kings Road' formula found further infamy with the explosion of the inter-promotional dispute between New Japan & WAR.
WAR was spearheaded by Genichiro Tenryu, one of All Japan's biggest stars by the end of the 1980s and suffice to say, his invasion of New Japan would give rise to one of the most acclaimed multi-year angles of all time. Tenryu was fast becoming the famed stoic and ruthless bastard we'd all grow to love, and with the rising emergence of Shinya Hashimoto as New Japan's prized ace, the inevitable Tenryu/Hashimoto matches promised incredible potential.
I'll be going through as many of the matches in chronological order as possible depending on my ability to track down links. Thankfully the bulk of the matches seem to be online in various capacity, so only my famed lax nature stands in the way of this becoming a recurring side project.
As with World of Sport, all links to matches & thoughts will be updated here.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
ONGOING LIST ~!
1. Genichiro Tenryu & Koki Kitahara vs Shiro Koshinaka & Kengo Kimura, New Japan (10/23/92)
2. Genichiro Tenryu, Takashi Ishikawa & Koki Kitahara vs Shiro Koshinaka, Kengo Kimura & Masashi Aoyagi, New Japan (11/23/92)
3. Genichiro Tenryu vs Shiro Koshinaka, New Japan (12/14/92)
4. Genichiro Tenryu, Ashura Hara & Takashi Ishikawa vs Keiji Mutoh, Akira Nogami & Shinya Hashimoto, New Japan (2/5/93)
5. Genichiro Tenryu & Takashi Ishikawa vs Riki Choshu & Tatsumi Fujinami, New Japan (3/23/93)
6. Genichiro Tenryu & Takashi Ishikawa vs Riki Choshu & Shinya Hashimoto, WAR (4/2/93)
7. Genichiro Tenryu vs Riki Choshu, New Japan (4/6/93)
8. Genichiro Tenryu & Takashi Ishikawa vs Shinya Hashimoto & Michiyoshi Ohara, New Japan (6/14/93)
9. Genichiro Tenryu vs Shinya Hashimoto, WAR (6/17/93)
WAR was spearheaded by Genichiro Tenryu, one of All Japan's biggest stars by the end of the 1980s and suffice to say, his invasion of New Japan would give rise to one of the most acclaimed multi-year angles of all time. Tenryu was fast becoming the famed stoic and ruthless bastard we'd all grow to love, and with the rising emergence of Shinya Hashimoto as New Japan's prized ace, the inevitable Tenryu/Hashimoto matches promised incredible potential.
I'll be going through as many of the matches in chronological order as possible depending on my ability to track down links. Thankfully the bulk of the matches seem to be online in various capacity, so only my famed lax nature stands in the way of this becoming a recurring side project.
As with World of Sport, all links to matches & thoughts will be updated here.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
ONGOING LIST ~!
1. Genichiro Tenryu & Koki Kitahara vs Shiro Koshinaka & Kengo Kimura, New Japan (10/23/92)
2. Genichiro Tenryu, Takashi Ishikawa & Koki Kitahara vs Shiro Koshinaka, Kengo Kimura & Masashi Aoyagi, New Japan (11/23/92)
3. Genichiro Tenryu vs Shiro Koshinaka, New Japan (12/14/92)
4. Genichiro Tenryu, Ashura Hara & Takashi Ishikawa vs Keiji Mutoh, Akira Nogami & Shinya Hashimoto, New Japan (2/5/93)
5. Genichiro Tenryu & Takashi Ishikawa vs Riki Choshu & Tatsumi Fujinami, New Japan (3/23/93)
6. Genichiro Tenryu & Takashi Ishikawa vs Riki Choshu & Shinya Hashimoto, WAR (4/2/93)
7. Genichiro Tenryu vs Riki Choshu, New Japan (4/6/93)
8. Genichiro Tenryu & Takashi Ishikawa vs Shinya Hashimoto & Michiyoshi Ohara, New Japan (6/14/93)
9. Genichiro Tenryu vs Shinya Hashimoto, WAR (6/17/93)
Thursday 5 September 2013
Steve Grey vs Keith Haward (2/5/85)
Really well done slow burn match which is as much a great illustration
of Steve Grey's underappreciated talents as it is a Haward showcase.
Grey isn't on the level of Cortez when it comes to grappling and matwork
so Haward is far more reserved in his approach here, but Grey's
strength lies in his expressive charisma and agility and ability to
develop his style to reflect the changing tone of a match, which in this
case sees the bout descened into a wriggly match with Haward drawing
the ire of Grey and the crowd for continuously going after Grey whilst
he's still technically on the mat and not on his feet. Both men pick a
limb to focus on, with Haward targeting the left arm & Grey weaking
the left leg of the more physically imposing Haward. The match had a
nice structure and theme with Grey's agility and mat prowess
continuously frustrating Haward in preventing him from grounding Grey
and securing a submission and there were a couple of really intricate
selling moments from Grey: the first coming about after a quick arm
wringer where he noticeably goes into the next lockup with only his
right arm and the second in the way in which he beautifully sells the
headlock sleeper exchange in the third fall which draws a convincing TKO
nearfall.
Thought both the first and second falls were done really well with a satisfying continuity arc. Haward nabs the first with a beautiful floatover into a rollup and in the second fall, Grey becomes noticeably more physical with a stiff forearm and employing Finlay esque precision and creativity in using the ropes to further weaken the leg of Haward and eventually draws Haward into attempting the same sequence that won him the opening fall, only for Grey to be able to sense it and counter into a pin of his own to level the match. The gradual build in teasing Grey's eventual surfboard was rather meticulously done and was something quite unexpected from a WOS bout and one particular fine touch was Ken Joyce as the ref noticeably protecting Haward's damaged knee when forcing a break in the surfboard.
Great match and definitely an illustration of how WOS worked these developing shift in emotion and tone matches very astutely.
Thought both the first and second falls were done really well with a satisfying continuity arc. Haward nabs the first with a beautiful floatover into a rollup and in the second fall, Grey becomes noticeably more physical with a stiff forearm and employing Finlay esque precision and creativity in using the ropes to further weaken the leg of Haward and eventually draws Haward into attempting the same sequence that won him the opening fall, only for Grey to be able to sense it and counter into a pin of his own to level the match. The gradual build in teasing Grey's eventual surfboard was rather meticulously done and was something quite unexpected from a WOS bout and one particular fine touch was Ken Joyce as the ref noticeably protecting Haward's damaged knee when forcing a break in the surfboard.
Great match and definitely an illustration of how WOS worked these developing shift in emotion and tone matches very astutely.
Jon Cortez vs Keith Haward (1/14/84)
Despite there being a lot of clipping (the second link has
Walton saying its the final fall meaning between the end of the first
link and start of the second the first two falls have occurred) this is
still an excellent grappling contest and something anyone who enjoys
matwork would do well to watch. It feels more like an exhibition match
given the clipping and the general pace of the match, but both workers
are excellent grapplers (Haward is an olympic freestyle and apparent
sambo grappler) who are able to work a compelling match with constant
dual control but channel it into a well worked and engrossing contest.
There's a lot of struggle for control and counters and both men display
some immense quick fire bursts of technique to escape holds: Cortez's
handstand counters in particular are a thing of beauty. Well wrestled,
some incredible counters and holds applied, perhaps one of the finest
WOS bouts in terms of pure precision wrestling and an absolutely
excellent finish, this is definitely something people will dig.
Clay Thomson vs Reg Trood (12/30/72)
Clay Thomson vs Reg Trood (PART 1)
Clay Thomson vs Reg Trood (PART 2)
Excellent wrestling match with some tremendous intensity which really added to a lot of the holds and viciousness in which they were applied. Thomson is a truly unique wrestler and watching this makes me want to revisit his match vs Alan Sarjeant which blew me away the first time I saw it. His selling in the first round of a leg scissor hold is stupendous, you can hear him violently coughing and it plays into the next couple of rounds with Thomson looking cagey when locking up with Trood and constantly having to find ways to escape headlock and leg lock submissions. Thomson eventally incurs a public warning for his second refusal to break appropriately when he finally gains the advantage by targeting the taped up leg of Trood (really liked how he seemed to respectfully stay away from the leg until it became clear he was in trouble and because his bubbling frustration from the earlier holds was causing him to lose his cool) which he does so with some painful looking holds. Both men do a very good job as well at breaking up the grappling with some quickfire rope exchanges and Thomson's growing frustration which surfaces at numerous key moments in the match (refusing to accept a handshake to escape a submission he's tied up in) really adds to each rope exchange with him focusing on some aggressive throws and headbutts. Actual finish was well done with Thomson slowly making Trood's weakened leg the focus of his attack and slowly gaining a seemingly unstoppable advantage, then taking the contest to the ropes and having a crucial counter up his sleeve to set up a flash pin for the victory.
Really well done WOS 'intense' grappling match, with Thomson's growing frustration and distain towards Trood's holds providing for some story to add to the already stellar wrestling.
Jon Cortez vs Zoltan Boscik (4/14/71)
Excellent wrestling match here. Not quite the clash in characters and overly explored story dominating the match like we were treated to in Grey vs Myers, but they do a terrific job working a constantly momentum turning match and mixing in some sensational escapes and counter wrestling to boot. Boscik is a really silky smooth wrestler and he makes some intricate escapes here look effortless, Cortez himself is a phenom in athleticism and grappling and he's more than up to task here with some never before seen escapes to traditional holds and always trying to hang with Boscik whether its on the mat or in some brief but heated flurries of strikes. Boscik does a good job at making the match a bit more heated and contested by the third round with a more ruthless demeanour when he seizes an opportunity, and Cortez sells the slow bubbling frustration very nicely. Finish is outstanding.
Steve Grey vs Clive Myers (11/22/75)
Incredible wrestling match, right off the bat these two just have that magical chemistry you rarely find. Everything is fluid, crisp, timed to perfection, the game of human chess may not possibly be explored better than this match. Each sequence and grapple feels so hard fought for with both men constantly having to explore new avenues and give up fruitless attempts at securing a submission.
The contrast in characters also really adds to the match and takes it up another level. Myers is hardly your Ric Flair snob but he just looks like a well groomed and respectful star, despite having the humbled modesty of a Ricky Steamboat. Steve Grey however...well you just can't not love the guy. He has that scruffy everyman look to him and just looks like the punk kid nobody would give a second chance to upon first glance, and the beauty of this match is that despite taking Myers to the limit and holding his own it feels like Grey is constantly the guy you expect to come out second best in every lock up no matter how many times he outsmarts or out-manouevres Myers. There's just this everyman attribute in him that makes him the clear sympathetic babyface you can't root against.
Anyway the match has some incredible counters and submission attempts. They do a sterling job at interjecting some light hearted comedy into the match in order to keep the crowd invested and to provide some relief to the intense grappling, but when both men lock up its just pure brilliance. The lightening speed in the takedowns and transitions in the guard are staggering and Myers in particular pulls out some never before seen counters and frightening feats of athleticism. Check out how he alters his position in the first video when he has Grey's leg wrapped up, he sees Grey looking to take his right leg and effortlessly stretches his right leg back to close that escape route and add to the pain.
Grey himself is the ultimate defence and unleashes his famous 'human ball' counter a couple of times, once you get past the whackiness behind it its actually one of the more smarter escape routes and he times it wonderfully for it to come off as recongition he's in danger rather than a carny party trick. His counter out of it in the second video is also spectacular anyway you look at it. They time the rope running exchanges superbly as well, each exchange lasts under 30 seconds but between the lightening speed both men unleash as well as the timing after engaging grappling it really hooks you into each transition and keeps you on the edge of your seat. Finish is also fucking beautiful, I demand someone steal that pin in the near future.
Gilbert Cestra vs Billy Cantazarro (FRANCE 1960s)
Gilbert Cestra vs Billy Cantazarro PART 1
Gilbert Cestra vs Billy Cantazarro PART 2
How good is this match? Its at worst a top 10 match in the history of wrestling for my money, that's how good it is. The grappling, the counters, the timing, the pacing, everything is just wonderful and transcendent for its time. People talk about how Dynamite Kid is a pioneer in the 80s but these guys are pulling off sequences and transitions that people today would be lucky to ever replicate. What makes the match even better is that it has a clear story of parity and one-upsmanship and feels like a grappling equivalent to Flair/Steamboat in that both guys come off as the definition of rivals. There's plenty of stiff strikes in amongst the wonderful chain wrestling and there are about half a dozen counters/escapes I can't recall ever seeing before. GREATNESS.
Gilbert Cestra vs Billy Cantazarro PART 2
How good is this match? Its at worst a top 10 match in the history of wrestling for my money, that's how good it is. The grappling, the counters, the timing, the pacing, everything is just wonderful and transcendent for its time. People talk about how Dynamite Kid is a pioneer in the 80s but these guys are pulling off sequences and transitions that people today would be lucky to ever replicate. What makes the match even better is that it has a clear story of parity and one-upsmanship and feels like a grappling equivalent to Flair/Steamboat in that both guys come off as the definition of rivals. There's plenty of stiff strikes in amongst the wonderful chain wrestling and there are about half a dozen counters/escapes I can't recall ever seeing before. GREATNESS.
Steve Grey vs Ken Joyce (8/9/75)
Terrific pure grappling contest with some sensational counters, takedowns and submissions mixed in with some light hearted comedy. These two are both amazing grapplers and really work a smart and even contest that resembled a Lucha title bout with how they shifted momentum every now and then and established both men as capable of besting the other. Grey's escape of a headscissors spot at 14.40 has to be seen to be believed, so graceful and smootly executed and the crowd reaction was a nice touch. He also locks in an insane indian deathlock/over the head leg submission that looked incredible and something you expect out of Negro Navarro.
They also run some fun comedy moments particularly Grey's attempts to fool Joyce by tieing himself into a ball and feeding the arm to counter it but Joyce being wise to his opponent and in most cases playing basketball with Grey helpless and even picking him up clean off the mat and bouncing him off the floor which looked hideous. Joyce later attempts to trip Grey who casually sidesteps him and boots him in the arse for good measure! They also threw some nice headbutts during exchanges and did a terrific job in not only pacing the match smartly between comedy and serious grappling but also mixing flawless exchanges with gritty and painful looking holds that looked like a struggle to lock on.
Very fun match for any Lucha fans or people looking for intense grappling with killer submissions and flawless matwork with some nice strikes thrown in for good measure.
Jim Breaks vs Adrian Street (2/12/72)
Oh man, I only saw this in the past week but I'd already proudly call it one of the best matches I've ever seen. Street is a guy working a gay/exotico gimmick whilst Breaks is a notorious loudmouth, so its heel vs heel and that allows for a brilliant mix of slick matwork and grappling as well as some underhanded tactics. Fish hooking, biting flesh, eye gouging, wrist manipulation, finger bending, snapping an arm in the ropes etc, the match has it all.
Street leaves one of the most lasting impressions I've ever had from someone I've only seen once. The speed and precision in his grappling, takedowns and counter wrestling has to be seen to be believed, and his schtick working his exotico gimmick to rile up the crowd is also tremendously entertaining. Breaks himself works incredibly as the serious and loud-mouthed opponent who's having none of Street's antics and the entire 6 round bout does an immaculate job at building from a largely pure wrestling contest into a heated violent spectacle with Breaks gaining a crucial advantage in targeting Street's left arm, and Street resorting to desperation strikes and illegal moves to try and hold off the cunning and dangerous Breaks. There's one counter where Street positions his own leg into a figure four which bemuses Walton and everyone, only for Street's leg to break the hold he was in which literally blew me away. He also hits an insane running legbar takedown which looked straight out of MMA. The forearm strikes in this aren't relied on too much, but believe me when they're layed in neither man pulles any punches. Break's arm work is also some of the nastiest shit I've ever seen, seriously you can just believe Regal and Finlay studied some of the holds he unleashes to punish Street here.
Marty Jones vs Bull Blitzer (4/23/86)
Essentially an 80s prelude to Finlay vs Benoit. Terrific matwork and chain wrestling from both, structured nicely with some heelish antics from Blitzer and some hellacious strikes from both men.
Both men trade nice sequences early on with a nice 'rule of threes' spot where Blitzer takes down Jones twice with ease before Jones counters on the third attempt and hits a takedown of his own and there's an especially sweet ankle hold spot where Blitzer just continually tears at the leg and repeatedly stretches it to keep the hold locked in. He also takes a terrific over the top rope bump from Jones in the early minutes which was flat out sensational. I noted some of the strikes thrown here are hellacious and there's two uppercuts that Jones hits that Wright sells magnificently by essentialy turning 360 degrees into the next one before taking a lovely bodyslam that they work into a close 10 count, Wright trying to attack Jones after a lock up but collapsing due to his back was some nifty selling. Both men are tremendously slick though in each sequence and Jones in particular hits a lovely lucha esque over the shoulder hurricanrana into a hold that looked incredibly smooth. There was also one hilarious exchange where Wright cartwheels to avoid Jones and Jones just playfully slaps him the minute he lands!
There's a great headscissors figure four lock next which Jones sells tremendously well, Wright hits a disgusting knee drop to the throat and whilst he's posing and picking fights with the Women's Institute in the crowd Wright is stumbling around and unable to breath from the onslaught, god I'm starting to legit mark for Marty Jones. Wright also cheapshots Jones in the corner and really plays up the disrespectul foreigner who convieniently can't follow the rules due to the language barrier and takes the single greatest bump off of a turnbuckle shot I've ever seen, its like a mini cannonball. Wright eventually takes the first fall with a terrifc gut wrench slam off of a Jones top rope counter.
2nd fall is terrificly short but does all it needs to. Jones goes on the onslaught and attempts to overpower Wright and after a backslide isn't enough he hits an insane takedown pin that looked amazing and ties the match up. Really felt like a lucha fall with how one sided it was in how Jones dominates, really sets up the final fall terrificly.
Final fall starts off brilliantly as Wright wants no part of Jones and circles the ring to compose himself before getting back in the ring and hitting a lovely arm wringer which Jones really went all out for in bumping. The tension in each lock up is much more dramatic and hate filled and Wright gets progressivly pissed off as Jones manages to bust out sweet counters for everything he attempts to control with. Each lock up is incredibly dramatic and hate filled and both men bump insanely in the final fall to the point where you feel a pinfall or submission is incredibly near and the top rope kneedrop to the ribs of Jones was flat out disgusting. This really wouldn't look out of place in a Mexico ring tbh. There was sadly a botch towards the end with Wright attempting to leap onto the top rope freestyle but slipping and falling to the mat, in fairness between Jones going for a quick pin and both men selling the wear and tear amazingly well it did sort of fit into the match environment with neither man being in great condition to attempt such a move. The finish itself is pretty nuts, shortly after the botch Jones catches Wright coming off of the rope with a sick dropkick but hits his head on the mat upon impact and once Wright regains his composure hits a beautiful tombstone for the pin.
Marty Jones vs Fit Finlay (4/14/84)
MARTY JONES VS FIT FINLAY (4/14/84) - DAILYMOTION
Great match here. It was surreal to see just how athletic Finlay was in his transitions and bumping here, thankfully he still has his stiff pissed off side to him that we grew accustomed to post 2006. And Finlay with great bumping and athleticism as well as dishing out some disgusting headbutts is always welcomed.
The opening has some swank mat work and chain wrestling between the two. Jones has some really unique takedowns and grappling techniques and he has this gorgeous spot where he stamps on Finlay's left hand and drives it into the mat before grabbing both arms and locking in a submission. Jones also hit a beastly dropkick early on which had Finlay scrambling to check he hadn't lost a molar. They do a familiar spot where Finlay can't escape a hold and has his arm repeatedly twisted and pulled by Jones which he sells terrificly. Unlike modern grappling exchanges Jones is clearly established as the dominant grappler and Finlay constantly smacks the mat in anger and seeks to take advantage of any opening via headbutt or cleverly concealed closed fist punches.
Goes without saying but some of the strikes in this are brutal, Jones has some amazing european uppercuts and he rocks Finlay with one clean off of the mat and Finlay lays in one headbutt during a greco roman knuckle lock that looked filthy and should have caused an elderly woman to faint in disbelief. Also dug how Finlay resorted to his strikes during the lock ups after accepting he was being made to look foolish by Jones's skill. The finish to the 1st fall is actually one of my favourite spots of all time: Finlay has been slowly pissing Jones off with closed fist punches and cheapshotting as well as some taunting slaps and he reels off a quick succession of moves and launches Finlay into the corner before catching him in a sharpshooter attempt. Finlay then taps Jones on the back like a referee does which confuses Jones into thinking he's won the fall only to turn round into a ferocious forearm from Finlay. Finlay's arrogance gets the best of him though and Jones catches a quick backslide for the pin.
2nd fall is also good but not on the level of the 1st. Jones immediately goes for a quick pin and Finlay seeks about headbutting and kneeing Jones in the ribcage to start a comeback. He works over Jones nicely enough with some good holds before they exchange pinning attempts (some of which were very Lucha esque) and Jones manages to regain the momentum with some sweet strikes as well as Finlay getting too hot headed which ultimately costs him as he eats the turnbuckle at full force. Jones goes up top and hits a senton which looked brutal and apparently gets a warning, guessing there's no top rope moves in WOS (forgot about that rule). Finlay's manager is pissed off and seems to be calling for Jones to be docked the 2nd fall and when the ref refuses Finlay still selling the ribs walks off and gets counted out. Pretty standard finish for a non title match in establshing Jones as having proved himself against Finlay and getting Finlay some good heat, but it did kill my enjoyment a bit.
Great match here. It was surreal to see just how athletic Finlay was in his transitions and bumping here, thankfully he still has his stiff pissed off side to him that we grew accustomed to post 2006. And Finlay with great bumping and athleticism as well as dishing out some disgusting headbutts is always welcomed.
The opening has some swank mat work and chain wrestling between the two. Jones has some really unique takedowns and grappling techniques and he has this gorgeous spot where he stamps on Finlay's left hand and drives it into the mat before grabbing both arms and locking in a submission. Jones also hit a beastly dropkick early on which had Finlay scrambling to check he hadn't lost a molar. They do a familiar spot where Finlay can't escape a hold and has his arm repeatedly twisted and pulled by Jones which he sells terrificly. Unlike modern grappling exchanges Jones is clearly established as the dominant grappler and Finlay constantly smacks the mat in anger and seeks to take advantage of any opening via headbutt or cleverly concealed closed fist punches.
Goes without saying but some of the strikes in this are brutal, Jones has some amazing european uppercuts and he rocks Finlay with one clean off of the mat and Finlay lays in one headbutt during a greco roman knuckle lock that looked filthy and should have caused an elderly woman to faint in disbelief. Also dug how Finlay resorted to his strikes during the lock ups after accepting he was being made to look foolish by Jones's skill. The finish to the 1st fall is actually one of my favourite spots of all time: Finlay has been slowly pissing Jones off with closed fist punches and cheapshotting as well as some taunting slaps and he reels off a quick succession of moves and launches Finlay into the corner before catching him in a sharpshooter attempt. Finlay then taps Jones on the back like a referee does which confuses Jones into thinking he's won the fall only to turn round into a ferocious forearm from Finlay. Finlay's arrogance gets the best of him though and Jones catches a quick backslide for the pin.
2nd fall is also good but not on the level of the 1st. Jones immediately goes for a quick pin and Finlay seeks about headbutting and kneeing Jones in the ribcage to start a comeback. He works over Jones nicely enough with some good holds before they exchange pinning attempts (some of which were very Lucha esque) and Jones manages to regain the momentum with some sweet strikes as well as Finlay getting too hot headed which ultimately costs him as he eats the turnbuckle at full force. Jones goes up top and hits a senton which looked brutal and apparently gets a warning, guessing there's no top rope moves in WOS (forgot about that rule). Finlay's manager is pissed off and seems to be calling for Jones to be docked the 2nd fall and when the ref refuses Finlay still selling the ribs walks off and gets counted out. Pretty standard finish for a non title match in establshing Jones as having proved himself against Finlay and getting Finlay some good heat, but it did kill my enjoyment a bit.
Marty Jones vs Dynamite Kid (2/5/83)
Dynamite is a guy I generally really don't care for at all as a worker. Watching some of his 'pimped' matches makes me think he more or less pioneered a lot of the traits in modern wrestling I can't get behind (exhibiton wrestling, little story etc). Marty Jones however is probably one of the greatest wrestlers never talked about and has a ton of great matches instead of that 1 Owen Hart match from 1987 which people usually only associate with it being Owen Hart in WOS. However that being said, Dynamite is pretty freaking incredible in this match. He produces one of the most cuntish performances I've seen and bumps extremely well, this is what Dynamite needs to be instead of trying to immitate his Tiger Mask matches.
This is pretty much the most violent match I've also seen in WOS. Some of the strikes and throws are horrificly stiff or sold incredibly well. Jones is really great as the guy who's pissed off with Dynamite's antics but still wants to win fairly and will instead seek to punish Dynamite within the rules, whereas Dynamite is basically headbutting and striking the fuck out of Marty and fucking off any matwork or exchange of holds. Jones establishes control with some nice takedown maneouvres and eventually takes the first fall with a quick rollup after Dynamite had finally found some rythm. Dynamite's reaction is pretty glorious as he just gets up and punches Marty right in the freakin kidneys and man this crowd is pissed. Marty giving a 'the fuck was that shit' look sealed it as the ultimate heel move and from here on out Dynamite just does not give a fuck about WOS and their rules. Old women screaming out of their seats is about as good as heat gets tbh.
Second fall sees Marty try to punish Dynamite for his sins within the rules whilst nursing an injured leg that he favours slightly as well as his kidneys. There's a nice spot where Dynamite off camera boots Marty in the kidneys to break up a boston crab and Marty drops like a sack of spades. Dynamite's offence really does push the limits of the rules in terms of how many strikes are permitted in WOS and the crowd continues to want his blood but sadly its Marty who bleeds off of an illegal Dynamite headbutt. From here Marty sells really well by throwing some weaker strikes (his earlier uppercuts were sensational) and is too overwhelmed and drops the second fall to Dynamite. Not content Dynamite kneedrops Marty right on his blooded nose AND NOW MARTY IS PISSED. He says fuck the rules and tosses the bloody towel away and now he wants some of that roided Canadian!
Final fall is nicely done, Marty launches Dynamite into the corner numerous times and Dynamite bumps like a champ. Marty is far more aggressive now that Dynamite has spilled his blood and even crossbodies him to the floor. Finish was nicely worked in terms of Dynamite finally countering a spot Marty had used to perfection earlier whilst also continuing the theme of Marty still wanting to win in a fair manner.
COMPLETE & ACCURATE WORLD OF SPORT
World of Sport is a classic era of British Wrestling quite overlooked by our American counterparts. Whilst the likes of Dynamite Kid, Davey Boy Smith, Jushin Liger, Owen Hart, Fit Finlay & William Regal all turned up at some point, there are an abundance of classic matches and workers who are sadly overlooked as being amongst the most talented of their era.
This ongoing project will focus primarily on the crop of workers from this era who regularly produced some of the finest matches in the history of the promotion and indeed worldwide, whilst occasionally featuring some of the more notable names listed above for fans of those wrestlers unfamiliar with their work in World Of Sport.
At some point I'd like to try and come up with a potential Top 50 or Top 100 matches from WOS, in order to give the most definitive overview of the history of the promotion. Much of this will depend on how much footage I can gather across the internet (on top of my perpetuant inability to commit to long-term projects), however I'm quitely confident that there's enough footage currently existing for this to be a feasible project.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
ONGOING LIST:~
1. Marty Jones vs Dynamite Kid (2/5/83)
2. Marty Jones vs Fit Finlay (4/14/84)
3. Marty Jones vs Bull Blitzer (4/23/86)
4. Jim Breaks vs Adrian Street (2/12/72)
5. Steve Grey vs Ken Joyce (8/9/75)
6. Gilbert Cestra vs Billy Cantazarro (FRANCE 1960s)
7. Steve Grey vs Clive Myers (11/22/75)
8. Jon Cortez vs Zoltan Boscik (4/14/71)
9. Clay Thomson vs Reg Trood (12/30/72)
10. Jon Cortez vs Keith Haward (1/14/84)
11. Steve Grey vs Keith Haward (2/5/85)
This ongoing project will focus primarily on the crop of workers from this era who regularly produced some of the finest matches in the history of the promotion and indeed worldwide, whilst occasionally featuring some of the more notable names listed above for fans of those wrestlers unfamiliar with their work in World Of Sport.
At some point I'd like to try and come up with a potential Top 50 or Top 100 matches from WOS, in order to give the most definitive overview of the history of the promotion. Much of this will depend on how much footage I can gather across the internet (on top of my perpetuant inability to commit to long-term projects), however I'm quitely confident that there's enough footage currently existing for this to be a feasible project.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
ONGOING LIST:~
1. Marty Jones vs Dynamite Kid (2/5/83)
2. Marty Jones vs Fit Finlay (4/14/84)
3. Marty Jones vs Bull Blitzer (4/23/86)
4. Jim Breaks vs Adrian Street (2/12/72)
5. Steve Grey vs Ken Joyce (8/9/75)
6. Gilbert Cestra vs Billy Cantazarro (FRANCE 1960s)
7. Steve Grey vs Clive Myers (11/22/75)
8. Jon Cortez vs Zoltan Boscik (4/14/71)
9. Clay Thomson vs Reg Trood (12/30/72)
10. Jon Cortez vs Keith Haward (1/14/84)
11. Steve Grey vs Keith Haward (2/5/85)
An Interlude of what's to come
So after much persuading, WOOLCOCK's blog is finally here. This is pretty much going to be a collection of my wrestling thoughts, covering US Wrestling 1970 onwards, Puro, Lucha, World of Sport & various other promotions and wrestlers throughout history right into the modern era.
I'll likely be composing thoughts on numerous comps I'm in possession of, as well as undertaking a few personal projects on workers who are unknown outside of small circles, but to me who are very much deserving of being heralded alongside some of the more touted workers in wrestling history. In between all of that though, I'll likely just be writing about any matches I come across alongside the more in depth projects.
I'll likely be composing thoughts on numerous comps I'm in possession of, as well as undertaking a few personal projects on workers who are unknown outside of small circles, but to me who are very much deserving of being heralded alongside some of the more touted workers in wrestling history. In between all of that though, I'll likely just be writing about any matches I come across alongside the more in depth projects.
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