Lioness Asuka & Chigusa Nagayo vs. Dump Matsumoto & Bull Nakano (10/10/1985, AJW): The crowd is electric for this and the Crush Gals look like real badasses standing up against 5 masked women with canes in their hands. When Lioness Asuka's name is announced, the amount of streamers that cover the ring is ridiculous. The heels outnumber and beat down on the babyfaces before the bell but the melee subsides rather quickly and Asuka goes at it with Nakano. A loud "Chigusa" chant starts up when she gets tagged in, clearly the sound of thousands of young women going wild for their hero. The referee forces one of the other masked women to reveal herself when its revealed that Dump Matsumoto is not in the match. This leads to another wild brawl all around the ring. Matsumoto takes off her mask but grabs hold of a kendo stick and just wails on Asuka! The heels maintain control and send Asuka to the outside for more punishment from their goons. Nagayo gets pulled in by Matsumoto and Nakano strikes her with nunchucks, working on her knee. Asuka comes in and gets a sling blade and then a chop to Nakano's gut! Vertical suplex by Asuka but another run-in breaks the count. Outside, some of the goons try to grab a table and get into it with one of the announcers! Back in the ring, more chaos! The heels grab hold of more weapons and then their henchman join the mix too. The bell rings and the babyfaces are rewarded the first fall by DQ, which makes total sense. The second fall begins with Nakano and Asuka as Chigusa sells on the outside. Asuka with some kicks and knees to get control and then an airplane spin for 2. In comes Nagayo for revenge, hitting Nakano with a series of headbutts and then a sharp jab and a punch to the gut off the ropes. Piledriver by Nagayo but it only gets 2. Off the ropes comes Asuka with an elbow to the back and then an awesome German suplex! In comes Matsumoto but she gets rolled up for 2 also. Matsumoto counters with a clothesline off the ropes and then hoists Asuka up. Doomsday Device gets 3! Asuka sells on the mat like her neck has been broken, which is a bit much but certainly adds to the drama. Nagayo is forced to come in to face Matsumoto. She manages to apply a headlock but Matsumoto grabs her by the foot and then brings her up in a fireman's carry just to drop her on the mat. Clothesline by Dump off the ropes but it barely gets a 1 count. In comes Nakano, who applies a front facelock and then also grabs a leg for a half-crab. Not alot of "moves" on display during this 3rd fall, but plenty of grappling, which is a bit surprising after how wild the first fall was and how much the 2nd, even with its brevity, was "off the mat." Dump grabs a garbage can but doesn't get DQ'd for using it and then chokes out Asuka on the top rope. Matsumoto wraps a chain around Asuka's injured neck! The Crush Gals' supporters huddle around them to try to protect them from any more punishment and the match collapses again with the Crush Gals gloating and strutting about. Not knowing Japanese, I have no idea what the ring announcement was, but the match continues once everyone gets cleared out. Dump delivers some stiff kicks to Nagayo's midsection and then applies a choke on the mat. Chigusa has a busted lip or bloody nose (hard to tell). Dump slams her but Nakano misses the leg drop! Nagayo with a spin kick off the ropes but Nakano is still standing and drops a leg on Chigusa's thigh. The heels take over again and continue to work on Nagayo's bandaged knee. Asuka runs in to protect her from any more punishment, as do their cornerwomen, with the referee calling off the match and awarding the final fall to the heels (which gets a huge reaction). Dump's gloating in the corner is incredible. Incredible match with lots of visuals and wonderful, wild storytelling. If one ever wondered how much heat Dump and Nakano had or how over the Crush Gals were, this match really sums it up. I wish there was more actual wrestling in it, though, as so much of this is "carried" by its atmosphere and the character work. Still, certainly worthy of one's time. (4/5)
Judy Martin and Donna Christianello vs. Chigusa Nagayo and Lioness Asuka (03/08/1986, WWE): I'm not sure how well-known The Crush Gals were in the WWE prior to this match (or even after), but the commentator team certainly didn't seem to know much of anything about them. Monsoon didn't even know which one was "The Lioness." Martin slaps Chigusa's hand away when she reaches out for a handshake and is clearly apprehensive about locking up with Nagayo, especially after she does a jumping spin kick to show her martial arts skills. They finally lock up and Martin manages to apply a wristlock before tagging in her partner, who also attempts a wristlock that Nagayo quickly counters. A "Boring" chant begins as the heels continue to keep their distance from the Crush Gals. Asuka comes in and, again, Martin avoids contact with a jumping kick before finally grabbing an arm. Asuka counters it and adds a series of kicks to the stomach that send Martin out to the floor to regain her composure. Martin gets some offense in, including a back elbow, but Asuka pops the crowd with a sunset flip. Christianello delivers a snap mare and then a boot and a forearm before Chigusa gets the tag. Christianello grabs a leg and tags in Martin, who catches Nagayo's crossbody but then gets sent on her back from a dropkick by Asuka! In comes Asuka as Martin goes to the floor. In comes Christianello but the heels take advantage and make some quick tags. Martin delivers a kick and drives Asuka's head to the mat. Another back elbow off the ropes but Asuka rallies with a kip-up and then another karate chop and in comes Nagayo. Big boot from Martin! Cool double-team backbreaker by the Americans. Nagayo applies a single-leg and then a half-crab onto Christianello but out comes Martin to break it up and the heels beat up Nagayo in the corner. Martin prevents her from making the tag and really works her over. Simple-but-effective storytelling there and in comes Asuka to a sizeable pop! Dropkick by Asuka and then a bodyslam for 2. Elbow off the top by Nagayo to another big pop from the crowd. Sharpshooter-like hold by Nagayo, but Martin gets to the ropes. Another quick tag and Asuka comes down for a clothesline but hits her own partner when Martin breaks free. Martin retakes control and whips Asuka to the ropes but Asuka comes back with a clothesline and then tags in Nagayo - Double Karate Chop off the ropes. The babyfaces with a series of big elbows and Danny Davis has lost control. Big slap to the face by Martin before she tags in Christianello - who is met by a double dropkick! Airplane Spin to a massive pop! Holy cow, that looked great! 3 count and the babyfaces win! This wasn't a great match, but the closing stretch was excellent. A fun match to watch just because of the novelty of seeing the Crush Gals get over in front of a Boston crowd that was probably not aware of how popular they were in Japan. (2.5/5)
Brodie Lee vs. Necro Butcher (02/27/2009, ROH): This is an "Anything Goes" match and it doesn't long for them to start breaking rules as Lee falls out to the floor and Necro grabs a chair. Butcher breaks a part of the guardrail off and slams it into Lee and then positions onto the apron. Butcher throws some chairs into the ring and then grabs a curtain to blind Lee so he can hit him with some stiff punches to the gut. Lee gets the guardrail into the ring but continues his assault on the outside before rolling him into the squared circle. Butcher with a big running foot (he doesn't wear boots) to the head and sends Lee into the guardrail repeatedly in the corner. Lee's right shoulder is cut but he connects with a dropkick and then german suplexes the Butcher into the barricade! Lee sets up some chairs and Butcher ends up sitting on one. Butcher wants to go punch-for-punch but Lee kicks him in the chest, which sends him back to the mat. Lee delivers some uppercuts and then grabs a chair. He goes to run it into his corner but Necro blocks it with his foot. Brodie with the big running boot in the corner. Lee gets a 2-count from a running lariat before stacking the chairs. Side slam on the chairs by Lee, but it didn't look too hot (which doesn't mean it didn't hurt like hell). Lee goes to the top rope but Necro catches him with a chair and then press slams back into the ring and onto the chairs. Necro with a series of chops and punches in the corner! Bulldog onto the bed of chairs (which is now covered by the barricade as well). Chair-assisted bodyslam by the Butcher for another 2 count. Butcher drives the top of the chair into Lee's midsection and goes for a senton but Lee moves and Butcher lands on the guardrail. Ouch. Strike exchange time. Big boot by Lee, but then a kick to the head by Butcher! In comes Jimmy Jacobs and then Delirious and then a woman I don't recognize. Jacobs accidentally spears Delirious. Chairshot by Butcher to the head of Lee to finish this one off. I wanted to like this more than I did as I like Brodie Lee/Luke Harper and I can get into a Necro Butcher match when it delivers the ridiculous hardcore, stiff brutality that was his bread-and-butter. This had some good, painful spots, no doubt, but it didn't go as far as it could've and the interference-heavy finish seemed to lead to an abrupt ending before the match went into that "second gear." Nothing worth recommending here, but not terrible. (2/5)
Eddie Guerrero vs. Fit Finlay (12/22/1997, WCW): This is from an episode of Nitro. Eddie Guerrero was a heel and the Cruiserweight Champion, I believe. Guerrero goes after Finlay's left knee early. Guerrero hits a senton early but misses a dropkick to the knee. Finlay takes control and lands a short-arm clothesline and then drops Eddie neck-first on the top rope. This match is basically wrestled in fast-forward as they jam pack it with signature moves and don't bother with many submissions or any real breaks in the action. With Finlay, you always get some unique brawling and he gets to do a little here. Brilliant superplex by Finlay towards the end, but an awful, awful finish as Guerrero takes the countout loss by walking out of the match. Dang. This was really fun until that lame finish. They "maximized their minutes" but it was too short to be great. (2/5)
Lioness Asuka and Aja Kong vs. Meiko Satomura and Chikayo Nagashima (GAEA, 04/20/2003): Aja nails a powerbomb early before tagging in Asuka, who is equally brutal with her wristlock on Nagashima. Satomura comes in and, immediately, the game changes and Asuka gets a bit cautious, very much aware of how dangerous Satomura can be. Asuka brings her to the mat and applies a rear choke. Satomurua grabs hold of an ankle, but Asuka goes for an arm. Asuka goes for a slam but Satomura counters it with one of her own. Back on the mat, Asuka applies a head scissors and drags her over to the corner. In comes Kong, who hoists Meiko up in a choke and turns it into a devastating powerbomb for 2. Kong absolutely murders Satomura with strikes, but Satomurua applies a headlock. After some back-and-forth, Kong delivers a nasty piledriver and a then a belly-to-back suplex. Asuka gets the tag and, after a brief flurry from Satomura, hits a powerbomb of her own. Satomrua and Nagashima make some quick tags, allowing Nagashima to hit a double-stomp from the top rope and Satomurua to land a frog splash. Bulldog by Nagashima on Asuka! But she gets cut-off by a clothesline off the ropes. A table is brought into the ring and Asuka powerbombs Nagashima into it! Ouch! Kong squashes her against it! Another powerbomb by Asuka, but this one looked particularly brutal. The heels keep the pressure on with Aja landing a big splash for 2, but seemingly choosing not to accept the victory. Kong goes for a suplex but almost gets caught in a tarantula. Nagashima attempts a suplex but Kong is just too big. Kong hits a brainbuster, but Satomura breaks up the pin. Kong misses a back elbow from the top and Nagashima misses a stomp. The heels clothesline eachother! Nagashima hits a German Suplex on Kong for 2! Head scissors by Nagashima for 2! Meanwhile, Satomura and Asuka are basically just standing around and watching (waiting for the next spot). Nagashima manages to pin Kong with a victory roll around the 12-minute mark. There was plenty to like in this match, but also some awkward moments, especially towards the end, when it seemed like Asuka and Satomura were locked together but just sorta "there" while Kong and Nagashima went through their sequence. (3/5)
Devil Masami vs. Lioness Asuka (04/05/1986, AJW): Asuka goes for the airplane spin right away and its a dandy! Great nearfall too as the ref catches that Masami's shoulder is off the mat. Massami comes back with a German Suplex right away to even the score. The next big spot is Asuka dropkicking Masami off the top rope and onto the floor and then crashing down on her with an awkward splash. It didn't look great, but it looked like it hurt. The bell rings and the first fall seems to be a double countout, though its hard to tell because I don't know Japanese. Anyway, great slapfight to start the next round and then Asuka controls until Masami hits an electric chair out of the corner. Great release front suplex by Masami but Asuka bridges out of the pin attempt. Asuka with a German Suplex but only gets a 1! Now its Masami's turn to bridge out of a second pin attempt. Figure four by Masami. Asuka finally grabs the bottom rope to break the hold and the two make their way to the top rope for a superplex by Masami. Once again Asuka bridges out! Back suplex off the ropes by Asuka followed by a series of dropkicks and then another big airplane spin! My god. These airplane spins are sick. 1..2...Masami with a foot on the rope! This match might have some of the best nearfalls I've ever seen. Piledriver by Asuka! Another great nearfalls as Masami somehow bridges. Asuka goes to the top rope and nails a huge dropkick, but Masami bridges. A punch-out ensues and Masami hits a devastating and not-so-fake looking piledriver that seems like it could've legitimately paralyzed Asuka. Another nearfall and a bridge by Asuka. Masami hits a fisherman suplex but only gets 2. Powerbomb by Asuka! Powerbomb by Masami! Not much in the way of transitions here, but I like that this has literally become "Anything You Can Do, I Can Do Better." Awesome belly-to-back suplex by Asuka with her also grabbing hold and tucking Masami's leg! Asuka goes for a vertical but Masami counters, only to get hit by an enziguiri! She almost gets the pin, but the bell rings. I'm guessing some sort of time-limit expired? Lioness Asuka looks pissed after the match. The referee raises both women's hands and Masami retains her title. The finish wasn't definitive, but the action was really good from beginning to end. (3.5/5)
Aja Kong and Bull Nakano vs. Akira Hokuto and Suzuka Minami (10/1989, AJW): Couldn't find much info about this match, but its pretty wild from the jump as Nakano and Kong, who has a much smaller look at this point, take out a fan at ringside before the match even begins. Crazy. Hokuto and Minami were known as the "Marine Wolves." Aja and Bull also bully the referee a bit before attacking the babyfaces and bringing them right outside the ring from the start of the match, Kong tossing Hokuto into the crowd before going after Minami in the ring. The early going of this match is incredibly fast-paced and even if Hokuto and Kong's work isn't as great as it would be in the upcoming years, the energy is certainly there. Highlights include Nakano's leg drop from the top, Minami's excellent and spirited bumping and selling, and Hokuto and Kong already showing flashes of their tremendous chemistry. The heels took the first fall when Minami missed a senton, but the babyfaces rallied during the second fall until Nakano started utilizing a strap. The fight went back into the stands, with Nakano bashing Hokuto's face into the guard rail and then, back in the ring, jabbing her in the face with a pen! Gnarly stuff that resulted in Hokuto getting some serious "color." She managed to make the tag, but the ref missed it, allowing Nakano and Kong to continue their attack. Kong struck her with a bucket and then did the same - which would've been a DQ anywhere else but in 80s/90s joshi for some reason? A bloodied Hokuto came back with a dropkick before dodging another bucket strike. Minami came in with a chair but it was Hokuto's missle dropkick that earned the babyfaces the 2nd fall. The 3rd fall begins with Kong going after Hokuto with a series of headbutts. Nakano hit some nice suplexes but ate a couple tilt-a-whirl backbreakers from Minami in return. The camera (and ref) missed a nifty German suplex on Bull, but caught Minami's second one on Kong. Awesome combo leg drop/splash out of the corner by the babyfaces! That reminded me of something the Rougeaus might've busted out. Nakano busted out some green mist, which was a cool visual, but missed her leg drop. German by Hokuto for 2! Sunset flip from the top for 2 by Hokuto! Nakano slaps on a sleeper off the ropes and brings Hokuto to the floor. Nakano hoisted Hokuto up with two arms in a choke - MIST TO THE EYES! Damn! That was sick. Double dropkick by the babyfaces, though! Nakano comes back with a clothesline on both from the ropes, though, and then spits MIST INTO MINAMI'S FACE too! Where did she hide that? Brilliant back suplex by Nakano to end the match. Wow. Very, very good match and worth watching just for how nasty and mean and scary the heels are in this match. (4/5)
Bull Nakano vs. Aja Kong (11/14/1990, AJW): I'm not sure what the storyline leading up to this match was, but does it really matter? Nakano and Kong were former tag team partners - at least based on the last match I reviewed - but were now set to beat the hell out of each other. Kong comes in with weapons-in-hand, while Nakano walks down the aisle all-business. Kong goes after her in the aisleway to start things, tossing her into a bunch of chairs. Kong tries to get to the cage but Nakano grabs her and tosses her into a bunch of chairs in retaliation. Into the cage they go, headbutts and fists start flying from Kong, but Nakano fights back with some kicks and a heck of a clothesline to the jaw. There's a lighting issue and it does seem to throw off the competitors, though, this match is so wild that its hard to tell what was planned and what was improvised. Kong's spinning backhands look like absolute death but Nakano keeps popping up for them! Wow. They don't all the hit mark, but they connect enough to look like they are legitimately breaking Nakano's nose. Unsurprisingly, she is busted open and dazed, but Kong continues to strike her with one after another! Kong goes to escape but Nakano grabs sort of metal pipe and hits her in the back with it. Back slap by Nakano! Another stiff clothesline off the ropes and two more pump kicks! Front piledriver by Nakano and then she hits Kong with a metal bin, but Kong feels no pain at first. Nakano wallops her with the thing a few more times to finally put her down. Nunchaku time! The initial strikes don't look too real, but that last one looks it brains Aja in the face! Nakano with another clothesline, a couple bonzai drops, and then sends her face-first into the cage wall. Headbutts by Kong to turn things around. Piledriver by Kong! Those always look nasty. Kong climbs atop her in the corner and hits her with a series of punches but Nakano shoves her off and eventually lands a legdrop off the ropes. Kong is busted open too at this point! Kong grabs the pipe-and-chain weapon thingy and then the metal bin, targeting Nakano's knee. One of Nakano's henchman slips her some scissors, though, and she stabs at Kong's arm. Dang. Then she goes for the face too! Too brutal for me, to be honest. Meanwhile, some of their supporters brawl outside the cage and into the crowd too. Love that. One of Kong's supporters tries to climb in the ring but gets jabbed too! Hey, I think that was Madusa! Madusa (I think) throws in a bunch of rope and Kong wraps it around Bull's neck. Nakano manages to break free and tie Kong up, but Kong escapes as Nakano is trying to climb the cage. Great bump from Kang back into the ring off the top rope. Nakano tries to climb but Kong shakes the ropes and she falls to the apron. Another metal bin gets tossed into the ring and used by Kong. A metal chain gets brought into the ring by one of Nakano's supporters and Kong ends up with it wrapped around her neck and arm. Nakano ties her to the rope and delivers a series of scissor kicks. The unfocused attack allows Kong to recover and grab hold of the pipe-and-chain thing and then superplex Nakano off the top rope after she tries to escape. Nakano hits a not-so-safe powerbomb but misses the leg drop from the top rope and Kong nails her with a huge german suplex. Madusa tosses Kong a huge wooden (?) stick to use on Nakano but when she tries to come off the top rope with it, one of Nakano's supporters grabs it from her. Back on the mat, Nakano drops her head-first with a powerbomb. Damn. How is she not paralyzed? Nakano with a LEG DROP OFF THE TOP OF THE CAGE! Holy shit! Nakano doesn't sell it much, though, springing up immediately and climbing out of the cage. You would think that delivering the move would hurt her nearly as much as Kong on the receiving end. The flaws in this match are that there's a bit of a break in the action - or at least nothing new and exciting happening - right before the finish as it seems like they'd basically run out of ideas and didn't necessarily have a plan on how to go from one sequence to the next. Also, as awesome as the leg drop off the cage was, I wish Nakano had also sold it as being damaging to her instead of popping right up and quickly climbing out. This is a tough one to rate because so much of it is excellent, but not enough to call it a true masterpiece. (4/5)
Genichiro Tenryu vs. Riki Choshu (09/03/1986, AJPW): A heralded match between these two highly-acclaimed grapplers. Loved Choshu's back suplex early and using a fireman's carry to counter Tenryu's side-headlock into an armbar. Choshu showed off more of his submission game by grapevining Tenryu's neck on the mat minutes later. Tenryu escaped, though, and applied a painful-looking bow-and-arrow. Choshu slipped to the outside to collect himself. Choshu went for an elbow in the corner but it had little effect and Tenryu applied a wristlock/armbar of his own. Tenryu wrenches the hell out of Choshu's wrist and arm, but I could see modern viewers being a bit bored by this sort of action compared to what we see today. With these two, you know you're going to get some stiff clotheslines and strikes and slams and there are some doozies here - Choshu slapping the heck out of Tenryu's chest as he attempts to lock in a cloverleaf, a ridiculous back suplex on the apron from Choshu, Tenryu kicks to Choshu's ribs and gut in the second half of the match. Choshu lands an "avalanche" back suplex when Tenryu goes to the top rope and then follows it up with his third major suplex but only gets 2. Choshu sends Tenryu shoulder-first into the post and then follows him to the outside and whips him into another one, opening him up. Once Tenryu gets on the apron, Choshu knocks him into another post and then, when he gets in the ring, hits him with a nasty clothesline off the ropes. Tenryu is a bloody mess on the floor at this point but gets back into the ring to another punch from Choshu. Choshu goes after the ref, clearly having lost control. Tenryu strikes back with a heel kick and the fight continues with Choshu needing to be restrained in the corner. This match has a great reputation and there are certainly some really great moments, but the lack of a definitive finish keeps this from being in "true classic" territory for me. (3.5/5)
KANA (Asuka) vs. Kengo Mashimo (09/24/11, Kana Pro): I'd heard about Kana's intergender matches being good, but had my reservations as it is not a style I typically enjoy. As expected, Kengo uses his size to control early, but doesn't really go on the offensive until around minute 4, when he drops a knee to Kana's chest. Before and after, Kengo sticks to headlocks and bodylocks and doesn't look in danger at any point, even as Kana tries multiple submissions of her own. He eats a bunch of kicks and only half-sells them, grabbing Kana's foot and twisting her up rather than striking back with any of his own. When he does eventually hit back with a knee, he doesn't capitalize on it or continue his attack, allowing Kana to apply an ankle lock. Kana goes for a german suplex but can't get him up and he drops her with another knee to the chest. He goes a kick to finish her off but she grabs hold of his ankle again. Nasty german suplex by Mashimo! But, again, he doesn't make the cover. Kana gets up but gets splashed in the corner. Back to the mat they go to exchange armbars and wristlocks. Kana lands another big series of kicks and a spinning backfist and then manages to hit the german suplex, finally getting in some sustained offense. Another kick to the head but Kengo catches her leg and tosses her overhead. Running knee by Kengo but it gets 2.9 (the ref's final count seemed a bit slow to me). Nasty overhead suplex by Mashimo! Another one! Again, we get a deliberate 2.9 count. Kengo seems like he's in full control but Asuka gets his arm! Kengo rolls out and applies an armbar of his own, no longer "taking it easy" on his opponent. He applies a devastating butterfly stretch and she's forced to tap. I can see why some people dig this sort of stuff - it is a believable story, there's nothing "cutesy" or comedic about it, and because it is not the "manhandling" one might expect, its actually more palatable and less offensive than the intergender wrestling I've seen before - but it still didn't do much of anything for me. (2.5/5)
Shinya Hashimoto vs. Keiji Mutoh (09/28/1998, NJPW): Mutoh tries to wear down Hashimoto early, trying his best to keep the big man on the mat. Hashimoto works his way back up and applies a headlock, hits a shoulder block, and throws a kick but Mutoh eats it and hits two jumping spin kicks of his own. Mutoh brings him back down with a keylock drag. Hashimoto breaks the hold by going at Mutoh's ankle. With both men back on their feet, Hashimoto hits a DDT that sends Mutoh out of the ring. Sound psychology here with Mutoh keeping his distance, trying to keep the match on the mat, and rolling to the outside to avoid one of Hashimoto's flurries of strikes. The men trade chops and Mutoh hits an elbow off the ropes, one of his signatures. Mutoh applies an armbar on the mat, sticking to his game plan. Hashimoto fights out but finds himself in the corner for a handspring back elbow from Mutoh and then a dropkick off the top. Mutoh follows with a backbreaker and goes to the top, but Hashimoto brings him down with a spinning heel kick. Uh oh. Hashimoto lays into him with two kicks to the chest and then a chop and another kick off the ropes. This is what Mutoh wanted to avoid. Another chop and a DDT for 2. An elbow drop gets another 2. Hashimoto unloads another series of kicks and a third DDT. Hashimoto goes to the top rope, but Mutoh meets him there and brings him down with a dragon screw leg whip! Figure four by Mutoh! Hashimoto reaches the ropes to break the hold but he is clearly in pain, selling the damage. Mutoh hits him with a dropkick and then allows him up only to dragon screw him again and re-apply the hold. Hashimoto reaches the bottom rope once more but struggles to get to his feet. Mutoh tries to chop block, but Hashimoto nails him with a chop! Hashimoto, selling the knee damage, hits him with a kick but Mutoh strikes back with a dropkick (that doesn't look like it connected too much). Mutoh hits him with another, though, and this time it sends Hashimoto into the post. Overhead chop by Hashimoto! Forearm by Mutoh! Strike exchange time. Mutoh wins it and hits Hashimoto with a series of right hands. Hashimoto blocks one, though, and delivers a bunch of overhead chops of his own. Mutoh blocks one off the ropes, but catches the next one on his shoulder and then takes a stiff kick to the chest for 2. Another DDT from Hashimoto for 2.5. Hashimoto comes off the ropes and Mutoh catches him with a hurricanrana into an armbar! Cool combo there. Hashimoto reaches the ropes with his feet to break the hold. Both guys sell the exhaustion and, while much of the offense in this match has been repetitive, its certainly been hard-hitting. Hashimoto tries to lift Mutoh up for a suplex but Mutoh catches him with a knee! Hashimoto springs back up and tries again, this time dropping him down with a brainbuster! I didn't love the finish here as Hashimoto sprung back to life with one last push of remarkable energy/"fighting spirit" out of nowhere after a match that, up until those final minutes, had such good psychology and selling. This wasn't great, but it wasn't bad. (2.5/5)
Aja Kong & Mayumi Ozaki vs. Meiko Satomura & Sonoko Kato (04/04/1999, GAEA): Kong and Ozaki's teamwork in the early going is brilliant - double-teams, quick tags, brutal offense. Satomura's bumping is tremendous too as she takes a nasty suplex from Ozaki and a big clothesline from Kong. She finally gets some offense in with a springboard forearm but soon after eats a splash from the top by Kong. Satomura makes the tag after hitting a kick on Kong, but the heels cut them off again soon after and Ozaki lands a stomp from the top. Aja with a splash to Kato's damaged knee/upper thigh! Nasty back suplex by Kong! Somehow Kato bridges out and you almost feel bad for her not just taking the pin here because this has been so one-sided. Ozaki comes in and continues to target the thigh of Kato. Satomura comes in to help out but eats a back suplex from Kong! A brilliant sequence follows as Ozaki misses a backfist, takes a kick from Satomura to the head, and then nearly gets pinned from a German Suplex by Kato. Holy shit, that was cool. Kato takes two powerbombs and then an inadvertant stomp from Satomura! Another powerbomb by the Ozaki! 1...2....and it should be 3, but the ref hiccups and allows Satomura to break the count. Kato gets murdered by a backfist and Ozaki does some gloating. Satomura tries to wake her up but gets bumrushed and kicked by the heels, who parade around the ring. Kato makes her way up and back drops Ozaki to the apron. She goes for a tag but Ozaki pulls Satomura off the apron! A brawl ensues on the outside with Ozaki landing a suplex on the ramp while Kong takes Kato into the crowd. Kato gets sent into a whole bunch of chairs and Ozaki hits a running knee on the ramp and then a powerbomb. Ozaki goes into the ring and allows Aja to continue the assault on Satomura and Kato on the ramp. Kong goes to hit a superplex on her own partner onto Kato, but Kato rolls out of the way! Splash from Satomura out of nowhere fo a nearfall! Satomura with a spin kick into an arm bar but Kong breaks it up with a splash. Meiko avoids a bunch of backfist but finally gets clapped with one and in comes Kong, who delivers a wallop of a clothesline and then another. Kong goes to the ropes, gets pulled by Kato, and Satomura nails a Death Valley Driver! Kong is back up quickly and hits a clothesline before making a cover that is broken up by Kato. Kato with a german suplex! In comes Ozaki! Another Driver by Satomura while Kato hits a reverse piledriver! No sell by the heels as they hit a pair of brainbusters in return! No transition there, which is unfortunate but very much "on brand" for joshi. Kong makes the cover, but only gets 2 while Ozaki gets the visual pin on the (illegal) Kato. Kong hoists Satomura up to the top rope but Satomura counters with a sunset flip powerbomb! Ozaki ties Kato up and Kong slaps the heck out of Satomura for another near fall. Kong goes for a suplex but Satomura counters it into a rear headlock! Outside the ring, Kato looks to choke out Ozaki and Kong is in trouble but is mere inches away from the bottom rope! Kong rolls over and Satomura runs out of gas, forced to break the hold out of exhaustion. Satomura with a NASTY DVD and a cover but Ozaki comes flying out of nowhere to break the count! Satomura hoists up Kong, but Kong strikes her in the face. Big kick by Kong and it takes out both babyfaces! Its an absolute melee and Ozaki accidentally backfists her own partner! Another DVD by Satomura and then another! Goddamn! Satomura has done it! Wow. In terms of action, physicality, and storytelling, that was a remarkable contest. Tremendous performances by everyone. The only thing that hurts this is some of the "no-selling"/lack of a transition when they started trading offense and the referee having no control (and a blatant slow count at one point). After the match, Kong nails Satomura with a cheapshot spinning backfist! Satomura is helped by her partner but Kong attacks again! Incredible match. Incredible post-match. There are some flaws in this match, but the good outweighs the bad and then some. (4.5/5)
Terry Gordy and Stan Hansen vs. Toshiaki Kawada and Genichiro Tenryu (12/16/1988, AJPW): With these four sharing the same space, you pretty much know what you're going to get: a fuck ton of brutal clotheslines, stomps, and maybe some nasty powerbombs too. These guys are visibly hyped and the crowd is loud as all hell. It doesn't take long for Hansen to send Kawada out of the ring and then for Gordy to whip him into the guardrail with intensity. Gordy comes in but Kawada nails him with a spin kick. Kawada makes the tag and Tenryu wants to go but Gordy ducks to the outside. Back in the ring, Tenryu hits a shoulder block and then a running stomp to the head followed by a big suplex. Strike fest between Tenryu and Hansen ends with Hansen hitting a bodyslam and booting Tenryu out of the ring. Back in the ring, Hansen hits a back body drop, an elbow drop, and then a knee to the back before applying a rear chinlock. Gordy comes in and chopfest time vs. Tenryu! In comes Kawada to hit a crossbody. Gordy tags out. Hansen gets dropkicked out of the ring and Kawada launches himself to the floor with a crossbody! Hansen recovers and uses the bottom rope to choke Kawada but Tenryu makes the save with some boots to Hansen's face. Kawada with a series of kicks to Hansen's chest for 2. Hansen and Gordy beat down on Kawada in the corner and Gordy lands back with a fireman's carry. Gordy goes for an irish whip but it gets countered and Kawada nails him with a stiff clothesline! Kawada mades the tag. Double jumping kicks to the head by Tenryu and Kawada! Running clothesline in the corner by Tenryu and a swinging neckbreaker for 1 before Hansen breaks the count. Tenryu applies a head scissors to slow things down. Hansen breaks it up with an elbow and then a series of chops to Tenryu's chest. Gordy with a running clothesline into the corner of his own to a big response. In comes Hansen, but Tenryu meets him with a clothesline. Chops in the corner by Tenryu and then a tag to Kawada and Kawada nails Hansen with a clothesline and then a whole ton of kicks and stomps before Gordy clocks him from behind. Hansen makes the tag but Kawada dodges a clothesline and hits a german suplex on Gordy! Hansen breaks up the cover and goes after Kawada's leg. Nice strategy there. Hansen clotheslines Tenryu off the apron and he spills over the guardrail. Hansen makes his way to the floor to continue to go after Kawada's knee. Hansen is booting everyone in sight, including a photographer! Hansen sends Tenryu into the ring to get punched out by Gordy on the mat. I guess there was a tag before Kawada spilled to the floor because Gordy gets a 2 count on Kawada. In the opposing corner, Kawada goes after Hansen but gets stomped on the floor for his effort. In the ring, Gordy gets 2 from a leg drop. Clothesline off the ropes by Gordy and another 2.5. Double shoulderblock by the cowboys and then Hansen drops a knee for 2.8. Hansen misses a chop and Tenryu tries to fight back but Gordy is right there to help cut him off. Hansen drops more knees and rolls him over for another nearfall. Outside the ring, Kawada gets attacked by Gordy and continues to sell the devastating damage to his knee. Hansen attempts a piledriver but gets back body dropped! Gordy comes in to drill him again with a chop and Hansen hits him with yet another knee. Hansen tags out and Gordy hits a powerbomb off the ropes! Hansen goes after Kawada on the floor, but somehow Kawada comes alive and breaks the pin attempt in the ring! Kawada beats down on Gordy, just pounding away at him! Hansen nails him from behind and stomps him back to the arena floor. Hansen twists and pulls on Kawada's foot and knee on the floor while Gordy goes for a bodyslam but gets rolled up up for 2! That was close! Hansen comes in and they hit a double vertical suplex for 2 with Tenryu barely kicking out. Hansen with some boots to the head of Tenryu but Tenryu rallies and brings Hansen down by the lower leg, twisting him up! Gordy breaks the hold and continues to kick at Tenryu's back as the ref tries to get him to return to his corner. Hansen with a nifty springboard back elbow off the bottom rope and then a standard one for 2. Kawada goes after Gordy on the apron! Hansen attacks his knee again, though, and dumps him over the rail. In the ring, Tenryu nails Hansen with a bunch of chops and slaps but Gordy comes off the ropes with a devastating lariat! Damn. He got all of that one. Tenryu somehow hits the enziguiri and then another on Hansen! Bodyslam by Tenryu and then he goes to the top for the flying elbow! 1...2...Gordy breaks it up and clobbers Tenryu into the corner. He ducks a clothesline and hits Hansen with a thrust kick, an enziguiri, and then a powerbomb but Gordy breaks it up! Powerbomb by Gordy! Gordy goes for the cover but he's not the legal man and the ref doesn't make the count. Hansen calls for the Lariat and he nails Tenryu off the ropes! This one is over. I'm not necessarily sure what makes this an all-time classic. Its not that I wasn't impressed with the stiff chops and clotheslines, the action-packed pace, or the strong, straight-forward storytelling - its all there and its all good - but I'm not sure what puts this head-and-shoulders above similar hoss battles. Excellent, yes, but all-timer, I'm not so sure. (4/5)
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