Akira Hokuto vs. Rumi Kazama (08/25/1993, AJW): Sorta like the last Hokuto match I reviewed in that Hokuto is the big star and Kazama is rep'ing the LLPW and is definitely coming in as the underdog. As per usual, we get the big stiff kicks, the powerbombs, a piledriver, and then eventually a decisive victory once Hokuto hits her finish, the Northern Lights Bomb (which I hate as a name because it implies a powerbomb-type move but is actually more like a scoop slam-brainbuster). I liked the logic and story of Kazama constantly going for submissions to weaken Hokuto's knee, though it certainly isn't revolutionary or anything. After the match, Hokuto calls out Kandori. Solid match, but nothing special. (2.5/5)
Giant Baba and Jumbo Tsuruta vs. Nick Bockwinkel and Blackjack Lanza (12/09/1978, AJPW): More scientific wrestling out of Bockwinkel and Jumbo. After a good, energetic opening, this one lost me once it got to the headlock-fest portion. I liked Baba and Tsuruta going after Lanza's hand in attempt to neutralize the Claw. I'm not a massive fan of 70s wrestling so this didn't really blow my mind or anything, but I can see superfans of any of the four enjoying this for what it was. (2/5)
Manami Toyota and Yoshiko Tamura vs. Rie Tamada and Toshiyo Yamada (08/30/1996, AJW): Not much to this match beyond Manami being Manami - loud selling, good dropkicks, the usual - though I did like Tamada and Yamada as a team (I had to look back to learn that Yamada is someone I've actually seen more matches from, usually as Toyota's partner). For an 11-minute match, they pack a ton of action into this, which makes it typical of the genre (as does the poor refereeing and near-total disregard for things like actually tagging in from the corner and not just stepping into the ring and then making the tag). Inessential viewing, but not bad. (2.5/5)
Akira Hokuto vs. Chigusa Nagayo (03/19/1989, AJW): Hokuto was not yet the star she would become in the 90s, but it's clear that she was special and, though I'm likely reading far too much into the match, it's fun to see Nagayo recognize it in real time as she's forced to up her game to take on a spirited youngster (the two had met in the ring a few times before this when Hokuto wrestled under her real name Hisako Uno). I really liked how Hokuto came out of the gate on attack and the story that unfolded from there as Nagayo turned the tides and then put on a mostly dominant performance. Like some of the other joshi matches from this time, the transitions were a bit jarring and out-of-nowhere; for example, at one point, Nagayo has been working Hokuto's leg and knee mercilessly and then, a moment later, Hokuto applies a Sharpshooter. (3/5)
Nick Bockwinkel vs. Lanny Poffo (09/18/1984, Pro Wrestling USA): Cagematch has this listed as being from Pro Wrestling USA, a promotion I had to read-up on. It was essentially a joint promotion between the AWA, the NWA, and Continental Wrestling (Jerry Jarrett and Jerry Lawler's Memphis territory), which helps explain Nick Bockwinkel's promos before and after the match. This was pretty much a squash, but Poffo takes a great bump to the floor and does hit a moonsault towards the end - pretty cool for 84' - to give this one some life. This isn't Bockwinkel's finest work, but it is representative of his scientific style and purposeful, deliberate pacing. (2.5/5)
Lioness Asuka and Chigusa Nagayo vs. Yukari Omori and Itsuki Yamazaki (11/1984, AJW): This match is labeled as taking place in November 1985, but a commentator corrected it (?) and said it was from 1984, which does make a touch more sense considering the Crush Gals were fairly inactive in 1985. This is your typical Crush Gals match with the crowd going absolutely apeshit for them, a bit of crowd brawling, an airplane spin, and just all-around good action. There are moments in this match that almost seem "sped up" with how fast the work is. There's also some slams that look a bit "loose," which I tend to prefer to everything looking crisp and rehearsed. This might be something of a hidden gem just because I couldn't locate any info about it on Cagematch but if you're a fan of the Crush Gals or even their opponents, who are also great in this, check it out on YouTube. (3/5)
Taka Michinoku and El Desperado vs. Zack Sabre Jr. and Yoshinari Ogawa (05/10/2015, NOAH): Over on Cagematch, this match has only one rating it is a lowly 4 but I liked this considerably more - probably because I'm a bit of a mark for Sabre Jr. and Ogawa these days, both of whom have swiftly become among my favorites to watch. Unlike some of the other tags I've seen from Ogawa and Sabre from a couple years earlier, Zack is much more confident here and busting out a ton more of his signature stuff and Ogawa also seems a bit "looser" here and more eager to bust out things that lean more into the entertainment side of things as opposed to his technical skills. I'm a fan and feel like the match is much more enjoyable because of it compared to a six-man I watched with some of these same workers a few weeks back. Fun match. (3/5)
Swerve Strickland vs. Kenny Omega (03/25/26, AEW): While not quite as good as their match in February, this was still great. I wasn't a huge fan of some of Omega's mannerisms, but, as per usual, his execution offensively and the way he took Strickland's best maneuvers was flawless. Strickland might have had an even better performance overall, selling everything that Omega threw at him brilliantly. This match really did feel like one where Omega was in the driving seat most of the time and while Strickland had some moments when it looked like he might pull out a victory, Omega's win felt earned but also, in a sense, inevitable. It was Omega's "night" just like it was Swerve's in February - though Strickland did have to bend the rules, pulling Aubrey Edwards into things, to get that W - and I'm eager to see the eventual rubber match. (3.5/5)
Yumiko Hotta vs. Aja Kong (07/14/1996, AJW) - Hotta comes out swinging with some kicks and takedown and both women get some shots in on the mat. Kong delivers some knees and kicks and goes for a submission but Hotta gets to the ropes. Hotta goes to the outside for a breather before they lock back up in the middle of the ring. Kong gets a takedown but can't do much with it because Hotta is covering up. Kong starts swinging with big right hands before going for an armbar. Hotta counters it with some strikes of her own and then a series of kicks to the head and back. Kong takes each one defiantly as Hotta hits more and more, eventually getting to her feet and applying a leglock. Kong drops a knee onto Hotta's leg and then applies a half-crab, really wrenching it back. Hotta grabs the ropes but Kong keeps the pressure on, pulling Hotta's leg onto the apron, sending her into the crowd, and then bashing her knee with a chair. She sends her into another pile of chairs and then cracks her with a stiff chairshot to the body! Damn. Kong sends her into another pile of chairs and then slams a metal sheet onto her. I must admit to enjoying seeing Hotta take this much of a beating as she's usually the one dishing out reckless offense in the name of realism. Hotta hobbles her way back into the ring but Kong goes right back to the knee/leg, applying an ankle lock. Hotta grabs the bottom rope to break. Kong continues her attack on the knee, even standing on it at one point. Hotta comes back with a heel kick off the ropes but she gets cut off again. Kong drops her with a body slam and goes to the top rope, hitting a giant splash on Hotta's knee before locking up the leg once more. Hotta hits another rolling kick in the corner and then some sharp kicks to the face. She misses a rolling kick in the corner but connects with one in the middle of the ring for a surprising nearfall. Hotta goes a double underhook powerbomb (?) but Kong is too big and she has to settle for an armbar. Kong gets her foot on the rope to break it up and Hotta attempts the double underhook again. Missed Uraken by Kong but Kong gets an ankle lock instead! Hotta goes to the ropes but Kong hits her with a back suplex. Hotta no-sells it and applies a sleeper, trying to choke the life out of Kong. Kong gets to one knee and eventually to the bottom rope. Hotta goes once more for the double underhook but Kong escapes and goes for a backslide, to which Hotta just lets her fall to the mat and gives her a quick kick to the face. Hotta with another rolling kick but Kong essentially blocks it by turning her back towards her and Hotta is in pain! Kong hoists her up to the top rope only to get knocked off. Hotta tries a kick from the top but misses and Kong grabs her knee once more! Hotta gets to the rope but the damage is clearly becoming too much. Kong goes back up top, Hotta meets her down, and down they come in a heap with Kong on top. Kong applies the leglock but again Hotta gets to the ropes. Kong misses the Uraken when Hotta ducks, but Kong hits her with one from her other hand instead! Damn! Somehow Hotta kicks out! Another Uraken! And then a leglock attempt, but Hotta counters it into an Anaconda Vice (keylock)! Kong taps! I didn't like that the Uraken wasn't sold as the death move it should've been, but the finish did establish Hotta's keylock as an immediate match-ender. Cool match. (3.5/5)
Bull Nakano vs. Akira Hokuto (12/30/1995, AJW): I loved this. Reading up on this, I had no idea that this was one of Nakano's last matches and that she came into it injured because she looks as good as ever here. There are some excellent moments in this - the piledriver on the table, Nakano hitting a front-flip legdrop, some absolutely nasty head drops, it's all so good. My only criticism would be Hokuto's comeback as she goes from "dying" to mounting a spirited comeback in very little time and without much of a transition. Cagematch has this match going close to 18 minutes, but the video on YouTube is somehow only 12, but I didn't catch the clipping. Regardless, this is a blast to watch. (4/5)
Will Ospreay vs. Naomichi Marufuji (09/17/2023, Pro Wrestling NOAH): Marufuji starts things off with a huge chest chop before we get some nifty stand-up grappling that ends with a rope break (and Ospreay covering up his chest to block any further chops). Things pick up as they run the ropes and both men attempt dropkicks. Ospreay goes for a handspring but eats a basement dropkick and Marufuji grabs a wrist and then hits him with another knife-edged chop in the corner. Ospreay ends up sending Marufuji to the floor and then into the guardrail from an Irish whip. Ospreay's delivers some forearms but Marufuji counters with a dropkick, another chop, and then a jumping back elbow. Ospreay ends up on the apron so Marufuji hits him with a cool springboard dropkick and then a spinning crossbody to the floor. Marufuji hits some Kawada Kicks but Ospreay comes back with an insane series of backflips and handstands and then a springboard forearm for 2. Ospreay delivers a few Kawada Kicks and then a nasty chest chop of his own! Marufuji tries some strikes, which don't look too pretty, and Ospreay comes back with a kick of his own and then a ridiculous aerial maneuver to the floor. We get some good work built around the guardrail and the post as Marufuji retakes control. Ospreay hoists him over the top rope, hits him with a superkick, and then delivers a Shooting Star Press for another nearfall. A sitout powerbomb gets him another 2. Ospreay heads to the top rope after a scoop slam but Marufuji rolls away, forcing Ospreay to settle for just a plain ol' awesome dropkick. Ospreay attempts a Stormbreaker on the apron but Marufuji counters it into a Sliced Bread #2 (Shiranui)! Great spot and they actually sell it with Ospreay barely able to beat the count back into the ring (where he's met by a springboard dropkick for 2). Marufuji slaps him around a bit and we get a forearm exchange that includes some absolutely nasty chops from both men. An insane sequence follows as Ospreay looks for the Oscutter but ends up taking a neckbreaker and then another Sliced Bread #2. Ospreay rallies, though, connecting with the Hidden Blade out of nowhere! After a spinning/falling kick, Ospreay connects with the Oscutter but only gets 2. Ospreay goes to the top rope but Marufuji meets him up there and takes him down with a Spanish Fly! Ospreay comes back with a Tiger Driver but it only gets 1! Ospreay hits some big forearms and goes for another Hidden Blade but Marufuji cuts him with a heel kick for 2. After a headbutt and a knee to the head, Marufuji hits a Tiger Tilt-a-Whirl Suplex (no idea what else to call it). We get some more knees and more kicks, but its clear that Marufuji is running out of steam as Ospreay nails a pair of Hidden Blades and then a Stormbreaker Zero for the win. Over on ProWrestlingOnly, the three reviews are loaded with the usual criticisms of this sort of match - that not enough is sold, that it is more an exhibition of athleticism and "callback spots" than a competitive contest, that strike exchanges have become as perfunctory as a collar-and-elbow tie-up, that this is too self-conscious an "epic," a great match-by-recipe not by innovation. While I agree with most of these criticisms, they didn't ruin the match for me and I thought the good outweighed the bad. I liked the story of Marufuji, the veteran, having to sneak in his spots to try to cut-off the younger and more dynamic Ospreay. With Ospreay, instead of a killer instinct, he wrestled and performed like he was in awe of his opponent, living out a fantasized dream match. Was it a bit corny? Sure...but I found it endearing too. Ospreay was clearly "pulling back" in terms of his workrate, but, if anything, that worked to the matches favor by allowing it to flow without an overwhelming number of crazy moves and sequences. Overall, a very good match and showcase of both men's talents. (3.5/5)
Yoshinari Ogawa and Zack Sabre Jr. vs. Jushin Thunder Liger and Tiger Mask IV (12/07/2013, Pro Wrestling NOAH): I wouldn't call this a hidden gem, but it's pretty darn good for what it is - a straightforward, heated tag team match featuring at least three superb workers (I'd say four but I can't really speak too much on Tiger Mask IV). Sabre Jr. puts on a very good fired-up babyface performance, while Liger leans into his heelishness. Ogawa plays the face-in-peril for awhile too, a role that he isn't particularly known for (though the beatings he took for Kobashi and Abdullah and Misawa always made him seem a bit sympathetic to me). There's not a ton of high-flying from Liger or Tiger Mask, unsurprising considering their ages at the time, but because all four guys are world-class technical grapplers, the match doesn't feel slow or lazy. Loved Sabre Jr.'s second suicide dive to the floor as he completely threw himself into it. The feel-good ending got a huge response from the crowd. Good match. (3/5)
Mayumi Ozaki vs. Hiromi Yagi (03/03/1996, JWP): Mayumi Ozaki is terrific and vicious in this, though I was also impressed by Yagi's performance. The match goes a tad long but feels like an absolute war. There are great moments sprinkled throughout this match, including some wicked brawling on the outside (especially Yagi's use of a steel chair), but also some not-so-subtle gaps and a bit of a scattershot approach in terms of the layout with lots of limb work that doesn't really go anywhere and some random-but-vicious powerbombs that are beautiful to see but don't play into the finish at all. I really liked Yagi here and am hopeful to see more of her as I make my way through 90s joshi, but the fact that I haven't seen her name brought up as one of the all-time greats in the genre has me wondering if this wasn't her "career match." Good match. (3/5)
Swerve Strickland vs. Ricochet (04/01/2017, The Wrestling Revolver): This match happened on the weekend of WrestleMania, which is alluded to a few times on the commentary (speaking of the commentary, AR Fox joins the team for this match), and was hyped up as something of a dream match despite both guys being really only known to indie wrestling fans. Strickland was not yet the Swerve we know and love today and wrestles a more high-flying/faster-paced style. Ricochet had not yet come to the WWE but had built up his reputation in Lucha Underground and NJPW as one of the best high-flyers in the world. Good mirror work to start the match before we start to see all sorts of ridiculous sequences and counters, which is pretty impressive considering this is their first 1-on-1 match against each other. They load so much into the 18-20 minutes that it can be a bit dizzying and I could see the argument that they do too much and could've told a more character-driven story if they had slowed things down a bit. Of course, in 2017, Ricochet and Swerve didn't yet have the strong characters they have now so it's hard to criticize them going with the explosive, dynamic, non-stop action style that brought them to the dance. (3/5)
"Macho Man" Randy Savage vs. Billy Jack Haynes (Wrestling Challenge): Savage was the Intercontinental Champion coming into this match, but it was non-title. As was typical for the time, this didn't go long and seemed to be designed to mostly get over Savage as incredibly unlikeable, sneaky, and a jerk to Miss Elizabeth. For what it was, it was pretty entertaining, though, and I really liked the way Savage escaped Haynes' Full Nelson by kicking off of Earl Hebner. Danny Davis shows up to disqualify Haynes, which was part of his "evil referee" gimmick. I wouldn't call this a carry job because Haynes isn't all that bad, but this wasn't designed to be a great match and it isn't one. (2/5)
Mitsuharu Misawa vs. Toshiaki Kawada (05/01/1998, AJPW): For close to 30 minutes, Misawa and Kawada put on a match that isn't a breath-taking masterpiece as much as almost the "perfect version" of a story that needed certain imperfect elements to exist. Misawa came into this match banged up and injured (my understanding is that this is also played up by the commentators) and never really take the driver's seat beyond a minute or two. Kawada's cut-offs, often coming in the form of big boots, are nasty and on-target throughout the match, which further bolsters the idea that not only is Misawa a step behind but that Kawada is having the best match of his life, every dart thrown hitting the bullseye. Kawada's victory is definitive but well-earned because of Misawa's toughness and resilience, keeping the match from feeling "cheap" or like it was just your basic "injured underdog vs. healthy heel" story. Well worth checking out. (4/5)
Bryan Danielson and Samoa Joe vs. KENTA and Naomichi Marufuji (03/25/2006, ROH): A love letter to the classic tags of AJPW in its structure but wrestled firmly like a 2006 battle with all four men bringing their working boots. KENTA and Samoa Joe's interactions are the best parts of the match, but Danielson isn't phoning it in one bit. The crowd was super into this from the very beginning. A very, very good match but a bit like an All-Star Game in that, as good as it is, there is an "exhibition" feel to things despite the intensity of the moves themselves. (3.5/5)
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