Essential Japanese Wrestling Discussion/News

[JohnB]

Dope! i wonder who will induct him? Mayabe Flair. Wonder why they never Inducted Mutoh though, Proly cause hes never been in the E.

 

[The Rainmaker]

Waiting for the NOAH show like

 

[Beautiful Bobby Eatin]

Dope! i wonder who will induct him? Mayabe Flair. Wonder why they never Inducted Mutoh though, Proly cause hes never been in the E.

Drew Carey is in there. The standards went out the window years ago. No reason Muta shouldnt be thrown in one year

 

[The Rainmaker]

We got it

 

[3Rivers]

We got it

More to add to my watch list

Gotta finish New Japan cup finals(Finished Naito/Ibushi last night)
Need to get caught up on NXT
New Japan on AXS tonight
TNA

 

[Honga Ciganesta]

Here's Dave on Fujinami

The announcement was a strange one. While Fujinami was a great wrestler, he was never a major star in the WWF, and there was no apparent political reason for him above many others. Perhaps it’s a way to get Hideo Itami front and center for fans if he’s involved in the ceremony, or perhaps, like with women, maybe they want to have one per year who is outside the U.S. to make it like it’s a worldwide Hall of Fame. A few months ago, the WWE’s Japanese office had said Genichiro Tenryu, a contemporary of Fujinami, would be inducted this year, but we had heard of no work in gathering material on Tenryu past that word getting out.

Fujinami was the first real WWF junior heavyweight champion, a belt recognized not only in the Northeast during the territorial era, but in California (the Southern California circuit because of Mike LeBell’s business ties to New Japan), Mexico (UWA) and of course, New Japan Pro Wrestling.

Stevens fell through because with Randy Savage and the addition of Connor Michalek, they apparently didn’t want another person talked about who died young, because pro wrestling is so defensive about the terrible life expectancy of the wrestlers in the 80s and 90s.

Technically, Johnny DeFazio and Jackie Nichols traded a WWWF junior heavyweight title in the 60s, but it was never recognized on TV.

The WWWF junior heavyweight title was created in 1978 when Jose Estrada, a long-time prelim jobber type, beat Tony Garea at the Nassau Coliseum on January 20, 1978. Three days later, Fujinami, who the title was created for, beat Estrada in Madison Square Garden, on a show that was broadcast in Japan on TV-Asahi.

Fujinami had largely been a prelim wrestler, a protégé of Antonio Inoki. Few remember this, but Fujinami had actually debuted with the old JWA in 1971. But he left the promotion with Inoki and was one of the original members of New Japan Pro Wrestling when it started on March 4, 1972. He worked in prelims, and also had a period of working in Mexico and as a prelim wrestler, Dr Fujinami, for Jim Crockett Promotions in 1976 and 1977 (in a trivia note, on January 17, 1977 in Fayetteville, and likely many other places around that time, a prelim match was Dr. Fujinami vs. Randy Poffo before Poffo became Randy Savage). Fujinami never had any real push in wrestling until winning the jr. title, and he was brought back as a main star, one of the top three Japanese stars of the promotion along with Inoki and Seiji Sakaguchi. Gradually he surpassed Sakaguchi and became No. 2, with the idea he would eventually replace Inoki as the company’s star.

He was an exceptional No. 2 babyface, particularly in the 1981-84 era when New Japan peaked mainstream as a television property in prime time, built around Japanese superstars like Inoki, Fujinami, Riki Choshu and Tiger Mask, and foreign stars like Andre the Giant, Hulk Hogan, Abdullah the Butcher, dikk Murdoch and Dynamite Kid.

That was when Vince McMahon’s father booked foreign wrestlers to New Japan and WWF, New Japan and the UWA in Mexico worked together as international partners. After the death of Willie Gilzenberg, Hisashi Shinma, who ran the New Japan business and booked during its biggest mainstream success period, was given the figurehead title of WWE President, until the position was given to Jack Tunney.

That’s why UWA for years had the WWF light heavyweight title belt (originally created for Gran Hamada, but Hamada never really got over to a big level in New Japan) that years later actually came to WCW when Ultimo Dragon held that title (and eight other titles at the same time) and came in during the Monday Night Wars.

Fujinami dominated the title until the end of 1981, when he moved up to heavyweight, and the original Tiger Mask, Satoru Sayama, became the next key figure, holding the title most of the next two years. Tiger Mask was the biggest star of any WWF junior heavyweight champion, as he wowed fans at a level Fujinami never did in the U.S., because of his being so much faster and more acrobatic in the ring than anyone working in the U.S. at the time.

The title was forgotten about in 1985 upon the creation of the current IWGP jr. heavyweight title and when the WWF and New Japan business relationship started to falter.

Fujinami then moved to heavyweight where he held the WWF International title twice in 1982 and 1983. This was where his famous original feud with Choshu, which was so hot that both guys ended up as legends off of it, took place. That title was dropped when Shinma was forced out of New Japan, and formed the UWF. The WWF International title became a UWF belt created to push Akira Maeda as the headliner. But when Maeda and others, including Sayama, decided to change the in-ring style, Shinma was forced out of the company he created and for the most part, left the pro wrestling industry. The belt was then forgotten. Fujinami was later New Japan President during a strong business period, but was also in charge when things started falling.

The problem is he was Inoki’s understudy for so long, that he was accepted in that position of the never quitting smaller babyface who battled the biggest foreign stars as well as Japanese heels. But when Inoki finally left wrestling as a full-timer after being elected to he senate, and they went with Fujinami as the top star, it didn’t lick. Fujinami may have been the best wrestler in the world, and if not, he was in that discussion, at that time, but business fell without Inoki on top. Fujinami was positioned as the top guy, but to the fans Choshu was more popular. Fujinami’s hard work started catching up to him as he had a terrible back injury in 1989, and while he was still a good wrestler for years later, he never regained that top form. So his time as the real No. 1 was short and not all that memorable, as booker Choshu created the first G-1 Climax tournament in 1991 as a way to elevate Keiji Muto, Masahiro Chono and Shinya Hashimoto to the top.

The connection with Flair is that Flair was a headliner in the Carolinas when Fujinami worked there underneath. Later, the two had two PPV main events, including a March 21, 1991 sellout of the Tokyo Dome, “Starrcade at the Tokyo Dome,” with 54,500 fans, drawing a $3,160,000 gate, that was, at the time, the largest crowd ever to see a pro wrestling match in Japan and the third largest gate in pro wrestling history, to see the showdown between the IWGP champion and the NWA/WCW champion. The two had a disputed finish, where Fujinami pinned Flair, and it was counted by referee Massao Hattori, but prior to that, there was an over the top rope spot as seen by second referee Bill Alfonso. The show ended with a huge celebration of Fujinami winning the NWA title, which at the time in Japan, because of the history of matches with Lou Thesz and Dory Funk Jr., as well as Giant Baba’s wins over Harley Race, was considered as the historic real world championship. It was Fujinami winning a title Inoki never could.

This was also broadcast on tape delay as a PPV in the U.S., but there they reversed the decision because of the DQ. The news made the newspapers in Japan I think two days later about the decision reversal and Flair taking the belt back to the U.S. Technically, the way it was explained in Japan, Fujinami remained the IWGP champion, he won the NWA title, but Flair retained the WCW title. On May 19, 1991, in St. Petersburg, in the rematch at the SuperBrawl PPV, Flair pinned Fujinami in the main event. In the U.S., it was just billed as Flair retaining the world title, as Flair came in with the belt. Fujinami was still the IWGP champion at the time, so it was a major political concession by New Japan to allow its world champion to lose via pin to an American world champion, but I guess for Japan they considered it an even trade since in Japan, Fujinami won the more important match and became a double world champion for eight weeks. In Japan, the SuperBrawl match was billed as Flair winning back the NWA title. In the modern WWE history of Flair as a 16-time champion, none of this took place.

There was also a period in late 1988, when New Japan was trying to get Fujinami over as the top guy, that he was the IWGP champion, and then went to the U.S. and won the Pacific Northwest title and the World Class title (only for a one day trade with Kerry Von Erich).

Fujinami’s six reigns as IWGP heavyweight champion, spanning 1988 to 1998, is the second most in history, to Hiroshi Tanahashi’s seven. He also held the NWA International jr. heavyweight title twice (with the gimmick he held the NWA & WWF title in the same weight class at the same time, although it was not the NWA world jr. title but a new belt created by Eddie Graham as part of a business deal with New Japan), and the UWA world title in Mexico, where he drew big crowds as a headliner against Canek.

Fujinami still wrestles on Legends shows in Japan, and his son, Leona, has just started his career.

As far as Fujinami goes, he was one of the best wrestlers in the world from the late 70s and all through the 80s until his back went out, and was still very good into the mid-90s. He belongs in any pro wrestling Hall of Fame and would be high on any list of the best wrestlers of the last 35 years, and of the biggest stars in Japanese wrestling history.

But he wasn’t part of the WWF modern era so I’m not sure the politics behind this and why he was considered. It could be, because Fujinami had defended the WWF jr. title in Los Angeles several times, that they, not knowing the geography, thought there was a connection to the Bay Area. But Fujinami never worked for Roy Shire, and the only time I can recall him wrestling in Northern California was for Lia Maivia’s Polynesian Pro Wrestling at a show in San Jose. Fujinami being considered had not broken as a news story, even in Japan.

 

[DocZulu]

New Japan Pro Wrestling on AXS TV: Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Shinsuke Nakamura for the IWGP IC Title [January 14, 2014]

Real Talk: I've been waiting all week for this damn match. I brewed a fresh batch of green tea and sat down Saturday morning to watch it, uninterrupted.

The following consist of my unfiltered first impressions.

To begin, it is shocking to me that Nakamura is defending the belt in the main event. This puts into perspective just how much the IC Title has evolved.

Okada must have been pissed! This explains my report from: --> last week.

To Open...

New Japan gave both men rather prolonged entrances. Tanahashi with a rock band and Nakamura had rippers on a pole. Damn...they did that?

Announcers talked a great deal about how Tanahashi is the sole blemish on Nakamura's title reigns.

Stan Hansen presented the belts during the pre-match ceremony.

Btw, they just spoiled the ending to this match during a commercial...like, AXS TV just told me who won. SMFH.

Nakamura

Opens with some mat work and then dominates Tanahashi with quick strikes. Nakamura moves so smoothly in the ring that it doesn't matter how many times you see him do it.

It is fun to watch him open a match.

Look for the stiff-kick after Tanahashi tries to exchange forearms.

And note the corner sequence of misses and strikes...ends with them spilling to the outside.

Check out the corner sequence that ends with his Back-cracker. Just frelling great!

Gawd Damn it! The second punch exchange with Nakamura's kicks! Damn!

Tanahashi

This is a great rivalry. After crapping the bed in his previous AXS match, Tanahashi now has an opponent worthy of his skills.

The Dragon Screw Legwhip is sold so well that I was surprised when Tanahashi hit it. In fact, after watching this match, I have a new appreciation for Tanahashi.

This match is like watching Savage and Hogan go at it. They have clashing styles yet somehow they fit very well. (Also, in terms of a styles clash, it reminds me of the chemistry that developed between Sting and Vader.)

Tanahashi's suplexes feel more potent when he faces a worthy opponent.

Btw, check the Fireman's carry counter into a Sling Blade.....damn, damn, damn!

To Close
When you get matches like this you don't need Monday Night wrestling. I was captivated from the moment they rang the bell.

I have a new big three and, because of their wrestling ability, I'm beginning to learn thei rnames and personalities.

Okada is the arrogant rainmaker. Flashy.

Tanahashi is the classical brawler from the 80's who hits those Steamboat high-spots.

Nakamura is the flamboyant eccentric that everyone wants to root for.

Watch this with the commercials on mute or while fast forwarding. AXS spoiled this ending before the match even began. I was quite pissed.

Also, NJPW needs to have a string of matches tat end with a submission. Haven't seen one since I started watching AXS.

As for this match, my Nubian told me to hush up as I was marking for the last 10 minutes. Damn, sucha great experience.

Don't frell around, ya'll. This is a must see!

 

[The Rainmaker]

NOAH show was ok. Main event was great. The crowd hating on SZKG The disrespect on Kobashi and Taue The kinda botched Sliced Bread with the referee Minoru Suzuki is awesome

The Jr. Tag and Strong Big Japan matches were also good. I was expecting more from the Jr. Heavy match, but I was reminded here that a Taichi match usually means shenanigans overload.

I also want to see Sugiura and Shelton in a singles match

 

[JohnB]

Kota vs Yoshihiko rematch!

DDT "SAITAMA SLAM SPECIAL! 2015 ~ TELETAMA BROADCASTING FIRST ANNIVERSARY SHOW", 21.03.2015
Fureai Cube Kasukabe
1,344 Fans - Super No Vacancy

1. Kazusada Higuchi & Kouki Iwasaki besiegen Ryota Nakatsu & Kota Umeda (8:17) mit einem Canadian Backbreaker von Higuchi gegen Umeda.
2. Yasu Urano & Akito besiegen Tomoya & Shunma Katsumata (10:01) nach dem Kiniku Dai Ido von Akito gegen Katsumata.
3. Danshoku Dino & Makoto Oishi besiegen Daisuke Sasaki & Shun Miyatake (12:37) nach einem Gotch-Style Danshoku Driver von Dino gegen Miyatake.
4. Iron Man Heavy Metal Title ~ Special Singles Match: Aja Kong (c) besiegt Saki Akai (7:13) nach einem Vertical-Drop Brainbuster
5. Teletama Presents Infomercial Eight Man Tag Team Match: Antonio Honda, Konosuke Takeshyta, Tomomitsu Matsunaga & DJ Nira besiegen Sanshiro Takagi, Toru Owashi, Kazuki Hirata & MIKAMI (11:36).
- DJ Nira warf MIKAMI über das Top Rope (5:06).
- Kazuki Hirata warf Tomomitsu Matsunaga über das Top Rope (6:16).
- Konosuke Takeshyta warf Toru Owashi über das Top Rope (9:00).
- Konosuke Takeshyta warf Sanshiro Takagi über das Top Rope (9:04).
- Antonio Honda eliminierte Kazuki Hirata nach dem Touchdown von Takeshyta (11:36).
6. KO-D 6 Man Tag Team Title: KUDO, Yukio Sakaguchi & Masa Takanashi besiegen Keisuke Ishii, Shigehiro Irie & Soma Takao (c)(14:22) mit dem Takatonic von Takanashi gegen Takao - Titelwechsel.
7. KO-D Openweight Title: Kota Ibushi (c) besiegt Yoshihiko (18:56) mit einem Phoenix Splash (1st defense).

 

[TOAD99]

Shibata has the most generic attire and entrance but man is the guy good in the ring. I feel like if he changed his finisher and attire he could be a legit main event guy.
His match with Ishii at 2013 G1 climax was great and that WK 8 match. He just needs to find his character.

 

[The Rainmaker]

Act Yasukawa got out of the hospital after getting reconstructive nose surgery and will appear (not to wrestle) on the next Stardom show on march 29.

 

[JohnB]

Shibata has the most generic attire and entrance but man is the guy good in the ring. I feel like if he changed his finisher and attire he could be a legit main event guy.
His match with Ishii at 2013 G1 climax was great and that WK 8 match. He just needs to find his character.

Hes old school, New Japan has young boys wrestle in black trunks like Inoki and some just keep it. He looks like Akira Maeda so its cool with me.

 

[TrueEpic08]

Shibata has the most generic attire and entrance but man is the guy good in the ring. I feel like if he changed his finisher and attire he could be a legit main event guy.
His match with Ishii at 2013 G1 climax was great and that WK 8 match. He just needs to find his character.

Being the hard-ass basic shooter guy IS his character. Like @EgyptianBasses said, it's an old-schol, Inoki-esque thing. The finisher (a straight-up PK) plays into that as well.

Unfortunately, he'll probably never be a main eventer due to company politics. Can't totally blame NJPW on that, though I wish he was booked better than he is.

Gotta watch that Kota/Yoshihiko match at some point.

 

[TOAD99]

Being the hard-ass basic shooter guy IS his character. Like @EgyptianBasses said, it's an old-schol, Inoki-esque thing. The finisher (a straight-up PK) plays into that as well.

Unfortunately, he'll probably never be a main eventer due to company politics. Can't totally blame NJPW on that, though I wish he was booked better than he is.

Gotta watch that Kota/Yoshihiko match at some point.

That Kota match was probably match of the year
(was expecting a legit match but this was better)
Didn't he (Shibata) have issues with Tanahashi?

 

[Scottie Drippin]

That Kota match was probably match of the year
(was expecting a legit match but this was better)
Didn't he (Shibata) have issues with Tanahashi?

He had (has, publicly they buried it but who knows) issues not just with Tanahashi, but with the entire roster. He bailed on NJPW when they were at their lowest and he was looked upon (along with Nakamura and Tana) as the new stars of the future. People didn't want him back in the first place.