Greg "The Hammer" Valentine: Best of 1979-1984 in WWF

Greg "The Hammer " Valentine

Best of 1979-1984 in World Wrestling Federation

 

 

 

Greg Valentine had multiple major runs before making a permanent home in the WWF in 1984. The first run covered here is in 1979. He was brought in as a challenger for Heavyweight Champion Bob Backlund, who was celebrating his one year anniversary as champion. Greg Valentine & Bob Backlund would have one of the all time greatest rivalries in pro wrestling history. With one five star classic to their name and four matches total at ****1/2+. This is an incredible feat and it is highly recommended that these matches be watched to understand the greatness of both men.

 

 After championship matches in the major cities of New York, Philadelphia and Boston. Valentine was moved down the card to face former champion Bruno Sammartino and also reprise a classic angle with Chief Jay Strongbow. In Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling in 1977, Greg Valentine was a top heel who broke Chief Wahoo McDaniel's leg leading to the iconic "I broke Wahoo's leg" shirt and many hot matches. The WWF sought to reprise that with their own American Indian character, Chief Jay Strongbow. Likewise, Valentine breaks Strongbow's leg and this leads to a series of hot matches with lots of blood and intensity culminating in an Indian Strap match.

 

In 1981, Greg Valentine returns to the WWF again to face Backlund and this time he wins the World Wrestling Federation Heavyweight Championship! Well sort of. In a pretty shitty angle, the ref is knocked loopy and when he counts the three he doesn't know who was on top (Backlund was on top). Backlund and Valentine were wearing the same trunks and Valentine got up first. The ref incorrectly hands it to Valentine. Pretty lame. This leads to the title being held up (why you sometimes see Backlund being billed as more than a two time champion is because of this incident and similar ones with Bobby Duncum and Antonio Inoki) at the next MSG show. Don't let the shitty angle deter you from watching the matches as both are incredible, hard-hitting, stiff affairs. After another series of house shows with Backlund, Valentine slides down the card to face former World Champion and now Intercontinental Champion Pedro Morales.

 

In 1984, Greg Valentine returns to the WWF and stays on through 1991. His first prominent match back is against his arch-nemesis, Bob Backlund at Madison Square Garden. One last time they have an absolute barnburner of a match.

 

Best of Greg Valentine 1979-1984 in World Wrestling Federation:

 

1. WWF Heavyweight Champion Bob Backlund vs Greg Valentine - WWF MSG 2/19/79 *****

2.  Bob Backlund vs Greg "The Hammer" Valentine - MSG 4/23/84 ****3/4

3.  Bob Backlund vs Greg Valentine -  MSG 11/23/81 WWF Heavyweight Championship,
No Holds Barred ****1/2

4. WWF Heavyweight Champion Bob Backlund vs Greg Valentine - MSG 10/19/81 ****1/2

5.  Greg Valentine vs Chief Jay Strongbow - WWF, Philly 7/21/79 ****1/4

 

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WWF Heavyweight Champion Bob Backlund vs Greg Valentine - WWF MSG 2/19/79

 

This is the last major match I have left to review in one of my all-time favorite series of matches. I have seen this before and remember loving it. This is the one hour draw. Instead of taking notes, I will review the match in 20 minute intervals.

First twenty minutes: You would never know this match is going to a draw given the pace they cut in the first twenty minutes. No this is not Flair/Steamboat, but they don't telegraph it in the least and work as brisk as usual. Valentine is such a great opponent for Bob because he makes him earn everything. Bob's base hold of choice is the side headlock and they do some really fun work in and out of it. Like when the Hammer looked to counter it the first time by grabbing a leg this led a monkey flip. The next time Backlund dropkicked him and TIMMMMBBBBAAAAAAHHHHH! When Valentine would just touch Backlund's legs the crowd would gasp because they thought the figure-4 was imminent. Valentine hit some really hard shots to Bob's midsection and really was laying in it as to be expected. Backlund missed his second dropkick. Valentine got a nice bow and arrow on Backlund. Next up was a nice full nelson exchange with Backlund busting out the wheelbarrow into the full nelson, which was nifty. Then followed up by the short arm scissors exchange no deadlift, but a nice rolling short arm scissors. The twenty minutes end with Backlund in control of the arm. Really strong first twenty minutes with the story being that these are two very evenly matched opponents. Backlund definitely had the upper hand in this tit for tat beginning as shown in the full nelson and short arm scissors exchanges. Even after twenty minutes, it still feels like they are feeling one another out, but it is not boring in anyway. Just two pros trying to find what sticks. After the short arm scissors, Backlund has Valentine in the armstretcher so going into the next twenty minutes, we will see if Backlund can maintain this advantage and what Valentine will do swing things his way and when will he go for the figure-4?

Second Twenty Minutes: Really amazing back half here. Lets get the 20-30 minute mark outta the way. Backlund does his rowing spot and then drives his heel into Valentine's face and seemingly has the match in hand when he knocks heads with Valentine and that sends him to the floor. He never really recovers after that unfortunate incident. Valentine bodyslammed him in and went to Short Arm Scissors. I really like the short arm scissors, but this one did drag until the awesome Backlund deadlift high spot. Backlund hit a shoulder tackle, but Valentine uses his momentum against him to throw him out. Now we go to school. This is the all-time best heat segment on Bob. Valentine kicks the shit out of it. Wicked forearms on the apron. He brutalizes him on the apron. Stomping on him, choking with the boot, just kicking his ass. He starts pounding that leg. You know what that means. Figure-4 attempt is reversed into the small package, but Valentine was relentless on the leg and got a really nice single leg crab. Really cool Backlund escape sees him contort his body that he tabletops Valentine. Backlund THROWS Valentine on that vertical suplex. Incredible. Backlund cant hold Valentine, love that spot. Valentine big elbow and right back to the leg. Really compelling stuff in those last ten minutes. You never see Backlund get his ass whupped and Valentine looks totally dominant. Backlund is selling great, but also has great hope spots. Going into the last twenty minutes it really comes down to can Valentine get the Figure-4 applied and what the hell does Bob have to get himself out of this huge hole.

Home Stretch: In-fucking-credible. The last thirty minutes of this match is just amazing pro wrestling. Backlund is not going down without a fight. Valentine has Backlund in a leg lace as he tries to set up for the figure-4 and he just starts drilling him in the back with kicks and then pulling at anything he get his hands on. Valentine says fuck this and goes for the figure-4 and Backlund keeps kicking him off. Backlund is just lunging at Valentine out of desperation, but is crashing and burning. This is a battle of wills. Valentine goes for the figure-4 and Backlund repeatedly kicks him in the face. Valentine goes for Backlund's big atomic drop, but Backlund blocks and sends Valentine flying out. BACKLUND SELLS THE LEG! Valentine is crawling in and Backlund scurries over and headbutts him in the midsection. Valentine grabs Backlund by the hair and rams into the apron, but he is so spent, he falls into the ring! Backlund misses the splash and then Valentine eats knees on the splash! Backlund sells it! THIS IS SO FUCKING AWESOME! Backlund butterfly suplex, but he is on jelly legs. Vince posits that Backlund's legs maybe injured that's why he collapsed on the suplex attempt. Ya think, Vince? Awesome slugfest with Valentine falling right on his ass and Backlund teetering on his feet. Loving this selling of fatigue. Each wrestler is having these bursts of energy and then will lose it. Valentine puts his foot on the ropes and Backlund SEAT DROPS on that leg with all his weight. Now Backlund looks to give Valentine a taste of his own medicine and try to win with the figure-4. BUTTERFLY SUPLEX! That burst of energy fades and he cant capitalize. Now Valentine has burst of energy and grabs the leg starts to wrench against the bottom rope. Backlund trips him up, but Valentine kicks him square in the face. He brutalizes him with forearms and Valentine runs into a wicked knee. TIMMMMMBBBBAAAAAHHHH! BACKLUND LEG DROP! KICK OUT! Valentine hangs out for dear life to the top rope to avoid the Irish Whip and leads to the ab stretch. Ok, that was a bit of a letdown. The Hammer reverses it and punches him in the stomach. I love Valentine. Backlund back to butterfly suplex into a SWEET Valentine drop toehold. Valentine back to the Indian Deathlock and finally looks to get figure-4 , but Backlund hooks the bottom rope with all his limbs. Valentine hits an ugly (selling the fatigue) suplex, but it is fitting in this war of attrition. Valentine is frustrated and he pushes the ref. BACKLUND GUTWRNECH SUPLEX! Valentine gets his foot on the bottom rope. This is Valentine's match to lose. Not many people can say that against Bob. HUGE SLUGFEST! Backlund backslide! Valentine is trying everything and eats a punch coming off the middle rope, header into turnbuckle. Kicks Backlund hard into midsection. Valentine is desperate and frustrated and Backlund is determined, but exhausted. They knock heads again. Figure-4 again, but small package. Wicked slugfest again in the 60th minute! These men are GODS! Valentine collapsed into Backlund and PILEDRIVER~! As time expires.

You will be hard pressed to find a better 30 minutes in pro wrestling history than those last thirty minutes. The first twenty minutes are solid. The 20-30 minute stretch keeps this from being a strong Greatest Match of All Time, but this is safely a ***** because of those last thirty minutes. Battle of Wills is how I sum it. Backlund's leg selling is incredible. Valentine is a God on offense. What makes this match extraordinary is the selling of fatigue and how they incorporate bursts of energy. You gotta two beasts slugging it out in the 60th minute! Best Backlund match ever and maybe the best Valentine match ever! ***** 

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WWF Heavyweight Champion Bob Backlund vs Greg Valentine - MSG 3/26/79

This is the rematch to their classic one hour draw. I have never seen this particular Backlund/Valentine encounter and of all the MSG matches I think this is the least. I really like the draw, 81 series and their 84 match is unhearalded I would say all those matches are at least ****1/2. This match plays on the draw by having no countout there must be a winner so part of the psychology is too tease that they are going to go long and this causes a looooooooooooooooong front facelock sequence where a fan audibly yells “Cmon somebody do something.” I love you, Bob and Greg, but I gotta agree. 

 

The early Backlund shine before this facelock was solid highlighted by a wicked Backlund forearm. I love Backlund/Valentine exchanges they are just so nasty. Backlund starts to break up the front facelock with some nice hope spots and Valentine responds by trying the figure-4 and the crowd ooohs and aaaahs. No not the front facelock, but he moves into the deathlock and slaps the back of Backlund’s head now that is just insulting. Backlund is ripshit and powers out, carries him over to a corner and slaps the shit outta him. I love Backlund/Valentine! 

 

The next sequence will blow your mind. Valentine applies a half-crab, but Backlund grabs the toe and he transitions this into a cradle that is just outstanding. Now Backlund tries to go for the half-crab, but Valentine still has a leg. So Backlund maneuvers into a monkey flip, WOW! Backlund Figure-4!!!! MSG ROARING! Incredible sustained heat! Valentine makes ropes and Backlund is rocking back and won’t release. Valentine reverses and Backlund is writhing and hollering. Valentine works on the legs and Backlund responds with a crazy headbutt. TIMMMMMBBBBAAAAAHHHHH!!! Valentine big elbow to top of the head and covers. Backlund slaps his back at two and The Hammer thinks he has won. Backlund atomic drop wins the match for the Champ.

 

I really liked the home stretch with some hot sequences around leg work that really showcased how good both were. God that front facelock and horrible finish just really kills the match for me. For as strong as Backlund looks some of these finishes are just horrible for him. It was Valentine’s last match with Backlund in the Garden until 81 why not put Backlund over clean. Still some really great shit! ***3/4

 

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Greg Valentine vs Chief Jay Strongbow - WWF, Philly 7/21/79

 

This one did not disappoint as the Titan boys were correct that this is a barnburner of a revenge match. The Hammer broke the Chief's leg and he is out for vengeance. Chief does not sprint down but instead stares daggers into the eyes of Valentine, who looks really sad, but Vince tries to sell as a look of violence. Valentine tries to jump Strongbow and attack the weakened knee, but there is a metal brace on it. Strongbow repeatedly bashes Valetine's head into it. I loved that! It was a cool twist. Strongbow showed great fire and really kicked the shit out of Valentine. He busted him open with a metal mic stand. He choked him with the mic cord. He got a stool smashed him in the head and then broke off a leg and hit him with that. You really got the feeling he was pissed. Valentine tried to go back to the knee with some success, but when he tried to put on the Figure-4, Stronbow would eye gouge and chop the cut. Strongbow was relentless and Valentine was great at selling. Parv is right in that Strongbow blows at selling. He reminds me of 1998 Sting in how shitty he sells. The good thing was he was on offense for the most part. Valentine took a wicked header into the guard rail. Valentine tries to bail, but Strongbow keeps catching him and bashing him into the knee brace. In the ultimate choke, the Chief actually loses by countout when they both knock heads sending both to the outside with Valentine getting back in first. the crowd ate this up with the spoon. Great fire and blood make this a great watch, both wrestlers really brought it in this revenge match. ****1/4

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Greg Valentine vs Chief Jay Strongbow - WWF, MSG 7/30/79 Strap Match

I thought they were on pace to have an even better match because they were really letting the fists fly in this, but the opted for the schmozz finish with Stronbow kicking the ref in the balls and the faces breaking it up this no contest. The Hammer threw a couple punches at a fan for trying to grab a chair from him, but the fan pretty much no sold the punches. Strongbow is the worst seller ever. Valentine did not want to put the strap on so he jumped Strongbow and then put the strap on. Smart man. He busts Strongbow open, but upon seeing his blood the WARDANCE~! is triggered. Strongbow makes Philly look like a walk in the park and he opens a can of whoop ass on Valentine. What I like in this match is Valentine starts to fight back and they really have some awesome exchanges. Too short and lame of a finish so not as good as Philly, but definitely a recommended watch. ***1/2

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WWF Heavyweight Champion Bob Backlund vs Greg Valentine - MSG 10/19/81

Huge kudos to the Titans especially Pete to get me to watch this in short order. This bad boy did not disappoint.

"Anything you can do, I can do better." - Bob Backlund's motto. Whether it is out-brawling Patera, out-powering Hogan or in this match out-slugging Valentine, Backlund's game is to prove he is better than his opponent at their game. It is this attitude that truly makes him a world heavyweight champion (I acknowledged it was not recognized as a World title, but damnit Bob is my boy.).

In this match, there a countless of examples of Valentine executing a move and Backlund absorbing the move and then dishing out the same move but with even more impact and ferocity. This is established early with Valentine getting three early takedowns. Backlund fires back in rapid fire those three same takedown. Anything you can do, Hammer, I can do better and don't you forget it, pal!

The crux of the match centers around Valentine and his full court press to apply the figure-4 on Backlund. He begins by weakening the knees. There is a great spot where Backlund gets a monkey flip out of a half crab. Anytime, Backlund looks to turn the tide, Valentine comes crashing down with a thunderous blow. Valentine tries 8 million ways to apply the figure-4, but he can't wrangle the ever-scrappy Backlund. This is just perfect pro wrestling. You can feel Valentine's frustration about not being able to apply this hold and simultaneously you feel Backlund's desperation to avoid this hold at all costs. The figure-4 becomes everything and you are totally invested in this struggle between these two competitors. Valentine tries a different tact. He turns the match into a slugfest. Against pretty much anyone else, Valentine could bully his way to victory with his vicious forearms, but not against our hero. Backlund gives as good he gets with equally vicious elbows, fists and headbutts that must have inspired BattlArts, The dynamic switch between stand up and ground really feels like you are watching BatBat match take place in early 80s WWF in MSG. It is crazy. Valentine bullies him into the ropes and goes back to the legs. He applies the figure-4 and Backlund immediately flips to his stomach. GREATEST SPOT EVER! Bow down at the altar of Bob Backlund!  Again Valentine stymied switches to slugfest and this ends with a BACKLUND PILEDRIVER~! Only two for Bob, who misses the leg drop and hurts the injured leg. BattlArts headbutts from the knees ensue and they just beating the shit outta each other.

Then we get the finish. Valentine hoists Backlund up for the airplane spin, but hits the ref. Backlund ends up on top, a groggy ref counts to three, Valentine is up first and because they wearing the same trunks and have similar builds the ref hands the title incorrectly to the Hammer thus the title is held up. I get that they are setting up for  a rematch and this is creative, but I didn't dig it. It is just kinda lame. I can't really explain it. It is just lame in my eyes. It knocks the match down just a peg. Still one of the all-time classics of the Backlund era, an absolute pleasure to watch and guide on how to sell the importance of a hold and a match. Terrific performance from both wrestlers. ****1/2 

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Bob Backlund vs Greg Valentine -  MSG 11/23/81 WWF Heavyweight Championship, No Holds Barred

 

This is the rematch from last month's disputed finish show where The Hammer walked out the Champion, but did not win the match. Thus the championship is held up and there must be a winner! Backlund is red-hot to start and beats Valentine's ass from pillar to post. The Hammer was great here at selling, begging off and bumping for Backlund making him look like Superman. Valentine goes for broke rushing into the corner with double knees and jams them in the turnbuckles. Backlund gives a taste of his Hammer's medicine to the Hammer working over the leg. I will say the one thing that did bring it down for me was Backlund's kicks to the leg were not the best. I recognize this is not Shoot-Style Japan, but Backlund has those killer headbutts, punches and forearms it makes his kicks look extra weak. Valentine is selling this for all its worth and when Backlund does use his fist to work the leg or an actual hold it is better for it. Valentine tries to dig himself out of this hole with desperation lunges, but it seems too deep at first with Backlund headbutting and punching his way back into control. On a figure-4 attempt, Valentine is able to punch Bob in the head and pounce on his leg. Valentine takes Backlund to school. No disrespect to the champ, but this is how you do it. Backlund fights him off and throws some wicked European Uppercuts to Valentine's leg from ground. Holy shit, both their legs are just shot and I am loving the double leg psychology. Valentine just grabs Backlunds ankle and scoots out and wraps his knee around the post. There is no avoiding it this time, Backlund is taken into the Figure-4 twice and his mettle is tested, but GOSHDARNIT HE IS BOB BACKLUND AND HE NEVER GIVES UP. With every fiber of his being and muscles bulging, Bob  turns Valentine into the ropes. Both men are just exhausted. Valentine is the first one to try  a suplex for a victory, but he can't capitalize. Backlund hits a magnificient, textbook German with a beautiful bridge to win the match! MSG explodes and Backlund leads him in a proto-Yes chant. I agree with the Titans this feels like the climax of Bob Backlund's reign. I thought this was exactly on par with the original 1981 match. I thought the original one just felt a bit grittier. Valentine was more frustrated and Backlund scrappier, but this one had sweet feel-good finish. It is a total toss-up; both are all-time classics. ****1/2

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Bob Backlund vs Greg "The Hammer" Valentine - MSG 4/23/84

A lot of people say this is the least of their series, I am the polar opposite, I think it is the best match of their series. I pretty much love all Backlund/Valentine matches and I do need to rewatch the draw so it definitively, but I really, really love this match. This is my third time watching it and it has not lost any of its luster. Where it succeeds where so many matches fail is the natural transitions between limb work through the match and the sustain selling in and out of segments by both men. The commentators are going on that Backlund may have to hang it up if he loses this one. I think Backlund had no place in Vince's WWF and that commentary shows it, but I wish he stayed wrestling elsewhere full time because he was so damn good.

The early part of the match is fun with Backlund doing single leg pickups to show up The Hammer and they have some fun amateur exchanges. Backlund gets into a forearm exchange with Valentine, which is a bad idea. Backlund has a lingering arm injury from when he lost the belt to Sheiky Baby and Valentine focuses his attack on it. It is very compelling arm work and it is nice to see Backlund on the defensive. Backlund does his bridging spots, but Valentine stays on the arm. Backlund cant backslide because of the bad arm. Huge clubbing blows to the arm. Valentine misses a second rope leg drop. Meaning his leg is susceptible to work and Backlund jumps on it. It becomes a massive struggle to see if Valentine can re-establish arm control or if Backlund can gain a foothold in the match by working the leg. Backlund does a great job selling the arm as he ties Valentine up. He can do a crossface. but he is able to use a deathlock to at least by himself time and then he picks Valentine up and throws him down. Valentine escapes to outside. He trips Backlund up and wrenches Backlun'ds leg against post and then throws a chair at it. AWESOME! Valentine was desperate he grabbed whatever limb he could get and it also sets up for figure-4. The Hammer keeps selling his own leg as he works Backlund's leg. Backlund is fighting from his back to attack Valentine's injured leg. This is so awesome. Valentine tries figure-4 multiple times, does get Boston Crab on onre, but Backlund powers out because he is a stud. Valentine is frustrated that he tried the figure-4 three times and no success. BACKLUNDZIGUIRI!!!! Valentine is dazed and pissed. He recovers and ties Backlund up. He wants the damn figure-4. He misses a second rope elbow. Backlund's knee gives out on an atomic drop. FIGURE-4!!!! Valentine is finally going to one over his archrival. Valentine uses ropes for leverage and ref breaks it up. Backlund O'Connor Roll for the win. As is his MO, Valentine is a sore loser. He decks the ref and puts Bob in the figure-4.

Awesome match! Incredibly compelling loved the selling, the work and the transitions from body part to body part. I thought the finish was a little anti-climatic. I guess they were not exactly ready to put Bob out to pasture yet. ****3/4

Missing Matches:

Greg "The Hammer" Valentine vs Bruno Sammartino - 10/22/79
WWF Intercontinental Champion Pedro Morales vs Greg "The Hammer" Valentine - MSG 1/18/82

Cross Your Ankles: FIGHTING NETWORK RINGS 1996 (Volk Han, Kiyoshi Tamura)

Hey Yo Stud Muffins & Foxy Ladies:

Get Well Soon, Nature Boy!

Fighting Network RINGS was born from the three-way schism of the second UWF, a shoot-style promotion from 1988-1990. In 1991, the three biggest stars of the Second UWF each created their own promotion: Nobuhiko Takada (UWFi), Yoshiaki Fujiwara (PWFG) and Akira Maeda (RINGS).

Shoot-style is a working pro style with the intention of making pro wrestling look as real possible. Usually the style forsakes pinfall decisions for submissions or knockout finishes. Matches are short usually sub-15 minutes to simulate a shoot. The matches take the look and feel of Mixed Martial Arts matches. There is a stand up portion (no closed fists, kicks are legal), takedowns and lots of submission wrestling.

GO MUTHAFUCKIN BLUE! Where the hell were you when I was in school?

RINGS was the most the legitimate looking of all of the UWF successors. There is none of the pageantry of UWFi, which PRIDE would inherit from Takada or zaniness of PWFG. Maeda used the Inoki booking paradigm of pitting himself against legit gaijin shooters. He would leverage Japanese nationalism as the fans would lap up watching their native hero vanquished his foreign foes in shoot matches. Most often these fighters were either Dutch kickboxers or ex-Soviet Sambo wrestlers.

The most famous of these fighters was the incomparable Soviet Maestro of the Mat and the Russian Wizard, Volk Han (roughly translated as Wolf Khan, even his name is badass). Even though Maeda was the owner and native hero, he was overshadowed by his foreign archenemy. By the 90s, Maeda was already getting up there in years, Volk Han was carrying the workload in the ring. He was considered the #1 Russian on a team that included future PRIDE superstar Fedor Emelianeko. While Maeda would continue to win major matches as he won RINGS annual Mega Battle Tournament to start 1996, it is the Volk Han matches is what fans of RINGS remember.

Volk Han has the uncanny ability to make matwork captivating and organic. You simply cannot take your eyes off him for one second because blink and you will miss an ankle cross. There are many times you are watching him control a wrist only to have him put his legs in position to figure-4 an entirely different body part. He makes submission grappling can't miss. There is no one who puts on a deeper figure-4 in a more organic fashion. His double wristlock takedown RIPS will cause you to pop out of your seat. His ankle crosses are deadly and come out of nowhere. His selling is sublime. When a hold gets him, he lets you know how his limbs shoot out for the ropes like lightning bolts. He is an incredibly selfless performer always leaving opportunities for his opponents to look good and get the best of him. But more times than not, the Soviet Maestro of the Mat will leave with his hand raised in victory and you will find yourself rewinding to find out how he found that slightest opportunity to sink in the lethal submission.

The Wolf Khan

Volk Han went 8-2 in 1996 including three victories over young, rising native star, Tsuyoshi Kohsaka with the second match (8/24/96, ****1/2) being a classic in the Volk Han canon of amazing finishes. One of his other victories was a match that could be considered the greatest pro wrestling match in history (9/25/96, full *****) against fellow shoot-style legend, Kiyoshi Tamura.

Kiyoshi Tamura (6-1 in 1996, shoutout to Willie Fucking Peeters the Dutch Kickboxer with a fucking attitude, kid) is a good-looking, shredded Japanese shoot-style worker that joined RINGS halfway through the year from the ostentatious UWFi and his no-nonsense, aggressive style fit like a glove in RINGS. Tamura was 3-0 entering his first match with the Russian Wizard and together they engineered a classic of young, feisty native lion taking on the cold, calculating foreigner. Tamura eventually ruffles the feathers of the typically cool Volk Han and all Hell breaks loose. At the end of the year, Tamura has an incredibly ferocious bout in the Mega Battle 1997 Tournament Semi-Final against Yoshihisa Yamamoto (5-5 in 1996, losing streak at the end).

You see Yamamoto defeated Volk Han at the end of 1995 and at 26 years old looked poised to be the successor to Akira Maeda as the promotion's top native star (he was the runner-up to Maeda in 1996 Mega Battle Tournament Final). Then Tamura joined RINGS and it stole some of his thunder.
IT WAS ON~! RINGS is mostly known for its amazing matwork, but the stand up tends to be more on the tepid side (if you want good stand up, watch BattlArts). Yamamoto and Tamura beat the holy living shit out of each other with some legit shoot strikes as Yamamoto draws blood from Tamura's cheek. You really felt like they were fighting to prove who the baddest Japanese muthafucka was.


Here are the five matches from RINGS 1996, I think are must see.

Kiyoshi Tamura

Kiyoshi Tamura vs Willie Peeters - RINGS 7/16/96

After a great Sasha/Alexa match, Finn/Bray were putting me to sleep so I threw on some Tamura, while the match was on. Tamura is great, but WILLIE FUCKING PEETERS stealing the show! Peeters is a Dutch kickboxer with a fuckin' attitude, kid. He looks like every kid I went to middle school with his haircut, tank top and oversized pants. Peeters is a tornado in there throwing kicks Willie-Nilly. I had to!  Awesome belly-to-belly suplex by him and a great side headlock RIP! Basically Tamura looks overwhelmed at first, but then he figures Peeters out. He goes toe-to-toe with him standing up. He figures out how to quash every single takedown and turn everything on the mat to his advantage. Peeters is cocky but is a fish outta water on the mat. He is great saying Tamura's kicks aren't affect him "You cant hurt steel" routine, only to tap like a baby in a heel hook after he already got the ropes. Perfect bully psychology. Tamura is taking it to the mat at will and it is just a matter of time. Triangle choke and Peeters taps. Very entertaining. Tamura has a great asskicker vibe to him. Peeters was able to bewilder Tamura early, but once Tamura figured him out it was academic. More Willie Fuckin' Peeters, bro! ****

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Volk Han vs Tsuyoshi Kohsaka - RINGS 7/16/96

After getting shown up pretty drastically by Yamamoto, Kohsaka needed a good showing here and I think he provided it even though he ended up losing via knockout. Kohsaka acquitted himself well on the mat against the Russian Wizard and went toe to toe with him standing up. Kohsaka showed a lot of aggression and ingenuity against the always creative Volk Han. There are so many cool moments in this match. Volk Han is amazing at wrist control and you are so focused on what he will do that you don't see Kohsaka figure-4ing his leg from underneath and all of sudden Han is on defense. Han is a really selfless performer as a gaijin in Japan he had to be. He applies a great organic figure-4 (great struggle) but he does not tuck his leg in underneath and this leaves him open for a heel hook. He gives his opponent an out. I loved his selling of the cross armbreaker. Once Kohsaka had it applied his foot SHOT OUT LIKE A CANNON for the ropes. There was another great moment where he has Kohsaka all tied up and Kohsaka looks ridiculously trying to feel for the rope with his foot. Like I said Kohsaka stayed poise down the stretch and never let the overwhelming mystique of Volk Han get to him. Volk Han has done the impossible gotten me into the bundle of leg locks. Now that I am more cognizant of ankle crosses I am super into them. I will say because Volk Han treats them special I am into them. Other people doing it still kinda sucks. Volk Han goes up 3-1, but in an amazing comeback Kohsaka rattles off three straight forces of rope breaks to go up 4-3 including a very tight choke. I think this big come from behind with three big time submissions helps his standing a lot. I loved the front chancery/hammerlock combo from Han only for Kohsaka to get the back heel trip and roll through to break it. SHORT ARM SCISSORS~! Triangle choke! Han in the ropes. This is how Kohsaka goes up 4-3.

VOLK HAN SNAPS~! Barrage of slaps and a KNEE THAT BUSTS KOHSAKA WIDE OPEN! TKO! Great finish which may have been a shoot. Insane. Volk Han is so good at sucking you into matwork and is great at selling from the way he quickly gets the ropes in a cross armbreaker to his sense of shame grabbing the rope in that Triangle Choke and that shame turning into anger. Kohsaka to his credit never wavers. So many times in puroresu, we see the lead horse choke, but here Volk Han turns that sense of choking into unbridled anger blasting Kohsaka so hard he knocks him out and leaves nothing to de decided. Great story and match. ****1/4

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Volk Han vs Tsuyoshi Kohsaka - RINGS 8/24/96

So this is RINGS, human pretzel making. A sick part of me wishes Uncle Eric brought in these dudes to WCW so I could hear Tony, Dusty & Bobby call the action. Dusty would say "uncle" and "uncler" so much. Han gets the coolest, most organic figure-4 you will ever see from a standing half guard. Yep, believe the hype brutha, Volk Han is legit. Thought the escapes from Kojsaka on the figure-4 and cross arm breaker were too easy. Then they started using rope breaks which I liked better. Han lets Kohsaka take him down and grabs a double wrist lock. The double wrist lock seems to be the base for everything. In kayfabe, it seems like Han is being presented as the better wrestler. I hate the bundle of legs dueling submission as a spot no matter what. Han drops down with a rear naked choke and Kohsaka comes up with a sick counter of basically an inverted deadlock on the legs. I marked out and Kohsaka has a renewed sense of confidence. That felt like a big moment where the momentum could have shifted to Kohsaka. He grabbed a rolling leg takedown but in the pretzel he created he left his arm exposed and Han grabbed hyperextended it and since Kohsaka was in pretzel of his own creation he had no escape and was forced to tap.

Even though I haven't watched much shoot style I gobble it up with a spoon when I do. It was exciting to see my first Volk Han match thought he lived up to the hype. Definitely some mark out moments like the figure-4 and just some of those wrist lock grabs and chains. The counter to the choke by Kohsaka was my favorite spot felt electric and like everything was going to go his way, but then he taps in his own trap! Thought some escapes were little too easy in the beginning and in shoot style I like narratives of contrasting styles didn't feel that here. It was an incredible display of grappling wizardry. ****1/2            

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Volk Han vs Kioyshi Tamura - RINGS 9/25/96

 

ANKLE CROSS~!

 

Volk Han in all his glory: double wristlock rips, ankle crosses galore and him taking a straight front kick to the gut. Tamura is a great opponent because he is so energetic and feisty. That opening double wristlock rip is godly. Tamura is a champ for taking that. As soon as Tamura wriggles free, it is right into the ankle cross. This is Volk Han 101 and it looks great because of Tamura's energy and struggle. I love how Han has an answer for everything. Tamura goes for a legbar to counter the ankle cross and Han goes for the cross armbreaker. Han grabs heel and had good control, but squanders the control and on the takedown almost cost himself by ending up in a cross armbreaker. Han is able to counter into an amazing double wristlock and forces him to go for the ropes. Amazing ability to stay on offense by Han. Han has great takedown defense for Tamura who tries to switch up by shooting for a double leg. These are great opponents because Han is so cool under pressure and Tamura is feisty. Han can get cocky though like his showy pulling arm through Tamura's legs and Tamura catches him with a heel hook forcing the rope break. Han grabs a choke and of course his ankles get crossed so you believe a submission is possible. They end up in the ropes and Tamura gets charged with an rope escape. Weird. DEEP Tamura single leg crab then floats into an armbar. Great struggle in this. I loved Han's short leg scissors amazing bend. I love when wrestlers figure-4 random body parts. Always looks amazing. Another tremendous Han spot is when Tamura tries to apply a figure-4 to his leg and leaves his arm just out there and Han grabs a cross armbreaker. Tamura is just writhing around in pain and flaying. It really feels like a finish and I know Han has finished a match like that before. Just great drama. Han goes up 4-1 in rope breaks and then in classic Han runs into a straight front kick for the knockdown. That sort of levels the playing field and looks like Han could fall after controlling the first portion of the match. Tamura is working so hard. Look at how much effort he does getting a side headlock and the way every single muscle is focused on making a Volk Han head pop. Han slaps the taste out of his mouth and gets a knockdown. Tamura tries desperately for a choke, but Han is able to grab his favorite hold, the double wristlock.

Amazing match! Before I always I thought I liked and appreciated shoot style, but I could never really love it as much as traditional pro wrestling. I loved this! The struggle and energy were off the charts. I liked the strategy and the distinct characters. The matwork was incredible and the way he kept going for double wristlocks and ankle crosses gave the match a touchstone that a lot of shoot style matches lack. Highly recommended. *****

 

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Kiyoshi Tamura vs Yoshihisa Yamamoto - RINGS 12/19/96

In my estimation, this match was to determine who the baddest Japanese muthafucka on the RINGS roster. Maeda is over the hill and I feel like Kohsaka is treated a step below these two. Before Tamura arrived in the summer of 96, it looked like it was clearly going to be Yamamoto, who does have a victory over Volk Han in late 95, but Tamura has cleared out the non-Volk Han foreigners. Match has a huge fight feel. Yamamoto comes out of the gate fucking swinging. Even though he is the incumbent, he feels like he has something to prove. He is crowding Tamura in the ropes. Tamura has to go for a takedown not because he is in control just to stop his momentum. Even back on their feet, Tamura starts throwing insane knees to Yamamoto's side. RINGS has not been the place for great, electric stand up. This is the exception. They beat the ever loving shit out of each other and they were furious throwing crazy hands. Oddly, I thought the match dragged on the mat. It seemed like both were trying so hard not get put into submission that you didn't get as many eye-popping submissions. They more than made up for it by throwing hands like there was no tomorrow. Tamura was up early 2-0 on rope breaks. When Yamamoto just started bashing his face in with palm strikes. Tamura came off the mat with a bleeding cheek and busted lip, fucking hardway. That shit was intense. Yamamoto was able to get three strong submissions to put Tamura in the ropes. Tamura looked like hell. Then all of sudden he gest a flying cross armbreaker that legitimately looks like he hyperextended Yamamoto's elbow (looked how deep it was) and how fast that tap out was.

Insane amount of hate and anger. Best stand up ever in RINGS. Tamura's face and that finish are amazing. Matwork drags it down, but good God watch this. ****1/4

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With a semi-final victory over top native rival, Kiyoshi Tamura faces none other than Volk Han in 1997 Mega Battle Tournament Final. Who will win? Can they top their 1996 classic? What else does RINGS have in store for us in 1997?




 

Best World Championship Wrestling (WCW/JCP) Matches of All Time

Criteria: Simple match had to take place in Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling, Jim Crockett Promotions or World Championship Wrestling. Could happen anytime or anywhere just has to be promoted just has to follow the Crockett-Turner lineage.

Categorized by star rating. In chronological order within a star rating.

****** - Maryse



Watched within the past five years. (So if you don't see something obvious like Flair/Steamboat or Flair/Funk it is because I have not watched it recently enough to accurately judge it.)

***** - Wife Material (Greatest Match of All Time Contenders)

1. NWA US Champion Tully Blanchard vs Magnum TA - NWA Starrcade 1985

2.  NWA World Heavyweight Champion Ric Flair vs Ricky Morton - GAB 7/11/86 Steel Cage

3. NWA US Tag Team Champions Midnight Express vs Fantastics - Clash of the Champions I

4. NWA World Heavyweight Champion Ric Flair vs Lex Luger – NWA Starrcade 1988

5. NWA World Heavyweight Champion Ric Flair vs Ricky Steamboat - NWA Chi-Town Rumble '89

6. WCW World Heavyweight Champion Sting vs Vader - Great American Bash 1992

7. WCW Cruiserweight Champion Eddy Guerrero vs Rey Misterio Jr. - Halloween Havoc 1997

****3/4 - Perpetual Bridesmaids Make For Great Lays (Almost Perfect)

1. NWA US Champion Greg "The Hammer" Valentine vs "Rowdy" Roddy Piper - NWA Starrcade 1983 Dog Collar

2. NWA World Tag Team Champions Arn Anderson & Tully Blanchard vs Lex Luger & Barry Windham - NWA Clash of the Champions I

3. Sting vs Vader - Starrcade 1992

4. WCW World Heavyweight Champion Vader vs Sting - SuperBrawl III

5. Ric Flair vs Ricky Steamboat - WCW Saturday Night 5/14/94 Vacant World Championship

6.  Ric Flair vs Randy Savage - WCW Great American Bash 1995


****1/2 - Best Friend Zoned (Match of the Year Contenders)

1. NWA World Heavyweight Champion Ric Flair vs Ricky Steamboat - NWA Boogie Jam 3/17/84

2. NWA World Heavyweight Champion Ric Flair vs Ronnie Garvin - WCW 12/28/85

3. Western States Heritage Champion Barry Windham vs Tully Blanchard - NWA World Championship Wrestling 1/23/88

4. NWA US Tag Team Champions Midnight Express vs Fantastics - NWA Worldwide 5/14/88

5. WCW US Tag Team Champions Steiner Brothers vs Nasty Boys - NWA Halloween Havoc '90

6. Four Horsemen (Ric Flair, Barry Windham, Larry Zbyszko, Sid Vicious) vs Sting's Squadron (Sting, Brian Pillman & Steiner Brothers) - Wrestlewar 1991 WARGAMES

6. WCW World Tag Team Champions The Enforcers vs Dustin Rhodes & Ricky Steamboat - Clash XVII

7.  WCW Light Heavyweight Champion Jushin "Thunder" Liger vs Brian Pillman - WCW SuperBrawl II

8. WCW World Heavyweight Champion Vader vs Ric Flair - WCW Starrcade 1993

9. WCW World Tag Champions Nasty Boys vs Cactus Jack & Maxx Payne - Spring Stampede 94

10. Dustin Rhodes vs Bunkhouse Buck - WCW Spring Stampede 1994 Bunkhouse Match

11.  Dusty & Dustin Rhodes & Nasty Boys vs Stud Stable (Terry Funk, Arn Anderson, Bunkhouse Buck & Col. Robert Parker) - WCW Fall Brawl 1994 WARGAMES

12. WCW World Cruiserweight Champion Dean Malenko vs Rey Misterio Jr. - Great American BASH 1996

13. Rey Mysterio Jr. vs Psychosis - WCW Bash At The Beach 1996

14. WCW US Champion Diamond Dallas Page vs Chris Benoit - WCW SuperBrawl VIII

15. Chris Benoit & Dean Malenko vs Eddy Guerrero & Chris Jericho - Brian Hiildebrand Tribute
(So technically not promoted by WCW, but featured all-WCW talent).

16. WCW World Heavyweight Champion Diamond Dallas Page vs Sting - WCW Nitro 4/26/99

17. Bret Hart vs Chris Benoit - WCW Nitro 10/99 Owen Hart Tribute Match

Best WWF (WWE) Matches of All Time

Criteria: Simple match had to take place in World Wide Wrestling Federation, World Wrestling Federation or World Wrestling Entertainment. Could happen anytime or anywhere just has to be promoted by a McMahon.

Categorized by star rating. In chronological order within a star rating.

Watched within the past five years. (So if you don't see something obvious like Bret/Austin or Bret/Owen it is because I have not watched it recently enough to accurately judge it.)

******

Sorry, Dave, Maryse is only thing worthy of *****



***** - Wife Material (Greatest Match of All Time Contenders)

1. WWF Heavyweight Champion Bob Backlund vs Greg Valentine - WWF MSG 2/19/79

2. Sgt Slaughter vs Iron Sheik - WWF, MSG 6/16/84

3. Bret Hart vs Owen Hart - WrestleMania X

4. Bret Hart vs Steve Austin - WrestleMania XIII Submission Match

5. WWF World Heavyweight Champion Triple H vs Cactus Jack - Royal Rumble 2000

6. WWF World Heavyweight Champion The Rock vs Stone Cold Steve Austin - Wrestlemania X-7

7. WWE Champion John Cena vs Umaga - WWE Royal Rumble 2007 Last Man Standing

8. John Cena vs Brock Lesnar - Extreme Rules 2012

8. The Shield vs. Ryback & Team Hell No - WWE TLC 2012 TLC Match

9. Daniel Bryan vs Triple H w/Stephanie McMahon - Wrestlemania XXX

10. WWE World Heavyweight Champion Roman Reigns vs AJ Styles - WWE Payback 2016

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

****3/4 - Perpetual Bridesmaids Make For Great Lays (Almost Perfect)

1. WWF Heavyweight Champion Bob Backlund vs Pat Patterson - WWF MSG 7/30/79

2. WWF World Heavyweight Champion Bob Backlund vs Ken Patera - WWF, MSG 5/19/80

3. Sgt. Slaughter vs Pat Patterson - WWF, MSG 5/4/81, Alley Fight

4. Bob Backlund vs Greg Valentine -  MSG 4/23/84

5. WWF Intercontinental Champion Tito Santana vs Greg "The Hammer" Valentine - MSG 6/16/84

6. WWF Intercontinental Champion Randy Savage vs Ricky Steamboat - WWF, Toronto 2/15/87

7. WWF Intercontinental Champion Randy Savage vs Ricky Steamboat - Wrestlemania III

8. WWF Intercontinental Champion Shawn Michaels vs Razor Ramon - Summerslam 1995 Ladder Match

9. WWF World Heavyweight Champion Shawn Michaels vs Mankind - Mind Games 1996

10. Shawn Michaels vs The Undertaker - Badd Blood 1997 Hell In A Cell

9. WWF World Heavyweight Champion Stone Cold Steve Austin vs Chris Benoit - Smackdown! 5/31/01

10. WWF World Heavyweight Champion Stone Cold Steve Austin vs Kurt Angle - WWF Summerslam 2001

11. World Heavyweight Champion Chris Benoit vs Shawn Michaels - RAW 5/3/04

12. Shawn Michaels vs The Undertaker - Wrestlemania XXVI

13. The Shield vs Wyatt Family - WWE Elimination Chamber 2014

14. WWE World Heavyweight Champion Roman Reigns vs AJ Styles - WWE Extreme Rules 2016

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

****1/2 - Best Friend Zoned (Match of the Year Contenders)

1. WWWF Heavyweight Champion Bob Backlund vs Ivan Koloff - MSG 8/28/78

2. WWF World Heavyweight Champion Bob Backlund vs Ken Patera - WWF, MSG 1/21/80

3. WWF Heavyweight Champion Bob Backlund vs Hulk Hogan - WWF Philly 4/12/80

4. WWF World Heavyweight Champion Bob Backlund vs Sgt. Slaughter - WWF, Philly 1/10/81

5. WWF World Heavyweight Champion Bob Backlund vs Sgt. Slaughter - WWF, Philly 3/21/81,   
Steel Cage Match

6. WWF Heavyweight Champion Bob Backlund vs Greg Valentine - MSG 10/19/81

7. Bob Backlund vs Greg Valentine -  MSG 11/23/81 WWF Heavyweight Championship Held Up

8. Sgt. Slaughter vs Iron Sheik - WWF, MSG 5/21/84

9. The Dream Team w/Jimmy Hart vs Tito Santana & Ricky Steamboat - MLG 4/21/85

10. WWF Intercontinental Champion Greg Valentine  vs. Tito Santana  - WWF, Baltimore 7/6/85
Steel Cage Match

11. Randy Savage & Adrian Adonis vs Tito Santana & Bruno Sammartino - WWF, MSG 7/12/86

12. WWF Intercontinental Champion Randy Savage vs. Ricky Steamboat - Toronto Maple Leaf Gardens 7/27/8

13. Ricky Steamboat vs Jake Roberts - WWF Boston 8/9/86

14. WWF World Heavyweight Champion Hulk Hogan vs. Harley Race - MSG 6/14/87 Texas Death

15. The Rockers vs Rougeaus - 10/89 London, England

16. WWF World Tag Team Champions Diesel & Shawn Michaels vs Razor Ramon & 1-2-3 Kid -
WWF Action Zone 10/30/94

17. WWF World Heavyweight Champion Bret Hart vs Diesel - Survivor Series 1995

18. WWF World Heavyweight Champion Bret Hart vs Undertaker - WWF One Night Only 1997

19. WWF European Champion British Bulldog vs Shawn Michaels - WWF One Night Only 1997

20. Steve Austin vs Dude Love (WWF Over The Edge 05/31/98)

21. "Stone Cold" Steve Austin vs Triple H - WWF No Way Out '01

22. WWF World Tag Champs Stone Cold & HHH vs Chris Benoit & Chris Jericho - WWF RAW
5/21/01

23. WWE Champion Brock Lesnar vs Undertaker - No Mercy 2002 Hell In A Cell

24. WWE Champion Brock Lesnar vs Big Show - Judgment Day 2003 Stretcher Match

25. World Heavyweight Champion Triple H vs Shawn Michaels - RAW 12/29/03

26. Eddie Guerrero vs Rey Mysterio - WWE Judgement Day 2005

27. World Heavyweight Champion Batista vs Triple H - WWE Vengeance 2005 Hell In A Cell

28. Edge vs Matt Hardy WWE Unforgiven 2005 Steel Cage Match

29. Chris Benoit vs Finlay - WWE Judgement Day 2006

30. WWE Champion John Cena vs Edge - WWE Unforgiven TLC Match 2006

31. WWE Champion John Cena vs Shawn Michaels - Wrestlemania XXIII

32. WWE Champion Randy Orton vs Shawn Michaels - Survivor Series 2007

33. Shawn Michaels vs Batista - Backlash 2008 SGR: Chris Jericho

34. Chris Jericho vs Shawn Michaels - GAB 2008

35. John Cena vs Batista - Summerslam 2008

36. WWE Intercontinental Champion Chris Jericho vs Rey Mysterio - The Bash 2009 Title Vs Mask

37. WWE Champion Randy Orton vs John Cena - Breaking Point I Quit Match

38. CM Punk vs Rey Mysterio - Over The Limit 2010 Hair vs SXE Pledge

39. King Sheamus vs John Morrison - TLC 2010 Ladder Match

40. World Heavyweight Champion Randy Orton vs Mark Henry - Night of Champions 2011

41. WWE World Tag Champions The Shield vs The Brothers Rhodes - WWE Battleground 2013

42. Cesaro vs Sami Zayn - NXT Arrival 2/14

43. WWE World Heavyweight Champion John Cena vs Brock Lesnar -Summerslam 2014

44. WWE World Heavyweight Champion Brock Lesnar vs John Cena - Night of Champions 2014

45. WWE IC Champion Luke Harper vs Dolph Ziggler WWE TLC 2014 Ladder Match

Space Tornado: #11 Toshiaki Kawada vs Naoya Ogawa - Zero-1 12/14/03

Hey Yo Stud Muffins & Foxy Ladies,

In my line of work, a disturbance is either expunged or mitigated. It prevents a process from reaching the desired end state, set point or from operating efficiently. However in art, a disturbance can create unique, interesting dynamic. It jars the viewer. It does not belong. It ruins order in doing so generates chaos. Inherent to disorder is desperation. One of my favorite unstable dynamics in pro wrestling is a contest pitting a traditional pro wrestler against a badass shooter. For those unfamiliar with pro wrestling jargon, a "shooter" is a pro wrestler versed in a martial art, boxing or amateur/catch wrestling. One of my all-time favorite versions of this matchup is pro wrestling great, Toshiaki Kawada  against Olympic Silver Medalist in Judo and multiple time World Judo Champion, Naoya Ogawa. Ogawa feels so raw and unpredictable and just has this aura of an invincible, cocky bully. Kawada, who often finds himself as the "kick your head off, drop you on your head" badass in a match, is outgunned and a heavy underdog. The resultant match is raucous mayhem. Every single feels like a gargantuan struggle between two forces of nature. Kawada has a sense of desperation to survive the world-class judoka. The story is simple, Ogawa just needs to hit the Space Torando Ogawa (a modified oo-soto-gari, a classic Judo takedown) and Kawada must avoid. Kawada creates an opening for himself by decimating the knee of Ogawa. Ogawa like a wounded bear just starts throwing wild bear paws at the aggressive pitbull, Kawada. Ogawa is left with no recourse, but to try to hit his STO. It is only appropriate that match that was chaotic from the opening bell would end in chaos with no winner.  The desperation comes from the chaos of the match and the chaos comes from the disturbance, the thing that does not belong, Naoya Ogawa.

All Japan Triple Crown Champion Toshiaki Kawada vs Naoya Ogawa

Zero-One 12/14/03 Non-Title

Ogawa is 2 for 2 in terms of badass matches in my book. It has been a limited sample size, but I don't think he is a particularly adept worker, but he is incredibly effective in portraying his character (legitimate judoka/shooter badass) and fostering a big match atmosphere. Just like the Dome tag match, the chaotic flow of the match and the awesome heat made this stand out as something special. Of course, why Kawada is an all-timer is that he did not force Ogawa into the King's Road style, but wrestled the match in a way where Kawada responded to Ogawa in a characteristic manner. It was an interesting clash of King's Road and shoot-style without sacrificing each other's strong suits in a heated bout.

What I love about this video is there is a 7 minute recap of the angles at the beginning to clarify why there is an interpromotional match. There was apparently an AJPW vs. Zero-One feud which featured a tag match between Hashimoto/Ogawa vs Mutoh/Kojima. The Z-1 boys were roughing up the AJ boys after the bell was ringing only for Kawada to rush the ring and send the Z-1 crew packing to awesome heat. After that, there were white masked ninjas in service of Ogawa attacking Kawada and tag matches leading up to the big one on one showdown. I read another review that said Kawada played the a great heel in this match. Well, I thought he was a badass babyface even if this was at a Z1 show. He got a shit ton of streamers and there was definitely a Kawada chant at the beginning. Ogawa is such a natural heel. He is a giant especially compared to Kawada and his cocky shooter swagger makes him nearly impossible to like. At the outset, Kawada was selling his apprehension of getting entangled with this badass while Ogawa was egging him on with sarcastic cheers. Kawada was the first one to take it to him even though Ogawa got a nice punch combo out of the corner that sent Kawada reeling in classic Dangerous K fashion. What I really loved about this match was how much struggle there was. If Kawada had a chance to stomp of Ogawa's head on a break he took it. Ogawa seemed like he took Kawada over on a monkey flip whether he wanted to or not. The hook of the match was when Ogawa went to put Kawada away with the STO and Kawada relentlessly kneed his inner leg so that even when he hit it he could not capitalize. When he went for the STO again, he buckled and Kawada pounced. This led to the great exchange where Kawada chases Ogawa around kicking his bad leg and Ogawa is throwing wild double back fists to keep him away. At one point, the back fist catches Kawada in the head so he starts to kick Ogawa's leg from the mat that's dedication. Kawada eventually got the half crab, but not before he stomped on Ogawa's head. Ogawa is so long that it is hard to keep him from the ropes. Kawada gets tired of the double back fists so he cleans his clock with a sweet closed fist. In an effort to survive, Ogawa just tries for the STO and Kawada hits him with a back drop driver. Kawada looks to knock Ogawa out with enziguiris, but Ogawa hits the STO OUTTA NOWHERE! Kawada staggers and falls ass first through the bottom rope onto the floor. Ogawa's leg is fucked, but is able to STO Kawada on the floor. However, neither man can make it back to the ring by the ten count. Hot damn! Wait there is more! They restart the match. Kawada slides right into Ogawa's leg and does not let up. Kawada goes for the leg lace and double stomps on the bad knee. However, Kawada leaves himself open for the STO again. Everyone is out again. Kawada tries to go for the enziguiri for the knockout, but STO AGAIN! Neither man can answer the ten count and it is ruled a double knock out.

Kawada had the strategy: find a weakness and exploit. Ogawa had the puncher's chance: STO. At the beginning, it seemed like Kawada was going to be outgunned by the bigger Ogawa, but he is able to block the STO and inflict serious damage to the leg. However, once he got on offense, he was so focused on pressing his advantage he would leave himself opened to the STO. Kawada just did not have a bomb on the same level as the STO to put Ogawa away. I loved a lot of the exchanges in this match especially the leg kicks versus double back fists. Ogawa delivers another great big match and Kawada gives his best performance since the 2001 Champion's Carnival with Mutoh. ****1/2

P.S.  I loved the energy of this match so much. Ogawa is just so much bigger than Kawada. He looks so imposing. Kawada feels like the underdog Cinderella story of March Madness taking on Duke in the National Championship. That speaks volumes to both men's charisma. Clearly Kawada is the more decorated pro wrestler, but you would never tell that from this match. Ogawa had the arrogance and presence you want in a shoot style bully. Kawada was cautious, but never hesitant, he was going to fight fire with fire. He knew he was going to get hit in the mouth he was just going to have hit harder. He was out to prove pro wrestling was the true king of sports. Everything about this was chaotic. With that came some awkward moments, but that just fed into the mayhem. The two flaws of the match that keeps it from the Top 10 is Kawada whiffed on a couple kicks to head and Ogawa is really bad at registering moves. He kinda just hops when he takes a kick. It is weird and jarring at times.It is kinda cool because he does not feel like a pro wrestler, but it seems like he is trying to be one. I am picking nits. This is should end up between #15-25. I loved the crazy energy with Kawada going to town on the leg to press his advantage with the STO looming ever-present to knock him out. Awesome brawl! ****1/2

KENTA Speeds At Night: #12 KENTA vs Bryan Danielson - Pro Wrestling NOAH 12/02/06

Hey yo Stud Muffins & Foxy Ladies,

Commitment is the key to a successful, happy life. Trying to be everywhere will result in you being nowhere. Trying to do everything will result in nothing getting done. You have to commit to your goals, develop a strategy and execute on that strategy in all aspects of your life. I think a perfect representation of commitment in a wrestling match pits KENTA against Bryan Danielson in a match from Pro Wrestling NOAH that took place on December 2, 2006. In the match, Danielson is committed to the strategy of grounding the ultra-quick KENTA by working the arm, which has the added benefit of setting up his preferred submission hold focused on the arm. However, at a key point in time he has an opportunity to take a big risk by diving over the top rope into the crowd, if he lands he will assuredly win the match, but a bad fall could be his demise. Danielson, a daredevil, abandons his strategy, in doing so jams his knee on the dive giving KENTA an opening. Danielson quickly tries to return to his strategy but the aforementioned submission hold requires bridging which he can no longer do because of his bad knee. As you will see in my post-script, a lot of people would assume KENTA would target the injured leg of Danielson, which he attempted. However, that is not KENTA's forte and actually got KENTA in trouble. KENTA excels at fast-paced, bomb throw, kick your head off style. KENTA stayed true to himself and committed to his strategy. Used the injured leg, to set up his big kicks to the head and won the match. You see from this match one wrestler did not stay committed to his strategy causing himself an injury while the other wrestler took a licking, but kept on ticking and through commitment to what brought him to the dance took the victory home. Stay committed to your goals and strategy (re-evaluation based on new information is of course necessary also) and success will be yours.

 



KENTA vs Bryan Danielson - NOAH 12/02/06

This may shock a lot of people but the amount of matches I have seen Bryan Danielson wrestle as Bryan Danielson is probably only a handful and the vast majority are live. I was just never one to really ask my parents for money to buy wrestling or any item for me. Of course, my Dad would take me to the matches when they came to town and usually one 1-2 PPVs a year, but other than that not much. This mentality would continue into college. I always saw live events as special exceptions and would go to ROH whenever they were in town, but never felt that my limited college money should be spent on indy wrestling. I am hoping to change this in the near future and really hunker down and watch some golden age ROH. This match gives me hope that really is all that it is cracked up to be because Danielson was amazing in this match.

As I said in the SUWA review, the one constant in great KENTA matches is make KENTA work for it. Don't let him work his million mile an hour match, but make him sell and build up to that frenzy. What is interesting is I really feel like 2013 Daniel Bryan and mid-00s KENTA are really similar in working style. Bryan is better at building a match and slowing it down on his own accord. However, he has been prone to blowing off selling to get his shit in and his real selling point in the ring is his million miles an hour pace. Having not seen a lot of Daniel Bryan as Bryan Danielson, I was interested if they were going to try break the moves/minute record or something. I was very pleasantly surprised at how well this turned out.

The one odd thing to get out of the way is that the crowd is dead throughout the majority of the match. Was this one of Danielson's first tours in Japan? Were they just unfamiliar with him? The feeling out process is slower than I expected and very mat based where Danielson seems to have the advantage. KENTA looks to pick up the pace, but Danielson gets a hiptoss and converts that into a cross armbreaker. Excellent wrestling as KENTA is more as home with an uptempo pace so Danielson wisely slows it down and at the same time damages the arm. KENTA freaked out that Danielson almost got a submission victory actually slows down the match with a chinlock in a way to reset the match because he has been outclassed thus far. Once Danielson get back on top he is just working that arm relentlessly with all sorts of crazy submission moves. KENTA hits a snap powerslam and is still selling. Danielson's answer to KENTA is a Robinson backbreaker and a diving headbutt. I get a little worried here because they move quickly into a roll-up barrage when the diving headbutt was such a big spot. Danielson continues to go for home runs as he hits a huge splash to the outside over the guardrail on KENTA, but in the process hurts his knee. 

 

After the big dive, Danielson sells the knee kipping up on one knee after a missile dropkick, but KENTA had taken more punishment up until that point. So Danielson started back on offense with the missile dropkick. The knee messes him up a bit and KENTA hits a guillotine DDT, which he usually does not expect his opponent to sell (ala the Harley Race piledriver) so he looks to follow that up with a springboard move, but Danielson catches him with a German and then goes to lock on the Chickenwing Crossface (having had worked on the arm). There is a great struggle over this hold and here at his first real chance to pick the knee KENTA does. He applies the Texas Cloverleaf, but Danielson makes the ropes and when Danielson does put on Cattle Mutilation he cant hold it because his bad knee. There is an excellent headbutt vs kick war and Danielson was throwing some Garvin like nasty headbutts. Danielson goes for the Crossface Chickenwing again, which would avoid bridging on the bad knee and almost assuredly secure the victory, but KENTA fights like mad to get out of it. The next time KENTA gets on offense he goes back to Texas Cloverleaf, but gets countered into a pinning predicament. After that Danielson is relentless with a barrage of Cattle Mutilation. He attempts to hit a Tiger Suplex/Cattle Mutilation combination, but KENTA is able to bridge one into a pinfall. Awesome spot! At this point, KENTA has solidly got his ass whipped. He gets an Ace Crusher and quite naturally starts bust out his big guns: Exploding Knee and Kicks. Danielson's last stand is a roll-up barrage, but KENTA is stringing together too many kicks at this point. He hits the Go 2 Sleep to secure the victory.

I love this match as a game of strategies. Looking at this from a kayfabe perspective, Danielson is a better all-around wrestler. KENTA thrives in the uptempo game and with his kicks. Danielson stymies him early and never really lets him get going. Danielson is working the arm effectively, but does not have the knock out blows like KENTA so he goes for big gambles like the diving headbutt and the big splash, but this costs him his knee, which messes with one of his best submissions: Cattle Mutilation, which requires bridging. KENTA goes after the knee, but he is not very adept at working over body parts and nearly gets burnt with a cradle counter to a Cloverleaf. So KENTA has a fucked arm, has been getting his ass beaten and cant really take advantage of the knee, but has an opening with an Ace Crusher. So he goes to what brought him to the dance, big fuckin home run swings right at Danielson's head. KENTA always has the puncher's chance and he landed some big ones late. Danielson should have stuck to the arm game plan, but got lured away with big gambles then ended up ruining his chances to apply Cattle Mutilation. If only he was able to get that Crossface Chickenwing. Larry Z would have been proud at this exhibition of the human game of chess. My match of 2006 so far! ****1/2

 

P.S.

 

Discussion between me and a poster at PWO:

 

Poster: Early and mid-match were really good.  Both worked smart and kept it simple.  Then it falls apart for me.  Danielson does a big dive and hurts his knee.  He makes it exceedingly obvious that his knee was hurt during that dive.  KENTA...decides we're going into a suplex nearfall sequence.  Danielson is still selling the knee, and KENTA's one move that targets it is the Texas cloverleaf.  Then we move on to more nearfalls.  Actual finish and the few moves leading directly up to it was pretty god, but once again the need for big suplex nearfalls when the match had another perfectly logical way to go kills me.

 

My Response: I disagree with the finish ruining the match. After the big dive, Danielson sells the knee, but KENTA had taken more punishment up until that point. So Danielson started back on offense with the missile dropkick. The knee messes him up a bit and KENTA hits a guillotine DDT, which he usually does not expect his opponent to sell (ala the Harley Race piledriver) so he looks to follow that up with a springboard move, but Danielson catches him with a German and then goes to lock on the Chickenwing Crossface (having had worked on the arm). There is a great struggle and here at his first real chance to pick the knee KENTA does. He applies the Texas Cloverleaf and when Danielson does put on Cattle Mutilation he cant hold it because his bad knee. The next time KENTA gets on offense he goes back to Texas Cloverleaf, but gets countered into a pinning predicament. After that Danielson is relentless with Cattle Mutilation. KENTA is able to bridge one into a pinfall. At this point, KENTA has solidly got his ass whipped. He gets an Ace Crusher and quite naturally starts bust out his big guns which are the his knee, kicks and G2S. I don't take meticulous notes, but I don't think he ever hit a suplex in the post-dive portion of the match. He was working the Cloverleaf, but almost got bit. If I am KENTA and I got my arm fucked and I don't really work the leg and I am getting my ass kicked, if I have an opening I am hitting my home run shots. My cross-court forehand in tennis is a lot better than my down the line. If I want to access to a righty's backhand, I need to hit a cross-court backhand or create a inside out forehand. There is a lot of time I want to work over someone's backhand, but it is a limitation in my game to work it over. When I start to get down, you best believe, I am hitting the big cross court forehand even if their forehand is pretty decent. I don't fault KENTA for relying on what brought him to dance. He gave it a try to work over the knee, but it almost bit him when Danielson got a two count on a small package.

Ablaze Once More: #13 Kenta Kobashi & Yoshihiro Takayama vs Mitsuharu Misawa & Jun Akiyama - Pro Wrestling NOAH 12/02/2007

Hey yo Stud Muffins & Foxy Ladies,

One of my many New Years Resolutions is to publish more content on pro wrestling. I write numerous reviews almost daily on prowrestlingonly.com (celebrating its tenth birthday! Congratulations Charles!) as Superstar Sleeze, which is also my twitter handle (@superstarsleeze). I want to take those reviews and start organizing them and really spotlighting the matches that really showcase the intricacy, depth and beauty of professional wrestling.

All Hail Kenta Kobashi!

The easiest way to organize is through lists. I want to compile lists of the greatest matches for a given time period and promotion/geography. I am not as much a completest and perfectionist as some wrestling fans. I live by Voltaire's words "Search for perfection is the enemy of good.". That being said, I still want to make sure I watch all important matches before I release lists. My one problem is I am the opposite of  obsessive compulsive and have a hard time watching one era continuously before I want to switch gears. Thus I am starting with the Best of Japan something I have published before, but I never really gave it the time it deserved on this blog.

I will explain the year system at a later date, but this first series will look at the Best of Japan has to offer between 2003-2007. I am going to highlight the top 13 matches from this time period in Japan. Here are the other 9 matches that were given at least ****1/2 as honorable mentions.

22. AJPW Jr. Heavyweight Champion Shuji Kondo vs Katsuhiko Nakajima - AJPW 2/17/07

21. GHC Heavyweight Champion Kenta Kobashi vs Jun Akiyama - Tokyo Dome 07/10/04

20.  IWGP Heavyweight Champion Hiroshi Tanahashi vs Shinsuke Nakamura - NJPW 12/10/06

19. Akira Taue vs Yuji Nagata - NOAH 6/6/03

18. GHC Heavyweight Champion Kenta Kobashi vs Tamon Honda - NOAH 04/13/03

17. Kenta Kobashi & Go Shiozaki vs Kensuke Sasaki/Katsuhiko Nakajima - NOAH 11/5/05

16. Kenta Kobashi & Go Shiozaki vs Jun Akiyama & Genichiro Tenryu - Budokan 4/24/2005

15. IWGP Heavyweight Champion Kazuyuki Fujita vs Katsuyori Shibata - NJPW 7/19/04

14. IWGP Heavyweight Champion Yuji Nagata vs Togi Makabe - NJPW 07/06/07


New Years Day is a day of hope. No match in my mind represents hope like Kenta Kobashi's return match to Pro Wrestling NOAH in the hallowed Budokan Hall on December 2, 2007. Kobashi, who played the hero his whole career, had vanquished his toughest opponent, cancer and now was returning to the place he truly loved, the squared circle. Kobashi is one of those wrestlers that when you watch him you wrestle you can see the love and passion he has for the craft. We have the opportunity to watch Kobashi mature and develop not just as a wrestler but as a man. From the boy that was manhandled by Stan Hansen through the early 90s to finally overcome the loudmouth Texan bully. From being the junior partner of Mitsuharu Misawa in the mid-90s, constantly in peril to finally ascending to his place in the Sun seizing the torch from Misawa in 2003. He became Kobashi The Destroyer a world beater that went on an amazing two year title reign in mid-2000s. Cancer cripples even the mightiest of heros. But in true Kobashi's fashion he made his fiery, burning comeback and defeated his greatest adversary. With that victory, he earned the opportunity after twenty months to return to his home inside the ring and join his rivals, peers and friends.  He was no longer Kobashi The Destroyer of the mid-2000s and he had come full circle back to the vulnerable hero in peril beaten down, but never out because that fire inside him always burns. His story is one of hard work, dedication, passion and most importantly hope. The hope that no obstacle is insurmountable, no goal out of reach and nothing that cannot be destroyed by A BURNING LARIAOTOOOOOOOOOOO!

Down but never out!



13. Kenta Kobashi & Yoshihiro Takayama vs Mitsuharu Misawa & Jun Akiyama -

Pro Wrestling NOAH Budokan 12/02/07

"Do not be afraid for I am with you."

Emotionally, there is no more moving 00s puroresu match than this. It was a conquering hero's welcome for Kenta Kobashi. The fans chanting "Ko-Bash-I" before the match. Tamon Honda crying on commentary. Kobashi teaming with one of his great rivals against two of the fellow All Japan Five Pillars in his return match from cancer. Regardless of how I felt about Kobashi from 2005 and 2006, I had an ear-to-ear smile seeing Kobashi again. I mean it is not like Kobashi was going to job to cancer.

I would argue you cannot separate the emotion and content of the match. The match is so fueled by Kobashi's return that intangible propels this match into a 2007 Match of the Year Candidate. Takayama was so surprisingly good at being a cheerleader and playing to the crowd to get Kobashi involved. I don't know if Kobashi was selling the after effects of cancer or if he was actually severely weakened because I found his shine sequence a bit tepid and even sluggish. At first, I was exclaiming "Poor Akiyama!" because it seemed like he was made to be the jabroni of the match. I was beginning to think that emotion would not be able to sustain the heat of the match.

Misawa catching Kobashi with an elbow as he comes off the top is when the match goes from good to excellent in really quick order. Kobashi is no longer Superman and all of sudden we get 1993 Kobashi playing face in peril against two of the greatest offensive wrestlers in history. Save for the Kawada/Fuchi heat segment on Iizuka, I can't think of a better face in peril segment in the 2000s in Japan. Kobashi as a face in peril is just so timeless. Even though it is 2007, we have not seen vulnerable Kobashi in so long and it is so refreshing.  When you add that Kobashi was coming back from cancer, the sympathy levels are just off the charts. I loved that when Kobashi seems to be turning the tide on Akiyama, Misawa comes in and elbows Kobashi to a chorus of boos!!! Takayama has to hold Misawa on the top rope to allow Kobashi to hit a superplex and tag out to Takayama.

Takayama as a hot tag is so awesome to finally see. It is so short-lived because Misawa blows him out of the water with an elbow. I really loved the Takayama/Akiyama sequence and would have loved to seen them mix it up in a high-profiled singles match. Takayama could have gone for a cover on Akiyama, but he knows that the crowd wants Kobashi and he tags him in. Kobashi runs through his spots to great crowd reaction and I was beaming right with them. Misawa saves Akiyama again, but Takayama tackles Misawa so that Kobashi can hit the moonsault on Akiyama. Kick out! Honda crying! From there, Kobashi gets another nearfall on Misawa with the Burning Lariat, but eventually AKiyama and Misawa were able to overwhelm the weakened Kobashi. Misawa could not score the win with the Emerald Flowsion, but he secured the victory with a Super Emerald Flowsion.

So the time honored tradition continued with the returning wrestling doing the job with the rationale being ring rust and having to earn his return. Kobashi is at his absolute best as the underdog and for the first time since the 90s he is in the role he was meant to play. Takayama was great at being a badass, but always showcasing Kobashi. Akiyama was thankfully not a total jabroni in the match even though he was the one that Kobashi could get over on. As good as Akiyama was as a dick, but my God, Misawa was excellent. It is not his best match in the 00s, but I thought it was his best performance since February of 2000 against Akiyama. He was so cold and calculating, He did  not care that his ex-partner and his friend was returning from cancer. He was here to win. He was not going to take it easy on Kobashi. All the factors came together to produce an amazing tour de force. ****1/2

Post-Script from Second Viewing: It was the feel good match of the 2000s in Japan and I know it is a time-honored tradition that "he who returns" jobs, but fuck Kobashi should have won. They chanted Kobashi during Misawa's theme during the exit. If there was ever time to break with tradition, it was now. The crowd was just on fire for Kobashi. I was going crazy for a second time for the moonsault. What a reaction! Takayama was destroying everything, Akiyama was kneeing everything and Misawa elbowing everything. I never thought I hear Misawa get booed AND Takayama cheered for suplexing Misawa. Crazy! I loved Kobashi showing vulnerability and being that never say die Kobashi of the 90s.