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Post by randomone on Feb 12, 2020 11:08:02 GMT -6
1994 Super J Cup
So this is widely regarded as one of the best wrestling tournaments of all time & it’s something I’ve never seen and decided to check out since the entire tournament is available on New Japan World. The amount of talent in this tournament is insane, so I can’t wait to check it out. It should be noted that The Great Sasuke & Wild Pegasus received byes in the first round. Also the winner of this tournament, as a trophy, was presented with the old WWF Junior Heavyweight Title, despite that title being inactive since 1985, but hey, work with what you got, right?
April 16, 1994
Dean Malenko vs Gedo – First Round
A reluctant handshake before the bell as Malenko thwarts the cheap shot by hitting two dropkicks forcing Gedo to regroup. Malenko works the leg, but Gedo counters into an arm breaker attempt, which Malenko kips out of after some back & forth as we have a stalemate. They do the same exact spot with Gedo having the leg & Malenko getting an arm breaker before transitioning to the wrist. Another stalemate as this is solid chain wrestling before Gedo starts dishing out chops & Malenko fires back with forearms & grabs a headlock. Gedo fights out & headbutts Malenko to the corner, who ends up slamming Gedo’s head to the corner & hits a Jackhammer for 2. Head scissors applied, which Gedo slips out of & gets a modified face lock as Malenko gets the ropes. Both men hit the ropes & collide as they’re slow to their feet with Malenko wanting a Tombstone, but Gedo reverses & hits one instead. Gedo misses the follow up top rope headbutt as Malenko pops him with a lariat for 2. Malenko with a cross body off the top for another 2 as he hits the ropes & runs into a snap powerslam from Gedo 1…2…3! Malenko was up immediately so I don’t know if that was the designed finish or not as he was visibly upset, but then again, he should be, he lost. Really solid back & forth match to open this tournament.
Shinjiro Otani vs Super Delfin – First Round
Otani immediately targets the leg as Delfin tries raking the eyes, but Otani just wrenches away more and more before Delfin gets the ropes. Single leg crab applied as Delfin scrambles immediately for another break. Delfin hits a dropkick & tilt a whirl slam, but Otani lands in the ropes, so no pin attempt. They do it again, but Otani lands on his feet, hits a spin kick that sends Delfin outside. Otani pounces on the leg as Delfin gets back inside as he gets the Crab again & once more, Delfin with the rope break. Otani gets another leg lock, but Delfin rakes the eyes & puts the boots to Otani before dropping him with a Saito suplex for 2. Delayed brainbuster gets another 2 as Otani avoids another brainbuster & dropkicks Delfin to the floor before hitting a springboard dive! Back inside Otani hits a springboard dropkick for 2 then slaps on a heel hook, but Delfin gets the ropes, which happens again immediately after. Delfin gets a boot & slap in the corner before hitting a Tornado DDT, then wraps Otani up in the Delfin Clutch for the 1…2…3! I would’ve liked Delfin to sell his leg more since Otani targeted it for a majority of the match, but aside from that, it was another solid match & was different from the opener.
Black Tiger (Eddie Guerrero) vs Taka Michonoku – First Round
Here we go, Eddie Guerrero in New Japan and I can’t wait as we trade standing switches before Eddie snaps Taka down & rakes his face before hitting his signature slingshot senton & murder snap powerbomb for 2 right out the gate! Eddie hits a leg lariat & neckbreaker for another 2 as he sinks in an abdominal stretch. He notices Taka getting free, so he clotheslines him down, hits an uppercut & gets a Scorpion Death Lock. Eddie stumbles out of it as both are up & Taka grabs a headlock and hits a lariat, then puts the boots to Eddie. Taka hits the ropes & Eddie pops him with a lariat of his own, tries for it again, but Taka with a tilt a whirl head scissors, then teases a dive, but hits a springboard backflip back into the ring. Taka hits a snap overhead belly to belly as Eddie bails to the floor allowing Taka to hit his no handed springboard cross body! Back inside Taka gets 2 off a German suplex bridge & also 2 off a hurricanrana, tries for another, but Eddie powerbombs him 1…2…NO! Eddie up top with a Frog Splash 1…2…KICK OUT!! Taka with a desperation roll up for 2, then powerbombs Eddie for another near fall. Taka with a moonsault 1…2…NO! He goes up for another, but Eddie gets the knees up & drops Taka with a brainbuster for another 2! Eddie hits a Tornado DDT for the 1…2…3!! My goodness did they cram a lot into 6 minutes and it was awesome!
El Samurai vs Masatoshi Motegi – First Round
Multiple dropkicks early from Motegi drop Samurai outside as he follows with a suicide dive through the ropes, then unfortunately stumbles in the ropes for a dive, allowing Samurai to get back into the ring. Brief chain wrestling before Samurai drops Motegi with a piledriver for 2. Samurai plants Motegi with a Tombstone for another 2, as Motegi fights back, only to be hit with a reverse gut wrench suplex for 2. Motegi then no sells a Samurai dropkick as he forgot to hold onto the ropes to make Samurai miss as they did the spot again before Motegi is backdropped over the top & Samurai hits a suicide dive of his own. Back inside Samurai hits a missile dropkick, but Motegi barely gets a shoulder up at 2. Samurai tries a hurricanrana, but Motegi plants him with a powerbomb, then a rolling surfboard/dragon sleeper combo. Rope break by Samurai as Motegi hits a weird looking cross body, then rolling Germans, which Samurai rolls through 1…2…NO! Standing switch by both before Samurai hits a German of his own for 2, then a Samurai Bomb for 3! Motegi was sloppy in spots, but an otherwise fun first round match.
Negro Casas vs Ricky Fuji – First Round
The side headlock takedown & head scissors escape is what dominated the opening minutes before Fuji got a leg sweep & went for the leg to wear Casas down, who fought out into a Dragon Sleeper before getting up & hitting a senton for 2. Snap dropkick sent Fuji to the floor as Casas followed with a springboard cross body from the second rope. Back inside Fuji hits a backbreaker on a charging Casas as he went up top & hit what I think was a double axe handle for 2 (Casas was literally getting to his feet when Fuji jumped). Casas floats over a suplex into a La Magistral Cradle for 2, then goes to the second rope & hits a big time senton for 2 again. Went to the well one too many times as he misses the follow up as Fuji hits multiple lariats & kicks before planting Casas with a Tiger Driver 1…2…3! Short match that seemed robbed of time more than anything, so the opening minutes of headlocks & head scissors took away some time from this.
Jushin Liger vs Hayabusa – First Round
We get commentary from Kevin Kelly & Gino on this one! Hayabusa doesn’t even take his robe off before throwing a kick & hitting a somersault dive onto Liger! Springboard dropkick back inside as Hayabusa sinks in a figure four, but Liger gets the ropes & hits a palm strike and powerbomb for 2. Liger wraps up the legs, which Hayabusa tries slapping out of, but Liger fires one off himself before hitting a lariat for 2. Corner Koppo Kick by Liger as he goes up to the top & hits a superplex for another near fall. Stiff kicks & chops by Liger as Hayabusa fires back with a spin kick & dropkick, knocking Liger down for 2. Leaping wheel kick & somersault senton get Hayabusa another 2. He goes up top & hits a missile spin kick for a third consecutive close 2. Picture perfect moonsault connects, but Liger kicks out, so Hayabusa goes up top again, hits a spin kick to the back of the head (in the process landing on his own head) for yet another 2 count. Backbreaker as Hayabusa goes up top & looks for a shooting star, but he only hit like 10% of it, so Liger gets up first, hits a Liger Bomb 1…2…NO! To the corner we go again, Liger wants another superplex, but Hayabusa knocks him down, leaps & Liger powerbombs him down! Fisherman’s Buster for the 1…2…3!! Two absolute legends putting on a really fun match, one that I wish went longer, but it’s the first round, so I understand. Post match Liger helps Hayabusa up & shakes his hand as this is really a great moment.
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Post by Positivity Peeps on Feb 12, 2020 11:17:58 GMT -6
YES!
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Post by randomone on Feb 17, 2020 10:32:16 GMT -6
Super Delfin vs Gedo – Second Round
We get a single leg crab & some taunting with a face stomp early by Delfin as Gedo is pissed & takes him down and gives him a taste of his own medicine, doing the same thing, only this time Delfin enzugiri’s out of it. Delfin throws chops, but Gedo throws 3 in a row until Delfin gets a low blow (right in front of the ref, but ok) as he chokes away before they do a fast running the ropes spot before Gedo ultimately hits a dropkick. He misses a lariat & Delfin connects with a dropkick sending Gedo outside giving Delfin time to pose. Back inside Gedo hits an atomic drop, then 2 snapmares & 2 kicks to the back before grabbing a headlock, which Delfin quickly escapes. Beautiful neckbreaker gets him a 2 count as we have a chop battle before Delfin hits a dropkick & a top rope cross body to the floor! Back inside as Gedo throws a wild superkick & clubbing lariat for 2 until Delfin tries a victory roll for 2 of his own. Snap powerslam by Gedo (how he won his first round match) 1…2…NO! Springboard moonsault gets Gedo another 2 as Delfin gets a crucifix 1…2…kick out (I guess), despite Gedo not really doing so, but they continue. Delfin to the top, elbow connects 1…2…KICK OUT this time as Gedo looks gassed as Delfin goes to the corner & hits his Tornado DDT, but tries for the Delfin Clutch only for Gedo to roll him up instead 1…2…3!! Just like that, Gedo outsmarts the overconfident Delfin to advance!
Wild Pegasus (Chris Benoit) vs Black Tiger – Second Round
Benoit vs Guerrero in New Japan, lets f’n go! First time seeing Benoit this tournament, so he’s rested. Take down, face stomp & slingshot senton early for Eddie as he drops Benoit on his head with a back suplex for 2 before wrapping his head up with a head scissors. Eddie tried for his stalling brainbuster, but Benoit floats over & plants Eddie on his stomach. Benoit with his snap lariat as he goes to the apron & tries to suplex Eddie outside, but Eddie gets Benoit back in the ring, only to eat a kitchen sink knee. Benoit hangs Eddie up with a suplex gut first on the ropes, then hits a German for 2. Snap powerbomb folds Eddie up & a snap suplex both get near falls for Benoit, who gets a head scissors of his own. Benoit tries for another knee, but Eddie rolls through for 2, then hits a flying head scissor takedown as he plants Benoit with a German for another near fall. Camel Clutch by Eddie, who lets go of it & opts for a fall away slam as he goes up top, but misses a missile dropkick. Benoit tries to just power Eddie down with a test of strength, but Eddie knees out & hits a springboard hurricanrana 1…2…NO! Eddie hits a hurricanrana out of the corner 1…2…NO! Brainbuster drops Benoit flush on his head as Eddie signals for the end, looks for a Tornado DDT, but crashes & burns as Benoit takes Eddie to the corner & goes up. Eddie knocks Benoit down, leaps, but Benoit hits an ARM DRAG for the 1…2...3!! First time I’ve ever seen someone win a match off an arm drag let alone one off a guy leaping from the top. What else can I say, you’ve seen these two wrestle before; you know how great they are, they should’ve had like 20 more minutes if you ask me. This was excellent for the 10-11 minutes that it went.
El Samurai vs The Great Sasuke – Second Round
First glimpse of Sasuke in this tournament as 8 matches have already happened before seeing him. He works the left leg of Samurai, but Samurai fends him off with an arm breaker counter. Clean break before Samurai goes for the left leg of Sasuke as payback as he wrenches at the ankle. Samurai straight up has Sasuke folded up like a pretzel before opting to just slam his leg down as Sasuke bails outside to create distance. In at 13, Samurai applies a Stump Puller (super underused submission) that Sasuke wiggles out of, but Samurai transitions into a heel hook, they actually both have them applied before rolling in the ropes. Back suplex gets Samurai 2 as he hits a Side Russian leg sweep before locking in a Chicken Wing/Arm Lock, but Sasuke escapes. To their feet, Sasuke hits a back handspring that sends Samurai outside as we see a SASUKE SPECIAL!! Back inside Sasuke hits a spin wheel kick for just 1 as Samurai answers back with a lariat & dropkick before hitting a somersault dive to the outside! Sasuke barely breaks the count as he gets planted with a German suplex 1…2…NO! To the top as Samurai hits a headbutt 1…2…NO!! Samurai tries for a powerbomb, but Sasuke rolls through with a hurricanrana pin 1…2…KICK OUT! Samurai almost tries for an Electric Chair off the top rope, but Sasuke luckily spins out & hits a sunset flip powerbomb 1…2…NO!!! Crowd pops big for that as Sasuke misses a wheel kick,Samurai plants him with a powerbomb 1…2…KICK OUT! Samurai hits a hurricanrana, but Sasuke floats over & gets a roll up 1…2…3!! The crowd was fully behind Sasuke and was into this whole match, especially the end, which was fantastic.
Jushin Liger vs Ricky Fuji – Second Round
Standing switch into flips by both men out of moves before we get a test of strength (which is flat out weird to see this point in the tournament) that Liger wins. Fuji flips him into a pinning combo for 2 as we’re back up. Dropkick sends Liger outside as Fuji hits a slingshot cross body & powerbombs Liger on the floor! Back inside Fuji gets a leaping back elbow for just 1, goes up top, dives, but Liger sort of hits him with a lariat mid air. Bulldog by Liger as we go outside, Liger slams Fuji down & hits a TOP ROPE DOUBLE STOMP to the gut!! Fuji in at 12 as Liger hits a Koppo Kick before planting Fuji with a powerbomb for 2. Liger takes Fuji to the corner for a superplex, but Fuji lands on top for a 1…2…NO! Fuji sets Liger up in the corner & dropkicks him while standing on the top (that was nuts) knocking Liger outside. Back inside, Fuji hits a back suplex for 2 & goes to the corner again where he sets Liger up. Liger with a Shotei, then a leaping hurricanrana off the top 1…2…3!! This was fun & the ending came out of nowhere, but was way too short. Really wish it had 5 more minutes at least. Regardless, Liger looked solid & I can’t wait to see his next round match.
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Post by The Original Kid Cairo on Feb 17, 2020 12:00:56 GMT -6
I'm shocked that aside from cups of coffee in ECW and the WWF in 1997, Sasuke didn't have much of a career in the US. If I were Bischoff, I would have brought him in and turned the entire Cruiserweight division over to him.
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Post by randomone on Feb 21, 2020 10:52:27 GMT -6
Wild Pegasus vs Gedo – Semi-Finals
Benoit tries a monkey flip out the gate, but Gedo puts the brakes on, so Benoit just slaps him in the face, then a snap suplex, middle rope legdrop for a 2 count. Vicious forearm sends Gedo to the corner as Benoit lights him up with chops, but misses a dropkick as Gedo takes over. He hooks Benoit’s arms behind his back, but Benoit gets the ropes as Gedo plants him with a piledriver for 2. Headlock by Gedo, which Benoit gets out of as we have a brutal chop battle before Gedo hits a dropkick sending Benoit to the floor. GEDO WITH A MOONSAULT TO THE OUTSIDE!! Back inside Gedo hits a snap powerslam 1…2…NO! Northern Lights Suplex gets Gedo another super close 2 as Gedo hits a lariat, but misses a top rope headbutt to follow. Benoit struggles to his feet, looks for a back suplex, Gedo floats over for 2. They both miss clotheslines before Benoit hits a powerbomb stacking him up 1…2…NO! He hits another one before going up top for his headbutt 1…2…3! I really wish this one would’ve went longer, it’s a shame it didn’t, because what we got, was really good, it’s just 6 minutes for these two at this stage of the tournament was the bummer part.
Jushin Liger vs The Great Sasuke – Semi-Finals
Opening 5 minutes are pure ground game until Liger hits a Koppo Kick that they’re teasing KO’d Sasuke. Slowly Sasuke gets dragged to his feet, but Liger Shotei’s him down and Sasuke is lifeless again. The ref is literally lifting his motionless head up & letting it smack against the mat (why not call it then?) as Liger drags him up & hits a Tombstone, then locks in a chicken wing. Sasuke gets the rope break as Liger goes for the arm now & does so for the next 5 minutes. Liger finally goes to the top for a cross body, but Sasuke dropkicks him in mid air & hits an Asai Moonsault on the floor! On the apron, Sasuke rams Liger’s face into the post & hits a top rope somersault plancha, sending Liger flying!! It’s amazing, Sasuke was on death’s door for the first 10 minutes and he turned it around big time. Liger beats the count as Sasuke nails a spinning heel kick for 2. Liger is folded up with a powerbomb as the tables have completely turned in this one as Sasuke hits a Tombstone of his own. Sasuke rolls through a missed senton off the top, but Liger connects with a Shotei for a near fall. Liger Bomb gets a close 2 as he takes Sasuke up to the corner for a hurricanrana 1…2…Sasuke rolls through 1…2…NO!! Liger thought he lost for a second as he hits a release German for another 2. Fisherman’s Buster connects for Liger 1…2…NO!! Crowd is behind Sasuke at this point due to the amount of damage he’s taken as Liger flat out suplexes Sasuke to the floor & hits a wild cross body off the top!! Sasuke slowly gets to the apron, gets Koppo Kicked down, Liger turns his back, as Sasuke looked for a West Coast Pop, but slips & falls. Liger applauds the effort as he signals for the end, only for Sasuke to pop up, hit the hurricanrana into the pin 1…2…3!! You can tell what they were going for at the end, but even with the botch, it didn’t take away from the awesomeness of this match. The opening 5 minutes were slow, but it made Sasuke’s eventual comeback mean that much more.
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Post by randomone on Feb 23, 2020 15:16:39 GMT -6
Wild Pegasus vs The Great Sasuke – Finals
These two were back & forth with reversals and counters right away. The pace these two are setting are nuts as we get a sprint of the same thing as Benoit goes to the floor, Sasuke goes to dive, but Benoit wisely & literally runs away. Back inside Benoit grounds Sasuke with a head scissors. Sasuke is able to escape, brief bow & arrow, but he settles for an arm drag as they reset & face off. Sasuke somersault through a monkey flip attempts, so Benoit charges & pops him with a lariat. He misses a follow up as Sasuke hits a wheel kick, then again before hitting a leg drop across the face for 2. Powerbomb by Benoit, as he hangs Sasuke up in the ropes before he springs off the second rope & wipes Sasuke out with a cross body on the apron! Both land hard on the floor as Benoit hits a Tiger Suplex back inside for 2. To the top he goes as Benoit connects with the headbutt 1…2…NO! Stacked powerbomb nets Benoit another 2 before he locks in a Sharpshooter! He just gives up the hold for some reason as he does hit a tilt a whirl backbreaker for 2. Benoit misses a dropkick, they do a few counters & Sasuke hits a lariat, but misses the follow up as Benoit hits a German 1…2…NO! Sasuke surprises Benoit with a reverse cross body off the second, then hits a SASUKE SPECIAL outside to the roar of the crowd! Slowly back inside, Sasuke hits a German for 2, then a Fisherman’s Suplex for another near fall. Sasuke looks for a missile dropkick, but Benoit side steps. We get a crazy sick looking spot as both are up in the corner & they end up tumbling to the floor at the same time. Luckily they’re alright as Sasuke goes to the top & hits a MISSILE DROPKICK TO THE FLOOR!! I have no idea if they’re alright now as that was gnarly. Back inside though, Sasuke hits a moonsault 1…2…KICK OUT! These guys are throwing it all out there as Sasuke goes to the top again, but Benoit cuts him off, hits a GUT WRENCH SUPERPLEX 1…2…3!!! Wild Pegasus wins the J-Cup as the crowd goes wild! First person to pick him up, Dean Malenko, first person to high five him, Eddie Guerrero, how incredibly fitting is that? That final was insanely great, the best of the tournament IMO. This whole thing certainly lived up to the hype & for it to happen in 1994 is pretty crazy to think about too. I loved watching this.
Next up the 1995 Super J-Cup put on by the WAR promotion.
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Post by randomone on Feb 25, 2020 13:25:55 GMT -6
1995 Super J-Cup 
December 13, 1995
This year the J Cup was hosted by the Wrestle Association R promotion (WAR) and put on by Ultimo Dragon. Both Jushin Liger & Wild Pegasus received byes this year. Still a lot of big names in this one and the addition of someone who currently claims to be the GOAT of AEW. One non-tournament match that took place during the course of this show was Rey Mysterio Jr. vs Psychosis (thus why they're pictured above).
Gran Naniwa vs Damien 666 – First Round
Hilariously Damien does Hulk Hogan poses during his introduction & stalls immediately before Naniwa mocks him. Then it gets repetitive as both keep posing before we finally start wrestling & Damien hits a clothesline and locks in a Scorpion Death Lock, but Naniwa gets the ropes. Kawada kicks by Damien for a near fall before slapping on a head lock. They do a float over in the corner & do simultaneous jumps in the air (which was weird) before Damien does a rope walk on the top ala Undertaker & sends Naniwa to the floor, then a suicide dive. Sunset flip back inside gets Naniwa 2, tries for a corner monkey flip, but gets a corner bulldog that Damien no sells. Naniwa keeps pulling Damien down by his hair & goes to the floor with a top rope cross body. Damien poses outside before getting back inside & hitting a clothesline. He tries for a moonsault, but Naniwa gets a hurricanrana pin for 3. I didn’t care for this match, too much posing & I just wasn’t interested in it. Sure we got a few dives, but nothing else besides that.
Shinjiro Otani vs Masaaki Mochizuki – First Round
Wheel kick immediately by Mochizuki as he follows with knees in the corner as he leg sweeps Otani, tries for a leg lock, but Otani slaps one on & Mochizuki gets the ropes. Otani throws slaps & Mochizuki kicks before Otani goes for the left leg, stomping away & locking in a heel hook. Rope break again as Mochizuki hits a German out of nowhere for 2. He’s kicking away at Otani, but Otani starts no selling & locks in an arm lock. Yet another rope break as Mochizuki throws a wild kick & leaping corner kick for 2. Otani dropkicks the leg out & hits a missile dropkick to the leg before sinking in a leg lock and Mochizuki submits! These two literally kicked the shit out of each other and I dug it.
Ultimo Dragon vs Sho Funaki – First Round
They’re moving super fast as Dragon gets a cross body, Funaki gets a victory roll for 2, but holds on & gets a heel hook. Dragon rolls to the floor as Funaki hits a slingshot cross body! Back inside Funaki gets a spinning leg lock, but it turns to a solid series of ground reversals as Funaki gets a half crab, leg lock & Dragon counters with one of his own. They both have leg locks applied & it’s a matter of who will release it first. They stay this way for quite a while as Funaki gets up first, but goes right back at the leg. Finally, after minutes, they get up & Dragon botches a hurricanrana that plants Funaki right on his head for 2 as Funaki tries to go after the leg, but gets a back suplex for 2. Fisherman’s Buster gets Funaki another 2, but Dragon pops right up & hits one of his own. Corner clothesline as Dragon goes up & hits a corner hurricanrana, DDT & moonsault to the back. La Magistral Cradle gets the 1…2…3! This match was only about 6 minutes and 3 of which were leg locks, which ultimately didn’t lead to anything since Dragon popped right up & did jumping attacks.
Gedo vs Masayoshi Motegi – First Round
Overhead belly to belly sends Gedo outside early as Motegi nails a suicide dive & starts hitting Gedo with an object, but the ref does nothing. He posts Gedo, who slowly gets back in as Motegi slaps on a cross arm breaker, then arm triangle. Gedo escapes & starts throwing headbutts, but Motegi goes right back at the arm. Gedo tries to escape again, but Motegi hits a tilt a whirl head scissors that send Gedo outside & we get a slingshot cross body by Motegi, who gets back in the ring & starts posing?? Motegi suplexes Gedo back inside, goes up top for a missile dropkick for 2, hitting a follow up brainbuster for another near fall. Gedo fights out of the corner with a second rope dropkick, but can’t follow missing a headbutt as Motegi hits rolling Germans for 2. Jumping Tombstone connects as he looks for a big headbutt off the top, but crashes. Motegi tries for a hurricanrana, but gets powerbombed as Gedo locks in the Gedo Clutch for the submission win.
Dos Caras vs El Samurai – First Round
Flying headbutt early for Caras, who gets a rad looking arm lock/stump puller combo (Caras’ shoulders are down this whole time, but that’s not noticed), but Samurai escapes, only to be taken down and wrapped up like a pretzel. Surfboard applied, but Samurai is close to the ropes & gets the break as he gets a breather outside. They hit the ropes at the same time & Caras nails a flying forearm & a dive through the ropes sending Samurai into the crowd! Butterfly Lock applied back inside that Samurai struggles to escape but ultimately does. I have no idea what he did to get back on offense, but he’s up first & hits a quick piledriver for 2. Backslide by Caras, who gets a quick pin combo for another 2. Running knee & powerbomb by Samurai who hits a corner dropkick & then a hurricanrana from the second rope for 2. Samurai misses a top rope headbutt as Caras goes to the top & hits a cross body for 3! Yeah, while this match wasn’t bad at all, I just didn’t get into it. I think the styles clashed too much, despite a few dives sprinkled in. Samurai didn’t get all that much offense & while the submissions were cool looking, there were times where each guy would just pop up not selling.
Lionheart (Chris Jericho) vs Hanzo Nakajima – First Round
Fairly confident this was during Jericho’s ECW run as he gets a drop toe hold & suplex to control out the gate, even hitting his one foot on the chest cover for 2. Nakajima slaps on a leg lock, but Jericho immediately gets the ropes & slaps his opponent in the face. Hip toss & a somersault senton by Nakajima as he hits a springboard moonsault & almost misses, but gets it. Head scissors out the corner that Jericho rolls through & hits a lariat for 2. Hurricanrana pin by Nakajima gets 2 as he baseball slides Jericho outside. Suicide Dive has Nakajima almost land on his face outside, but he gets Jericho enough. However, just like that, Jericho back in control & hits his springboard corner dive to the floor as he drags Nakajima back in. Nakajima with a drop toed hold & a near fall, goes to the top & hits a cross body that Jericho floats over 1…2…NO! Fisherman’s Buster by Jericho, who hits a Lionsault for 1…2…3! This was just an ok match, it’s like they needed to get a few dives in, but not a lot else. It just didn’t gel that great. The moves were fine, but it just seemed like they were going through the motions.
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Post by The Original Kid Cairo on Feb 25, 2020 14:33:20 GMT -6
One of my favorite highlights of the 1995 tournament is the aforementioned AEW GOAT yelling, "Come on motherfucker!" at a particular opponent.
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Post by randomone on Feb 29, 2020 9:18:27 GMT -6
Jushin Liger vs Gran Naniwa – Second Round
Immediately Naniwa hits a corner rana & top rope dive as 30 seconds in, he’s already done better than his first round match. Missile dropkick to the back of the head & a sit out powerbomb gets 2. Naniwa walks the middle rope & tries for an elbow, but Liger had it scouted. Liger takes him down & starts mocking Naniwa before hitting a release German that sent Naniwa onto his face. Surfboard stretch into a Dragon Sleeper, but Naniwa rakes the eyes (on a guy with a mask) then gets his own Surfboard/Dragon Sleeper. Liger gets free & locks on a Camel Clutch, but Naniwa gets free. Liger chops him right in the face as it pisses Naniwa up who drops him with a DDT for 2. Head scissors slapped on, Liger gets out & applies a head lock, but Naniwa nails a lariat & dropkick to the outside. Somersault dive off the apron as Naniwa gets a top rope dive back inside for 2, then a corner rana for another 2 as he hits a spinning gut wrench powerbomb for a third 2 count! He tries another one, but Liger gets out & hits a Koppo Kick & a rolling kick in the corner. He goes to the top & connects with an elbow for 1…2…NO! Liger Bomb reversed into a rana pin 1…2…NO! Liger with a Fisherman’s Brainbuster for the 1…2…3! This was probably my favorite match of the tournament so far & it’s because the pace they kept the whole time. Naniwa did a complete turnaround from his opener as this was really good stuff.
Ultimo Dragon vs Shinjiro Otani – Second Round
Otani slams Dragon, goes to the corner & Dragon pops right up, dropkicks him to the floor and connects with an Asai Moonsault! Back inside Dragon gets a 2, then a side headlock that the ref forces him to let go because he thinks it’s a choke, so Otani escapes & gets a face lock, then a prolonged leg lock before hitting a dropkick for 2. They trade leg locks before Dragon just kicks Otani in the face, then we go right back to leg locks. Face stomp by Dragon as he hits a corner clothesline & applies a Camel Clutch. So next we get Otani Tombstone (Dragon no sells), Dragon Tombstone (Otani no sells), Otani Tombstone (Dragon no sells), cross body is dropkicked out of the air by Dragon as Otani finally sells that one as Dragon hits a corner hurricanrana for 2. Yeah, I didn’t like all that no selling one bit. Otani rolls through a powerbomb attempt with a roll up for 2, then goes to the corner for a hurricanrana of his own, but Dragon rolls through 1…2…NO! Otani misses a springboard dropkick as Dragon gets a La Magistral 1…2…KICK OUT! Spin kick by Otani, who connects this time with a springboard dropkick to the neck, looks for a Tiger Suplex 1…2…NO!! He wants another, but Dragon gets the ropes & hits a sitout powerbomb for 2. Both guys struggle to their feet as Dragon hits a Fisherman’s Buster for a super close near fall. They both go for wheel kicks at the same time & miss as Dragon goes up & completely misses a spinning moonsault, I’m talking he missed it by feet, but they played it off as Otani got hit with it. La Magistral by Dragon again 1…2…3! Ok, so 95% of this match was an awesome sprint, but the finish and the no sells of the multiple Tombstones took me out of it in the middle. Post match they each take turns slapping each other before shaking hands.
Gedo vs Dos Caras – Second Round
Much like the first round, Dos Caras’ offense was that getting a ton of submissions & his running/flying headbutts. Surfboard early that Gedo gets out of as Dos Caras gets a victory roll into almost a trailer hitch leg submission, but Gedo gets the ropes, which is obviously going to be his saving grace in this one. Caras gets another leg lock submission, but Gedo gets a rope break. Super rad looking submission with Gedo’s head stuck between the legs of Caras, who is also wrenching his arms & legs in the process, but he lets it go foolishly. Gedo dropkicks the leg & tries to unmask Caras, he’s almost there, but Caras gets out, hits a flying headbutt and dropkick to the floor. Slingshot cross body as he drops Gedo with a powerbomb back inside for 2. Double arm under hook backbreaker gets another 2 for Caras, who hits a tilt a whirl backbreaker, then goes up top, cross body 1…2…NO! Succession of chops as Caras goes to the second rope & GEDO GETS A LOW BLOW, then a DDT & roll up for the 1…2…3!! This just cements Gedo as the heel moving forward as he got like 2% of this match before winning.
Wild Pegasus vs Lionheart – Second Round
First time seeing Benoit this tournament as they trade snap arm drags before they flat out start slapping the shit out of each other. Benoit takes Jericho down with a knee to the back, but Jericho counters before we get a reset. Test of strength as Jericho floats over into a roll up, but we get another reset as Jericho hits a stalling suplex for 2. Headlock slows down Benoit, who turns it into a back suplex, then snap suplex follow for 2. He clotheslines Jericho down, but Jericho fires back, connecting with a dropkick in the corner. Jericho tries almost a Lionsault out of the corner & misses as Benoit just starts throwing shots on the apron, tries for a suplex, but Jericho floats over & hangs Benoit up in the ropes. Dropkick sends Benoit outside, then Jericho hits a springboard MOONSAULT & LANDS ON HIS HEAD more than Benoit! Back inside Jericho tries a corner back suplex that Benoit spins through & gets a near fall, then a snap powerbomb for another 2. We get a series of near falls that ends with Benoit hitting a Dragon Suplex for 2. To the top, Benoit looks for a headbutt, misses & Jericho gets a close 2. Tiger Driver folds Benoit up 1…2…NO! Jericho can’t believe it as Benoit is on the apron & hits a back suplex to the floor, then nails a dive through the ropes. Jericho slowly gets back in, but hits a Dragon Suplex of his own for 2! Fisherman’s Buster as Jericho wants the Lionsault, misses, but lands on his feet, hurricanrana pin 1…2…NO! Spin kick to the face, Lionsault connects 1…2…NO!! We go to the corner, Jericho wants a superplex, but Benoit turns it into a CORNER TOMBSTONE for the 1…2…3!! Damn this match ruled, it was only slow in a few spots, but it picked up big time the second half.
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Post by randomone on Mar 3, 2020 15:47:24 GMT -6
Jushin Liger vs Ultimo Dragon – Semi-Final
Dragon escapes a body scissors & goes for the legs to start. Liger briefly gets a surfboard, but Dragon hits a cross body off a tilt a whirl. Liger is able to hit the tilt a whirl the second try & gets a head scissors. Liger wrenches the left arm and chops away before they scramble before Liger gets a headlock. Dragon gets up & they have a super fast exchange of counters before we get a stalemate, which was awesome. Liger dropkicks the leg out from under Dragon, then applies the Figure Four before Dragon gets the ropes. Another leg lock applied by Liger, but Dragon turns it into a single leg crab, then transitions into a Muta Lock. He releases the hold & hits a snap suplex before sinking in a Figure Four of his own. Liger rolls into the ropes as Dragon dropkicks him to the floor & hits a suicide dive through the ropes! Dragon goes to the top again & hits a somersault plancha!! Back inside Dragon with a powerbomb for 2 looks for a Dragon Suplex 1…2…NO! Abdominal Stretch applied, but misses the dropkick follow up as Liger slingshots him to the outside. Somersault senton off the apron by Liger, who folds Dragon up with a powerbomb inside 1…2…NO! Picture perfect brainbuster gets another 2 as Liger hits a Tombstone, goes up top, hits a headbutt 1…2…KICK OUT!! Dragon tries to shock Liger with a victory roll, but Liger rolls through for 2 of his own. Northern Lights by Dragon 1…2…NO! Koppo Kick in the corner by Liger as he sets Dragon up in the corner, they both dive off, but Dragon lands on his feet & Liger on his gut. Dragon gets a roll up for 2, connects with a springboard moonsault off the second, but can’t hit a moonsault off the top. Liger signals for the end as he hits a Liger Bomb 1…2…KICK OUT!! Dragon tries for La Magistral, but Liger puts the brakes on, gets the roll up 1…2…3!! This match was incredible. The pace, the dives, the build up to the surprise finish. I loved this match, the best of the tournament thus far and I have a feeling it will stay that way.
Gedo vs Wild Pegasus – Semi-Final
Benoit chops Gedo down right away & locks on a Boston Crab, but let’s go & keeps on chopping away. Snap mare & arm wringer by Benoit, who hits a German for 2. Modified STF is applied before Benoit hits a massive top rope superplex & stumbles into a 2 count. Gedo avoids another German by hitting one of his own & grounding Benoit with the Gedo Clutch. Benoit gets out with a jaw breaker as Gedo hits a leaping rana from the second rope & a suicide dive to the outside. Camera shot looked like he hit it, but Benoit is up first & suplexes Gedo onto an announce table, but it doesn’t break (I Am The Table!). Back inside Benoit hits a corner rana for 2, then a German suplex for another 2, but holds the waist & hits another for 2 again. Gedo reverses a Tombstone into a slam, goes up top, looks for a splash, but Benoit gets the knees up. Powerbomb folds Gedo up for a near fall as Benoit hits a Tiger Suplex 1…2…NO! Benoit signals for the end & wants his headbutt off the top, but crashes & burns. Benoit kicks out of a rana pin attempt, looks for a suplex, but Gedo hits a brainbuster. Up top, Gedo connects with a headbutt 1…2…3!!! Gedo pins last year’s champ clean in a really solid back & forth match.
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Post by randomone on Mar 6, 2020 21:07:12 GMT -6
 Jushin Liger vs Gedo – Finals
All the eliminated wrestlers are ringside as here we are the final match of the tournament. Liger works the left arm to kick off the finals as Gedo is screaming in pain already as Liger zones in for the opening minutes. Gedo tries pulling the hair, but Liger just locks in a crossface chicken wing, then a cross arm breaker. Gedo gets the ropes as Liger hits a leaping Tombstone, then we’re back to the chicken wing. Gedo gets a low blow off the rope break as the ref didn’t see it. He rolls Liger to the floor & hits a moonsault off the second rope!! Gedo really selling the arm as he hits a top rope headbutt back inside for 2. Gedo Clutch applied but Liger gets free, sets Gedo up in the Shattered Dreams position & hits a running Koppo Kick! Baseball slide sends Gedo to the floor & Liger goes for a cross body off the top, but GEDO WITH A DROPKICK IN MID AIR!! Both men slowly get back inside as we get a double clothesline with both down. Snap rana pin by Gedo 1…2…Liger rolls through 1…2…kick out. Fisherman’s Buster by Liger for a close 2 as Liger nails a Liger Bomb for another 2. They go to the corner as Gedo wants a superplex, but Liger knocks him down & looks to miss a missile dropkick as Gedo drops him with a Brainbuster, then roll up 1…2…NO!! Gedo is shocked as he goes for another brainbuster, but Liger rolls through into a DDT for 2. Liger goes up, gets cut off, but Liger then cuts off Gedo up top & hits an AVALANCHE FISHERMAN’S BUSTER 1…2…3!!! This was a really fun final and I liked the near falls for Gedo that had previously got him wins earlier in the tournament. Liger crushed it in this tournament, especially in the semis & the finals.
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Post by randomone on Mar 10, 2020 10:22:57 GMT -6
2000 Super J-Cup 3rd Stage
This edition of the J-Cup was put on by Michinoku Pro Wrestling and didn’t have the same fan fare as the other tournaments due to what was seen as lack of star power. The crowd was down and it might also be because Michinoku Pro wasn’t as popular as it was in the mid 90s. Regardless, I’m looking forward to this one. There’s still a few heavy hitters involved as well as some potential underdogs.
April 1 & 9, 2000
CIMA vs Ricky Marvin – First Round
Marvin gets a half crab, but CIMA escapes by kneeing his way out as he hits a somersault senton at lightning speed before hitting a snap dropkick. He slaps Marvin & takes him down before dropkicking him in the corner for 2. Marvin gets a takedown & springboard rana sending CIMA outside as Marvin hits a slingshot spinning cross body to the floor!! Back inside CIMA gets a head scissors in the corner that drives Marvin’s head on the top. Marvin nearly wins the match with a spinning victory roll into a rana pin, but CIMA kicks out. Marvin connects with a Muscle Buster for the 1…2…KICK OUT! Marvin springboards, West Coast Pop 1…2…NO!! He wants it again, but CIMA dropkicks him in mid air. Superkick lands flush as CIMA gets 2, he puts Marvin up in the corner & hits his reverse crucifix bomb, then a top rope frog splash 1…2…3! Super fast paced opener as Marvin got some cool looking offense in, but in the end, he was no match for CIMA.
Ricky Fuji vs Sasuke the Great – First Round
Match begins with both trading dropkicks before Sasuke gets a low blow & Fuji getting sent to the floor immediately as Sasuke hits a moonsault. Back inside Sasuke wants a splash, but Fuji gets the knees up. He hoists Sasuke on his shoulders, running somersault as Fuji gets tripped up by Sasuke’s valet Ofune. Fuji applies a STF in the middle of the ring and Ofune interferes, but Fuji tries to put on an abdominal stretch on Ofune, but instead plants a kiss on her. Sasuke attacks Fuji & in the process, punches the ref before hitting a low blow on the official & a knee to the ribs. Sasuke has been DQ’d as the wheels fell off that match in a friggin hurry.
Naoki Sano vs Judo Suwa – First Round
Suwa charges & dives, but Sano moves and Suwa bounces off the ropes & lands on his head! Sano hits a tilt a whirl back breaker, but gets back dropped to the floor. Suwa charges & hits a dive as he doesn’t even touch the ropes as he cleared them. Suwa sets up Sano in the Tree of Woe before hitting a stalling dropkick. Slingshot elbow gets Suwa 2 as he drops a leg across the second rope for another near fall. There’s so much interfering happening by Suwa’s corner that the ref is looking just idiotic in this. Sano ducks an attack & hits a release German Suplex that plants Suwa right on his head. Top rope double stomp by Sano, who hits a double arm release belly to belly for a 2 count. Boston Crab applied until Suwa gets the ropes. Suwa hits a neckbreaker & a flapjack, covers Sano, who gets a foot on the rope. Sano hits a victory roll out of nowhere 1…2…NO! To the top, Suwa hits an elbow for 2 as he shoves the ref. Sano goes up top, missile dropkick, hurricanrana pin 1…2…NO! Dragon Suplex connects 1…2…3!! This was an ok match, but too much interference by Suwa’s corner to the point where neither man got anything going for that long of time.
Men’s Teioh vs Katsumi Usuda – First Round
Teioh won a 6 man tournament to just qualify for this tournament as he slaps an abdominal stretch on early, which Usuda escapes & Teioh locks in an Inoki Stretch this time. Usuda gets the ropes as Teioh tries for a discus lariat, but Usuda counters into an arm lock. Teioh falls into the ropes as Usuda hits an enzugiri and Teioh literally collapses right into a triangle choke. As Usuda rolls over, Teioh gets the ropes, so Usuda just throws knees & a Northern Lights slam before going for an arm breaker. Teioh gets the ropes, grabs a leg & hits a dragon screw before wrapping the leg around the post & gets a figure four Bret Hart style! Back drop driver gets Teioh 2 as he gets a Full Nelson slam, then gets a butterfly lock, but can’t get the fingers hooked. Teioh gets a spinebuster, but leaves the arm free as Usuda gets the triangle, but Teioh to the ropes once more. Teioh almost gets the win off a flash pin, then off a European Clutch, but Usuda kicks out, hits a KO kick, palm strike & kick to the head before punting Teioh in the face. Teioh gets a fireman’s carry takedown into a roll up out of nowhere 1…2…3!! To be honest, I dug this match a lot considering there were zero high flying moves. This was a flat out good wrestling match.
Onryo vs Curry Man – First Round
He’s hot, he’s spicy, he tastes great…..he’s also taking on a zombie in this one. Curry Man immediately gets a sleeper, that puts Onryo asleep quickly (because he’s dead, get it), but as Curry Man turns his back, Onryo sits up & hits a corner rana, then a somersault slingshot dive, barely clipping Curry Man outside. Back inside Curry Man hits a lariat & some corner jabs before getting a press slam for 2. Onryo misses a dive & is sent outside as Curry Man hits his springboard moonsault that a certain Fallen Angel hits an awful lot. Back inside Curry Man hits a springboard leg drop for a near fall. He tries for a lionsault, but Onryo moves & hits a Tiger Driver 1…2…NO! Hurricanrana pin by Onryo 1…2…Curry Man floats over 1…2…NO! They trade more pin attempts as Curry Man connects with a leg lariat. Tilt a whirl side suplex gets another 2 as he connects with a Best Moonsault Ever for 1…2…KICK OUT! Curry Man hits the Spice Rack burning hammer 1…2…Onryo stops the refs arm from coming down for 3 as he rises from the dead, mule kicks Curry Man, gets a roll up for 3. I mean, what the hell was the ref looking at off that low blow? An odd ending to an otherwise fun match. Poor Curry Man.
Gran Hamada vs Shinya Makabe – First Round
This was another ground based match that had a lot of submission attempts, striking & counters, except unlike the Teioh/Usuda match, this one went at a slower speed. Hamada really fought from behind for 95% of this match, thwarting submissions & strikes before getting a palm strike and back suplex for 2. Makabe doesn’t move that fast as Hamada tried for a corner Tornado DDT, but Hamada got a Northern Lights Suplex for 2, then another for 2 again. He hits a Fisherman’s Suplex for a near fall, signals for the end, tries for a suplex, but Hamada rolls through & hits a DDT. Lariat delivered by Hamada, but his opponent doesn’t go down, so he goes to the corner & hits a Cutter off the second rope 1…2…NO! Cross arm breaker then applied by Hamada and Makabe taps! This was just ok, it was designed for Hamada to fight from behind, but he got about 5 moves the whole match. Wish it was more even.
The Great Sasuke vs Kaz Hayashi – First Round
I think this had to be around the time Kaz was about to be a Jung Dragon as he applies a cross face in the opening minutes as Sasuke slowly gets to the ropes. Kaz spits & blows his nose at Sasuke, who is playing dead in the corner, but it’s not really because Kaz hits a powerbomb for 2. I don’t know if Sasuke is selling or if he’s just super bored in there. He gets slammed down as Kaz goes to the other side of the ring, but gets cut off in the corner. Kaz slams him down stomach first, dives, but Sasuke dropkicks him in mid air! To the floor goes Kaz as you know what’s coming, Sasuke Special, but Kaz has it scouted and cuts him off. Lionsault onto a standing Kaz by Sasuke, who wants a Dragon Suplex, but Kaz fights out & flips out a German. Crucifix pin transitioned into a cross face again by Kaz as Sasuke escapes & throws a spin kick. Sasuke misses a senton bomb as Kaz sends him outside & hits a wild plancha clearing the top rope. Back in Kaz signals for the end, goes for a corner rana, Sasuke briefly puts on the brakes, but Kaz hits the move for a near fall. Kaz wants another cross face I think, but hits a clothesline only to get clocked with a wheel kick & powerbomb by Sasuke for the 1…2…3! Pretty good match as Kaz looked the better of the two honestly. Sasuke looked uninterested in the early going, but turned it on later.
Jushin Liger vs Tiger Mask – First Round
It doesn’t take long for Tiger Mask to hit a cross body off the top to the floor as Liger is in trouble early. Picture perfect dropkick into a head scissors inside as Liger slips out & locks in a deep Camel Clutch. He is rocking back big time as he drags Tiger up & plants him with a powerbomb for 2. Liger gets a sleeper of his own, but Tiger gets out of & sinks in a deep rear naked choke. He’s on the verge of winning, but foolishly lets it go & opts for a cross arm breaker. Liger wiggles free & gets a surfboard/dragon sleeper combo, then goes to the traditional sleeper. Tiger gets the ropes, then pops up & hits a cross body for 2 as he hits an enzugiri, then goes up top. He crashes & misses a headbutt as Liger hits a running knee & palm strikes the hell out of him over & over again. Liger wants a Shotei, but Tiger Mask gets as solid of a straight punch as you’ll get as the crowd pops as he drops Liger with a Tiger Suplex 1…2…NO! Both men somersault to avoid the others kick as Tiger ends up hitting an overhead kick & takes Liger to the corner, goes up & hits a butterfly superplex, but locks in the cross arm breaker! Liger barely gets the ropes & hits a spin kick to Tiger’s face for a near fall. Perfect Liger Bomb connects, then a brainbuster 1…KICK OUT!!! Crowd goes nuts as Liger clocks Tiger with a Shotei 1…KICK OUT!!! Liger gets one Shotei blocked, but hits with the other hand & gets the 1…2…3!! Best match of the opening round by far as the crowd added to this too as it was the main event of this night. Two legends, doing what they do best, this match was so good.
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Post by randomone on Mar 14, 2020 14:53:19 GMT -6
CIMA vs Onryo – Second Round
Just like the Curry Man match, CIMA gets a sleeper and Onryo sells it like death to get the advantage & sneak attack. Spinning flying forearm as he takes CIMA to the top, but CIMA gets a clear low blow, but Onryo almost gets a roll up for 2. Superkick by CIMA gets a 2 of his own before he sends Onryo head first into the buckle. Torture Rack into a Burning Hammer gets CIMA 1…2…Onryo stops the refs hand from counting 3. Onryo once again rises from the dead as we get a standing switch spot and Onryo returns the low blow favor, roll up 1…2…NO! Fucking brutal Tiger Driver drops CIMA on his head (he looks out of it) as Onryo gets a modified camel clutch as CIMA is doing an Onryo move and playing dead. He suckers Onryo in & hits a reverse crucifix bomb, goes up top frog splash 1…2…3! Quick little match to kick off the second round. It was fine for what it was.
Gran Hamada vs Ricky Fuji – Second Round
Much like his first round match, this match starts super slow as Hamada grounds Fuji as this is a back & forth on the ground before Fuji hits a dropkick off the middle rope, the first high flying move in a Hamada match this tournament (I understand why he doesn’t fly around, he’s pushing 50). Spinning Tombstone by Fuji gets a 2 count as he takes Hamada to the corner at the top, but Hamada headbutts out & hits a TORNADO DDT FROM THE TOP!! I’ll just shut my mouth when it comes to saying Hamada didn’t do any high risk stuff. 49 years old be dammed, that DDT was super rad as he gets the 1…2…3! The match itself was dominated by the ground work, but the final few minutes I thought was really solid.
Naoki Sano vs The Great Sasuke – Second Round
Shoulder blocks from both early until Sasuke hits a back handspring cross body. Sano runs the ropes, moonsaults out & hits a spin kick, then a suicide dive outside! Sasuke recovers & is able to hit a SASUKE SPECIAL wiping out Sano. They both end up on the apron & it’s Sano who suplexes Sasuke from the inside to the floor, but on his way down, Sasuke clips the side of the apron. Back inside Sano can’t capitalize as Sasuke hits a Lionsault on a standing Sano for 2 before trying for a powerbomb, but gets backdropped instead. Sasuke gets a roll up with a bridge for 2, then Sano with a small package for 2. Michinoku Driver by Sasuke, who goes up top only to be cut off & holy smokes Sano hits a release German off the top & Sasuke lands on his head. He hits another in the middle of the ring & once more Sasuke is planted on his head that was rough. Sasuke up at the count of 9 & Sano head kicks him down immediately. The ref puts the 10 count on him and Sano gets the TKO win! Wow, wasn’t expecting that finish and I actually loved it. This was completely different than anything we’ve seen thus far this tournament. You have to assume this was a massive upset.
Jushin Liger vs Men’s Teioh – Second Round
It takes Teioh 4 shoulder tackles to finally get Liger down as he locks in an abdominal stretch briefly before Liger hip tosses out. Liger with a corner Koppo Kick as Teioh gets his fireman’s carry roll up 1…2…NO! Neither man can believe it as that’s how Teioh won the first round match. Liger gets a breather before getting back in and Teioh hits a dragon screw, then does the Bret Hart figure four on the post again. Back in, Teioh really going at the legs, but Liger slaps on a rear naked choke to counter. Liger wants a top rope corner hurricanrana, but Teioh turns it into a super atomic drop, grabs the head, but Liger hits a back suplex, then starts palm striking Teioh repeatedly. Teioh with a flash roll up for 2, then hits a brainbuster for another close 2. Teioh wants a Roaring Elbow, but Liger hits a Shotei! Teioh nearly catches Liger an abdominal stretch pin for 2, but Liger pops up & hits another Shotei, then a beautiful brainbuster for 1…2…3! Short, but fast paced match that was even throughout, I liked it, one of the stronger matches of the tournament.
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Post by Vincent Kennedy McMahon on Mar 14, 2020 21:34:55 GMT -6
WHERE THIS ALL STARTED.
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Post by randomone on Mar 16, 2020 15:50:15 GMT -6
CIMA vs Naoki Sano – Semi-Finals
The feeling out process lasts about 90 seconds as CIMA goes right for the leg when he gets a chance, then chops away in the corner. Running double knees as he sets up Sano in the Tree of Woe before hitting a baseball slide dropkick to the face. Lightning quick slingshot senton by CIMA, but he toys with Sano too much & Sano hits a dropkick that folds CIMA up. Boston Crab is applied as CIMA has to crawl across the entire ring to get a rope break, but Sano drags him back out & hits a gut buster before climbing up top for a double stomp! Awesome Bomb by Sano gets him 2, but CIMA answers with a neckbreaker & quick dropkick. To the corner we go as CIMA hits a leaping palm strike, tries for his crucifix bomb, but Sano wants a victory roll, only for CIMA to fall back & Sano smacks his head against the buckle. Superkick in the corner as CIMA tries again & hits the reverse crucifix bomb before hitting the frog splash 1…2…3!! Very fast paced & fun match as CIMA advances to the finals in a hard fought win.
Jushin Liger vs Gran Hamada – Semi-Finals
Hamada goes to work on the arm immediately as he sinks in the cross arm breaker, but Liger isn’t quitting this early as he gets the ropes. We get the same spot again as all Hamada is doing is working the arm & Liger gets the ropes. Hamada hits his first non submission move of the match, a corner clothesline, then a top rope hurricanrana for a 2 count. I have to give it to Hamada, just when I think his match is boring, he hits a flashly move & draws me back in. Hamada misses a lariat & Liger hits a pop up powerbomb before lighting up Hamada with palm strikes. Running Shotei in the corner as Hamada collapses, so Liger drags him up & hits a powerbomb, but doesn’t make the cover. He goes to the top with Hamada & hits an AVALANCHE BRAINBUSTER 1…2…KICK OUT!! That was nuts as Hamada rolls through another one with a DDT. He charges & clocks Liger with a lariat for 2, then hits a cutter off the second rope 1…2…NO! Hamada gets Shotei’d in mid air as Liger hits a Liger Bomb, then a brainbuster 1…KICK OUT!! Another brainbuster THAT HAMADA NO SELLS!! Liger Shotei’s the holy hell out of him before getting the 1…2…3!! Damn, 49 years old and Hamada put up one hell of a fight despite the slow start. I loved that finish.
Jushin Liger vs CIMA – Finals
Borrowed the graphic from POST Wrestling's podcast Thunderstruck for this one as I couldn't find pics of this match, plus the graphic looks cool. Bell sounds & neither man make the first move; we just have a staredown as they slowly circle each other. Surprisingly for the first 5 or so minutes, this was a ground battle with both locking in submissions & just trying to keep the other man down. Not really what you’d expect out of a tournament final like this if I’m being honest. Liger sent to the corner, he charges out & eats a superkick for 2 by CIMA, who nails a stalling dropkick that sends Liger outside. Twisting plancha connects as now the final has kicked into another gear. Chops & slaps aplenty in the corner back inside by CIMA as he hits his running knees, goes for another, but eats a Shotei, pops right up & SHOTEI’S LIGER!! He puts Liger on the corner, another Shotei before hitting his reverse crucifix bomb. He puts him in the corner again, hits a hard right hand & hits the crucifix bomb again! To the top, frog splash, but Liger gets the knees up! He’s alive as Liger starts booting CIMA over & over, then palm strikes as he tosses the ref down (no DQ is called though) as Liger hits a running Liger Bomb 1…CIMA KICKS OUT!! Fighting spirit from CIMA, who gets driven down with a brainbuster 1…2…NO!! CIMA shakes his head no as Liger goes for & misses a Shotei as CIMA hits a Scorpion Death Drop, then pops up top & hits the Frog Splash for 1…CIMA rolls off Liger (Liger didn’t kick out I should point that out), but Liger gets up, eats a dropkick, CIMA charges, Liger with a SHOTEI, which CIMA pops up from!! Liger plants him with a brainbuster, then another for the 1…2…3!!! Once CIMA hit that twisting plancha, they were in full gear and it was so awesome.
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Post by randomone on Mar 20, 2020 15:30:59 GMT -6
2004 Super J-Cup
So I couldn’t find a single match from this tournament online. If someone finds it, let me know and I’ll watch it. From the results it looks like the shortest match times in the history of the tournament by far. Hopefully I’ll be able to check it out some day. Anyways, here are the quick results.
Quarter-Finals
Naomichi Marufuji over Jun Kasai at 8:16
Garuda over Goa at 7:01
Wataru Inoue over Kazuya Yuasa at 9:25
Takehiro Murahama over Taichi Ishikari at 5:03
Semi-Finals
Naomichi Marufuji over Garuda at 10:22
Takehiro Murahama over Wataru Inoue at 9:30
Finals
Naomichi Marufuji over Takehiro Murahama at 14:05
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Post by randomone on Mar 20, 2020 15:36:03 GMT -6
Stuff is bonkers out there, so figured I'd post the entire 2009 tournament recap in one chunk. Stay safe out there everyone!
2009 Super J-Cup
Much like last year, I had no luck finding the Opening Round matches, so you’ll get quick results there. I did however; find the Quarters, Semis & Finals, so here we go!
Opening Round
Tigers Mask defeated Taichi in 6:41
Ryusuke Taguchi defeated Gentaro in 10:39
Yamato over Akira in 8:13
Danshoku Dino defeated Jado in 10:14
Gedo beat Kota Ibushi in 14:15
Prince Devitt over Atsushi Aoki in 10:51
Koji Kanemoto defeated Hayoto Fujita in 13:45
Naomichi Marufuji over Jushin Liger in 16:21
Quarter-Finals
Yamato vs Gedo
Immediately Gedo attacks the legs as Yamato gets a rope break, but sent outside briefly where Gedo continues his attack. Back inside Yamato tries for a sleeper, but Gedo goes right back at the legs with a Figure Four. “How bout you tap, motherfucker!” is what Gedo is screaming at his opponent as this has been all Gedo, he’s just toying with Yamato at this point. However, Gedo missed a short dropkick to the leg & Yamato nailed one of his own. Ref gets booted by accident as both Gedo & Yamato hit low blows. Yamato recovers first & hits a butterfly suplex for 2. Yamato destroys Gedo with a Spear, then a suplex for 2 as Gedo fights back, tries for the Gedo Clutch, but Yamato slides out, locks on a rear naked choke & Gedo passes out!
Prince Devitt vs Danshoku Dino
I know what I’m getting myself into in this one, as Dino is quite the…unique character…to say the least. Devitt works the arm early, but Dino reverses & tries to stick Devitt’s hand down his pants. He smothers Devitt on the mat, grabs his ass & then applies a claw I believe to the “little Prince” if you will. Devitt gets up quick & starts chopping Dino, then a dropkick for 2. Dino blocks a kick & does an arm drag to the junk of Devitt (not kidding) as he hits a chokeslam to follow. Snap suplex & knee drop only get Dino 1 as he hits the ropes to kiss Devitt, who hits an atomic drop & slam. Devitt goes to the corner, but Dino cuts him off with a kiss, takes his trunks off & hits a hurricanrana wearing his thong. Dino hits a running pelvic thrust to the face, in all of this there’s a ref bump (2nd match in a row), as Devitt knocks Dino down and HITS THE TOP ROPE DOUBLE STOMP TO THE CROTCH for the 3 count. That was the oddest thing I’ve ever had to type out in my entire life.
Ryusuke Taguchi vs Koji Kanemoto
Taguchi enjoyed some offense in the early going, but Kanemoto wore him down with stiff kicks & worked the leg like he usually does. Taguchi would briefly counter just to break out of the submission he was in, but not enough time to fully recover. A snap suplex by Taguchi led to Kanemoto floating over into an Ankle Lock, which Taguchi reversed into one of his own, but Kanemoto reversed it right back with a grapevine. That was really cool as Taguchi barely made it to the ropes. Taguchi would get up & foolishly start throwing kicks, but it was only to lure Kanemoto into throwing one, so he could catch it & hit a dragon screw. Dodon by Taguchi, who cluctches his leg in pain & can’t follow up. Out of nowhere Taguchi hits a springboard dive onto Kanemoto outside as he gets back in, wanting a countout, but Kanemoto in at 18. I don’t like how he got back in the ring & immediately got on the offense as Kanemoto hits a weird brainbuster, but missed a moonsault follow up. Taguchi nails a massive frog splash to the legs 1…2…NO! He goes up again, another Frog Splash to the legs, then sinks in a leg lock as Kanemoto taps! Aside from the brief complaint that I just said about Kanemoto beating the count and going back on the offense quick, this was a very good back & forth match with a fun finish.
Naomichi Marufuji vs Tigers Mask
Super slow paced mat based work to start as both trade counters working on each other’s legs (a running trend in the quarter finals). Tiger hits a big kick, goes for the cross arm breaker, but Marufuji rolls out, but rolls into another Tiger arm breaker (think Dis-Arm-Her). Marufuji gets a rope break, then we go from 0 to 100 as they hit the ropes at lightning speed, reversal after reversal as Marufuji takes Tiger down. He wants Shiranui, but Tiger gets a snap German into a bridge for 2. Marufuji sinks in a Cobra Clutch & also locks in almost a triangle choke off a back cracker at the same time. We then get a really sloppy finish as Tiger got out of the hold, Marufuji tried for Shiranui, but Tiger held the ropes, so Marufuji rolled him up 1…2…(Tiger’s shoulders clearly off the mat)…3. That finish wasn’t good at all. Very different match. I didn’t’ really care for it all that much.
Semi-Finals
Prince Devitt vs Yamato
Yamato tries to wipe out Devitt early, but gets sent outside. Devitt teases a dive, but Yamato chucks a chair into the ring, which Devitt luckily avoids. 2 count for Devitt off a sunset flip into the ring, but Yamato cuts him off immediately with a dropkick. Yamato works the leg (which I think at this point was in everyone’s contract to at some point work the leg in every match of this tournament) with a half crab, but Devitt gets the ropes. Devitt would fight back with forearms, then Yamato would hit a shoulder tackle and Devitt just pops up and hits a brainbuster for 2. Again we get a succession of forearms, but this time Yamato hits a release Northern Lights for 2 of his own. The pace of this match has been super fast, but these guys really aren’t selling that much. Yamato up top after Devitt got knocked off the ropes, but Prince pops up & crotches Yamato. Prince with a TOP ROPE BRAINBUSTER which Yamato pops up from & hits Devitt with another slam, which Devitt pops up from. I honestly don’t like this no selling at all. Devitt hits his corner dropkick, then a Code Breaker for 2. Yamato locks in a sleeper, but with him on his back, Devitt goes to the second rope & leaps back. Yamato has the wind knocked out of him as Devitt hits a top rope double stomp 1…2…NO! Prince Devitt fucking murders (I mean he MURDERS) Yamato with a Bloody Sunday for the 1…2…3! That finish was cool, but man oh man the no selling took me clean out of this one. I’m fine with some, but there was a stretch there where neither was selling a thing.
Naomichi Marufuji vs Ryusuke Taguchi
Arm drag, dropkick, fake dive & hip swivel is how Taguchi starts this one as he sends Marufuji into the chairs & nails a reverse tumbleweed into them! Back inside, Taguchi is just wearing him down with submissions (abdominal stretch, dragon sleeper, cobra clutch), but Marufuji nearly gets a Shiranui, but gets caught in the ropes & Taguchi locked in a Dragon Sleeper as he hits a Shibata dropkick with Marufuji in the Tree of Woe. Slingshot senton gets a 2 count as we get a chop battle that Taguchi wins. To the corner, Taguchi wants a suplex, but Marufuji nails a Tornado snap suplex, then a running double stomp. He mocks Taguchi’s hip swivel & snaps the neck, but Taguchi fires back with a snap German for 2. Again to the corner as Taguchi connects with a superplex, holds on, snap suplex, then another 1…2…NO! Spinning Frog Splash off the top gets another 1…2…NO!! Dragon Suplex gets yet another 2 as Taguchi hits Dodon 1…2…KICK OUT!! Taguchi can’t believe it as he tries for a Vertebreaker, but Marufuji counters, hook kick to the head & a corner superkick to the neck. Straightjacket German gets a 2 count, then nails a beautiful standing reverse Spanish Fly (I have no clue what he calls it, sorry, but that’s what it looked like) for 2. Superkicks, hook kicks, Shiranui for the 1…2…3!! Up to this point this was probably my favorite match of the tournament.
Finals
Naomichi Marufuji vs Prince Devitt
Opening few minutes is nothing but stalemates & counters as its showing how equally matched these two are. Devitt hooks a key lock on the left arm, but a rope break gets Marufuji to escape outside where Devitt continues his onslaught. Marufuji springs off the ropes & clotheslines Prince on the floor before hitting a brainbuster onto the apron! Devitt beats the count, but Marufuji sticks his head between the ropes (Devitt looking up) and stands on his head. Marufuji wears Prince down with a Chicken Wing, releases & hits a double stomp for 2. Marufuji to the second rope, but Devitt clips him with a kick sending him to the floor. Somersault dive off the top by the Prince as Marufuji crashes into the chairs “Fuckin NOAH Motherfucker!” is what Devitt says as he tosses Marufuji back inside & hits Bloody Sunday 1…2…KICK OUT! Marufuji hits a clothesline off a misdirect spot to get a breather as he dropkicks Devitt outside. He clears the top rope like it’s the High Jump and dropkicks Devitt outside! Prince narrowly beats the count at 19, but Marufuji is waiting for him off the top with a dropkick 1…2…NO!! He misses a Shiranui, as Devitt counters with a Pele Kick, leg kicks, enzugiri, head kick as Marufuji is in the drop zone. Devitt hits the top rope double stomp 1…2…KICK OUT!!! To the corner we go again as Devitt wants a back superplex, but Marufuji tries for a super Shiranui. It’s Devitt that hits his back supersplex 1…2…NO!!! Prince with a Code Breaker for another close 2 as he signals for the end at the 15 minute mark. Bloody Sunday countered as Marufuji hits a Shiranui but can’t capitalize! They both slowly rise as Marufuji does a combo of kicks, which gets caught with a Devitt small package for 2. Devitt with kicks & then hits the fireman’s carry into the double knees for yet another 2. Prince wants another double stomp, but gets cut off. Both men teetering until Marufuji hits a SPANISH FLY 1…2…KICK OUT!! He hits that standing reverse Spanish Fly he used against Taguchi, then a running boot 1…2…NO!! He plants Devitt with the Pole Shift fisherman’s buster for the 1…2…3!! Hot damn that was one hell of a final! This match absolutely was the best of the tournament & both men busted their asses big time.
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