Post by Agent Kev on May 2, 2004 15:30:31 GMT -5
I've found myself a little hard to please wrestling wise recently so I thought I would go back and watch the El Numero Uno 2003 show from Toryumon. When I got this tape I knew about Toryumon but didn't really follow it that closely. After watching it the first time I was shocked at how good it was. It was so good that I watched it probably 3-4 times in it's entirety over the next 48 hours. IMO this was the show of the year in Japan for 2003 (followed closely by NOAH's 6/6 and 9/12 shows and NOAH's Differ Cup Junior Tag-Tourney). So in an effort to try and get back into the wrestling groove I present:
El Numero Uno 2003
FIRST MATCH: Dragon Scramble Battle Royal
This is basically a royal rumble type event. 2 wrestlers start out in the ring and then every couple of minutes 2 more wrestlers enter at the same time. Wrestlers can be eliminated by pinfall, submission or over the top rope. The winners of this match (the last 2 people standing in the ring) will gain entrance into the El Numero Uno 8-man Tournament tonight (there has been a league going and so far 6 combatants have earned the right to advance to tonight’s tournament).
Dragon Kid and Susumu Yokosuka start off and get right to the action.
Anthony W. Mori and Ryo Saito are next in and Mori demands that Saito greet him properly by bowing. Saito is more worried about helping out his stable mate Yokosuka and keeps pushing Mori out of the way. This pisses off Mori and he attacks Saito and hits him with a series of arm drags until Saito will finally bow and pay him the proper respects. LOL. It’s stuff like this that really makes Toryumon great IMO. They can have great comedy in the middle of the match and not make it look out of place.
Next in: Condotti Shuji and brother YASSINI. They immediately make an impact when Shuji raises Mori on his shoulders and YASSINI comes off the top rope with a blockbuster. Mori is eliminated. Dragon Kid then goes for a rana on Shuji but Shuji reverses it and dumps Kid out of the ring.
Next in: Genki Horiguchi and Araken.
Next in: Taru and Don Fuji-these guys are much bigger than the other entrants (except Shuji and Araken). They make an immediate impact by eliminating Shuji with a double team move and the interference of SUWA who was watching from outside the ring. Don Fuji then starts up the comedy routine with his patented chop-fest where everyone in the ring gives him a chop and then he returns the favor.
Next in: Owashi (whom I hate with a passion) and Second Doi. The much larger Owashi destroys Doi before they even get into the ring and he is eliminated.
Owashi gets in the ring and quickly dispatches of the much smaller and much more charismatic YASSINI. Araken then steps up to the bully Owashi but Genki surprises him with a schoolboy for the 1-2-3 and Araken is eliminated. Taru and Ryo Saito are then eliminated when they are taken out simultaneously with double team moves. This leaves Don Fuji, Owashi, Genki and Susumu. Susumu and Genki are both in the “Do Fixer” group so Owashi and Fuji team up to take out the smaller guys. However their plan backfires as Genki and Susumu double-team Fuji and eliminate him and then turn their sites to Owashi. Owashi hits a HUGE running choke slam on Susumu but Genki dives to break up the pinfall. Genki and Susumu work over Owashi and get him over the top rope but he gains his balance on the apron and pulls over Genki and Susumu but they land on the apron. Finally Owashi falls and Genki and Susumu have won! They will advance to the tournament tonight and draw their cards to see which bracket they will be placed in.
SECOND MATCH: EL NUMERO UNO (Quarter Finals):
YOSSINO vs. SUWA
These guys get right to it charging at each other after the bell rings. SUWA gets the early advantage and uses his size and strength advantage to stiff the smaller YOSSINO. YOSSINO regains the advantage by getting SUWA caught in his Coumori (rope hanging figure 4 styled Tarantula). This match goes at a real fast pace and features a really nice contrast of styles. Brother YASSINI jumps up on the ring apron and distracts the ref as Condutti Shuji jumps into the ring a spears SUWA but SUWA soon fights him off. But this gives YOSSINO the advantage he needs and shortly thereafter he traps SUWA in his dreaded Sol Naciente (Cross arm triangle choke). SUWA tries to power out but he just can’t and is forced to submit. YOSSINO advances to the semi-finals.
SUWA and Conduti Shuji brawl outside the ring after the match.
THIRD MATCH: EL NUMERO UNO (Quarter Finals):
CIMA vs. Susumu Yokosuka
They lock-up and CIMA immediately sells his neck injury (he has tape running down from his neck down his spine) that he got sometime during the El Numero Uno qualifying rounds. Susumu immediately goes to work on the injury. This is followed up with some good chain wrestling and more neck work. Next is an AWESOME rope-running sequence which ends in CIMA doing a nice extended airplane/head scissors takedown on Susumu. CIMA then springboards from the outside and hits another head scissors on Susumu with the follow thru taking Susumu head first falling into the second turnbuckle. CIMA then hits a high double knee on Susumu and lifts him to the top turnbuckle. CIMA goes for the Venus (Leaping palm strike) but Susumu reverses it into an EXPLODA~! This is followed by some quick pinning sequences and then Susumu hits his Jumbo no Kachi! (Strong lariat. Has a variant called the Jumbo no Kachi!gatame, which entails Susumu falling with the opponent and transition directly into a pin fall) for a close 2-count. Susumu then goes for what looks to be the Yokosuka Cutter (Canadian backbreaker lift into Diamond Cutter) but CIMA reverses it into the Schwein (AKA Air Raid Crash, Reality Check, Kryptonite Crunch) for the pin fall victory. REALLY nice match. Me gusta.
FOURTH MATCH: EL NUMERO UNO (Quarter Finals):
Masaaki Mochizuki vs. Milano Collection AT
Pretty good match here that consists of good chain wrestling, lots of submissions and some nice strikes. Milano basically leads this match by tying up Mochi with tons of submission moves including the Rope Paradise which is basically where he ties his opponent up using the bottom rope and leaves them for dead. Milano also hits a very nice Sliced Bread #2 type move which finishes up in a stunner type move. Really nice sequence where Mochi hits Milano with a near fall on a German suplex but upon kicking out Milano quickly grabs Mochi in a hammerlock submission for a near submission victory. The actions spills out onto the floor where the Italian Connection (Condutti Shuji and brother YASSINI) get involved but they accidentally take out their leader Milano which allow Mochi to escape back to the ring for a count out victory.
FIFTH MATCH: EL NUMBERO UNO (Quarter-Finals):
Magnum TOKYO vs. Genki Horiguchi
This match tells the story of the inner-strife between the members of DO FIXER. They come to the ring unified and do the DO FIXER pre match dance with Magu as the leader and Genki one of the followers. Ring intros take place with Genki getting more streamers from the crowd. Magu takes the mic and has some words for Genki. The fans chant “HAGE” and Genki looks confused. Bell rings and Genki makes his way to the middle of the ring and lays down for Magu to pin him. Magu pumps his fists and goes for the cover but Genki small packages him for a quick near fall. Genki then jumps on the offensive until Magu gets control back with a Overhead Kick (Somersault kick to an opponent behind him) in the corner. Genki then hits a nice spinning DDT from the second rope. Genki goes for a springboard dropkick but Magu moves out of the way and goes for an STF but Genki gets the ropes. Magu then grounds Genki and the crowd rallies behind Genki “H-A-G-E! clap clap clap clap clap H-A-G-E clap clap clap clap clap”. Magu breaks the hold and seems distraught. Magu takes control again with his signature clothesline, bulldog, missile dropkick sequence. Magu then nails a nice Brainbuster-esque suplex on Genki for a 2 count. Magu then ROCKS Genki with a clothesline. Magu then goes for what looks to be the erect smash (Modified Neck breaker drop, similar to Matt Hardys' Side Effect) but Genki won’t let him. Magu gives that up and goes for the Viagra Driver (Pump handle Michinoku Driver II) but Genki escapes and hits his Godly Backslide (aka Backslide from Heaven: Normal backslide. Literal translation is Ji no Yadoru Backslide, which means Backslide where god dwells) for the stunning upset of his leader! Great short match.
Magu is irate after the match and leaves Genki in the ring with fellow stable mates Ryo Saito and Susumu Yokosuka, who then raise Genki’s hand in victory and they leave together.
Intermission is next followed by Great Sasuke coming to the ring in his suit and mask and talking to the fans. Ultimo Dragon makes an appearance here and shakes hands with Sasuke.
El Numero Uno 2003
FIRST MATCH: Dragon Scramble Battle Royal
This is basically a royal rumble type event. 2 wrestlers start out in the ring and then every couple of minutes 2 more wrestlers enter at the same time. Wrestlers can be eliminated by pinfall, submission or over the top rope. The winners of this match (the last 2 people standing in the ring) will gain entrance into the El Numero Uno 8-man Tournament tonight (there has been a league going and so far 6 combatants have earned the right to advance to tonight’s tournament).
Dragon Kid and Susumu Yokosuka start off and get right to the action.
Anthony W. Mori and Ryo Saito are next in and Mori demands that Saito greet him properly by bowing. Saito is more worried about helping out his stable mate Yokosuka and keeps pushing Mori out of the way. This pisses off Mori and he attacks Saito and hits him with a series of arm drags until Saito will finally bow and pay him the proper respects. LOL. It’s stuff like this that really makes Toryumon great IMO. They can have great comedy in the middle of the match and not make it look out of place.
Next in: Condotti Shuji and brother YASSINI. They immediately make an impact when Shuji raises Mori on his shoulders and YASSINI comes off the top rope with a blockbuster. Mori is eliminated. Dragon Kid then goes for a rana on Shuji but Shuji reverses it and dumps Kid out of the ring.
Next in: Genki Horiguchi and Araken.
Next in: Taru and Don Fuji-these guys are much bigger than the other entrants (except Shuji and Araken). They make an immediate impact by eliminating Shuji with a double team move and the interference of SUWA who was watching from outside the ring. Don Fuji then starts up the comedy routine with his patented chop-fest where everyone in the ring gives him a chop and then he returns the favor.
Next in: Owashi (whom I hate with a passion) and Second Doi. The much larger Owashi destroys Doi before they even get into the ring and he is eliminated.
Owashi gets in the ring and quickly dispatches of the much smaller and much more charismatic YASSINI. Araken then steps up to the bully Owashi but Genki surprises him with a schoolboy for the 1-2-3 and Araken is eliminated. Taru and Ryo Saito are then eliminated when they are taken out simultaneously with double team moves. This leaves Don Fuji, Owashi, Genki and Susumu. Susumu and Genki are both in the “Do Fixer” group so Owashi and Fuji team up to take out the smaller guys. However their plan backfires as Genki and Susumu double-team Fuji and eliminate him and then turn their sites to Owashi. Owashi hits a HUGE running choke slam on Susumu but Genki dives to break up the pinfall. Genki and Susumu work over Owashi and get him over the top rope but he gains his balance on the apron and pulls over Genki and Susumu but they land on the apron. Finally Owashi falls and Genki and Susumu have won! They will advance to the tournament tonight and draw their cards to see which bracket they will be placed in.
SECOND MATCH: EL NUMERO UNO (Quarter Finals):
YOSSINO vs. SUWA
These guys get right to it charging at each other after the bell rings. SUWA gets the early advantage and uses his size and strength advantage to stiff the smaller YOSSINO. YOSSINO regains the advantage by getting SUWA caught in his Coumori (rope hanging figure 4 styled Tarantula). This match goes at a real fast pace and features a really nice contrast of styles. Brother YASSINI jumps up on the ring apron and distracts the ref as Condutti Shuji jumps into the ring a spears SUWA but SUWA soon fights him off. But this gives YOSSINO the advantage he needs and shortly thereafter he traps SUWA in his dreaded Sol Naciente (Cross arm triangle choke). SUWA tries to power out but he just can’t and is forced to submit. YOSSINO advances to the semi-finals.
SUWA and Conduti Shuji brawl outside the ring after the match.
THIRD MATCH: EL NUMERO UNO (Quarter Finals):
CIMA vs. Susumu Yokosuka
They lock-up and CIMA immediately sells his neck injury (he has tape running down from his neck down his spine) that he got sometime during the El Numero Uno qualifying rounds. Susumu immediately goes to work on the injury. This is followed up with some good chain wrestling and more neck work. Next is an AWESOME rope-running sequence which ends in CIMA doing a nice extended airplane/head scissors takedown on Susumu. CIMA then springboards from the outside and hits another head scissors on Susumu with the follow thru taking Susumu head first falling into the second turnbuckle. CIMA then hits a high double knee on Susumu and lifts him to the top turnbuckle. CIMA goes for the Venus (Leaping palm strike) but Susumu reverses it into an EXPLODA~! This is followed by some quick pinning sequences and then Susumu hits his Jumbo no Kachi! (Strong lariat. Has a variant called the Jumbo no Kachi!gatame, which entails Susumu falling with the opponent and transition directly into a pin fall) for a close 2-count. Susumu then goes for what looks to be the Yokosuka Cutter (Canadian backbreaker lift into Diamond Cutter) but CIMA reverses it into the Schwein (AKA Air Raid Crash, Reality Check, Kryptonite Crunch) for the pin fall victory. REALLY nice match. Me gusta.
FOURTH MATCH: EL NUMERO UNO (Quarter Finals):
Masaaki Mochizuki vs. Milano Collection AT
Pretty good match here that consists of good chain wrestling, lots of submissions and some nice strikes. Milano basically leads this match by tying up Mochi with tons of submission moves including the Rope Paradise which is basically where he ties his opponent up using the bottom rope and leaves them for dead. Milano also hits a very nice Sliced Bread #2 type move which finishes up in a stunner type move. Really nice sequence where Mochi hits Milano with a near fall on a German suplex but upon kicking out Milano quickly grabs Mochi in a hammerlock submission for a near submission victory. The actions spills out onto the floor where the Italian Connection (Condutti Shuji and brother YASSINI) get involved but they accidentally take out their leader Milano which allow Mochi to escape back to the ring for a count out victory.
FIFTH MATCH: EL NUMBERO UNO (Quarter-Finals):
Magnum TOKYO vs. Genki Horiguchi
This match tells the story of the inner-strife between the members of DO FIXER. They come to the ring unified and do the DO FIXER pre match dance with Magu as the leader and Genki one of the followers. Ring intros take place with Genki getting more streamers from the crowd. Magu takes the mic and has some words for Genki. The fans chant “HAGE” and Genki looks confused. Bell rings and Genki makes his way to the middle of the ring and lays down for Magu to pin him. Magu pumps his fists and goes for the cover but Genki small packages him for a quick near fall. Genki then jumps on the offensive until Magu gets control back with a Overhead Kick (Somersault kick to an opponent behind him) in the corner. Genki then hits a nice spinning DDT from the second rope. Genki goes for a springboard dropkick but Magu moves out of the way and goes for an STF but Genki gets the ropes. Magu then grounds Genki and the crowd rallies behind Genki “H-A-G-E! clap clap clap clap clap H-A-G-E clap clap clap clap clap”. Magu breaks the hold and seems distraught. Magu takes control again with his signature clothesline, bulldog, missile dropkick sequence. Magu then nails a nice Brainbuster-esque suplex on Genki for a 2 count. Magu then ROCKS Genki with a clothesline. Magu then goes for what looks to be the erect smash (Modified Neck breaker drop, similar to Matt Hardys' Side Effect) but Genki won’t let him. Magu gives that up and goes for the Viagra Driver (Pump handle Michinoku Driver II) but Genki escapes and hits his Godly Backslide (aka Backslide from Heaven: Normal backslide. Literal translation is Ji no Yadoru Backslide, which means Backslide where god dwells) for the stunning upset of his leader! Great short match.
Magu is irate after the match and leaves Genki in the ring with fellow stable mates Ryo Saito and Susumu Yokosuka, who then raise Genki’s hand in victory and they leave together.
Intermission is next followed by Great Sasuke coming to the ring in his suit and mask and talking to the fans. Ultimo Dragon makes an appearance here and shakes hands with Sasuke.
