Post by Agent Kev on Aug 29, 2004 14:29:40 GMT -5
Makai #1 vs Toru Yano
Pretty much what you would expect from a Toru Yano match. Decent opener that was good for what it was.
American Dragon vs Katsushi Takemura
It's pretty sad when the best thing about a wrestler is his gear. I like Takemura less the more and more I see him (haven't seen his match vs. Kaz yet). That being said this match was kept on the short-end and Dragon was able to lead most of the match. Fans definitely responded to Dragon better than Takemura. Decent match but only because of Dragon's work.
Jado & Gedo vs Curry Man & Rocky Romero
This was 11 minutes of fun. Just a really solid match that never tries to be something that it is not. Jado & Gedo do a good job at executing their moves and leave the personality and athleticism to Daniels (the fans are digging Curry Man as always) and Romero. Romero totally looks at home in wrestling this style. Like Danielson, Romero was born for Japan. Romero just looks so smooth in this match with his kicks, strikes, dropkicks, ranas, roll-ups and submissions. He could and should be the gaijin breakout star in Japan. Romero is definitely my favorite breakthru US indy guy of 2004 (along with Austin Aries).
Jushin Liger vs. Rysuske Taguchi
This match once again shows why Jushin Liger is the man that he is. Liger is the best junior in Japan right now (and ever) and still takes the risk of booking himself getting squashed by an up and coming Taguchi. This match is a race from the beginning as Taguchi comes out firing with a dropkick and then goes onto hit a dropkick from the turnbukle and a belly-to-back pin attempt before being nailed with a shotei. However, Taguchi pops back up and surprises Liger with a running dropkick for a quick 3-count that POPS the crowd for an extended period of time. Interesting booking by Liger and once again shows how he is a leader of the Japanese juniors.
Heat vs Katsuhiko Nakajima
Another solid match. The fans really came alive when Nakajima started and get some offense in and were totally into Nakajima when he hit a german for a near fall and when he hit some nice kicks for near falls. Nakajima also does a great job selling the Minoru Special as immediate death. Awesome sequence where Nakajima escapes the Minoru Special via rope break and then totally pops the crowd by ducking a Minoru kick and rolling up Heat for a near fall. Nakajima then delivers a kick of his own for a near 2. The crowd is totally into Nakajima's near falls. Heat finally regains control and puts Nakajima away with The Minoru Special. I liked this a lot. Not a great match but Nakajima is definitely surprising me with his skill and heart (especially for his age).
Kazunari Murakami & Mitsuya Nagai vs Minoru Suzuki & Masayuki Naruse
Dunno why, I just couldn't get into this one. Probably due to the fact that after watching 4 straight juniors matches it is hard to switch to the heavyweight style. Nothing wrong with this match I just wasn't digging it.
Ultimo Dragon vs. Tiger Mask IV
Good match, but seemed to be missing something at times. Overall they did some real nice sequences but Ultimo's timing seemed to be a little off.
Koji Kanemoto vs. Masahito Kakihara
Damn I'm digging Kakihara mucho grande right now. He just has a great ring presence, is a tremendous striker, is great at selling for his opponents and has a kickass STO. I also have to put over Koji Kanemoto's leglock which puts Kurt Angle's to shame. Koji is great at transitioning from standing leg lock to grounding it when his opponent moves towards the ropes. Great finish where Koji traps Kakihara in another leglock but Kakihara reverses into a leglock and then transitions to a headlock for the tap which he makes work as a legit finisher by his tenacity and leverage. Really solid match. Definitely my favorite so far.
Osamu Nishimura vs Tadao Yasuda
Didn't really pay too much attention to this one, cause as much as I dig Nishimura I HATE Yasuda.
Yuji Nagata, Hiroyoshi Tenzan & Hiroshi Tanahashi vs Genichiro Tenryu, Manabu Nakanishi & Kensuke Sasaki
This was a solid Main Event 6-man tag that allowed all of these wrestlers to show what they can do in the ring. Good ending to a good show.
Verdict: I liked this show alot but it is not a must-see show. My favorites were Romero/Curry vs. Jado/Gedo, Heat vs. Nakajima, and Kanemoto vs. Kakihara. I say check it out if you can pick it up cheap.
Pretty much what you would expect from a Toru Yano match. Decent opener that was good for what it was.
American Dragon vs Katsushi Takemura
It's pretty sad when the best thing about a wrestler is his gear. I like Takemura less the more and more I see him (haven't seen his match vs. Kaz yet). That being said this match was kept on the short-end and Dragon was able to lead most of the match. Fans definitely responded to Dragon better than Takemura. Decent match but only because of Dragon's work.
Jado & Gedo vs Curry Man & Rocky Romero
This was 11 minutes of fun. Just a really solid match that never tries to be something that it is not. Jado & Gedo do a good job at executing their moves and leave the personality and athleticism to Daniels (the fans are digging Curry Man as always) and Romero. Romero totally looks at home in wrestling this style. Like Danielson, Romero was born for Japan. Romero just looks so smooth in this match with his kicks, strikes, dropkicks, ranas, roll-ups and submissions. He could and should be the gaijin breakout star in Japan. Romero is definitely my favorite breakthru US indy guy of 2004 (along with Austin Aries).
Jushin Liger vs. Rysuske Taguchi
This match once again shows why Jushin Liger is the man that he is. Liger is the best junior in Japan right now (and ever) and still takes the risk of booking himself getting squashed by an up and coming Taguchi. This match is a race from the beginning as Taguchi comes out firing with a dropkick and then goes onto hit a dropkick from the turnbukle and a belly-to-back pin attempt before being nailed with a shotei. However, Taguchi pops back up and surprises Liger with a running dropkick for a quick 3-count that POPS the crowd for an extended period of time. Interesting booking by Liger and once again shows how he is a leader of the Japanese juniors.
Heat vs Katsuhiko Nakajima
Another solid match. The fans really came alive when Nakajima started and get some offense in and were totally into Nakajima when he hit a german for a near fall and when he hit some nice kicks for near falls. Nakajima also does a great job selling the Minoru Special as immediate death. Awesome sequence where Nakajima escapes the Minoru Special via rope break and then totally pops the crowd by ducking a Minoru kick and rolling up Heat for a near fall. Nakajima then delivers a kick of his own for a near 2. The crowd is totally into Nakajima's near falls. Heat finally regains control and puts Nakajima away with The Minoru Special. I liked this a lot. Not a great match but Nakajima is definitely surprising me with his skill and heart (especially for his age).
Kazunari Murakami & Mitsuya Nagai vs Minoru Suzuki & Masayuki Naruse
Dunno why, I just couldn't get into this one. Probably due to the fact that after watching 4 straight juniors matches it is hard to switch to the heavyweight style. Nothing wrong with this match I just wasn't digging it.
Ultimo Dragon vs. Tiger Mask IV
Good match, but seemed to be missing something at times. Overall they did some real nice sequences but Ultimo's timing seemed to be a little off.
Koji Kanemoto vs. Masahito Kakihara
Damn I'm digging Kakihara mucho grande right now. He just has a great ring presence, is a tremendous striker, is great at selling for his opponents and has a kickass STO. I also have to put over Koji Kanemoto's leglock which puts Kurt Angle's to shame. Koji is great at transitioning from standing leg lock to grounding it when his opponent moves towards the ropes. Great finish where Koji traps Kakihara in another leglock but Kakihara reverses into a leglock and then transitions to a headlock for the tap which he makes work as a legit finisher by his tenacity and leverage. Really solid match. Definitely my favorite so far.
Osamu Nishimura vs Tadao Yasuda
Didn't really pay too much attention to this one, cause as much as I dig Nishimura I HATE Yasuda.
Yuji Nagata, Hiroyoshi Tenzan & Hiroshi Tanahashi vs Genichiro Tenryu, Manabu Nakanishi & Kensuke Sasaki
This was a solid Main Event 6-man tag that allowed all of these wrestlers to show what they can do in the ring. Good ending to a good show.
Verdict: I liked this show alot but it is not a must-see show. My favorites were Romero/Curry vs. Jado/Gedo, Heat vs. Nakajima, and Kanemoto vs. Kakihara. I say check it out if you can pick it up cheap.
