Pro Wrestling Chronicle

I’m thinking of posting the NJ Diaries I did do (before I quit halfway through the process) as an exercise in writing/editing, so look for a few to go up over the next month (probably one or two today). In the mean time, I’m doing these shorter “Rewinds” to cover anything new I watch from the set, the idea being to watch the top 25 — as voted on by the consensus — giving a few thoughts of my own:

#25. Tatsumi Fujinami vs. Vader (4/24/89)

The match was good and had a flow to it, though it’s still odd seeing the way they bumped back then as opposed to now. The bumping takes time to get used to. Not as “beautiful” in that sense, but perhaps more realistic. Damn modern wrestling influences. Anyway, Vader plays a great monster, but I don’t think he was as good here as he would become in WCW. He bumped more than I thought he would, but then this was a big show match against the # 2 native of the decade, babyface underdog extraordinaire, Fujinami. Fujinami is really good on this set, but there’s something that holds me back with him and makes me see Choshu as a greater performer. I think it’s move selection, the timing of when to use moves, and the atmosphere they create. I can’t explain it concisely, but suffice to say this was my favorite Fujinami match that didn’t involve Choshu. Fujinami goes for arm submissions (which I bought), Vader is great when he’s in trouble, and we get some drama. Vader squashes him by sitting down on his chest, does what by today’s standards looks like a silly jumping splash, then gets the clean pin. Crowd is really quiet after that one, but it was a satisfying ending that build up Vader even more. I liked the match.

I kept the DVD rolling, saw a young Hashimoto in the Tokyo Dome, and had to sit through it once I saw that his opponent was some Soviet shooter named Victor Zangiev. Which led into…

#27. Shinya Hashimoto vs. Victor Zangiev (4/24/89)

This match was all kinds of awesome. You had a hot Tokyo Dome crowd that was into the MMA aspect of the match, Hash being a native doughy tough guy and Zangiev being an Olympic wrestler that has the feel of a decade-early Kurt Angle when he was in a match with Benoit. Very simple seven minute contest that I hesitate to call a sprint because it was paced so well. The Russian did cool suplexes and Hash showed the charisma and poised I’ve always heard about but never seen (I have watched criminally little of his career.) Arm bars and heel hooks in this one, and the Russian taps to a Hash ankle submission that was done at the perfect time. Reminded me of the famed Kawada vs Gary Albright match from the mid-nineties, though I might like this one more because they don’t try to do to much. They use the styles clash and the outsider aspect to work a quick, impact-filled, match. Highly recommended.

I took a day, sat on that one, then watched this…

#15. Shinya Hashimoto vs. Vader (4/24/89)

This from the same night as the prior two matches. What a sick show that April ’89 New Japan Dome show was. Vader’s big aura is evident here. Liked that he brought out the the giant head gear that shoots out pressurized air when he commands it. This was neat because Vader has the feel of a monster, while Hash is young-but-not-little-guy. He wasn’t a big fatty here, but thick around the middle. Surprisingly strong holds and wrestling in this one. Really strong style stuff, and that doesn’t mean a million stiff kicks or head drops. Think holds involving struggle and decent slap boxing from big men. Vader pulled off a spinning backfist that looked good. Vader beats the crap out of Hash with lariats (they actually mean something still), but can’t keep Hash down for the three. Vader finally throws another lariat that takes out Hash, but the three count gets screwed up by special ref Lou Thesz (i think that’s him), who didn’t think it was the finish and hesitated huge on the three count. Vader goes over to everyone’s shock, and man is that a way to make a monster heel in one night. This was really good, but I might have enjoyed the first two matches a little more.

rolling on…

19. Riki Choshu vs. Big Van Vader (6/27/89)

I love Choshu, plain and simple. I love his punches, his psychology, his presence, and his charisma. Vader was on a roll, as you can see from the matches above, and this clicked because Choshu was willing to get beat up and then fire back in the body of the match. It starts out hot with Choshu taking and beating and then coming on strong. Choshu rips the mask and Vader BLEEDS. Epic stuff here, especially because both men came off as tough. Great match with an average finish. Vader destroys Choshu on the outside, bleeds on him for a minute, and then gets the count out win. Extra points for his Bloody-Brody-storming-through-the-audience bit after the match. Recommended, just be prepared for the finish.