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Fighting Spirit Review: All Japan “NEW YEAR WARS 2014″ on 1/3/14

By
Kevin Wilson
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0

 

Date: January 3rd, 2014
Location: Tokyo, Japan
Announced Attendance: 880

This is the first kinda big card for All Japan of the year, even though the attendance does not reflect it. Not only did this event have two title matches, but it also had a match to celebrate Fuchi’s 60th birthday! How fun. Here is the full card:

– Kotaro Suzuki and Atsushi Aoki vs. Shigehiro Irie and Keisuke Ishii
– Jon Bolen vs. Tyson Dux
– KENSO and Mitsuya Nagai vs. Osamu Nishimura and Ryuji Hijikata
– Go Shiozaki and Kento Miyahara vs. Ultimo Dragon and Hikaru Sato
– GAORA TV Championship: SUSHI vs. Takao Soma
– Jun Akiyama, Kanemaru, and Masao Inoue vs. Suwama, Taiyo Kea, and Masanobu Fuchi
– Triple Crown Championship: Akebono vs. Takao Omori

Kinda nervous about the long Fuchi match and an Akebono title match, but maybe I will be pleasantly surprised. Let’s see how this turns out!

Kotaro Suzuki and Atsushi Aoki vs. Shigehiro Irie and Keisuke Ishii

Aoki and Ishii start things off.  Waistlock by Aoki, reversed by Ishii, reversed back by Aoki but Ishii applies a wristlock.  Aoki trips Irie and drops an elbow onto his leg, he applies a front facelock as Ishii struggles back to his feet but Aoki grounds him again, Ishii reverses it but Aoki flips Ishii back down and applies an armbar.  Side headlock by Aoki, Ishii Irish whips out of it but Aoki shoulderblocks him down.  Aoki applies a headlock by Ishii quickly reverses it to a headscissors and both men return to their feet.  Tie-up, Aoki pushes Ishii into the corner and Ishii tags in Irie. Aoki tags in Suzuki, Suzuki and Irie circle each other, tie-up, Irie pushes Suzuki into the ropes and he gives a clean break. Tie-up, side headlock by Suzuki, Irie Irish whips out of it and they collide with neither man going down.  Suzuki goes off the ropes three more times with no result, but Irie then bounces off the ropes and shoulders Suzuki off his feet and right out of the ring.

Suzuki takes a minute to recover and return to the ring as Irie tags in Ishii, Ishii grabs Suzuki as he returns and applies a hammerlock.  Suzuki elbows out of it and goes off the ropes but Ishii catches him with an armdrag takedown.  Ishii keeps a hold of the arm but Suzuki pushes him back and tags in Aoki.  Aoki throws Ishii into the corner, Irish whip, but Ishii moves when Aoki charges in and hits an armdrag.  Ishii keeps the hold applied as he tags in Irie, Irie picks up Aoki and headbutts him in the arm.  Another headbutt to the arm by Irie, but Aoki kicks Irie in the stomach.  Irie responds with elbow strikes, sending Aoki down to the mat.  Irie picks up Aoki, snapmare, and he twists on Aoki’s neck.  Bodyscissors by Irie but Aoki is eventually able to make it to the ropes to force a break.  Irie tags in Ishii, and Ishii stomps Aoki in the stomach.  Elbows to the midsection by Ishii, Irish whip, but Aoki grabs the ropes.  Ishii charges Aoki but Aoki back bodydrops him out to the apron and pushes Ishii off.  Irie comes in the ring but Aoki greets him with a dropkick, meanwhile outside of the ring Suzuki attacks Ishii.  Suzuki picks up Ishii and elbows him down to the floor again before sliding him back into the ring.

Aoki knees Ishii in the midsection and tags in Suzuki.  Suzuki picks up Ishii, Irish whip, knee to the stomach by Suzuki and he hits a senton.  Suzuki picks up Ishii and hits a pair of back kicks, Ishii tries to fight back but a hard shot to the midsection sends him back down.  Elbows by Suzuki in the corner until Ishii falls to a seated position, and Suzuki tags in Aoki.  Aoki picks up Ishii, Irish whip, and Aoki hits a running elbow to Ishii’s midsection.  Cover, but it gets a two count.  Aoki picks up Ishii  and he knees him in the midsection before tagging in Suzuki.  Suzuki picks up Ishii and drops him with a gutbuster, Suzuki goes off the ropes and hits a running elbow to the midsection.  Cover, but it only gets a two count.  Suzuki picks up Ishii and kicks him in the midsection, Irish whip, but Ishii kicks Suzuki as he charges in and hits a missile dropkick.  Ishii makes the tag to Irie, Irie first knocks Aoki off the apron and then punches Suzuki into the corner.  Irish whip by Irie and he hits a running lariat in the corner.

Scoop slam by Irie, he goes off the ropes and hits a seated senton.  Cover, but it gets a two count.  Irie picks up Suzuki and goes for a suplex but Suzuki lands on his feet.  Irish whip by Irie but Suzuki hits the handstand rebound elbow strike and tags in Aoki.  Aoki goes off the ropes and elbows Irie, he does it a second time but the third time Irie elbows him back.  Kick to the knee by Aoki and he kicks Irie in the head, cover, but it gets a two count.  Irish whip by Aoki from the corner, reversed, but Aoki avoids Irie’s attack.  Aoki goes off the ropes but Irie catches him with a side slam and tags in Ishii.  Ishii and Aoki trade elbows, Ishii goes off the ropes but Aoki kicks him in the midsection.  Aoki goes off the ropes but Ishii hits a dropkick, Ishii picks up Aoki but Aoki blocks the suplex.  Ishii goes off the ropes but Aoki dropkicks him in the face.  Aoki picks up Ishii, Irish whip from the corner and he hits a running elbow strike. Vertical suplex by Aoki, he goes up to the top turnbuckle and delivers a missile dropkick.  Cover, but it gets a two count.  Backdrop suplex attempt by Aoki but Ishii lands on his feet and kicks him in the head.

Irie runs in the ring, Ishii puts Aoki on his shoulders and drops him head-first onto Irie’s head (on purpose).  Cover, but Aoki breaks it up.  Irie gets rid of Aoki.  Ishii picks up Aoki and applies a wristlock, Aoki elbows out of it but Ishii whips out a hurricanrana.  Ishii charges Aoki but Aoki avoids the heel kick and hits a lariat.  Suzuki comes in the ring, he hits a tombstone piledriver on Ishii then Aoki comes off the top turnbuckle with a diving body press.  Cover, but it gets a two count when Irie breaks it up.  Suzuki runs in to grab Irie, Aoki picks up Ishii and goes for the fish hook suplex, but Ishii blocks it and rolls him up for a two count.  Headbutt by Aoki, he goes off the ropes but Ishii catches him with a release German suplex.  Ishii makes the tag to Irie as Suzuki is tagged in also, and they trade elbow strikes.  Suzuki blocks on Irie lariat, he goes off the ropes but is caught by a second one.  Cover by Irie but it gets a two count.  Irie grabs Suzuki and hits a vertical suplex, cover, but again it gets two.  Ishii comes in the ring, he puts Suzuki on his shoulders and tries to drop Suzuki onto Irie’s head, but Suzuki gets out of it and throws Ishii into Irie instead.

Aoki comes in the ring, they pick up Irie but Irie fights them both off, Irie goes off the ropes but Aoki drop toeholds him into the ropes and Suzuki hits a Tiger Feint Kick.  They go for a double backdrop suplex but Irie fights them off, double Irish whip to Irie, but Irie hits a lariat onto Aoki.  Suzuki goes for the roaring elbow onto Irie but Irie catches him with a headbutt.  Irie picks up Suzuki and puts him on his shoulders, but Suzuki rolls him up for a two count.  Elbows by Suzuki and he hits the roaring elbow, he goes for a suplex but Irie blocks it and hits the Fire Thunder Driver onto Suzuki.  Cover, but it gets a two count.  Elbow by Irie, another cover but it gets two again.  He goes for another elbow, Suzuki ducks it and applies a crucifix pin but the bell rings signifying time has run out.  This match is a Draw.

Match Thoughts:   I honestly think that if this match had bigger name wrestlers on it and had a real ending, it would be thought of as one of the better matches so far this year.  I loved the stories they were telling and that it felt right up to the very end that it was anyone’s game.  The DDT wrestlers were very well respected and everyone was made to look strong which is what wrestling should be all about.  I do wish that it had an ending though, I don’t think in this case a Draw was necessary as any of these wrestlers could be pinned if the circumstances were right.  It doesn’t look like it was building to anything to not have a winner.  But really this was a great match, no wasted time and just good action from start to finish.  Score:  7.5

Jon Bolen vs. Tyson Dux

They circle each other to start, tie-up, side headlock by Dux, Bolen Irish whips out of it and they collide with neither man going down.  Knee to the midsection by Dux and he goes for a side headlock takedown, but Bolen pushes him off and hits a shoulderblock.  Forearm to the chest by Dux but Bolen headbutts Dux down in the corner.  Irish whip by Bolen, but Dux avoids his rush and hits an armdrag.  Irish whip attempt by Dux but Bolen reverses it, Dux goes for a crossbody but Bolen catches him.  Dux elbows out of his hold but Bolen clotheslines Dux over the top rope down to the floor.  Bolen goes out of the ring after him and goes for a powerbomb, but Dux grabs the ropes to block it.  Dux kicks Bolen from the apron but Bolen knocks his legs out from under him, sending Dux crashing to the floor again.  Stomp by Bolen and he goes for a press slam, throwing Dux back into the ring.  Bolen goes back into the ring as well, Dux grabs Bolen but Bolen elbows him off and hits a backdrop suplex into a side slam for a two count cover.  Falling headbutt by Bolen and he hits a second one.  Cover by Bolen but it gets a two count.

Bolen picks up Dux, Irish whip, but Dux sneaks in a crucifix pinfall for a two count.  Back up, backslide by Dux but it gets a two count as well.  Dux tries to roll-up Bolen but Bolen blocks it and applies a bearhug.  Dux punches out of it and hits an uppercut, more elbows by Dux and he hits a snap backdrop suplex.  Dux waits for Bolen to puts him on his shoulders, hitting a death valley driver into the corner turnbuckles.  Cover, but Bolen kicks out.  Dux picks up Bolen and puts him on the apron, Dux then goes up to the top turnbuckle and pulls Bolen up with him.  Elbows by Dux and he hits a top rope superplex.  Cover, but it gets a two count.  Dux goes up to the top turnbuckle and hits a crossbody, but Bolen rolls through it and picks up Dux.  Powerslam by Bolen, he then goes off the ropes and hits a spear.  Cover, but it only gets a two count.  Bolen charges Dux but Dux rolls out of the way and sneaks in the horizontal cradle for the three count!  Your winner:  Tyson Dux

Match Thoughts:  I guess this match came about because they eliminated each other the night before from the battle royal.  But I am not really sure what purpose the match served…  it was short but still had rest holds and down-time, it was won by sneaky means so I don’t know if they settled their beef (they teamed together on the next show), and it just came across as filler.  If it was a sprint or a game of “one-upmanship” between two friends I could see it working, but it just fell in some grey middle ground and I never really saw what they were going for here.  Score:  3.5

KENSO and Mitsuya Nagai vs. Osamu Nishimura and Ryuji Hijikata

KENSO and Nagai attack their opponents before the bell rings and throw their opponents out of the ring.  KENSO throws Hijikata into the ringpost while Nagai takes Nishimura up into the stands and punches him around.  KENSO gets a chair and hits Hijikata in the chest with it before returning to ringside and throwing him into the guard rail.  They switch wrestlers as now KENSO is kicking Nishimura, Nishimura fights back but Nagai comes up from behind and attacks Nishimura.  Nagai throws Nishimura back into the ring and gets in as well, he picks up Nishimura and kicks him hard in the chest.  Nagai elbows Nishimura and rakes him in the eyes before elbowing him in the back of the head.  More elbows by Nagai, he picks up Nishimura and chokes him on the top rope.  KENSO then punches Nishimura from the floor, knees by Nagai to Nishimura in the corner but Nishimura manages to tag in Hijikata.  Hijikata and Nagai circle each other and they trade kicks to the arm.  Elbow by Nagai, Irish whip to the corner but Hijikata kicks KENSO off the apron and elbows Nagai back.  KENSO grabs Hijikata while he is on the floor and pulls him groin-first into the ring post.  Nagai then goes outside the ring, taking Hijikata with him, and holds Hijikata so that KENSO can go off the ropes and hits a pescado.  Nishimura wonders over but Nagai throws him into the guard rail.  KENSO gets back into the ring, Nagai holds Hijikata again but KENSO doesn’t do another dive and Nagai rolls Hijikata into the ring.  KENSO picks up Hijikata and punches him into the corner, Irish whip, but Hijikata moves when KENSO charges in.

Back elbow by KENSO, cover, but it gets a two count.  KENSO knees Nishimura off the apron, and then chokes Hijikata.  Nagai comes in the ring and hits a leg drop, cover by Nagai but it gets a two count.  Nagai applies a crossface to Hijikata, he picks up Hijikata and elbows him in the head a few times.  Nagai tags in KENSO,  and KENSO slaps Hijikata in the face.  KENSO picks up Hijikata and punches him in the head before hitting him with another slap.  KENSO goes for a vertical suplex but Hijikata reverses it into a suplex of his own.  Hijikata tags in Nishimura, stomps and uppercuts by Nishimura to KENSO until KENSO falls to the mat.  Nishimura applies the Spinning Toe Hold, then knees Nagai as he comes into the ring.  Irish whip by Nishimura to KENSO and he applies the Cobra Twist, but Nagai breaks it up.  Nishimura picks up KENSO and tags in Hijikata, and Hijikata throws KENSO into the corner.

Slaps by Hijikata, Irish whip, and Hijikata hits a high kick to KENSO.  Cover by Hijikata but it gets a two count.  Hijikata picks up KENSO and elbows him in the back of the head, he goes off the ropes but KENSO catches him with a lariat.  KENSO goes up to the top turnbuckle but Hijikata has recovered and joins him up there.  Superplex by Hijikata, he picks up KENSO and hits the Fisherman Buster.  Cover, but Nagai breaks it up.  Hijikata picks up KENSO, he goes off the ropes but KENSO chokes Hijikata with his fluffy belt. KENSO waits for Hijikata to get up and nails the Hagakure, cover, and he picks up the three count.  Your winners:  KENSO and Mitsuya Nagai

Match Thoughts:  That ended quickly.  Hijikata was doing ok then it just takes being chocked by a feathery belt and a running kick to the face and he is done.  Almost felt like they got the ‘go home’ signal with how quickly it ended.  Anyway up to that point the match was fine but it never felt like it got fully going.  Nishimura didn’t do much of anything in this match as Hijikata was in the ring the bulk of the time, and the offense to Hijikata wasn’t terrible but it wasn’t overly inspired either.  I know that Nagai can bring the hurt but his offense stayed pretty basic here.  I wasn’t expecting much and I didn’t get much, so I guess I can’t complain too much.  Score:  4.0

Go Shiozaki and Kento Miyahara vs. Ultimo Dragon and Hikaru Sato

Miyahara and Ultimo Dragon start things off.  Tie-up, Miyahara pushes Ultimo Dragon into the ropes and he gives a clean break.  Tie-up again, wristlock by Ultimo Dragon, reversed by Miyahara, but Ultimo Dragon rolls out of it and reverses the hold.  Armdrag by Ultimo Dragon, and both wrestlers return to their feet.  Tie-up and they lock knuckles, Miyahara pushes Ultimo Dragon to his knees but Ultimo Dragon muscles up.  Ultimo Dragon rolls through it and reverses the hold before hitting a headscissors takedown.  Back up again, tie-up, waistlock by Ultimo Dragon but Miyahara drives him back and tags in Shiozaki.  Shiozaki and Ultimo Dragon tie-up, Irish whip by Shiozaki and they collide with both men still standing.

Ultimo Dragon goes off the ropes but we get the same result, Ultimo Dragon goes off again and this time Shiozaki shoulderblocks him down.  Irish whip by Shiozaki and he goes for a backdrop suplex but Ultimo Dragon lands on his feet and delivers a dropkick.  Ultimo Dragon tags in Sato, Sato goes for a single leg takedown but Shiozaki blocks it.  Shiozaki pushes Sato into the ropes and gives a clean break.  Sato gets Shiozaki’s arm and twists it around the top rope and slaps Shiozaki in the chest before backing off.  Shiozaki comes back with a slap to the chest of his own and they trade chops, until Shiozaki throws Sato out of the ring.

Miyahara greets Sato out there and throws Sato into the guard rail.  Miyahara throws Sato into the guard rail again and Shiozaki chops Sato in the chest out on the floor.  Shiozaki chops Sato outside of the ring again before finally sliding him back into the ring, Shiozaki waits for Sato to get to a seated position and hits a running chop to the chest.  Cover, but it gets a two count.  Backdrop suplex by Shiozaki, cover, but it gets two as well.  Shiozaki tags in Miyahara, and Miyahara uppercuts Sato in the corner.  Irish whip by Miyahara and he hits a jumping elbow strike.  Irish whip by Miyahara but this time Sato moves and kicks Miyahara in the back.  Another kick by Sato and he makes the tag to Ultimo Dragon.  Ultimo Dragon delivers a kick combination to Miyahara followed by a dropkick.  More kicks by Ultimo Dragon and he hits a fireman’s carry toss.

Dragon screw leg whip by Ultimo Dragon and he applies a modified Indian Deathlock.  Miyahara inches to his corner to tag in Shiozaki, stomps by Shiozaki to Ultimo Dragon and he goes off the ropes, but Ultimo Dragon catches him with a dropkick and hits a roll into a hammerlock with a headscissors.  Shiozaki gets a foot on the ropes to force the break, Ultimo Dragon goes for a suplex onto Shiozaki but Shiozaki blocks it and goes for a suplex but Shiozaki lands on his feet.  Hard chop by Shiozaki and he delivers a vertical suplex.  Cover, but it gets a two count.

Shiozaki goes for a kick but Ultimo Dragon ducks it and hits an enzigieri.  Ultimo Dragon tags in Sato, Sato knocks Miyahara off the apron and then kicks Shiozaki in the corner.  Irish whip by Sato to the corner and he delivers a kick to the chest.  Sato goes for a suplex, Shiozaki blocks it, kick by Sato and he goes off the ropes, hitting the PK.  Cover, but it gets a two count.  Cross Armbreaker by Sato but Shiozaki gets out of it with a powerbomb.  Cover by Shiozaki, but it gets a two count.  Sato re-applies the cross armbreaker but this time Miyahara breaks it up.  Ultimo Dragon throws Miyahara out of the ring, while in the ring Sato picks up Shiozaki.

Kick to the chest by Sato but Shiozaki comes back with a chop.  Sato goes off the ropes but Miyahara runs in the ring and connects with a big boot.  Irish whip by Miyahara and Shiozaki hits a chop, then they hit a double superkick to Sato. Cover by Shiozaki but Ultimo Dragon breaks it up.  Miyahara takes Ultimo Dragon out of the ring, while in the ring Shiozaki picks up Sato and goes for a lariat, but Sato ducks it.  Sato ducks it again but after blocking a kick, Shiozaki is finally able to hit the lariat.  Cover, but again Ultimo Dragon breaks it up. Miyahara grabs Ultimo Dragon, while in the ring Shiozaki picks up Sato.  Elbows by Sato but Shiozaki hits a chop and nails the Go Flasher.  Cover, and he picks up the three count.  Your winners:  Go Shiozaki and Kento Miyahara

Match Thoughts:  If this was WWE I would think that Shiozaki was in the doghouse for something, as both cards I have watched so far he was about as far from the main event scene as I am.  This wasn’t bad but was really disjointed in parts, and it seemed almost like there was too much back and forth when on paper the teams seemed lopsided.  I did like that Ultimo Dragon managed at the end to come back to save Sato a few times but ultimately just couldn’t keep escaping Miyahara to break up pinfalls.  The match just lacked suspense and they didn’t really have any real structure.  Good wrestlers all around, but an average match at best.  Score:  5.0

(c) SUSHI vs. Takao Soma

This match is for the GAORA TV Championship.  Wristlock by SUSHI to start the match, reversed by Soma, but SUSHI applies a hammerlock.  Side headlock by SUSHI and he hits a side headlock takedown, Soma Irish whips out of it but SUSHI shoulderblocks him down.  Soma gets back up, SUSHI goes off the ropes, waistlock by SUSHI but Soma breaks free.  SUSHI goes off the ropes but Soma kicks him in the stomach, Soma goes off the ropes but SUSHI hits a spinning heel kick.  Soma falls out of the ring, SUSHI goes for a pescado but Soma moves out of the way.  Soma throws SUSHI into the guard rail and then hits a running kick.  Soma gets his metal and wooden tubs, he goes to SUSHI and brings him up towards the crowd.  SUSHI attacks Soma from behind, he gets the wooden tub while Soma has the metal one and they do dueling strikes.  Soma gets the better of it and hits SUSHI in the head with the metal tub.  Soma takes SUSHI up into the crowd and throws him into a column.  Soma goes back for his metal tub, he then runs all the way around so that he is over top of SUSHI up in the balcony.  From there he then drops the metal tub onto SUSHI’s head, as SUSHI didn’t know he was up there.  Soma takes SUSHI back towards ringside and throws him into the ring, cover by Soma but it gets a two count.  Stomp to the back by Soma, he picks up SUSHI, Irish whip, and Soma delivers a dropkick.  Cover, but it gets a two count.  Another cover but again it gets two.  Soma kicks SUSHI in the head but SUSHI comes back with a chop to the chest.  They trade strikes, Soma goes off the ropes but SUSHI catches his boot and delivers the backstabber.

Elbow by SUSHI but Soma returns fire and they trade strikes again.  Irish whip by SUSHI, reversed, SUSHI flips himself out to the apron and hits Soma back before hitting a swandive dropkick.  Soma falls out of the ring, SUSHI goes off the ropes and sails out onto Soma with a tope con giro.  SUSHI throws Soma back into the ring, and SUSHI hits a lariat in the corner.  Vertical suplex by SUSHI to Soma, SUSHI goes up to the top turnbuckle and delivers a diving headbutt.  Cover, but it gets a two count.  Waistlock by SUSHI, Irish whip, reversed, and Soma hits a diving forearm strike.  Soma goes up to the top turnbuckle and hits a missile dropkick.  Cover, but it only gets a two count.  Single leg grab hold by Soma but SUSHI gets a hand on the bottom rope.  Soma picks up SUSHI but SUSHI pushes him back and kicks him in the head.  SUSHI charges Soma but Soma gets in a backslide for a two count.  Cradle by Soma but it’s another two count, and the schoolboy gets the same result.  Superkick by Soma, he gets the metal tub and tries to hit SUSHI with it, but SUSHI ducks.  SUSHI thinks he took it away but there is another tub inside of it.  Soma hits SUSHI in the head with the metal tub, roll-up by Soma but it gets a two count.  Soma picks up SUSHI and hits the Schwein, cover, but again he only gets a two count.  Soma picks up SUSHI and puts SUSHI onto his shoulders, but SUSHI gets out of it.  Quick roll-up by SUSHI but it only gets two, and they trade pin attempts with no luck.  Lariat by SUSHI, he picks up Soma and hits the Katsuo Fishing for the three count!  Your winner and still champion:  SUSHI

Match Thoughts:  No idea what I just watched.  I was finally excited to get back to a singles match and I got… this.  It was pretty much bad from start to finish.  The brawling through the crowd was drawn out and silly since Soma kept using this big metal tub that must have some significance that I don’t know about.  Soma dominated the match but not with real moves, but with roll-ups and things like that.  Then SUSHI after getting dominated at the end, suddenly picks up the win after two moves.  Don’t get me wrong, Soma was never a credible challenger, but it just made the rest of the match meaningless as Soma really wasn’t weakened up at all.  Just not a good match on any level.  Score:  2.5

Jun Akiyama, Kanemaru, and Inoue vs. Suwama, Taiyo Kea, and Masanobu Fuchi

Akiyama and Fuchi start things off.   Tie-up to start and they break cleanly.  Another tie-up, but Akiyama pushes Fuchi away.  Tie-up again, side headlock by Fuchi, Akiyama Irish whips out of it and the two collide with neither man going down.  They do it two more times, Fuchi doesn’t go down but afterwards takes a kneel in the corner to re-group.  Tie-up again, wristlock by Fuchi but Akiyama reverses it.  Drop toehold by Fuchi and he pushes Akiyama in the corner so he can tag in Inoue.  Inoue pushes Fuchi into the ropes and he gives a clean break.  Tie-up again, waistlock by Fuchi and he pushes Inoue into the ropes before giving Inoue a pat and a clean break.  Fuchi tags in Kea, tie-up by Inoue and Kea, wristlock by Inoue and he yanks on Kea’s arm.  Kea reverses the hold but Inoue gets into the ropes to force a break.  Knuckle hold by Kea and he applies a hammerlock, neck crank by Kea and he tags in Suwama.  Suwama kicks Inoue in the ribs and applies a side headlock, Inoue Irish whips out of it but Suwama shoulderblocks him down.  Inoue tags in Akiyama, Akiyama and Suwama tie-up, Suwama pushes Akiyama into the ropes but Akiyama gets Suwama into the corner.

Akiyama gives a clean break, tie-up, waistlock by Akiyama, reversed by Suwama but Akiyama gets Suwama’s arm and applies an armbar.  Suwama gets Akiyama to the mat and applies a reverse chinlock, but Kanemaru breaks it up.  Suwama punches Kanemaru out of the ring, he then goes back to Akiyama and pushes him into the corner.  Punches by Suwama  and Kea tags in, kick by Kea in the corner and with Suwama they beat down Akiyama.  Chop by Kea and he chops Akiyama in the corner.  Kea goes for a vertical suplex but Akiyama reverses it into one of his own.  Akiyama tags in Kanemaru, Kanemaru picks up Kea, Irish whip, and Kanemaru delivers a dropkick.  Cover, but it gets a two count.  Uppercut by Kanemaru and a second one, but Kea comes back with chops.  Irish whip by Kea and he hits a back elbow.  Elbow drop by Kea, cover, but it gets two.  Kea tags in Fuchi, kick to the shoulder by Fuchi and he applies a stretch hold.  Kanemaru eventually gets to the ropes to force the break.

Kanemaru gets Fuchi out of the ring and throws him into the guard rail before hitting a leg drop.  Akiyama then grabs Fuchi, Kanemaru gets on the apron and they nail a spike piledriver on the floor.  Shit suddenly got real.  Akiyama slides Fuchi into the ring, cover by Kanemaru but it gets a two count.  Kanemaru tags in Inoue, Inoue grabs Fuchi and elbows him in the back of the head.  Inoue tags in Akiyama, and Akiyama hits a scoop slam.  Akiyama tags in Kanemaru, he picks up Fuchi and he hits a scoop slam as well.  Kanemaru tags in Inoue, and he slams Fuchi as well.  Inoue tags in Akiyama, he picks up Fuchi and hits a scoop slam.  Cover by Akiyama but it gets a two count.  Akiyama tags in Kanemaru, and Kanemaru stomps Fuchi in the back.  Kanemaru tags in Inoue, Inoue picks up Fuchi and hits a scoop slam.  Cover, but Fuchi gets a shoulder up.

Akiyama is tagged in, he picks up Fuchi and elbows him in the head.  Akiyama grabs Fuchi as Kanemaru comes in the ring as well, Inoue hits an elbow to Fuchi and Akiyama delivers a running knee.  Cover, but it gets a two count.  Akiyama waits for Fuchi to get up but Fuchi avoids Akiyama’s charge in the corner and dropkicks Akiyama in the knee.  Fuchi tags in Suwama, Irish whip by Suwama to Akiyama and Suwama hits a flying shoulderblock.  Suwama picks up Akiyama as Kanemaru runs in the ring, but Suwama fights them back off.  Irish whip by Suwama to Akiyama to the corner and Suwama hits a lariat.   Belly to belly suplex by Suwama, cover, but Inoue breaks it up.  Suwama tags in Kea, and he trades elbows with Akiyama.  Kea chops Akiyama into the corner, Irish whip and he hits a jumping elbow followed by a lariat.  Kea hits a reverse splash, cover, but it gets a two count.  Cobra Clutch by Kea but Akiyama snapmares out of it and hits a dragon screw leg whip.  Akiyama tags in Kanemaru, dropkick by Kanemaru to Kea’s knee and he hits a diving DDT off the second turnbuckle.  Cover, but it gets a two count.  Kanemaru grabs Kea, Kea goes for a suplex but Kanemaru slides down his back and rolls up Kea for a  two count.

Kanemaru ducks a Kea kick and rolls him up again, but again it gets two.  Kanemaru goes off the ropes but Kea hits a lariat.  Kea tags in Fuchi, Fuchi picks up Kanemaru and hits a scoop slam.  Fuchi hits a second scoop slam onto Kanemaru but when he goes for a third, Akiyama breaks it up.  Kea gets rid of Akiyama, Fuchi grabs Kanemaru and this time is able to hit the scoop slam.  Cover, but Inoue breaks it up.  Suwama knocks down Inoue, Fuchi then picks up Inoue and scoop slams him.  Fuchi picks up Inoue again and slams him once more to the mat.  Akiyama runs in the ring but Fuchi rakes him in the eyes.  Fuchi then grabs Akiyama and goes for a slam, Akiyama blocks it, so Fuchi rakes him in the eyes again.  Another attempt fails, Fuchi rakes Akiyama’s eyes and punches him in the face.  Finally Fuchi is able to body slam Akiyama, he then goes back to Kanemaru and goes for a backdrop suplex but Kanemaru lands on his feet and dropkicks Fuchi to the mat.

Kanemaru tags in Inoue, Irish whip by Inoue to the corner and Inoue hits a running lariat.  Quick lariats by Inoue in the corner and he hits the cobra clutch leg sweep.  Cover, but it gets broken up.  Akiyama comes in the ring, Inoue throws Fuchi into the corner, and all three men hit running strikes.  Exploder by Akiyama to Fuchi, Inoue covers Fuchi but Fuchi gets a shoulder up.  Inoue picks up Fuchi and puts him up on his shoulders in the Argentine Backbreaker, but Kea breaks it up.  Jumping heel kick by Kea to Inoue, and then Suwama hits a belly to belly suplex on him.  Fuchi is back up and he hits a dropkick to Inoue.  Kanemaru runs in the ring, Irish whip by Fuchi to Kanemaru and he gets a dropkick as well.  Akiyama runs in but so do Suwama and Kea, and they hold Akiyama so that Fuchi can dropkick him as well.  Fuchi goes back to Inoue, and Fuchi hits a backdrop suplex.  Fuchi hits a second backdrop suplex, cover, but it only gets a two count when Akiyama breaks it up.  Kea dispatches Akiyama, Fuchi picks up Inoue and tries an Inside Cradle, but it gets a two count.  A second Inside Cradle by Fuchi, but it also gets a two count.  Fuchi tries a third one, and this one works as he gets the three count.  Your winners:  Suwama, Taiyo Kea, and Masanobu Fuchi

Another attempt fails, Fuchi rakes Akiyama’s eyes and punches him in the face.  Finally Fuchi is able to body slam Akiyama, he then goes back to Kanemaru and goes for a backdrop suplex but Kanemaru lands on his feet and dropkicks Fuchi to the mat.  Kanemaru tags in Inoue, Irish whip by Inoue to the corner and Inoue hits a running lariat.  Quick lariats by Inoue in the corner and he hits the cobra clutch leg sweep.  Cover, but it gets broken up.  Akiyama comes in the ring, Inoue throws Fuchi into the corner, and all three men hit running strikes.  Exploder by Akiyama to Fuchi, Inoue covers Fuchi but Fuchi gets a shoulder up.  Inoue picks up Fuchi and puts him up on his shoulders in the Argentine Backbreaker, but Kea breaks it up.  Jumping heel kick by Kea to Inoue, and then Suwama hits a belly to belly suplex on him.  Fuchi is back up and he hits a dropkick to Inoue.  Kanemaru runs in the ring, Irish whip by Fuchi to Kanemaru and he gets a dropkick as well.  Akiyama runs in but so do Suwama and Kea, and they hold Akiyama so that Fuchi can dropkick him as well.  Fuchi goes back to Inoue, and Fuchi hits a backdrop suplex.  Fuchi hits a second backdrop suplex, cover, but it only gets a two count when Akiyama breaks it up.  Kea dispatches Akiyama, Fuchi picks up Inoue and tries an Inside Cradle, but it gets a two count.  A second Inside Cradle by Fuchi, but it also gets a two count.  Fuchi tries a third one, and this one works as he gets the three count.  Your winners:  Suwama, Taiyo Kea, and Masanobu Fuchi

Match Thoughts:  When I saw this match went 26 minutes I groaned.  This match was to celebrate Fuchi’s 60th birthday, by the way, which is why he was prominently displayed in the match.  This is very good to see, as anytime a wrestler is still healthy enough to still be wrestling at his age it is quite an accomplishment and I tip my hat to him.   Anyway the match was what it was, it certainly dragged in parts but I will say that Fuchi certainly did his part.  He took a lot of moves and gave a lot of moves as well, so he was not slacking off in his birthday match.  Akiyama and Suwama being in the match seemed off, you’d think this would be left to the mid-carders and they could have been in a more important match.  But it was not as bad as I thought, even though it seemed weak for a semi-main event on show with a Triple Crown match.  Score:  5.5

(c) Akebono vs. Takao Omori

This match is for the Triple Crown Championship.  Tie-up to start, Akebono pushes Omori into the ropes, Omori switches positions with him but Omori gives a clean break.  They lock knuckles, kick by Omori and he applies a side headlock, Akebono Irish whips out of it but he can’t shoulderblock Omori down.  Omori goes off the ropes and again they collide.  Omori goes off the ropes again but this time Akebono shoulderblocks him down and hits an elbow drop.  Cover, but it gets a two count.  Akebono puts Omori in a sleeper, but Omori gets out of it and rolls towards the ropes.  Akebono stands on Omori, using the ropes for leverage, until the referee gets him off.  Omori gets back up and chops Akebono but Akebono absorbs the blows and chops him back.  Running body splash by Akebono in the corner, Irish whip, but Omori moves out of the way this time.  Akebono elbows Omori back but Omori hits a chop block.  Stomps to the leg by Omori and he applies a leg lock.  Akebono gets to the ropes to break the hold, but Omori kicks him in the leg as he tries to get up.  Omori grabs Akebono’s leg but Akebono pounds him in the back.  Kicks to the leg by Omori and he takes down Omori by grabbing his injured leg.  Omori applies a knee lock but Akebono punches his way out of it.  Omori punches Akebono as he gets back to his feet, chop by Omori but Akebono pushes him back into the corner and pounds on him until the referee pushes him back.  Running body splash by Akebono and he goes for an elbow drop, but Omori rolls out of the way.  Omori goes out to the apron as Akebono gets up in the ring, Akebono grabs Omori over the top rope and goes for a chokeslam but Omori elbows him off.

Akebono then charges Omori and pushes him off the apron down to the floor.  Akebono gets out to the apron but from the floor Omori hits him in the leg with an Axe Bomber (I only say that because the announcers did).  Omori rolls back into the ring with Akebono slowly following.  Kicks to the leg by Omori, he goes off the ropes and hits a running boot to the face.  Omori goes off the ropes again and a second kick, but Akebono still doesn’t go down.  Omori then hits a spinning heel kick, with Akebono remaining on his feet.  An Axe Bomber to the back also doesn’t knock down Akebono, Omori goes off the ropes again but Akebono catches him with a swinging side slam.  Back up they trade chops and slaps, Omori goes off the ropes and hits a heel kick to the back of the head.  Axe Bomber by Omori, Akebono finally falls to the mat but Omori only gets a two count.  Omori sits up Akebono and goes off the ropes, but Akebono catches Omori by the throat as he goes for the Axe Bomber and hits a chokeslam.  Elbow drop by Akebono, cover, but it gets a two count.  Akebono grabs Omori and goes for a piledriver, but Omori blocks it.  Omori hits Akebono in the leg and rolls him up for a two count.  Akebono ends up in the corner and Omori hits a running boot.  Omori goes off the ropes again but Akebono catches him with a lariat.  Irish whip by Akebono to the corner and he hits a body splash followed by an elbow drop.  Cover, but Omori kicks out.  Akebono goes off the ropes and hits a body press, he gets up and hits a second body press onto Akebono.  A third Yokozuna Press by Akebono, cover, but Omori gets a shoulder up.  Akebono picks up Omori and nails the Yokozuna Impact, cover, and he picks up the three count.  Your winner and still champion:  Akebono

Match Thoughts:  This was a pretty sad affair.  Akebono should not be any promotion’s champion.  He has a use, but he needs to be protected in tag matches and not expected to put on long-ish singles matches.  First of all, his physical condition is not good.  He gets up the same way that Vader did in his last RAW match… meaning he has to kinda straighten his legs and then push up with his hands.  Mind you Vader is 58 and has had 45 surgeries.  Point being, Akebono at his age, weight, and with his injuries just doesn’t have the ability to really put on good matches.  He has some high impact moves, but he only has about five of them so he does the same moves repeatedly in the match.  I will say that they tried, but some of the spots just looked silly (like Akebono getting Omori by the throat while he was seated and Omori was going for an Axe Bomber) or contrived.  Just a disappointing match, and the size of the crowd (smallest ever for a Triple Crown match) shows I am not the only one that was disappointed.  I could go on, but just… not good, even though I do appreciate the effort and Akebono had a strong decisive win which I always appreciate.  Score:  3.5

Final Thoughts:

Best Match: Kotaro Suzuki and Atsushi Aoki vs. Shigehiro Irie and Keisuke Ishii.  How often is the best match on the card the opener?  But this really was a good match, they told a strong story, the action was fast, and they got the crowd into it.  I hope sometime in 2014 All Japan begins pushing these young guys up the card, they deserve it.

MVP:   Masanobu Fuchi.  This is a kinda lame pick, but the reason is not only did he show up for his match to celebrate his 60th birthday, but he did a lot of the work.  Spike Piledriver on the floor, Exploder, numerous body slams, he didn’t just wave from the apron and get his roll-up victory.  So on a card that didn’t really have one stand out wrestler, I have to give the old man the nod.

Overall:   It is a sad day when the card opens with the best match and the rest of the card just does downhill.  I only thought two of these matches were above average and some of them were really really bad.  The special Fuchi match had good intentions but it just went on for too long, and the main event was almost hard to watch due to Akebono’s limitations.  2014 may be a make or break year for All Japan in terms of match quality, as if by the end of the year the young wrestlers aren’t given more of a chance I fear their attendances will continue to shrink.  Really no need to track down this event as even though the opener is great, it isn’t nearly special enough to justify watching this card.

Grade: F+

Kevin Nash Checks Into WWE Hotel, Will he be at the Rumble?

By
Jim Somers
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0

As reported yesterday in the article listed at the bottom of this piece, Kevin Nash would be in Pittsburgh on Saturday (today) for a non-WWE related event. It’s now confirmed that Nash has checked into the hotel that WWE wrestlers are using while in town for the PPV. This could be the case of Nash hanging around to see some friends or visit at the PPV, or it could also mean that we can expect another resurgence of Nash at the Royal Rumble. We’ll know one way or the other in less than 24 hours time!

The original article is below!

 

Sheamus, Chris Jericho and Kevin Nash are all in the vicinity of Pittsburgh this weekend, where the Royal Rumble is being held. Obviously, any speculation here is purely just that. Sheamus is at the Pittsburgh World of Wheels show today from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM, while Jericho will be at the same event tomorrow from 12 PM to 3 PM. Nash is hosting a party at a venue in Robinson, Pennsylvania (which is just outside of Pittsburgh) on Saturday night. All three men have had attention drawn to them in recent weeks; Sheamus has been pegged for a potential Rumble return while Jericho was advertised for an upcoming WWE house show in his hometown, which WWE then denied. Nash posted a picture of himself on Twitter with dyed hair and facial hair, which he then said was because he’s up for the lead role in a TV pilot. Whether any of them will appear at the Rumble or not is speculation right now.

There has also been talk of bringing in 2 Cold Scorpio as a surprise Royal Rumble entrant this Sunday. The idea would be that there’s an ECW tie-in since original ECW TV and pay-per-views will be on the Network. Another name rumored within WWE is Jimmy Wang Yang, who teased it on Twitter, is a good friend of Batista’s and attended two WWE events last week.

Here’s one of the pictures Nash took of his dye job. It should be noted that WWE always requests that Kevin dye his hair before returning in order to keep the “youth” look.

Embedded image permalink

TONIGHT’S 2014 WWE ROYAL RUMBLE LINEUP

By
Crazymax Jack
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3

Current Card for the 2014 WWE Royal Rumble…

30-Man Royal Rumble Match
    

   

      
   

Participants already announced: Batista, Alberto Del Rio, The Shield (Rollins, Reigns, and Ambrose), CM Punk, Rey Mysterio, Xavier Woods, Cody Rhodes, Goldust, R-Truth, The Miz, Kofi Kingston, Big E. Langston, Fandango, Bad News Barrett, Luke Harper, Erick Rowan, Damien Sandow, Jimmy & Jey Uso, Ryback, and Curtis Axel (23 of 30)

*******************************************************************

 

WWE World Heavyweight Championship Match

JOHN CENA vs. (c) RANDY ORTON

*******************************************************************

GRUDGE MATCH

DANIEL BRYAN vs. BRAY WYATT

*******************************************************************

 

Special Challenge Match

BROCK LESNAR  (w/Paul Heyman) vs. THE BIG SHOW

*******************************************************************

Preshow: WWE World Tag Team Championship Match

CODY RHODES & GOLDUST (c) vs. THE NEW AGE OUTLAWS

“MEMORY LANE” EPISODE #2 – Jerry Lawler the Mexican Luchador

By
Crazymax Jack
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0

CUE OPENING VIDEO

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wBs7BJaLATA

And that my friends was the opening to World Class Championship Wrestling. Man consider WCCW the precursor to many ideas taken by Vince McMahon and his expanding World Wrestling Federation. From multiple camera setups, to the close-up handheld camera, to mic’ing the ring to make the sounds larger than life, to full time entrance music for several of the wrestlers. While always a successful territory based out of Dallas, Texas, World Class really took off to national and international stardom in the early and mid-80’s with the rivalry of the Von Erichs vs. The Freebirds, as well as stars like Bruiser Brody, Gino Hernandez, Chris Adams, Iceman Parsons, and “Gorgeous” Jimmy Garvin. Many would argue that WCCW may have been the best promotion going in the early to mid-80’s, and you’d find very few hard-pressed to argue that opinion. Yes sir, there will never be another World Class Championship Wrestling, and that is truly unfortunate.

 

SEGMENT OF THE WEEK

Here’s our classic angle of the week, it’s one of my personal faves. We head down to Memphis, TN and WMC TV-5 Studios where Jerry Lawler is getting ready to be presented with the “Most Popular Wrestler of the Year” award…. Most Popular Wrestler in Memphis? Well that goes without saying. Most Popular Wrestling in the States? That’s debatable… No, no, this award comes straight from…. MEXICO…. Yes, even though CWA Championship Wrestling couldn’t be viewed outside of their booking region, somehow the people of Mexico had become so enthralled with the Kingfish to the point that they sent last year’s “Most Popular” winner, Diamante Negro, up from Mexico to present Lawler with the plaque in person. The King, being as full of himself as he is, doesn’t realize that this entire situation makes absolutely no sense, so he enters the studio to accept his award. Lawler is announced as the first ever “Non-Mexican” to win this very prestigious award. You may have said to yourself, “I don’t recall a Diamante Negra”, well there’s good reason for that… See what happens next below…

If you were questioning the validity of this Diamante Negra, you were right to do so, because he doesn’t exist… That’s right! It was all a ruse! Diamante Negra BREAKS the plaque over the head of the King and continues to beat him down Several wrestlers rush out to save Lawler, including Hector Guerrero. There’s a very famous moment when Lance Russell says to Hector “Tell him (Negra) in MEXICAN just to get outta here”. Not in Spanish, tell him in MEXICAN. Classic Lancer. Negra unmasks to reveal AUSTIN IDOL. Idol cuts a promo on the King to end a very good segment. Amazing what you could pull over Jarrett Promotions at the time.

 

SQUASH OF THE WEEK

With the recent return of Jake “The Snake” Roberts at Old School Raw, and the discussion of his potential appearance in this year’s Royal Rumble and/or Hall of Fame, what better week to present a Jake the Snake squash match? And who better to put in the ring with Jake than jobber extraordinaire “Iron” Mike Sharpe. Now before anyone gets their panties in a bunch, I’m well aware of Sharpe’s second generation history and the “success” he had in places like the Mid-South, but we’re far removed from that by this point in the summer of 1990. Jake prepares for his match with Bad News Brown at SummerSlam by going up against “Iron” Mike here as part of the SummerSlam Fever USA Special, aired in August of ’90. Watch the king of psychology in action below.

 

MUSIC VIDEO

I can’t believe nobody brought this up last week! How can we take you back on a trip down Memory Lane without the token WRESTLING MUSIC VIDEO each week? Well it’s here now, so worry no longer. Every week I’ll be posting yet another exciting, enthralling, corny, cheesy music video. And what better way to kick it off than with one of the most controversial, yet awesome wrestling characters of all time, “Exotic” Adrian Street. Not only was Street a hell of a wrestling performer, he fancied himself as somewhat of a singer. From “Breaking Bones” to “Sweet Transvestite with a Broken Nose” (Yes, that’s a real song of his), Street was never short on creative songs. My personal favorite truly stands the test of time, it only gets better with age. It involves Street admiring himself, from staring into mirrors, to playing with bubbles in the bath. MTV truly missed out on a hit here. Without further delay, here’s the Exotic one, with “I’m In Love With Me”!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c8A3ZUMK74s

 

INTERVIEW OF THE WEEK

One man that pretty much everyone considers a master of the microphone is the Hot Rod, “Rowdy” Roddy Piper. True, Piper is hit or miss over the last long while (and more miss than hit), but in his heyday, there was NONE better. You want to talk about true heel heat, I’m not sure there were many better. There’s good reason Piper never worked much in the Mid-South territories, he would have never lived to tell about it. Piper even once worked a tour of Puerto Rico & Trinidad with Ric Flair in the early 80’s… Let’s just say he was lucky to sneak on a plane and get out of the islands with his life. Yes, there were very few better, many would argue non better, than Hot Rod when it came to talking on the stick. I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the segment that brought Roddy’s “ability” to the spotlight on a national basis. I’m talking Piper’s Pit! From Frankie Williams to Superfly Snuka, there have been many memorable Pits. It’s the most beloved, and most imitated wrestling talk segment of all time. Here’s a classic from 1984 when the Hot Rod interviews Andre the Giant. Roddy tries to get funny with the Giant, and Andre has none of it. Check out how the Giant handles the Piper.

 

FEATURE MATCH OF THE WEEK

In honor of tomorrow’s “Royal Rumble” event, I felt I should stick with the theme and make this week’s feature match of the Battle Royal persuasion. We take a trip back to october 18, 1984 to a Battle Royal so big, it had to be placed into two parts. Well technically, it’s only about 15 minutes and could have easily been placed into one video, but some people insist on dividing things up into parts. It’s from the AWA as they ran a TAG TEAM BATTLE ROYAL from the Winnipeg Arena featuring the likes of The Road Warriors, The Fabulous Ones, Larry & Curt Hennig, Boom Boom (King Kong) Bundy & Jerry (Crusher) Blackwell, Nick Bockwinkel & Mr. Saito, Larry Zbyszko & Billy Robinson, the Crusher & Baron Von Raschke, as well as the team of “Jumping” Jim Brunzell & Tony Atlas. What ‘s that? You don’t remember the legendary team of Brunzell & Atlas? Well, neither does anyone else. But they were bodies and fan favorites, so the audience didn’t question it. If you’re wondering why Crusher Blackwell is Jerry Blackwell here, that’s because Da Crusher was also in the territory. If you’re wondering why the hell King Kong Bundy is called Boom Boom Bundy, well that’s because Bruiser Brody was using the King Kong Brody moniker, and if you’re wondering why Brody was called King Kong instead of Bruiser, well that’s because of Dick the Bruiser. Make sense? Yeah, The Crusher & The Bruiser forced everyone to change their names! Not only did they refuse to sell in the ring, they refused to sell their gimmick names as well.

The rules are simple, when one team member is eliminated, they’ve both got to go! If the guys in the ring weren’t a star-studded ensemble to begin with, your Special Enforcer Referee for this match is the former NWA World Heavyweight Champion “Big Thunder” Gene Kiniski! You can view both parts of the match below, Part 2 features the explosive finish.

PART 1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PuiFwrhOY4w

PART 2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vyf2g3oMFzk

A fun match with a finish to put over one of the newer, unique, choices of a Tag Team. With Vince coming in and raiding the talent at the top of the year, Verne was still holding on at this point with a fairly solid roster. As far as this match goes, there was lots of talent involved and they separated the eliminations and knew just how to work the crowd to make this feel like more than just your average Battle Royal. This told a story and was fun for me to watch. I hope you enjoyed it as well. After that Shark Cage match on Last Week’s Episode of Memory Lane, I felt it was necessary to treat you to a match with more action, I hope this did the trick!

I’m open to your ideas for future matches/angles to appear as part of this column, so feel free to send in your picks or comment below!

 

Sting to Debut at WrestleMania, Sting vs. Undertaker at WrestleMania 31?

By
Jim Somers
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0

Take it for what it’s worth, a source inside the WWE has claimed that with the current ongoing talks with Sting, that high up officials are hoping to have Sting in time to run an angle at WrestleMania XXX, or the Raw following, where Sting will appear and challenge the Undertaker for his Streak at WrestleMania XXXI next year. As of now, the plans are for Undertaker to work Brock Lesnar at this year’s WrestleMania.

Top 5 WrestleMania Matches Set?

By
Brian Grey
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0

At this time, the WWE currently believes they have figured out their top 5 headline matches for the WWE WrestleMania XXX event in New Orleans. As you know, the WWE reserves the right to change plans (and usually does), but with this being WrestleMania they’re going to need time to build up to their core matches and as of right now this will be the direction they are heading.

Card Subject to Change, and personally I hope it does…

– WWE World Heavyweight Champion Randy Orton vs. Batista

– The Beast vs. The Streak: Brock Lesnar vs. The Undertaker

– The Authority vs. The Voice: Triple H vs. CM Punk

– John Cena vs. Bray Wyatt (This match has been on again/off again, currently on AGAIN with Cena working against the Wyatts at Post Rumble house shows)

– Daniel Bryan vs. Sheamus (If this stays in the plans look for a Sheamus heel turn up his return)

– There is also now discussion of a potential Ultimate Warrior match, likely pitting the Warrior against Ryback.

I’m fine with the Warrior squash, and the Undertaker match should it go down. As for the rest of the currently planned card, let’s just say I’m glad it’ll only cost me $10 for viewing.

Again, card is always subject to change, but as of today this is the planned card. Recent booking and future house show cards currently point in the direction that this will be the lineup, however.

THE AUDIT: Clash of the Champions XXIII REVIEW

By
Ian Singletary
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0

WCW Clash of the Champions XXIII

Live from the Scope in Norfolk, VA on June 16, 1993

Before our first match, Tony Schiavne & Jesse Ventura inform us that the TV Champion “Mr. Wondeful” Paul Orndorff has suffered a groin injury and can’t defend his title against Ron Simmons. Instead we’ll see a non-title match with Simmons taking on Dick Slater.

Notes Going In: I always found the announcement of Slater replacing Orndorff odd. Slater really hadn’t been around much at the time, and the groin injury came out of nowhere. Simmons had earned the TV Title shot after beating Orndorff on an edition of Saturday Night, but he got the win AFTER the first 10 minutes of the match. You see, back then the TV Title was only online for the first 10 minutes of the match. WCW was notorious for forcing other people to defend titles on their big shows when a champion was injured, but in this instance, we get a non-title match.

Opening Match
Ron Simmons vs. Dick Slater (w/Paul Orndorff)

The fans are really behind Simmons. Slater tries to ground Ron, but Simmons responds with a shoulder tackle and Slater decides to regroup with Orndorff on the floor. Simmons tries a sunset flip and Slater counters with a SLAP. Simmons gets pissed and goes after Dick. Ron sets up for the 3 point stance, but Orndorff grabs his leg and Slater hits a clothesline to take over. Slater channeling some Terry Funk with a punching combo and a neckbreaker for 2. Slater misses a clothesline, and Simmons out of nowhere with a POWERSLAM and the 3 count in 3:56.

Winner: Ron Simmons

Post Match Thoughts: Solid for the short time the guys were given. Can’t say that I’m not happy they avoided a long winded chinlock spot and went right into the finish. 3/4*

– Eric Bischoff & Larry Zbyszko discuss the show. Bischoff brings in Michael Buffer. And it begins. The Michael Buffer Era. Bischoff gauges Buffer’s opinion on the main event of the Horsemen vs. Hollywood Blondes. I assume Buffer was spewing some lines he memorized before the show.

Steve Regal vs. Bagwell Notes Going In: I was absolutely in love with the Regal character in this era. The character, the wrestling, the great heel psychology and facial expressions. Bagwell was best in a tag team position, as we’d learn based on most of his career. I always felt like Bagwell was floundering for the first couple years after his initial push.

“Lord” Steven Regal (w/Sir William) vs. Marcus Bagwell

Sir William Dundee escorts Regal into the ring. Bagwell takes Regal down to the mat to begin things, but he’s trying to match technical wrestling with a master. Regal counters and works Bagwell over. Marcus breaks free with a reverse back kick inzuigiri, nice move by Bagwell. But Regal gets right back on him with a leg lock. Bagwell escapes again and hits a stiff forearm and backdrop, before he blows a hiptoss for 2. Bagwell with another near fall off a backslide, and Marcus with a very sloppy looking reverse cradle. Regal reverses the rolling cradle, sort of, and hooks the tights, sort of, for 3 in 6:20.

Winner: Steven Regal

Post Match Thoughts: A typical extended squash match, Bagwell was protected enough that he looked like a believable challenge for Regal to an extent. Some sloppy stuff by the future Buff, but some nice moves as well. The entire rolling cradle sequence at the end looked screwy. I’m not sure if the guys knew if it was time for the finish or not. Regal almost looked like he didn’t want to hook the cradle. Glorified squash gets 1/2 *

– In the next segment, Eric Bischoff interviews Maxx Payne about his upcoming match with Johnny B. Badd. Payne has recently stolen Johnny’s “Badd Blaster” gun. Payne talks about being in the layer. WTF? Payne says he wants to give Badd his Blaster back. Johnny comes out with his fists clenched, but Payne assures him he’s going to give the Blaster back. Payne then SHOOTS BADD IN THE FACE with the Badd Blaster!


OH MY GOD!!! HE SHOT HIS FACE OFF!!!!!

Johnny goes down like he’s been shot in the face with shrapnel rather than confetti. I’m sure Meltzer shit on it at the time, but in hindsight it was a pretty clever angle, and definitely something unique for the time period. The follow up stuff to this angle really wasn’t anything to brag about, but the initial angle here was pretty cool now that it’s had time to age. Certainly shocking for the time.

– Maxx Payne stands in the ring to accept his victory over Johnny B. Badd on a forfeit. Badd has been taken to the hospital, his face is burned. As Payne begins to celebrate, he’s cut off by “The Z-Man” Tom Zenk, who is upset with what Maxx did to Johnny. Zenk calls out Payne for his attack and Maxx tries to swing on the Z-Man. Zenk ducks and goes after Payne, Zenk lands a SUPERKICK and Payne doesn’t even bump. But a standing dropkick by Zenk takes Payne down! Z-Man tries to take his shirt off while Payne gets up, but he has trouble, so he decides to leave his shirt on, lol. Z-Man with another dropkick, and NOW he removes his shirt. There we go, that’s what everyone was waiting for. Ugh. Payne begins to no sell Zenk’s offense and takes him down with the PAYNE KILLER (Fujiwara armbar). Zenk is tapping before tapping was cool. The referees finally get Payne off Zenk. Assuming Zenk has suffered a broken arm. Just as well, the Z-Man was hardly ever on TV at this point. I’ll give Maxx Payne a * for taking out the Z-Man.

NWA Title match Notes Going In: If I remember correctly, this match was actually never advertised for the show so it was a pleasant surprise. Scorpio was a bit of a surprise as a choice for challenger since he had mainly been teaming with Bagwell prior to this. No complaints here, a big fan of both men.

NWA World Heavyweight Champion Barry Windham vs. 2 Cold Scorpio

These damn WCW Slam Jam songs. So bad they’re good! Barry Windham is Smokin’, or so his song says. Michael Buffer asks us to man our battle stations. Scorpio dodges Barry and hits a dropkick to start. Scorpio tries to stay with Windham but blows a twisting Brisco roll out of the corner, but the camera misses most of it so it’s easy to miss. Scorp goes into panic mode and tries to hook a half crab so Windham slides outside. Back in the ring, Barry hits a big punch and a FLYING LARIAT off the top. This is a PRO SOUTH crowd, as they’re strongly behind the heel Windham. Windham hits a nice delayed vertical suplex and the fans are popping for everything he does. Scorpio tries to comeback, misses a dropkick, and the fans pop. Windham with a DDT gets 2. At this time, Windham’s finisher was a leaping DDT, so it was odd to see him use a normal one as well. Scorpio with a hope spot but Barry hits a gut wrench. Windham argues with referee Nick Patrick, allowing Scorpio to hit a dropkick, but Windham comes right back with a Lariat and a Stun Gun across the top rope. Windham pitches Scorp to the floor, but Scorpio fights his way back in with a slingshot Thesz Press for 2! Windham comes back with his own standing dropkick. Damn, how good was Windham? Barry with a Samoan Drop for another near fall. Windham with a back suplex and AGAIN a near fall! Windham starts slapping Scorpio and it wakes 2 Cold up. Scorpio counters a back suplex, with a back suplex of his own. Barry just won’t give up the offense, trying for a Superplex, but Scorpio counters with a gourd buster from the top rope. 2 Cold hits a splash from the top rope, changing direction in mid-air and gets 2. Scorpio with a Huracan Rana but Nick Patrick is too retarded to count. Scorpio with a SUPERKICK and a VICTORY ROLL! 1, 2, Windham kicks out! Scorpio to the apron with a SLINGSHOT 450 SPLASH! Crowd is alive now!  1, 2, Windham out again! MISSILE DROPKICK by Scorp for another 2 count! Windham finally tosses 2 Cold out of the ring. Scorpio returns with a Slingshot cross body, but Windham meets him with a punch right to the jaw! AND THE LEAPING DDT for the win in 12:52.

Winner: Barry Windham

Post Match Thoughts: There were times it seemed like Windham wasn’t happy with Scorpio’s slow start. 2 Cold looked very lethargic out there early on, so much so that even Schiavone points it out. Once it was time for the comeback though, all was forgiven. Scorpios unique aerial offense always woke the crowd up, no different here. Unfortunately, it was the only time in the match 2 Cold looked good. Barry was wise to control the duration, he was a true natural in the ring. I expected a LOT more from this match, but Scorpio was having an off night. **1/2 It’d be a lot less if not for the hot finish and Windham’s hard work.

– Eric Bischoff interviews Sting, Dustin Rhodes & The British Bulldog who are preparing for a 6-Man match against Vader, Sid Vicious & Rick Rude. Bulldog calls his team “The Triple Threat”. Sting says he’ll be DAMNED if the Masters of the Powerbomb, “Master” him. Whatever that means. OWWWWW!

Notes Going In: Sting & The Bulldog have a match with Sid & Vader coming up at Beach Blast. The same can be said for Dustin & Rude, who will be squaring off for the vacant U.S. Title in a 2/3 falls match. Rude actually has the U.S. Title locked in a briefcase here, refusing to give it back to WCW. Look at the star power in this SEMI-Main event. It’s crazy, and this is just WCW. If only things could be like this again.

Six-Man Tag Team Action
Sid Vicious, Vader, and “Ravishing” Rick Rude (w/Rob Parker & Harley Race)
vs.
Sting, “The British Bulldog” Davey Boy Smith, & “The Natural” Dustin Rhodes

Rude and Sting, no strangers, starting it off with the feeling out process. Sting picks Rude up in a Gorilla Press, but Sid & Vader run in to make the save. Sting presses Rude onto Sid & Vader, but they catch Rick and throw him back at Sting. But Sting ducks and they end up throwing Rude to the mat. Sting fights off all 3 and tags to Dustin. Rhodes grounds Rude and Vader comes charging for a splash, but Dustin moves and VADER SPLASHES RUDE! Bulldog tags in and he wants a piece of Sid. Sid ends up in the wrong corner and gets popped by everyone, Sting low blows Sid with the middle rope and clotheslines him down while on the apron. Crowd loves it. Dustin & Vader get it on and Rhodes goes absolutely BATSHIT CRAZY on Vader in the corner with punches and kicks. Rhodes SUPLEXES Vader and a series of elbows. Rhodes comes off the top with a flying elbow, but Vader moves and Dustin misses. Vader goes up for the Vader Bomb Splash and connects for 2. Now Rude goes to work on Rhodes. Rude with a  gourd buster, but Dustin blocks a second one and counters with his own. Big Sid back in and has his way with Rhodes. Dustin grabs a head scissors for no reason, and Vicious kips up out of it. Okay, not the move made sense, Sid just wanted to do that spot. Vader back in and pounds Dustin down into the corner but Dustin counters Vader as he comes off the second rope, with a POWERSLAM on Vader. Rude tags in and goes for a Tombstone, but Dustin reverses and Rhodes hits Rude with the Tombstone Piledriver!

Dustin tags Sting, but the ref misses it, and the heels drag Dustin back. The faces have had enough and a pier 6 breaks out with all six men fighting inside and outside the ring! Sting misses Stinger Splash against the safety rail. Vader CLOCK Rhodes with Rick Rude’s Halliburton briefcase, and Rude covers Dustin for the win in 10:57.

Winners: Rude, Vader, Sid

After the match, Vader & Sid spike powerbomb the Bulldog. Sting chases them off with the briefcase with the Bulldog & Dustin left laying.

Post Match Thoughts: This was a REALLY good 6-Man for some of the guys involved. It was a little blah when Sid was in there, but in general, everything was fluid, the faces really had some fire behind their offense, this was when Dustin was really catching his stride. It was a little on the short side for a 6-Man of this magnitude, but the guys worked their asses off to make this match good. ***

It’s Main Event time as we get ready for a World Tag Team Title match with the Champion  Hollywood Blondes going up against Ric Flair & Arn Anderson of the Horsemen. Before we get going, let’s take a look and see what initiated the rivalry between these two teams. The stage is set, Ric Flair is on the set of his “Flair for the Gold” interview segment, his guests are Brian Pillman and “Stunning” Steve Austin.

Well, if that didn’t work the Horsemen up enough, the Blondes continued with their shenanigans, perhaps performing the very first wrestler parody, long before DX. Here’s Austin & Pillman on “A Flair for the OLD”

Definitely ahead of it’s time. Now we get ready for the World Tag Team Title Match, and to add something to it, it’s a 2/3 FALLS MATCH!

Notes Going In: This particular version of the Hollywood Blondes were way ahead of their time. You never got a bad match, or a bad interview. I don’t even need to tell you about Flair & Arn. Getting back to the Blondes, just an amazing team with tremendous heat. Jesse Ventura referred to them as the team of the 90’s. It’s hard to believe the team was axed within a year, according to Austin it was done in fear because the duo had gotten so over. If you’ve never seen a Blondes match, I invite you to find this one, or any of their stuff really. One of the greatest tag teams lost in history. The promos heading in made this match intriguing, and you just knew you’d get a good match from these four.

WCW World Tag Team Championship Match – The Best 2/3 Falls

 The Hollywood Blondes (Pillman & Austin) (c) vs. The Horsemen (Ric Flair & Arn Anderson)

Fall 1: Arn & Pillman start, Brian mocks Flair. Both of the Blondes had this thing where they’d mimic using an old timey motion picture camera, complete with crank wheel. They’d pretend there were filming things as their way of taunting. It got irritating at times because they did it so much, but looking back I get a chuckle when I see Austin doing it. Pillman gets cute with Arn to start and Anderson beats him down and hits a Snake Eyes on Brian across the top rope. Austin tags in and has a short scuffle with Arn while the fans begin a very LOUD “WE WANT FLAIR” chant. And Arn gives the fans what they want, IN COMES FLAIR! Ric chops the shit out of Austin and drags Pillman in for a beating as well.

Anderson crotches Austin into the post while Flair has the referee distracted. The Horsemen show the Blondes they can play just as dirty, if not dirtier. Arn stomps a mud hole in Austin and works his arm. Pillman forces a Flair distraction and Brian chokes Arn with a towel. Pillman legally tags in and the Blondes begin to work over Arn. Austin goes for a jumping leg straddle over the back of the head of Arn, but Anderson moves. Austin lands on the middle rope but bounces back to his feet. Austin gloats by taunting Arn with the “Motion Picture Camera” hand gesture, but Stunning Steve leans in too close and Arn grabs him out of nowhere with a SNAP DDT! Fans love it, as do I. GREAT SPOT! Both men down. Pillman tags in, but Arn gets the hot tag to Flair! Ric off the top with a double axe handle and chops. Flair gets rid of Austin and mounts Pillman for a 10 punch in the corner. Austin returns and the Blondes try a Double Clothesline. Flair ducks, Arn trips Austin from the outside, and Pillman runs right into a Ric Flair Flying Forearm? Flair channels Terry Taylor right there. Well that’s different! 1, 2, 3, The Horsemen win the first fall in 9:41!

Fall 2: Pillman & Flair trade chops, and they both had some of the loudest, nastiest chops of all time. Flair flips upside down in the corner, lands on the apron, chops Pillman in the ring, then knocks Austin off the apron. Pillman  knocks Flair off the apron, and Austin suplexes Ric on the floor and drops him throat first on the railing. Back in the ring, Austin Superplexes Flair. Austin stays in the ring working on Flair for an extended amount of time before tagging Pillman back in. More chops between Flair & Pillman, just nasty! Brian & Flair crack heads and both men go down. Pillman gets to Austin, but Flair also hot tags to Arn! Arn with a SPINEBUSTER ON AUSTIN! But Pillman breaks up the count! Pillman CLIPS Arn from behind, Austin covers but only gets 2. Pillman tags in to work the leg of Anderson. The Blondes use some illegal double teaming to keep Arn down in a Half Crab. Pillman holds Arn’s leg as both men are standing and Anderson delivers an Inzuigiri. That was a fun spot because it’s usually Arn that takes it! Austin back in, brings Arn back to the Blonde’s corner and they continue to work the leg. Pillman jumps off the middle rope and eats a boot from Anderson on the mat. Austin tags in, but HOT TAG TO FLAIR! Ric tosses Pillman out of the ring, back suplex on Austin. FLAIR WITH THE FIGURE FOUR ON STUNNING STEVE! NO WAIT! Barry Windham comes rushing down to the ring and comes off the top rope with an attack on Flair! This draws the DQ after 11:06. This gives the Horsemen the win with two straight falls, but because of the DQ the titles won’t change hands!

Winners: The Horsemen, on a DQ

The Blondes & Barry Windham continue the attack after the match.

Post Match Thoughts: Well, that was a good, solid, old school story telling match. Two out of Three Falls, when done right, can really be exciting. This is proof of that right here. The first fall was perfect from beginning to end. The Flying Forearm from Flair caught me off guard, but all four men were really kicking ass, laying in the shots, and that DDT spot was gold. The second fall featured two hot tags, the Blondes looked REALLY good as the heels in the match. Flair had no problem working with these guys, and making them look great. It helps when a main eventer is cooperative in elevating stars rather than holding them down. Both falls were just really good. I didn’t mind the DQ run in from Windham, I just wish there had been time for a Blondes win in Fall 2, and the Windham run in for the final fall #3. Even still, this match easily gets a ***1/2 from me, and had this thing went a full 3 falls, I think you would have easily been looking at a ****+ star match.

– Tony Schiavone interviews Barry Windham after the final break. Ever since Flair returned, Windham had snubbed all interviews, he had no interest discussing his former status as a Horsemen, nor the topic of Flair. Well, NOW Barry is ready to talk! Windham waited for his moment and he took it. Barry reminds the world that HE is the NWA World Champion, not Ric Flair. Windham says Flair doesn’t deserve his title. As Barry continues RIC FLAIR FROM OUT OF NOWHERE Pounces on Windham! Flair tackles Windham and the two men brawl on the floor. The fans go insane as the brawl ensues to end the program! Great shit!

THE FINAL AUDIT: I can’t begin to tell you how glad I was that I chose to go back and Audit this Clash. This is one of the later Clashes that I didn’t remember with much fondness, and thus I hadn’t watched it in a good long time, 15 years or more. I sort of started revolting against the Clash show when they cut the length of the program down, that additional 30 minutes would have helped the main event here, but it was still a really solid show through and through. With Orndorff legit injured, they protected Simmons, continued the build of Regal, shot a pretty cool angle with Maxx Payne & Badd, and we got a unique match between Windham & Scorpio. And THAT was just the undercard. Factor in a really solid 6-Man, and an AWESOME Tag Team Main Event, complete with a post match angle. You’ve got yourself a pretty damn good show for free TV.

While two pretty damn good matches don’t make a whole show, nothing on the show was terrible, and the few interviews were kept short. Once you get past the first couple of matches things really pick up and never look back. Each match getting better than the last. I’ll give this show a 7 out of 10 for a TV product, the number is slightly skewed because the second half of the show is what makes this show worthwhile. I don’t know that you need to watch the undercard, but I recommend the last 3 matches, and even the Payne angle. To my surprise, Clash 23 passes the Audit.

Approved

Next week starts WCW month. I’ll be Auditing NWA & WCW PPV’s for the entire month of February! Until next week, I wish everyone a happy Royal Rumble weekend. In honor of the PPV, be sure to check out my Royal Rumble Audits of 1989 Here, and the Lost Royal Rumble of MSG 1994 Here.  This has been the REAL I.R.S., Ian R. Singletary, catchya later, tax cheats!

WWE News: Kurt Angle Returning? Warrior vs. Ryback at Mania? The Shield Split, Sting, & More

By
Brian Grey
-
0

– The belief within WWE is that Kurt Angle will be returning to WWE once his TNA deal is up but it’s very unlikely he will be able to pass the company physical. Angle could end up as a trainer for NXT.

– Multiple sources continue to report that Sting is coming to WWE this year. It seems there is more talk this year than any year in the past.

– The latest on Roman Reigns is that he may not break away from The Shield until WrestleMania XXX.

– It’s said that WWE will go out of their way to counter-program anything else on TV that they are even remotely concerned about once the Network launches. As noted before, the first live NXT special will go head-to-head with TNA’s Impact Wrestling.

– With the Royal Rumble now upon us, it’s been said that the Undertaker’s WrestleMania match has been set in stone. It’s believed he will wrestle Brock Lesnar.

– There has been talk that The Ultimate Warrior may be working one more match as part of his new deal with WWE. Word being talked about backstage is Warrior vs. Ryback, likely at WrestleMania XXX. As noted, it’s believed the deal with Bill Goldberg is pretty much dead because of money issues.

– Contrary to the usual talk, there are no plans for a Money in the Bank Match to take place at WrestleMania this year.

– The WWE currently lists 20 names for the Royal Rumble match. Bad News Barrett’s name was removed from the list earlier this week, and it’s uncertain if it’s on oversight on WWE’s part or if he has truly been removed from the match. It’s assumed based on lots of comments made online by Ryback that he will be in the match most definitely. Curtis Axel says he also believes he will be in the match, and based on the ending of Smackdown that could be likely. The 20 CONFIRMED names currently include #1-CM Punk, Batista, Alberto Del Rio, Big E Langston, The Miz, R-Truth, Xavier Woods, Kofi Kingston, Goldust, Cody Rhodes, Fandango, Rey Mysterio, Roman Reigns, Seth Rollins, Dean Ambrose, Erick Rowan, Luke Harper, Damien Sandow, Jey & Jimmy Uso. You can check out the latest Royal Rumble Lineup Here.

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