Thursday, December 14, 2017

Risa Sera vs. Akane Fujita, Stan Kobayashi (Abdullah Kobayashi), Daisuke Masaoka, Isami Kodaka, Takashi Sasaki, Takayuki Ueki, Yuko Miyamoto, Jun Kasai & Abdullah Kobayashi (Risa Sera Produce 4, 11/14/2017)

Risa Sera Produce 4 - Last Death Match (11/14/2017)

60 Minute Iron Woman Gauntlet Death Match: Risa Sera vs. Akane Fujita, Stan Kobayashi (Abdullah Kobayashi), Daisuke Masaoka, Isami Kodaka, Takashi Sasaki, Takayuki Ueki, Yuko Miyamoto, Jun Kasai & Abdullah Kobayashi

Sera takes her death match gauntlet to its biggest stage in Korakuen Hall. I thought the work was generally good, it breezes through those 60-minutes. I wasn't into the Akane segment, but it picks up when Kasai is in there, and Abby keeps that momentum going. I didn't feel this added anything fresh or new to the Risa Sera death match series, but it was still a lot of fun.

***

Tuesday, December 12, 2017

Guanchulo vs. Kenny Omega (DDT, 5/6/2014)

DDT - Road To Ryogoku In Yamagata ~ Dramatic Dream Tamakonnyaku (5/6/2014)

Guanchulo vs. Kenny Omega

I didn't expect anything too strong from this being that it was the opener of the show. They both played up their wacky gaijin personas, clowning around with silly strikes. Omega stops fucking around and zeroes in on the mid-section. It's a nice, aggressive workover. The finish had little build, Omega hits Croyt's Wrath and that's that. OK match.

**

Kenny Omega vs. Michael Nakazawa (DDT, 2/28/2013)

DDT - KO-D Openweight Championship One Match Box Office (2/28/2013)

KO-D Openweight Championship - Last Man Standing Falls Count Anywhere Match: Kenny Omega (c) vs. Michael Nakazawa

This is the match that redeems Michael Nakazawa's career. Never been a fan of the guy, but holy shit. He was willing to go through so much punishment. Omega was putting a hurting on him, getting the crowd to rally behind the ultimate underdog. The wrestling is ultra violent; both guys get busted open hard way. They fight as if they have a death wish. There's a sequence where Omega is hitting Nakazawa with repeated unprotected chair shots that almost took me out of the action. Excellent match, not for the faint of heart.

*****

Monday, December 11, 2017

Tokyo Joshi Pro - I Tighten My Helmet and Leave for Korakuen (12/10/2017)

1. Rika Tatsumi vs. Yuki Kamifuku

*

2. Hyper Misao & Yuu vs. Super Milk Combination (Nonoko & Yuna Manase)

**

3. Mizuki vs. Yuka Sakazaki

Great match, it's a timeout draw so they're taking it slow, but I thought they made the 'filler' feel meaningful. The crowd bought into the near-falls and submission struggles, and these two build to a hot finish.

***1/4

4. Shoko Nakajima & Marika Kobashi vs. NEO Biishiki-gun (Saki-Sama & Azusa Christie)

Azusa has returned as NEO Biishiki-gun's newest member, Azusa Christie, after getting kidnapped by Yukio Saint Laurent. I like how she is presented as a real threat. Her attire is mindblowing (!). Marika was a good heat magnet for Biishiki-gun, the way they were working her over was fun.

**1/2

5. Reika Saiki & Maho Kurone vs. Miyu Yamashita & Nodoka-oneesan

Muscle Waifu & Zombie Waifu are a strange pairing. I don't have a lot to say about this one, it's what you'd expect. Solid prelude to Saiki/Miyu.

**1/2

Sunday, December 10, 2017

Stardom - Goddesses of Stars 2017 (12/3/2017)

1. Hiromi Mimura vs. Ruaka

Hiromi's shouto gimmick is the best. Early in the year, I wondered if she would ever find what she needs and here it is. Her growth is what joshi puroresu is all about. Solid stuff here. Ruaka's a solid worker, I was impressed with what I saw.

**1/2

2. Hanan vs. Konami

It's been a while since Konami has had a singles match. Hana has bandages on her lower back, I hope she's doing okay. Hanan hit her throws. Konami worked the leg, her offense looked crisp and painful. She wins with a vicious knee bar. Couple of awkward spots, but this was a decent little match.

**

3. Mari Apache vs. Shiki Shibusawa vs. Starlight Kid

**1/4

4. Oedo Tai (Hana Kimura, Kagetsu & Sumire Natsu) vs. Team Jungle (Jungle Kyona & Natsuko Tora) & Yoko Bito

Oedo Tai are on such a great run right now, loved this.

***1/2

5. Elimination: Bea Priestley, Chardonnay, Kelly Klein & Scarlett vs. Queen's Quest (AZM, HZK, Io Shirai & Momo Watanabe)

This was an enjoyable main event. Momo was the last survivor on her team and got a good spotlight. The ending was super awkward, there seemed to be timing issues between Momo and Kelly. It's unfortunate because Kelly was supposed to be put over like a monster here heading into her match with Io, but the awkwardness made her look like a goof. Fun match overall, though.

**3/4