Andy3000

Been a while since I watched any 90s New Japan jrs. (that freakin' Backlund) so I figured I'd watch a couple earlier:

IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Title Match: Koji Kanemoto v Jushin Liger (1/4/96)

Yeah, this was disappointing. I'm a HUGE fan of both guys, so to first of all see that I only get a 10 minute clipped version sucked. Then Koji goes all no-selly and shit while Liger has to pretty much kill him dead before he stays down long enough to make it actually *look* like he's selling and it's just not all that special really. Still, it's not exactly BAD, and Liger trying like fuck with a defiant opponent deserves some credit, but disappointing is definitely the word. ***1/4 (1/4* for Liger)

Shinjiro Ohtani v El Samurai (1/25/96)

THIS is more like it. From no selling galore to a selling clinic -- by both guys. It's wrestled distinctly more like a shoot style match as opposed to the regular juniors style (which isn't a bad style by any means whatsoever), resulting in a match that's centred around both guys working a body part and constantly going back to it, even attacking it with the inevitable high-spots. It really is great stuff and the fact they managed to do something different and still make it work (really fuckin' well too) is a testament to both guys. Excellent match. ****1/2

Next up is a sweet looking 2/3 falls, 8 man elimination match between team Liger (Liger, Samurai, Benoit and Gran Hamada) and team Dickhead (Kanemoto, Ohtani, Kendo Ka Shin and TAKA FUCKING MICHINOKU!!!~) which should no doubt be an awesome lead in to the classic Liger/Ohtani match from 3/17.

I also downloaded a Pegasus Kid/Owen Hart match from 1990 which should no doubt rock the fuckin' house. I'm on that soon for sure.

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NO HOMO~