Location: In an alley in Burbank trying to re-enter the earth's atmosphere in an old refrigerator box.
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re: Official Puro Match/DVD Discussion Thread (NO SPOILERS)
Yuki Ishikawa v Kenji Takashima, BattlARTS 08/21/2011
Fuck me what a great 8 minute affair, is there anyone better than Ishikawa in Japan when he's on like he is here? Match is a simple Student v Teacher affair and they do some wonderful matwork that you know, looks unco-operative and each hold is fought for and earned with vigour and tenacity. Doesn't feel like they're tossing this stuff out there because they can't think of another way to open a match. Takashima is awesome countering a lot of Ishikawa's holds and constantly going for a strike whenever possible, there's this great sense of hate as well with every strike that makes you buy both men slowly getting more pissed and thus when the match breaks down into more of a sluggish affair it works wonderfully as Ishikawa needing to put this punk in his place rather than aimlessly transitioning into a strike exchange. Some of the headbutts are frankly sickening as well, and the finish is wonderful with Ishikawa finally countering Takashima on the mat and dominating into a submission for the win. The fact this was one of the first times Ishikawa had successfully managed to win the mat battle without giving up control also worked as a really satisfying payoff to the prior matwork where Takashima was primarily the aggressor. Also the gradual breakdown of Takashima with suplexes and takedowns was really impressive, he hit the mat with such resistance and force that you bought each fall as bringing the match closer to an end.
Location: Christmas Card from a Hooker in Minneapolis
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re: Official Puro Match/DVD Discussion Thread (NO SPOILERS)
Check this out. I'm not big on the shoot style side of professional wrestling but matches like Fujiwara/Sayama and this really show how freakin' badass it can be. Nine minutes and four seconds of the most intense action I have ever seen in my 12 years as a fan. More intense than anything I have ever seen in the WWE. Straight from the get-go, Nakano rejects Funaki's handshake with a kick and sends him into a violent rage, creating one of the loudest crowds I've ever heard in the process. Now go and watch the video to see the rest of the match. *****
http://www.iheartprowres.blogspot.com
Be a hipster and support Japanese wrestling. Cactus finally found the effort to post 3 new NJPW reviews. (Updated 15/03)
Location: In an alley in Burbank trying to re-enter the earth's atmosphere in an old refrigerator box.
Posts: 3,912
re: Official Puro Match/DVD Discussion Thread (NO SPOILERS)
That match has always been a favourite of mine and remains one of the best sub 10 minute matches of all time.
I wouldn't put it at ***** (awesome to see you put it that high however), but it is without doubt one of the greatest shoot style matches: pretty boy star Funaki v fat slob Nakano. Wonderful character dynamic and a clear hierarchy where Funaki should be winning with ease, but as the match continues you just sense Nakano isn't going down on this particular night and now the pretty boy is in for the fight of his life. Wonderful action, frighteningly stiff and a wonderful story on top of it, incredible match.
I'd probably have it around ****1/4-****1/2. Incredible for the time it gets but I just prefer Volk Han/Tamura from RINGS January 1997. You seen that match btw Cactus? If you think the above is the full 5 then I can't see you not loving Han/Tamura: take away hate filled stiff strikes with the all time best matwork inside a wrestling ring and the absolute best demonstration of counter wrestling where every hold is fought for despite being exchanged at a breathtakingly fast pace.
Location: Christmas Card from a Hooker in Minneapolis
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re: Official Puro Match/DVD Discussion Thread (NO SPOILERS)
Whenever I pimp out a shoot style match, I always get some Volk Han pimped right back in my direction. Truth be told, I really want to like the the guy, but after the five or so matches of his I've tried to sit through, I just find myself bored to death and I can't even get through one match. I think it's a case of me loving some strong character work in my shoot style. I think it's what stopping it from being predetermined MMA. I will try and give that video a watch though.
http://www.iheartprowres.blogspot.com
Be a hipster and support Japanese wrestling. Cactus finally found the effort to post 3 new NJPW reviews. (Updated 15/03)
Location: In an alley in Burbank trying to re-enter the earth's atmosphere in an old refrigerator box.
Posts: 3,912
re: Official Puro Match/DVD Discussion Thread (NO SPOILERS)
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cactus
Whenever I pimp out a shoot style match, I always get some Volk Han pimped right back in my direction. Truth be told, I really want to like the the guy, but after the five or so matches of his I've tried to sit through, I just find myself bored to death and I can't even get through one match. I think it's a case of me loving some strong character work in my shoot style. I think it's what stopping it from being predetermined MMA. I will try and give that video a watch though.
YOU'RE KILLING ME MAN. If you come out of that match bored then a part of me shall die inside. That being said I can understand why you want more character and emotion, though for me when you realise Han is like a Misawa esque god in RINGS and combine that with the speed at which they trade counters on the math you find a lot more suspense and drama. Really a case of being able to communicate a story through the actual holds rather than in between the wrestling.
re: Official Puro Match/DVD Discussion Thread (NO SPOILERS)
Quote:
Originally Posted by ywall2breakerj
1.It's a Wrist Lock transitioned into a Lariat which he calls the Rainmaker
2. Yeah the "clotheslines end the much" thingy is something everyone is suprised by when they first watch puro. As time goes by you'll see that a regular Lariat (which the Rainmaker, as you can see if you pay attention, isn't) makes perfect sense as a finishing move. You swing your arm and kill your opponent. It also targets the neck so it fit petfectly into all the neck work Okada did. While at first it may look like a regular WWE comeback clothesline, you'll eventually see and HEAR (god, are some of them stiff) that it's much, much more.
Oh, ok thanks man. Like I said, I'm not a big puro guy and I don't go out of my way looking for at it all but if a match gets mentioned I check it out.
Official Puro Match/DVD Discussion Thread (NO SPOILERS)
re: Official Puro Match/DVD Discussion Thread (NO SPOILERS)
