NOAH – Departure 2004 – 10th July 2004
This was one of the biggest shows of 2004, as Pro Wrestling NOAH made their debut in the famous and quite spectacular Tokyo Dome. It was the company’s biggest show to date, and truly an indication that the company Mitsuharu Misawa started as he and a host of other wrestlers left AJPW has risen to prominence on the puro scene. I’m always a little wary of NOAH shows though, because, as a rule, they’re never as good as the roster might suggest. You’re never actively going to see a really bad show…but they just never seem to be quite as good as they could be. They tend to be loaded with multi-person tags…literally match after match after match, and that gets very tiresome, has some truly dodgy veterans…and a lot of the highly talented workers on this special roster tend to get sucked in to this. However, as mentioned, this is their biggest ever show…so maybe they’ll be pushing the boat out. Not that there aren’t a lot of tags…because there really are, but there are some truly mouth-watering matches amongst them here. NOAH has a fantastic Jr. Heavyweight division, and we’ll be given some wonderful examples of this. The exciting combination of Naomichi Marufuji and KENTA defend the Jr. Tag titles. New Japan’s Jushin Liger defends the Jr. Heavyweight title against Yoshinobu Kanemaru…plus a lot more besides. There’s also two enormous main events as well. Perhaps the biggest attraction of this card is the arrival of Keiji Mutoh in NOAH. The head of AJPW walks into the company Misawa started when he walked out, and tonight they’ll clash in a tag match (each bringing their respective b*tch partners with them). Plus we’re rounded out by what was widely touted as 2004 Match of the Year – Kenta Kobashi defending the GHC Heavyweight Title against Jun Akiyama. Akiyama rules…Kobashi rules…that match rules. Will this show rule? Tokyo is your destination…can NOAH deliver?
Haruka Eigen vs Mitsuo Momota
We’re opening the show with NOAH trademark wacky veterans in action. The fans seem to enjoy these well enough. They have a laugh, and these two chaps get the chance to rattle around on NOAH’s biggest show to date. I’ll admit…it’s good fun…but you can’t help but think maybe they could take this off, book some of the talent crammed into one of the 86 multi-person tag matches into something more meaningful.
Eigen is in a fetching shade of pink for this. Momota with an arm wrench, but Eigen makes the ropes. He responds by sending Momota to the floor, then teases a tope to the delight of the fans. Headbutt from Eigen, but Momota responds with a hard chest slap which sends Eigen spitting into the front row. Eigen gets sent out, and Momota prepares for a dive but his opponent moves. More chest slaps from Momota, and more spitting from Eigen. Eventually he spits in Momota’s eyes, then goes to a deathlock. Momota makes the ropes, and the referee has to pull them apart. Giant swing from Eigen, and the crowd counts along with glee. They’re pretty dizzy, but Eigen manages to unload some headbutts which send Momota outside again. He takes his time getting back in, as Eigen is well in control right now. Sunset flip from Eigen gets 2. Momota goes for a neckbreaker but Eigen counters with a backslide for another nearfall. PILEDRIVER FROM EIGEN! Now he’s heading to the top rope. Momota is up though, and he press slams Eigen off. Back suplex from Momota for 2. Momota goes for a suplex, but Eigen counters with a DDT. Small package from Momota, but Eigen reverses it and almost puts him away. Momota busts out another roll up and that’s enough to score the win at 08:03.
Rating - * - I think I’m being more than generous with that because, in fairness, it’s a sensible opener. The live crowd enjoyed that. They paced that match pretty well, from the comedy, to the higher impact stuff at the end. Obviously they’re pretty old, so it’s not brilliantly executed, or overly pretty, but hey, it’s not terrible. It lacked a decent finish though…that was annoying.
Masao Inoue/Kishin Kiwabata/Masashi Aoyagi vs Tamon Honda/Jun Izumida/Tsoyoshi Kikuchi
Here we go with the tag action. Lots of guys with nothing else to do, and hey, they’ve got to be whacked onto this card somewhere. I really can’t stand Honda…but on the other hand, I really think Kikuchi is an underrated worker. Maybe he’ll be spending a lot of time in the ring…
Aoyagi and Kikuchi to start, and they try to kick lumps out of each other. Aoyagi beats Kikuchi back against the ropes, but gets dropped with a jumping heel kick. Kikuchi yells something, but Aoyagi pretends not to hear him. Kikuchi goes for a microphone but it takes an eternity to work making him look like a retard hehe. Inoue in with a shoulder block. Aoyagi drills Kikuchi in the stomach which sends him to the floor, where he then has to move quickly to avoid a dive. Honda with Inoue now, and Inoue manages a back suplex backbreaker, then a torture wrack, which Izumida has to break. STF on Inoue, but he makes the ropes. Cobra clutch legsweep from Inoue, but Honda comes back looking for a German. They clothesline each other down and then tag out. Izumida and Kawabata in and these are some think gentlemen now. Izumida wins a shoulder block battle then drops some headbutts to the sternum. Back suplex from Kiwabata. Izumida blocks a clothesline but Kishin hits an STO anyway. Kikuchi in but Kiwabata plasters him with a big elbow. Aoyagi back with some stiff kicks to the chest. Inoue rakes Kikuchi’s eyes then holds him open for some chops from Kiwabata. STIFF headbutts from Kikuchi…then they take in turns to elbow each other in the face. Inoue goes for another torture wrack but it’s blocked, so Aoyagi gets brought back in for more kicking action. Kiwabata off the top with a front dropkick. He drops a big senton as well for 2. Jumping heel kick from Kikuchi, and Izumida is tagged in. Powerslam from Kiwabata for 2. He goes to the top rope…MESSY LEG DROP OF DOOM…but everyone saves at once. Kiwabata gets triple teamed in the corner before Izumida gets 2 from another headbutt drop. He wants a DVD but people pile in again. Finally he hits a lariat for 2. Izumida to the top…EVEN MESSIER HEADBUTT OF DOOM!! Ace crusher follows and Izumida pins Kiwabata to get the win at 10:56.
Rating - * - Well, that wasn’t really up to much. Kiwabata and Izumida were just two big guys that sucked – they looked horrible coming off the top as well. Honda luckily was barely in the match…man I hate him. It was fun when Kikuchi and Aoyagi were stiffing each other, that’s really about it. Was this match really necessary Misawa-san?
Michael Modest/Donovan Morgan vs Kotaro Suzuki/Ricky Marvin
Well, this one should at least be better than anything else we’ve seen thus far. Modest and Morgan are regular partners in Japan…and Modest also trained Morgan. Donovan has been seen in ROH as a member of The Prophecy but he hasn’t been booked since Night Of The Grudges. He’s also a former ECWA Super 8 winner. Modest was featured in Beyond The Mat in case you’re struggling to place him. He’s over in Japan, I don’t rate him that highly. Suzuki is a young guy, and doesn’t stand out massively on a roster which features guys like Marufuji and KENTA. He was, however, excellent as Tiger Emporer on the recent TWC International Showdown supercard, and is a talented performer in his own right. Marvin is a good looking guy that works a mixture of puro and lucha. He has a really bright future, however, I think at present he’s still got a lot to learn.
Modest immediately takes Ricky Marvin down, but he responds by backing him into a corner and slapping him. Jumping hurricanrana from Marvin and Modest bails, leaving Marvin to flip around, wowing the crowd. Morgan in with Suzuki now, and it’s the American with a big power advantage. Headscissors from Suzuki sends Morgan to the floor…AND HE FOLLOWS WITH A CORKSCREW PESCADO! Marvin goes for a handspring but Modest baseball slides him in the face. DDT OFF THE APRON from Morgan! Marvin gets propped up in the corner where Modest gives him a running ass to the face for 2. Gutbuster from Modest, followed by a huge kick to the ribs. Golden Gate Swing from Morgan for 2. Cradle T-bone suplex from Modest to Marvin. Suzuki comes in to attempt a rescue…and Team Kaos break out a 3D on him! Springboard dropkick from Marvin in Modest, but Morgan prevents him making the tag. They mess something up as Marvin falls off Morgan’s shoulders. It gets even messier as Marvin somehow drags both of them over with a double DDT. He hits a superkick on Modest, then finally manages the tag to Suzuki. Inverted Carnageplex on Suzuki, but Marvin breaks the count with a frog splash. Suzuki gets a double dropkick to the face, but Marvin springboards in with a dropkick. DOUBLE 619 FROM MARVIN AND SUZUKI! German suplex from Suzuki on Modest…AS MARVIN HITS A SPRINGBOARD CROSSBODY TO THE FLOOR ON MODEST! He comes back to score with a moonsault on Morgan. SPINAL SHOCK by Suzuki but Modest makes the save. Suzuki goes for one on Modest but gets an exploder for his troubles. Missile dropkick from Suzuki. Marvin in with a handspring swinging DDT for 2. He kicks Morgan hard, but then misses a slingshot hilo attempt. Morgan ducks a 619, then ducks another one through the bottom rope. SAYONARA ON MARVIN…FOR 2! Lungblower on Suzuki…RUNNING KRYPTONITE KRUNCH from Modest. Morgan joins him to hit a double press slam spinebuster on Marvin and that puts him away at 11:51. Haha…Modest and Morgan’s music is Tatu’s ‘All The Things She Said’ except it appears to be in Japanese…what chumps.
Rating - *** - Streets ahead of anything else on the card thus far, but it was far from perfect. Morgan and Modest just aren’t that good folks, believe me. Their timing is frustratingly poor, and they just look clumsy when double teaming. There was also that horrible section in the middle where Marvin, Morgan and Modest all managed to screw up. Kotaro Suzuki looked great in his cameos in the match…he’s a really talented man. Still, on the whole that was exciting spot-based action. Suzuki and Marvin popped the crowd with their highspots, Morgan and Modest heeled around them to some effect. At least they have some fun high impact moves.
Scorpio/Richard Slinger vs Akitoshi Saito/Makoto Hashi
I’d much prefer to see Scorpio teaming with his regular partner in NOAH, Doug Williams…in fact, they’re current GHC Tag Champions, beating Misawa and Ogawa for the belts. Never seen Slinger before…haven’t seen him since. He’s got size which the guys at NOAH like, however, they like talent as well, so you’d assume he’s got that. Saito and Hashi are fairly regular. Hashi (I think) is a protégé of Jun Akiyama and is a pretty decent Junior. He looks scarily like Akiyama as well. Saito has an awesome retro haircut and is another big scary dude. Mullets are cool…
Scorpio and Saito kick off. They trade elbow smashes, until Saito decides he’d rather kick. Scorpio kicks him in the head which sends him down. Lariat from Saito…enziguri from Scorpio…spinning heel kick from Saito. Slinger in with a big boot on Hashi, and he brings more stiff kicks as well. Mongolian chops from Hashi. Armdrags from Slinger, but he struggles to control Hashi with an armbar. They mess an armdrag spot from Hashi, but eventually he gets an armbar anyway. Saito back and he takes Slinger to the floor. THREE DIVING HEADBUTTS OFF THE APRON FROM HASHI! Back inside Saito gives Slinger a stalling drop suplex. Hashi back, and he drops another headbutt off the second rope. Powerslam from Slinger and he tags out. Jumping knee strike from Scorpio for 2. Somersault leg drop off the second rope, and Saito has to break the pin. Abdominal stretch on the mat, into another pinfall attempt. Suplex powerslam scores, then he brings Slinger back in. Spinebuster into a somersault pin for 2. Texas cloverleaf applied and Scorpio comes off the top with a leg drop to the back of the head. Double underhook suplex from Scorpio. He works a cobra clutch really looking to force a submission. Finally Saito has to come in and break that.
Powerbomb from Scorpio…MOONSAULT FOR 2! He plants Hashi with an STO, then gets another 2 with a handspring splash. Twisting body press from Scorpio but again Hashi kicks out. He avoids Scorpio as he comes off the top again then hits a lariat. Saito in and he clotheslines Scorpio to the apron. Suplex back in…LARIATO!! Slinger breaks that before the 3. Saito kicks lumps out of both his opponents but finally Slinger floors him with a dropkick. Facecrusher from Slinger, then an elbow drop for 2. Hashi tagged, and he comes off the top rope with a front dropkick. Inverted DDT for 2. Slinger with a big boot in the corner, but Scorpio misses his twisting forearm and nails Slinger. Saito and Hashi flatten both of them in the corner…and Hashi gets 2 with yet another diving headbutt. Total Elimination on Hashi…and Slinger gets 2 with a top rope splash. Hashi small packages him for 2. BRIDGING GERMAN from Slinger for 2. He hits a DVD slam for the 3. 16:43 is your time.
Rating - ** - Sorry guys, but with that much time they should’ve produced something better. There was just no plot, storyline or flow to that match at all. It was just spot to spot to spot, and when some of them were pretty poorly executed it’s not great. Saito was great, his big angry stiffness is cool, as is the mullet. Slinger and Scorpio looked pretty average…Hashi shouldn’t use diving headbutts so much, but that is a criticism frequently levelled at him. This is watchable stuff, but sadly that’s all.
Mohammed Yone/Daisuke Ikeda vs Akira Taue/Takuma Sano
Taue has a past littered with awesome matches with the likes of Misawa, Kobashi, Kawada, Akiyama etc. However, by this point in his career, he’s well on the downward slope. Every so often he pulls a match out of the bag, but in general he’s just a little too old and past it. I haven’t seen an awful lot of anyone else in this match sadly, we’re talking maybe one or two matches each. Neither of them produced especially memorable performances that I’ve seen thus far, but I’ll reserve judgement.
Yone flies out of the blocks with a spinning heel kick on Sano. They clothesline each other…HEAD DROP BACK SUPLEX FROM SANO! Taue in AND IKEDA KICKS HIM IN THE HEAD! Yone slams him then goes to the second rope. CHOKESLAM OFF THE SECOND ROPE FROM TAUE! He follows that with a huge powerbomb then brings Sano back in. He scores with a double stomp off the second rope for 2. Taue returns to the match with a boot to the face. Sunset flip from Yone for 2. Head vice from Taue. Sano in but he takes a suplex. Yone doesn’t quite get the tag though, and Sano puts him in a camel clutch, which Ikeda breaks. Misawa is watching this from the crowd. Shortarm lariats from Taue for 2. He throws Yone into the corner then boots him in the face again. Yone comes back with a spinning heel kick then makes the tag. Ikeda in for the first time and he hits a kick to the face. He blocks a chokeslam and NAILS a lariat. Now he and Taue fight over a chokeslam. Yakuza kick from Taue, and he tags out. Missile dropkick from Sano for 2. Harley Race is watching this as well. Ikeda with a kick flurry. DEATH VALLEY DRIVER FOR 2. Yone is tagged back, and Ikeda hits a clothesline off his back. MUSCLEBUSTER FROM YONE! He scores with a lariat but Taue comes in and breaks the pin. Big boot for Ikeda…CHOKESLAM ON YONE! Yone with E Honda slaps on Sano…HEAD DROP GERMAN FROM SANO! NORTHERN LIGHTS BOMB FOR 2!! Sano to the top rope for a bigger double stomp. He takes Yone to the top…SUPER BRAINBUSTER!! Yone is dead and this is over at 10:44.
Rating - *** - That was unexpectedly brutal. Just goes to show what a bit of head dropping fun can be. It was like a much shorter, not as good version of a mid-90’s AJPW tag. They cleverly restricted the amount of time Taue spent in the match, meaning he could come in, hit his trademark stuff then get out again. Yone took an absolute pasting and spent most of the ten minutes in the ring. Ikeda was explosive, but didn’t get in an awful lot. I wish I could understand Japanese, or knew more about why the commentators were going on and on about WLW (Harley Race’s promotion). That probably explains why he was watching.
Naomichi Marufuji/KENTA vs Takashi Sugiura/Kendo Kashin – GHC Jr. Heavyweight Tag Title Match
Marufuji and Kenta are an absolutely thrilling tag team, and will be defending. They are two of the top Juniors in the world right now, and big stars in the NOAH promotion. Kenta is really popular for his blend of solid wrestling and brutal kicks…however, I personally prefer Marufuji. He’s the more flashy of the two and uses the Shiranui as his finisher. I haven’t seen a lot of either Sugiara or Kashin, but if they can’t have a good match with Marufuji and Kenta then they must suck really hard. To clarify, typing things in capitals during play by play us really hard, hence I’ll be typing Kenta not KENTA.
Kashin and Marufuji look set to start. Fireman’s carries from Kashin but Marufuji comes back with a couple of roll up attempts. Kashin offers a handshake but tags out to Sugiura by way of faking out. Kenta comes in with a series of boots to the face, but Sugiura fires back with a spear and a northern lights throw. Kashin sends Kenta to the floor, then goes out after him. Marufuji goes for a pescado but gets caught by Kashin’s seconds…but Kenta dropkicks Kashin off the apron into the same minions before he can take advantage. Kenta with a suplex on Sugiura, before Marufuji jumps almost the length of the ring with a reverse elbow. Slingshot legdrop from Kenta, then a slingshot elbow drop from Marufuji for 2. Sugiura gets clamped in a chinlock which he uses the ropes to break. Marufuji goes for a baseball slide but Sugiura blocks AND GUTWRENCH SUPLEXES HIM OFF THE APRON! Kashin puts him back in the ring at 19, which pisses Sugiura off. Kashin certainly is getting a few chuckles from the crowd. He whips the referee into Marufuji who is set up in the corner which gets even more laughs. He waves Sugiura back into the ring but Marufuji moves and he spears Kashin. Kashin retaliates with a slap for that, then gives Marufuji an Olympic Slam for 2…before Sugiura breaks it to piss his partner off. Back suplex facebuster from Suguira for 2. Marufuji hits a superkick out of nowhere and tags out to Kenta. Big boots in the corner from Kenta, then he hits a springboard dropkick on Kashin. Sugiura gets one as well for 2. He goes for a springboard hurricanrana but gets powerbombed by Sugiura. Running neckbreaker drop from Kashin. Kenta fires back with a powerslam for 2.
Kashin ducks a flurry of strikes from Kenta then kicks him in the balls. Dragon screw from Kenta before he brings Naomichi back. Kashin blocks a top rope hurricanrana and applies a headscissors over the ropes…into a roll up for 2. Marufuji with another superkick, but Kashin ducks the Shiraniu. BOTCHED SHIRANUI from Kashin for 2. SUNSET FLIP POWERBOMB OFF THE APRON ON SUGIURA from Marufuji. Poetry In Motion by Marufuji and Kenta on Sugiura, then they both kick Kashin in the head. JUJIGATAME OFF THE TOP from Kashin to Kenta…as Sugiura buts Marufuji in the Anklelock! No idea who’s legal, but nobody taps out so it doesn’t matter. Sugiura with another spear on Marufuji. AVALANCHE GERMAN SUPLEX on Marufuji for 2. He goes for another one but Marufuji lands on his feet. Sugiura blocks a Shiranui…TOMBSTONE PILEDRIVER. GERMAN SUPLEX…DRAGON SUPLEX…KENTA BREAKS THE FALL! Kenta and Kashin fight on the floor…HEAD DROP BACK SUPLEX from Sugiura to Marufuji. He takes Marufuji to the top rope but Kenta returns. TOP ROPE SHIRANUI/POWERBOMB COMBO ON SUGIURA…BUT KASHIN SAVES! Kenta kicks Kashin out…SHIRANUI ON SUGIURA…FOR 2! Marufuji goes to the top to hit a crazy ass senton splash for another 2 count. TOP ROPE SHIRANUI AGAIN! This time Sugiura is done at 22:25.
Rating - **** - Well that certainly ended on a high. Some of the goofy comedy from Kashin was frustrating, but there were a huge amount of markout moments as the match came to an end…so that’s how I justify such a high rating. I’d like to have seen a couple of spots done in a different order. The powerbomb/Shiranui combo should’ve been the finish in my opinion, so switch that spot with the Super Shiranui that won it…dunno what anybody else thinks about that.
Jushin Liger vs Yoshinobu Kanemaru – GHC Jr. Heavyweight Title Match
Liger has been the heel Jr. Heavyweight champion for some time, since he comes from rival promotion New Japan, and is defending the belt here. There are no doubt a million more twists and turns leading to this, but simply put – I don’t know them. Since Liger is from NJPW and Kanemaru represents NOAH, I’m sure the crowd will be begging for a title change on such a big show.
Kanemaru flies out of the blocks with a big boot. He misses a moonsault press though…and Liger scores with a palm strike. HE HITS THE LIGERBOMB…but only for 2. BRAINBUSTER from Kanemaru gets 2. Rear chinlock from Kanemaru, slowing the pace down after that electrifying start. Liger gets put in the tree of woe so Kanemaru can deliver a dropkick right to the head. He then ensures the pace stays slow by applying a camel clutch. He keeps it on the mat with a headscissors, then a side headlock. Liger finally escapes that but Kanemaru evades his palm strike. He rolls through a tilta-whirl as well, so Liger just ploughs through him with a CAPO KICK! That sends him to the floor, but Liger is straight out after him with a baseball slide…THEN A POWERBOMB ON THE FLOOR! Kanemaru only just beats the count into the ring, but he is dead on his feet at the moment. Liger is sympathetic, so gives him ANOTHER POWERBOMB. Kanemaru refuses to be counted down for the knock-out, so Liger gives him a devastating German suplex for 2. We go to the top rope, so Liger can deliver a double underhook superplex, but again Kanemaru kicks out. Abdominal stretch applied on the mat by Liger, into a rear chinlock, then the Mexican surfboard. Incredibly, Kanemaru fights back, and scores with a dropkick to Liger’s knee. He’s slow to capitalise though, and Liger comes back with a BACK DROP DRIVER.
He wants the super brainbuster but Kanemaru sunset flips free and delivers a running powerbomb out of the corner. Jumping DDT off the second from Kanemaru for 2. He goes up again but MISSES a moonsault. Liger goes for a German but has it blocked. TOP ROPE RANA from Liger but Kanemaru roles through it for 2. PALM STRIKE OF DOOM from Liger. Kanemaru is on the ropes, but that doesn’t stop Liger running through him with another palm strike. TOP ROPE BRAINBUSTER…ONE COUNT OF DISRESPECT!!! BRAINBUSTER FROM KANEMARU…AND IT’S LIGER WITH THE DISRESPECTFUL ONE COUNT! Kanemaru blocks the palm strike but takes a slap from the other side. RUNNING PALM STRIKE FROM LIGER…BRAINBUSTAAAAAH…KANEMARU KICKS OUT AGAIN! He wants the top rope version again but Kanemaru is going nowhere. DDT OFF THE SECOND ROPE from Kanemaru for 2. MOONSAULT SCORES…LIGER KICKS OUT AGAIN! ROLLING BRAINBUSTAAAAAAS! KANEMARU WINS IT!! 17:38 epic minutes there, and it’s Yoshinobu Kanemaru that walks out Jr. Heavyweight champion.
Rating - ****1/2 – That was awesome. I love this match…I really do. It’s nothing overly clever, but it’s just really really violent. I’m sure some people will b*tch about the one counts but – get over it smarky. Liger is the heel bastard, determined to destroy the plucky home-promotion guy, but no matter what he pulled out he couldn’t get it done. In the end, the offensive flurry from Kanemaru (leaping DDT, moonsault, then the rolling brainbusters) was enough to get him the win and the belt. Cracking stuff, as this card really starts to come to life.
Yoshihiro Takayama/Minoru Suzuki vs Takeshi Morishima/Takeshi Rikio – IWGP Tag Title Match
Yep, the NJPW Tag straps are being put on the line here against NOAH talent. Takayama rules, but sadly he is presently out of wrestling indefinitely after suffering a pretty serious head injury during the 2004 G1 Climax Tournament. Rikio was the man that finally managed to beat the seemingly invincible Kenta Kobashi and end his reign as GHC Heavyweight Champion in early 2005 so it’s interesting to see matches like this, and judge for yourselves whether you think he’s the next big thing.
Suzuki and Rikio start in the ring. Minoru is the quicker of the two guys and he demonstrates it by repeatedly avoiding Rikio’s advances. Takayama in and they go to a test of strength, which Rikio wins then delivers a big chop. They smack each other with big forearms, and Rikio takes the advantage again, dropping Tak with a shoulder block. Morishima in and this time Takayama doesn’t want a knucklelock, putting him in a sleeper then tagging out. Suzuki bounces around the ring avoiding Morishima. Rikio in and Suzuki delivers some insulting slaps. B*TCHSLAP from Rikio sends Suzuki to the floor. CHOKESLAM/BACK SUPLEX combo on Takayama on the floor! Rikio gives Suzuki a big splash back in the ring for 2. Lariat sandwich from Rikio and Morishima, before Rikio runs through Suzuki with another lariat for 2. The challengers set up for a Doomsday Device but Takayaka saves, and Suzuki traps Rikio in a cross armbreaker. Rikio takes a pummelling in the champs corner, with Suzuki and Tak really laying the boots in. Takayama gets 2 with a double underhook suplex. Morishima occupies the referee as Takayama and Suzuki take their shots on the hapless Rikio. Chokeslam out of nowhere from Rikio and he makes the tag. Takayama promptly wipes Morishima out with a crossbody block. Fujiwara armbar from Suzuki, but Morishima finds the bottom rope. Rolling keylock from Suzuki, as Takayama boots Rikio off the apron all the way to the guardrail. Takayama continues the punishment on the arm with a hammerlock, which Rikio breaks. Double dropkick from Rikio and Morishima, and Morishima follows up with a running boot for 2. Morishima somehow gets Tak up for a back drop driver which also gets 2. Suzuki comes in with a dropkick, so gets slapped. Lariat on Takayama…NO SOLD…and Takayama almost takes Morishima’s head off with a running knee strike. Back drop/neckbreaker combination from Takayama and Suzuki…and Tak finally finishes Morishima off with the EVEREST GERMAN SUPLEX! The belts are retained at 12:55.
Rating - *** - Nothing particularly special, in fact, neither man really hit his straps and produced “big” performances out there. Morishima disappointed, whilst Rikio, Takayama and Suzuki all looked pretty decent without really testing themselves that much. Suzuki has a marvellous charisma as a cocky heel when he gets in the ring, and his brief work out on Morishima’s arm is fun. This could have done with another few minutes, since it felt like it was just going somewhere when the finish came.
Mitsuharu Misawa/Yoshinari Ogawa vs Keiji Mutoh/Taiyo Kea – GHC Tag Title Match
To many people, this is the main event, as Misawa and Mutoh look to go head to head in a very special encounter. However, surely saving a Misawa/Mutoh match for a future supercard (if indeed, the two sides can sit down and thrash out a deal for that match to happen) we’re getting tag action, as Misawa and his partner Ogawa defend their tag straps against the AJPW team of Mutoh and Kea. Misawa and Mutoh are both the wrong side of their prime, but are still capable of pulling something out of the bag on occasion. I’ve never been a big fan of Ogawa, but he was impressive enough live at TWC’s International Showdown for me to approach this with an open mind. I’ve only really seen Kea in MLW, which is apparently not the best place to judge his work. He sucked there though…big time. Taka Michinoku is working Kea’s corner.
The pops for Misawa and Mutoh are absolutely insane. Naturally the big guns start on the apron and Kea and Ogawa get the action underway. Cobra clutch from Kea, but Ogawa pops free and distances himself. He comes back with arm wrenches, so Kea starts nailing him in the face. Jawbreaker from Ogawa, but Taiyo comes back with a big chop. Mutoh tags in, and the crowd goes ballistic because Ogawa brings Misawa in. They’re even in the shoulder tackles. ELBOW STRIKE FROM MISAWA…TIGER DRIVER FOR 2! Mutoh pops up…SHINING WIZARD! That knocks Misawa out of the ring, and both men are groggy. Hammerlock from Misawa, grounding Mutoh and slowing it right down. Kea in, and he gets a double stomp/elbow drop combo from Ogawa and Misawa. Kea and Ogawa mess something up, but finally Kea drops the tag champion with a body slam. He goes to the top, but Ogawa kicks the ref into him. Misawa in and Kea manages some massive chops on him, then scores with a dropkick. Mutoh is tagged in and he hits his trademark power elbow drop. He tugs at Misawa’s leg, then applies a leglock. Kea in and they give Misawa a wishbone split. Kea goes for a suplex but Ogawa blind tags in. Ogawa goes for a shoulder in the corner but takes a hit on the ringpost. Kea follows up with a back suplex then brings Mutoh back. Dragon screw from Mutoh, into an STF at the 10 minute mark. MUTOH WITH EMERALD FUSION ON OGAWA. MISAWA WITH A SHINING WIZARD ON MUTOH!
Kea gives Ogawa some clotheslines, then a Juvi Driver for 2. Enziguri from Ogawa, but Kea comes right back with a kick to the head of his own. Tags all round…and it’s Mutoh/Misawa again. Both hit dropkicks, both hit elbows, but Mutoh finally goes back to the knee with a dropkick and a dragon screw. Misawa blocks the Shining Wizard and elbows Mutoh out – ELBOW SUICIDAAAAA! Mutoh beats the count and returns to the ring with a missile dropkick. Kea looks for a German, but eventually settles for an armdrag, then a superkick. Hurricanrana from Kea for 2. He applies a cross armbreaker, which is silly after Mutoh has been working over the leg. Misawa escapes a back drop attempt and floors Kea with a roaring elbow. Ogawa returns with a DDT for 2. Kea fires back with a jumping axe kick. He wants another Juvi Driver but Misawa makes the save. Drop toehold from Ogawa, then an elbow drop from Misawa. Back suplex from Ogawa for 2. Misawa with a TIGER DRIVER, which Ogawa follows with another back suplex. Misawa and Ogawa botch a double team before Mutoh makes the save with dropkicks on both of them. SHINING WIZARDS FOR BOTH MEN! Ribbreaker from Mutoh…THEN THE MOONSAULT!! Dragon screw on Misawa, but he comes back with an elbow strike. KEA WITH A HEAD DROP COBRA CLUTCH SUPLEX! That’s only good for 2 though. TKO ON MISAWA…but Ogawa saves. RUNNING ELBOW…but Kea gives that the one count of disrespect. EMERALD FUSION…but it’s not hit properly because of the knee injuries and Kea kicks out. Misawa goes for it again AND HE HITS IT THIS TIME! Kea is counted down at 21:44. Misawa and Ogawa retain.
Rating - **** - It’s not a MOTYC or anything, but I found it an exciting battle. I liked Mutoh’s work on Misawa’s knee, even if Kea hindered it a little by working the arm instead – and the finish was a nice pay off to that story (unless Misawa just botched his own finisher). There were a few screw ups, and Mutoh’s obsession with Shining Wizards is borderline annoying, but they did well enough to push this into four star territory.
Kenta Kobashi vs Jun Akiyama – GHC Heavyweight Title Match
Kobashi, the dominant GHC Champion, main events the company’s first ever show at the Tokyo Dome with this huge defence against Akiyama. It’s not like they’ve never wrestled before. They’ve had numerous bouts, both in AJPW and NOAH, and they’re generally pretty good. Going into this there was a big feeling that it was finally Akiyama’s “time” to get the ball and run with it. In the last few years he’s really been excellent (check out the 2003 G1 Climax from NJPW – Akiyama and Tenzan are awesome) and deserves this huge opportunity. This is my 2004 Match of the Year – lets see why. Yoshihiro Takayama is on commentary for this.
Kobashi scores with a very early chop, but Akiyama doesn’t feel a thing. He goes for a second but Jun runs straight through it and goes for a high knee – which Kobashi blocks. Test of strength and they’re pretty much even on that. Kobashi gets in some more chops and scores the first knockdown with a shoulder tackle. Akiyama responds with a high knee then throws Kobashi to the floor. They fight out a stiff strike exchange, and it’s Kobashi’s chops that win out. Akiyama blocks a Russian legsweep and applies a leglock, isolating Kobashi’s permanently injured knees early. He applies a kneeling figure 4, but Kobashi breaks that with a NECK CHOP flurry. He bends Akiyama over backwards and hits a huge chop to the chest for 2. He torques away at Akiyama’s face and neck, before lifting him up to hit another big strike to the chest. Akiyama blocks a brainbuster but gets caught up in another striking war. He starts no-selling Kobashi’s chops so Kobashi just starts chopping his neck again. Kobashi goes for another shoulder tackle but Akiyama gets a knee up! DDT ON THE APRON from Akiyama. But he’s not done, he drives a knee into Kobashi’s neck AND RIDES HIM INTO THE GUARDRAIL! To follow that he exposes Kobashi’s neck on the ring apron and drops a knee from the second rope. Kobashi tries to get back in the ring but Akiyama just gives him a running knee to the face. Finally he’s allowed back in, but Jun continues the work on the neck with a headscissors. Akiyama starts punching Kobashi square in the throat, then jerks him off the second rope into a front choke. Kobashi somehow manages to break free, but he is in a lot of pain right now. Akiyama with elbows to the neck, then a Foley-esque running knee in the corner. DOUBLE UNDERHOOK DDT! Kobashi is reeling, and Akiyama comes off the top with an ELBOW STRIKE TO THE NECK! He goes back to the front choke, looking to force the submission. But Kobashi isn’t worn down enough, and he manages to roll both bodies to the bottom rope. Back suplex from Akiyama, but Kobashi holds on and works a headlock, desperate to re-establish himself. Akiyama tries another back suplex to break it but Kobashi still holds on. Akiyama finally works his way to his feet again – HEAD DROP SLEEPER SUPLEX!
Kobashi goes crazy with chops in the corner, then breaks out the SPINNING NECK CHOPS! Akiyama is completely out of it and rolls to the apron. Kobashi goes after him…VERTICAL SUPLEX OFF THE APRON TO THE F*CKING FLOOR! That is just one crazy bump from both men, and blood is pouring from Kobashi’s mouth as a result. Kobashi manages to get himself and his opponent in the ring before the double count out, but can barely stand up. Kobashi has no mercy though…HALF NELSON SUPLEX! He goes for a lariat but Akiyama blocks. ORANGE CRUSH FROM KOBASHI! BURNING LARIAT FOR 2! He sets up for the Burning Hammer, but Akiyama blocks…GERMAN SUPLEX nailed by Akiyama. He hits a running knee to follow up and suddenly he’s in charge again. They go onto the apron again, and Akiyama goes for an Exploder. Kobashi blocks, and goes for a half nelson, but Akiyama doesn’t play ball. To the top rope they fight…EXLODER TO THE FLOOR FROM AKIYAMA! DANGEROOOOOOOOOOOOUUUUUS!! The crowd is just eating this up, but it’s almost over as Kenta only just beats the count out. EXPLODER ’98…but Kobashi kicks out at 2. Akiyama takes Kobashi to the top again…TOP ROPE EXPLODAAAAAA…KOBASHI KICKS OUT AGAIN! Akiyama goes back to the kneeling figure 4 THEN GRABS THE FRONT CHOKE ON AGAIN! Kobashi won’t give up though. WRIST CLUTCH EXPLODER…AND STILL KOBASHI KICKS OUT! Akiyama goes for a fisherman’s wrist clutch exploder…FOLDING BRAINBUSTER FROM KOBASHI – OUT OF NOWHERE! HALF NELSON SUPLEX FROM KOBASHI – NO SOLD. EXPLODER ’98 FROM AKIYAMA – NO SOLD! HALF NELSON NO SOLD…EXPLODER NO SOOOOLD! KOBASHI UP AGAIN FOR A LARIATOOOOOOOOOOO!! BOTH MEN ARE DOWN!! Kobashi is first up and he hits another Burning Lariat for 2. He goes to the top rope…BUT THE MOONSAULT ONLY GETS 2!! BUUUURNIIING HAMMEEEEEEEEER! KOBASHI WINS…KOBASHI WINS…KOBASHI WINS!!!! At 35:34 he is still your GHC Heavyweight Champion!
Rating - ***** - Are you kidding me? That is honestly one of my favourite matches ever. Just an absolute classic and unforgettable match. I know a lot of people don’t agree, but I do think this earns a deserving mention alongside some of the puro classics of the AJPW golden age. Akiyama knows he has to withstand the incredible brutality that Kobashi brings to the table, and aims to overcome that by working the neck (after using the perennial knee injuries to buy him time to attack the neck) he goes all out to win the belt. But it’s simply not enough to stop Kobashi, and in the end, when Akiyama had to trade brutality and head drops with the great man, he didn’t have enough in the tank. The last five minutes are incredible. I can’t recommend this enough. Forget about anything the WWE might have done. Forget about the Joe/Punk series from ROH. This was as good as wrestling got in 2004.
Tape Rating - **** - Is it the best show of all time? No, it has some faults. There’s a lot of filler on here, and worse, there’s a certain amount of BAD filler. It also has the same booking problems that NOAH shows always have – that being the sheer amount of tag matches. With only three singles matches on the whole show, it lacks a little variety, and is hard to sit down and watch in one sitting. However, with a lot of solid wrestling, three 4*+ matches and the 2004 MOTY…you need this show. Modest/Morgan vs Marvin/Suzuki, Yone/Ikeda vs Taue/Sano and Takayama/Suzuki vs Morishima/Rikio are all solid tag team matches…but the Jr. Heavyweight and GHC Tag Title matches are great, and in Liger/Kanemaru and Kobashi/Akiyama you’ve got some absolutely cracking bouts. Buy this show…buy buy buy.
Top 3 Matches
3) Mitsuharu Misawa/Yoshinari Ogawa vs Keiji Mutoh/Taiyo Kea (****)
2) Yoshinobu Kanemaru vs Jushin Liger (****1/2)
1) Kenta Kobashi vs Jun Akiyama (*****)