I continue to work my way through the Best of Japan in the 2000s project. Today's one of those days where I try to knock out a few more matches and get back on track. Let's see how it goes.
Toshiaki Kawada vs. Shinya Hashimoto - All Japan Pro Wrestling - Feb 22, 2004
Two of my favorites from Japan square off in this one so I've got high hopes coming in. Hashimoto has a really impressive bad ass aura for someone who really does look like fat Japanese Elvis. I'll give credit to the gear. The two back each other up early and break cleanly. Cleanly but cautiously. The two work on the mat after that with Hashimoto trying to double wristlock Kawada. Kawada gets a kick up to Hashimoto's head to break the hold. Hashimoto elbows Kawada away which pisses Kawada off. Kawada throws a high kick right into Hashimoto's face and he stares death back at him. They start trading strikes for a moment, popping the crowd.
There's a long low kick exchange next. Kawada comes out the worse for wear, dropping to the ground and clutching his knee after Hashimoto sweeps the leg. Hashimoto targets the knee; Kawada sells like a champ. Hashimoto evolves from grinding and stomping on the knee to a leg hold. Kawada drags his way to the ropes to make a save.
Kawada comes back with bigger, harder kicks. He drops a knee on Hashimoto's arm then tries to pull on an armbar which leads to a protracted struggle. Kawada pulls Hashimoto into an arm triangle then counters it back into an arm bar when Hashimoto escapes. Hashimoto is right under the ropes but takes a while before he decides to grab them. Kawada enzuigiris Hashimoto, twice, but it takes a back drop to get the big man off his feet. Kawada keeps going after Hashimoto's arm and shoulder.
Hashimoto spikes Kawada with a brainbuster but rolls around in agony after, clutching his shoulder. The crowd chants for Kawada. Now its Hashimoto who chops away at his opponent with high kicks. He tries another brainbuster but his shoulder gives out. Both men look exhausted. Kawada knees Hashimoto in the gut repeatedly, throws a kick, more high kicks, elbows, and finally an enzuigiri/ Hashimoto actually gets up first, having used the ropes to catch his fall. He blasts Kawada with a kick to the chest. Kawad dropkicks Hashimoto twice, neither drops him. Hashimoto takes another enzuigiri, wobbles, and fainlly collapses back. Two count!
Kawada drops a knee to Hashimoto's shoulder two more times. He wrenches in a stretch plum, cranking Hashimoto's shoulder further and further. Hashimoto doesn't give in but he's stuck in the middle of the ring. He may not give in, but his corner does. A towel comes flying in, this one's over.
Good match, really liked how big of a deal each Hashimoto bump became. Top quality work on the arm and leg by each guy but the ending sucked. I mean, it makes sense for Zero 1 to protect their ace, but it feels soooo anticlimactic.
Match Rating: ***3/4
Masato Tanaka vs. Shinya Hashimoto - ZERO 1 - Nov 7, 2003
Hashimoto beat the shit out of Tanaka last time I saw these two together. This one is more even right out that gates. Tanaka gets Hashimoto on his back and into a leghold. The veteran Hashimoto straight up out wrestles Tanaka, working him into a triangle choke. Tanaka tries a test of strength that he wins by headbutting Hashimoto's shoulder. Tanaka immediately works that over. He slaps Hashimoto's shoulder which leads to Hashimoto slapping him back. In the face. Harder and harder. Tanaka looks like a punk compared to Hashimoto.
Hashimoto tries to cave Tanaka's chest in with two hard, hard kicks. Tanaka has to roll outside onto the mats below to catch a breather. Hashimoto takes him down the second he reenters the ring. A standing senton flattens Tanaka. Hashimoto claps his hands, getting the audience going once he gets back up. Tanaka boots Hashimoto in the face until Hashimoto finally falls over. His nose bleeds as he clutches the ropes and Tanaka's assault continues. He takes Hashimoto down by the arm, refocusing his efforts there.
Hashimoto catches Tanaka's arm as he tries to club away at Hashimoto's shoulder. Hashimoto headbutts Tanaka then goes back to those super stiff kicks to the chest. Tanaka looks like he regrets ever getting near Hashimoto now. The ref chides Hashimoto for continuing to kick Tanaka while he's in the corner. In response, Hashimoto kicks the ref away. The ass kicking must go on. Tanaka surprises everyone with a tornado DDT. He forearms Hashimoto, then his a diving forearm, then two lariats but the big guy is still on his feet. Tanaka hits the ropes, ducks a Hashimoto strike, then finally knocks Hash down with another lariat. He goes up top for a frog splash that Hashimoto dodges. That was a short run.
Tanaka eats a big DDT. He kicks out at two on the cover. Hashimoto tries for a brainbuster but Tanaka fights like mad to get out of it. He scoops Hashimoto up for a slam that barely keeps Hashimoto down. A crazy stiff slap and then a discus elbow have about the same effect. Another body slam leads to a frog splash. This one lands. Tanaka tries to double wristlock Hashimoto's arm and almost gets it in. Hashimoto has to grab the ropes to avoid it. Hashimoto shoulders Tanaka after both come off the ropes. he blasts him with another kick. A huge DDT follows. None of it is enough to put Tanaka away.
Tanaka can't get to his feet after Hashimoto lays in some more offense. The ref starts the ten count, only for Hashimoto to interrupt it with a double stomp. Hashimoto puts Tanaka in a triangle choke; the ref stops the match moments later.
Match rating: *** This showdown is less of an extended squash than the first one. Tanaka actually gets a good amount of offense in, especially compared to their match earlier in the set. Hashimoto still beats the snot out of Tanaka whenever they go toe-to-toe. He's the ace of the promotion and the absolute killer in there.
Toshiaki Kawada vs. Katsuyori Shibata
Shibata jumps Kawada before the bell rings. He takes a hard, swinging kick at Kawada but Kawada lays back to evade it. Shibata follows him outside to keep the pressure on. A few more hard kicks lay Kawada out while Shibata waits back inside the ring.
Kawada throws a low kick that Shibata checks. They trade forearms that get harder and harder. Kawada winds back for one big hit but the last forearm he took sinks in, making him stagger. Shibata works on his neck for a moment then makes a cover. Kawada kicks out at one. The two go back to slapping each other now. Shibata boots Kawada's stomach. He gives two Kawada kicks which gets an "ohhh" from the crowd. More importantly, it puts Kawada into a rage. Kawada chops and kicks Shibata until he collapses in the corner. Shibata stands up only for Kawada to back drop him. Kawada puts Shibata in the stretch plum. Shibata refuses to tap but the life slowly fades. Kawada makes a cover that gets two.
Kawada sits Shibata up. He tries a kick to the chest but Shibata catches it and hangs on. Shibata throws a hard elbow at Kawada's face. Kawada fires back with chops. Another strike exchange makes Kawada teeter into the ropes. Shibata puts on a sleeper though Kawada is grabbing the ropes. Shibata back drops Kawada then goes back to the sleeper. Shibata leaves Kawada sitting there, bounds off the ropes, and his the PK. Shibata works on another sleeper. Kawada powers out of it and rises to his feet. The two start to slap and trade strikes again. Looks very awkward. Kawada grabs Shibata by the hair and decks him with a closed fist. Shibata drops. He tries to stand so Kawada kicks him in the side of the head. Kawada adds a knee drop for good measure. He makes the cover and gets three.
Match Rating: **1/4 Fun little sprint but nothing worth writing home about. Kawada showed a bit too much ass for my liking. I enjoyed Shibata's shtick of stealing Kawada's offense.
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