Wrestle Zone writer, student, working on an major that'll guarentee no job after school.
Past Roles:
Semi-pro douchebag, AMC popcorn jockey
Other credits:
Quote:
Four finger, yoroshiku.
History:
Current writer of the Navigation Log until people get sick of its crappieness.
Blog
And we're rolling... - 12.09.2007
Seriously, their teenagers are as pissed off as America teenagers.
And we're rolling... - 10.14.2007
Apologies for the shoddy-ness of this week's column. Events in the real world forced me to rush the last of the article. It also didn't help that the planned video that I had for DDT, HARASHIMA vs. Danshoku Dino didn't embed properly. It's a shame, I enjoyed that match for what it was. I have enjoyed looking at all this DDT stuff lately, they're a fun promotion and I wish I had taken the time to go see them while I was in Japan. So next week is going to have to be a double-shot of DDT. A HARASHIMA match and a Dino match. 411 is going to explode from the awesomeness.
Not sure what promotion to do next though. Possibly El Dorado since their style is right up the alley for Dragon Gate fans. I'm tempted to stay with the comedy aspect though and move to HUSTLE. I've always wanted to review a Hard Gay match. Though HG's got nothing on Dino in the homosexuality department that's for sure.
And we're rolling... - 07.16.2007
ROH in Japan was epic. I don't care what the smarks will say when the DVDs are released and everything gets picked over. It was one of the best live experiences of my life.
Usually with these Japanese shows they bring out an older type crowd. They like old style puro. Sit on your hands, cheer for the big stuff, wait for main stars. There were a lot of younger guys there tonight and they were LOUD. There were even special ROH noise makers. They had obviously seen a lot of ROH in the past as they knew "Die Jimmy Die" for Rave and when prompted gave a "You're gonna get your fucking head kicked in" for Danielson.
It was amazing how over Bryan Danielson was. The crowd went nuts over him. Shiozaki is a pretty popular NOAH heavyweight, but Danielson eclipsed him. Their match was the easy MOTN. About 20 minutes I'd say with a real big match feel. Shiozaki hopefully gets to appear in the US soon.
Also surprising was how split the crowd was during Nigel vs. Morishima. My section was very pro Nigel while the North section was screaming for Morishima. This was a hell of a match with some great high spots that the crowd went nuts for. After seeing this, I'm completely behind Morishima for a long title run. I hadn't been totally convinced that he was the type of guy I could get behind with a long run, but I'm sold. I can't wait to see him against Danielson.
This show was a huge success. They sold out Differ Ariake and left the crowd speechless. Even the slow parts were fun. Losing KENTA to a knee injury sucks but Aoki stepped up well. The dream match in Osaka is somewhat ruined, but now its Marufuji teaming with CIMA. So much for TEAM ALL CAPS.
And we're rolling... - 06.26.2007
Needless to say, the Chris Benoit story has shaken me up. What at first looked like some joke on the wrestling forums is real. And it's haunted me all day.
Then despite that, everyone was willing to move forward with their own remebrances of Benoit. Myself included. We were ready to pay tribute to a man who is without question the greatest wrestler of our time. A man who was taken all too soon along with his wife and son. But then it came out that all signs of this case point to a murder suicide. And I am more stunned than I was when I woke up this morning.
I'm sure I'll go into greater detail in my column this week. But I felt the need to write something now. Writing is theraputic for me, it's the whole reason I decided to try my luck writing on this site. Anything, just to release some of this shock. Because it is hard to equate Chris Benoit, the Rabid Wolverine, The Canadian Crippler, a man who we've always been shown as a family man, a man who everyone who ever knew respected, with someone who would murder his family.
I think that's what a lot of people are experiencing. "Benoit? No way, the guy's a class act, he'd never go off the deep end." Let's face it, aside from the Benoit we see on TV we don't know the man. While we never got bombarded by reports of Benoit getting in trouble over Wellness or fights backstage, who's to say what his personal life was like? Just because he never had a downward spiral like say, Jake Roberts doesn't mean the man didn't have problems.
Three people are dead. That alone is sad enough. All the doubt that's been thrown around over the case really only makes things worse. The most we can do is pray for the dead. Even that sounds hollow, but what else can we do? As horrible as this tragedy is, we will move on. The wrestling industry will move on. What becomes of how Benoit is remembered remains to be seen. Can you seperate a performer from a killer? It's weird watching old Eddie Guerrero or Owen Hart matches, knowing what became of them. It'll be the same for Benoit, but the circumstances of his death might not allow him to be portrayed in as positive a light.
I really don't know what else to say. I can't say why this has me so shaken up. Hopefully by Sunday I'll be more cohearant and in a better mood.
And we're rolling... - 06.19.2007
As a puro columnist (and that term should be used loosely in my case) one would expect that I spend an awful lot of time watching it. First, shut up don't tell me what I should and shouldn't be doing. Now that's out of the way, I haven't really had a chance to watch much puro lately. There's not much new stuff at the moment and my funds are low so buying things is out of the question. But I manage to see stuff thanks to the internet and here's just some of the things I've been watching.
Tiger Mask vs. Dynamite Kid (1982)
-I read Larry's review of this match in his Match of the Year Compilation review and felt like watching it. Describing it doesn't really do it justice, so just try and see it on your own if you can. Really fun stuff and a true classic of not just puro but in all of wrestling history. The match was ahead of its time. Everyone says that, but that's only because it's true.
ROH vs. CZW Cage of Death
-This match is a great bit of fun and easily the best Cage of Death I've seen. And what's amazing is seeing guys like Bryan Danielson, Samoa Joe, Claudio Castagnoli, and Chris Hero in it. I know that these guys have their hardcore edges but still, Cage of Death is usually little but a weapons spotfest. And Zandig. Fuck Zandig.
Susumu Yokosuka vs. Austin Aries
-This was from a Dragon Gate show, but I forget what year. Fun stuff, but the highlight isn't really anything from the match. The commentary is hilarious. Jack Evans is at ring side and tries getting Austin Aries chants going. The commentators stop calling the match to ask what the hell this is and end up getting into a discussion on babyfaces. A damn riot.
Mike Quackenbush vs. Tiger Mask IV
-This was for the NWA Jr. Heavyweight title and was pretty recent. Quack going rudo is awesome and he punked out Tiger Mask on his way to winning the belt. Of course there is the indy wrestling factor to consider where a huge world title is being defended in front of maybe thirty people, but it's still a solid bout. Quack goes on to cut an awesome but simple promo on why he used such cheap tactics The man does great promos, what can I say? He directly spells everything out while giving some great intensity.
Hulk Hogan vs. Paul Wright
-This is the Memphis match and I saw it from someone's fan cam. Wow, just wow. It was a slightly longer rehash of Hogan vs. Andre and not nearly as memorable. Hogan slamming Wright looked cool though, but it really didn't seem like they were out to deliever anything other than nostalgia. It worked, but I'm glad this didn't make Wrestlemania.
El Generico vs. Matt Sydal
-Their match from Ted Petty Invitational 2005. Very good stuff and the match of the night. Generico is pure awesomeness in just about everything he does from his selling to his execution of his moves. Sydal seemed especially game here and that would continue through the rest of the tournament, which he won.
On last thing about watching wrestling online. Hey, all you guys who do webcam "shoot" programs? Yeah, you're failing pretty hard. I know everyone's got their own opinions on wrestling, but video's a really bad way of doing it. They're either incredibly generic and just repeating what everyone else says or they're completely retarded flames of companies on how OMGZ WWE SUX or TNA IS TN-GAY LOLZ. You guys especially look like idiots. Maybe it wouldn't look so bad if these things weren't being done in your basement or rumpus room.
And we're rolling... - 06.10.2007
Japanese TV might be the greatest form of entertainment ever. No, not for the reasons you're thinking. There's a little more to them than just the silly physical challenge shows ala Takeshi's Castle. All clean down home weirdness and no more or less stupid than anything on American television.
So tonight we've got this show about lawsuits. Celebrity guests present a situation and the panel of lawyers judge how good of a case the person has and how much money they could get from suing. This episode features puroresu legend Mitsuhara Misawa. Misawa was on this show before, there's a video of it floating around YouTube where he wanted to sue an all-you can eat place because they refused to serve him and the NOAH wrestlers when they ate all the food.
This time around they introduce us the fact that Misawa loves pets. He's got a cat, a bulldog, and a turtle. And he has a Pet Day for NOAH where the wrestlers can bring in their animals for whatever reason. After an amazingly hilarious interaction with Misawa and Yone ("Nice dropkick, Yone." "Nice GREEN!") they hear barking so they go to see everyone's pets. More comedy with Marufuji bringing in a parrot, to further along insinuations that he's gay (good job Dino Danshoku). Then Akira Taue shows up with his little puppy. And he's all excited and wants to know what Misawa thinks of it.
Here's where things get out of hand. Misawa flashbacks to some of the many times that Taue has beat the crap out of him in a match and decides to no-sell the puppy's cuteness. Then he goes full on HEEL and makes fun of the puppy, which pissed Taue off. The end result is a pull apart brawl that Joe and Angle could learn from. In the end the panel was split as to who was at fault in the case, but I'm inclined to believe that Misawa was being a dick. By Gawd, leave the puppies out of the ring.
And we're rolling... - 06.07.2007
I got a chance to watch the last Dragon Gate exhibition match the other day. CIMA, Susumu Yokosuka, and Shingo vs. Dragon Kid, Ryo Saito, and Masaaki Mochizuki is quite an awesome display. And when comparing it to last year's Dragon Gate match I think the more recent one was just slightly better. The pacing of the match seemed a little better. The 2006 match seemed to feature non-stop huge moves and triple team spots, while in 2007 it built and built into a massive crescendo. The interactions between Shingo and Mochizuki were just great. It's part of the reason Dragon Gate is such a fun promotion when compared to the big puro companies. It doesn't rely quite so much on the big guys and gives cruiserweights a great stage to ply their craft.
I'm still keeping my fingers crossed the Morishima vs. McGuinness II will happen in Tokyo. But I'm thinking that might end up the main event in Osaka later that week. And trust me on this Marvin vs. Claudio. It's money. Yes, I worship at the altar of Ricky Marvin but if you've seen the guy can you blame me? He probably is the best high flyer in the world these days and he does so without 1080 Leg drop star presses. That's why I think so highly of him. He hits his big moves but he does them fast and in a realistic manner. Like you'd expect someone his size to do.
And is there a better concept for a band than this? Pirate theme, heavy metal, electric mandolin and violin, and they're named The SkullFuck Revolvers. Can anyone find something better? Huh? No? Then shut up.
And we're rolling... - 05.27.2007
It's true. They can neither design nor keep them updated in a way so that the average human being can navigate them. Case in point Dragon Gate who still lists wrestlers who aren't around. I have been chagrinned (sp?) by their listing of the Florida Brothers as an active group while in reality they are split up. But aside from not being able to find accurate information on Dragon Gate I had fun looking stuff up and watching matches. I'm looking forward to the GHC Jr. Heavyweight Tag Title match next Sunday for this very reason.
No full results for Chikara's Aniversario? and Aniversario! shows yet, but Quack beating Hero is a huge deal in Chikara. Hero had been ducking Quackenbush for two year since he turned on him at Tag World Grand Prix to form the Kings of Wrestling with Claudio Castagnoli and Arik Cannon. And how fitting is it also that the Kings of Wrestling could be coming full circle this weekend too. I think most people don't realize that the stable started in Chikara and has had so many members. Hero, Castagnoli, and Cannon were the first members, then came Icarus and Gran Akuma of Team F.I.S.T. Lately F.I.S.T. recruited Chuck Taylor to join them during King of Trios, while Hero has forced Claudio to reform their team under the management of Larry Sweeney. So Sweeney, Hero, and Castagnoli were battling Icarus, Akuma, and Taylor for the rights to the name Kings of Wrestling. This whole storyline proves that Chikara can just as easily have a serious storyline along with their usual wacky comedy.
Bison Smith for GHC Heavyweight Champion. Seriously.
TPI 2007 looks great this year.
All humans are vermin in the eyes of Morvo.
And we're rolling... - 05.13.2007
Going to puro shows is all well and good, but I'm missing out on some great indy stuff back home. In particular, the current trials and tribulations of CZW.
I first saw CZW back in maybe 2001 or so. They ran an hour long show on a local Philadelphia station which later got bought out by Trinity Broadcasting. Boo, not only did they take away CZW, but a lot of other small promotions had shows on. TNA/NWA did and ECW used to run there all the time. Plus, I lost my Simon & Simon, Hawaii 5-0, and MST3K re-runs. Oh the humanity.
So yeah, CZW back then was pretty much as anyone would expect it. Lot's of garbage wrestling, but every so often you'd get a real gem. The Best of the Best matches they showed were amazing and it was on this show I got to see guys like Super Dragon, CM Punk, and The Briscoes (pre-manning up) for the first time. But then one day it was off the air and I stopped caring about CZW.
Fast forward to the birth of Youtube and the frantic posting of any and all wrestling content ever. And I again enjoyed the awesomeness of matches from Best of the Best and laughed my ass off at John Zandig's barely cohearant promos. "Let's get this mother fucker started" became a grand catch phrase for any time something needed to be started. And following their feud with ROH I got to how far they had come. CZW had gained at least some amount of respect within the indy wrestling scene. Which was a riot since John Zandig is about as horrible at booking gimmicks than Vince Russo. Case in point Cage of Death 5, which while it had some cool spots, the rules make no sense at all.
But since the CZW vs. ROH rivalry, CZW has pretty much wasted all the press they've gotten out of it. There really have been few high points for the company in the past year. The biggest new star they've made is Drake Younger, but at the rate he's going with the deathmatch stuff he could be working with Sick Nick Mondo at Blockbuster in a few years. Jigsaw, one of Mike Quackenbush's best students has found great success in CZW and the brutal almost 2 year war between Eddie Kingston and Chris Hero has been one of the reasons to follow the company.
Here's where the problems started. Last month the Kingston/Hero feud ended with a loser leaves town match. And it was a stiff, brutal affair which is only fitting for such a feud. After the match Zandig came out to thank Chris Hero. What he was really going to was thank Hero, then clothesline Kingston. In other words, insert himself into the end of the match and take the heat from the end of the feud. Kingston wasn't going to have this so he walked out and Zandig fired him. Zandig then began to shoot on the fans, which is always a good idea.
There's more to the actual story then I've said here, but it points toward the problem CZW has had in recent years. Zandig is the kind of guy who always has to be in the spot light. When a match is a big hit, he has to come out and make a speech thus putting the attention from the guys who just had a hell of a match to himself. Plus, with the booking of the older CZW guys who are ridiculously beaten down and guys who the fans just can't stand he's not a very popular owner with a lot fans right now.
CZW has had a real rollercoast recently. And I'm sad I'm missing it. Yeah, it focuses a lot on the garbage aspect of wrestling, but they've had some fun matches in the past. And honestly, I would have loved to see the Q&A with Zandig. My friend came up with the perfect question to ask him:
"I would have asked Zangid if he wanted to play 21. Because I've got 22."
John Zandig vs. Jake Roberts. Book it.
And we're rolling... - 04.21.2007
I'd like to directly apologize for The Navigation Log this week. I wrote it up really fast about the same time I remembered that I even had a column to write this week. It shows. That aside the Budokan show does look really good and I wish I was attending. Even if Sano has no chance of winning the title. But as I promised, if he does I will do a soft shoe across a street walk somewhere in Tokyo and put it on YouTube or something.
But I do want to take a second and shill King of Europe a bit. It's the brain child of Doug Williams and Alex Shane, a tournament where 16 promotions from around the world send one representative to Liverpool to compete for King of Europe, to take place April 28th-29th. The tournament also has an aspect of prize fighting. Winners of matches get a small purse, but the fans make volunatry contributions themselves. At the end of the night they vote for match of the night and the winner of that gets a huge chunk of whatever was donated. This intends to motivate wrestlers to give the best effort possible for a higher payday. The first round brackets are as follows:
Nigel McGuiness(ROH) vs. Rhino(TNA)
Chris Hero(CZW) vs. Claudio Castagnoli(Chikara)
Matt Sydal(IWA-MS) vs. El Generico(IWS)
Davey Richards(PWG) vs. Zebra Kid(WAW)
Ryo Saito(Dragon Gate) vs. Jody Fleisch(1PW)
Go Shiozaki(NOAH) vs. Martin Stone(RQW)
Trent Acid(PWU) vs. PAC(IPW:UK)
Doug Williams(Premier) vs. Ares(WXW)
There's some interesting matches here in the first round. McGuiness vs. Rhino is a neat pairing considering the resentment going back and forth between ROH stars who appear on TNA, especially with the recent suspension of Austin Ares. Hero vs. Castagnoli is one of the opening matches between these two and I'm sure that their rivalry is going to go on for awhile afterwards. Sydal vs. Generico is going to be insane as they'll look to out do their opening round match at the 2005 Ted Petty Invitational.
Interesting notes, Hero is still representing CZW despite the fact that he doesn't work there any more and FIP was originally going to be represented by Roderick Strong, but he had to pull out due to his ROH bookings. He's replaced by Zebra Kid and I have no idea who he is. It's a great line up regardless of my familiarity with some of these wrestlers. Too bad I'm in the wrong country or I'd go see it.
And we're rolling... - 03.31.2007
Since my first column I got one email. An email of praise. Now everyone loves to be complimented and I thank the guy who sent that in. Being that I am my own worst critic I don't think the column was as great as the praise heaped on it, but let's just agree to disagree. I'll just wait for an email from someone calling me a moron. Maybe I'll write something contriversial and see what happens. Perhaps an endorsment for Giant Khali to become champ? Or Tomko for next TNA Champion? A case could be made in both regards. I'm not here to piss people off, but the IWC isn't exactly known for being level headed.
And I realize why the 1990's Night of the Living Dead movie sucks so much. Because see, Ben is the best character ever. And then in the remake its implied that the house getting attacked is his fault. And come on, if you've ever seen the original NOTLD the Ben is a total badass.
The Navigation Log 2.15.09: CIMA's Tryout, NOAH vs. Kensuke Office
(02.15.2009)
Let the speculation commence as, Dragon Gate's CIMA works a WWE dark match. Also, Kensuke Office takes a surprising lead of NOAH as Kensuke Sasaki and Katsuhiko Nakajima score huge wins. Also Misawa vs. Kawada. Nuff said.
The Navigation Log 2.08.09: Hayashi vs. Marufuji, Minoru to All Japan, and a New Japan Sumo Hall Preview
(02.08.2009)
Kaz Hayashi takes on Naomichi Marufuji for the All Japan World Jr. Heavyweight Title, but does he have the skills to topple one of NOAH's finest? Also, former New Japan star Minoru debuts for All Japan, already laying out challenges left and right. We're also looking at the big New Japan show next week, which features a ton of outside talent and Tanahashi vs. Nakamura!
The Navigation Log 2.01.09: Korakuen Shenanigans, Kobashi's Return and New Japan News
(02.01.2009)
The First Navigation ends with a lively Korakuen Hall show. NOAH seems to be heading in a new direction and if this show is any indication, their new direction is going to be an interesting ride. Also, Nagata vs. Goto is back on the radar in New Japan, while Jushin Liger sets his sights on Tiger Mask's new IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Title. Lastly, we begin our countdown to Kenta Kobashi's return with one of his fine matches in the Weekly Puro!
The Navigation Log 1.18.09: NOAH's First Navigation, Beer Money Inc to New Japan, and More!
(01.18.2009)
We'll take a quick look at some of the big stories coming out of NOAH this month and then jump into the next round of TNA vs. New Japan! Then there's Bison Smith in ROH, Kenny Omega in every Japanese indy you've never heard of, Minoru done with New Japan, and the name of Shingo Takagi's new unit in Dragon Gate! All this, plus one-third of the Jung Dragons in the Weekly Puro!
The Navigation Log 01.04.09: All Asia Tag Team Tournament and Doi's Big Win
(01.04.2009)
All Japan reactivated the All Asia Tag Team Titles after a two-day tournament this weekend. Find out who became the 81st team to wear the belts and join the long line of great who have held them. Also Naruki Doi realized his full potential in Dragon Gate last weekend, but it was not quite so sweet for one major faction.
The Navigation Log 12.21.08: King of Gate Finals, El Dorado Closes, and Global Gauntlet Night 1!
(12.21.2008)
We're getting caught up with Dragon Gate this week as we look at the King of Gate finals and see who will be going on to challenge Shingo Takagi for the Open the Dream Gate title. Also, independent promotion El Dorado closes its doors and it's already having an impact on Dragon Gate. I'll also be talking CHIKARA's Global Gauntlet and Darkside Hulk takes on his weirdest challenge yet in the Weekly Puro!
The Navigation Log 12.14.08: Tokyo Sports Awards and WRESTLE KINGDOM III
(12.14.2008)
Who was the best of the best in Japan this year? The Tokyo Sports Awards will let you know! Also Wrestle Kingdom III is epic, the All Asia Tag Team Title return to All Japan, and Japan's Match of the Year in the Weekly Puro!
The Navigation Log 12.07.08: Mauritius Final Results, GHC Defenses, and World's Strongest Tag League!
(12.07.2008)
Akihiko Ito wins the Mauritius Cup while just about every title NOAH has was defended last week. Also, All Japan's World's Strongest Tag League is winding down. Find out who looks poised to become the best tag team in All Japan inside! Also Hiroshi Tanahashi goes on an impressive streak, King of Gate is underway, and the Weekly Puro takes a look at Kenny Omega's stint in DDT.
The Navigation Log 11.23.08: Mauritius Cup Update, Tanahashi vs. Muto is Official, and Foreign Representatives to New Japan
(11.23.2008)
Genba Hirayanagi is rolling in NOAH's Mauritius Cup while even more tournaments loom in the company. In New Japan Hiroshi Tanahashi accepts a title match against his mentor Keiji Muto while representatives from TNA and Mexico are announced for the first show of 2009. Meanwhile in Dragon Gate Shingo Takagi continues to shake the company at its foundation following the recent Osaka PPV.
The Navigation Log 11.16.08: NOAH's Christmas Plans and Hiroshi Tanahashi
(11.16.2008)
NOAH announces their plans for Christmas this year with a huge 32 man tournament. Find out the details inside. Also, Hiroshi Tanahashi becomes kinda like Jesus for New Japan as they seek him out as their last hope to topple Keiji Muto!
The Navigation Log 11.09.08: G1 Tag Finals, Hama Debuts in All Japan, and Dragon Gate Preview
(11.09.2008)
The TenKoji Reunion Tour goes to the finals of the G1 Tag League, but does it have enough steam to finish? Meanwhile in All Japan Ryota Hama makes his long awaited debut, Marufuji sets his sights on the record book, and The Great Muta has a tall order in his next Triple Crown defense. We'll also preview the big Dragon Gate show set for next weekend and take a look at some Toryumon action in the Weekly Puro.
The Navigation Log 11.02.08: All Japan PPV Preview, G1 Tag League, NOAH Winter Navigation and More!
(11.02.2008)
All Japan prepares to show some LOVE in RYOGOKU, Makabe & Yano dominate New Japan's G1 Tag League, and all the happenings to expect from NOAH's Winter Navigation! We've also got the latest match from KENTA and Marufuji. Where does it rank among Japan's top matches from 2008? You decide! Holy crap, I just tied this in with the election...
The Navigation Log 10.12.08: Muto vs. Nakamura II, TenKoji vs. GURENTAI Get a Big Draw, and Makoto Hashi
(10.12.2008)
Shinsuke Nakamura is prepared for the match of his life against Keiji Muto on Monday. Find out just what else is at stake besides the IWGP Heavyweight Title. Hiroyoshi Tenzan travels to All Japan to team with Satoshi Kojima to go after Minoru Suzuki & Taiyo Kea's tag titles while in NOAH Makoto Hashi takes a title of his own. Also the return of a legendary stable to DDT...
The Navigation Log 10.05.08: Muta World
(10.05.2008)
Keiji Muto rules Japan and Naomichi Marufuji wins All Japan gold and sets on a collision course with KENTA. Both of these things seem to further point to more cross-promotional interaction between all three of Japan's Big Three companies, but is it really worth getting hopes up?
SPOTLIGHTS
