It's like Super J Cup 1994... except a year later.
SUPER J CUP 1995
It has been nearly two years since I last sat down to watch this tape. I noticed a lot of little things this time around that came off a lot better. I’ll attribute it to experience with so many different federations and wrestlers. On the other hand, some of the stuff that I thought were great back when I was "green" with Puroresu, hasn’t aged very well.
The participants are El Samurai, Hanzoh Nakijima, Wild Pegasus, Lion Heart, Jushin "Thunder" Lyger, Gedo, Damien 666, Gran Naniwa, Shinjiro Ohtani, Masayoshi Motegi, Ultimo Dragon, Shoichi Funaki, Dos Caras and Masaki Mockizuki. You can tell right off the bat that this roster is suffering from a severe lack of Michinoku Pro participants. I’m not sure why though. Any help there?
OPENING ROUND
GRAN NANIWA vs DAMIEN 666
My good buddy Scott (not Keith) loves seeing Naniwa wrestle and especially loves that jackass crab walk elbow. I can’t figure out why. The only time I’ve ever been overly impressed with Naniwa is when he became "Super Naniwa" in 1999 during The World Masked Tournament. Of course he broke his arm during that tournament and I haven’t seen him since. As for Damien, well I don’t watch Lucha so I don’t know if he’s any good or not. This match is all comedy. Damien and Naniwa call the name of a famous wrestler and then hit their trademark move. They have a super pose down to start. Damien calls Chosyu and hits THE RIKI LARIATOOOOOO followed up with the Sasurigatame. Damien calls Tenryu (good pop for that) and hits the mini chops and shinny kicks. He calls Koshinaka and hits the flying butt attack. Now we get Jinsei complete with praying rope walk into an arm drag. Naniwa brings some crappy offense but it’s no sold. Why? Because Damien is MISAWA! Elbow, elbow, ROLLING ELBOOOOOOW! Oh this is too much; I’ve got tears in my eyes. Now we get Muta with the front slam but he misses the moonsault. Naniwa capitalizes with a rana roll up for the victory. OK wrestling and really funny impersonations get **1/2. Post match has Damien mock more people. First we get the chops around the ring ala Onita. Then the spasm running of Kodo Fuyuki. Lastly we get Inoki as Damien huffs and puffs into the mic trying to talk after the grueling match. Oh man… the crowd is eating this up with a huge spoon. Great idea for an opener.
MASAKI MOCKIZUKI vs SHINJIRO OHTANI
This match follows a very simple formula. Mockizuki kicks and hits knee smashes like he’s trying to kill Ohtani. Ohtani comes back with the strategy of taking Mockizuki’s leg home as a trophy. Mockizuki escapes the leg attacks and kicks some more. Rinse and repeat about three times until it’s too much for Mockizuki to take and you have the match. That’s not to say it was bad, just not much in the way of variety. **1/2
SHOICHI FUNAKI vs ULTIMO DRAGON
I… Sho Funaki… will job… because Dragon is… bookerman… INDEED! YOU DAMN RIGHT! Both guys are decked out real faggot like as Dragon has black on pink and Funaki has florescent multi coloured tights. They fight over a leg bar for the first half of the match. After that Dragon takes Funaki down with a rana for two. Funaki to the outside and Dragon hits an Asai (note… Asai, not Quebrada) moonsault. Back in the ring and Funaki hits the Fisherman’s Buster for 2 and ½. Irish whip but Funaki puts his head down and Dragon hits a Fisherman’s Buster of his own. Dragon hits a top rope rana, followed up with a DDT and ending it with Super Saiyan Level 1 attack of La Majistral Cradle. Well… not too bad at all. **3/4
MASAYOSHI MOTEGI vs GEDO
Oh for God’s sake, Dragon just had to stick the two worst wrestlers in the tournament into the same match. I guess one bad match is better than two mediocre matches. Wow, Gedo went from long black hair with no sides in 1994 to giant blonde afro. How many drugs does this guy abuse anyway? Motegi works over Gedo’s arm (a trend that would continue all night) and pulls out some nice stuff including rolling elbow lock submissions. Motegi switches up and hits a Missile dropkick for 2 and ½. A brainbuster gets 2 and ¾. Rolling Germans suplexes get 2 and 9/10. Jump to the end as Motegi goes for a rana but it’s reversed into a powerbomb. Gedo slaps on his inverted full nelson submission and Motegi tries to get to the ropes but gets pulled back into the middle. TIME TO SCREAM BOY! Of course he submits to the stupid submission. **
DOS CARAS vs EL SAMURAI
I’m willing to put good money down that Caras was the man to create the Karma Sutra in a past life. Only someone who twists the human body the way Caras does could come up with all those fucked up (in more ways then one) sexual positions. THIS MATCH IS SQUASH CITY! Samurai takes the beating and stretching of a lifetime. I keep waiting for the miracle comeback but no dice. Samurai got about four moves in the whole match: piledriver, Thunderfire powerbomb, top rope Frankensteiner, and a missed swandive headbutt. Caras made it fun with all sorts of the pretzel like submissions and ends it with a high cross bodypress. **1/2
HANZOH NAKAJIMA vs LIONHEART
OH MY GOD, IT’S SHREDDER! Oh wait… that’s Hanzoh. Damn… that guy’s entrance costume is something right out of TMNT. He is also decked out in fruity black on pink tights. UGH… On the other side with have Chris "LET’S GO BABY" Jericho. Jericho’s a loudmouth; you just want to slap the taste out of his mouth. Good thing Benoit would do that later on in the night. Nakajima pulls out lots of flashy stuff including head scissors and rana’s. He pulls out a perfect tope suicida, which is pretty rare. Most times, the attacker touches the ropes on the way out. This was perfect flight. Nakajima runs over Jericho for the mostpart until the superman comeback of a Fisherman’s Buster followed with the Lionsault for the victory. The match was too disjointed due to Nakajima’s preparing for the next flashy move along with Jericho’s lack of offense until the end. **1/2
QUARTER FINALS
GRAN NANIWA vs JUSHIN "THUNDER" LYGER
Lyger and Naniwa always seem to have good chemistry. They had another really good match at the 1997 Super Junior tournament as well. Naniwa brought his "A game" for this one. He attacks Lyger as he’s making his entrance and posing on the top rope. Posing gets Lyger a top rope Frankensteiner. Naniwa fires off a missile dropkick followed up with a Doctor bomb for 2 and ½. My respect gets flushed down the toilet as Naniwa goes for the crab walk elbow and misses by a mile. Lyger goes for a shotei but it’s ducked and Naniwa fires off a rana for 2 and ½. He goes for another but Lyger powerbombs him for his trouble. And in a bit that I found friggin hilarious, Lyger does the crab walk. HA HA, CHEW ON THAT CRAB BOY! Lyger slaps on an inverted surfboard but Naniwa escapes and clamps down one of his own to a big pop. I’ll say one thing, the crowd loves Naniwa. Naniwa brings all sorts of punishment: Superfly splash, top rope rana, and a spinning doctor bomb. Lots of near falls. He goes for another but Lyger slips out and hits a shotei. Lyger to the top and he hits a top rope elbow for 2 and ¾. He goes for a Lygerbomb but it’s reversed into a rana roll up for 2 and ¾. Lyger recovers quickly and hits a Fisherman’s Buster for the three count. What’s with that move anyway? Above solid match with great crowd heat throughout. ***1/2
LIONHEART vs WILD PEGASUS
Now here’s a match that a lot of people love off. I really like this match but not to the extent that other people do. Jericho continues with his loud mouth asshole routine. He’s quite liberal with the words "fuck" and "motherfucker" as well (I’m not joking). Long feel out process until Jericho hits a delayed "LETS GO BABY" vertical suplex. He hits a bodyslam followed up with a slingshot splash for 2 and ½. CUE THE CHINLOCK! Benoit has none of this resting garbage from Chris "five minutes until I blow up" Jericho. Pegasus hits a belly to back suplex out of the chinlock followed up with a snap suplex for 2 and ½. Irish whip and Benoit hits a BIG TIME lariat for 2 and ¾. Benoit slaps on what would eventually be called the Walls of Jericho. I giggle like a little girl while Jericho SCREAMS like a little girl. HA HA! Irish whip but Benoit misses the dropkick (what a surprise). Irish whip is reversed but Jericho tries to rebound with a springboard moonsault bodyblock only to hit air. HA… Benoit introduces Jericho to the kitchen sink. Jericho gets the advantage off a spin wheel kick followed up with his trademark springboard dropkick. He follows up with a springboard moonsault to the outside. WOW… now that was impressive. Back in the ring and Benoit reverses a belly to back into a pin for 2 and ½. Benoit hits a BUCKWILDBOMB! For 2 and 9/10. This crowd is really heating up. He hits the Dragon suplex for 2 and ¾. Benoit misses the swandive headbutt and Jericho comes back with a double underhook powerbomb for 2 and ¾. Jericho hits a Tiger suplex but can’t hold onto it and it falls apart at 2 and ½. You can actually see the look of disgust on his face for not getting the move right. Jericho goes for the Lionsault but misses and lands on his feet. He comes right back with a rana for 2 and ¾. Jericho puts Benoit on the top for a superplex but Benoit turns him upside down and hits what was supposed to be a second rope tombstone for the victory. The match was great but Jericho’s sloppiness at various points preclude it from being the miracle match a lot of people make it out to be. ****
SHINJIRO OHTANI vs ULTIMO DRAGON
Let me make this very clear, this is NOT the infamous match that is ranked as one of the greatest junior matches of all time. That would take place in the semi finals of the J Crown tournament eight months after this match. Let me make one other thing clear, THIS MATCH ROCKS TOO! Dragon has upgraded to Super Saiyan level 2 (non faggot blue tights). Lots of flip floppy fun for the family to start. Dragon goes for a pescado but Ohtani moves and slaps Dragon on the way down. HA! That’s why he’s THE BITCHMASTER! Ohtani brings the noise with a springboard swandive plancha. Back in the ring and Ohtani hits a springboard leg lariat. He goes for another but gets nailed with a dropkick. Ohtani to the outside and Dragon hits the Asai moonsault. Back in the ring and it’s settled down with leg work for a while. They eventually go into one of the stupidest things ever: the no sell tombstone spot. It goes like this: one guy gets a tombstone, he no sells it and hits a tombstone of his own. This can go on for three or four cycles. I mean come on… how much can you diminish the power of a move with this sequence? I’ll tell you one thing though, the crowd loves it and you can feel the heat rising in the building. Dragon breaks the chain with a dropkick for 2 and ½ and HERE COME THE NEAR FALLS! Dragon with a top rope rana for 2 and 9/10. Dragon goes for a powerbomb but it’s reversed into a rana roll up for 2 and 9/10. This crowd is gaining a lot of steam. Ohtani hits a top rope Frankensteiner for 2 and ¾ reversed into a sunset flip for 2 and ¾. Ohtani goes for the springboard dropkick but it misses and Dragon slaps on LA MAJISTRAL CRADLE! 1… 2… 2.999999! OH MY GOD! Irish whip into the corner but Ohtani kicks him and fires off the springboard dropkick. THIS CROWD IS SUPER HOT! Ohtani hits the Dragon suplex! 1… 2… 2.999999! SWEET JESUS! Irish whip but Ohtani puts his head down and Dragon fires off a sit out powerbomb for 2 and 9/10. This crowd is climbing the walls and so am I. Dragon hits a Fisherman’s Buster for 2 and 9/10. He goes for a twisting senton but it misses by a mile. OOOHHH… that’ll cost you some ratings points. He manages to recover with another La Majistral cradle for the three count. GREAT MATCH! Super crowd heat made it all the better. ****1/4
DOS CARAS vs GEDO
What… is this supposed to be funny? We got two ****+ matches and then this? No… no this isn’t right. Ah well… I’ll make this short and sweet. Caras makes Gedo scream like a cheap whore for about 9/10 of the match. Gedo makes a quick superman comeback, almost manages to pull Caras’ mask off to major heel heat and then win the match with the Gedo Clutch. God that pisses me off! Caras carried the whole thing with submissions that are beyond description. **3/4
SEMI FINALS
JUSHIN "THUNDER" LYGER vs ULTIMO DRAGON
Dragon has reached is highest Super Saiyan level with awesome all white gear. You’ll also note that with each bigger level comes a better match, like this one here. Total domination from Lyger with lots of innovative submissions. Lots of flip flop to wake up the crowd. Irish whip into the corner and Dragon hits a handspring elbow followed up with a Fisherman suplex for a two count. Lyger rolls outside to catch a breather but no dice as Dragon hits an elbow suicida. He heads back in and then fires off a somersault plancha. NICE! Back in the ring where a powerbomb and a Tiger suplex each get 2 and ¾. He goes for a dropkick but Lyger holds the ropes and slingshots Dragon to the outside. OUCH! Lyger proves he can fly with the best of them after hitting a somersault bodyblock from the apron to the floor. Back in the ring and Lyger hits a VICIOUS powerbomb for 2 and ½. Lyger hits a BRUTAL brainbuster for 2 and ¾. A tombstone followed up with a swandive headbutt net a 2 and 9/10 count. The crowd’s really starting to dig this match. Lyger telegraphs a backdrop and Dragon tries a victory roll but it’s rolled through for 2 and 9/10. Lyger goes for a Shotei but Dragon reverses into a Northern Lights suplex for 2 and ¾. Dang… these two are pulling out everything. Irish whip is reversed and Lyger hits a koppo kick. He goes for a Super Fisherman’s Buster but it’s reversed into a super split legged face buster. Dragon slaps on La Majistral cradle! 1… 2… 2.99999! Dragon hits a front slam but misses the moonsault. Lyger capitalizes with THE LYGERBOMB! 1… 2… 2.99999! OH MY, OH MY WHAT A NEAR FALL! Lyger charges in but Dragon gets in a drop toe hold and slaps on La Majistral but Lyger blocks the hold thus pinning down Dragon’s shoulders for the three count! Absolutely superb match. It had a very steady build and the crowd played their part to perfection. ****1/2
WILD PEGASUS vs GEDO
Benoit does not look like he’s in a very good mood. I’m guessing he didn’t want to job to Gedo. Ah well… here’s to hoping Benoit cripples Gedo before jobbing. CHEERS! Benoit brings the pain quick and hard with killer chops. He knocks a few teeth out with a brutal elbow shot followed up with a backbreaker for a quick two count. A German suplex gets two. The Lion Tamer brings about screams of agony much to my enjoyment. Unfortunately Benoit goes for a superplex and of course hurts himself. Ugh… you’d figure he would stop using moves that hurt him. Gedo slaps on his inverted full nelson but Benoit manages to reverse into a jawbreaker. Irish whip is reversed but he eats boot on the blind charge. Gedo hits a huracanrana, which sends Benoit to the outside. Gedo follows up with an ugly tope suicida. Benoit gets the advantage on the outside and suplexes Gedo on a table. Whoa… that I wasn’t expecting. Back in the ring and Benoit hits a top rope Frankensteiner for 2 and ¾. WHA? Benoit with a couple of locomotion German suplexes, each getting 2 and ¾. Benoit DECAPITATES Gedo with a monster lariat for 2 and 9/10. UGH… that wasn’t pretty at all. THE CROWD IS PISSED! The ref didn’t pace himself and they’re booing the poor guy out of the building. Benoit hits the WILDBOMB! for 2 and 9/10. He hits the Dragon suplex for 2 and 9/10. He goes for a suplex but Gedo slips out and fires off a brainbuster. He heads to the top and hits a swandive headbutt from about ¾ across the ring for the three count! Benoit’s got to have a sore back from carrying Gedo through the whole thing. Nevertheless, above solid match. ***1/2
BONUS MATCH: REY MISTERIO JR. VS PSICOSIS
The whole thing is a giant exhibition on how many different angles Rey Misterio Jr. can hit the huracanrana from. Psicosis got in a tope con hilo, two powerbombs and a couple of guillotine legdrops the whole match. The rest was all Misterio. The crowd was really into this one as Rey brought his A game and showcased a lot of really fun stuff. Rey ends it with a rana roll up (what a surprise). You’ll get no complaints from on this one. ****
FINALS
JUSHIN "THUNDER" LYGER vs GEDO
Let me get this straight… You’ve got the most popular and arguably best wrestler in junior wrestling history vs Mr. Afro Piggy. Riiiiiight. Ever hear a piggy scream? Well watch this match and you most surely will. Lyger OBLITERATES Gedo’s left arm. Lots of different submissions. A hilarious spot as Lyger fires off SIXTEEN consecutive knee smashes into Gedo’s elbow. Never have I heard a man scream like I did with those shots raining down. The screams were almost soothing in a twisted sort of way. Standing arm bars, Fujiwara arm bars, arm breakers, Juji Gatame holds, and a cross face chicken wing are all unleashed in their scream filled glory on Gedo. Gedo finally ends the punishment off a low blow. He fires off a Superkick, which sends Lyger to the floor and follows up with a springboard moonsault. NICE! Back in the ring and Gedo hits a powerbomb followed up with a swandive headbutt for 2 and ½. He slaps on the inverted full nelson and twice pulls Lyger back into the middle after inching to the ropes. He he… I like stuff like that. They go into a double clothesline spot and the crowd wakes up as they cheer for both guys. Great sequence as they both get up; clothesline by Gedo is ducked and Lyger fires off a released German suplex but it’s flipped out and Gedo who hits a rana, reversed by Lyger into a sunset flip, rolled through by Gedo into a double leg hook for 2 and ¾. Gedo gets a kick to the gut and Lyger hits a Fisherman’s Buster for 2 and ¾. Lyger hits the Lygerbomb for 2 and 9/10. He goes for a missile dropkick but it misses and Gedo fires off a NASTY brainbuster. Lyger is hurting. Gedo slaps on THE GEDO CLUTCH! 1… 2… 2.999999! DAMN… that was pretty damn close. "LYGER… LYGER… LYGER!" Lyger slips out of a vertical suplex and hits a snap brainbuster for 2 and 9/10. EEEWWW! Lyger heads to the top but Gedo slams him off. Now he heads to the top but Lyger cuts him off and ends it with a SUPER FISHERMAN’S BUSTER! HOLY SHIT, THAT WAS UGLY! Ah well… what’s a broken neck here and there? This match was a lot better than what I remembered from years ago. ***1/2
Final Analysis: Just like in 1994, this tournament held up to all of the grand expectations. I was disappointed that Michinoku Pro didn’t have any wrestlers in the tournament. TAKA Michinoku and The Great Sasuke could have replaced lesser known guys like Nakajima or Funaki. I was particularly surprised that Koji Kanemoto wasn’t in this tournament either. As for the participants, The Ultimo Dragon was the obvious MVP for this tournament. He turned it up just a little bit more with each round of the tournament. On a side note, I’m a fan of Dragon Ball Z, which is why I threw in the Super Saiyan thing. If you don’t watch the show then you won’t understand, so don’t think it was some weird wrestling term or anything like that.
I had real beef with Gedo going over Pegasus. Especially considering the fact that Benoit had already won the 1995 Super Junior tournament earlier in the year. Besides, if you had to push someone from WAR (they hosted the tournament) wouldn’t it have made sense to have Dragon vs Lyger in the final? I’d have killed to see Dragon vs Pegasus. I don’t think they have ever faced each other and with Dragon’s arm the way it is, that meeting will never occur either.
All in all, you can’t bitch about four **** matches. You can’t go wrong with this tournament. The bad stuff was tolerable and the great stuff will keep you on the edge of your seat. Can’t ask for more than that right? Highest recommendation.
