The Criterion Collection of Puroresu

[Guest CanadianHorseman]

Alright everyone, this should prove to be a very interactive topic, so I'd like suggestions from all sides.

 

I am trying to start a puroresu tape collection from ground zero. The closest I have been to Japanese pro. wrestling is Mike Awesome/Masato Tanaka from ECW, so I suppose I have much to discover. Anyway, what are the essential tapes to purchase, study, cherish, etc., to gain a meaningful understanding of puroresu, its impact on the sport and its significance to Japanese culture. Where, and more specifically, why should I discover certain historical moments and what makes them worth experiencing?

 

I suspect this topic will garner a lot of response and discussion. It should a) give each diligent fan an opportunity to provide insight into their favorite moments and B) comment on the all-encompassing question of why do I make the extra effort to hunt out and pay extra cash for a sport that is already in great abundance in North America?

[Guest HBK16]

I can point you to a few diferent ways of getting the tapes.

 

Of course Ebay. Great deals can pop up on ebay. Jeff Lynch. Has the largest Japanese wrestling tape collection and can hook you up with any tape. You can also visit this link and find dealers who sell

http://crazymax.shiningwizard.com/phpBB/vi...ewforum.php?f=1

 

I personally like the juniors stuff. I would check out some early Toryumon stuff. Start off with Toryumon comes to Japan. I can hook you up with a first gen if you would like. You can't go wrong with Michinoku Pro. In 1996, they were their finest IMO.

 

If you liked the Mike Awesome and Masato match then check out some FMW from 1995-1997.

 

I am not sure on how to point you to the heavyweights because I have not explored there too much but I have seen a good share of AJPW TV from 1993 which is the best year in wrestling period.

 

I am sure some one esle can point you to great matches in the heavyweights. Some obvious picks are Misawa/Kawada matches. Some one will point out specific dates. I have a good share of tapes and will be willing to trade/sell.

[Guest Agent of Oblivion]

Snatch up some Lyger/Sano and Dynamite Kid/Tiger Mask as well. Old school goodness, but at an amazingly fast pace. The Kid/TM stuff pretty much ranges from 82 til 88ish, that I've seen, and it's mindblowing. New Japan's juniors in the mid 90's are wicked as well. Check out the super J cups from 95 and 94, not particularly in that order. Best of Super Juniors 1996 has some awesome stuff in the way of Shinjiro Ohtani vs. Ultimo Dragon.

 

I'm told Dreamslam I & II are essentials from the world of Joshi. Every recap, review, whatever says they're absolutely amazing, and I'm inclined to believe them, although I haven't seen them yet.

 

AJPW has awesome stuff in the early-mid 90's from Jumbo Tsuruta, Mitsuhara Misawa, Tashiaki Kawada, and more. AJPW is pretty much love it or hate it though. Most of what I've seen is excellent.

[Guest Tim Cooke]

I would start with Bob Barnett (www.bobbarnett.com) and work through his 80's Classic Japan tapes, then work your way through his weekly TV starting in 1991.

 

Tim

[Guest Black Tiger]

The best place to start would be a tape with a lot of familair faces on it so you have some idea of what to look for. Some examples include The WCW/Japan Supershow from 1991, New Japan G-1 Climax from 1992, Super J-Cup 1994 and Super J-Cup 1995.

 

Being new to puro try not to watch too much in one sitting or you'll be bored out of your mind with no idea of what to look for or what's coming up.

[Guest Coffin Surfer]

Death Valley Driver has a pretty good list of best of the 90s in All Japan and New Japan. They pretty much list all the essentials and all that. I'd post a link but I'am too lazy go to the Read and Don't Forget pinned thread.

[Guest Evil Ash]

When I started into puroresu it was with Schneider Comps. You get them at Death Valley Driver Video Review. Basically they're 8 hour tapes with stuff from all over the world, and almost all of it is really, really good. It's great cuz you get high-flying alongside shoot-style alongside King's Road alongside lucha, etc.

 

I'd also recommend using Tabe. His webpage can be found here: Tabe's Tapes. He has a huge selection of All Japan television, complete with ads and all, and the video quality is excellent. You can grab 5 or 6 hours of stuff from him for about $12.50, and you won't be disappointed. He also has a custom compilation of Misawa vs Kobashi, which has to be one of the greatest feuds ever.

 

Other then that, I'm pretty All Japan-biased (I'm tryin' to work on that, though), so I can't help ya too much.

[Guest TheyCallMeMark]

Being new to puro try not to watch too much in one sitting or you'll be bored out of your mind with no idea of what to look for or what's coming up.

 

Definatly, I would recommend watching no more than about half an hour at a time for awhile while you get used to it.

[Guest RavishingRickRudo]

Where do you live in Canada?

[Guest CanadianHorseman]

So much feedback!

 

I've been to Death Valley Driver and I've seen some of Schneider's comps., but it's all so very overwhelming. I mean, each tape is 8 hours and there are so many names I have never heard of. From the suggestions I have received so far, it sounds like the best place to start is with the Super J Cup tourneys and the Dynamite/Tiger Mask series; both have recognizable names and they don't feature those wild&crazy 10-man tag matches I've heard so much about, but have always been afraid to try.

 

HBK16: I have heard so many negative things about the FMW DVD's that I am hesitant to buy anything from the promotion. Where do you suggest I look for clear, uncut copies of their shows? I am trying to avoid the commercial releases because I have heard that nearly everything is terribly edited.

 

Ravishing: I am actually from Chicago. I chose the screen name CanadianHorseman, because not too long ago I seriously thought they would form a Canadian Horsemen-type faction with Chris Benoit, Jericho, Storm and Christian. We have the Un-Americans instead.

 

Overall, I think that I am most intrigued by the feedback I've heard about mid-90s AJPW, especially the Misawa/Kawada matches. However, I do not want to spoil it for myself by rushing into a blind viewing, hence the desire to build from necessity on up.

 

Thank you, everyone! I look forward to hearing more...

[Guest CanadianHorseman]

Is Wrestlingods.com a good place to purchase tapes?

[EL DANDY~! 0]

I'd try GoldenBoytapes.com

 

And also, almost everything from like 1990-1997 AJPW is gold. I'm guessing (from what I remember) that there was at least TWO ***** matches a year.

[Guest CanadianHorseman]

GoldenBoytapes.com appears to be a HUGE dealer. It seems that the overriding opinion here regarding Japan is to simply dive right in with a few familiar faces as a guide. I kind of like that.

[Guest razazteca]

the FMW DVDs do have bad commentors, but King of the Death Match does have the option to listen to it in Japanese. The matches on it have recognizable names such as Cactus Jack, Masato Tanaka, Terry Funk; plus Megumi Kudo vs Combat Toyota. If you can find the other ones used get them, since they will have at least one match you will like.

[Guest CanadianHorseman]

I have heard that "King of the Death Match" is the best FMW DVD on the market, with limited cuts and many complete matches. Have you seen the other DVDs in the FMW lineup? Sorry to ask so many questions, but I have heard an abundance of negative things about their DVDs, so I must be certain.

 

Thanks

[Guest Black Tiger]

Kudo vs Toyoda is worth the money for King of the Deathmatch alone.

 

I have Flying Assasin: The Best of Hayabusa. It has a different commentator to replace that smart ass Gellar guy and the PBP is tons better.

 

I also have The Legend Dawns, it has a decent Hayabusa vs Awesome match on it, the deathmatch with Matsunaga vs Mr. Pogo isn't too bad, the rest of it is shit.

 

From what I've seen the only really good wrestlers in FMW were Hayabusa, Tanaka, and Megumi Kudo.

[EL DANDY~! 0]

Gannousuke was fucking bomb, yo.

[Guest HBK16]

HBK16: I have heard so many negative things about the FMW DVD's that I am hesitant to buy anything from the promotion. Where do you suggest I look for clear, uncut copies of their shows? I am trying to avoid the commercial releases because I have heard that nearly everything is terribly edited.

Sure the DVD's released in the States are crap IMO. They will give you a bad start with FMW. They guys that do the commentating are wrong about everything in the tape and will get you confused on how wrestling is played off in Japan. There is a web site that the guy just focuses on FMW and is a great place to go to. If it's on video he has it. I can't remember the site at the time but if I remember it I will post it or maybe someone else knows what I am talking about.

[Guest Black Tiger]

I haven't seen enough of Ganosuke to decide how much I like him. I've only seen his double titles match with Haybusa.

 

The DVDs with John Watanabe and Dan "The Mouth" Lavronski on PBP are the ones you want to check out. The PBP is for the most part accurate with histories and move names).

[Guest HBK16]

Gannousuke was fucking bomb, yo.

I haven't seen a lot of his matches either but I hear good stuff about him. I am a few weeks of getting a comp of Gannosuke.

[Guest CanadianHorseman]

Thanks for the info., BlackTiger. I'll have to go to Suncoast and pick up "King of the Deathmatch." Another question for you guys: I was on Wrestlingods.com earlier today and they had a comp. tape of Gladiator Mike Awesome in FMW. Do you think it's worth picking up? It was pretty cheap, something like $15 for 6 hours or so.

 

HBK16: I'll have to do a Yahoo search for the FMW tape dealer. Oddly enough, I think I know who you are talking about. When the news broke about Hayabusa's injury last year, I found this site where the guy running it actually had footage of the injury (No, I didn't watch) and was pimping his tape collection of almost every show in FMW history.

[Guest HBK16]

HBK16: I'll have to do a Yahoo search for the FMW tape dealer. Oddly enough, I think I know who you are talking about. When the news broke about Hayabusa's injury last year, I found this site where the guy running it actually had footage of the injury (No, I didn't watch) and was pimping his tape collection of almost every show in FMW history.

bahufmw.com

 

Thats the guy. Has tapes of FMW from 1989. The guy knows everything about FMW. He also has some comps that are worth picking up.

[Guest CanadianHorseman]

I wasn't able to post anything all day because of work, but I just wanted to follow-up with some more discoveries and a few questions.

 

I found the FMW tape dealer and there seems to be quite a bit that is worth looking into, i.e., Hayabusa comps., tapes featuring Tanaka/Awesome and Onita hardcore matches. Other than that, FMW seems to be a mixed bag that I'm not sure I want to fully immerse myself in.

 

The more I hear about the Tiger Mask/Dynamite series, the more I realize I should begin my search there.

 

After hearing all the positive commentary about Jumbo Tsuruta, I would love to pick up a comp. of the guy. Any ideas of what to look for on said comp. (great matches, best performance years, greatest feuds)?

 

I have a lot more to ask, but I'll wait to hear feedback on these.

 

Thanks.

[Guest Agent of Oblivion]

The more I hear about the Tiger Mask/Dynamite series, the more I realize I should begin my search there.

 

After hearing all the positive commentary about Jumbo Tsuruta, I would love to pick up a comp. of the guy. Any ideas of what to look for on said comp. (great matches, best performance years, greatest feuds)?

grab some of that up, the super j cups, and you're in good shape to form some opinions clearly. That's essentially what I started on, minus the jumbo, which i regret. guy gets better the more you watch him, same with Dynamite, IMO.

[Guest CanadianHorseman]

So that's where I shall begin the quest. Thanks, Agent.

 

I'm surprised nobody has commented on the secondary theme of my primary inquiry. I'll do a little copy & paste, so everyone can see what I'm referring to: "Where, and more specifically, why should I discover certain historical moments and what makes them worth experiencing?... comment on the all-encompassing question of why do I make the extra effort to hunt out and pay extra cash for a sport that is already in great abundance in North America?"

 

Sorry to sound naggy, guys, but you all seem to have a wealth of enthusiasm for the product and I'm genuinely interested in hearing what you have to say.

 

Why do you watch puro.?

[Guest Evil Ash]

All Japan - Mitsiharu Misawa vs. Kenta Kobashi (10/21/97)

 

That was the match that really drew me in. It had everything that I liked in wrestling. It had a real story, lots of psychology, and moves that made me go "holy shit!". It was just phenomenal. It made me have to see more All Japan.

[Guest Black Tiger]

There is nothing wrong with historical signifance, but first you should try to get some of the best stuff there is, you can always fill in gaps later.

 

FMW: For good stuff, get as much Hayabusa, Tanaka, and Kudo as you can. For historical significance get the 5/5/95 show (Ontia's retirement) and 5/5/96 (new stars come into their own)

 

NJ: For good stuff, get as much Junior stuff from 1993-1998 as you can, for historical stuff, check out the Radical Fights series, Sky Diving J, J* Crown, any 1/4 show (excluding 1997)

[Guest HBK16]

I have also heard a lot of good stuff about El Samurai, Jushin Lyger, and Eddy Guerrero from 1993 or around that time range. People always comment on those matches. I am gonna look into getting some of El Samurai's and Jushin Lyger stuff from that time range soon.

[Guest Black Tiger]

HBK16: Check out all the Lyger you can from 1991-1998, just about all of it is good. For good El Samaurai stuff check out his TOSJ 1992 final match with Lyger, and his IWGP Title match vs Ultimo Dragon (11/22/92, available on New Japan Tokon V Special Vol. 12) Eddy didn't really come into his own until he was given the Black Tiger gimmick (which is how I got my screen name).

[Guest HBK16]

Cool, I will be sure to get some of that. Thanks for the help.