Getting my first set of puro comps

[Guest TheGame2705]

This is gonna be my first set of puro tapes. It's 38 hrs. worth and it's only gonna cost $80. Here's the cards:

 

NOAH 4-5-02 (2-17-02)- Kobashi Returns

NOAH 2-3-02 (12-9-01)

AJPW 1-19-95

AJPW Giant Series 10-31-98

AJPW Giant Series 1-22-99

M-Pro: Onita vs. Sasuke

NJPW on BS ASAHI 6-30-02

AJPW vs. NJPW (4-14 and 6-8-01)

AJPW Summer Action Series `99 (9-4-99)

NJPW J Crown 96

NJPW TOSJ IX 2002

AJPW Champion Carnival 99

NJPW J-Cup 94

WAR J-cup 95

 

Anything you think I shouldn't get. If you need the match listing off the tape I can give you it if you have a question.

[Guest Agent of Oblivion]

I'd have opted for the earlier 90's AJPW stuff, and I'll be one of a dozen people that will say the same thing. You've got the j-cups though, which is crucial. I'd pick up AJPW Giant Series 97, or at least the Misawa/Kobashi match. Get 6/3/94. It's required viewing.

[Guest wolverine]

I'd suggest lots of coffee while watching 1/19/95.

[Guest RickyChosyu]

The J-Cups and J*Crown tourni are great introductory shows that anyone getting into juniors should see, so good picks there.

 

I'm not a pro on the reacent NJ stuff, by any means, but the Super Juniors tourni's usually have at least a few good matches, and it should give you a chance to see the current junior-style workers.

 

The 4/5 Noah stuff is pretty good with a really hot juniors match on the card and a really solid main. I wouldn't recomend it if you're looking for the best stuff from Misawa, Kobashi, and Akiyama, but it's pretty much the best showing NOAH's had this year, as far as I know.

 

I really would have picked up more early AJPW. The only one of those shows I've seen is Giant Series '98, which is ok. There's a pretty decent Kobashi/Ace vs. Kawada/Taue match on there, but as I said before, there have been much better tags featuring those guys. The Hase match is kinda neat, but if you're just getting into All Japan, it'll probably bore you to tears. The Triple Crown match is the usual post-97 head-dropping exibition, with some pretty dreary points in the middle. It'll probably impress as far as stiffness goes, but if you want the deep, intricate wrestling that AJPW is best known for, you're barking up the wrong tree.

 

Sasuke/Onita is a fun deathmatch, if anything. I'm curious as to why you picked up this as your first M Pro experience, though. Garbage was hardly the type of thing that Sasuke and Co. prided themselves on.

[Guest PlatypusFool]

That's a pretty DAMN good introduction to puro if you ask me. You've got a healthy dose of everything in there, which is always nice to see.

 

I recommend beginning with the J-Cup 95 and digesting that, and them moving on via the J-Cup 94 to the rest of the tapes - you should love it!

[Guest wolverine]

"There's a pretty decent Kobashi/Ace vs. Kawada/Taue match on there, but as I said before, there have been much better tags featuring those guys."

 

This is actually Kobashi and Akiyama's first match as a team (Kobashi had broken up with Ace the series before).

 

"The Hase match is kinda neat, but if you're just getting into All Japan, it'll probably bore you to tears."

 

No Hase match, but there is a Misawa-Shinzaki crapfest.

 

"The Triple Crown match is the usual post-97 head-dropping exibition, with some pretty dreary points in the middle. It'll probably impress as far as stiffness goes, but if you want the deep, intricate wrestling that AJPW is best known for, you're barking up the wrong tree."

 

The TC match is just really overrated. It's slow, monotonous, and probably a good cure for insomnia. It's sad, because the match they had one year earlier was incredible....

[Guest RickyChosyu]

Ah, crap, I misread the tape. My tape was New Year's Giant Series '98, which took place in January and had Kobashi/Ace v. Kawada Taue for the tag titles, Hase/Kikuchi, and Misawa/Akiyama for the Triple Crown. Sorry about that. As it stands, though, it doesn't sound like Giant Series '98 is that great anyhow, even though Wrestleholics has both the matches Wolverine discussed as MOTY Canidates. The Observor rated Misawa/Kobashi 10/98 as MOTY, too. I can't really be suprised, considering their runner up was Makind/Undertaker. Whatever.

[Guest wolverine]

I didn't like NYGS '98 either. A bunch of monkees couldn't have booked that Misawa-Akiyama match worse than AJPW did.

 

As far as the tag, it's absolutely one of my least favorite AJPW tags ever. I recall the rematch in June was better though. Speaking of which, the Super Power Series '98 is probably the last 'great' AJPW commercial tape, since it has the Kawada-Kobashi 6/12/98 match, which is the last legit MOTYC to come out of that company (not watered down candidates that came in later years).

 

As far as the Hase match, I couldn't even finish it. The only AJPW Hase match I remember liking was the 8/26/97 match against Kobashi, which is a **** match.

[Guest RickyChosyu]

Seriously, Misawa/Akiyama really left a bad taste in my mouth. Poor effort + bad structure = crappy match.

 

The Tag match just didn't go anywhere, and never seemed to have any kind of storyline until Taue decided to start attacking Kobashi's knee.

 

The Hase match is just a ton of pointless submisions that get no heat whatsoever, until one of them gets the win. Pointless.

[Guest TheGame2705]

Ok dudes like I said I'm kinda new so I don't really know what sets the matches that you guys said were crapfests and which were good were on lol. I got the point though that I should get early AJPW stuff like 6/3/94. I checked wrestleholics and they don't have much so I'm gonna check Tabe. I was going to get These Days or Heartbreak from M-Pro but I needed filler basically (1:30) and the card seemed pretty good. So bear with me please but could you list specific early AJPW shows you think I should get and which ones I should drop? Thanks a ton

[Guest wolverine]

For AJPW, you really should get the Feb.-Apr. and Aug.-Sept. '93 TV blocks, instead of those commercial tapes from 1998-99. Starting with the late 90's may or may not leave a bad taste in your mouth.

[Guest AllCanadian]

Ok dudes like I said I'm kinda new so I don't really know what sets the matches that you guys said were crapfests and which were good were on lol. I got the point though that I should get early AJPW stuff like 6/3/94. I checked wrestleholics and they don't have much so I'm gonna check Tabe. I was going to get These Days or Heartbreak from M-Pro but I needed filler basically (1:30) and the card seemed pretty good. So bear with me please but could you list specific early AJPW shows you think I should get and which ones I should drop? Thanks a ton

For wrestleholics look under Japan TV and you'll change that statement...go to DVDVR and read jdw's pimpin post and remember that those matches aired on TV usually around 2 weeks later so you don't get confused on dates.

[Guest TheGame2705]

NOAH 4-5-02 (2-17-02)- Kobashi Returns

NOAH 2-3-02 (12-9-01)

AJPW New Year's Giant Series '95

AJPW October Giant Series '98

M-Pro: Luchaland '96

NJPW on BS ASAHI 6-30-02 (Nagata/Sasaki for IWGP)

AJPW vs. NJPW (4-14 and 6-8-01)

NJPW J Crown 96

NJPW TOSJ IX 2002

AJPW Champion Carnival 99 (Highlights & Full Final)

NJPW J-Cup 94

WAR J-cup 95

AJPW Real World Tag League '96 (Highlights & Full Final)

AJPW New Year's Giant Series '97

AJPW Real World Tag League '93 Final, 10-25-93, 11-1-93

 

That's the new list. It's only gonna cost $87 but I still need to find out Tabe's shipping cost. I tried to ask the guys at SSS since I know they buy from there but yeah they're about as helpful as the technicians at AOL. If anyone knows can you post? And again can you guys critique the list. If you see anything crappy, more or likely I used as time filler.

[Guest wolverine]

The last three AJPW tapes are FANTASTIC picks, but I'd get rid of:

 

-New Year's Giant Series '95,

-October Giant Series '98

-Champion Carnival '99

-AJPW vs. NJPW

 

Look for stuff like AJPW 6/3/94, Champion Carnival '95, 6/9/95, 7/24/95, October Giant Series '97, etc. Basically, stick to everything before 1998.

[Guest TheGame2705]

Oh I made sure to get 6/3/94 and 6/9/95 I just skipped it because I thought it was already on there. But other stuff I'll look for and make the final list.

[Guest wolverine]

I also wouldn't put too much stock in Tabe's star ratings. His tastes are a bit different than other AJPW fans.

[Guest Jubuki]

I'd drop the Oct. GS 98 for either the '97 tape or the Oct. 95 with the Misawa/Kobashi vs. Kawada/Taue draw. The June 98 tape with Kobashi/Kawada would also be a much better selection. I'd probably jettison the '02 BOSJ tape for other things as well - if you can find some of the '96 NJ TV, you'd find plenty of things - Liger/Ohtani, Benoit/Ohtani, Hash/Takada, Hash/Choshu - that would be far better than Kanemoto/Tanaka. As for Tabe's shipping, it's included in the price of the tape, unless you're outside the US.

[Guest Agent of Oblivion]

I'd pick up some Dynamite Kid/Tiger Mask stuff, too. Ton of fun. Check out the Dreamslams if Joshi interests you at all.

[Guest wolverine]

For Joshi, I'd get those, but I'd also get Big Egg Universe, which I liked more.

[Guest TheGame2705]

Now I know you guys know more about this than I do but I'm just gonna post why I picked some of the stuff you dropped and what I think about some of the stuff you guys asked me to get. Of course I'm relying on whatever reviews I find.

 

 

Things you guys said I should drop:

 

New Year's Giant Series '95 Chose it as time filler since it's short and it has the hour draw with Kobashi/Kawada and a Dreamer match. How is the draw by the way? If there's something better and I don't need this as time filler I'll more than likely get rid of it)

 

October Giant Series '98 Again more filler as it's 2:10 to compliment the 1:50 on 6/3/94 & 6/9/95. However it has Misawa/Omori vs. Kobashi/Shinzaki and the debut of the burning hammer, Kobashi/Misawa for the TC, and Kobashi/Akiyama vs. Kawada/Taue. Any reason that this would be bad? Is there something terribly wrong with those matches? Or is it just that there are betters ones?

 

Champion Carnival '99 More of time complimenting than filler because it's all highlights except the final of Kobashi/Vader. It doesn't look to have bad people either. You can't really go wrong with highlights though right?

 

AJPW vs. NJPWPicked this up just because it sounded cool and had what looked to be good matches. I read the review on Wrestling Viewpoint and he said it was ok except for maybe a match or two. But I'm gonna ask you guys what you think what was wrong with the show as you guys are helping me and have helped me far more than he has.

 

TOSJ IX 2002I got this as it's from this year and it had Black Tiger and Curry Man. I don't know if Black Tiger wrestles different from normal Eddie Guerrero. If there's any other really good junior action that involves guys like Liger, Curry, etc. then I'd like to know. Here's the link if you wanted to see the matches on it: tape listing

[Guest wolverine]

New Year's Giant Series '95

 

The draw is like watching paint dry, which is the reason for me suggesting that you get rid of it. However, there's some people who LOVE it, but whatever...

 

October Giant Series '98

 

The Burning Hammer thing is only a clip (a few minutes). As I said before, the TC match is not one of their better matches - in fact it just may be second worst of their series. The Kobashi/Akiyama vs. Kawada/Taue is very good though.

 

Champion Carnival '99

 

Kobashi-Vader is one of the worst Carnival finals.

 

AJPW vs. NJPW

 

Kawada-Mutoh is complete shit, contrary to what some others may think. Tenryu-Mutoh is decent, but it's one of the worst TC matches I've ever seen.

[Guest PlatypusFool]

"New Year's Giant Series '95

 

October Giant Series '98

 

Champion Carnival '99

 

AJPW vs. NJPW

 

TOSJ IX 2002"

 

These seem like fine choices to me. Yeah, there are better stuff to get, but these are damn good tapes. The only thing I wouldn't get here would be the CC 99, that seems pretty pointless. AJPW vs. NJPW is a nice little tape with several decent matches. BOSJ '02 sounds like a good little tour, it's probly a very watchable tape.

[Guest wolverine]

They may SEEM like fine choices, but they actually aren't. But if he wants to waste his money on these, more power to him.

[Guest TheGame2705]

October Giant Series 1997 Part 1:

 

KENTA KOBASHI VS MITSUHARA MISAWA, 10/21/97

 

Kamala II, Tamon Honda & Masa Fuchi vs Stan Hansen, Jumbo Tsuruta & Giant Baba, 10/21/97

 

Steve Williams vs Mitsuhara Misawa, 10/11/97

 

Is Misawa/Kobashi or Williams anything special? If not I'm dropping the tape.

[Guest wolverine]

Misawa vs. Kobashi is their SECOND BEST MATCH~! Far, far better than the 10/98 match.

[Guest TheGame2705]

OK then I may just get their match off the tape. Know how long it is by any chance?

[Guest wolverine]

32:55

[Guest TheGame2705]

Revised List

 

AJPW 5/21/94 & 7/24/95

AJPW Kobashi/Williams 9/3/94

AJPW October Giant Series (minus Baba six man and Williams/Misawa)

AJPW Champion Carnival 1995

WCW Benoit/Booker T BOS7 Series

WCW/NJPW Collision in Korea

NJPW Fighting Spirit V

AJPW Misawa/Kobashi off of October Giant Series '95

AJPW 10/25/95

Dynamite Kid/Tiger Mask Compilation

AJPW New Year's Giant Series 1997

AJPW RWTL 1996 (Final)

AJPW RWTL 1997 (Highlights and Final)

AJPW Classics 3/17/01

AJPW Super Power Series 1998

NJPW/UWFI Battle Formation 4/29/96

AJPW 6/3/94 & 6/9/95

NJPW TOSJ IX

NJPW BOSJ 97

IWA KOTDM Tournament

NJPW SG Tag League 93 (Liger-Benoit/Chono-Hash, Liger-Benoit/Norton- Hercules, Mutoh-Hase/Hawk-Sasaki, Mutoh-Hase/Benoit-Liger)

NJPW J*Crown 1996

IWGP Heavyweight Title Tournament 1/4/01

NJPW Super J Cup 1994

WAR Super J Cup 1995

NOAH 2/17/02 (Kobashi's return)

M-Pro Luchaland a.k.a. Heartbreak 1996

NJPW 6/30/02

 

Now if get any response from the guy at wrestleholics.com to know he's alive then I'll order everything. $120 for all that isn't bad, atleast I don't think so. If I don't get a response and I get the dough, I'll order everything above and including 6/3/94 & 6/9/95. So anything else you think I should get or drop? Thanks for all the help guys, I REALLY appreciate it.

[Guest wolverine]

I don't particularly care for any of the Kobashi-Williams matches. You would be much better off trying to find Kawada vs. Williams 4/16/94.

[Guest Jubuki]

Umm...you have the 10/95 Misawa/Kobashi listed twice - it *happened* on 10/25/95. And you don't want it in the first place. Kawada/Albright, sure - not the TC match, though. You also don't want the 97 BOSJ except for Samurai vs. Ohtani. I don't recall anything worthwhile happening on that WCW/NJ show, unless you're really looking forward to seeing Hokuto work for WCW.