A few random questions

[Guest Johnny Blaze]

Ok, a few things have been on my mind today, wondering if anyone can help me out.

 

1. Does Taka Michinoku have any relation to whoever it is that runs M-Pro or is it just a coincidence that he has the same name?

 

2. How do gaijin work matches with natives in Japan. I figure at least some of those guys speak english well enough to lay out a match or even call spots, but what do the rest do? Are the matches completely layed out move by move before hand, or is there some kind of universal spot calling terminology?

 

3. Not a question as much as something that bugs me, but what is the deal with the huge rise in head dropping in AJPW matches. The stuff from early and mid 90's rules, but by 98 and 99, a lot of matches became nothing but neckbreaking festivals. These guys go out and no-sell finisher after finisher like its not a big deal. I like crazy bumps as much as the next guy, but it started to get ridiculous because the matches became insane spotfests that were nowhere near as good as they used to be without the build to the big spots. Was it just a case of fans there getting used to the spots and not popping for regular wrestling, and is it still the case, or did they slow it down again in AJ?

[Guest wolverine]

Headdropping=Cheap pops

 

They didn't create any new stars, so the match-ups were stale, thus the heat was gone. So in Misawa's infinite wisdom, he has everyone drop him on his head to get a reaction.

[Guest BlackRainbow1025]

No, TAKA took the Michinoku name as dig towards his rival Great Sasuke, who used to wrestle as Masa (?) Michinoku. Sasuke started M-Pro.

[Guest RickyChosyu]

As for the second question, they can basically use body language and read each other's movements to figuer out what to do. It creates a higher risk for miscomunication between workers, but if the wrestlers are good, they'll be able to cooperate.

[Guest Jubuki]

Also on the TAKA point: he was always pitted opposite Sasuke, which was why he took the name - a way of showing up the # 1 tecnico and suggesting he was the real Man in MPro.

[Guest Johnny Blaze]

But I was under the impression that Taka started as Sasuke's apprentice (both in reality and in storyline terms). I've seen him second Sasuke a few times, including every match at the 94 super J cup

[Guest RickyChosyu]

The '94 J-Cup with TAKA present for Sasuke's matches was because he was a rookie, and therefore, could learn a lot from Sasuke. Considering Sasuke's performance that night, I'd say there was plenty of learning to be had.

[Guest Black Tiger]

Michinoku Pro is known as "North Easern Wrestling" so was Sasuke called "Masa Northeastern?"