tired of american wrestling

[Guest cynicalprofit]

I've gotten so sick of american wrestling lately that I'm on a  boycott and I've been wanting to get into Japan for a while now and the time is right. Problem is there is  huge SELECTION TO CHOOSE FROM. So what I want are tape suggestions.

 

I'm looking for something with a lot of high star ratings. I know j cup 94 part two is a must, but what else. I would love to get comps, but no site I could find really has any, or thye were clipped. I want to order videos online, using plastic cause I ahte writing checks, so give me some tape recommendations please.

 

Also is Michinoku Pro Commercial (KDX v. MPro) any good. I slightly know who KDX is and I loved thier wwf stuff, and I know MPRo rocks, but there was no review for the tape.

 

Thanks in advance.

[Guest Special K]

Well, I know some of it's clipped, but the Misawa v. Kawada comp tape from RF Video is the favorite tape I own

[Guest Jubuki]

Well, I guess it would be worthwhile to specify some sort of standard for "high star ratings" - if you're talking Meltzer, then I can recommend plenty of stuff that will leave you thinking he's "high."  If you're talking Keith, then you'd better stay away from All Japan because it's (laugh) "boring."  And comps are fine and well, but there are some things that come off much better from seeing the entire scenario unfold.  The Jumbo & Co vs. Misawa & Co feud is a good example, as is MPro vs. KDX.  All the '96 MPro stuff might be a good place to start; it's universally liked, has familiar faces, is fast-paced, and it'll show how the promotion went from having really intense, well-worked tag matches to having really intense, well-worked tag matches spilling over with HATRED~.  But, if you want to start on recent stuff and keep up with something rather than starting the long, arduous process of researching and hunting things down (which is taxing on the mind and the wallet), I'd find someone who's taping Lucha off Galavision or I'd get AJW.

[Guest razazteca]

Recent Lucha Libre on Galavision suggestions:

 

Shocker vs Tarzan Boy one on one, or any of the tag matches

Blue Panther & Dr Wanger tag matches

Los Vipers vs La Parka & Mascara Sagrada

Ultimo Dragonito title matches

Mascarito Sagrada title matches

Hector Garza vs Heavy Metal hair match

Hector Garza vs Electro Shock title match

 

All Japan matches tend to be slow paced and involve psycology.....so stay away from them

 

[Guest stretch plum]

"All Japan matches tend to be slow paced and involve psycology.....so stay away from them"

 

*insert obligatory rolls eyes spot here*

 

Since we're poorly generalizing wrestling styles I guess I'll mention that Lucha is nothing but highspots, might want to stay away from them too.

 

Anyway I think comps of some sort are always a good way to start. Collecting in genre and progression categories can come later when you have a lot of money to burn and a good idea of what you're likes and dislikes are. Like you said there's a pretty wide selection out there so a good sample of different styles and workers can be a valuable jumping off point. The DVDVR boards are probably a better place to look around for those kind of tapes (Schneider etc.). You'll have shills within the quarter hour guaranteed.

[Guest dawho5]

I have seen people say both comps and just certain good periods of wrestling.  Myself, I started with the '94 J-Cup and Misawa/Kawada History (the full lenght matches from prowrestlingtapes.com) and I haven't looked back.  I would reccomend Schneider Comps as well because of the variety.  You can really get a handle on who is good to watch on those tapes..

[Guest Breaking Point]

Go with Super J-Cup '94. It's got a lot of good wrestling, familiar faces (Benoit, Dean, Eddie, TAKA) and lots of the guys you've probably heard of (Liger, Sasuke, Gedo.) That'll break you in. Go from there.

[Guest HBK16]

WATCH OUT! I found out first hand that puro can be expsensive if you really get into it. It also got me into Lucha Libre and I went down to Mexico just to buy some merchandise. I was hoping to see a show but that didn't happen. I am also planning a trip to Japan in a few months to watch wrestling.  And you also have to buy all the video not like in the US where you can watch Raw or Smackdown. Just watch your limits. I didn't.