Looking to get into Puroresu

[Guest Jimmy Saint]

well that gives me a nice excuse to dig some tapes out tommorow.

 

I see no reason though why I have to justify my argument in that someone who wants to see fast paced action of the puro kind would'nt want to see Toryumon or Michinoku Pro. Can you make a reasonable argument why neither would also qualify ? with match examples and analysis of these two feds.

 

 

Somewhat pointless in a pissing up the wall contest considering how I have already said

 

"There is nothing wrong with going straight into AJPW early 90's heavys I suppose. But saving the best for last would probably make the ish more meanginful in the long run imo. Anyhow there is no right or wrong in this. If someone sees a Japanese match up and enjoys it and wants to buy more its done its job whatever it was. "

 

but I am always happy to watch old AJPW tapes.

[Guest wolverine]

You do just that. Then maybe instead of throwing out a stupid 'imo' after each supposed point you're making, you can actually come up with reasons as to WHY people should listen to anything you say.

[Guest RavishingRickRudo]

All Japan Heavyweight matches usually take patience to watch because there is a lot of building, at least that is what I have found in some cases, but I have grown up liking Hogan matches so slow pacing wasn't a huge deal - but for someone who wants non-stop-high-flying action, then they would probably be disappointed overall.

 

The best idea is to buy a wide variety of tapes to see what you are interested in most, and then focus on the particular style. Or begin with J-cup 94, that broke down a lot of the preconceptions that I had for Japanese wrestling (the japanese commentating was a shell shock, and I thought it would be more like WCW cruiserweight matches with non-stop highflying. It also has some familar faces so you won't be completely in the dark.

 

How about this, lets pretend that this person has $100 to spend on 5-10 tapes, which tapes would you suggest from each promotion as the best representation of that promotions style?

[Guest wolverine]

All Japan Heavyweight matches usually take patience to watch because there is a lot of building, at least that is what I have found in some cases, but I have grown up liking Hogan matches so slow pacing wasn't a huge deal - but for someone who wants non-stop-high-flying action, then they would probably be disappointed overall.

 

Several of the All Japan matches mentioned are the exception to that rule, though. That's the crux of the issue. In the case of the 5/92 tag, it's balls out action from the beginning of the clip to the end, with a very clear story told - one that would be quite familiar to people who are experienced with the U.S. Southern Style tag matches of the late 80's/early 90's. The 4/93 Kawada/Kobashi and the 7/93 6-man are also among the fastest paced matches in company history, with several of the workers involved being at or near peak form (which for them translates to some of the greatest work ever). The Hansen/Kobashi match would be among the more accessible matches out there as well, since the Veteran/Underdog motif (when done correctly) can be the most engrossing thematic element of professional wrestling.

 

However, if we're talking something as story intensive as Misawa/Kawada 6/3/94, where you should watch all of their previous matches (singles, tags, 6-mans, other feuds that lead up to those matches, Triple Crown bouts 5 years previous, etc, etc, etc) that changes the entire argument. But since we're not, the matches named initally would be perfectly suitable in this situation.

[Guest RavishingRickRudo]

Kobashi/Hansen was one of the first All Japan matches I saw and it got me hooked.

 

If I was off-point, my mistake. All I was saying is "if you are watching an All Japan Heavyweight Main Event, be prepared to wait for 10 minutes before the action really starts up". There are, of course, exceptions to the rule and those exceptions would be welcomed by someone who prefers a faster pace. But knowing "wait a while, even if you find yourself bored at first know that it will come together in the end and be really satisfying" can help someone new to All Japan discover the goodness...

 

And isn't that what it's all about?

 

... Discovering the Goodness.

[Guest Jubuki]

That's not at all true.

 

Most of the TC matches have worked *well* into the big moves by the 10-minute mark. Think about 6/3/94. Think about the Misawa/Taue matches from '95 and '96. Think about the Misawa/Kobashi matches - all 3 - from '97, which went into and over the 30-minute mark every time. About the only matchup that tends to take its time is Kawada/Kobashi, which took its time in all 3 of their TC meetings. In virtually every other singles matchup, there's going to be a good bit of action by 10 minutes in. The crowd reaction, on the other hand, tends not to warm up for a while, unless it's a match they want to see. Tags can be a different beast, but just sit down and take notes of the match if you don't think it's true. It's not WWE Spot Fu, but that's pretty much the point.

[Guest Coffin Surfer]

To Rudo and Saint: I never said that the guy should JUST get into All Japan, I simply said if he wants to get into All Japan, he should probably start with those matches since they are the most accessable. That's it. I'm sticking to what I know, I'm not as familar with the juniors or joshi as I am with the All Japan heavies, so wouldn't be fair of me to recommend matches.

 

And Jubuki's right as always, most of the 94-96 Main Event matches are indeed pretty much non stop action from the get go. Even the build has the great striking counters and high spot teases, some times they'll even hit a high spot in the opening seconds anyway. Misawa/Taue 10/95, I believe a Tiger Driver and Nodowa are hit within the first three or five minutes. And even the rest holds are credible finishers like Misawa's facelock.