Guest MarkOutMoments Report post Posted February 9, 2002 I've read reviews and heard a lot about wrestling outside of North America. Now I've finally saved up enough money for a bunch of Lucha Libre and Puroresu tapes to get me started and introduced. From the recent Smarks reviews for AAA When Worlds Collide and Toryumon Comes to Japan, I definately would like to get those tapes, but what other ones should I get? Also, are there any tapes anyone out there would recommend for getting started with NJPW/AJPW/EMLL and the other promotions in Japan and Mexico? Any help is SO appreciated and I thank you in advance. -MarkOutMoments Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Hoyakillah Report post Posted February 9, 2002 You want "lucharesu," or do you want Japanese juniors' wrestling? They're two different things. Lucharesu is a hybrid form which is a synthesis of puroresu and lucha libre. It sounds to me like you just want to get into some good old Japanese and Mexican wrestling. My recommendation is to talk to people here like Misawa, CB2M, Brian Matheson (if he comes over anytime soon) and Tim Cooke, get some recommendations on individual matches, then contact the legendary Jeff Lynch and have him make you a comp. If you're going to buy a full show, Super J-Cup 1994. The perfect introduction. That, maybe J-Cup 1995, or better yet, the J-Crown tournament, and maybe a best of Toshiaki Kawada or best of Mitsuharu Misawa... you'll be set. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest ElLocoTas Report post Posted February 9, 2002 If you want to get into Toryumon, it'll be a good idea to start at the beginning (i.e. Toryumon comes to Japan) and work your way through the shows because you'll develope a deep understanding of the characters and appreciate their development and their great matches even more. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Black Tiger Report post Posted February 9, 2002 Before the J Crown you should pick up Skydiving J. That's the show that led up to the J Crown tournament in the first place. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Robert S Report post Posted February 9, 2002 If you want to get into All Japan then I would recommend that you check out the Tsuruta vs. Tenryu and Tsuruta & Yatsu vs. Tenryu & Hansen/Kawada matches from the late 80ties. There may exist a compilation with these matches. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Hoyakillah Report post Posted February 9, 2002 If you want to get into All Japan then I would recommend that you check out the Tsuruta vs. Tenryu and Tsuruta & Yatsu vs. Tenryu & Hansen/Kawada matches from the late 80ties. There may exist a compilation with these matches. While I agree that those are great shows, I think it's sometimes easier for people just getting into puro to start with some of the "big" matches or shows and work backwards from there. Of course, it doesn't give you a full grasp of the greatness of the match at first, but I find that watching Misawa v. Kawada, Misawa v. Kobashi or Misawa v. Tsuruta is a good introduction to the All Japan style. I mean, it worked for me. I don't know... I think it depends on what sort of wrestling fan you are. Scott Keith for example is on record not being a huge fan of All Japan. Go read the DVDVR 100th Issue Spectacular... it's probably the best way to find matches that might appeal to you. Worked for me. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Tim Cooke Report post Posted February 9, 2002 Lucharesu----- Kind of a false title for an aspect of Juniors wrestling. Chris Coey brought this up a while back that Lucha Libre vs. Mpro/Toryumon, etc have so many differences that they are essentially oppositte's stylistically. As for some stuff to get, I would go for the following to satisfy the Lucharesu basics. Mpro 3/96-6/96 Comml Tape (2 1/2 hrs) - the start of Kaientai DX. Great intro with a good mix of full length matches and clips. Very easy to follow the storylines. Mpro 6/96 Comml Tape (1 1/2 hrs) - I still need this but this has the first 10 man in the series. MPro 7/96-8/96 (2 1/2hrs) - The fued continues with an emphasis on singles matches. More to come later. Tim Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Brian Report post Posted February 9, 2002 I'm a pretty big M-Pro mark so these are the two tapes I have in Master form from Japan: These Days - Infamous ten man tag, good card, nice little BattleArts six-man that people like but takes a while to get into. HeartBreak - (9-12/96). Good comp. Other stuff to look for: Both mask tournaments (1995 and 1999) feature good singles matches. I picked up some good M-Pro Lucha TV's, as most of the stuff gets good from 1996-7 and 1999 onward. I'll have more later. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Tim Cooke Report post Posted February 9, 2002 I would recommend the following TV matches as well: 12/1/96 10 man from the Samurai TV debut 12/9/96 10 man Elimination - clipped on the Comml tape, aired on 12/26/96 as its own show. 1/14/97 6 Man - First time KDX pins Sasuke.....sets up the 5 v 5 series in 2 months 1/21/97 8 Man (BattlArts) - KDX and Sasuke Sekigun invade BattlArts in a bloody, fast, and fantastic 8 man sprint. 3/1/97 5 v 5 series on Samurai TV 3/16/97 10 man - the last 10 men with some esemblence of the Original KDX (minus Shiryu) 5/3/97 10 man from New Japan - KDX/NJ Heels v Mpro/NJ Faces - interesting look at the feud that never happened Tim Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
