Debut of Shining Wizard?

[Guest Midnight Express]

Can anyone tell in which match Mutoh debuted the Shining Wizard?

 

While I have your attention, does anyone know if the AJPW Title change from Genichiro Tenryu & Yoji Anjo to Mutoh and Taiyo Kea on October 22nd 2001 was caught on camera? I haerd from someone that it wasn't but he's not 100% relaible!

 

many thanks

[Guest Stuart]

The first sign of the Shining Wizard was on 2/4/01 (TV taping) at Nakajima Sports Center, where he wrestled Takashi Iizuka in the semi main event. Here's what I listed as the finish (because it had been given a name at that time).

 

7. Keiji Muto beat Takashi Iizuka (16:33) with a knee kick.

 

The second time he used it (or won a match with it) was on the 2/18/01 PPV, in his lousy match with Kazunari Murakami.

 

The first time he used it when it was named "Shining Wizard" was on the 3/18/01 Samurai! TV taping at Amagasaki City Memorial Park Gymnasium.

 

4. Keiji Muto beat Brian Johnston (10:03) with the Shining Wizard.

 

There was confusion at the time I recall, about whether it was the "Jumping Wizard", "Cross Wizard" or "Shining Wizard".

 

The move really got over when he used it on Kawada.

 

Too bad Muto had to kill what was a perfectly fine finisher, by using it like a cheap... nevermind.

[Guest Midnight Express]

Thanks Stuart, much appreciated.