OaO Thread: LucharesuFan619's Random Match Reviews

[cmpunk04 0]

I would like to read a review of Air Raid vs the Jung Dragons possibly?

[LucharesuFan619 0]

Sure thing. I'll get on as soon as I can. Thanks for the requests people! Any others are welcomed.

[Jingus 0]

Interesting. Very. Do the arenas look the same? Is there commentary for both matches or only one?

No commentary, both matches are shot fancam style. It was off Ted's copy of the show, so it only had his matches on there.

[Guest Real F'n Show]

Are you still planning on reviewing Tajiri vs. Low Ki? That match sounds interesting...

[LucharesuFan619 0]

Are you still planning on reviewing Tajiri vs. Low Ki? That match sounds interesting...

Ya, I've done the Play-by-Play. I just have to do the analysis. It'll be up in the next week, I promise.

[Guest Real F'n Show]

Cool. Looking forward to it...

[LucharesuFan619 0]

Coming next edition - Tajiri vs. Low Ki and a big surprise. Indy fans and purist fans are going to fucking LOVE this edition of my match reviews. Recent, classic, but best of all rare match in addition to Tajiri/Ki.

 

EDIT: Fuck that. The match I'm hyping deserves a spotlight review of it's own. Here's Ki/Tajiri in the mean time:

 

LOW KI vs. YOSHIHIRO TAJIRI – ICW The Revolution Continues (1/26/01; “The Madhouse of Extreme” Elks Lodge – Queens, NY)

 

Requested by Real F'n Show

 

PRE-MATCH: This match actually has commentary. Ki enters first and pumps himself up before Tajiri comes out, not even bothering to acknowledge a “TAJIRI IS GOD” sign in clear view.

 

THE MATCH: An intense handshake and some weak warm-up kicks precede the real action. A “Ta-Jeer-Ey” chant rises up as they start things off with a headlock and shoulderblock by Ki. Tajiri’s hiptoss attempt is blocked, but his kick to the face hits dead on, and Tajiri is left trying to rally the fans as they square off again. The second tieup sees Ki use a sweet judo-style headlock takedown and apply an inverted facelock. Tajiri bridges up to his feet, twists out, and throws a pair of gut kicks before sending Ki into the ropes. The 2002 ECWA Super 8 Champion rolls under a kick attempt and delivers a relatively weak dropkick that Tajiri oversells by stumbling out to ringside. Ki follows up with a swank Suicide Dive, pancaking Tajiri into the guardrail. Back in the ring, Ki continues the assault with the Tidal Wave (Corner Handspring Leaping Roundhouse Kick), which prompts a “Low Ki!” chant. Ki finds himself backdropped to the apron and decides to do just like Tajiri moments earlier by overselling a really weak Tajiri strike and falling down to ringside. Ki rolls back into the ring without Tajiri ever leaving and is met by some kicks and stomps to the head. A spinning heelkick puts Ki down for 2 thanks to a lazy cover. Ki counters another Irish whip attempt with a knee lift and immediately rolls a Butterfly Suplex rolled into the Dragon Wing (Gounded Double Underhook Front Facelock Hold), but Tajiri is able to wrap his feet around the ropes before any major damage can be done. Ki delivers a stiff kick to the head, but Tajiri blocks a second kick and nails a drop toehold before applying a camel clutch. Hilariously, the “Japanese Buzzsaw” intersperses some comical slaps to Ki’s bald head into the submission. Finally, Tajiri transitions into a wacky pinning combo, which Ki escapes at 2. Tajiri does another quick comedy routine (even telling the referee to “Shut the fuck up!”) before getting back on top of things, but Ki wiggles out of a superplex attempt and roundhouse kicks Tajiri, who’s still on the turnbuckle. The ECW veteran fights out of a Super Huracanrana setup and applies the TARANTULA~! Even though he abandons the hold after about eight seconds, but Ki has clearly been weakened from it to the point that Tajiri is able to do a good 15-second comedy routine without having to worry about him recovering yet. Ki finally comes back by ducking a lariat and unloading with a leaping roundhouse kick, which he actually follows up with the KI KRUSHER ‘99~! Tajiri, however, is able to place his foot on the bottom rope. A second Ki Krusher is blocked and Tajiri delivers a gut kick and a Brainbuster Suplex, and it’s lights out for Mr. Future-ROH Heavyweight Champion.

 

Post-match, Tajiri is announced the winner and celebrates his accomplishment. Tajiri displays his sportsmanship by helping Ki to his feet and shaking his hand. Both guys bow to each other and Tajiri continues pointing towards Ki in an attempt to put him over with the fans. However, as Tajiri leaves the ring, the nice moment is spoiled by Xavier, who blindsides Ki with a title belt shot. Xavier trash-talks a shaken Ki, but receives a taste of his own medicine as Little Guido (now known as “Nunzio” in WWE) attacks him from behind and initiates an impromptu match. It would soon turn into a three-way, as Mikey Whipwreck interjected himself shortly thereafter. That story, however, is for another day…

 

WINNER: Yoshihiro Tajiri, via pinfall (6:20)

 

POST-MATCH RAMBLE: On paper, this is a definite dream match for a lot of fans. Just seeing these masters of the kick together in the ring was interesting for me. They did try to give it an air of intrigue with the handshakes before and after the match and the kick exchanges during the contest. Also, UCW’s inclusion of the entrances and some shots of the fans also gave the match a more professional feel that you don’t usually get from most other indy’s.

 

ANALYSIS: I’ve heard a lot of people this match a major letdown and – while I agree that their very similar styles could’ve meshed together better – they produced a very well-worked match with about as much action as one could expect, considering the time allotted. The kick exchanges – the aspect of this dream match that intrigues most people – never got to the point where they were practically taking each other’s heads off (see Ki vs. Samoa Joe from ROH Glory By Honor I or Ki vs. Deranged from ROH Death Before Dishonor 1), but at the same time neither took it easy with the foot strikes, by any means. The matwork could’ve been played out longer, but for what it was the execution was good (especially on Ki’s judo takedown and Tajiri’s bridge-up that followed it). As I mentioned, both guys took lame bumps to the outside because they oversold heir opponent’s strike. The transitioning between a lot of moves also could’ve been better, rather than just having a guy get a boot up in the corner or knee lift out of a maneuver to acquire control. And another thing – while it looked great, Ki’s suicide dive was done too early to mean all that much. On the good side, I think this match is interesting in that – unlike so many other indy matches you see today (even those that people hail as excellent), when one of the participants obtained the advantage, they kept it for a couple of minutes, through a string of more than one or two moves. It certainly didn’t make this match into a classic, but like I often say, it’s often the little things that make a match worth watching and this helped out a bit with the believability aspect. Putting Ki’s Dragon Wing and Tajiri’s Camel Clutch right after another was a good idea from a psychological standpoint, and Tajiri’s comedy during the later stages added a cool dimension to the match. The finish was plagued by the aforementioned transitioning problem, as Tajiri simply fought out of a Ki Krusher and hit the Brainbuster for the win. From a technical perspective, this was pretty solid while it lasted, but nothing really came out of the woodwork to make it exceptionally unique. *1/4.

 

RECOMMENDATION: This match itself is worth a watch or two, but I wouldn’t categorize it as a must-see unless you’re a huge Ki or Tajiri fan. However, if you can get a hold of the entire show for a cheap price, go for it because the rest of the card has a little bit of everything, depending on your taste – Chris Candido & Balls Mahoney vs. Da Baldies (DeVito & Angel), Kid Kash vs. Candido, a Triangle Tag Team Tables Match, Little Guido vs. Xavier vs. Mikey Whipwreck, a Missy Hyatt vs. Elektra showdown, and a one-night midcard tournament featuring matches like Chris Devine vs. The Amazing Red and Red vs. one of his Maximo brothers (not sure which…sorry).

[Guest Real F'n Show]

Nice review. Can't wait to see what you're reviewing next.

[LucharesuFan619 0]

Thanks.

 

God, I'm watching this shit right now. I'm less than 7 minutes in and this match is unreal, not just in terms of the wrestling but in terms of the fan's reactions (and no, it's not Samoa Joe vs. Chris Hero from IWA-MS, if that's what you're thinking.

[LucharesuFan619 0]

EWR Heavyweight Title Match: “The Fallen Angel” CHISTOPHER DANIELS vs. “Mr. Wrestling” KEVIN STEEN © (Elite Wresting Revolution “Revolution 1.0” – 4/10/04; Canada)

 

posted on Saturday, February 5, 2005

 

PRE-MATCH: The camera opens with a “Fallen Angel” chant and the fans get their wish, as out pops Christopher Daniels for one of his very rare appearances in Canada, to the screams of Marilyn Manson’s “Disposable Teens.” EWR puts forth some AWESOME lighting effects that really give you the feel that you’re watching Daniel’s entrance in ROH (which is also known for the live production aspect, especially as far as lighting goes). The lights come back on and Daniels dramatically removes the priest’s hood…

 

Actually, before I go any further, here’s a funny story – more than seven years ago, Daniels got the priest’s robe from a church in California, which he told he was “borrowing” it. I remember Daniels saying on an appearance for TheInteractiveInterview.com something to the effect of, “Technically, I didn’t steal it because I’m still borrowing it [chuckle]…” Gotta love Chris…

 

Anyway, Daniels pulls off the hood as the lights go back to normal, and then enters the ring to an enormous ovation and starts playing up his star power. A “Daniels!” chant erupts and it’s clear that he’s going to be playing the face here.

 

Out next is the up-and-coming “Mr. Wrestling” Kevin Steen, a 19 year old technical wrestling sensation throughout Canada. The awesome lighting effects return as Drowning Pool’s “Tear Away” signals the entrance of Daniels’ opponent and the defending EWR Heavyweight Champion. While he’s the heel in this match, the fans respond decently to Steen, but as soon as the music is turned off, a strong “Daniels!” chant develops. Some fans try to fire up a “Steen!” chant, but it doesn’t gain nearly as much steam as the one for Daniels did.

 

Some black-haired chick makes the introductions. Daniels embraces his big cheers, but Steen – on the other hand – could care less about the chorus of boos with which the fans respond to his intro. Funny, since it’s almost always the other way around when Christopher Daniels is involved in the match. Anyway, though, the “Daniels!” chant resurfaces, only to – in an awesome thing to hear – turn into dueling “Mr. Wrestling!” vs. “Fallen Angel” chant. It seems like – although the fans hate Steen – they find this match unusually appealing (just as I do).

 

THE MATCH: The dueling chants continue to flood the venue as Daniels and Steen step up face-to-face. Some trash-talking goes on for a good 20 seconds and the chants even remain as they finally square off. When nobody gains control via the first four tieups, the dueling chants return. This is INTENSE. Finally, they actually start the wrestling part, with shoulderblocks by each guy failing to put his opponent down. More dueling chants, as Steen plays up his heel persona beautifully.

 

Ohhhhh, and I thought it was intense before…now THIS is some TRASH-TALKING~!, baby…more dueling chants, as it appears Steen is gradually winning some people’s respect by refusing to back down from his veteran adversary. This is truly a sight to see…the fans are really split right down the middle here. The camera even pans out in different directions to show fans raving for their favorite.

 

Tieup – some armwringers and wristlocks are exchanged before Daniels does a roll-through and trips Steen to the mat for a grounded headlock. Steen plays around a bit before countering to his own side headlock, which is met by boos. Daniels gradually fights to his feet (the fact that he’s not rushing up proves just how great he is) and creatively takes Steen back down to the mat judo-style.

 

While working some basic ground submission, Daniels becomes noticeably perplexed by another weird chant – “Where’s your [inaudible – sounded like Humvees or something…]?” You’re not alone, Chris…Now a “Sorry!” chant goes out to Daniels and it looks like he’s accepting of it (thumbs up, etc.). We’re only five minutes in and this match is f*cking hilarious and scientifically solid at the same time. Steen bridges up to a standing position and counters to a hammerlock as the fans fight over “Let’s go, Steen!” and “Let’s go, Daniels!” chants.

 

Eventually, Daniels reverses back to a headlock, but Steen escapes with a counter so innovative that I can’t even describe it. Using only his own strength (Daniels didn’t help one bit), he flipped himself up and over Daniels’ body and applied a front facelock on his adversary. Pure awesomeness. Daniels armringers out and hammerlocks Steen, only to receive another great counter, this one to a headlock. Applause rains throughout the building like Lita blowjobs backstage at an OMEGA Reunion Show. Oops…

 

Anyway, Daniels forces Steen into the ropes and gets shoulderblocked down. A cool minute-long segment sees them do an Irish whip sequence that ends with Steen slapping the taste out of the “Fallen Angel”’s mouth. Then an irate Daniels starts chasing Steen around the ring and they end up back in the ring again, where they repeat the same sequence. However, this time, Daniels ducks the slap and responds with A SLAP OF EPIC F*CKING PROPORTIONS!!!! THIS IS FUCKING GREAT!!!!! “Holy Sh*t!” is right, fans!

 

Steen regains his composure before charging into a pair of armdrags and a grounded abdominal armbar. Daniels works over the arm and taunts the initiating party of a small “F*ck you, Daniels!” chant by further wrenching in on an armbar (dueling chants all the while). Daniels ends a Steen comeback before it begins with a beautiful Northern Lights Suplex, rolled into another grounded armbar variation. Perhaps rallied by the “Fallen” Angel vs. “Mr. Wrestling” chants, Steen gradually climbs to his feet. Daniels refuses to let go of the armbar and finally Steen has to push him into the ropes to escape it. Steen leapfrogs over the ROH superstar, only to turn around into another armdrag and armbar.

 

Shortly therafter, another Irish whip sequence is performed, with Daniels cartwheeling over a dropdown and delivering a hiptoss followed by a dropkick. Steen is at ringside and a “Dive!” chant makes itself heard. Daniels’ baseball slide is dodged, but his Arabian Press Suicida is not! Daniels proceeds to mingle with the fans for a little bit before going back to work, as the fans chant his nickname. He re-enters with a Flying Crossbody Block for a deuce, only to stumble into a Steen powerslam. Both guys sell the damage as the referee counts.

 

Eventually, Steen is back up and nails a leaping heelkick for 2, which frustrates him into following up aggressively with a backdrop suplex, two running snap leg drops, and the coup-de-grâs – a running somersault leg drop – but obtains the same result. Following a strike exchange, Daniels drops out of a bodyslam attempt and schoolboys Steen for 2, only to find himself on the receive end of a Belly-to-Belly Overhead Suplex and a Tilt-a-Whirl Backbreaker moments later. Steen applies the Sharpshooter and Daniels struggles like a hero before finally attaining the rope break.

 

Steen starts resorting to a bunch of heel tactics and executes a nice variation of the Shotgun followed by a Springboard Dropkick for a deuce, as the contesting chants return. The fans tell Steen to “f*ck him up” and Steen gladly obliges with a nice Death Valley Driver for another 2 count. I can’t believe the emotion that I’m seeing and hearing from the fans. Steen goes into full heel mode by taunting Daniels and you can catch some pretty blatant whispering of directions by Steen (one of the few flaws in this match).

 

Back to the action, as Steen tries a back body drop, but Daniels stops short and nails the STO. Both guys are down and the ref begins the 10 count, as heated chance for both men can be heard. Daniels unloads with punches, chops, a back body drop, a lariat, and an enziguri, but refuses to give the fans what they want to see (“Best Moonsault Ever” chant), instead opting for a Blue Thunder Bomb.

 

After the 2 count, a “Moonsault!” chant develops. Steen drops out of a suplex attempt and ducks a lariat, which leads directly into a short – yet very sweet – reversal sequence into a DDT by Steen. The defending champ drapes an arm over Daniels for 2. A Sitdown Powerbomb follows for the same result and…get this…Steen tries the “Best Moonsault Ever,” but Daniels – not about to be humiliated by his own trademark– rolls out of the way and Steen crashes onto the mat.

 

What the hell?!?! They clipped this beauty?!?! Are you kidding me?!?! Damn!!!! Anyway, though, we cut right to Daniels nailing his Uranage-style Chokeslam, and now it’s time for the BEST MOONSAULT EVER~![/u]. Daniels hits the mark, but Steen kicks out at 2. Daniels can’t believe it. Steen surprises Daniels with a backslide for 2 and then Daniels La Majistrals for the same result. Steen charges Daniels, but Daniels does a double-leg takedown and they exchange multiple pinning combos over an approximately 15 second period.

 

Finally, Daniels takes the upperhand with some forearm strikes. He sits Steen up top as dueling chants fill the venue. They fight over a Superplex and Steen pushes Daniels down to the mat at one point, but the “Fallen Angel” runs right back up and the struggle continues. Finally, Steen (facing the ring) cradles Daniels’ legs and – as the fans chant “Match of the Year!” – executes a FLYING FISHERMANBUSTER~! off of the middle turnbuckle! Holy sh*t! (the fans echo the same sentiments) I’ve never seen that before…

 

Over a really heated 35-second period of time, the two struggle to their feet and exchange blows, selling brilliantly all the while. Then, all of a sudden, Daniels starts unloading with thrust punches (Terry Funk-style) and – even better – headbutts, knocking his own head cuckoo in the process. Steen suddenly throws a superkick, but Daniels ducks down and the referee gets knocked out.

 

Then, the two start fighting over a backslide, with neither getting it and Daniels eventually hitting the Angel’s Wings. He covers, but there’s no referee to count. The fans actually start counting and get up to almost 10 before Daniels abandons the cover and tries to revive the ref. After succeeding, he sets up for the Last Rites, but Steen escapes via a snapmare and proceeds to low blow Daniels, setting up for his finisher – The Package Piledriver – for the rather anti-climactic victory.

 

WINNER and STILL EWR Heavyweight Champion: KEVIN STEEN, via pinfall (24:58, including the clipjob, so it was probably a little bit over 25:00)

 

POST-MATCH: Steen is exhausted and can barely stand. The referee gives him his title and he celebrates with his music playing, before heading towards the backstage area. He stops at the top of the entrance stage and climbs up onto a ladder to hold up his title. The second clip of the match, as we fast forward to Daniels regaining his senses as the fans chant his name. His Marilyn Manson music hits again and the black-haired chick announces him on the mic to put him over.

 

The camera pans around the venue to show many of the fans doing “bow-down” motions and chanting “Thank You!” to Daniels. He celebrates on the top turnbuckle and suddenly turns around and sees Kevin Steen at the same time that the camera pans out and shows him to the viewers at home. Holy sh*t. That was an awesome filming technique.

 

Steen drops down to his knees and bows to Daniels like he’s a king before proceeding to stand up and hold out his hand. Daniels hesitates, looking around at the fans. Finally, Daniels gives in and they shake, hug, and finally, in a great moment, Daniels holds up Steen’s hand, effectively passing the torch. Daniels doesn’t want to be over-pampered and it looks like he’s praising Steen very strongly, but Steen wants none of it and actually holds open the ring ropes for Daniels to step through.

 

However, just as it appears he’s about to, we get another clip-job and Daniels is standing at the top of the entranceway, while Steen is still in the ring. Daniels salutes the fans before heading backstage, and Steen follows him a few moments later.

 

POST-MATCH RAMBLE: I’m being God honest here – that has to be one of the coolest “normal” entrances (i.e. excluding HBK’s entrance at WrestleMania XII) I’ve ever seen anyone make, especially an indy wrestler. The lighting effects, mixed with the perfect volume on the Manson song, the fans’ obvious adoration of Daniels, and the “Fallen Angel” himself’s brilliant reaction to their cheers.

 

THE FANS’ REACTIONS: Unreal. I have yet to see the epic Chris Hero vs. Samoa Joe from IWA Mid-South where the fans were said to be going apesh*it the entire match (although I do have the tape and just started watching it a few days ago, so chances are I’ll see the match within the next week or so), but I have trouble believing that they were more hyped than the fans were for this showdown.

 

ANALYSIS: I straight out loved this match. Just about everything worked great. The matwork to start was exceptionally fluid, but even better, it wasn’t rushed and was provided sufficient time to develop. The holds that they used during that part of the match were very basic – primarily armbars and variations of such – but their facial expressions added a believability aspect to their already compelling selljobs.

 

This aspect – the believability – was one of the main strong points of this match. During the opening 10 minutes of matwork, both guys stayed consistent in targeting their opponents’ arm, rather than straying away to the legs and never reminding you what they had been working on previously. Unlike you often see with inexperienced indy guys, these two kept selling their pain more and more as the match progressed. Daniels’ lengthy advantage during the first third or so made it actually mean something when Steen took control.

 

The comedy bits such as Daniels’ big slap were interspersed at intelligent intervals, so it never degenerated into a simple comedy match but instead retained a special feel all the while. Some of the spots lacked any transitioning (namely Steen’s Death Valley Driver and Daniels’ Blue Thunder Bomb), but those ended up as minimal faults in an otherwise tremendous performance.

 

Otherwise, the offense – for the most part – stayed pretty basic, but what made the match so good is the sequence of those moves and the selling in between them, along with – of course – the amazing intensity. Daniels’ great pacing and aforementioned selling excellence helped put Steen over as a guy who the fans can hate, but at the same time a legitimate champion. I will admit that the fans’ reaction helped this match out a lot and made it into a great match, but it was already a damn good match, even without the crowd aspect. ***1/2.

 

RECOMMENDATION: This is definitely a match to check out, if you’re a fan of independent wrestling. The intensity was absolutely off the hook here, resulting in type of a fan participation that added a whole different level to the match. It’s one thing to watch a great match; it’s another thing to watch a great match with the fans going apesh*t, which is what happened here. Highly recommended.