All Japan Pro Wrestling January-April 1995

[jackknight]

tlyne said:

All Japan Pro Wrestling
Nippon Budokan
1/21/95
Referees-Joe Higuchi and Kyohei Wada

Match #1
Giant Baba, Genichiro Tenryu and Masa Fuchi vs. Wahoo McDaniel, Bob Orton and Don Kernodle

Three Gaijin from the old Mid Atlantic promotion come to Budokan to challenge Baba, Tenryu and Fuchi. The crowd is barley in their seats when Fuchi and Kernodle open the action. Fuchi is very sharp. He dominated the Jr. Heavyweight division in All Japan for a long time. He traps Kernodle in an arm bar and tags in Baba. The legendary Giant goes to work on Kernodle. Don is in trouble until he tags in Wahoo McDaniel. Baba and Wahoo exchange chops and neither man backs up. The two legends fight till a standstill and Baba tags in Tenryu. Orton tags in, and the action continues. The match is very even until Tenyru catches Kernodle with a powerbomb and referee Kyohei Wada counts three.
Winners-Giant Baba, Genichiro Tenryu and Masa Fuchi

Match #2
Kamala II vs. Mitsuo Mimota

Mimota is the son of the legendary Rikidozan. I don’t know if that will help him against the savage Kamala II. Mimota gets off to a good start, but the man from Uganda counters with brutal chops and kicks. Mimota holds his own, but Kamala II wins with the big splash.
Winner-Kamala II



Match #3
Richard Slinger vs. Tamon Honda

The former Japanese Olympic wrestler, Honda, takes on Slinger, the skilled young Gaijin. Both men trade holds and counter holds in the opening moments of the match. Slinger holds his own against the skilled Honda. Slinger whips Honda into the ropes and grabs a sleeper. Honda gets to the ropes and referee Kyohei Wada calls for the break. The fine wresting continues until Honda catches Slinger with a German suplex And wins the fall.
Winner-Tamon Honda

Match #4
Non-Title Match
Shinya Hashimoto (IWGP Champion) vs. Kodo Fuyuki

This is a rare treat, the IWGP Champion in an All-Japan ring. The veteran Fuyuki will be a stiff test for Hashimoto. Fuyuki takes the fight to the Champion and Hashimoto is backing up. He fires out of the corner with stiff kicks and Fuyuki is now on the defensive. He hits a spinning heel kicks and Fuyuki goes down. Hashimoto covers him, but Fuyuki kicks out before referee Joe Higuchi counts three. Hashimoto and the fans are stunned. Fuyuki goes on the offensive. This is a non-title match, but a win would vault Kodo to instant contender. He works over Hashimoto, but soon the Champion has had enough. He rallies and hits the jumping spike ddt for the win. Both men shake hands after a hard-fought battle.
Winner-Shinya Hashimoto



Match #5
Tiger Mask and Gran Naniwa vs. Jun Akiyama and Takeo Omori

These two teams battled to a 30 draw last time, the rematch should be even more exciting. The crowd is tense with anticipation while all four men are introduced. The match begins with Naniwa and Omori in the ring. They wrestle a very even five, or six minutes to begin the bout. Naniwa tags in and he is sharp as well. He and Omori trade holds and counter holds. Otomi tags in Akiyama and “Blue Thunder” goes to work. He lands a DDT and gets a two count on Naniwa. Referee Kyohei Wada’s hand was centimeters from the three count. Naniwa is on the run and he is able to tag in Tiger Mask. The masked man pulls out all stops. He takes the fight to Akiyama, but the youngster matches him move for move. Akiyama maneuvers into position and hits the Blue Thunder driver. Wada counts 1…2…3! What a match. Tiger Mask takes the mike. He tell the fans that Akiyama is the future of pro wrestling, and that he wants to challenge, not as “Tiger Mask”, but under his own name. He removes the famous “Tiger Mask” to reveal Koji Kanemoto. He hands the mask to referee Wada and tells him to give it to Mitsuharu Misawa. Kanemoto then shakes hands with Akiyama. These two must meet in single’s action.
Winners-Jun Akiyama and Takeo Omori



Match #6
Unified Tag Team Championship
Mitsuharu Misawa and Kenta Kobashi (Champions) vs. The Wrecking Crew

The crowd is sill buzzing after seeing Tiger Mask unmask. Mitshuaru Misawa, who was also “Tiger Mask”, and Kenta Kobashi take on two tough looking Gaijin in the “Wrecking Crew”, Rage and Fury. Kobashi and Fury start the action. It is a slugfest. Kobashi lands several thunderous blows, but Fury does not back up and answers with his own rights and left. Fury backs Kobashi into the Wrecking Crew’s corner and he and Rage go to work. Rage tags in and both men pound away. This brings Misawa into the action and it’s a four way brawl. Referee Joe Higuchi gets things sorted out and Kobashi tags in Misawa, so it’s Misawa vs. Rage. Things begin to swing the Champions’ way as Misawa works over the larger Rage. Rage is able to escape and tag his partner. Fury has no more success. Misawa lands a roaring elbow followed by the Tiger Driver to get the win. It’s going to take a great team to take the belts from this team.
Winners-Mitsuharu Misawa and Kenta Kobashi

Match #7
Toshiaki Kawada, Akira Taue and Yoishinari Ogawa vs. Tatusmi Fujinami, Yoshiaki Yatsu and Hiroshi Tenzan

There is a buzz around Nippon Budokan about this match. Tatusmi Fujinami is one of the biggest stars in Japanese wrestling history, Toshiaki Kawada, the Triple Crown Champion, is one of the new breed of champions and everyone else in this match is a top name in his own right. The crowd is respectful during introductions and then fills the ring with streamers. It takes several minutes to clear the ring. The bell rings and Yatsu and Ogawa begin the match. They both wrestle cautiously. Neither man wants to make an early mistake. Yatsu tags in Tenzan and the young powerhouse goes to work on Ogawa. Yoishinari is in trouble, but is able to tag in Taue. Now it’s size and strength vs. size and strength. It looks like two bull elephants fighting and the crowd is into every move. Taue goes for the chokeslam, but Tenzan blocks it. He scoops up Taue and slams him to the mat with crash. He goes for the cover, but Taue kicks out. He then tags in the Triple Crown Champion. The fans want to see Kawada vs. Fujinami. Tenzan tags and the fans get their wish. This class of titans begins with several mat wrestling moves. Kawada then proceeds to use his powerful kicks to gain the upper hand. Fujinami is in trouble. Things look good for Kawada until the veteran makes a last ditch comeback. He catches Kawada in a dragon backbreaker and referee Joe Higuchi counts 1…2…3! Fujinami has pinned the Triple Crown Champion! The Tokyo crowd is stunned.
Winners-Tatsumi Fujinami, Yoshiaki Yatsu and Hirsohi Tenzan



All Japan Pro Wrestling will at the Yokohama Arena on Saturday February 18



Schedule to compete,

Giant Baba and Tamon Honda vs. Kamala II and Ken Patera

Jado and Gedo vs. Richard Slinger and Tsuyoshi Kikuchi

Masa Fuchi vs. Shinjiro Otani

Gran Naniwa vs. Takeo Otomi

Jun Akiyama vs. Koji Kanemoto

Mitshuharu Misawa and Kenta Kobashi defend the Unified Tag Team Titles against Akira Taue and Yoishinari Ogawa

And for the Triple Crown Title

Toshiaki Kawada defends against Tatsumi Fujinami

[jackknight]

tlyne said:

All-Japan Pro Wrestling
Yokohama Arena
Yokohama, Japan
February 18, 1995



Opening Match
Giant Baba and Genichiro Tenryu vs. Kamala II and Ken Patera

Baba and Tenryu have been successful since joining forces. The team of Kamala II and the Olympic Strongman pose a stiff challenge. Patera and Baba open the match. The Japanese legend holds his own against Patera. Ken tags in Kamala II and the wild Ugandan goes to work. Baba tags in Tenryu and the he fares no better against Kamala II. Both teams tag in and out. The end comes when Baba chops Patera to the mat and covers him for the win.
Winners-Giant Baba and Genichiro Tenryu

Second Match
Tamon Honda vs. Yoshiaki Yatsu

Two former Japanese Olympians do battle in this one. It’s old vs. new. Yatsu outwrestles his younger opponent in the early moments of the match. Honda comes back with abandon by using his signature headbuts. Honda wins with the “Dead End”. Yatsu offers his hand to the younger Olympian and the crowd gives both men a nice ovation.
Winner-Tamon Honda

Third Match
Akira Taue and Yoshinari Ogawa vs. Richard Slinger and The Eagle

The Gaijin, Slinger, and the mysterious masked Eagle will be a challenge for Taue and Ogawa. Both teams tag in and out and the first few minutes are very even and very exciting. Taue uses his size and strength to slow the pace of the match. He works over Slinger and things look good for his team. Slinger tags in the Eagle and the masked man rallies his team. The match is close, but Taue hits the chokeslam pin on Slinger and he and Ogawa are victorious.
Winners-Akira Taue and Yoshinari Ogawa

Fourth Match
Gran Naniwa vs. Shinjiro Otani

This will be a fast paced Jr. Heavyweight match. The masked Naniwa takes the fight to Otani and he rallies with mat wrestling. The fans are living and dying with every move. Nanaiwa gets a two count, but Otani kicks out. Naniwa tries to whip Otnai into the ropes, but Shinjiro reveres it and backdrops the “Crab” to the mat. He moves in uses the bridging dragon suplex to win the match.
Winner-Shinjiro Otani

Fifth Match
Koji Kanemoto vs. Jun Akiyama

After Kanemoto’s dramatic unmasking in Tokyo this match takes on added significance. Akiyama has been very impressive and the former Tiger Mask will be a stiff test. The match begins slowly neither man wants to make a mistake. They lock up several times, but each man is able to counter the other. Kanemoto is able to apply the abdominal stretch (cobra twist), but Akiyama reaches the ropes. The match continues and both men pick up the pace. Akiyama catches Kanemoto is a rolling reverse, but referee Kyohei Wada only counts two. Both men have their chances, but he end comes with Akiyama hitting the Blue Thunder driver for the victory.
Winner-Jun Akiyama



Sixth Match
Unified Tag Team Championship
Mitsuharu Misawa and Kenta Kobashi (Champions) vs. Hiroshi Tenzan and Junji Hirata

Tenzan and the former “Super Strong Machine” will be a challenge for the Champions. Misawa and Kobashi have looked unbeatable since winning the titles, but tonight may be different. Tenzan and Kobashi open the action. They trade moves and counter moves and the veteran “Orange Crush” grabs the advantage. Kobshi tags in Misawa and Tenzan is in trouble. He is able to escape and tag in Hirata, who uses his experience to rally. Now Misawa is on the receiving end of the punishment. Kobashi tags in and takes the fight to Hirata. Misawa tags in and hits a powerbomb on Hirata. Tenzan breaks up the pin. The fast and furious action continues until Misawa hits the Tiger Driver on Tenzan and covers him for referee Joe Higuchi’s three count. The Champions are victorious again.
Winners-Mitsuharu Misawa and Kenta Kobashi

Main Event
Triple Crown Championship
Toshiaki Kawada (Champion) vs. Tatsumi Fujinami

Fujinami is a former multi-time IWGP Champion. He pinned Kawada in the six man tag team match at Buddokan in January. Kawada faces his biggest test since winning the title. The Yokohama crowd murmurs with excitement. Referee Joe Higuchi calls for the bell and we are underway. Kawada takes the fight to Fujinami and the Challenger is on his heels. Kawada uses his patented kicks to stun Fujinami. He gets a two count, but that is all. Fujinami fights back and now the Champion is retreating. Fujinami goes for the Dragon suplex, but Kawada blocks it. Kawada whip Fujinami into the ropes and goes for the big kick. Fujinami ducks and lands a boot of his own. Kawada goes down and Fujinami covers him and gets a two count. Fujinami tries to whip Kawada into the corner, but Kawada reverses it and Fujinami smashes into the ropes and slumps to the mat. Kawada picks him up and lands his rapid fire kicks. He then maneuvers Fujinami into position for the Kawada kick. Fujinami goes down and Higuchi counts the fall. The Champion retains the title.
Winner-Toshiaki Kawada




All Japan Pro Wrestling returns to action March 24 in Saporro at the Makomanai Ice Arena.

Scheduled to appear,

Giant Baba and Tamon Honda vs. The Wrecking Crew

Kamala II vs. Tsuyoshi Kikuchi

Richard Slinger vs. Tiger Mask

The Eagle and The Great Kabuki vs. Takao Omori and Shinjiro Otani

Yoshinari Ogawa vs. Gran Naniwa

Jun Akiyama vs. Koji Kanemoto

For the Unified Tag Team Titles,

Mishuharu Misawa and Kenta Kobashi defend against the “Holy Demon Army” Toshiaki Kawada and Akira Taue

[jackknight]

tlyne said:

All Japan Pro Wrestling
Makonamai Ice Arena
Sapporo, Japan
3/24/95



Opening Match
Giant Baba and Tamon Hondo vs. The Wrecking Crew

The legendary Baba teams with the promising Hondo to take on the rough and tough Gaijin team of Fury and Rage. Fury and Hondo open the match. Hondo outwrestles Fury and lands one of his patented headbutts. He covers Fury, but Rag breaks up the pin. Both teams tag in and out. Baba lands several chops that bring the fans to their feet. The end comes when Honda uses the German suplex to pin Rage.
Winners-Giant Baba and Tamon Honda

Second Match
Kamala II vs. Tsuyoshi Kikuchi

Kikuchi takes the fight to the giant Ugandan. He backs Kamala II into the ropes and lands several chops. Kamala fights his way out of the corner. Despite giving up size, Kikuchi holds his own until Kamala II hits the big splash for the win.
Winner-Kamala II

Third Match
Richard Slinger vs. Tiger Mask

Mitsuharu Misawa and Koji Kanemoto, both former “Tiger Masks”, come to the ring with “Tiger Mask”. They both tell the crowd that this is the new “Tiger Mask” and he will carry on the tradition of the masked super hero. The new Tiger Mask shows many of the patented high flying moves of the others. He wins with a flying bodypress.
Winner-Tiger Mask

Fourth Match
The Eagle and the Great Kabuki vs. Takao Omori and Shinjiro Otani

The mysterious masked Eagle teams with the even more mysterious Kabuki. Kabuki begins the match with his patented green mist. Kabuki and Omori begin the match. The man from Singapore uses his martial arts to control the early moments. Omori tags in Otani and the skilled junior heavyweight goes to work. Kabuki tags in the Eagle and the man in the purple mask tries to match Otani move for move. Things go back and forth until Otani uses the bridging dragon suplex to pin the Eagle.
Winners-Takao Omori and Shinjiro Otani

Fifth Match
Yoshinari Ogawa vs. Gran Naniwa

Two very skilled junior heavyweights meet in this one. The masked man uses his “crab tactics’ to confuse Ogawa. Ogawa uses his sneaky tactics to get back into the match. Never underestimate Naniwa. The crab tactics serve his well and he wins with the clutch de Naniwa.
Winner-Gran Naniwa



Sixth Match
Jun Akiyama vs. Koji Kanemoto

Kanemoto unmasked as Tiger Mask after a loss to Akiyama in a tag team match. He has challenged “Blue Thunder” without much success. Tonight may be different. Kanemoto wrestles a very aggressive match and Akiyama is on his heels. Koji clamps on the abdominal stretch (cobra twist), but they are too close to the ropes and the hold is broken. Kanemoto dominates the next few minutes and Akiyama is in trouble. The Sapporo crowd gets behind “Blue Thunder” and he rallies. He goes on the aggressive, and now, Kanemoto is on the defensive. Akiyama sets up and hits the Blue Thunder driver for the win..
Winner-Jun Akiyama



Seventh Match
Unified Tag Team Championship
Mitsuharu Misawa and Kenta Kobashi (Champions) vs. Toshiaki Kawada and Akira Taue

These are the “Big Four” in All Japan. The tag belts are on the line and referee Joe Higuchi has his hands full with this one. Both teams will pull out all stops. The bell rings and Taue and Misawa square off. They lock up and the larger Taue tosses Misawa to the mat and stands over him. I don’t know if Misawa can be intimidated. Misawa struggles to his feet and Taue goes for a big chop, but the man in green ducks and goes behind Taue. He bell to backs the big man to the mat. Now he stands over the big man. Misawa tags in Kobashi and “Orange Crush” goes to work. He controls the next few minutes. Kawada tags in, but the “Triple Crown Champion” fares no better. Kobashi gets a two count on Kawada and argues with Higuchi about a slow count. They action sways back and forth with both teams getting two counts, but no one getting the elusive three. Misawa hits the Tiger Driver on Kawada, but Taue breaks up the count at two. The time limit is running out and both teams pick up the pace. They throw out everything, but nothing can get a three count and the time limit expires. These two teams must meet again.
Result-Time Limit Draw

All Japan Pro Wrestling returns to Tokyo and the Nippon Budokan on April 28, 1995.
Scheduled to Appear,

1. Giant Baba and Tamon Honda vs. The Eagle and Octagon
2. Tiger Mask vs. Kintaro Shiga
3. Hiroshi Tenzan vs. Tsuyoshi Kikuchi
4. Yoshinari Ogawa vs. The Cobra
5. Shinya Hashimoto vs. Junji Hirata
6. Jun Akiyama and Takaeo Omori vs. Shinjiro Otani and Koji Kanemoto
7. Mitshuharu Misawa and Kenta Kobashi vs. Holy Demon Army

[jackknight]

tlyne said:

Nippon Budokan
Tokyo, Japan
Referees-Joe Higuchi and Kyohei Wada
4/28/94


Opening Match
Giant Baba and Tamon Honda vs. The Eagle and Octogon

The newly formed team of Baba and Honda take on the masked team. Octagon gets his team off to a fast start, but the legendary Baba tags in and goes to work with his patented chops. Both teams go back and forth until Honda hits the German suplex against the Eagle and gets the three count.
Winners-Giant Baba and Tamon Honda

Second Match
Tiger Mask vs. Kintaro Shiga

The newest version of Tiger Maske debuted last month. Shiga is a very talented young Jr. Heavyweight. This will be a good one. The pace of the match is fast and furious. Both men have their chances before Tiger Mask uses the Tiger suplex for the win.
Winner-Tiger Mask

Third Match
Hiroshi Tenzan vs. Tsuyoshi Kikuchi

Tenzan takes the fight to Kikuchi. Kikuchi, who is giving up a lot of size, rallies. He uses his quickness to confuse Tenzan. Hiroshi picks up the aggressiveness and Kikuchi is on the defensive again. Tenzan’s size and strength are too much for Kikuchi. Tenzan clamps on the anaconda vice and it’s all over.
Winner-Hiroshi Tenzan

Fourth Match
Yoshinari Ogawa vs. The Cobra

This will be a fast paced Jr. Heavyweight encounter. The fans are not disappointed as the action is fast paced from the opening bell. The Cobra gets a two count with a sunset flip and follows that up with a high crossbody and Ogawa is on his heels. Yoshinari mounts a comeback and now the masked man is on the retreat. Ogawa moves and applies the belly to belly suplex for the win.
Winner-Yoshinari Ogawa

Fifth Match
IWGP Championship
Shinya Hashimoto (Champion) vs. Junji Hirata

It is still very exciting to have the IWGP Champion in an All Japan ring. The former “Super Strong Machine” will be a stiff challenge. Hirata takes the fight to the Champion. He works over Hashimoto and the Champion is in trouble. Hirata uses the fist drop and covers the Champion. Hashimot kicks out at two. Hirata whips him into the ropes and hits the lariat. He goes for the cover, but again, gets only two. The Champion reaches deep inside and mounts a comeback. He lands the exploder suplex and gets a two count. Hashimoto has the momentum. He lands the jumping DDT to retain the title.
Winner-Shinya Hashimoto

Sixth Match
Jun Akiyama and Takaeo Omori vs. Shinjiro Otani and Koji Kanemoto

Tonight has been a showcase of Jr. Heavyweights and this match may be the best example. Akiyama opens against Otani. They trade holds and counter holds and the Budokan crowd is mesmerized. They are dead even and both men tag out. Omori and Kanemoto pick up where the others left off. Kanemoto lands a snap suplex and gets a two count, but Omori kicks out and applies the sleeper. Kanemoto gets to the ropes and the hold is broken. Akiyama tags in. He and Kanemoto have had several tough battles and the fans can’t wait for this one. They lock up and Kanemoto takes control. This doesn’t last long, as Akiyama shoots Kanemoto into the ropes and drops him with a stiff shoulder block. “Blue Thunder” takes over. Kanemoto is on the run and things go from bad to worse. Akiyama hits the Blue Thunder driver for the win.
Winners-Jun Akiyama and Takeo Omori

Seventh Match
Unified Tag Team Championship
Mitsuharu Misawa and Kenta Kobashi (Champions) vs. Tohiaki Kawada and Akira Taue

“The Holy Demon Army” challenges for the Unified Tag Team Titles. These two teams went to an hour draw in Sapporo and the fans are excited about this rematch. Streamers fill the ring as both teams are introduced. It’s Kabashi and Taue to open the match. Taue slows the pace and controls the early moments. He works over Kobashi and “Orange Crush” is in trouble. He is able to tag in Misawa and things begin to change. Misawa controls the action and Taue tags in Kawada. It’s the Triple Crown Champion against his number one contender. They lock up and it is a true “Clash of the Titans”. Things go back and forth with both teams having their moments. They both tag in and out and the four men are all at the top of their games. It’s Kobashi and Kawada in the ring. Kawada goes after Kobashi with his vicious kicks. Kobashi backs up and Kawada this the Kawada kick. He covers his fallen foe. Referee Joe Higuchi begins his count 1…2… Misawa dives in to break up the count, but he’s too late…3! The Holy Demon Army are the new Unified Tag Team Champions. Things calm down in the ring and Misawa and Kobashi present the titles to Kawada and Taue. The Tokyo crowd gives both teams a standing ovation.
Winners-Toshiaki Kawada and Akira Taue (New Unified Tag Team Champions)