This is tremendous. I have always been a huge fan of Kojima's work. His match with Misawa from 7/18 was in my top five for Match of the Year. I can't wait to get a tape of this.
NJ 2/20 Ryogoku Kokugikan (IWGP vs. Triple Crown double championship match) IWGP & Triple Crown Double Championship Match: Satoshi Kojima (Triple Crown champion/All Japan) defeated Hiroyoshi Tenzan (IWGP champion/New Japan) in 59 minutes, 49 seconds by KO to win the double championship. The finish of the match saw Tenzan go for a moonsault at the 55 minute mark and miss it. Referee Kyohei Wada had to deal with Osmau Nishimura & Yuji Nagata appearing, and Wada cut them off. With about three minutes left to go, sub-referee Masao Toyama (New Japan) got to the ring and massaged Tenzan's neck. Wada did a 10-count and Tenzan couldn't make the bell, so Kojima was awarded the win. After the match, Nagata went to kick Kojima. Kojima got on the microphone and said, "I am Satoshi Kojima of All Japan Pro-Wrestling." There was a subtle indication from Kojima that the TC meant more than the IWGP belt in the way he was handling himself after the match.
(edited by NickBockwinkelFan on 20.2.05 1223) "Well, you can't involve friendship with business. It has to be one or the other. It's either business or friendship, or hit the bricks!" --Life Lessons from "The Tao of Bobby the Brain Heenan" Uncensored 2000 preview
"As long as the check don't bounce, I guess he's okay with it!" --Former All Pro Giants LB Harry Carson on Bill Parcells joining the hated rival Dallas Cowboys
Awesome to see Kojima get the Triple Crown and then this on top of it. I wonder if there was really any other result they could have had with Tenzan reportedly in such bad shape with his back problems. Regardless, Kojima's a deserving champ.
Originally posted by NickBockwinkelFanThis is tremendous. I have always been a huge fan of Kojima's work. His match with Misawa from 7/18 was in my top five for Match of the Year. I can't wait to get a tape of this.
Lots of reports are calling this not very good, and considering how bad Tenzan's back is now, I'm willing to believe it. A shame, as this should have been an amazing match.
I was actually rooting for a Kawada/Tenzan match, as I love the one they had during the AJPW vs. NJPW program however long ago that was, but regardless, the crowd was probably hyped as hell, which might help cover up how bad the actual match might be.
Yes, I am very happy for Kojima to get his dues paid to him in full. LONG LIVE THE KOJI ERA!!
But I must also express my feelings to poor Hiroyoshi Tenzan as well. I mean, even though I wanted him to lose and Kojima to win, I do still feel sorry for all the hard luck he is having, when trying to be NJPW's new ace. THREE IWGP Title reigns and only ONE sucessful defense of it. Those are the sad breaks in life sometimes. He's the Kawada of the new millenium in that category for sure.
But cheer yall up here's a pic of the new KING OF BLING BLING with all his newly won gold...
PIMP IT KOJIMA, PIMP IT GOOD!!
(edited by talena696 on 21.2.05 2323) Conquest is made from the ashes of one's enemies!
I'm really looking forward to seeing this match as the reports have been varied (mostly good, with incredible heat for the last 15:00 and the finish).
Apparently, the belts will be will be defended separately (IWGP & TC) and not merged. I guess Nagata's first up as he was first into the ring and got into Koji's face. This could lead to an excellent series of opponents for Koji: Chono, Mutoh, Tenyru, etc.
Hiroshi Tanahashi, Shinsuke Nakamura, and Masa Chono gathered with Antonio Inoki to discuss a "battle plan" to regain the IWGP title along with the Triple Crown
(edited by NickBockwinkelFan on 22.2.05 0236) "Well, you can't involve friendship with business. It has to be one or the other. It's either business or friendship, or hit the bricks!" --Life Lessons from "The Tao of Bobby the Brain Heenan" Uncensored 2000 preview
"As long as the check don't bounce, I guess he's okay with it!" --Former All Pro Giants LB Harry Carson on Bill Parcells joining the hated rival Dallas Cowboys
Originally posted by NickBockwinkelFanHiroshi Tanahashi, Shinsuke Nakamura, and Masa Chono gathered with Antonio Inoki to discuss a "battle plan" to regain the IWGP title along with the Triple Crown
According to www.puroresufan.com Antonio Inoki has entrusted "Child of God" Shinsuke Nakamura with the task of regaining the IWGP Heavyweight Title for New Japan. New Japan held a birthday party for the company icon in Nagoya, with Chono, Nakamura, and Tanahashi facing him in shame. After an awkward silence during which Inoki glared at the three, Chono opened his mouth, apologizing to "God" for allowing the IWGP belt to slip out of New Japan custody, and promised someone would win it back. Inoki received apologies from the regular army and Black New Japan, and consented Nakamura's challenge, who the press is now calling the regular army's ace after Tenzan's fall from power and Nagata's uncertain status, saying when he (Inoki) was young, he had similar enthusiasm. New Japan continues to strongly push for 3/26 to be a "day of revenge", but even if Kojima does defend IWGP on that show, if its to be one of Chono, Nakamura, or Tanahashi, they will have to change the card announced yesterday, as all three are in the same tag match right now.
AND MORE: All Japan boss, Keiji Mutoh, watched the 2/20 PPV, and called Tenzan vs. Kojima a wonderful match, as most wrestlers and media outlets who saw it did. However, Mutoh admitted he is very jealous that Kojima did something he never could. Mutoh said he has already made a blueprint of capturing the 4-Crown (he referred to it as such, even though Kojima is calling for complete independence of the titles) himself, and even suggested abusing his power as All Japan booker to set up a match! He also said he is very estactic and happy that an All Japan wrestler accomplish this unheard of task under his watch as AJPW's leader.
Originally posted by TheMikeSays I know I'm gonna sound like a disrespectful tard but...the match ended with a neck massage
I've actually watched the match on NJPW's IWTV, and it actually in ended with very conterversially. They were trying to revive Tenzan as he just layed on the mat. Mainly, cause he was completely dehydrated and suffering from a legit seriously injured back, he reaggravated. He just couldn't move or stand up before Kyohei Wada's 10 count. Even Kojima wanted Tenzan to get up, and was trying pull him off the ground by his tights, but failed to do so. I think it was supposes to go into overtime, but couldn't do to Tenzan's legitimate injury. So Kojima was awarded the belts there instead of in overtime as planned.
Just how I saw it.
(edited by talena696 on 22.2.05 0825) Conquest is made from the ashes of one's enemies!
Originally posted by TheMikeSaysI know I'm gonna sound like a disrespectful tard but...the match ended with a neck massage?
I'm slightly bemused.
I think the description of a "neck massage" is funny as well.
Tenzan's back is legit badly injured, so after wrestling sixty minutes, he may have aggravated it.
Or...
After most heavyweight matches in Japan (especially after the head dropping, vertebre crunching All Japan 1990s), the seconds rush to the ring and apply ice packs, freeze spray and administer to the necks of the wrestlers. They're just selling the high impact aspect of the match.
Between Stan Hansen, Vader and Tenyru decapitating guys with lariats and Misawa, Kawada, Kobashi and Steve Williams suplexing guys on their heads virtually non-stop, it's amazing that these guys necks are intact.
I imagine if Dr.Andrews or Dr.Jho set up shop in Tokyo, after a few MRIs, they'd probably recommend surgury to half the guys there.
Originally posted by telena696I've actually watched the match on NJPW's IWTV
Telena: How is the IWTV service? I've been wanting to try it, but what are the system requirements?
(edited by NickBockwinkelFan on 22.2.05 1451) "Well, you can't involve friendship with business. It has to be one or the other. It's either business or friendship, or hit the bricks!" --Life Lessons from "The Tao of Bobby the Brain Heenan" Uncensored 2000 preview
"As long as the check don't bounce, I guess he's okay with it!" --Former All Pro Giants LB Harry Carson on Bill Parcells joining the hated rival Dallas Cowboys
Originally posted by NickBockwinkelFanHiroshi Tanahashi, Shinsuke Nakamura, and Masa Chono gathered with Antonio Inoki to discuss a "battle plan" to regain the IWGP title along with the Triple Crown
First thing that popped into my head for that was Inoki trying to set up an IWGP title match between Kojima & Mirko Crocop under K-1 rules.
Originally posted by orangemanFirst thing that popped into my head for that was Inoki trying to set up an IWGP title match between Kojima & Mirko Crocop under K-1 rules.
The first thing that popped into my head for that was Inoki trying to set up an IWGP title match between Kojima & Inoki. Who better to save the honor of New Japan?
(edited by NickBockwinkelFan on 22.2.05 2353) "Well, you can't involve friendship with business. It has to be one or the other. It's either business or friendship, or hit the bricks!" --Life Lessons from "The Tao of Bobby the Brain Heenan" Uncensored 2000 preview
"As long as the check don't bounce, I guess he's okay with it!" --Former All Pro Giants LB Harry Carson on Bill Parcells joining the hated rival Dallas Cowboys