By Justin Baisden

New Japan runs their super junior tournaments in two blocks. The winner from block A faces the winner of block B in the finals. The good people at Valis elected to break this tournament down into block format because we all know that nobody wants to see a decent mix. We just LOVE watching one block and then the other. YEAH!!!

The Block A participants are Koji Kanemoto, Jushin "Thunder" Lyger, Tatsuhito Takaiwa, Gran Hamada, Masaki Mockizuki and Super Shocker.

SUPER SHOCKER vs JUSHIN "THUNDER" LYGER
Ugh... I'm guessing that Shocker is the luchadore representative for this block. Don't get me wrong; I've got nothing against Lucha Libre. I just don't understand it very well. It just seems like a bunch of crazy and often sloppy spots with barely any flow to me. I've been chewed out in DVDVR for not liking Negro Casas who apparently is a lucha libre god. I say if you can't at least have a good match with Ohtani then you've got problems. Ah well... onto the match. They start out with some mat based reversal stuff. Shocker works over the leg and slaps on a figure four. Lyger is screaming in pain but still has the smarts to slap on an anklelock while in the figure four. DEAL WITH THAT ONE LUCHA BOY! Shocker breaks the hold and Lyger rolls outside. Shocker follows him and hits a dropkick from the apron to the floor. Back in the ring and Shocker hits a missile dropkick for two. Shocker hits a slam and goes for a moonsault but Lyger gets the knees up. Lyger goes for a shotei but Shocker gets a drop toehold and slaps on La Majistral cradle for 2 and ½. Shocker hits a spinning leg lariat, which sends Lyger outside. Shocker hits a sweet double jump plancha. Lyger is getting squashed here. Shocker waits for Lyger to get back in and charges at him but Lyger responds with a shotei, which sends Shocker into a 360 oversell "Rockers style." Lyger hits a running powerbomb for 2 and ¾. Lyger hits a brainbuster and that gets three. Ugh... none too impressive. *3/4

MASAKI MOCKIZUKI vs TATSUHITO TAKAIWA
I haven't seen Mockizuki since watching the 1995 Super J Cup. For some reason he actually looks younger here. He's dropped the gi that he wore at the J Cup for some flashy pro wrestling style tights. I wonder if he still kicks like a bitch. Lets find out... Takaiwa squashes Mockizuki for about seven minutes. Mockizuki makes the comeback with a spin wheel kick and some stiff kicks to the side. Mockizuki charges but is met with a big time lariat. Takaiwa goes for a German suplex but Mockizuki flips out of it and hits an enziguri. Takaiwa goes to the outside for a breather and when he comes back in, immediately takes control with a brainbuster. Irish whip but it's reversed and Mockizuki hits a big kick. He hits a German suplex for 2 and ½. Mockizuki lays in two stiff kicks but on the third one, Takaiwa catches him and hits a Death Valley Driver. Takaiwa hits the TRIPLE POWERBOMB and follows up with LARIATOOOOOOOO!!! But Mockizuki kicks out at 2 and 9/10. Great sequence as Takaiwa goes for a powerbomb into the turnbuckle but Mockizuki flips out into a sunset flip for two but Takaiwa flips out of that and goes for a DVD but Mockizuki reverses that into a DDT. He then hits a double jump enziguri and follows up with a Dragon suplex for the three count. The match started out really crap mainly due to Takaiwa's limited non-powerbomb/DVD offense but got really good at the end. **

GRAN HAMADA vs TATSUHITO TAKAIWA
These two had a solid match way back at the Sky Diving J. I haven't seen a singles match with these two since. Hamada is still kicking major ass and the young age of FIFTY! This one starts out really slow. Lots of mat work. Now mat work isn't necessarily a bad thing. It's how long you stay in one submission/rest hold that determines if it's boring or interesting. In this case, it's BORING! Jump to ¾ into the match where Takaiwa goes for a powerbomb but it's reversed into a huracanrana. Hamada hits a belly to back suplex. Hamada slaps on a juji gatime scissors. Takaiwa actually attempts to powerbomb Hamada out of the scissors but Hamada slips out and slaps on a Fujiwara arm bar. Takaiwa eventually reaches the ropes. Hamada continues to kick ass with a leaping swinging DDT for 2 and ½. Hamada hits a leg lariat, which sends Takaiwa to the outside. Hamada hits a pescado but Takaiwa actually catches him and hotshots him ON THE RAILING! Ugh... that looked ugly. Back in the ring and Takaiwa Irish whips Hamada into the corner but it's reversed and Hamada follows up with a flying forearm. He puts Takaiwa on the top and goes for a huracanrana but Takaiwa catches him in a powerbomb. However on the way down Hamada turns it into a MID AIR SUPER DDT! HOLY SHIT!!! Hamada goes for a rana but Takaiwa reverses into the double powerbomb and then hits a Death Valley Driver. Takaiwa hits a big lariat and that ends it. This match was solid and the Super DDT was definitely something wicked to see. ***

MASAKI MOCKIZUKI vs JUSHIN "THUNDER" LYGER
I'm not sure if it's Mockizuki or Shocker that has been pegged with the dubious task of being the guy that comes last in the block. Odds are that it's the young Mockizuki. Ah well... doesn't mean he can't get the crap beat out of him for my pleasure in the meantime right? Lyger offers a handshake but Mockizuki KICKS HIM IN THE HAND! What the hell is this kid on? Time to die little boy. Lyger charges in with a running shotei but Mockizuki ducks and hits a flying forearm. Mockizuki hits a snap suplex and lays in two stiff kicks to the back. Mockizuki lays in some more kicks but Lyger no sells and hits a dragon screw leg whip. Mockizuki tries to flee to the outside but Lyger follows him out, throws him into the guardrail and follows up with a rough Shotei. RESPECT THE BOOKER BITCH! Lyger puts Mockizuki up against the post and goes for another palm strike but he moves and Lyger palm strikes post! GOOD! I HATE THE PALM STRIKE! Mockizuki works over the arm like a mad man. Submissions aplenty are laid down. Irish whip into the corner and Mockzuki hits a dropkick on the arm. NICE! He drapes Lyger's arm over the top rope and hits a sweet axe kick. Hmm... I'm starting to like this kid. Mockizuki puts Lyger on the top and hits a SUPER FUJIWARA ARM BAR! WOW! He segues that into a reverse arm scissors. This is sick arm work. Usually it's Lyger that dishes out the innovative arm punishment. Mockizuki continues the assault with a springboard dropkick to the arm. Mockizuki goes for a suplex but it's blocked and Lyger hits a Shotei. Lyger hits a slam and follows up with a frog splash for 2 and ½. Lyger goes for a Lygerbomb but Mockizuki flips out and hits a stiff kick to the arm. Mockizuki hits the double jump enziguri and follows up with the Dragon suplex but it only gets 2 and ¾. Mockizuki goes for a Tiger suplex but Lyger blocks and hits a Koppo kick. Lyger hulks up and goes for a shotei but Mockizuki ducks and gets in a schoolboy roll up for 2 and ½. Mockizuki goes for a German suplex but Lyger gets a standing switch and goes for a German of his own. However, Mockizuki flips out of it and charges in but is met with yet another shotei. Lyger hits a vicious Lygerbomb for 2 and 9/10. Lyger hits a BRUTAL brainbuster and then follows up with a running Shotei for the three count. This was above solid and only shows that it was crappy Takaiwa that was holding the young punk Mockizuki down from greatness. Well... that and Lyger was in the match too. ***1/2

KOJI KANEMOTO vs TATSUHITO TAKAIWA
They start out rough with stiff kicks, stomps, chops, punches, etc... Kanemoto brings civility to the match with a half crab. Takaiwa escapes so Kanemoto lays in some more stiff kicks. Takaiwa has none of it. He grabs the leg and hits a DVD. Takaiwa follows up with a top rope elbow drop on the leg. NEW MOVE ALERT as Takaiwa uses a fucked up submission where he drapes Kanemoto's leg over his (Takaiwa's) neck and pulls on both halves of the body. Ugh... I don't know what the hell to call that. Kanemoto reaches the ropes. Takaiwa backs up and charges in for a lariat but Kanemoto catches him in the snap overhead belly to belly suplex. Kanemoto hits a front slam and goes for a moonsault but lands on his feet. Takaiwa hits a nice lariat and then hits the triple powerbomb. Takaiwa hits LARIATOOOOOOOO!!! for 2 and ¾. Takaiwa goes for another lariat but it's ducked and Kanemoto hits the front slam - moonsault combo. Takaiwa actually no sells the moonsault and kicks out at one. HEY KANEMOTO, HOW DOES IT FEEL TO HAVE YOUR OFFENSE NO SOLD? Takaiwa goes for a lariat but Kanemoto catches him in a cross arm scissors and Takaiwa... submits? Uh... what? The ending came out of nowhere but the match was solid. ***

GRAN HAMADA vs KOJI KANEMOTO
Kanemoto starts off with the stiff kicks. Hamada elects to no sell. Respect your elders boy! Irish whip and Hamada hits a tilt a whirl slam. Kanemoto no sells (what a surprise) and lays in some stiff kicks to the leg. Cue the mat work as both guys try to work on the leg. Back to a vertical base and Kanemoto is brutalizing Hamada with stiff kicks. Kanemoto hits the slam - senton combo. Kanemoto goes for a backdrop but Hamada flips out and hits a dropkick, which sends Kanemoto to the outside. Hamada hits a pescado and then a LEAPING SWINGING DDT FROM THE APRON TO THE FLOOR! OUCH!!! Back in the ring where Hamada Irish whips Kanemoto but it's reversed and he hits the snap overhead belly to belly suplex. Irish whip into the corner but Hamada back flips off of the second rope and hits a dropkick. Hamada goes to the top for a missile dropkick but Kanemoto swats him away. Kanemoto goes for the slam - senton combo but misses the senton. Hamada gets a huracanrana for 2 and ½. Hamada goes for another but Kanemoto hits a powerbomb. Kanemoto hits the slam - moonsault combo for 2 and ¾. Irish whip into the corner but its reversed and Hamada hits a BIG TIME lariat. Hamada hits a top rope huracanrana. Hamada puts Kanemoto the top and hits a SUPER HAMADA CUTTER for 2 and 9/10. Irish whip but it's reversed. Hamada tries to respond with a high cross body block but is dropkicked in mid air. Kanemoto hits a Falcon Arrow (huh?) and nails the moonsault for the victory. When the hell did Kanemoto add the Flacon Arrow to his arsenal? Ah well... this match was pretty damn good. ***1/2

TATSUHITO TAKAIWA vs SUPER SHOCKER
Ugh... this won't be good. I don't even feel like reviewing it. But hey... I'll fill in all the good stuff. Takaiwa hits his usual power offense. Shocker hits his unnecessarily flashy lucha stuff. The ending has Takaiwa going for the super DVD but Shocker blocks and hits a Death Valley Bomb for the victory. **1/2

The BLOCK B participants are El Samurai, Shinjiro Ohtani, Masao Orihara, Kendo Ka Shin, Dr. Wagner Jr, and Minoru Tanaka.

MASAO ORIHARA vs EL SAMURAI
Where the hell has Orihara been? The last time I saw this guy was during the 1993 BOSJ. Ironically he was facing El Samurai. That match was crap if I recall correctly. The modern Orihara is playing quite the bad ass. He gives the middle finger to the fans on a constant basis and shows no respect for his opponents. I could get to like this guy. Orihara the punk bastard attacks Samurai before the bell. Irish whip but Samurai comes back with a shoulder block. CUE THE CHINLOCK! Orihara immediately gets out of it with a jawbreaker. NEW MOVE ALERT as Orihara picks up Samurai in a piledriver and then holds him there, turning ninety degrees to show each side of the arena how in control he is of the match. He eventually does drop the piledriver after a good thirty seconds and it gets a two count. Orihara hits a brainbuster and a leg drop for two. Back to a vertical base and Samurai hits a hangman's neck breaker. Samurai goes for a piledriver but Orihara hits the most brilliant counter move ever. He simply lifts his head up about five inches thus getting in a low blow. Why doesn't everyone do that? Paul Orndorff's career would have been shot if someone had thought of that in the eighties. Orihara hits a slam but misses a splash. Samurai hits a delayed brainbuster. Samurai hits a slam and a flying headbutt for 2 and ½. Samurai goes for a German suplex but is met with a low blow. Orihara hits a Yakuza kick, which sends Samurai to the outside. Orihara hits a baseball slide and follows up with a moonsault from the second turnbuckle. NICE! Back in the ring and Samurai is sent to the corner but kicks the charging Orihara and follows up with a Tornado DDT for 2 and ¾. Samurai goes for a slam but Orihara slips out and hits a Michinoku Driver for 2 and ½. Orihara puts Samurai on the top and hits a SUPER GERMAN SUPLEX! HOLY SHIT!!! I've only seen that move done once before... in a video game that is. Orihara holds onto the top turnbuckle with his legs, sits up and then hits a moonsault but it gets 2 and 9/10. Orihara goes for a powerbomb but its reversed into a rana. Samurai hits an Implant DDT and then hits a reverse DDT for 2 and 9/10. Samurai hits a brutal piledriver and then hits a Reverse Implant DDT for the three count. This was above solid and I was amazed that the Super German Suplex - moonsault combo wasn't just something you see in VPW2. ***1/2

MINORU TANAKA vs KENDO KA SHIN
This match is submission city. This is what I call "interesting" mat wrestling. No hold is held on to for longer than a few seconds but the psychology of working over a body part is still present. This match is submission - reversal - submission. Rinse and repeat for a good ten minutes. Nothing is slow at any point, which I really appreciate. At about ¾ through the match we get a nice spot as Ka Shin Irish whips Tanaka into the corner but he comes back with a second rope moonsault body block. Ka Shin rolls to the outside and Tanaka follows up with a pescado but it misses. Ugh... that wasn't too pretty. Ka Shin tries to suplex Tanaka back into the ring but he slips out and gets a double leg roll up for 2 and ½. Tanaka hits a Dragon suplex for 2 and ½. Tanaka goes for a rolling juji gatime but its reversed into Ka Shin's Cross Arm Scissors and Tanaka taps out. This was fun to watch which is rare for a Kendo Ka Shin match. There are few juniors who are versed well enough in quick mat wrestling to keep up with Ka Shin but Tanaka did a great job. ***

MASAO ORIHARA vs KENDO KA SHIN
Orihara hits a baseball slide before Ka Shin even gets into the ring. Orihara the hellspawn punk ass bitch hits a second rope twisting senton on the floor. Dang... this kid needs anger management classes. In the ring and Orihara goes for a schoolboy roll up. IDIOT! The match is about one minute old. Ka Shin is hurting and is so desperate he just kicks Orihara in the groin. HA HA, that was Three Stooges funny. Ka Shin with a chinlock but a jawbreaker stops all this resting. Orihara hits the cocky showcase showdown piledriver. Orihara goes for a slam but its reversed into an anklelock. Orihara gets to the ropes and they're back to a vertical base. Orihara takes control with a slam and somersault senton. They go into an odd snapmare reversal sequence, which nets Ka Shin a reverse DDT. Irish whip but Orihara comes back with a big lariat. Irish whip into the corner, but Ka Shin gets the feet up and hits a hart attack clothesline. Ka Shin charges but Orihara gets a drop toe hold and slaps on La Majistral cradle. The ref notices Ka Shin's feet in the ropes at two. Orihara tries for the super German suplex but Ka Shin won't have it. Orihara settles for a sit out powerbomb for 2 and ½. He hits a tombstone piledriver and goes for a moonsault but Ka Shin moves and Orihara lands on his feet. Ka Shin comes back with The Juji Gatime and that gets the tap out. This was just below solid and gets **1/2

EL SAMURAI vs MINORU TANAKA
Tanaka starts out in control with some stiff kicks. He hits a roll over snap suplex into a leg bar. Samurai reverses into an anklelock. Samurai hits a stiff forearm and a piledriver. Tanaka heads out to the floor and Samurai hits a tope suicida. Back in the ring and Tanaka lays in some more kicks to the leg. He slaps on a half crab and then turns it into a boston crab. Samurai makes the ropes. Tanaka hits the late great Owen Hart "you catch my leg so I can kick you in the head" spot. Samurai to the outside and Tanaka hits a pescado. Back in the ring where Tanaka goes for a German suplex but Samurai gets a standing switch and hits a reverse DDT. Samurai to the top and hits a missile dropkick for 2 and ½. Samurai hits the Thunderfire Powerbomb for two. Samurai goes for a swandive headbutt but it misses and Tanaka hits a missile dropkick for two. Tanaka slaps on an anklelock submission and Samurai is SCREAMING in pain. He eventually gets to the ropes. Back to a vertical base where Samurai takes control with a lariat in the corner followed by a tornado DDT for 2 and ½. Samurai hits a SUPER REVERSE DDT! He puts Tanaka on the top and hits a top rope Frankensteiner but Tanaka rolls through into a sunset flip for 2 and 9/10. Tanaka hits a Dragon suplex for 2 and ¾. He goes for a Fujiwara arm bar but Samurai rolls through so Tanaka adjusts into a cross arm scissors but Samurai reaches the ropes. Tanaka hits a dropkick and a Northern Lights suplex. He segues that into a cross arm scissors and Samurai taps out. This match was just above solid and gets ***1/4

KENDO KA SHIN vs SHINJIRO OHTANI
Ka Shin attacks before the bell. He goes under the ring and gets a bin full of crap. What the hell is this? A hardcore match? Ka Shin is using weapons on the floor? KA SHIN IS BLACKMAN! In the ring, Ka Shin works over the arm. Irish whip into the corner but it's reversed and Ohtani gets in a giri. One of my favourite Ohtani spots comes as he scrapes his boot across Ka Shin's face and then does a running scrape of the boot. I LOVE THIS GUY! Ohtani to the outside and hits the springboard dropkick for two. Ohtani continues to sell the arm injury while slapping on a choke sleeper. Ka Shin escapes and slaps on a rear chinlock. Ohtani gets out of it by BITING KA SHIN'S HAND! HA HA! Ohtani stands on Ka Shin's neck and calls out to the crowd. Ohtani hits a slam and then a springboard dropkick to the back of the head. Ohtani hits a VICIOUS sit out powerbomb for 2 and ½. Ohtani continues to sell the arm injury throughout the match. Ohtani goes for the Dragon suplex but Ka Shin gets in a low blow and a hart attack clothesline. Ka Shin slaps on a torture rack and turns it into a Samoan Drop. Ka Shin runs to the ropes and Ohtani tries for a spin wheel kick but Ka Shin holds onto the ropes and then charges in with a rolling cross arm scissors. Ohtani is flailing all over the place trying to get to the ropes. Cue the hot ending as we get an Irish whip, Ka Shin slides between Ohtani's legs, goes for a German suplex, standing switch by Ohtani who goes for a Dragon Suplex but Ka Shin jumps through it and goes for the Jumping Cross Arm Scissors but Ohtani ducks that and hits a snap German suplex for the three count. The match was OK and Ohtani ruled as usual. **1/2

SHINJIRO OHTANI vs EL SAMURAI
I don't think I've ever seen a bad match between these two. They always seem to bring their A game when taking each other on. Ohtani offers a handshake. Huh? Handshake? Come on, you're THE BITCHMASTER! Ah well… Samurai shakes his hand and we're off. The first half of the match consists of crazy mat work. Ohtani works over the left leg like no tomorrow while Samurai tries to take Ohtani's left arm back home with him. At no point is it boring though. Everything is crisp and nothing is held too long so as to bore the crowd or the viewer. Jump about fifteen minutes in where Samurai hits a top rope kneedrop on Ohtani's arm while he tries to pull himself up on the top rope. NICE! Samurai slaps on a cross arm scissors and Ohtani is DYING! He's grabbing at the referee and eventually gets to the ropes but Samurai won't let go. The referee has to pull them apart. Ohtani jumps out of nowhere with a lightning fast kick to the leg and drapes Samurai's leg over the bottom rope. Ohtani stands on Samurai's leg while it's draped over the rope, thus putting pressure on the knee. How do you break a hold that involves the ropes? You use the ropes to get away from the hold and now it's used against you. Only Shinjiro "super genius who holds a PHD in all aspects of wrestling" Ohtani could think of such amazing innovations. Samurai rolls to the outside to catch a breather. He tries to roll back in but Ohtani cuts him off by STANDING ON HIS HEAD! HA HA! The referee gives him a five count so Ohtani takes the liberty of stomping on him a bit and then goes right back to standing on his head. It's like watching a kid throw a tantrum. I LOVE IT! Samurai is PISSED! He hits a Russian Leg Sweep. Samurai has to slap his leg to get some feeling back into it. Of course the stupid idiot then hits a legdrop. Ugh… super genius you are not. Samurai pulls back a bit trying to get the feeling back in his leg. Samurai you poor fool, look what you've done. Ohtani nails him with a dropkick to the leg and slaps on another leg bar. Ohtani has it cinched in real well and keeps pulling Samurai to the middle of the ring. The crowd is starting to heat up. Samurai gets to the ropes but Ohtani won't let go. I'm pretty sure Samurai is looking for some kind of chainsaw to cut his leg off. The pain from the amputation has to be less than what he's enduring right now. Ohtani puts Samurai into the corner and works in the wicked scrape the face bit. WICKED spot as Ohtani gets a running start and literally slides across Samurai's face to the floor. Irish whip into the corner but Samurai reverses and hits a big time lariat. He tries to follow up with a tornado DDT but Ohtani throws him off. Ohtani kicks him in the head, which sends Samurai outside. Ohtani follows up with a somersault senton bodyblock from the apron to the floor. Ohtani tries to suplex Samurai back into the ring but Samurai slips out, goes for a German suplex, standing switch by Ohtani, another standing switch by Samurai who then hits a reverse DDT. He throws Ohtani out of the ring and hits a tope suicida. Back in the ring where Samurai hits a missile dropkick to the back. Samurai to the other side of the ring and hits a flying headbutt to the arm. He goes for the pin and gets 2 and 9/10. Irish whip into the corner but it's reversed and Ohtani gives him a big giri. Ohtani hulks up and hits the springboard spinning leg lariat for 2 and 9/10. Ohtani goes for the sit out powerbomb but Samurai rolls through, hits a big lariat and then hits the Thunderfire powerbomb for 2 and 99/100. Oh man… these near falls are killer. Both guys are really spent. Ohtani is out cold. The referee can't wake him up. Samurai slaps him in the face and that kicks Ohtani back into gear. Samurai puts Ohtani on the top and is trying to hit the super reverse DDT but Ohtani is HOLDING THE POST! BRILLIANT! Ohtani elbows him off and hits a springboard dropkick to the back of the head. THE CROWD IS HOT! Ohtani goes for the Dragon suplex but Samurai blocks so Ohtani hits the snap German suplex but it gets 2 and 99/100. Oh man, that was the closest near fall I've ever seen. Ohtani thinks that he's won the match and is celebrating on the second turnbuckle but the referee bursts his bubble. DAMN YOU REF! Ohtani passes out. FIVE MINUTES LEFT! THIS MATCH ROCKS! Ohtani back on the attack and hits a leg bar. Samurai is looking for someone to shoot him. He eventually gets to the ropes though. Ohtani with a schoolboy roll up for 2 and ¾. Samurai rolls through into La Majistral cradle for 2 and 9/10. GODDAMN WHAT A MATCH! Samurai with a reverse DDT for 2 and ¾. Ohtani hulks up one last time and goes for the Dragon suplex but Samurai hooks the ropes. Ohtani pulls him off the ropes and hits an OH MY GOD sit out powerbomb for 2 and 99/100. Ohtani goes back to the cover and gets 2 and 9/10. Samurai rolls through for 2 and ¾. AND THE TIME RUNS OUT! GOD DAMN IT! If this had a decisive winner I'd have given it *****. As it is, I'll give it ****3/4.

And that's the end of the tape. Well… there's a Kendo Ka Shin vs Dr Wagner Jr. match but it sucked and I don't' want to take you off of the high you got from reading about the last match.

Final Analysis: Nothing sucked on this tape which is always a good thing. It should be noted that the finals were not put on the commercial release. If you want to know, it was Kanemoto vs Kendo Ka Shin with Ka Shin going over with a the Juji Gatime. I haven't seen it personally but I understand it was around the ***1/2 range. Ohtani vs Samurai should have been the final with a decisive winner at the end. Ah well… can't win them all right? Recommended.