By Justin Baisden

There’s one thing about North American wrestling that you never see (as far as I know); the round robin tournament.  It’s always single elimination.  Personally, I prefer the round robin style because there is so much more room for twists and turns leading up to the final bout.  Back when I used to play “World Tour” on N64, the round robin was the key to keeping “the guys” interested in playing.  A game tournament with eight guys can go for hours on end.  The same goes for a real life tournament.  There are tons of combinations.  Now, with that being said, I don’t like this tape.  Every match except the final is clipped down to a few seconds, and on a rare occasion, a few minutes.  YEAH!   

So as a change of pace, I’m just going to throw out my thoughts on different issues as the review goes on.  Of course I’ll provide the winner and how he won the match just so no one feels slighted.  

The show opens with a ceremony in which Toshiaki Kawada gives up the Champions Carnival trophy.  The 1997 tournament had a wicked round robin final in which Kenta Kobashi, Toshiaki Kawada and Mitsuharu Misawa all ended up with the same amount of points and a mini round robin took place in the finals.  Kawada managed to beat Misawa (his first singles win over Misawa, and a HORRIBLE match as Misawa was exhausted from the twenty minute affair he had with Kobashi a few minutes earlier.) and then beat Kobashi to take the Champions Carnival.  With that all said and done, let’s start the ball rolling.  

GIANT KIMALA vs AKIRA TAUE

Oh yeah right… anyone want to put any bets down on who is going to go over in this match?  HA!  Whatever you think of Rikishi and his eternal fatness, throw it out the window.  Not only is Kimala fatter than Rikishi, he’s super flabby fat, which manages to gross me out on new and more disturbing levels.  I don’t even think Kimala has the athleticism for a stinkface.  This match is a waste of Taue’s time but it has to be done.  Taue takes it with the Nodowa Otoshi thus proving that Kimala can at least jump because there’s no way Taue got him up for that move on his own. 

TOSHIAKI KAWADA vs. JUN IZUMIDA

You know, I’m forced to wonder what people see in Izumida.  He’s just this short, pudgey wrestler whose offense is based around his stupid headbutt.  Ugh… What was Misawa thinking when he took Izumida along with the rest of the guys into NOAH?  If he had left him in AJPW, it would have been a bigger blow to the quality of AJPW wrestling than his departure ever could have done.  Of course Kawada is the high holy ass kicking ruler of all that is good so I can tolerate this one.  Kawada kicks the shit out of Izumida. GO DANGEROUS K!  He fires off a jumping head kick followed up with a jumping roundhouse kick (you don’t see that too often from Kawada) and ends it with another jumping head kick.  DAMN RIGHT!  Izumida isn’t even worthy of Kawada’s “dangerous” moveset.   

STAN HANSEN vs. GARY ALBRIGHT

My buddy Hoffman has a good theory.  He thinks that Bradshaw should go over to AJPW and claim to be Hansen’s son/nephew/student/WHATEVER!  The bottom line is that Bradshaw could continue the proud tradition of the Western Lariat now that Hansen has retired.  Of course Bradshaw will also have to figure out how to work a match beyond the point of just tolerating it but these things come in time.  I’m not really a big fan of Hansen.  I know he’s a great worker and all but something about him just doesn’t sit well with me.  He had an absolutely stellar match with Kenta Kobashi back in 1993 (***** BABY) but that was the last match that really super impressed me with Hansen.  As for the late Gary Albright, I haven’t seen too much material with him.  He seemed like a solid worker though so I can’t complain.  I’ve read that he had an excellent match with Kawada back in 1995 (was that a Carny match anyone?) but I have yet to get my hands on it.  SUPER SWERVE as Hansen ends it with the lariat.  Hmm… actually that’s the exact opposite of swerve.  Whatever… 

KENTA KOBASHI vs. JOHNNY ACE

I wonder how long it took Johnny Ace to realize that he sucked up every last facet of talent in his family and left his brother Animal with the superb talents of no selling coupled with being able to yell and say “TELL EM HAWK!”  It’s like the Piccolo – Kami connection (most people won’t get that).  Despite having talent, I still don’t like Ace very much.  However, he’s facing Kenta Kobashi so it’s all good.  Ace brings lots of variations on the Ace Crusher.  Kobashi makes the comeback with locomotion powerbombs.  NICE!  He hits a German suplex for 2 and ¾.  Kobashi goes for the moonsault but IT MISSES!  Sacrilege!  Ace tries to capitalize with the Cobra Clutch suplex (nasty move when done right) but Kobashi throws him off and the thirty-minute time limit expires.  DAMN!  Looked like a really good match with some great crowd heat.  Ah well… 

WOLF HAWKFIELD vs. KENTA KOBASHI

Is this supposed to be funny?  You’ve got the king of the tilt a whirl Ultimate Warrior rip off vs Kobashi?  Uh… huh.  They show the end of the match with Hawkfield hitting his Gutwrench twirling powerbomb.  He goes for a lariat but it’s ducked and Kobashi fires off a half nelson suplex followed up with THE LARIATOOOOOO!  What?  You think Hawkfield can kick out?  He wouldn’t have kicked out of the half nelson suplex, nevermind the lariat.   

TAKAO OMORI vs. TOSHIAKI KAWADA

Personally, I don’t think Omori came into his own until the beginning of 2000.  He had an excellent showing at the Champions Carnival 2000 tournament, but I was outright PISSED at the fact that Misawa booked him to go over Akiyama in fucking SEVEN SECONDS with the Axe Bomber.  He made it all the way to the finals before falling to Kobashi (DAMN RIGHT!).  Kawada actually makes Omori tap to the stretch plum!  WOW!  I’ve been watching AJPW for two years and I’ve never seen anyone tap out to that move before.  Will wonders never cease? 

JUN AKIYAMA vs. STAN HANSEN

This looked like a solid match from the clips that were shown.  Akiyama has always been someone that I’ve been impressed with.  I’d venture to say that he’s an even better “human suplex machine” than Tazz ever was.  Sorry old school ECW fans, but just because you drop a guy on his head doesn’t make you the best suplex man in the business.  Akiyama actually goes over Hansen, which was a real shock to me because of Hansen’s legendary status over in AJPW.  One would venture a guess and say that the deteriorating Hansen used what credibility he had with the fans to make the young Akiyama look like a truly viable threat in the tournament.  Of course it ends via EXPLOIDAAAAAAH! 

AKIRA TAUE vs. MITSUHARU MISAWA

Here is a classic match up.  It’s a shame that the Misawa vs Kawada feud has overshadowed the matches between these two guys.  Taue is generally considered to be the least exciting out of the Four Lords of Heaven but he’s still an extremely talented wrestler.  I’ve seen bits and pieces of his work at the Champions Carnival 1995 (if you have this show, ALL THREE PARTS ONLY, please contact me) and I understand he  put on a hell of a show throughout the tournament.  His match with Misawa in the finals in heralded as one of the best ever.  From the clips shown, this match is all Taue.  He beats the hell out of Misawa and ends it with a jumping Dynamic kick.   

GARY ALBRIGHT vs. GIANT KIMALA

Oh for Pete’s sake… FORGET IT!  I’m not even going to say something “witty” about this match.  Albright goes over with a Juji Gatame. 

JUN IZUMIDA vs. STAN HANSEN

Matches like this are a complete waste of time.  Would it not have been easier to simply chop off all of the crap matches (anything with Kimala and Izumida, and some of the Albright stuff) and put a few of the kick ass matches in complete format!  GIVE ME SOMETHING TO WORK WITH!  Can you guess the ending? 

a)     Lariat
b)     Lariat
c)     Lariat
d)     All of the above

It’s a FREEBEE, YOU SCORE 100%  YEAH!  I’m going to have a good cry now. 

STEVE WILLIAMS vs. AKIRA TAUE

Hey… ask the former luchadores of WCW why they call Williams finisher the “Homicidal Backdrop Driver!”  I don’t think there’s another fed in the world that Williams could pull off his nutbar “gonna kill you dead using Oklahoma pick up truck power” offense and look good going it.  Dr. Death actually goes over Taue (wasn’t expecting that) with the Oklahoma Stampede powerslam.   

TOSHIAKI KAWADA vs. JUN AKIYAMA

YES YES YES!  It’s about damn time there was a real kick ass match on this tape.  Akiyama plays a punk ass bitch motherfucker by hitting not one but two EXPLOIDAAAAAAAHS followed up with the Stretch Plumb (oooohhhh…. that’s pushing it) and then hitting Kawada’s Dangerous brainbuster!  1… 2… 2.99999!  OH THAT’S IT, YOU’RE GONNA DIE NOW!  Kawada comes back with a jumping head kick followed up with the high angle powerbomb for 2 and 9/10.  He manages to put the young punk away with the Dangerous Brainbuster!  The time of the match is 18:01 and I’d love to see it in complete format.  Does anyone know if they put this match on Samurai TV?   

TAKAO OMORI vs. KENTA KOBASHI

Justin clears his throat  LARIATOOOOOO!  Next…

STEVE WILLIAMS vs. STAN HANSEN

Oh joy… well at least Kimala isn’t involved somewhere.  Williams manages to put Hansen up in the Doctor Bomb thus gaining my respect.  Clipping leads to Williams firing off a right jab, which is no sold, and Hansen hits a BRUTAL Western Lariat for the three count.

MITSUHARU MISAWA vs. TOSHIAKI KAWADA

GOD FRIGGIN DAMN IT!  Would it have killed VAP (the producers) to at least leave this match in complete format?  It looked awesome (what a surprise) and ends in a thirty-minute time limit draw (what a surprise).  I remember reading that this was on Samurai TV in complete format.  If anyone has this match, please find me. 

JUN IZUMIDA vs. AKIRA TAUE

I will no longer drop any respect to Izumida, Kimala, or Wolf Hawkfield.  Well… I didn’t prop them respect at any other point but I’d just like to make it crystal clear right now.  Of course Taue goes over with the Nodowa Otoshi.

JOHNNY ACE vs. WOLF HAWKFIELD

Hmm… you know WCW should have gone with Hawkfield instead of Renegade when they were trying to rip off the Ultimate Warrior a few years back.  Odds are that Hawkfield would have taken his termination from WCW a little bit better than Renegade did.  That and the matches would have been ¼* better than Renegade matches.  Is the end ever in doubt?  Ooohhh… Ace Crushah.

STEVE WILLIAMS vs. GARY ALBRIGHT

These two were usually tag team partners and a fine combination at that.  I guess some people bring out the best in others.  Johnny Ace does a decent job of making Williams look pretty good in tag matches as well.  It usually helps that they’re facing either The Burning or The Unholy Army though.  Williams goes over with a Doctor Bomb.   

KENTA KOBASHI vs. JUN AKIYAMA

These two would face each other in August of the same year and put on a hell of a match.  Of course the real bad ass mofo match between these two was on the 12/23/2000 NOAH show.  It was probably Kobashi’s last great match considering the state that his knees and elbows are in.  I advise you pick up that tape (I’ll review it sometime down the road).  As is the case with most Akiyama vs Kobashi matches, Akiyama goes right after the leg/knee.  Akiyama brings all sorts of wicked shit including rolling German suplexes, multiple Exploders suplexes and the Blue Thunder bomb.  He just can’t seem to get it done.  Now Kobashi brings the pain with half nelson suplexes and the Orange Crush.  SUPER CROWD HEAT!  The match ends in a thirty-minute time limit draw.  I’d really like to see this match in complete format.  Can’t bitch about greatness. 

GIANT KIMALA vs. STAN HANSEN

To paraphrase Simpsons: “yeah Moe, those guys were sure fat last night.  Yeah they were just plain fat.  They had to be the fattest bunch of fat that ever fat.”  Now I’ve got no beef with being overweight, as long as it doesn’t affect how well you do in the ring.  And unfortunately unless you’re late eighties – early nineties Hansen, it affects the match very badly.  I get asked quite a bit by people “Justin, why don’t you get into wrestling.”  I’m a big guy with some decent strength as well but the bottom line is that I’m not even in close to the shape that I should be in to wrestle and no person who isn’t in good condition should even consider it.  Why?  BECAUSE FANS HAVE TO WATCH IT AT SOME POINT!  Hansen wins with the Western Lariat.   

KENTA KOBASHI vs. JUN IZUMIDA

Justin once again clears his throat  LARIATOOOOOO!  Next…

JUN AKIYAMA vs. JOHNNY ACE

My head is starting to hurt!  Too… many… clipped… matches!  Akiyama takes it with the EXPLOIDAAAAAAH!

STEVE WILLIAMS vs. MITSUHARU MISAWA

Hmm… I’m thinking that I’ve seen a really good Williams vs Misawa match beforehand.  I can’t seem to remember the details though.  I do recall Kawada pulling out a stellar match with Williams in the finals of the Champions Carnival 1994 but the great Misawa match eludes me.  Hmm… I’ll have to look through my stuff later.  Misawa is a prime candidate for someone to take Williams crippling offense.  I wonder how long it’ll take before Misawa’s neck turns into something medical science has never seen before.  Only time will tell I guess.  Misawa goes over with a running elbow. 

AKIRA TAUE vs. TOSHIAKI KAWADA

WAIT… WAIT… guys don’t do this!  You’re one of the best tag teams in the world.  Don’t let this start your break up!  Oh wait… that’s what would happen in the WWF.  Nevermind… KILL EACH OTHER!  They literally kick the shit out of each other.  Kawada stays focused on Taue’s leg and manages to go over with a figure four leg lock.  See?  It’s not always about resting… PSYCHOLOGY PEOPLE!

FINALS (praise the lord): JUN AKIYAMA vs.  MITSUHARU MISAWA

One would assume that Misawa had some gruelling matches with Kimala, Hawkfield, and Izumida that no one was privileged enough to watch.  Thank goodness for small miracles.  I would like to have seen his match with Kobashi and his round robin match with Akiyama.  WHO EDITED THIS TAPE?!  They start out quick with Akiyama firing off a dragon screw leg whip right off the bat.  Misawa responds with elbow smashes, and then pulls a Tiger Driver out of nowhere for 2 and ½.  Akiyama to the floor and Misawa follows him out but it met with a released Northern Lights suplex.  Back in the ring and they go back and forth with the stiff elbow shots.  It makes you want to hold your jaw just to make sure it’s not broken.  Irish whip into the corner and Misawa tries for something off the second rope but no dice as Akiyama hits a dragon screw.  Misawa rolls to the apron and Akiyama dropkicks the knee sending him to the floor.  He follows up with a KNEE BREAKER ON THE RAILING!  EEEWWW!  Akiyama grapevines the leg in the railing and then DROPKICKS THE RAIL!  HOLY SHIT!  Akiyama is the fucking kick of the leg attack!  Back in the ring and Akiyama continues the assault with knee breakers, knee smashes, ankle locks, leg bars, dropkicks to the knee and a figure four leg lock.  Misawa reaches the ropes but WHO CARES?  Akiyama holds onto the figure four for a bit longer and then fires off another knee breaker.  He goes for another dragon screw but Misawa elbows him off and hits a dropkick.  Misawa slaps on a variation on the stretch plum and then covers for 2 and ½.  The Tiger Driver nets 2 and ½.  Misawa goes for a rolling elbow but Akiyama is too smart and dropkicks the knee.  BRILLIANT!  Akiyama fires off yet another dragon screw leg whip.   

Doctor:  What the hell happened here?
Nurse: The report says his leg was badly beaten
Doctor: Badly beaten, this looks like a massacre.  We’ll have to amputate
Misawa:  THANK YOU!  PLEASE CHOP THE LEG OFF!  THE PAIN… AHHHHH! 

Huh?  Oh yeah the match.  Akiyama heads to the top and Misawa tries to cut him off but Akiyama holds Misawa’s face against his knee and then comes off the top with the knee drop.  EEEWWW!  HHH, take note, add that move to your repertoire!  Akiyama hits a double underhook piledriver followed up with a diving elbow smash for 2 and 9/10.  This crowd is heating up fast.  Akiyama hits a hotshot powerbomb, then a released German suplex, then a dropkick to the knee and then hits the EXPLOIDAAAAAAH!  1… 2… 2.999999!  Akiyama heads to the top and hits a diving knee smash and then another EXPLOIDAAAAAAH!  1… 2… 2.999999!  Just heart wrenching near falls.  Blind charge leads to an elbow smash and Misawa hits a released German suplex followed up with a bridged German suplex for 2 and ½.  He hits a Tiger suplex for 2 and ¾.  Misawa goes for the Tiger Driver but Akiyama blocks and hits a brainbuster for 2 and 9/10.  Akiyama hits another EXPLOIDAAAAAAH for 2 and 9/10.  He goes for another but Misawa blocks and hits an elbow smash, then a reverse elbow, then a rolling elbow.  He hits another Tiger Driver for 2 and 9/10 and then puts it away with a RUNNING ELBOOOOOOW!  Hot damn… good enough for me.  Just like the New Year Giant Series match, Akiyama brought most of the goods.  Misawa held his weight this time around though.  Unlike the NYGS match, this match suffered from a lack of sustained crowd heat, which is a little odd considering the magnitude of the match, but one would figure that everyone knew Misawa would go over anyway.  ****1/2 

Final Analysis:  The casual fan will not want this tape.  You get this tape because you must have everything out of AJPW and that’s the only reason.  Misawa vs Akiyama isn’t good enough on it’s own to warrant getting this tape.  I’d like to have a talk with VAP and ask them what drugs they were on when they made the tape.  No one gives a rat’s ass about Kimala, Hawkfield or Izumida.  To a lesser extent, we could have done without Albright’s matches as well.  Chopping their stuff could have resulted in maybe two more complete matches.  I would have loved to see Kobashi vs Akiyama and Misawa vs Kawada.  Ah well… time to go looking for the TV blocks around this time period.  As for this tape, if you have to get it all, go for it.  Otherwise avoid it like the plague. 

Justin Baisden
http://rollinggermans.8m.com