I'm back with this journey. I've been neglecting it for a while due to Uni but I plan on finishing 1995 at least soon.
NJPW Muscle Storm 1995
Hiroshi Hase & Kensuke Sasaki vs. Ookami Gundan (Hiroyoshi Tenzan & Masahiro Chono) - NJPW Muscle Storm 1995 - Day 1 - 07/03/1995
This was intense. It was pandemonium from the start. Brawling from the bell, laying into each other with closed fist, fighting in the crowd. Throwing chairs from each other, throwing each other into the fans. It was awesome. Great shit. ****
Antonio Inoki vs. Yoshiaki Fujiwara - NJPW Muscle Storm 1995 - Day 10 - 19/03/1995
Both wrestlers are way past their prime. Even Fujiwara who peaked late has gotten to the point where he's not as good as he was but they are both sound professionals with something left in the tank, even if they can't top anything they've done prior. This was a classic example of the 80s New Japan style working for an audience that has grown more accustomed to the more bombastic, albeit still technical style. Fujiwara paid his respects after the match with the crowd clapping. This felt like an exhibition or a testimonial. A good one. ***1/4
NJPW Battle Rush 1995
IWGP Junior Heavyweight Title / UWA World Welterweight Title Match: Koji Kanemoto (c) vs. Shinjiro Otani (c) - NJPW Battle Rush 1995 - Day 3: GRAND CROSS 2 - 16/04/1995
This was cut pretty heavily so the full scope of the match is lost but you can get the idea of how this went. What we are able to see is pretty great. They showed loads of disdain and competitiveness in their exchanges. From the simple disingenuous opening of the ropes by Otani to the slaps and the constant back and forth between the two. This probably could've been better without the cutting of time but oh well, this was very enjoyable. ***
Keiji Muto vs. Hiroyoshi Tenzan - NJPW Battle Rush 1995 - Day 3: GRAND CROSS 2 - 16/04/1995
Something lit a fire up Muto's ass because he went full speed from the off. Hitting the back elbow into the corner within the first minute. The match goes at a quick pace for around 10 minutes where Tenzan begins getting the better of Muto, not before kicking out of the moonsault and adding insult to injury with hitting one of his own at the end for the upset win. ***1/2
IWGP Heavyweight Title Match: Shinya Hashimoto (c) vs. Lord Steven Regal - NJPW Battle Rush 1995 - Day 3: GRAND CROSS 2 - 16/04/1995
Incredible match. Two greats of the business that are always underrated by the masses. Both men have two completely different styles but they made it work and turned it into a fantastic match. Regal going after the right arm of Hashimoto was just nasty at times (although not the primary focus). Hashimoto was great as well, there was one moment when he rolled to the outside after being completely outclassed by Regal's ground game. One thing I want to point out is the way Regal going after the injured nose of Hashimoto too. I won't sell Hashimoto short either, he was awesome. He made some fiery comeback and brought a raw energy to the match. Excellent match ****1/2
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