RINGS Mega Battle Tournament 1992 ~ Semi Final

I'm finally back with more RINGS! I will never not find it funny that shoot style is probably the least represented on here, despite the name of the site. Nor will I ever change it despite the name being really shit. Oh well..It's Christmas time in the world but despite that RINGs makes in 11,000 people into Ariake Coliseum which is great for a promotion that is considered "niche". It's the Mega Battle Tournament 1992 Semi Final Edition and there are some quality matches in the undercard, although the tournament matches do let me down, somewhat. 

RINGS Mega Battle Tournament 1992 ~ Semi Final - BEST4 ~ - 19/12/1992

Yoshihisa Yamamoto vs. Nobuaki Kakuta

This had a points system which made for a different viewing experience. More effort is put into pacing - whether they want to slow down and conserve energy or speed up to pressure the opponent - as well as other things. Both are pretty young and aren’t established as anyone but Yamamot shows enough skill not just on the mat but in terms of being a compelling figure that the fans can root for. Kakuta crushes his knee at points in the match and it serves as a great hook for the match, on-top of the compelling grappling and striking in between it. The match raises up the level once Kakuta starts throwing punch combos with Yamamoto on the back front before kicking the knee once more to a bloody hot reaction from the crowd. The match seemingly ends due to a draw but after some discussion from the crowd, a SIXTH round is created to crown a winner to this fantastic bout. And the crowd EXPLODES for Kakuta rushing Yamamoto with leg kicks before knocking him down, getting the crucial and deciding point! Incredible bout. ****1/4

Mitsuya Nagai vs. Sergei Sousserov

If the last bout was a showcase of kicking and striking, this is more of a judo showcase with Sousserov launching Nagai around the ring before going for submissions. Nagai has nice striking but Sousserov’s throws are too much for Nagai early in the match and he struggles to defend against them. Sousserov’s leg locks are troublesome also for Nagai who keeps having to get a rope break to escape and once they are exhausted, he is forced to gut through the pain and escape the hard way. The match loses its steam a little but the technique of the two still remains to be really great. Sousserov does a fantastic flying leg trip into a kneebar at one point, proving that he’s not just a judoka specialist. Nagai starts rocking Sousserov more and more with knees and kicks, getting closer and closer to the 10 count before finally getting it with a head kick. A strong end to a strong match. ***3/4

Volk Han vs. Sotir Gotchev

When you are first exposed to Volk Han, it's always his submissions that are the focus, and it’s easy to see why but as I watch his matches over and over again, the more I appreciate his striking and just how bad ass he actually comes across. His striking doesn’t always have power behind it but they always look painful and they can do the damage. Gotchev had some success in forcing a few rope breaks but Volk Han was just a master at his craft in the match and produced a whopper of a finish with this crazy combination of a cross choke and an armbar. ***1/2

Mega Battle Tournament 1992 Semi Final Match: Herman Renting vs. Dick Vrij

A fine but unmemorable bout. **1/2

Mega Battle Tournament 1992 Semi Final Match: Akira Maeda vs. Chris Dolman

It’s been a while since I’ve seen a Maeda match so I was excited for this even if it’s never been one of the hyped Maeda bouts. Maeda targeted the body of Dolman, using his underrated strength to control Dolman and hurt him. Dolman stayed calm and didn’t let Marda totrally control the match, waiting for a slow kick before getting the takedown before Maeda reversed him and snagged an armbar. From there, the match does get a bit repetitive in the stand-up but I sorta like the idea of a cagey match that is not necessarily done for entertainment value. Maeda kind of eats Dolman up as well until the surprising finish where Dolman finally gets a knee bar and submits Maeda to win!!! ***

And the show closes out with John Lennon's This Is Christmas playing in the arean. Godbless Maeda's love for British music.