September 1997

Another very good entry in the shockingly awesome WDF vs. Shin FMW series. In this match Nakano teams with Basara, who is a pudgy low ranked guy in an awesome mask (it has a beard). This matchup gives Nakano and Goto the opportunity to work a really nice opening match section, where both guys have great armdrags, firemans carries etc. and then kick the shit out of the lower ranked guy on the other team. Nakano stomps the hell out of future Kikutaro (take that you unfunny motherfucker!) but Basara gets it worse as Goto piledrives him on the floor, ripping his mask open and bloodying him. Goto's awesome and unique use of foreign objects continues in this match as he grabs a…

WDF opening matches keep on delivering. This was less of a horrific fascinating trainwreck, and just a really fun match with stiff shots and some matwork. Fujizaki continues to bring the hatred, in this case he goes at it with generic rookie Tsukioka (the future Kuishinbo Kamen) and bah gawd Tsukioka actually gives it back to him! Fujizaki starts the fun with stiff headbutts and slaps, and Tsukioka gives him back some with Tenryu style kicks to the face and stiff punches from mount. Man it's insane these two wound up being comedy workers, can you imagine the universe in which Fugofugo Yumeji and Kuishinbo Kamen had an epic bloodfeud? Takeru looked like the IWA Japan resid…

This isn't great but it has its moments. I mean, at this point, Maeda is turning out anymore classics and the whole thing is pretty sloppy but the fans are eating up the Maeda show. His cross heel hold is the first legit submission threat to Kopilov's existence. I loved Kopilov catching Maeda's leg scissors sweep with the wristlock, and then dropping down into the armbar. There is laughter among the fans. It definitely seems like Kopilov is giving Maeda plenty, and he pops the boss with a couple of good palms but overall, it's Maeda on the leg, per usual. But the sleeper finish is a surprise...kind of.

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Vader vs Ken Shamrock - FMW 9/28/97 Steel Cage No Ropes UFC Rules What the fuck? Why are Vader & Shamrock wrestling in FMW in the middle of 1997? This is at FMW big Kawaski Stadium show that apparently drew 50k. Vader vs Shamrock have a great match at Cold Day In Hell, this match is a shade below, but I do recommend it for the novelty. It is amazing how Vader works so well in a shoot-style context. Shamrock has injured ribs which was very en vogue in 1997. Vader is controlling the center of the ring but is tentative. Shammy is equally cautious wary of Vader's size. Vader goes after the ribs to get the first knock down. Shamrock comes roaring back with punches to …

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