Michinoku Pro Wrestling
MPW Wakakusa Cup 2004 March 20th - 28th 2004 £7 vhs / £8 dvd
MPW Tenth Anniversary PPV (Volume 1) November 2nd 2003 £7 vhs / £8 dvd
MPW Tenth Anniversary PPV (Volume 1) November 2nd 2003 £7 vhs / £8 dvd
MPW They Live! September 23rd 2003 £7 vhs / £8 dvd
MPW Trios Tag League 2003 April 26th - May 5th 2003 £7 vhs / £8 dvd
MPW Tenth Anniversary Celebrations January 19th 2003 £7 vhs / £8 dvd
MPW Ninth Anniversary Show November 8th 2002 £7 vhs / £8 dvd
MPW Tohoku Junior Heavyweight Title Tournament (Volume 1) July 20th - August 25th 2002 £7 vhs / £8 dvd
MPW Tohoku Junior Heavyweight Title Tournament (Volume 2) July 20th - August 25th 2002 £7 vhs / £8 dvd
MPW Tohoku Junior Heavyweight Title Tournament (Volume 3) July 20th - August 25th 2002 £7 vhs / £8 dvd
MPW Sapporo Lucha 2001 June 17th 2001 £7 vhs / £8 dvd
MPW British Lucha September 17th 2000 £7 vhs / £8 dvd
MPW Mexican Beauty August 20th 2000 £7 vhs / £8 dvd
MPW Super J Cup III (Volume 1) April 1st - 9th 2000 £7 vhs / £8 dvd
MPW Super J Cup III (Volume 2) April 1st - 9th 2000 £7 vhs / £8 dvd
MPW Great Sasuke Tenth Anniversary March 1st & 4th 2000 £7 vhs / £8 dvd
MPW Miyagi New World 2000 January 9th 2000 £7 vhs / £8 dvd
MPW Lucha Country '99 December 21st 1999 £7 vhs / £8 dvd
MPW Masked Man League '99 July 17th - August 29th 1999 £9 vhs / £10 dvd
MPW Ten Years of Sasuke March 1st 1990 - July 25th 1999 £7 vhs / £8 dvd
MPW Tokyo for Tohoku April 27th & May 9th 1999 £7 vhs / £8 dvd
MPW Born Again January 16th 1998 - March 6th 1999 £7 vhs / £8 dvd
MPW Tag Team Tournament '98 October 24th - November 8th 1998 £7 vhs / £8 dvd
MPW Dragon's Gym Lucha March 15th 1998 £7 vhs / £8 dvd
MPW Pride of Michinoku Pro/Kaientai DX January 16th - March 10th 1998 £9 vhs / £10 dvd
MPW Snowy Lucha '98 February 21st 1998 £7 vhs / £8 dvd
MPW Lucha Country '97 December 27th 1997 £7 vhs / £8 dvd
MPW Tag Team Tournament '97 October 25th - November 9th 1997 £7 vhs / £8 dvd
MPW Fourth Anniversary Show October 10th 1997 £9 vhs / £10 dvd
MPW in Mexico July 5th 1996 - August 3rd 1997 £7 vhs / £8 dvd
MPW Champ Forum June 28th 1997 £7 vhs / £8 dvd
MPW Champ Forums May 10th & 17th 1997 £7 vhs / £8 dvd
MPW Broken Heart '96 September 14th - December 20th 1996 £9 vhs / £10 dvd
MPW Third Anniversary Show October 10th 1996 £9 vhs / £10 dvd
MPW World Champ Series '96 July 20th - August 25th 1996 £9 vhs / £10 dvd
MPW Crisis in Lucha Paradise '96 June 8th - 23rd 1996 £7 vhs / £8 dvd
MPW Sasuke & Me March 15th - June 23rd 1996 £7 vhs / £8 dvd
MPW Champ Forum May 6th 1996 £7 vhs / £8 dvd
MPW British Tour '96 February 6th & 7th 1996 £7 vhs / £8 dvd
MPW Streetfight in Sapporo '96 January 10th 1996 £7 vhs / £8 dvd
MPW Masked Man League '95 (Volume 1) July 27th - August 13th 1995 £7 vhs / £8 dvd
MPW Masked Man League '95 (Volume 2) August 14th - August 25th 1995 £7 vhs / £8 dvd
MPW Champ Forum June 14th 1995 £7 vhs / £8 dvd
MPW Champ Forum April 14th 1995 £7 vhs / £8 dvd
MPW Champ Forum January 27th 1995 £9 vhs / £10 dvd
MPW Flames of Eternity October 30th 1994 £7 vhs / £8 dvd
MPW Champ Forum June 7th 1994 £7 vhs / £8 dvd
MPW Champ Forum May 3rd 1994 £7 vhs / £8 dvd
Est. 1993
With the Great Sasuke trying to convince the Japanese electorate that obliterating himself in a wrestling ring is just a hobby, the reigns of Michinoku Pro have been handed over to Jinsei Shinzaki. This is Shinzaki's first notable doing: a new tournament for MPW's sprightly young recruits. This being MPW, each round is punctuated by a rollicking six-man tag match. Nobutaka Moribe vs Osamu Inoue… Kesen Numa-Jiro vs Manabu Hara… Chi-Nen Hokkai vs Macho Pimp… Kazuya Yuasa vs Masashi Ikeda (all highlights of Wakakusa Cup Quarter-finals)… The Great Sasuke, Atlantis & Masked Volcano vs Minoru Fujita, Ikuto Hidaka & Masao Orihara… Kesen Numa-Jiro vs Macho Pimp… Kazuya Yuasa vs Nobutaka Moribe (Wakakusa Cup Semi-finals)… Atlantis, The Great Sasuke & Hayate vs Minoru Fujita, Ikuto Hidaka & Masao Orihara (highlights)… Chi-Nen Hokkai, Osamu Inoue & Jinsei Shinzaki vs Minoru Fujita, Ikuto Hidaka & Masao Orihara… Macho Pimp vs Nobutaka Moribe… Kesen Numa-Jiro vs Kazuya Yuasa (Wakakusa Cup Final)… Atlantis vs The Great Sasuke (Tohoku Junior Heavyweight Title Match)
This huge five-hour show, subtitled 'Memory', usurped the legendary Third Anniversary Show as the biggest-drawing card in Michinoku Pro history. Past, present and future stars of Michinoku, along with guests from Osaka Pro, also made it one of the best. Super Demekin vs Kazuya Yuasa… Hayate & Masashi Ikeda vs Masao Orihara & Macho Pimp… Yone Genjin vs Beef Wellington… Naohiro Hoshikawa & Mikami vs Gran Hamada & Osamu Inoue… Jinsei Shinzaki & Chi-Nen Hokkai vs Bob Sapp & Tsubo Genjin
Only three matches on this tape, but three great ones: a cracking, Battlarts-style technical exhibition, the long-awaited reunion of Kaientai, and the even longer-awaited singles rematch between friends turned business rivals, the Great Sasuke and Super Delfin. Minoru Fujita vs Ikuto Hidaka (30-minute draw)… Dick Togo, Mens Teioh , Shiryu, Taka Michinoku & Hanzo Nakajima vs Jinsei Shinzaki, Hayate, Kesen Numajiro, Kazuya Yuasa & Chi-Nen Hokkai… Super Delfin vs The Great Sasuke
On October 30th 1994, the Great Sasuke and Atsushi Onita lit up Iwate Ski Resort with a classic time bomb death match. As their subsequent moves into politics would suggest, neither man ever regained his senses. This landmine death rematch is even wilder than the original, with a mask vs career stipulation adding to the drama. I also have the original Onita vs Sasuke commercial tape (MPW Flames of Eternity), priced £7 vhs / £8 dvd. Kazuya Yuasa vs Nobutaka Moribe… Tsubo Genjin vs Macho Pimp… Masao Orihara vs Hideki Nishida… Jushin Liger & Koji Kanemoto vs Minoru Fujita & Ikuto Hidaka (IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Title Match)… Tiger Mask IV vs Dick Togo (IWGP Junior Heavyweight Title Match)… Jinsei Shinzaki & Osamu Nishimura vs Tadao Yasuda & Makai Mask #1… The Great Sasuke vs Atsushi Onita (mask vs career, exploding barbed wire, landmine death match)
The titular tournament is largely a showcase for Michinoku Pro's crop of younger talent, but the real kicker is the first singles match between Ultimo Dragon and the Great Sasuke since 1996. The result was a stellar match - made all the sweeter by the fact that not so long ago, both men seemed primed for the knacker's yard. Also features Chaparita Asari's last MPW match before her retirement. The Great Sasuke vs Ikeda-kun (clips)… Chaparita Asari vs Kaoru… Fuji-san, Aso-san, & Iwate-san vs Michinoku Rangers Red, Blue & Yellow… Dick Togo, Masao Orihara & Ikuto Hidaka vs Hayate, Komachi & Yamabiko… Sansho-hoshi, Son-goku & Chi-nen Hokkai vs Tsubo Genjin, Sasu Genjin & Fuji Genjin… Dick Togo, Masao Orihara & Ikuto Hidaka vs Tsubo Genjin, Sasu Genjin, & Fuji Genjin… Sansho-hoshi, Son-goku & Chi-nen Hokkai vs Fuji-san, Aso-san & Iwate-san… Sansho-hoshi, Son-goku & Chi-nen Hokkai vs Hayate, Komachi & Yamabiko (Trios Tag League Final)… The Great Sasuke vs Ultimo Dragon (NWA Middleweight Title Change)
This two-hour show from Samurai TV is a quick-fire collection of 'best of' videos, including the goofiest gimmicks, most dangerous matches, most frightening injuries (cracked skulls, dislocated shoulders, biblical blood loss), funniest interviews and angles (lots of Kaientai classics, plus Sasuke with a fish on his head), and most famous matches in Michinoku Pro history. It all ends with a thumping music video of MPro's most death-defying high spots, and is introduced from a get-together of the company's wrestlers and staff. Just a pity Taka couldn't stop playing with his mobile phone.
The Great Sasuke wrung every name out of his Rolodex when booking this card, and he should do it more often: the results were nothing short of spectacular. A tremendous lineup of regulars, returners and first-time guests produced Michinoku Pro's best card since 1996, if not ever. I'm leaning towards 'ever'. Naohiro Hoshikawa vs Kazuya Yuasa… Gran Hamada, Hanzo Nakajima & Hideki Nishida vs Masao Orihara, Tomohiro Ishii & Macho Pimp… Tsubo Genjin vs Yone Genjin ('loser must return to the mountains' match)… Koji Kanemoto & Gedo vs Tiger Mask IV & Heat… CIMA Nobunaga, Judo Suwa & Don Fuji vs Tiger Mask IV, Curry Man & Dragon Kid… Ikuto Hidaka vs Shoichi Funaki… Taka Michinoku, Kaz Hayashi & Gran Naniwa vs The Great Sasuke, Jinsei Shinzaki & Dick Togo
Michinoku Pro finally creates its own championship - the Tohoku (North-Eastern) title - in a tournament reminiscent of the classic Masked Man League '95. This event had a real rejuvenating effect on the promotion. All listed matches are shown in full, along with highlights of 15 others. Tomohiro Ishii vs Ikeda-kun… Tsubo Genjin vs Chi-nen Hokkai… Pentagon Black vs Macho Pimp… Yuki Ishikawa & Goemon vs Jinsei Shinzaki & Hideki Nishida… Kazuya Yuasa vs Ikuto Hidaka… Dick Togo vs Masao Orihara… Metal Master vs The Great Sasuke
This instalment includes the entire July 27th card, highlighted by a cracking half-hour of Dick Togo vs Tiger Mask IV. Ikuto Hidaka, Pentagon Black & Macho Pimp vs Hideki Nishida, Ikeda-kun & Kazuya Yuasa… Yuki Ishikawa & Goemon vs Jinsei Shinzaki & Chi-nen Hokkai… Tsubo Genjin vs Tomohiro Ishii… Metal Master vs Masao Orihara… Tiger Mask IV vs Dick Togo (30-minute draw)… Gran Naniwa vs The Great Sasuke
The final volume of an excellent trio of tapes, including the crowning of the first Tohoku title-holder and an undercard of loaded, high-quality tag matches. The Tohoku belt is the most handsome championship around today. It'll make a nice souvenir when Michinoku Pro finally runs out of money. Curry Man vs Ikuto Hidaka (highlights)… Dick Togo vs Kazuya Yuasa (highlights)… The Great Sasuke vs Pentagon Black (highlights)… Gran Naniwa vs Tiger Mask IV (highlights)… Tomohiro Ishii & Masao Orihara vs Macho Pimp & Ikuto Hidaka… Gran Hamada vs Metal Master… Tsubo Genjin vs Chi-nen Hokkai… Curry Man & Pentagon Black vs Jody Fleisch & Hideki Nishida… Taka Michinoku, Jushin Liger & The Great Sasuke vs Jinsei Shinzaki, Gran Naniwa & Kazuya Yuasa… Tiger Mask IV vs Dick Togo (Tohoku Junior Heavyweight Title Tournament Final)
MPro's biggest happening since the Super J Cup, 'officially' drawing 6,000 to the Sapporo Green Dome. I think they were counting feet rather than people. Very good main event, though. Mens Teioh & Dick Togo vs Jinsei Shinzaki & Tsubo Genjin (highlights, June 9th)… Chi-nen Hokkai vs Yaz Urano… Tsubo Genjin vs Shogun Wakamatsu… Tiger Mask IV, Hideki Nishida & Mr. Cacao vs Gedo, Pentagon Black & Chad Collyer… Gran Hamada & Ayako Hamada vs Masao Orihara & Etsuko Mita (P*MIX Tag Team Title Match)… Jinsei Shinzaki vs Mohammed Yone… The Great Sasuke, Hayabusa & Alexander Otsuka vs Mens Teioh, Dick Togo & Ricky Fuji. After Sapporo Lucha are the undercard matches from Complete Players 2001, the indie love-in organised by Masato Tanaka.
Despite the grand title, there are only two British wrestlers on the card (James Mason and Rob Brookside). Only one more than appeared on 'Mexican Beauty', in fact. Jinsei Shinzaki vs Tsubo Genjin (highlights, September 16th)… Masaaki Mochizuki & Yasushi Kanda vs The Great Sasuke & Tiger Mask IV… The Great Sasuke vs Susumi Mochizuki… Jinsei Shinzaki & James Mason vs Gran Apache & Susumi Mochizuki… Tiger Mask IV vs Masaaki Mochizuki… The Great Sasuke vs Rob Brookside (NWA World Middleweight Title Match)
Features several luxury imported luchadores. Minoru Fujita vs Gran Naniwa (highlights, August 13th)… The Great Sasuke, Hayabusa & Ricky Marvin vs Fuerza Guerrera, Rocky Santana & Grandeador (highlights, August 19th)… Gran Naniwa vs Kazuya Yuasa… Minoru Fujita vs Jodie Fleisch… Gran Hamada vs Tsubo Genjin… Hiromi Yagi vs Chaparita Asari… Tiger Mask IV, Kendo & Ricky Marvin vs Ball Rei (Super Boy), Grandeador & Rocky Santana… The Great Sasuke vs Fuerza Guerrera (NWA World Middleweight Title Match)
Following the star-studded first two events, Super J Cup III offered a more 'eclectic' lineup. Which is the polite way of saying amidst the big names (Liger, Sasuke, Hamada, Sano) and the big talents (Teioh, Nobunaga, Usuda, Hayashi) there are a couple of barrel-scrapers (thanks for coming, Ricky Fuji and Sasuke the Great). For me the real highlight is the return of the surly, westernized Kaz Hayashi to face his former paymaster, the Great Sasuke. CIMA Nobunaga vs Ricky Marvin… Sasuke the Great vs Ricky Fuji… Judo Suwa vs Naoki Sano… Mens Teioh vs Katsumi Usuda… Curry Man vs Onryo… Gran Hamada vs Shinya Makabe… Kaz Hayashi vs The Great Sasuke… Jushin Liger vs Tiger Mask IV (all First Round)… CIMA Nobunaga vs Onryo… Ricky Fuji vs Gran Hamada… The Great Sasuke vs Naoki Sano (all Quarter-finals)
In addition to the matches at the sharp end of the tournament, this includes a loaded ten-man tag from finals night at Sumo Hall. CIMA Nobunaga vs Onryo… Ricky Fuji vs Gran Hamada… The Great Sasuke vs Naoki Sano… Mens Teioh vs Jushin Liger (all Quarter-finals)… Abismo Negro vs Oriental (clips)… Chaparita Asari vs Kyoko Inoue (clips)… CIMA Nobunaga vs Naoki Sano… Gran Hamada vs Jushin Liger (both Semi-finals)… Tiger Mask IV, Minoru Tanaka, Maasaki Mochizuki, Shinya Makabe & Ricky Marvin vs Kendo Ka Shin, El Samurai, Judo Suwa, Super Boy & Chapinger… CIMA Nobunaga vs Jushin Liger (Final)
TV stuff including Sasuke's disappointingly ordinary 10th Anniversary Match (vs Gran Hamada), and some altogether more satisfying six and eight-man tags. Not to be confused with the superb 'Tens Years of Sasuke' commercial tape. CIMA Nobunaga, Sumo Fuji, Judo Suwa & Yoshikazu Taru vs Tiger Mask IV, Masaaki Mochizuki, Magnum Tokyo & Minoru Fujita… The Great Sasuke vs Gran Hamada… Masaaki Mochizuki & Chocoball Kobe vs Yoshikazu Taru & Tsubo Genjin… Tiger Mask IV vs Minoru Fujita… CIMA Nobunaga, Sumo Fuji & Judo Suwa vs The Great Sasuke, Jinsei Shinzaki & Magnum Tokyo
All matches shown in full, including a thrilling main event. Magnum Tokyo vs Kazuya Yuasa… Jinsei Shinzaki vs Sumo Fuji… The Great Sasuke & Gran Hamada vs Tiger Mask IV & Masaaki Mochizuki… CIMA Nobunaga vs Minoru Fujita
Michinoku Pro celebrates its recovery after a difficult 1998. Every match on the undercard is either good or great (the six-man is a cracker), while the main event - in which Yuki Ishikawa, Mohammed Yone, Masao Orihara and assorted people off the streets get to dress up as their favourite MPW wrestlers - is nothing if not confusing. Tiger Mask IV vs Kazuya Yuasa… Chaparita Asari & Hiromi Yagi vs Yoshiko Tamura & Tanny Mouse… CIMA Nobunaga, Super Boy & Curry Man vs Minoru Fujita, Jody Fleisch & Shiryu II… Jinsei Shinzaki & Gran Hamada vs Masaaki Mochizuki & Magnum Tokyo… The Great Sasuke, Sasuke Diner & Sasuke Tiger vs Sasuke the Great, Masked Tiger II & Fake Naniwa. As a bonus, this also includes extended highlights from Samurai TV's version of Miyagi New World 2000.
For the purposes of the tournament, the following identity crises occurred: Jason Cross wrestled as White Bear, Jodie Fleisch as Doc Chan, and Christopher Daniels as Curry Man. In addition to Jason and Jodie, our own Dirt Bike Kid makes an all-too-brief appearance. The six-man tag from finals night is quite spectacular. The Great Sasuke vs The Dirt Bike Kid… Gran Naniwa vs Tiger Mask IV… Black Warrior, Curry Man & Chapinger vs Gran Hamada, White Bear & Doc Chan… Sumo Fuji & Shiima Nobunaga vs Minoru Fujita & Taka Michinoku… Shiima Nobunaga vs Minoru Fujita… Taka Michinoku vs Sumo Fuji… White Bear vs Curry Man… Gran Naniwa vs The Great Sasuke… Tiger Mask IV vs The Great Sasuke… Super Boy vs Curry Man… White Bear vs Doc Chan (mask vs mask match)… Dos Caras vs Curry Man… Tiger Mask IV vs The Great Sasuke (both Semi-finals)… Taka Michinoku, Magnum Tokyo & Minoru Fujita vs Judo Suwa, Super Boy & Curry Man… Dos Caras vs Tiger Mask IV (Final)
Nine and a half years, actually. But I'll let it go. This tape features highlights of more than 20 of the Great Sasuke's best matches, from his pre-mask days in Gran Hamada's Universal Wrestling Federation, to J*Crown classics with Ultimo Dragon - taking in nine titles, three death matches and two fractured skulls along the way. Rather than a bog-standard compilation, the entire show is presented as a tongue-in-cheek, posthumous tribute to the 'late' Sasuke (who is very much alive) - beginning with a Samurai TV report announcing that he was shot dead while out cycling. Match highlights are interspersed with wonderful segments from the (ahem!) 'funeral', in which Gedo lights a ciggy on the church candles, Satoru Sayama burns his fingers, H weeps uncontrollably (until he realises his flies are open), and Ricky Fuji delivers the gag that justifies his very existence (I won't spoil it here). An excellent, eccentric tape.
Five years after their classic match in April 1994, the Great Sasuke vs Jinsei Shinzaki series finally restarts. Sasuke's frenetic performance only makes the delay seem more implausible. Plus: Mens Teioh returns! In a hugely dull Royal Rumble match! Survival Tobita vs Origin Ape Man Virgon (incredibly strange angle)… Royal Rumble (highlights)… Beef Wellington vs Chad Collier… Chaparita Asari vs Saya Endo… Yasushi Kanda & Ken Arai vs Ricky Fuji & Magnum Tokyo… Yuki Ishikawa vs Ryuji Hijikata… The Great Sasuke vs Jinsei Shinzaki… Yasushi Kanda & Ken Arai vs Tiger Mask IV & Ikuto Hidaka… Christopher Daniels & Pablo Marquez vs Ricky Fuji & Magnum Tokyo… Gran Hamada & Jinsei Shinzaki vs Gran Naniwa & Masaaki Mochizuki (end cuts out)
Very interesting tape that traces all the big moments (and countless little ones) of a troubled year for Michinoku Pro. Includes the tearful end of Kaientai, the debut of Crazy Max, Sasuke's premature return from knee surgery, his heel turn, Super Delfin's exit and the formation of Osaka Pro, Sasuke's return to facedom, Yone Genjin's retirement and more. All of the matches are clipped, but the best & most important get the 'extended highlights' treatment. If you want to see a promotion fighting for its survival (and succeeding), this is as good an example as any.
Features the Great Sasuke's heel turn, as he slaps on a new mask and joins up with Crazy Max - all part of MPW's post-Kaientai reinvention. Includes a huge 12-man tag match, pitting Crazy Max, Los Sasukes & Masaaki Mochizuki versus everyone else in Michinoku Pro. The Great Sasuke & Sasuke the Great vs Super Delfin & Gran Naniwa… Shiima Nobunaga & Sumo Fuji vs Masato Yakushiji & Naohiro Hoshikawa… Halloween Battle Royal… Tiger Mask I vs Yone Genjin… The Great Sasuke, Sasuke the Great, Shiima Nobunaga, Sumo Fuji & Judo Suwa vs Super Delfin, Gran Naniwa, Masato Yakushiji, Tiger Mask IV & Gran Hamada… Shiima Nobunaga & Sumo Fuji vs The Great Sasuke & Sasuke the Great… The Great Sasuke, Sasuke the Great, Masaaki Mochizuki, Shiima Nobunaga, Sumo Fuji & Judo Suwa vs Super Delfin, Gran Naniwa, Masato Yakushiji, Tiger Mask IV, Yone Genjin & Gran Hamada… Super Delfin & Gran Naniwa vs Naohiro Hoshikawa & Masato Yakushiji (Final)
With MPW's 'big boys' touring Mexico, talent from FMW and Big Japan helped to keep business ticking over at home. This show was therefore taped in stages: on February 28th in Tokyo, then on March 1st in Mexico City. The resulting Tajiri-aided six-man and Dragon-Wagner title contest are terrific little matches. Gran Hamada, Mens Teioh & Shoichi Funaki vs Super Delfin, Tiger Mask IV & Gran Naniwa… W*ING Kanemura & Mr. Gannosuke vs Jinsei Shinzaki & Hayabusa… Yoshihiro Tajiri, Shoichi Funaki & Mens Teioh vs Gran Hamada, Naohiro Hoshikawa & Masato Yakushiji… Hayabusa & Super Delfin vs Tiger Mask IV & Gran Naniwa… Magnum Tokyo vs Tony Rivera (Young Dragon Tournament Final)… Shiryu, Tsubasa & Kendo vs Violencia, Rey Bucanero & Black Warrior… Ultimo Dragon vs Dr. Wagner Jr. (NWA World Middleweight Title Match)
Two commercial tapes in one. The former includes Kaientai's last match with MPW, and the soggy-eyed send-off that ensued. The latter includes clip after clip of Kaientai matches, moves and interviews. Pride of Michinoku Pro: Super Delfin vs Mens Teioh… Kaientai DX visit Dragon Gym, Mexico… Gran Hamada, Mens Teioh & Shoichi Funaki vs Gran Naniwa, Super Delfin & Tiger Mask IV (clips)… Yoshihiro Tajiri, Mens Teioh & Shoichi Funaki vs Naohiro Hoshikawa, Gran Hamada & Masato Yakushiji (clips)… Jinsei Shinzaki & Shoichi Funaki vs Mens Teioh & Super Delfin… Kaientai's farewell ceremony… Gran Naniwa, Super Delfin, Masato Yakushiji, Gran Hamada & Tiger Mask IV vs Dick Togo, Mens Teioh, Shiryu, Taka Michinoku & Shoichi Funaki (Kaientai's best ever match, 10/10/1996). Kaientai DX: Includes highlights of 23 KDX matches from October 24th 1994 to November 1st 1997. For the sake of forests everywhere, I won't list them all here (fear not, full listings will be sent with the tape). Non-match highlights include a KDX vs Champ Forum quiz, a lengthy music video, and a grab bag of interviews, angles and out-takes.
Taped on January 14th and 16th. Mens Teioh vs Shoichi Funaki… The Great Sasuke, Masato Yakushiji & Tiger Mask IV vs Super Delfin, Gran Naniwa & Yone Genjin… Gran Hamada, Tiger Mask IV & The Great Sasuke vs Dick Togo, Super Boy & Shoichi Funaki… Super Delfin vs Mens Teioh (UWF Super Welterweight Title Change). CMLL TV 12/12/1997 is your bonus.
Taped on November 30th in Osaka and December 11th in Kyoto, including a six-person tag featuring JWP's Hikari Fukuoka and Tomoko Kuzumi. Dick Togo & Mens Teioh vs Gran Hamada & Naohiro Hoshikawa… The Great Sasuke, Masato Yakushiji & Hikari Fukuoka vs Super Delfin, Yone Genjin & Tomoko Kuzumi… Yone Genjin & Naohiro Hoshikawa vs Gran Hamada & Super Delfin… Dick Togo & Mens Teioh vs The Great Sasuke & Solar… Jinsei Shinzaki vs Tiger Mask IV
Yet another fabulous tournament from Michinoku Pro. Dick Togo and Super Boy are stars throughout; Super Delfin (wrestling for two, as a result of his partner's knackered knees) steals the show at the very last minute. All matches are shown in full. Dick Togo & Super Boy vs Naohiro Hoshikawa & Masato Yakushiji… The Great Sasuke & Super Delfin vs Gran Hamada & Tiger Mask IV… Dick Togo & Super Boy vs Mens Teioh & Shoichi Funaki… Dick Togo & Super Boy vs Yone Genjin & Perro Russo… The Great Sasuke & Super Delfin vs Mens Teioh & Shoichi Funaki… Mens Teioh & Shoichi Funaki vs Naohiro Hoshikawa & Masato Yakushiji… Mens Teioh & Shoichi Funaki vs Gran Hamada & Tiger Mask IV… The Great Sasuke & Super Delfin vs Dick Togo & Super Boy… The Great Sasuke & Super Delfin vs Mens Teioh & Shoichi Funaki (Final)
Michinoku Pro's second show at Sumo Hall. Features the return of the improbably pumped-up Super Delfin, an epic main event and a bank account-draining guest list, including The Undertaker, Sunny, Chris Candido & Super Boy. Yone Genjin vs Magic Man… Tiger Mask IV & Gran Hamada vs Chris Candido & The Convict… Satoru Sayama vs El Satanico… The Undertaker vs Jinsei Shinzaki… Super Delfin, Naohiro Hoshikawa & Masato Yakushiji vs Dick Togo, Mens Teioh & Shoichi Funaki… The Great Sasuke vs Taka Michinoku
Compilation from CMLL TV. MPW also released the first eight matches as 'Sasuke Travels the Lucha Kingdom', but much on the commercial release was clipped to bits. Happily, these versions aren't. The later matches all date from the summer of 1997. The Great Sasuke vs El Pantera… Yone Genjin vs Ciclon Ramirez… Tiger Mask IV vs Felino… Yone Genjin vs Bestia Salvage… The Great Sasuke vs Rey Bucanero… The Great Sasuke vs Bestia Salvage… The Great Sasuke vs Felino… The Great Sasuke vs El Hijo del Santo… Jushin Liger vs Dr. Wagner Jr… Taka Michinoku, Shocker & Mascara Magica vs Silver King, Arkangel & Violencia… Taka Michinoku, Negro Casas & Brazo de Plata vs The Gladiator, El Satanico & Gran Markus Jr… Taka Michinoku, El Texano & Solar vs Emilio Charles, El Satanico & Rey Bucanero
Taped on June 26th in Namie Shi, this includes the infamous match where Super Delfin surrenders to Dick Togo by crawling between his legs. Like you do. The Great Sasuke & Tiger Mask IV vs Jinsei Shinzaki & Gran Hamada… Super Delfin vs Dick Togo… Gran Naniwa, Masato Yakushiji & Naohiro Hoshikawa vs Hanzo Nakajima, Mens Teioh & Shoichi Funaki. This tape also includes GAEA Champ Forum, July 5th 1997, taped on June 13th at Kawasaki Baseball Stadium. Kato vs Satomura, Nagaya, Yamada, Satomura, Kato & Numao vs Matsumoto, Uematu, Kato, sato & Nagashima (5 vs 5 over-the-top elimination match).
Taped on May 3rd in Koden and May 5th in Nakayama. Champ Form, May 10th 1997: Solar & Flying Kid Ichihara vs Masato Yakushiji & Yone Genjin… Jinsei Shinzaki vs Bobby Blayze… Taka Michinoku, Shoichi Funaki & Super Boy vs Tiger Mask IV, Gran Naniwa & Hayabusa. Champ Forum, May 17th 1997: The Great Sasuke, Gran Hamada & Gran Naniwa vs Dick Togo, Shoichi Funaki & Hanzo Nakajima… Tiger Mask IV vs Taka Michinoku (World Independent Junior Heavyweight Title Match)… Mens Teioh vs Super Delfin (UWF Super Welterweight Title Change)
Astounding commercial tape, including two classic ten-man tags, Jinsei Shinzaki's return and so many great matches that I would sound like a liar or a lunatic if I mentioned them all here. Quite superb. Tiger Mask IV vs Shiryu (clip)… Mens Teioh vs Shiryu (clip)… Gran Hamada, Super Delfin, Alexander Otsuka & Super Astro vs Dick Togo, Danny Collins, Shiryu & Shoichi Funaki… Tiger Mask IV vs Mens Teioh (clip)… Jinsei Shinzaki vs Naohiro Hoshikawa… Dick Togo & Mens Teioh vs Super Delfin & El Hijo del Santo (clip)… Gran Hamada's 20th anniversary ceremony… Dick Togo, Mens Teioh & Shiryu vs The Great Sasuke, Super Delfin & Gran Hamada… Tiger Mask IV, Gran Hamada, Super Delfin, The Great Sasuke & Gran Naniwa vs Dick Togo, Mens Teioh, Taka Michinoku, Shoichi Funaki & Shiryu (elimination)… Masato Yakushiji, Gran Hamada, Super Delfin, The Great Sasuke & Gran Naniwa vs Dick Togo, Mens Teioh, Taka Michinoku, Shoichi Funaki & Shiryu… Shiryu vs Kendo (clip)… Taka Michinoku vs Jinsei Shinzaki… Taka Michinoku vs Super Delfin
The crowning achievement of MPro's best ever year, drawing 7,800 fans to Sumo Hall. Includes a fabulous ten-man tag, and the final in-ring appearance of the Dynamite Kid in a 'legends' match. Dynamite is a ghost of his former self. Naohiro Hoshikawa vs Johnny Saint… Wellington Wilkins Jr. vs Lenny Lane… Yuki Ishikawa & Alexander Otsuka vs Daisuke Ikeda & Satoshi Yamamoto… Tiger King (Satoru Sayama), The Great Sasuke & Mil Mascaras vs Dynamite Kid, Dos Caras & Kuniaki Kobayashi… Dick Togo, Taka Michinoku, Shiryu, Shoichi Funaki & Mens Teioh vs Gran Hamada, Super Delfin, Gran Naniwa, Tiger Mask IV & Masato Yakushiji… Jinsei Shinzaki vs Hayabusa. Prior to the main attraction is MPW Battle Station, October 5th 1996 - featuring Mens Teioh vs Tiger Mask IV, and Dick Togo, Shiryu, Sho Funaki & Danny Collins vs Super Astro, Super Delfin, Gran Hamada & Alexander Otsuka (full versions)
Classic commercial tape. Every match is a title match - 13 are shown in full, and most are terrific. Michinoku Pro has been emminently watchable throughout its history, but this is the promotion really hitting its stride. Masato Yakushiji vs Johnny Saint… Kendo vs Gran Naniwa (clip)… The Great Sasuke vs Shiryu… Mens Teioh vs Gran Hamada… The Great Sasuke vs Pilota Suicida… Gran Naniwa vs Kendo (clip)… Johnny Saint interview… Gran Naniwa vs Shiryu… Ricky Fuji vs Mens Teioh (clip)… Taka Michinoku vs Naohiro Hoshikawa (clip)… Gran Naniwa vs El Pantera (clip)… Taka Michinoku vs Shiryu… Masato Yakushiji vs Battle Cat… El Pantera vs Naohiro Hoshikawa… El Pantera vs Super Delfin… Taka Michinoku, Dick Togo & Shoichi Funaki vs Jushin Liger, Gran Hamada & Gran Naniwa… Clips of Tiger King (Satoru Sayama)… Super Boy turns heel… Hater vs Wellington Wilkins Jr… Tiger Mask IV vs Mens Teioh… Super Delfin vs Dick Togo
The 'crisis' of the title being the formation of Kaientai DX, the angle that did for MPW what the New World Order did for WCW - except Kaientai provided infinitely greater entertainment, with fewer wrinkles, on a fraction of the budget. Shiryu, Dick Togo & Mens Teioh vs Super Delfin, Taka Michinoku & Shoichi Funaki… The Great Sasuke, Gran Hamada & Tiger Mask IV vs Dick Togo, Mens Teioh & Shiryu… Super Delfin vs Gran Naniwa... Dick Togo, Mens Teioh & Shiryu vs Taka Michinoku, Shoichi Funaki & Gran Naniwa… Dick Togo, Mens Teioh, Shiryu, Taka Michinoku & Shoichi Funaki vs Gran Hamada, Tiger Mask IV, Wellington Wilkins Jr., Naohiro Hoshikawa & Masato Yakushiji… Super Delfin vs Mascara Magica… The Great Sasuke & Super Delfin vs Dick Togo, Mens Teioh & Shiryu (handicap)
Three-hour commercial tape. El Pantera vs Super Delfin (CMLL World Welterweight Title Change)… El Pantera & Gran Hamada vs Dick Togo & Mens Teioh… The Great Sasuke, Tiger Mask IV & Shiryu vs Super Delfin, Gran Naniwa & Taka Michinoku… The Great Sasuke vs Shiryu… Super Delfin & Gran Naniwa vs Dick Togo & Mens Teioh… The Great Sasuke vs Aero Flash (WWF World Light Heavyweight Title Match)… The Great Sasuke vs Danny Collins… Taka Michinoku & Shoichi Funaki vs Mens Teioh & Shiryu… Danny Collins vs Dick Togo (British Commonwealth Junior Heavyweight Title Match)… Super Delfin, Taka Michinoku & Shoichi Funaki vs Dick Togo, Mens Teioh & Shiryu… Gran Naniwa, Taka Michinoku & Shoichi Funaki vs Dick Togo, Mens Teioh & Shiryu… Super Delfin & Gran Naniwa vs Mens Teioh & Shiryu… The Great Sasuke & Super Delfin vs Dick Togo, Mens Teioh & Shiryu (handicap match)
Taped on May 5th in Nakayama, this features Dick Togo vs Danny Collins, one of the many decent British wrestlers cursed with looking a lot like Tony Slattery. Masato Yakushiji vs Kato Kung Lee… Wellington Wilkins Jr. vs Hater… Shiryu & Mens Teioh vs Taka Michinoku & Shoichi Funaki… Super Delfin, Gran Naniwa & Naohiro Hoshikawa vs Tiger Mask IV, Gran Hamada & Nija del Fuego… Danny Collins vs Dick Togo. In addition to the above Champ Forum, this includes MPW Demonstration of Flying Techniques - a sixty-minute commercial tape from early 1996, featuring Sasuke and friends demonstrating every highspot known to man on a mixture of live and inanimate targets.
Compilation put together on a shoestring by Ross Hutchinson, the man behind Suckerpunch fanzine. Includes the full 'Michinoku Pro's British Tour' commercial release, handheld versions of matches taped in Croydon and Portsmouth, and an interview with the Great Sasuke - conducted by our slightly star-struck host. The bingo-style ring announcers and 'unpredictable' rings add to the homegrown charm. Shiryu vs 'Rowdy' Ricky Knight… Tiger Mask IV vs Hanzo Nakajima… The Great Sasuke vs Danny Collins (best of three falls)… Clip of Johnny Saint… Rob Brookside & Rico vs Terry Boy & Sato... The Great Sasuke, Tiger Mask IV & Hanzo Nakajima vs Terry Boy, Sato & Shiryu
Features a classic main event, involving fire, snow, fervent mask-ripping and a big bloke dressed as a zebra. By way of contrast, the preceeding match reaches its brutal peak when Super Delfin plucks the feathers out of Shiryu's mask. Sato & Terry Boy vs Masato Yakushiji & Naohiro Hoshikawa… Tiger Mask IV & Kamikaze vs Taka Michinoku & Shoichi Funaki… Super Delfin vs Shiryu… The Great Sasuke & Giant Zebra vs Mr. Pogo & Gran Naniwa (streetfight). This tape also includes FMW Champ Forum, March 30th 1996. Details filed under F for 'FMW'.
The first commercial tape of the tournament that put Michinoku Pro on the map. In addition to the great lineup of 'real' names, it features Jerry Lynn (Sultan Gargola), Danny Collins (King's Cross) and Super Boy (The Convict) in cognito. Includes five full matches and dozens of highlights. King's Cross vs Super Delfin (complete)… Gran Naniwa vs The Great Sasuke (complete)… The Convict vs Mongolian Yuga… King's Cross vs Mongolian Yuga… Gran Sheik vs Gran Naniwa… The Convict vs Sultan Gargola… Super Delfin vs The Bandit… The Convict vs Gran Naniwa… King's Cross vs The Bandit… Super Delfin vs Gran Sheik… King's Cross vs Gran Naniwa… The Great Sasuke vs The Bandit… Mongolian Yuga vs Gran Naniwa… Gran Sheik vs Sultan Gargola… Mongolian Yuga vs Sultan Gargola… The Great Sasuke vs King's Cross… King's Cross vs Sultan Gargola… Sultan Gargola vs Gran Naniwa… Gran Sheik vs King's Cross… The Great Sasuke vs Sultan Gargola… The Bandit vs Sultan Gargola… The Bandit vs Mongolian Yuga… Super Delfin vs King's Cross… Dos Caras vs Gran Sheik… The Great Sasuke vs Super Delfin (complete)… The Convict vs The Great Sasuke (complete)… Super Delfin vs Gran Naniwa (complete)
Second commercial tape of the tournament. This volume has more wonderful round robin matches, and a grand final in which the Great Sasuke lands head-first on the ring apron, fracturing his skull. The first time is always the best. The Convict vs King's Cross… Dos Caras vs Sultan Gargola… The Convict vs The Bandit… Sultan Gargola vs The Great Sasuke… The Bandit vs Gran Sheik… Dos Caras vs The Convict… Dos Caras vs The Bandit… Gran Sheik vs The Great Sasuke… Super Delfin vs Dos Caras (complete)... Mongolian Yuga vs Gran Sheik… Dos Caras vs King's Cross… Gran Naniwa vs The Bandit… Dos Caras vs Mongolian Yuga… Super Delfin vs The Convict… The Great Sasuke vs Dos Caras (complete)… Dos Caras vs Gran Naniwa… Super Delfin vs Mongolian Yuga (complete)… Gran Naniwa vs Sultan Gargola (mask vs mask match, complete)… Dos Caras vs Great Sasuke (Final, complete)
Taped in Koriyama on May 14th 1995. The Great Sasuke & Naohiro Hoshikawa vs Taka Michinoku & Gran Naniwa… Shiryu & Terry Boy vs Masato Yakushiji & Hideki Yamada… Yone Genjin vs Wellington Wilkins Jr… Super Delfin vs Triton (UWF Super Welterweight Title Match). This tape also includes the W*ING Revival '95 commercial tape, featuring several of the ECW boys. Details on the W*ING list.
Taped in Sendai on March 24th and 25th 1995. Taka and Tanaka provide colour commentary on their match. Which isn't much use if you don't speak Japanese, but it seemed best to mention it. The Great Sasuke vs Stevie J… Taka Michinoku vs Minoru Tanaka… The Great Sasuke, Sato & Shiryu vs Super Delfin, Gran Naniwa & Taka Michinoku. This tape also includes yet another NJPW Antonio Inoki Special.
Taped in Nagoya on December 15th 1994, highlighted by a great little match between Taka Michinoku's and the boss. Yuki Ishikawa vs Daisuke Ikeda… Yone Genjin vs Ryuko Shachihoko… The Great Sasuke vs Taka Michinoku. This tape also includes Champ Forum Christmas Special 1994, a two-hour special featuring guests from MPW, WAR, FMW, W*ING, JWP and LLPW. Includes four years of bloopers, early Kaientai skits, 'White Lightnin' Tim Horner, Aja Kong scaring the wits out of everyone, a guest from WCW with a paper bag over his head, a pub quiz and, of course, a mariachi band. A further bonus match, from WAR Mega Power '94: Genichiro Tenryu vs Koji Kitao (three rounds)
Commercial tape of an outdoor show from Iwate Ski Resort, with the Sasuke-Onita main event that drew Michinoku's best crowd of 1994. It still rates as one of the best death matches ever - explosion seekers will not be disappointed. Excellent picture quality. Masato Yakushiji vs Shark Machine (Wellington Wilkins Jr.)… Naohiro Hoshikawa vs Hanzo Nakajima… Shiryu, Sato & Terry Boy vs Gran Naniwa, Jinsei Shinzaki & Taka Michinoku… Super Delfin vs El Pantera… Atsushi Onita vs The Great Sasuke (no rope, exploding barbed wire, land mine, time bomb death match)
Taped on April 29th in Tokyo, this includes the Sasuke-Shinzaki match that received so much love from the sheets. It may still prove to be Shinzaki's best ever singles collision. Taka Michinoku & Terry Boy vs Monkey Magic & Rayo de Negro… The Great Sasuke vs Jinsei Shinzaki. Also includes a Spirit of the Ring special on Akira Maeda, including brief shots of matches with everyone from Andre to Inoki, plus a skinny TV presenter stalking round in his underwear.
Taped in Osaka on March 4th, this includes the climax of the Super Delfin-Sato feud: a hair vs mask match. Monkey Magic vs Taka Michinoku… Jinsei Shinzaki, Yone Genjin & Gran Naniwa vs The Great Sasuke, Shiryu & Terry Boy… Super Delfin vs Sato (hair vs mask match). Also includes a W*ING Champ Forum taped on November 26th 1993; for match listings, refer to the W*ING list (same card as My Heart W*ING).
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