HAYABUSA vs. MR. GANNOSUKE

This is one of the greatest feuds in the history of Japanese professional wrestling. Read on to find out how fireballs, a former three-time WWF World Heavyweight Champion, and a teery-eyed reunion found their respective ways into the hardcore violence of the world simply known as FMW...


Hayabusa and Mr. Gannosuke are two of the greatest and most popular Frontier Martial-Arts Wrestling (or FMW, for short) superstars of all-time. Both trained alongside eachother at the "FMW Dojo," under the legendary hardcore legend, Tarzan Goto. Both made their debuts in FMW in May 1991. Hayabusa first wrestled under his real name (Eiji Ezaki), bust soon reinvented himself as the mysterious "Hayabausa," which translates to "Falcon" and "The Bird That Never Dies," and began dressing in flashy outfits and donning what would become his trademark mask. He became a fan phenom, as his style was incredibly over with the notably hard-to-impress Japanese grappling fans, as he kept them interested every match with such awe-inspiring manuevers as his Falcon Arrow Firebird Splash (450 Splash) and Stardust Press (Shooting Star Press).

Both Hayabusa and Gannosuke eventually found their way to the top of FMW cards. The roots of their feuds can be traced back to January 1997, when Gannosuke and Flying Kid Ichihara formed an alliance by attacking Mr. Pogo and joining the FMW heel faction, "Funk Masters of Wrestling." This prompted Masato Tanaka to order Hayabusa to do something them. So, on February 19, 1997, he teamed with Ricky Fuji to wrestle Gannosuke and Hisakatsu Ooya. Gannosuke won the match for his team after pinning Fuji, but after the match was the real story, as Hayabusa attacked his former training partner, but to no avail, as he was eventually overpowered and thrown out of the ring. FMW fans sided with Hayabusa, though, and Gannosuke's heel status eventually grew to the level that he was one of the top bad guys in the promotion.

That altercation precipitated a match between Hayabusa and Mr. Gannosuke, which occurred on March 28. Gannosuke defeated the high-flying phenom with his finisher, the "Fire Thunder Driver." This set up their storied April 29, 1997 battle at "The Megumi Kudo Retirement Show" at the Japan's Yokohama Dome. There were two intriguing stipulations going into the match: If Gannosuke lost, he would have to have the hair on his head shaved off, but, if Hayabusa lost, the legend would have to do something that nobody wanted him to do: unmask. He'd have to take off the mask that he had worn during his ups, downs, worst, and greatest moments. The stage was set, and the two certainly didn't disappoint.

The match featured several high spots that would undoubtedly make 'Hayabusa's idol, Jushin Liger, extremely proud. However, for critics, it was not a spotfest at all, as it showcased impressive psychology, complete with solid mat wrestling and impressive athletecism. In the end, Hayabusa reversed a suplex and soon lifted Gannosuke high in the air, and slammed him to the ground with his finisher, the "Falcon Arrow," which is basically a high vertical suplex into a splitlegged bodyslam piledriver for the pin. The FMW fans begin going nuts, bursting out in a "Hayabusa" chant, showing their approval for the masked superstar. He would keep his trademark mask, and his arch nemesis would have to cut his hair, right?

The match was over, and the post match theatrics were thought to consist of Gannosuke's head being shaved. However, Hayabusa offered a deal. He grabbed a microphone and told a recovering Gannosuke that if Gannosuke agrees to leave the Funk Masters of Wrestling stable and side with Hayabusa and the FMW team (who were feuding with eachother, kind of like the Alliance vs. the WWF), he'd allow him to keep his hair. The speech becomes rather emotional, as Hayabusa begins sounding as if he's crying, repeatedly pleading with Gannosuke to forget about his hatred for his opponent and side with his childhood friend. Gannosuke does a routine similar to that of Owen Hart at Survivor Series '93, appearing to realize what he had done and that he should patch things up. He stands and walks up straight the face (or mask, rather) of a teery-eyed Hayabusa. It looks as if everything has been forgotten, and the two are back on the same page.

The Yokohama Dome fans are buzzing, viewing what looks to be an emotional reunion of two former childhood buddies. Hayabusa, sensing that it's the right moment, extends his hand, waiting for a handshake from Gannosuke, Gannosuke begins extending his hand, too. Suddenly, though, he kicked Hayabusa in the midsection, and proceeded to pummel him down to the ring mat. Then, in an action that would cause FMW fans to despise him, he ripped off the legendary mask of Hayabusa, revealing the face of the young legend. He then placed the mask on his own face and began mocking the masked superstar, disgusting the thousands in attendance.
<--Gannosuke (left) mocks Hayabusa (right) by wearing his trademark mask.
He continues beating down Hayabusa, and, as he's about to spit his trademark fireball in the bare face of Hayabusa, when monster face Jinsei Shinzaki (who was the WWF's "Hakushi") ran down the entrance ramp and made the save, scaring Gannosuke out of the ring. He leaves with Victor Quinnones, heading backstage. Hayabusa soon followed and entered the backstage area, and immediately cut a quick, emotional promo, crying over the fact that his former best friend had betrayed and him and ruined his career. Atsushi Onita then interfered and began yelling at him to "quit acting like a pussy," (which was, surprisingly, in English) and to take it like a man. Hayabusa then walked off the set in disgust.

On April 31, Hayabusa teams with Koji Nakagawa and Masato Tanaka against Gannosuke, Gladiator, and Hisakatsu Oya in an FMW World Street Fight Six-Man Tag Team Titles Match.

Hayabusa withstood a top-rope AwesomeBomb from Gladiator, and eventually pinned Oya after a modified suplex to win both the match and tag team titles for his team. The six held the title for five and a half months, and eventually lost it on October 14, allowing Hayabusa to resume his rivalry with Gannosuke.

On December 19, he and Jinsei Shinzaki challenged Gannosuke and Yukihiro Kanemura for the World FMW Brass Knuckles Tag Tag Team Titles.

In the end, Hayabusa went for his trademark Quebrada (Springboard Moonsault) on Kanemura, who got his knees up, causing Hayabusa to land ribs-first on his knees, allowing Kanemura to get the pin and retain his tag titles with Gannosuke.

On December 21, Hayabusa, Shinzaki, and Tanaka took on Gannosuke, Kanemura, and Onita in a Steel Cage Match with a barbed-wire baseball bat on top of the structure.

During Hayabusa's "Exploding Barbed-Wire Steel Cage Match" against Onita, he had attempted a Moonsault off the top of the cage, but missed, allowing Onita to get the easy pinfall win. Time repeated itself in the six-man tag team war, as Hayabusa climbed to the top of the cage, and landed one of the greatest spots ever in history: a Moonsault onto Onita! He then draped his arm over the legend, pinning him for the three count and gaining one of the greatest upsets in puroresu (the Japanese form of pro wrestling) history. He and his teammates immediately begin celebrating their shocking win, only to be blindsided by Gannosuke and Kanemura. However, some members of the FMW lockerroom ran towards the ring, causing a full-fledged brawl to erupt! Gannosuke and Kanemura even took off the anger of their embarassing loss on Onita pummeling him into one of the corner turnbuckles.

As a new year entered, Onita sided with Hayabusa and his allies due to Gannosuke and Kanemura turing on him. Also, a new heel faction called "Team No Respect" formed, with it's main members being Gannosuke, Kanemura, Hido, Jado, and Kodo Fuyuki. Their top targets, of course, were Hayabusa, Oya, Shinzaki, Tanaka, and Onita. Over the next two months, Team No Respect gained more credibility with some key wins, none of which, though, included Hayabusa and Gannosuke wrestling on different teams in the same match against eachother.

An Eight-Man Single Elimination Tournament for the number one contendership of the FMW Double Titles, which were then held by Mr. Gannosuke, began on March 13. Hayabusa defeated ally Tanaka in a showstealing match to advance to the semifinals, where, on March 16, he took on Jado, who had the backup of Gannosuke, who was in his corner. Every chance they got, Jado distracted the referee, allowing Gannosuke to attack Hayabusa. However, their tactics eventually backfired and Hayabusa pinned Jado to advance to the final round of the tournament, where his opponent was The Gladiator, better known to U.S. fans as Mike Awesome.

On March 17, Hayabusa and "Gladiator" Mike Awesome faced off in the final round of the tournament to determine the number one contender of Gannosuke's Double Titles. In the end, Hayabusa's high flying antics were successfully used as he countered a Top-Rope Awesome Bomb into a Frankensteiner for the quick 1-2-3, fand the right to wrestle his arch-rival for the Double Titles. His title shot would come on April 30 at the Yokohama Dome.

First, though, on April 26, he teamed with Shinzaki to take on Jado and Kanemura. Gannosuke interfered and blew a fireball into the face of Hayabusa, allowing Jado to hit a Brainbuster for the upset win. Fireballs have become a relatively common use in Japan, but don't doubt their realism, though, as there's no way to fake fire, and when one is blasted with a fireball, they may be able to block it and lighten the contact with special equipment or actions, it burns like hell! Anyway, then came Hayabusa's title shot, which occurred on FMW's first-ever Pay-Per-View, "Entertainment Wrestling Live." It was finally time for one man's boyhood dream to have an oppurtunity to become a reality when, on April 30, 1998, Hayabusa challenged arch-nemesis Mr. Gannosuke for the FMW Double Titles, which consist of both the Brass Knuckle and Independent Titles. The entire FMW roster stood at ringside during the match.

Hayabusa begins the match in control, and, in the first minute, legitimately injures Gannosuke's knee a dropkick. Gannosuke's forced to work 20+ minutes with a legitimate injury. Hayabusa then starts using some vicious submission holds on Gannosuke's knee, worsening the injury. Gannosuke legitimately screams in pain on more than one occasion. Hayabusa hits several of his usual highspots, while Gannosuke tries to ground him. He does, and mocks Shinzaki, who's at ringside, by hitting his trademark Praying PowerBomb. A second is countered with a Hurricanrana, though, and Hayabusa's back in control. He hits a Top Con Hilo and Springboard Flying Leg Drop, only for Gannosuke to lock in his trademark Gannosuke Clutch on Hayabusa out of nowhere.

Hayabusa kicks out, and regains control, hitting several of his trademark manuevers, including a Firebird Splash and Falcon Arrow, only to get 2 1/2 each time. Gannosuke reverses another manuever and hits a Release German Suplex. He then hits his Fire Thunder Driver, but his injured knee doesn't allow him to make the pin quickly enough. Hayabusa hits a Tiger Suplex, followed by a Falcon Arrow Falling Neckbreaker, but Gannosuke's able to kick out! He then springboards from the ring apron back into the ring, but is caught with a flying fist smash by Gannosuke, followed by a Thunder Fire Driver and Northern Lights Suplex, both of which get 2 1/2.

Then came the finish, where Hayabusa regained control with a stiff Release Dragon Suplex, setting Gannosuke up for his trademark Top-Rope 450 Firebird Splash for the 1-2-3 count!!! Hayabusa is the brand-new FMW Undisputed World Heavyweight Champion, and, in addition to that, gained revenge on his number one rival, Mr. Gannosuke. Gannosuke is rushed off to the hospital due to his legitimately serious knee injury (which would cause him to miss a half-year of ring action), while Hayabusa celebrates with his newly-won titles in the ring with Shinzaki.

The match was about four stars (****) out of a possible five, and many rank it as one of the top five FMW matches ever, solidifying it's status as a classic bout between two heated rivals.

Hayabusa had a two tag team matches after his title win, followed by a title defense on May 19, 1998 against one of his allies, Masato Tanaka.

The match was as close was ***** stars, or darn near it. The match had it all, and one highlight came when Tanaka debuted his then new finisher, a Reverse DDT off of the top-rope, which he continued to use for the rest of that year. After 20+ minutes of non-stop, incredible action that kept the viewer on the edge of their seat, Hayabusa found an opening and lifted Tanaka up in his trademark Falcon Arrow Suplex, and dropped him right on his neck and back, gaining the pinfall win, retaining his FMW Double Titles.

A few weeks later, Hayabusa underwent a slight gimmick modification, with an even more mysterious personality than he had had before. He continued to successfully defend his titles against various competitors, most notably Yukihiro Kanemura and another one of his arch rivals, Koji Nakagawa. On November 20, 1998, though, he lost the title to Kodo Fuyuki in a classic battle, ending his half-year long title reign. From then on, Hayabusa takes on various opponents, but never Gannosuke (not even in a tag team match), until, that is, February 21, 1999. On this date, the feud between these two bitter rivals was regenerated when they faced off, one-on one, and, for the first time since 1993, Gannosuke defeated his longtime foe.

Things didn't improve very quickly for Hayabusa, and, on February 27, he teamed with Hisakatsu Oya to wrestle Gannosuke and Hideki Hosaka. Oya turned on Hayabusa in during the match, nailing him with a Back Suplex, setting him up for an easy pin on the part of Gannosuke, who didn't hesitate to drape an arm over the prone body of his nemesis. After the match, the newly-allied trio continued beating on Hayabusa, until Kodo Fuyuki, who had beaten Hayabusa for the Double Titles a month earlier (and was still the champion, as he hadn't lost it yet), and who had been attacked earlier in the night by Gannosuke and Hosaka, ran in and takes out each of his supposed enemies. He then grabs a microphone and offers Hayabusa his services as an ally against Gannosuke and his thugs. Hayabusa, just then recovering from the injury and trying to get to his feet, seeing that Fuyuki had saved him from what would have undoubtedly been a ferocious beating, walks up and hugs him. Fuyuki had his answer, and it was an obvious "yes." Hayabusa would soon learn to regret his decision to accept an ally.

Hayabusa and Fuyuki teamed together for about two months, including participating in a tournament for the vacant FMW Tag Titles, but, on May 5, 1999, Fuyuki turned on him and rejoined Team No Respect (or "TNR," for short). That same night, Fuyuki retained his Double Titles against Tetsuhiro Kuroda with some help from TNR, and, after the match, Hayabusa ran in to try to get some revenge on Fuyuki. The numbers were too much against him, though, and he was soon overpowered by Fuyuki and his allies. He was being decimated, until...Masato Tanaka runs in and chases TNR away, making the save. When Hayabusa recovers from the beating, he grabbed a microphone and began screaming at TNR, until Hosaka, Tanaka, Hisakatsu Ooya, Ricky Fuji, and Flying Kid Ichihara all enter the ring and calm him down, promising that they're on his side and that they agree team up together to rage the war of TNR vs. Team No Respect. Hayabusa finally had some allies who he could trust and who had the same hatred toward TNR that he did. He could sense that he may be close to getting the revenge on Mr. Gannosuke that he had been seeking for over two years.

On May 31, FMW President Shoichi Arai comes out accompanied by Fuyuki, who he had recently hired as the new FMW Commissioner. A Five on Five Elimination Match pitting FMW vs. TNR is scheduled for that same night. FMW controlled a good part of the match, and in the end, after Gannosuke was eliminated for an illegal low blow on Hayabusa, 'busa climbed up to the top-rope and successfully landed the Firebird Splash on Hido for the pin, eliminating him and winning the match for Team FMW. On June 15, Commissioner Fuyuki used both his hatred toward his former ally and his power to strip Hayabusa of the right to compete under the name of "Hayabusa," and instead must go by his real name, "Eiji Ezaki." Not only this, though, because he also wouldn't be able to wear his legendary mask again. The stipulation would be effective after August 25, 1999.

On June 15, Hayabusa teamed with Kuroda and Tanaka to take on Gannosuke, Hido, and Yukihiro Kanemura in a "Loser's Dog Food Scramble Bunkhouse Ladder Match," with the stipulation being that if Hayabusa's team won, Commissioner Fuyuki would have to eat dog food. Hayabusa's team did win, and the stipulations called for Fuyuki to eat dog food. He did just that (!!!), and even chewed some of it, when...he spit it back up and right into the face of Hayabusa, prompting 'busa to attack him and all the other ringside grapplers to enter the ring, causing a full-fledged brawl between Team FMW and TNR. FMW got the best of it, and tossed dog food at the opposition, causing TNR to run out of the ring and clammer their way backstage.

On June 23, Hayabusa met with FMW President Arai to try and overrule the rule that he can't use his trademark name as of August 25, but, due to Fuyuki basically brainwashing Arai, the request was denied and the date stayed as the last day Hayabusa can use his character name. On July 2, Fuyuki announces that the FMW championship titles will be replaced with the WEW championship titles. The first WEW title will be World Six-Man Tag Team Titles, with a Four Team Round Robin Tournament occurring to determine the inaugural champions. Hayabusa would team with Tetsuhiro Kuroda and Masato Tanaka, Gannosuke with Jado and Yukihiro Kanemura, Super Leather (Leatherface) with Armageddon, and Kodo Fuyuki with the FMW World Tag Team Champions, Gedo & Koji Nakagawa.

The tournament begins on July 31, when, due to some time-limit draws (which don't count as eliminations), Hayabusa's team wrestles first, their opponents being Super Leather's team, who they eventually defeat. Their second opponents are Gannosuke and his goons, who, after awhile, they also beat when Hayabusa rolls up Gedo for the fall. This brings them to the final round of the tournament, with their opponents being Fuyuki, Gedo, & Nakagawa. The winners are the inaugural WEW World Tag Team Champions. In the last match donning his legendary mask, 'busa was nailed with a stiff lariat by Fuyuki and was easily prone to the 1-2-3 pinfall, and the tag team title win.

On August 20, six days before he must change his name and lose his mask, Hayabusa brings back his old "Darkside of Hayabusa" character. He's died his hair orange, and starts his new character off on the good side with a win in a six-man tag team match, with the finish coming when he nailed the Firebird Splash. On August 23rd, on FMW PPV, in his last match at the famed Korakuen Hall, Hayabusa won the FMW World Brass Knuckles Heavyweight Title for the third time by defeating Yukihiro Kanemura in 18:28. He wore a mask, but it was not the same one that he had always worn as "Hayabusa." His outfit, too, was similar, but noticably different.

After his victorious title win, a truly touching formal ceremony was held that marked the end of the legendary "Hayabusa" persona. Fellow wrestlers were allowed to share their memories and thoughts of the legendary gimmick, and many of these speeches were out of character and very sincere. Many gave Hayabusa flowers, one of whom was Kodo Fuyuki, who had turned on Hayabusa in May. Fuyuki broke character and gave 'busa flowers and a big hug, obviously breaking character for the memorable ceremony. Everybody in attendance at the show, including the fans, were allowed to enter the ring and congratulate the young legend. Most took this oppurtunity to do so, and 'Busa's storyline allies (Flying Kid Ichihara, Ricky Fuji, Tetsuhiro Kuroda, Hisakatsu Oya, and Masato Tanaka) soon entered the ring, also, lifting him up on their shoulders and parading the newly-crowned champion around the ring, for all to say. Not only was he the new Brass Knucks' Champion, but, in just six days, he'd have a new character, no longer competing under the name of "Hayabusa," which had been brought him all of the fame he had seen in the past seven years.

So, back to reality, where, on August 25, 1999, at the Sapporo Nakajima Sports Center, once again on FMW PPV, Eiji Ezaki wrestled his last official match under the alias of "Hayabusa." What better opponent for him on this historic night than...yup', you guessed it (!), his former best friend and (then) current arch enemy, MR. GANNOSUKE. Hayabusa dressed in his old, traditional ring attire, complete with his mask. Before the match, the two competitors (who were, in storyline, enemies) shook hands in a show of sincere sportsmanship.

Then, with Hayabusa's FMW World Brass Knuckles Heavyweight Title on the line, it was time to wrestle. Both go at it in an incredible match, which includes a scary-looking sequence where Gannosuke drops Hayabusa with a stiff modified Tombstone Piledriver off the top-rope, almost breaking his neck. This was not enough, though, and, in the end, Hayabusa lifted Gannosuke high in the air with a Vertical Suplex, and then dropped him on his back and neck in a Bodyslam Piledriver, nailing him with his trademark finishing manuever, the Falcon Arrow Suplex. This was enough for the 1-2-3 pinfall, and, in 19:26, Hayabusa had successfully retained his title in his last match under his legendary alias against his longtime rival.

Commissioner Fuyuki then walked out and entered the ring to congratulate Hayabusa and give him flowers, or so most everyone thought. Instead, in an incredible swerve, Fuyuki once again turned on his former partner, nailing him with the vase! He continues to pummel him as Team No Respect joins in and decimates him. Team FMW also run in, but are overpowered by TNR, and eventually are tossed out of the ring. Gannosuke and Fuyuki begin choking Hayabusa with a dog collar. When some scissors were then found, they didn't hesitate to use them to cut off the legendary mask of the living legend. That's not all, though, as they use the same tool to cut off all of his clothes until he's completely naked in the middle of the ring. An FMW official quickly entered the ring with a towel and covered up Hayabusa, but the humilliation had been completed. FMW President Shoichi Arai begs Gannosuke and Fuyuki to stop, but to no avail, as they continue beating on him, until Arai actually blocks the body of Ezaki so that no more dammage can be done. Fuyuki's still irate, but he, along with the rest of TNR, quickly exit the ring when Masato Tanaka runs down, making the save. Hayabusa eventually recovers from the beating and humilliation, and grabs a microphone, proclaiming Hayabusa dead, but saying that he'd now become a new character: "H."

So, under his new, simple alias of "H," Ezaki made his debut under his new persona on August 27. He competed in a "Ten-Man Elimination Match," During the match, he dropkicked Mr. Gannosuke in the knee, legitimately injuring him (for the second time) the the degree that he couldn't finish the match, and actually had to go to the hostpital. H eventually won after eliminating, among many others, Kodo Fuyuki with a brand-new finisher called the "H-Thunder," which is a Spinning Urinage (Rock Bottom). He had a new name, a new look, a new attitude, and a new damn cool finishing move.

On September 3, H teamed with Tanaka and Kuroda to take on Fuyuki, Hido, and Kanemura. Gannosuke, wearing a toy mask of the old Hayabusa mask, runs in and jumps up on the turnbuckle. He then takes off his mask, revealing another mask. He then launches himself towards H with a Missle Dropkick, and continues to pummel him while Kuroda pins Fuyuki for the win. After the match, Gannosuke calls himself the "Real Hayabusa" and that H is just an imposter, before following his fellow TNR members to the back. Over the next few weeks, tension continues to brew between the two, as a mysterious competitor dressed in the old Hayabusa robe and mask debuts, and insists that he, not H, is the real Hayabusa (I guess you could compare this feud to the WWF's Undertaker vs. Undertaker in '93). The new Hayabusa begins hanging out with TNR, and targeting H. It was pretty obvious that it's Gannosuke playing the part, and the FMW announcers didn't make much of a secret of that, but that doesn't take much away from the buildup. All of the tension, all of the heat, and all of the hatred would come to a head, very, very soon.

On November 23, H (Eiji Ezaki, who was the "real" Hayabusa) and The Fake Hayabusa would face off, one-on-one. For, this was where the whole feud started, when the two went one-on-one at "The Megumi Kudo Retirement Show," and Gannosuke turned on Hayabusa and shot a fireball in his face. We would then see Kodo Fuyuki betray Hayabusa and join TNR, beginning the classic Team FMW vs. TNR feud. These two former childhood friends would engage in hard-hitting tag team matches and bloody singles bouts that would create an amazing saga.There would also be a Special Guest Referee for the match that almost nobody would expect, expecially being that the show was in Japan. Before the match, though, an incredibly-produced video package was shown, complete with pictures of Hayabusa (Eiji Ezaki) and Mr. Gannosuke (Masashi Honda) posing together as children, their FMW debuts, and all of their classic altercations and matches leading up to this blockbuster MEGA MAIN EVENT.

So, the stage was set, and on December 23, 1999, at the Yokohama Dome, in front of 11,000 screaming fans at FMW's "10th Anniversary Show," celebrating one full decade of hardcore puroresu wrestling at it's very best, everything would come to a head: the childhood friendship, the betrayal, the pain, the love, the theatrics, the athletecism, the injuries, and the emotion. Nothing else mattered. All the past altercations and battles between the two competitors didn't matter anymore. The person that won this match won the war between these two men. The Yokohama Dome was buzzing as the new Hayabusa enters to Hayabusa's regular theme music, and, of course, ring attire and mask. H is then lowered to the ring via a cable harness, and now all we're waiting for is the Special Guest Referee, and here he is...

"AHHH AH AH AHHHHHH!!! I Think I'm Cute. I Know I'm Sexy. I Got The Looks...That Drive The Girls Wild. I Got The Moves...That Really Move 'Em. I Send Chills...Up And Down Their Spine...I'm Just A Sexy Boy! SEXXXY BOYYY!!!"

After all, what's a Mega Main Event without "The Icon," "The Shopstoppa," "The Main Event," "The Heartbreak Kid"...the legendary...
SHAWN MICHAELS
!!! That's right! The hippest grappler ever had made his way to Japan to referee what FMW promised to be it's biggest match to date: Hayabusa (the "new" one) vs. H. The Yokohoma Dome is going berserk, as they're about to witness this blockbuster match.

As HBK is checking for foreign items, Hayabusa (the "fake" one) decks him, and charges right at H, who doesn't hesitate to run, full speed, straight ahead, either. The battle's on, and it's a full-fledged brawl. A few minutes in, Hayabusa hits H with the Falcon Arrow, but that's not enough. He then grabs a steel chair and bashes H with it, only to cause HBK to try to pull it away. Hayabusa gets the best of the tug of war, though, and...whacks HBK across the FOREHEAD with it!!! He eventually recovers, and sets it up. A few taps of the feet on the ring mat, and when Hayabusa turns around...SMACK!!! Sweet Chin Music (that's HBK's finisher; it's a stiff thrust superkick), and Hayabusa's down! HBK does his signature DX crotch chop taunt, and waits till Hayabusa's back up to try to rip off the mask, but H interferes and signals for HBK to back away, for he wants to be the one to unmask his imitator! HBK does just that, and the battle continues. HBK then once again tries to unmask Hayabusa, only to be told to back off by H, which he does. H soon does unmask Hayabusa, and it's...

(you guessed it!)...GANNOSUKE!!! Most thought it was him all along, but the emotion and facial expressions were great, and H deserves credit for doing a tremendous acting job, staring into the eyes of Gannosuke. H, with a stern look straight toward Gannosuke, his eyes not budging from their position, tosses the mask to Michaels, who looks confused as to why he did that. Both participants back up to their respective corners, and, after awhile of staring and taking all of the heat in, they charge eachother, and the brawl's back on! H ends up tossing Gannosuke several feet with a picture-perfect Hurricanrana, followed by two straight Quebradas, the second of which misses, allowing Gannosuke to snatch the advantage and drop him off the ring apron with a Falcon Arrow, landing him straight on his back and neck on the concrete floor, a move that looks to be executed fairly stiffly. Back in the ring, Gannosuke nails a Brainbuster, Tiger Driver, and second Falcon Arrow, but gets 2 1/2!

He keeps the advantage by nailing two straight Gannosuke clutches, only to have H kick out once again. H finds a second to reinvigorate himself and quickly gains the advantage, and hits his Firebird Splash and H-Edge, but no little avail, as Gannosuke is quick to get back up and nail him with a stiff lariat. He follows that with a Tiger Suplex, Fire Thunder Driver, and very stiff PowerBomb. He then climbs up to the top-rope, only to be Frankensteiner'd off by H. H's Shotei and H-Thunder only gets a two-count, but a Top-Rope Flying Phoenix Splash may be enough, as Michaels gets down near eye level to the mat: 1...2...3!!! He's done it!!!!!!!!!!!! In 18:21, Eiji Ezaki has pinned Mr. Gannosuke!!! After an emotionally-draining match, HBK grabs a microphone and praises the effort of the two legends. He even called FMW the best wrestling promotion in the world!

Now comes the story...H eventually finishes celebrating his win, and goes up to Gannosuke and offers him a handshake. Gannosuke backs away, though, which causes Michaels to once again grab a microphone and complete his last duty, that being to ask Gannosuke to "be a man," and shake his hand. He hesitates, but eventually moves forward, outstretches his hand, and the two men shake hands. First-time viewers probably think he'll betray H once again, but, to their shock, he doesn't, and they shake. It's truly a memorable moment. They incoherently mutter some words on the microphone about eachother before embracing. H, or rather (I guess it's safe to call him that, now) Hayabusa, is clearly crying, as it's one of those moments in professional wrestling where you can tell that they broke character and that their actions were sincere. They do a pro-FMW speech (in Japanese, of course) to end the show.

After their reunion, H and Mr. Gannosuke became a top FMW tag team, even winning the WEW World Tag Team Titles. H would go onto a main event feud with Masato Tanaka, while Gannosuke would feud with various superstars. On June 16, 2000, though, Gannosuke turned heel, and the feud between him and H was renewed. About a month before this, though, another mysterious superstar that dressed up as Hayabusa debuted, and was unmasked, revealed to be New Japan legend Genichiro Tenryu.

On June 21, an eight-man tag team match pitted Mr. Gannosuke, GOEMON, Kodo Fuyuki, and Kyoko Inoue against H, Hayabusa (Tenryu), Tetsuhiro Kuroda, and a mystery partner. The mystery partner was revealed to be Ricky Fuji, who was in the midst of a mini-feud with the newly-turned-heel Gannosuke. Fuj targets Gannosuke and GOEMON, while Hayabusa and Fuyuki go at it. Hayabusa's unmasked as Tenryu (as thought to be), who eventually lays out Fuyuki, setting him up for the Firebird Splash by H for the 1-2-3 win.

So, this ends the Hayabusa vs. Mr. Gannosuke saga. It was definitely one of Japan's greatest feuds. I don't know how FMW got permission from the WWF to use Michaels, but, somehow, they did. You can find a good number of the Hayabusa vs. Gannosuke one-on-one matches on the FMW videos and DVD's here in the U.S. at "F.Y.E.," ("Four Your Entertainment"), or go on Amazon.com and order them. Long Live FM F'n W!!!

On July 23, Hayabusa (H's permanently returned as "Hayabusa") receives a title shot at Kodo Fuyuki's WEW World Heavyweight Title. Hayabusa's hit his Firebird Splash, and has the win well in reach...when Jinsei Shinzaki makes his return to FMW and...attacks Hayabusa, hitting him with his Praying PowerBomb! FMW, nail Hayabusa (middle) with a double team bulldog! This enables Fuyuki to make the easy cover, retaining his WEW World Title.

On July 28, a six-man tag team match is made pitting Hayabusa, the returning Masato Tanaka, & Hisakatsu Oya against Gannosuke, Fuyuki, & Shinzaki. Gannosuke and Shinzaki focus on beating down Hayabusa, along with mocking him, using his moves and taunts.
<--Fuyuki (far left) and Shinzaki (far right) get ready to demolish Hayabusa with a double-team bulldog!
Then, the unthinkable happened: Hayabusa and Shinzaki began attacking Fuyuki! It was a setup! Shinzaki hit Gannosuke with his Praying PowerBomb, setting him up for Hayabusa's Firebird Splash for the 1-2-3 win!

On August 28, Shinzaki is stuck in traffic, so a newly-debuting Japanese independent wrestler called "Onryo" takes his place, teaming with Tanaka against GOEMON and Kintaro Kanemura. However, he falls victim to Kanemura's Thunder Fire PowerBomb for the the 1-2-3 loss. After the match, Shinzaki finally makes it to the arena and runs into the ring, but is quickly triple-teamed by Gannosuke, GOEMON, and Kanemura. Hayabusa eventually makes the save and knocks out GOEMON and Kanemura, and then targets Gannosuke, as the bell rings to start their one-on-one match to determine the number one contender to Kodo Fuyuki's WEW World Heavyweight Title.

Gannosuke holds the early advantage, thanks to some handy interference by GOEMON and Kanemura. Fuyuki's interference doesn't help, either, as he, along with the others, powerbomb Hayabusa off the top-rope. This sets up Hayabusa for Gannosuke's Fire Thunder Driver, but he picks up Hayabusa at two, wanting to continue to beat on him. Shinzaki then makes the save and knocks out Kanemura, and then distracts Gannosuke, allowing Hayabusa to hit him with a reverse flying head kick. Hayabusa picks up Gannosuke and holds him up in a prone position, allowing Shinzaki to hit him with a Top-Rope Flying Praying Shoulderblock.

GOEMON and Fuyuki try to get in some hits on the faces, but Shinzaki takes care of them with some handy kicks, sending them out of the ring, and leaving Hayabusa and Shinzaki alone with Gannosuke. They take advantage of this, hitting Gannosuke with some of their trademark double-team manuevers, which set Gannosuke up for Hayabusa's H-Thunder for the 1-2-3 pinfall win. Hayabusa has earned a shot at Kodo Fuyuki's WEW World Title!

There ended up being three different matches before a decisive winner was determined in the Hayabusa/Kodo Fuyuki WEW World Title feud, that winner being Fuyuki when he defeated Hayabusa on November 12, 2000. On April 1, 2001, the main event of the show was a WEW World Title Match between Tetsuhiro Kuroda and champion Kodo Fuyuki. Hayabusa sits at ringside for the match. Midway through the match, Gannosuke's music hits and he comes out and goes to attack Fuyuki with a steel chair. Kuroda joins in and helps him beat up Fuyuki, just as Hayabusa rises from his seat and attacks Gannosuke. Fuyuki's back up, and he charges Kuroda, who blocks the clothesline and hits the champ with the Gannosuke Clutch for the 1-2-3 title win. Tetsuhiro Kuroda is the new WEW World Heavyweight Champion!

Gannosuke and the new champion then begin double-teaming Hayabusa, prompting The Great Sasuke to run out and clear the ring. Hayabusa grabs the microphone and issues a challenge for a tag team match pitting him and Sasuke against Gannosuke and Kuroda. On April 15, Fuyuki announces that the match, which will occur at Kawasaki Stadium, will be an "Exploding Octagon Cage Deathmatch." Later that same night, Gannosuke and Kuroda get the best of Hayabusa and Sasuke, as they pummel them down and even rip off Sasuke's mask.

On May 5, at Kawasaki Stadium, Hayabusa returns from reconstructive double arm surgery to team up with The Great Sasuke against Mr. Gannosuke and WEW World Champion Tetsuhiro Kuroda in an "Exploding Octagon Cage Deathmatch." The match took place on the tenth anniversary of Hayabusa's pro wrestling debut, which was in FMW. The match begins with Hayabusa and Gannosuke pummeling eachother while Sasuke and Kuroda go at it. Gannosuke shoves Hayabusa into the material, prompting the first explosion of the match.

The two continue their battle on the outside of the cage, where both are slammed into the structure, causing another explosion. Meanwhile, Sasuke and Kuroda are battling inside the cage, which is filled with smoke. Hayabusa and Gannosuke begin brawling inside the cage again. He tries an H-Thunder, but Gannosuke escapes and hits the Gannosuke Clutch. Hayabusa kicks out at two, though, and eventually gets Gannosuke in position for the Firebird Splash, which he nails, but Gannosuke kicks out. An H-Thunder on him is enough for the 1-2-3.

Hayabusa and Sasuke emerge victorious over Gannosuke and Kuroda on the tenth anniversary of Hayabusa's pro wrestling debut. Gannosuke and Kuroda are both hurt relatively badly, and can barely walk to the backstage area after the match.

On May 11, Hayabusa teamed with Hisakatsu Oya and Ricky Fuji to take on Gannosuke, Kuroda, and Mammoth Sasaki. Some miscommunication costed the heels the match when Gannosuke accidently clothesline'd Kuroda down, allowing Hayabusa to hit his Firebird Splash for the 1-2-3 pin on the champion, Kuroda. A prematch stipulation meant that Hayabusa had earned a title shot at Tetsuhiro Kuroda.

His title shot comes on May 22, and it was in a "Barbed-Wire Landmine Deathmatch." Kodo Fuyuki was the Special Guest Referee. Gannosuke interferes during the match and attacks Kuroda, but Hayabusa and Fuyuki take care of him with a double dropkick. Fuyuki became the first person to kick out of the H-Thunder, but a Firebird Splash and one more H-Thunder was enough, as Fuyuki counted the 1-2-3, and Hayabusa was the new WEW World Heavyweight Champion. All three superstars were thrown into explosions (including Fuyuki) sometime throughout the match.

On June 8, a shocking change in ownership of FMW was announced. Kodo Fuyuki owns 47%, Hayabusa owns 5%, while FMW Announcer Shoichi Arai owns 28%. The main event for that night was Hayabusa and Kuroda against Gannosuke and Kintaro Kanemura. In the match, Gannosuke nails Hayabusa with the Gannosuke Clutch for the 1-2-3 win.

On July 2, Gannosuke, Arai, and Kanemura teamed up against Hayabusa, GOEMON, and Onryo. If Arai gets pinned, he's fired from FMW. Hayabusa scored the pinfall on Gannosuke, but Fuyuki pauses after counting to two. Another referee, though, runs in and slams his hand on the mat, completing the three count.

On August 3, Hayabusa agrees that if he, GOEMON, and Onryo and loses to Gannosuke, Kanemura, and Sasaki, he must put up his 5% FMW ownership up in a match on August 11. Gannosuke hits Hayabusa with his Fire Thunder Driver, and Kanemura hits Hayabusa with a Thunder Fire PowerBomb for the 1-2-3. It's agreed that on the 11th, Bionmaster DNA (Asuza Kudo's new identity) will take on Fuyuki. Then, Tetsuhiro Kuroda will take on Mr. Gannosuke. Lastly, Hayabusa will defend his WEW World Title against Kanemura. The side that wins two out of those three matches wins the bet.

On August 11, DNA defeats Fuyuki, giving Team FMW the lead 1-0. Then, Gannosuke forced Kuroda to submit to an arm submission, tying the series up at one each. In the last match, Hayabusa and Kanemura went at it in a great bout with the WEW World Title on the line. Hayabusa misses his Phoenix Splash, allowing Kanemura to hit three straight Thunder Fire PowerBombs on him for the 1-2-3 bet and title win. Arai is fired and will be replaced by FMW Vice President Shuhei Yoshida. Kintaro Kanemura is the new WEW World Heavyweight Champion, and, most importantly, Kudo Fuyuki now owns 52% of the FMW stock.

On September 5, after hitting the Firebird Splash, Hayabusa regained the WEW World Heavyweight Title form Kanemura. On September 9, Yoshida replayed footage of the title victory, which showed Hayabusa low-blowing Kanemura during the match. So, Yoshida stripped him of the WEW World Title, and gave it back to Kanemura. Later on in the same show, Hayabusa teams with GOEMON and Kuroda against Gannosuke, Fuyuki, and Kanemura for the WEW Six-Man Tag Team Championship. Hayabusa pinned Kanemura for the second straight time after a Firebird Splash, winning his team the WEW Six-Man Tag Team Titles.

On October 9, Hayabusa and Tetsuhiro Kuroda team up to take on the WEW Tag Team Champions, Mr. Gannosuke and Mammoth Sasaki, for the titles. There would be brand-new tag team champions crowned that night, as Hayabusa hit Sasaki with a Top-Rope Firebird Splash. After the match, Hayabusa challenged Sasaki to a match on the 22nd at Korakuen Hall. It would be his last.

On October 22, 2001, at Korakuen Hall, Hayabusa wrestled Mammoth Sasaki. Almost ten minutes into the match, Hayabusa went for his trademark quebrada (springboard moonsault), which he had performed many a times without a problem. He slipped, but he was already more than halfway through pushing off, so there was no way to stop the springboard. He backflipped, but instead of landing on his stomach, he landed right on his neck. Paramedics immediately rushed to him. After the match, he was somehow able to speak, and did a pro-FMW speech and told the fans not to rush to the ring and to continue to support FMW. He was put on a stretcher and carried away to the hospital. He currently shows no signs of movement whatsoever.

On November 5, at Korakuen Hall, Hayabusa was stripped of the FMW Six-Man Tag Team Titles and Tag Team Titles. Tomokazu Morita was brought in to play a new Hayabusa, who dressed like him, acted like him, and wrestled like him, but he'd never be the same as the original Hayabusa. Mr. Gannosuke addressed the FMW fans, stating that Hayabusa'd want them to continue to support FMW, and that he believes, deep down in his heart, that Hayabusa will not only walk, but fly, again.

So, that's the end of the Hayabusa vs. Mr. Gannosuke feud. It'll be remembered for the emotion and real-life association involved (as the two were real-life childhood friends). They never put on ***** matches (like Hayabusa and Masato Tanaka), but the emotion that was incorporated into their feud will instead be for what it is remembered for. Tragically, Hayabusa was seriously injured and the feud could come to an obvious end. However, it did see great moments, including Shawn Michaels making a shocking appearance in FMW. God bless, you, Eiji Ezaki (Hayabusa).

Who knows? Maybe he will walk again. Maybe he will fly again. I sure hope he does both. :)

One-On-one Match Results:

FINAL TALLY: H: 5 wins; Gannosuke: 2 wins
WINNER: H

Tag Team Match Results:

FINAL TALLY: H: 11 wins; Gannosuke: 5 wins
WINNER: H

Other Match Results:

FINAL TALLY: H: 2 wins; Gannosuke: 0 wins

FINAL TALLY: Hayabusa: 18 wins; Mr. Gannosuke: 7 wins
UNDISPUTED WINNER of the HAYABUSA vs. Mr. GANNOSUKE feud: Hayabusa

 

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