ALL JAPAN WOMEN KORAKUEN HALL 6/21/92 COMMERCIAL TAPE
Running Time: 2 hours 55 minutes
All Japan Women produced many great Korakuen Hall shows from 1992-1995, and this is no exception. In fact, this event may have been one of the greatest events in Korakuen Hall history. While the first three matches range from standard to better then average work for opener standards, the last four matches are all excellent, with the final match being an all-time classic. This was one of many events that showcased the talent depth of All Japan Women at this time. While many of their greatest events were inperpromotional shows with great workers from other groups, this tape includes no workers from outside groups. Each of the last four matches had something distinct to offer. Hasegawa vs Yoshida was a long, grueling, breakout performance that established the two women as future stars. Kong vs Kimura was just a brutal, intense match between two of the great villains of AJW and tag team partners to boot. The Inoues vs Nakano and Hokuto featured the typical great AJW workrate and intensity. Toyota vs Yamada was a great display of skill and athleticism mixed with outstanding workrate and drama. Perhaps my favorite AJW Korakuen Hall tape of a non-major event.
1. Akemi Torisu & Saemi Numata vs Bat Yoshinaga & Tomoko Watanabe
Yoshinaga and Watanabe dominated Numata early. Torisu used moves such as a half crab on Watanabe. Yoshinaga scored with some solid kicks. Numata tagged in but was completely dominated by her opponents for a few minutes. Torisu gained a near fall on Watanabe after a backdrop. Yoshinaga got the better of Torisu with her kicks. Yoshinaga gained a couple near falls on Torisu. Watanabe dominated Torisu with moves such as judo tosses. Torisu fought back with a lariat on Watanabe. Yoshinaga gained a near fall on Torisu with a top rope dropkick. Watanabe gained a near fall on Numata with a flying bodypress. Watanabe pinned Numata at 13:20 with a powerslam. Just a standard opener, with Yoshinaga and Watanabe looking far more advanced than their opponents. *3/4
2. Suzuka Minami, Cynthia Moreno & Rie Tamada vs Yumiko Hotta, Miori Kamiya & Kaoru Ito
Solid work early with Moreno being dominated for the most part. Kamiya also looked sharp early on although not spectacular. Hotta and Minami generated good heat against each other as well as good work. Moreno gained a near fall on Hotta with a huracanrana. Ito got the better of Moreno but Moreno held her own against Kamiya. Tamada threw a bunch of dropkicks at Kamiya and gained a near fall. Hotta piledrove Tamada for a near fall. Minami gained a near fall on Ito with a pair of backbreakers. Ito fought back against Moreno with a couple hip attacks for a near fall. Kamiya gained a couple near falls on Moreno and gained a near fall on Minami with a double arm suplex. Ito hit a second rope hip attack on Minami. Minami missed a top rope senton on Ito but knocked Kamiya off the top rope to the floor with a dropkick. Kamiya coutered a Minami German suplex with a rollup for a near fall. Kamiya gained a near fall on Minami after Ito gave her a top rope foot stomp. Hotta gained a near fall on Minami with a spin kick and another with a top rope spin kick. Minami pinned Hotta at 13:04 with a powerbomb. A good match with most of the wrestlers contributing well. **3/4
3. Debbie Malenko & Mima Shimoda vs Terri Power & Etsuko Mita
Malenko got the better of Power on the mat early. Power fought back and powerslammed Malenko but Malenko then gave her a tilt-a-whirl headscissors. Power elbowsmashed Malenko for a near fall. Mita worked on Malenko’s right arm. Power gained a near fall on Malenko with a gut wrench suplex. Shimoda looked strong against Mita, including gaining a near fall with a flying bodypress. Malenko worked on Mita’s left leg but Mita fought back and gained a near fall. Malenko went to throw Power over the top rope but Power held on and took Malenko with her using a headscissors. Mita hit both opponents with a chair. Power fought back against Shimoda and Mita vertical suplexed her for a near fall. Malenko applied a half crab on Mita but Power intervened. Power gained a near fall on Malenko with a powerslam. Malenko gave Mita an Ace crusher. Power gained a near fall on Shimoda with a decent huracanrana and another with a gut wrench suplex. Malenko moved so Power accidentally gave Mita a top rope clothesline. Malenko gave Mita another Ace crusher. Malenko and Mita botched what looked like a northern lights suplex spot. Malenko applied an STF on Mita and made her submit at 14:53/ Solid match, but bland. Mita and Shimoda didn’t get a chance to shine. **1/4
4. Japan Grand Prix ’92 Match: Sakie Hasegawa vs Mariko Yoshida
Hasegawa scored with a mule kick at the bell but Yoshida quickly fought back. Hasegawa attacked Yoshida’s left arm early. Yoshida fought back and worked on Hasegawa’s legs for a stretch. Yoshida gained a near fall with a double arm suplex after which she went back to working on Hasegawa’s right leg. Hasegawa fought back and applied an ankle lock of her own. Hasegawa gave Yoshida a double arm suplex into something of a double chicken wing submission. Hasegawa gained a near fall with a bulldog after which she applied an armbar on Yoshida’s left arm. She gained a near fall with a double arm suplex. Yoshida fought back but missed a tope suicida. Hasegawa hit a couple spinning savate kicks for a near fall. Yoshida backdropped Hasegawa out of the ring and hit a second rope flying bodypress to the floor. Yoshida hit a running top rope dropkick for a near fall and a cradle suplex for another near fall. Yoshida briefly slowed the pace down and continued to dominate Hasegawa as the pace quickened. Yoshida went for a handspring elbow but Hasegawa met her with a superkick. Hasegawa scored with a bunch of spinning superkicks including one off the second rope for a heated near fall. Hasegawa gained a near fall with a back suplex and another with a belly to belly suplex. Hasegawa went back to working on Yoshida’s left arm near the 17 minute mark. Hasegawa superkicked Yoshida out of the ring and hit a plancha. Hasegawa landed a bunch of kicks and gained a near fall before applying an armbar. Yoshida gained a couple near falls from the mount position. Yoshida landed five dropkicks and a second rope dropkick. Yoshida gained a near fall with a sunset flip. Yoshida applied a version of the octopus on Hasegawa and then gained a near fall. Yoshida applied a half crab on Hasegawa’s right leg at 22:10 and then applied a figure 4 leglock. Hasegawa gained a near fall with a superplex. Hasegawa hit a pair of impressive second rope spinning superkicks and a cradle suplex for a near fall. Yoshida hit a running top rope flying bodypress but Hasegawa reversed her momentum and gained a near fall. Hasegawa missed a superkick but Yoshida also missed a dropkick. Yoshida gained a near fall with a DDT but Yoshida crashed onto Hasegawa’s knees in going for a top rope splash. Hasegawa gained a near fall with a back suplex. Hasegawa hit a spinning superkick but Yoshida responded with a dropkick. Yoshida gained a near fall with a victory roll and Hasegawa gained a near fall with a German suplex. Yoshida gained a near fall with a German suplex and another with a backslide. Yoshida gained a near fall with a top rope splash before time expired at 30:00. An excellent match that was arguably the breakout performance for both women. ****
5. Japan Grand Prix ’92 Match: Aja Kong vs Bison Kimura
Kong won a slapfest at the start. Kong and Kimura showed great intensity in exchanging offense early. Kong appeared to bust Kimura open with a legitimately hard hitting headbutt. Kong applied a camel clutch as she continued to dominate Kimura. Kong took the fight outside the ring and hit Kimura with a chair but Kimura fought back with some chairshots of her own. Kong piledrove Kimura three times and pounded her repeatedly for a near fall. Kong landed a couple stiff kicks and gained another near fall. Kong slowed the pace down and used a couple submission holds. Kimura rolled up Kong for a near fall. Kong gained a near fall with an elbowsmash. Kimura fought back with a series of chops and took the fight outside the ring. Kimura hit Kong with a chair and brawled with her into the crowd. Kimura attacked Kong as she returned to the ring and scored with a few blazing chops. Kimura gained a near fall with a suplex and another with a German suplex. Kong barreled through Kimura and gained a near fall. Kong gained a near fall with a back suplex. Kimura fought back and went for an STF but Kong reached the ropes. Kimura missed a blazing chop and Kong tackled her. Kimura hit a top rope headbutt for a near fall as Kong clutched her left shoulder. Kimura jumped off the top rope but Kong met her with a kick. Kong applied a Fujiwara armbar for a lengthy period of time. Kong gave Kimura a northern lights suplex and applied a cross armbreaker. Kimura fought back with a chop but Kong scored with an uraken for a near fall. Kong chokeslammed Kimura and made her submit at 16:30 with a cross armbreaker. Just a brutal and often dramatic match. Kong carried Kimura to one of the best singles matches of her career. ****1/4
6. Kyoko & Takako Inoue vs Bull Nakano & Akira Hokuto
Hokuto gained a near fall on Kyoko after two short piledrivers. Nakano dominated Takako early and legdropped her for a near fall. Hokuto back suplexed Takako for a near fall. Hokuto gave Takako two spin kicks and a top rope dropkick. Hokuto continued to dominate Takako, occasionally in heelish fashion. Nakano gained a couple near falls on Takako and then locked her in a camel clutch. Nakano gained a near fall on Takako with a piledriver. Takako fought back with a back suplex on Hokuto. Kyoko jumped off the second rope with an elbow on Hokuto and gave her a running top rope elbow for a near fall. Kyoko worked on Hokuto’s right leg and applied a Romero special. Kyoko gave Hokuto a top rope dropkick and Takako gained a near fall. Hokuto fought back with a couple blazing chops on Takako. Nakano threw Takako into a sea of chairs at ringside. A 4 way brawl took place at ringside with Nakano and Hokuto coming out on top. Nakano clotheslined Kyoko on the top rope three times, knocking her to the floor with the third one. Nakano powerbombed Kyoko for a near fall and gained another near fall with a lariat. Hokuto German suplexed Kyoko for a near fall. Kyoko superplexed Hokuto for a near fall. Nakano gave Kyoko a lariat but missed a legdrop and Kyoko gave her an alleycopter for a near fall. Nakano gained a near fall on Kyoko with a northern lights suplex. Hokuto caught Kyoko on the top rope but Takako intercepted Hokuto and dropped her to the mat. Hokuto German suplexed Takako and Nakano powerbombed her for a near fall. Another four way brawl took place at ringside. Kyoko gave Hokuto a released German suplex and Takako gained a near fall. Kyoko gained a near fall on Hokuto with a Niagara driver. Hokuto hit a flip plancha on both Inoues and gave Kyoko a DQ bomb in the ring for a near fall. Nakano gave Kyoko a top rope legdrop and pinned her at 16:20. Another great match with great spots and intensity. ****
7. Japan Grand Prix ’92 Match: Manami Toyota vs Toshiyo Yamada
This was another classic between these two tag team partners and nearly as good as their more legendary match two months later. Actually, the technical wrestling was just as good here although the overall match was not as spectacular. The match began fast with a rolling cradle by Toyota. Toyota was dominant until Yamada gave her a series of stiff kicks. Yamada was dominant with her kicks and matwork, although Toyota herself was stronger than usual on the mat. The action briefly spilled outside the ring. Toyota gained a couple near falls before Yamada mounted a comeback with her kicks. Toyota missed a top rope plancha and Yamada gave her a spinning kick off the apron. The two started trading near falls back and forth. Yamada hit a belly to belly superplex and top rope spin kick for a near fall. Toyota scored a near fall with an in-ring quebrada and another with a standard moonsault. Yamada used a sharpshooter and a figure four leglock to try to gain a submission win. Yamada kicked the stuffing out of Toyota again. Yamada scored a near fall with a back suplex and gained another after two additional back suplexes. She gained a great near fall with a tequila sunrise suplex. Toyota then gained near falls with a pair of German suplexes. Toyota hit her superquebrada on Yamada at 23:50. The two traded German suplex variations for near falls. Yamada scored a dramatic near fall after two top rope spin kicks. Toyota gained a near fall with a double underhook suplex off the ropes before scoring the pin with an ocean cyclone suplex at 26:19. Great wrestling from start to finish. The factor that prevented this from being an epic was that the near falls didn't become dramatic or have good heat until fairly late in the match, whereas the near falls with heat began halfway through their 8/15/92 match. That said, this was still a true classic. *****
BACK TO MY VIDEO REVIEWS MENU
HOME