THE MOSS COVERED THREE HANDLED FAMILY CREDENZA

ARTICLE #46
JULY 22, 2002

Akira Hokuto: The Dangerous Queen Classics

Recently, Akira Hokuto finally ended a career that spanned nearly 17 years, capping one of the longest and most distinguished in-ring runs of any female wrestler. She was one of the most amazing performers in wrestling history on several levels. As a worker, she was extremely gifted athletically, and became known as one of the better ring generals in joshi puroresu with her command of ring psychology and drama. She was also one of the hardest and grittiest workers in wrestling history, often working with severe injuries and virtually numbed by pain killers just so she could perform. Hokuto became known as the "Dangerous Queen" in the early 1990s, as her in-ring work reached its peak. This article takes a look at some of the best matches and performances of Akira Hokuto's career.

WWWA World Championship: Bull Nakano (champion) vs Akira Hokuto (challenger) 1/4/91

This was a great match that showcased the strengths of both women. Hokuto was a year shy of her peak while Nakano was just reaching her peak despite weighing around 230 pounds. Hokuto started fast with a German suplex and a piledriver. Nakano took over as the action spilled outside the ring. Nakano hit Hokuto with a mallet at ringside. Hokuto came back with a lariat but convincingly lost a slapfest. Nakano dominated Hokuto for the next few minutes with a combination of brawling and submission holds. Hokuto fought back and used a few submission holds of her own although Nakano then regained the advantage. Nakano applied a sharpshooter on Hokuto. Nakano missed a lariat and Hokuto applied a Fujiwara armbar. Hokuto dropkicked Nakano twice and gained a near fall. Hokuto scored another near fall with a piledriver. Hokuto then applied a sleeper on Nakano but Nakano escaped using a couple kicks and regained the advantage. Nakano gained a near fall on Hokuto with a cradle back suplex. Nakano then gave Hokuto a top rope plancha to the floor in a crazy move considering her weight. Nakano then gave Hokuto a top rope legdrop for a dramatic near fall. Nakano piledrove Hokuto but missed another top rope legdrop and Hokuto gained a near fall with a tiger suplex. Hokuto gave Nakano four second rope dropkicks for a great near fall. Nakano caught Hokuto with a DDT and gave her a kick off the second rope. However, Hokuto dropkicked Nakano, sending her to the floor, and then gave her a somersault plancha off the top rope. Nakano tombstoned Hokuto off the second rope and gained a dramatic near fall with a powerbomb. Hokuto then superplexed Nakano for a heated near fall and gained another near fall with her northern lights bomb. Nakano gave Hokuto a back suplex and scored the pin at 18:32 to retain the title. The final six minutes were particularly super. ****1/2

IWA World Title: Kyoko Inoue (champion) vs Akira Hokuto 1/4/92

An excellent match and in some ways similar to their Dream Rush Match, but this effort was better with more action and stronger pacing. The two traded the advantage early in simple spots designed to display their athleticism. Hokuto backdropped Kyoko out of the ring and gave her a plancha. Hokuto focused her attack on Kyoko's leg and gave her a piledriver for a near fall at 4:28. Kyoko dropkicked Hokuto and dominated her for the next couple minutes using submission holds such as a camel clutch and a dragon sleeper. Hokuto turned the tables, gained a near fall, and applied a dragon sleeper of her own on Kyoko. Kyoko gained a near fall with a suplex and applied a cross armbreaker. Hokuto piledrove Kyoko but Kyoko reversed a flying bodypress attempt for a near fall. Kyoko gave Hokuto a fallaway slam out of the ring and dove backwards off the middle rope onto Hokuto. Kyoko hit her running top rope elbow on Hokuto and gained a near fall. She then hooked Hokuto in a sharpshooter at 12:35. Hokuto fought back and gained a near fall after two spin kicks. Hokuto gained another near fall after two top rope dropkicks. Hokuto worked on Kyoko's arms for a couple minutes. Kyoko jumped off the middle rope with a dropkick on Hokuto but missed her runnning top rope elbow. Kyoko recovered and gave Hokuto a giant swing for a near fall. Hokuto German suplexed Kyoko for a near fall at 19:50. Hokuto nailed Kyoko with her flip plancha seconds later. Kyoko gave Hokuto a springboard clothesline for a near fall and gained another near fall with a German suplex. Hokuto gave Kyoko an overhead double arm suplex for a near fall at 22:15. Hokuto then gave Kyoko a tiger driver for a heated near fall and gained another with a powerbomb. At 23:38 Hokuto tiger suplexed Kyoko for a near fall and followed up with a somersault dive off the top rope. Kyoko sidestepped a second flip dive and gave Hokuto a giant swing with her legs in a Texas cloverleaf lock. Kyoko then powerbombed Hokuto and scored the pin at 24:56 to retain the title. ****3/4

AJW All-Pacific Title: Akira Hokuto (c) vs Kyoko Inoue 11/26/92

Not as intense or as fast-paced as one would expect but otherwise a tremendous match. The match started slow until Hokuto hit a captured back suplex. Kyoko gave Hokuto an impressive 33 revolution giant swing. Kyoko then focused her attack on Hokuto�s back using moves such as a Romero special and a camel clutch. Hokuto piledrove Kyoko and gained an early near fall before applying a camel clutch. Hokuto then applied a sharpshooter on Kyoko at 9:00. Kyoko briefly broke the hold but Hokuto quickly reapplied it. Kyoko gave Hokuto a jumping dropkick off the second rope inside the ring. Kyoko dropkicked Hokuto and applied a unique backbreaker submission hold. Kyoko also briefly used a half crab. Hokuto countered a back suplex attempt and gave Kyoko several knees to the head followed by a spin kick as crowd heat picked up. Hokuto nailed a second spin kick for a near fall. Hokuto then locked Kyoko in a sleeper. Kyoko slammed Hokuto off the top rope but Hokuto fought back and knocked Kyoko to the floor. Hokuto gave Kyoko a plancha and dropkicked her off the apron into the barricade. She then hit her flip plancha off the top rope. Hokuto gained a near fall after a top rope dropkick. Kyoko attempted a German suplex but Hokuto countered and rolled up Kyoko for a near fall. Kyoko gained a near fall with a German suplex and another with her running top rope elbow. Hokuto went for her DQ bomb but Kyoko countered with a small package for a near fall. Hokuto finally gave Kyoko her DQ bomb and pinned her at 22:19. The last 8 minutes made the match a classic. ****1/2

4/2/93: Akira Hokuto vs Shinobu Kandori

Hokuto punched Kandori, who fell in a heap. Hokuto grabbed a mic and taunted Kandori. Hokuto went after Kandori with a ton of slaps but Kandori fought back with a slap and a clothesline. Kandori applied an armbar and Hokuto sold huge an injury to her arm. Hokuto was tended to at ringside. Kandori attacked Hokuto as she reentered the ring and shoved her back out of the ring. Kandori landed a ton of forearms in the corner but Hokuto fought back with some slaps and kneed Kandori in the head. Hokuto landed a kick but Kandori caught her leg and went for an ankle lock but Hokuto reached the ropes. Hokuto kicked Kandori and knocked her out of the ring. Kandori caught Hokuto on the second rope and knocked her back into the ring. Kandori slammed Hokuto and went for a cross armbreaker but Hokuto blocked it. Kandori kicked Hokuto and went back to attacking her left arm. Hokuto applied an armbreaker of her own but Kandori reached the ropes. Hokuto took the fight out of the ring and rammed Kandori into a ringside table. Hokuto attempted a tombstone but Kandori countered and tombstoned Hokuto on the table, which didn�t budge. Kandori attacked Hokuto, who began to bleed really heavily. Kandori punched Hokuto twice and punted her head. Hokuto caught Kandori and punched her. Hokuto took the fight out of the ring and into the crowd. She rammed Kandori into some chairs and a barricade. Kandori began to bleed as well, but not nearly as bad as Hokuto. Hokuto attacked Kandori in heelish fashion after they returned to the ring and gave her a high kick. Hokuto landed two more high kicks but Kandori blocked a spin kick and shoved Hokuto to the mat. Kandori then attacked Hokuto in heelish fashion. She went to suplex Hokuto but instead threw her clear out of the ring. Kandori hit a tope on Hokuto. Kandori back suplexed Hokuto although Hokuto fought the move and reduced its effectiveness. Kandori went for an armbreaker but Hokuto fought it like hell and reached the ropes. Hokuto piledrove Kandori and gave her a sharp spinning kick. Hokuto missed a second spin kick and Kandori went for a leglock but Hokuto reached the ropes. Kandori DDTd Hokuto for a near fall and applied an armbar/headscissors combo. Hokuto escaped and countered with a half crab. Kandori quickly reversed the hold with a half crab of her own but Hokuto reached the ropes. Kandori landed a couple punches but Hokuto fought back and suplexed her for a near fall. Hokuto slammed Kandori and hit a top rope splash. Hokuto went for a second top rope splash but crashed onto Kandori�s knees. Kandori powerbombed Hokuto for a near fall. Kandori jumped off the top rope but Hokuto moved and threw her to the mat. Hokuto dragon suplexed Kandori for a near fall. Kandori caught Hokuto on the top rope and gave her what could only be described as a swinging neck hold into a sleeper. Hokuto escaped but Kandori applied somewhat of a crossface chicken wing. Hokuto finally reached the ropes a minute later. Kandori attempted a powerbomb but Hokuto countered with a huracanrana, although Kandori gripped her arm with her own legs. Hokuto kicked Kandori and powerbombed her for a near fall. Hokuto spin kicked Kandori against the ropes, knocking her to ringside. Hokuto then hit a great somersault plancha on Kandori. Hokuto followed with a top rope dropkick to the floor on Kandori, and hurt herself in the process as well. Hokuto picked up Kandori but Kandori went for an armbreaker, which Hokuto fought like hell again and reached the ropes just as Kandori applied a cross armbreaker. After some maneuvering around attacking Hokuto�s arm, Kandori gave her a tiger driver for a near fall. Kandori landed a couple slaps but Hokuto caught her and back suplexed her for a near fall. Hokuto gave Kandori a northern lights bomb for a very dramatic near fall as everyone in attendance thought that was the finish. Kandori countered a second northern lights bomb with a northern lights bomb of her own for a super near fall. Nifty counter. After both women struggled to their feet, Hokuto punched Kandori, who fell to the mat like a giant redwood. Kandori landed a punch of her own. Both women went for punches but Hokuto hit Kandori first and pinned her at 30:27. You will never see a single punch mean so much ever again. Forget about the finish�s description, because words alone can�t do it justice. To me, it was emblematic of the entire match, because every move, every movement and every single expression meant something and contributed to the drama of the match. Both women have distinct movesets, but their signature moves took a back seat to the main focus, which was their hatred for each other. Sure they used them, but mainly down the stretch to set up the finish. The exception was Kandori�s array of arm-oriented submission holds, which were used, countered, teased and sold to perfection throughout the match. I loved the opening, where Hokuto punched Kandori and taunted her on the mic. It was like the hero firing the first shot of a long and brutal war. Then Kandori injured Hokuto�s arm, and it became a matter of desperation for Hokuto to avoid an arm attack at all costs. When Kandori tombstoned Hokuto on the table and laid the groundwork for a legendary juice job, Hokuto struggled to recover but it seemed to awaken something in her, and she went ballistic on Kandori, taking the fight all over the floor of Yokohama Arena. They settled into the second half into a more conventional struggle back and forth, but with so much more drama than usual. By the time they started the near falls, each one meant something because neither had attempted shallow or meaningless pins earlier in the match. Both women sold nearly every move to perfection, knowing when and how to fall, tumble or collapse in response to each other�s offense. Indeed this was an epic, with some characteristics of but much better than the legendary Bret Hart-Steve Austin Wrestlemania 13 bloody classic, and almost like the women�s version of Misawa vs Kawada for drama and perfection in the ring. Whether or not it�s the best women�s match ever is very debatable, and I definitely don�t think it is, but I�ve just been convinced this has to be the most dramatic women�s match ever. *****

Akira Hokuto (AJW) & Shinobu Kandori (LLPW) vs Aja Kong & Bull Nakano 3/27/94

In the year preceding this match, Hokuto and Kandori had been bitter enemies having had two classic and brutal matches against one another. As Hokuto bickered with Kandori, she was German suplexed by Kong. Hokuto was dominated during the opening minute. Hokuto tagged Kandori rough to play up the tension between then. Kandori tagged Hokuto by slapping her, but before they could come to blows their opponents attacked them and dominated then in wild outside-the-ring action, including the use of a table and a piece of the ringside barricade. Back in the ring Hokuto was dominated by Kong and Nakano until she caught Nakano with a piledriver. Kandori tagged in at 8:41 by kicking at Hokuto. Kandori's main move early on was an armlock on Nakano which generated good heat. Kandori and Hokuto did a great job playing their underdog roles while also showing their toughness. Hokuto shockingly won a slapfest with Kong at 15:30 and then piledrove Kong on the announcer's table as Kandori brawled with Nakano back towards the entrance. Kong and Nakano eventually got the better of their opponents outside the ring. At 17:50 Kandori did not seem to care that Hokuto was in trouble. Nakano dominated Hokuto for a few minutes with moves such as a sharpshooter until Hokuto trapped Nakano upside down in the ropes at 22:05. Kandori picked up where Hokuto left off on Nakano and gained a couple near falls on her. In a cool spot, Kandori had a cross-armbreaker on Kong, Nakano tried to hit Kandori with a top rope legdrop, but Kandori sat up and Hokuto trapped Nakano in a submission hold of her own. Hokuto then picked up where Kandori left off with a cross-armbreaker on Kong, but Nakano then successfully hit Hokuto with a top rope legdrop. Nakano gained near falls on Hokuto with a powerbomb and with a piledriver-like move except she held Hokuto in back of her. Nakano gained a near fall on Hokuto with a top rope legdrop. Kong gained a couple near falls on Hokuto before Kandori tagged in. Kandori was double-temaed by Kong and Nakano in brutal fashion and Kong gained a dramatic near fall. Kandori briefly held Kong in a sleeper amidst great heat. Nakano missed a tope suicida on Kandori, who sidestepped her. In another cool spot Nakano went for a double lariat on both opponents but Kandori caught her with an armbar and Hokuto tied her up on the other side with an STF, although Kong quickly broke them up. After more great action Hokuto gained a dramatic near fall on Kong with a DQ bomb and another with a second DQ bomb. At 35:13, Hokuto gave Kong a third DQ bomb and pinned her. Afterwards, Kandori slapped Hokuto's hand in a begrudging sign of respect. A super match, best of the event. Great in terms of action, but not quite an all-time classic in that category. As a story match, however, it was at least entertaining, at most times compelling and exciting, and at times phenominal. Very effective an memorable. ****3/4

Tag Team Elimination Match: Aja Kong & Akira Hokuto vs Dynamite Kansai (JWP) & Yumiko Hotta 8/24/94

This was one of the matches in Hokuto's final countdown, an aborted retirement series. A great match with all the moves, heat and drama you could expect. Kansai and Kong began with the expected stiff exchange. Hotta kicked the stuffing out of Hokuto early on. Kong pounded Hotta with a multitude of slaps, headbutts and kicks. Hotta was briefly dominated by both opponents. Kansai's kicks on Kong looked sharp. Hotta came off the top rope with a spin kick on Kong. Hokuto saw little action in the first several minutes except for brief cameos, but the other three carried the action very well. Hotta piledrove Kong for a near fall. Hokuto came in and was back suplexed by Kansai. Kong piledrove Hotta for a near fall and gained another with a powerslam. Kong gave Hotta a second rope splash for a near fall that the fans popped for. Kong missed a top rope elbow but came back and back suplexed Kansai twice for a near fall. Hokuto powerbombed Kansai for a near fall. With Kong's help, she gave both Hotta and Kansai a flip plancha off the top rope. Kong superplexed Hokuto onto Kansai and gave Kansai a second rope elbow for a dramatic near fall. Kansai kicked Kong in the head and Kong went down for the 10 count to be eliminated. Hokuto was dominated, including Kansai back suplexing her for a near fall. Hotta German superplexed Hokuto for a great near fall. Hokuto doctor bombed Hotta for a near fall. After more near falls and exchanges, Hokuto gave Hotta her DQ bomb and pinned her to eliminate her, leaving herself and Kansai in the match. Hokuto briefly dominated the action until Kansai lariated her. Hokuto gained a near fall with a German suplex but Kansai then piledrove her. Hokuto top rope dropkicked Kansai for a great near fall. Kansai gave Hokuto a splash mountain for a dramatic near fall and scored the pin at 24:47 after a second one. Super match with all four showing their strengths. ****1/2

9/2/95: Akira Hokuto vs Manami Toyota

Hokuto attacked Toyota before the bell and hit a somersault plancha. The bell rang and Hokuto immediately back suplexed Toyota. Toyota dumped Hokuto to the apron and hit a second rope dropkick in the ring. Toyota went for a springboard plancha but Hokuto jumped to the apron and knocked her off the top rope back into the ring. Toyota kicked Hokuto off the top rope to the floor and hit a top rope dropkick onto Hokuto at ringside. Hokuto gave Toyota a northern lights suplex and applied a dragon sleeper briefly. Hokuto slapped and paintbrushed Toyota. Hokuto applied a sharpshooter and then an STF on Toyota. Hokuto also hooked Toyota�s arm while maintaining the STF. Hokuto applied a camel clutch and further bent Toyota back by pulling her hair. Hokuto kicked Toyota and applied a modified stretch plum. Toyota leaped to the top rope and hit a cross bodyblock on Hokuto. Toyota dropkicked Hokuto and gave her some kicks including a couple to her leg. Toyota dropkicked Hokuto in the corner twice and gave her a double arm suplex for a near fall. Toyota slapped Hokuto around and gave her a hairmare. Toyota missed a clothesline and Hokuto dropped her on her head with a released German suplex. Hokuto gave Toyota what started like an inverted suplex but ended as an inverted brainbuster. Hokuto applied a sharpshooter in the middle of the ring and gripped Toyota�s arm before she could reach the ropes. Hokuto tried to slide under Toyota on a criss cross but Toyota stomped her and gave her a rolling cradle for a near fall. Toyota slammed Hokuto and moonsaulted her for a near fall. Hokuto caught Toyota and went for a powerbomb but Toyota countered with somewhat of a huracanrana for a near fall. Toyota went for her Toyota roll but Hokuto powerbombed her for a near fall. Hokuto then gave Toyota a frankentoyota of her own for a near fall. Toyota fought back with a double arm German suplex for a near fall. Hokuto countered an ocean cyclone suplex and powerbombed Toyota for a near fall. Hokuto gave Toyota a fisherman buster for a near fall as heat picked up. Hokuto applied an armbreaker on Toyota, the same move that Kandori used to injure her arm 2 1/2 years earlier, but Toyota reached the ropes. Hokuto slammed Toyota but Toyota caught her on the top rope. Hokuto kicked Toyota away but missed a top rope dropkick. Hokuto countered an ocean cyclone suplex with a victory roll for a near fall. Toyota slammed Hokuto and went for a moonsault but crashed onto Hokuto�s knees. Toyota blocked a lariat, gripped Hokuto�s hand and gave her a lucha-like armdrag off the second rope. Toyota then gave Hokuto an ocean cyclone suplex for a heated near fall. Toyota took the fight to ringside and grabbed a table. Toyota slammed Hokuto onto the table and then gave her a top rope splash to ringside, and the table didn�t budge. Toyota went for a springboard somersault plancha but Hokuto moved and Toyota took a huge Shawn Michaels-esque bump on the floor. Hokuto then powerbombed Toyota on another table at ringside. Hokuto placed the table closer to the ring and powerbombed Toyota on the table again. Hokuto gave Toyota a top rope senton onto the table at ringside. Both women sold the damage well as they reentered the ring. Toyota gave Hokuto her own northern lights bomb for a huge pop. She gave Hokuto a second northern lights bomb and pinned her at 20:51. Great finish, as if to say, �Dangerous queen (Hokuto�s nickname), you�re time has ended! I�m the true queen of Zenjo (All Japan Women) now!�. Toyota made a big statement in using Hokuto�s own finisher against her, making sure fans realized how special a match this was. Here you had two of the greatest all-around athletes in women�s wrestling history, and certainly of the past 10 years. For many reasons they had crossed paths before but never feuded after becoming stars. Hokuto was the greatest wrestler to never hold the WWWA world title, and wanted to defeat the recent ex-champion because she knew her time as a star was about to end. But Hokuto fell short, just a little bit short, emblematic of her entire chase of the WWWA title. She had her chances, could defeat any of the champions she faced, but never with the title on the line. As for the match itself, it was a gem, starting hot, then settling down, then getting hotter and more dramatic with every passing minute during the second half. Hokuto knew Toyota was the star to be put over in this match, so she went along with Toyota�s style and adapted to it well while adding just enough psychology and smart pacing to enhance the match. Some might say the table spots near the end weren�t necessary, but they gave the match a special feel and weren�t really out of place because Toyota had used tables before in her matches. Toyota looked sharp, hitting almost all of her spots perfectly and blowing none. This is the last classic Hokuto match I�ve seen, but I need to get my hands on Hokuto-Satomura from 4/2001, which sounded like another gem. ****3/4

Next Issue: Toryumon: The Early Classics

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