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[1995-04-02-Weekly Pro Wrestling] Shinya Hashimoto vs Masa Chono


PeteF3

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Few guys have undergone a more beneficial transformation during this time period than Chono. Only Doc's transition from tag wrestler to singles star compares, but Chono's career was in worse shape than Doc's. This starts off great, with Hash psychotically kicking Chono to death in the corner and abusing Tiger Hattori in the process, with Chono having to fight back just as hard. But then this just dies, with a lot of meandering and punch-kickery. Chono is charismatic in this role but this really feels like a WWF or AAA-style New Japan match. Lots of playing to the crowd between moves clubbering, and Hash does an unconvincing Hulk-Up routine. The crowd seems really restless, too. Hiro Saito's interference isn't appreciated, either. This has the attempt of an intense no-frills war, but it comes off about 1/3 as convincing as a Hash/Tenryu match would be in this setting. This isn't a BAD match, but it seems these guys expected to just walk in and have a really good match, instead of doing anything particularly special as befitting either this setting or this feud. It's just another routine Hash title defense with a routine layout and routine finish. Reaction to this match was negative enough--to say nothing of the the realization that AJPW had outclassed them in their own backyard--that NJPW basically pulled their support for this show as soon as it was over. So no home video release, no sequels (even though Mutoh was supposedly willing to put Misawa over in a singles dream match had they run this again in '96), or anything else. Too bad, because this show ultimately did live up to its hype, providing a little something for every wrestling fan without overstaying its welcome the way Big Egg did.

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  • GSR changed the title to [1995-04-02-Weekly Pro Wrestling] Shinya Hashimoto vs Masa Chono
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Super gritty match built around selling as is Hashimotos trademark. The layout was similiar to Hashimoto/Kawada, with Hashimoto having a bad leg and Chono having a bad shoulder. We get a hot opening exchange and this is really brutal from the get go. Hashimotos selling is so great that a simple kick from Chono to his leg immediately lets you know his vulnerability. Chono countering the DDT was pretty nice, other than that he was really average here and the main thing preventing the match from being GREAT. Hashimoto rules though, anytime he chops Chono he hits his shoulder with a thud. He also does the Fujiwara armbar with his legs counter which is double gritty because Hashimoto also flattens Chono with his weight doing that. Hashimoto judo throwing Chono on his injured shoulder was another highlight. It's all unusual, and really hurty looking. Hashimoto hitting the brainbuster with his leg giving out was top notch.

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