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[1994-10-22-RINGS] Volk Han vs Andrei Kopylov


PeteF3

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Previously on PWO:

 

This was really good. It's a little weird seeing someone not tap immediately to a cross arm breaker but if you can get past that, this match was terrific. I actually liked this more than their match from 7/92 which I believe made the 1992 yearbook. This was a little shorter and faster paced, had better submissions and counters, and a sweet surprise finish. Very satisfying shoot-style match.

 

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Little shocked this wasn't included on the yearbook. Some of the coolest stuff I've seen from the russian shooters. This was not just a showcase for cool mat stuff (as much as I love cool mat stuff) this was a wild fight that told a story. It was all about Kopylov's explosive power vs. all the things that make Volk Han Volk Han. Kopylov was really just tossing Han around and at one point even did that 70s spot where he body slams him while in an armlock, except he just dumped Volk right on his face. Volk was his usual self but in a desperate mode as he was really using all his quickness and at times seemed to go straight for dislocating Kopylov's shoulder. Match had lots of almost pro style spots like Kopylov riling up the crowd after Han goes to his back as if doing a Zbyszko stall. Finish is suitably brilliant with Han finally avoiding another deadlift. Match was as sharp an exciting as the best New Japan matches from this period, and peppered with all the awesome mat stuff you want from your russians.

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  • 1 year later...

It's always a bonus when someone could hang with Volk Han on the mat. Not strictly necessary mind you, as the great man could basically wrestle himself. Kopylov was a skilled technician and the two of them tied each other in knots. Highly innovative as you never knew which hold was coming next, or even what that hold was called when it arrived. They went at it hard and fast in the early going before slowing the pace as they tired. Certainly didn't outstay its welcome as Kopylov secures the upset victory.

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  • GSR changed the title to [1994-10-22-RINGS] Volk Han vs Andrei Kopylov

Really good brutal match-up and definitely the best Kopylov has looked in 1994 behind the Yamamoto match. It's nice to see Han returning to aggressive form and he just lays into Kopylov throughout the match. Kopylov's strategy throughout is to get Han off of him as quickly as possible, whether that's a slam or a throw or countering Han's own elaborate attempt. Kopylov's selling of the arm is subtle but nice as they go after each other's arms with holds. Loved Han's standing armbar>armbreaker. At some point, Han gets bloodied with a shot and gets pissed off. Neat finish with Han using a cool wristlocktakedown into the armbar and Kopylov's resiliency awarding him the upset victory. 

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  • 3 years later...

The story was Volk's striking and craftiness with submissions vs. Kopylov's power.  Volk was all over Kopylov with strikes whenever they were on the feet, causing Kopylov to keep the fight close.  Volk got the better of Kopylov early with a kneebar, causing the first ropebreak of the bout.  After this, Kopylov seemed to realize that his strength was the difference and would just power his way out of Volk's submission attempts.  There were a few times where Volk would go for a submission and Kopylov would reverse it into his own sub attempt, causing Volk to go for the ropes.  This happened again at the finish, Volk attempted an armbar but Kopylov forced his way out, tying Volk up into a knot.  Volk was so tied up in his own limbs he couldn't get to the ropes and had to tap.  Kopylov showed a surprising amount of joy with the win, somewhat uncommon for the usually stoic Russian people.

 

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