Megumi Kudo vs Aja Kong, AJW 12/06/93 Options

[Loss]

Talk about it here.

[Loss]

This was FUCKING GREAT. Absolutely FUCKING GREAT. Kudo wrestles like the Joshi version of Arn Anderson and systematically destroys Kong's arm. In what gets annoying in American matches, but feels cool in Japan because it doesn't happen very often, there's a ref bump, and Kudo gets a visual fall. Kudo's surprise powerbomb from the top rope into a reeaaaaalllly close call was tremendous. This also really had the feel of a world title match because of the pacing being a little slower than normal. I want to make sure I like this because it's as awesome as I think it is, and not just that it stands out because they were doing things not everyone was doing, but my instinct is to call this second to Kong/Kansai as the best Kong match of the year, and also call it a fairly high-end MOTYC, one I think I even liked better than Thunderqueen and the Dreamslam II main event. I'm not sure what the rep is for this match, but it deserves a genuine revisit and evaluation from anyone who hasn't watched it in a long time.

[Loss]

Yeah, chalk some of that instant reaction up to overexcitement over some things you don't normally see in this style being rolled out in this match. This is a great match, probably more so than I've seen it get credit for, but it's a shade below the very best matches of the year. But there are a lot of positives, and I still think this is worth a revisit.

[silverwidow]

In case you're interested, Loss, here's an archived copy of CTC's review of this match/show.

If you enjoyed this, wait 'til you see some of Aja's stellar 1994 stuff when she really hit her peak. The very next month she has possibly the most brutal women's match ever against Hotta.

[MJH]

Possibly...?

But, yeah, this stood out to me similarly. When I got this tape for the first time I knew of the top two matches, and certainly Aja/Kudo looked interesting/good on paper, but after seeing her other 1993 stuff I wasn't sure how good Kudo actually was in '93 (her sunset flip during the crowd brawl at Dream Slam might be the single worst move choice I've ever seen). That there're two matches better than this on this show speaks more for what AJW was doing in 1993 than anything else, and thank God for St. Final because Queendom would've made a very unsatisfying "last big show" for the year. Yet another match that would be a very strong MOTYC in 20-- but in 1993 is probably, what, not even Top 20?

[FLIK]

Kudo wrestles like the Joshi version of Arn Anderson and systematically destroys Kong's arm.

Kudo did a great job of it but that type of thing is a Kong match staple. She hadn't done it THAT many times up to this point before but "Aja throws a ton of urakens so opponent tries to take out her arm" is a story you'll see repeated in a ton of her big matches over the years. Not complaining either as it's always fucking awesome and so many of Aja's opponents have unique ways to go after the arm (submissions, kicks or other strikes, weapons, etc..) that it never becomes repetitive.

but it's a shade below the very best matches of the year

Yeah that's more or less the concensous opinion on this. Almost no one would put it ahead of Dream Slam, Thunderqueen, etc.. but most everyone considers it a great match and one of the better ones of the year.

In case you're interested, Loss, here's an archived copy of CTC's review of this match/show

Fuck, haven't seen Coey's name brought up in forever. That brings back memories, few of them good (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

but after seeing her other 1993 stuff I wasn't sure how good Kudo actually was in '93

It's weird to say this since there are a lot of Kudo fans out thear but she really doesn't get as much credit/respect as she deserves. Both for how big of a star she was for a while and for how talented she was. She didn't get to work as much high end talent as some of her contemporaries so her list of great matches isn't as long as others but i'll take the very best matches Kudo's had over all but a few others out thear.

Yet another match that would be a very strong MOTYC in 20-- but in 1993 is probably, what, not even Top 20?

In general you mean? For just joshi i'd say this is an easy top 20.

[MJH]

Yes, I meant overall. Even for joshi, though, it's towards the bottom of the top 20 in 1993.

[FLIK]

Even for joshi, though, it's towards the bottom of the top 20 in 1993.

Makes me really want to hurry up and finish my 92 joshi watching so I can move on to re-watching all this 93 & checking out the little i've never caught.
For me personally based off memory i'd have it low top 10, high top 20 though. But eh, like you said, really all just speaks to how strong a year it was.