The Double Feature: Genichiro Tenryu
Two very different matches from one of Japanese Wrestling Greats
This will be a new section of the blog, this one doesn´t follow an schedule because sometimes I have enough free time to write two or three write ups per week and sometimes I might even have troubles on reviewing Dynamite (The most important thing I write in this space) because I´m still in Uni. But enough of introductions, let´s get into the matter.
Genichiro Tenryu vs KENTA
KENTA in the 2000s is one of the most exciting wrestlers in history and Tenryu in the 2000s is maybe the best old man wrestler I have ever seen, KENTA´s bravery on trying to beat one of the most bad ass and stiff wrestlers make the perfect mix of babyface vs heel dynamic with KENTA receiving some of the most insane deliverings of chops, clean punches and brain busters out there.
KENTA´s bumping is sensational and even when Tenryu isn´t as dynamic as before this tough motherfucker sure knows how to deal with scrappy young boys. The hope spots by KENTA using aerial moves to try to knock out the giant wall that is Tenryu were brilliant. Korakuen Hall and every sane person was rooting for KENTA because just by the enormous difference in weight, size and overall years inside the ring the logical and what ended up been reality was a Tenryu win.
Usually after this type of matches the most experienced guy that is usually the winner of the match lifts the hand of the looser, but Tenryu is not that kind of guy, he basically left the ring visibly annoyed that this little piece of shit almost beat him.
My Rating: 4 stars
Genichiro Tenryu vs Satoshi Kojima for the Triple Crown Championship
Tenryu was on one in the early to mid 2000s because a guy at this age shouldn´t be having this hard hitting classics. Kojima is another legend that is a perfect dance partner, basically is other motherfucker that hits really hard and has stiff lariats to deliver every time he is inside of the squared circle.
The beginning of the match was of laying things out as well as some fun interactions like Tenryu throwing a watter bottle to Kojima. A HOT Osaka crowd delivered a fantastic vibe to this match.
The structure to this match is the basics of japanese pro wrestling performed at the highest level. The stiff trademark combos from Tenryu, the lariats from Kojima with the timing been absoultely excellent in the final stretches, the build up to the fighting spirit spots worked getting the almost 6,000 fans to a frenzy when Kojima was refusing to get beaten by the old man.
I usually didn´t searched for AJPW matches post 4 Pillars era because it usually gets a bad rep, but specially Tenryu matches, that is what is more easy to find in youtube for some reason, are spectacular pro wrestling bouts filled with insane charisma of the top stars of Japanes wrestling in the 80´s and 90´s.
My Rating: 4.5 stars
