Michinoku Pro: 20th September 2008

A quick one on matches from last month's M-Pro TV show that the fantastic desudesu uploaded on the DVDVR forums.

First up, Kagetora, Rasse and Shinjitsu Nohashi vs. Takeshi Minaminno, Ken45° and Maguro Ooma. I didn't really get much out of this. Rudo beatdown, followed by moves (spelt MOVES). It thought it lacked any real direction.

Next up, Great Sasuke, Jinsei Shinzaki and Ultimo Dragon vs. Fujita Jr. Hayato, Shu Sato and Kei Sato. How long are these introductions? I've skipped through five minutes and the match still hasn't started. Haven't seen Ultimo since his WWE run a few years back. I know the Satos from El Dorado - they look ridiculous. This is my first time watching Hayato. Some fans are sat on a taupaulin. I really want a cup of tea. Oh, the match has started. The match was unremarkable - to the extent that I am actually struggling to think of any worthwhile remarks. Sasuke gets beaten down, technicos come back and do some of their stuff. Fujita does some nice strikes, and Ultimo pulls out a nice lucha submission.

The main event was Yoshitsune vs. Osaka Pro's Tigers Mask. This was enjoyable - Yoshitsune is a bit limited in that he is an incredible flyer, but doesn't have a huge amount else. Tigers is a bit more grounded, and I usually like highflying juniors versus more suplexing and striking junior matches. The no hands tope con giro was amazing - hit at full speed and looking nearly out of control. There was actually a bit of psychology to this - Yoshitsune was working over the upper body of Tigers Mask throughout the match, but I didn't pick up on it until the finishing sequence: tilt a whirl chestbuster, then top rope running dropkick to chest, then shooting star knees to chest is a lot of violence-on-chest action. Not quite on the same level as Tigers vs. Black Buffalo from February, but good none the less.

I have a weird relationship with Michinoku Pro - I often toy with the idea of watching a whole batch, but never quite decide to do it. It has a lot of charm - not hugely serious, and definitely not turning out loads of great matches, but with a focus on producing fun matches. I could go for more of that.