While the debut GAORA episode mostly focused on the Toryumon kickoff show at Korakuen Hall, this one jumps all over the places throughout the rest of the King of Dragon tour and focuses on a bunch of title matches for vacated belts that were once part of Ultimo Dragon’s J-Crown. It feels more like a compilation tape than a proper Toryumon show, but there’s still a lot of fun wrestling to be found.
Dragon Kid vs. Dr. Cerebro – NWA World Welterweight Title (Vacant)
We’re already kicking off this show with a big upgrade, as the slow lucha ref from the debut show has been replaced by GOAT PRO-WRESTLING REFEREE TED TANABE. A legend among legends. Dr. Cerebro had one of the best masks in wrestling and some absolutely glorious submissions in his arsenal, but even he couldn’t salvage much out of Singles Match Dragon Kid at this stage. DK popped the crowd with some of his wild signature high spots, but until the countout restart, the match lacked direction and chemistry. Similar to the big elimination match from the inaugural show, the botched finish was saved by the heartfelt Sekigun celebration afterwards. Cool moment with Ultimo Dragon looking genuinely happy for his student. **1/2
Dragon Kid © vs. Judo Suwa – NWA World Welterweight Title
Huge step in the right direction here for the Dragon Child. In the long run, Suwa would prove to be one of the ultimate opponents for Kitto and their matches would reach much higher levels, but their chemistry was already on point here. Literally perfect complements for each other, with Suwa providing smart heel work to amplify Dragon Kid’s babyface energy while simultaneously catching all of his uber-complicated high spots and bumping like an absolute maniac to make them look like a million bucks. Even their looks offered a great contrast: DK’s shiny super hero gear clashing with Suwa’s grimey tanktop and teenage wasteland acne. This was the tightest that Dragon Kid looked up to this point, and a lot of it had to do with Suwa being right there. They also made good use of the Crazy MAX interference spots, using the Superbomb/rana counter to launch a big babyface comeback. Dug it. ***
Magnum TOKYO vs. Shiima Nobunaga – IWRG Intercontinental Welterweight Title
Best Toryumon match so far by a mile. These guys had the generational rival spark: you could tell they hated each other’s guts but also worked incredibly well together. Super effective layout with different sections highlighting each guys’ strengths while maintaining a rapid fire pace and high athleticism level. Loved all the Eddie Guerrero-esque boot rakes and slingshot senton action. Magnum also had the most convincing strikes in the company at this point – really appreciating the viciousness of his chops and kicks.
Meanwhile, some of Shiima’s movez experimentation felt a little clunky (although I will forever mark out for the Japanese legroll ASS PUNCH), but his core offense is already over as hell and that closed-fist SUPER VENUS to set-up the avalanche Iconoclasm mega near-fall was an awesome moment. Again, I thought the Crazy MAX interference heel spots fit with the type of match they were going for and enhanced the action instead of derailing it. Might not say the same thing after a few more episodes, but for now it’s working! Big pop for Nobunaga’s win foreshadowing the man’s eventual TWEENER-ISM. ***1/2
Magnum TOKYO vs. Sumo Fuji – NWA Welterweight Title Tournament – Semi-Finals
Only half of the match shown, but this seemed like a solid enough little number. Big shoutout to Magnum’s drop toe-hold into La Magistral: that thing looks LEGIT. Ultimo taught him well.
SASUKE vs. Gran Naniwa – NWA Welterweight Title Tournament – Semi-Finals
Sasuke was in the middle of his Michinoku Pro heel run, hence the capitalization, but for this tournament he decided to muddle his own storyline and come in with his regular mask and usual wrestling style. Who knows what truly goes on inside this man’s head? This was also clipped to shreds which is a darned shame because 1) it looked like a real fun match and 2) Gran Naniwa is one of the greatest human beings that ever lived and the world deserves to see more of his pro-wrestling.
Shiima Nobunaga vs. Sasuke The Great
Oh man, Sasuke The Great! This was indie scum overlord Masao Orihara doing an Evil Sasuke gimmick and it was wonderful underground sleaze bullshit. He’s the one responsible for turning Great Sasuke into ALL CAPS SASUKE. Clip-city once again, but we did get to see Orihara bust out the OG Spider German suplex, which was cool. Pretty decisive win from Shiima and then they do some sort of injury angle where Shiima gets carried backstage because of a bad knee. Or maybe it was the real thing? No one can say.
SASUKE vs. Magnum TOKYO – NWA Welterweight Title Tournament – Finals
Legitimately in shock at how well this held up. Very much a tale of two matches, with a compelling mat-focused first half giving way to an absolutely insane second half filled with death bumps and high drama. Mat wrestling openings can be a real chore to get through, but I was super into this one. Lots of quality technique on display, gritty kneebar reversals and big time selling from both guys. The commentary team smartly pointed out how different this felt from the usual Toryumon house style and even started making Strong Style comparisons when SASUKE started busting out Cobra twists and Octopus holds.
Everything that came afterwards not only felt completely ahead of its time, but the execution of it all put most 2020 Epic Matches to shame. Magnum clearing the entire ring-side area with the mother of all top-rope Quebradas, a brutal suplex off the apron through an unbreakable table, Sasuke hitting about 3 insane dives in a row and then unleashing THE SABU POINT TO THE SKY POSE~! Holy shit, my dudes. Sasuke was clearly at his most motivated and Magnum rightfully came off as an elite-level worker by hanging with him so effortlessly.
The ending stretch was masterfully put together, from Magnum’s RUTHLESS release Dragon suplex to him destroying his own back with the AV Starpress only for Sasuke to aggravate it immediately with a gnarly Swanton bomb off the top fuuuufhsufhsf! No excess near-fall overkill: one death move logically leading to the next until Sasuke had Magnum right in position to end his damn life with a neck-crunching Thunderfire Powerbomb. All wrapped up in 20 minutes. Find this match through all necessary legal or illegal means. ****1/4
