Category: Japan

Vol 707: February 11, 2016 in Tokyo, Japan

First time in a while I’m reviewing a disc without knowing any results (as usually it’s somewhat unavoidable due to either passage of time, having seen the shows live, or researching what to buy – the cards alone sold me here). Should be fun. 🙂

Everyone comes out in turn for a few words to open the show (while IR’s standard music plays), ending with new Ice Cross Infinity Champion Hamuko Hoshi.

1) Yuuka vs Kyuri

This will be an interesting matchup as it features two of IR’s biggest rising stars. Yuuka pushes Kyuri against the ropes off the initial lockup, and we get a clean break. She then gets the better of some chain wrestling and follows by taking Kyuri down with a dropkick. Scoop slam sets up a high angle Boston crab and it’s all Yuuka so far. Forearm with Kyuri in the ropes and Yuuka attempts the running one to follow, but Kyuri with a great counter right into a Fujiwara armbar. Yuuka rolls out but Kyuri adapts and modifies into a crossarm submission. Yuuka makes the ropes with her left leg to break.

Hard kick to Yuuka’s arm then a running forearm in the corner for Kyuri, but Yuuka reverses a second into a running dropkick in the corner then hits another in the center of the ring for 2. Yuuka tries the crossleg scoop slam but Kyuri blocks and they go into a heated forearm exchange. Nice spot at the end where Yuuka hits three of them, then Kyuri ducks a big one, but instead of Kyuri getting control off of that Yuuka adapts, spins around and catches Kyuri with another forearm anyway. Occasionally varying the normal formulas even a little can really add to the immersion of a match.

Kyuri takes over with a trio of slingblade style clotheslines for 2. Cartwheel splash gets another 2, then Kyuri goes for a cross armbreaker, but Yuuka keeps her hands clapsed and momentarily elevates Kyuri then slams her back down to break. Even though she didn’t get the full powerbomb style counter there it was still a very impressive feat of strength. Yuuka up top and hits a shotgun missile dropkick for 2. Scoop slam and she goes up again, but Kyuri moves out of the way of the super diving forearm. Yuuka ducks a kick and tries a schoolboy, but Kyuri grabs Yuuka’s arm, pushes it up, and locks her own legs around it in a great counter hold.  Yuuka claws to the ropes to break.

Fisherman suplex attempt is blocked by Yuuka, but Kyuri ducks a clothesline attempt and nails a lungblower then goes back to the fisherman’s and gets 2. Kyuri fires up the crowd and goes to the top with a flying crossbody for 2.999. Scoop slam sets up the crossarm submission, but Yuuka cradles her for 2, then ducks a clothesline and gets her floatover backslide for 2. I totally bought that as a slight upset win for Yuuka.

Kyuri ducks a running forearm and gets a small package for 2. Yuuka rolls through to avoid a rollup attempt, then gets the 120% rollup for 3! Kyuri is shocked. FANTASTIC selling and attention to detail by Yuuka as she directs the ref away from her injured arm to raise the other one. Nice win for Yuuka over the heir apparent for the Triangle title. Great little match that made the most of the time given. These two have bright futures ahead of them.

 

 

2) Miyako Matsumoto vs Misaki Ohata

These are two of my favorites and I personally haven’t seen them in the ring together before, so I’m quite looking forward to this. Lockup and Ohata immediately pushes Miyako back to the ropes and double slaps her chest dismissively on the break. Miyako sells this like she just received Misawa shotgun chops, holding her chest, dancing around in pain, and giving the ref the same slaps to show him what it felt like. After shaking it off and psyching herself back up, we get another lockup during which Miyako runs her mouth and pumps her legs trying to move Misaki and the latter just holds her ground and smiles. 

Miyako finally backs Ohata up a couple of steps, so Misaki boots her in the midsection and grabs a wristlock. They roll through each other’s attempts a few times, then Miyako cranks Misaki’s arm for three revolutions, to which Misaki responds by calmly reaching forward with her other hand and covering Miyako’s nose and mouth. Miyako ducks a clothesline and tries to grab the arm again and pose, but Misaki covers her mouth again to Miyako’s dismay.

Another clothesline by Misaki ducked and Miyako tries to force Misaki to pose, but gets caught with a snapmare instead and eats the seated dropkick. Misaki finally realizes she’s not necessarily happy with the results of placing her hand over Miyako’s mouth, and wipes it off on the ref’s shirt. Misaki calls out something to the crowd’s “oohs,” then hits a double sledge and an elbow drop, then bows to the crowd to applause. Misaki turns the prone Miyako around on the mat, then chops her chest to flip her over, then spanks her with chops a couple times. Miyako tries to roll away, but it only results in Misaki standing on her stomach near the ropes. Misaki’s just decimating and toying with Miyako thus far.

Face slam to the mat and Miyako complains loudly and constantly as Misaki sets up a camel clutch. Tiring of it quickly, Misaki applies the hold over Miyako’s mouth to shut her up. Amusing bit as neither Misaki nor the ref are certain whether Miyako’s giving up because her mouth is covered, so Misaki removes her hands slightly, but Miyako starts screaming again so they go right back into place. Misaki  tires of this and slams Miyako’s face into the mat again to break the hold.

Misaki fires up the crowd and hits a curb stomp for 2. Miyako shows signs of life by reversing a whip into the corner, but Misaki completely laughs off her subsequent running forearm and avoids a running dropkick by swatting Miyako away on her backside. Misaki finally seems to take it one step too far by calling Miyako names, as the latter immediately catches Misaki with the running doublechop afterwards. Only gets 1, as appropriate for Miyako’s first effective offensive move of the match. Miyako absurdly argues with the ref that the 1 count was in fact 3. She tries to position Misaki on the mat but Misaki stands up despite Miyako’s efforts to push her back down.

A Miyako forearm prompts a look of annoyance from Misaki who nails one of her own to send Miyako back to the ropes and doubled over. The next several exchanges go the same, until Miyako ducks one of Misaki’s and makes her pose. Misaki looks dejected that she fell for that, and Miyako gets a schoolboy rollup for 2. Misaki lays on the mat in frustration and Miyako sort of applies a spinning toehold, and asks Misaki to give up prompting a very flat “no.” So she reapplies it four more times with the same result, with Misaki’s “no”s getting louder more out of annoyance than pain. Miyako drop an elbow across the leg and pulls back, finally seeming to cause Misaki some pain. Misaki still emphatically refused Miyako’s pestering to give up.

Miyako slams Misaki after a rope break and Misaki starts to bring her knees up as Miyako jumps over her to start Mama Mia posing. Miyako turns back around and despite Misaki’s knees still being half up she kind of goes for a splash and kind of gets kicked away by Misaki. Rare awkward sequence from these two. Miyako crawl to the corner and gets hit with Misaki’s awesome seated crossbody. Misaki goes up top as Miyako stands and beckons her into the corner. Miyako foolishly charges and get caught in the over the ropes hanging armbar. Nice athleticism shown by Misaki as she keeps her legs hooked in the ropes when releasing the hold, then essentially does a situp to get back on the top turnbuckle. Missile dropkick gets 2, and Misaki grabs Miyako’s arm as the latter kicks out to go right into a Fujiwara armbar variation. Miyako eventually rolls out of it, so Misaki simply kicks her in the same arm.

Several standing switches on Misaki’s German suplex attempt, until Miyako drops down and rolls Misaki up for 2. Small package gets another 2 for Miyako. Misaki kicks at Miyako, but the latter then ducks the spinning double sledge, hits the ropes, then very slowly and awkwardly twists through grabbing Misaki’s leg. Once she has it she forces more posing and drops Misaki with an STO for 2. Miyako positions Misaki and goes to the top, poses with the refs help, and of course jumps right into Misaki’s raised boots. Misaki follows with a running crossbody to a seated Miyako for a close 2.

Spinning double sledge hits and Miyako just crumples, and Misaki goes up. She amusingly calls the ref over to try her own Super Mama Mia, and gets the pose for a split second before splashing Miyako for the win.

This was exactly as expected, with Miyako getting her antics and a couple of offensive flurries in in between Misaki mopping the floor with her. I could have gone for something slightly more even and as mentioned Miyako struggled with a couple of spots which broke the flow a bit, but that all goes along with her gimmick and overall this was quite fun.

 

3) Hamuko Hoshi and Maruko Nagasaki vs. Tsukasa Fujimoto and Tsukushi

I believe Tsukushi had been announced as Hoshi’s next challenger (in March) at this point, but I’m not positive. Wait, now I’m pretty positive as Tskushi pulls her hand back from Hoshi’s pre-match handshake (after shaking with Maruko just fine). Hoshi and Maruko ambush their opponents with running dropkicks to start the match. Tsukka and Tsukushi are whipped into the same corner for a running forearm by Maruko, splash by Hoshi, then double team buttblocks.

Stereo slams, but Tsukka and Tsukushi both bridge out of pin attempts and land stero dropkicks. Tsukka and Hamuko leave the ring and Tsukushi works over Maruko for a minute before cheapshotting Hoshi on the apron and calling in Tsukka for alternating “running on opponent’s back” spot. As usual Tsukushi messes with her partner during this, attempting to drop toehold Tsukka onto Maruko. Tsukka half stumbles instead, pushes Tsukushi out of the way and finishes the spot. Amusing.

Tsukushi with a surfboard, then a dropkick into the ropes, but Maruko dodges the seated version and ties Tsukushi up for a running dropkick of her own. Maruko with a nice spinning sunset flip for a close two after a whip into the corner reversal. Tsukushi forearms Maruko, then when the latter returns the shot Tsukushi uses the momentum to turn around and nail Hoshi on the apron with one. It’s little touches like that that make Tsukushi so good. Maruko falls into the ropes after a stunner by Tsukushi and nails a dropkick off the rebound to give her enough space to tag Hoshi. The champ comes in with a big shoulder tackle, but Tsukushi kips right up with a kick to the midsection… which doesn’t have any effect because belly power.

Hard forearm exchange and another nice touch: Tsukushi being vicious and aiming all of her forearms for Hoshi’s face instead of her chest. Tsukushi eventually gets the best of it but then rushes Hoshi who does a standing Vader splash and sends Tsukushi flying. Running belly to the face countered with a dropkick, but whatever Tsukushi had in mind to follow is countered with a big lariat for a close 2. Tag by Tsukushi after some more back and forth brings in Tsukka, and in a great sequence Tsukushi missile dropkicks Hoshi into the opposite corner and Tsukka hits the running seated dropkick as soon as she stops rolling, which Tsukushi follows with a seated crossbody seconds later. Hoshi staggers to her feet and Tsukka hits her own missile dropkick for 2.

Tsukushi comes in again but Hoshi flashes the power and reverses a double suplex attempt to put both Tsukka and Tsukushi down. Scoop slam on Tsukka sets up a second rope splash, but Tsukka moves then wears Hoshi out with kicks for 2. Tsukka jumps back up top, but Maruko grabs her until Hoshi can recover and pull Tsukka into a fireman’s carry. Tsukka tries to wiggle into a sunset flip, but Hoshi sets down on her for 2. Reversed to complete the sunset flip for 2, which is reversed back again for 2. Tsukka ties a rollup from the mat but Hoshi sets down again to surprise her for 2.999. Crowd bought that as a possible finish. Enzugiri puts Hoshi down, and Tsukka hits the ropes to do Hoshi’s own “rolling over downed opponent” spot to her. Doesn’t really have the same impact given Tsukka’s size, but it amused the fans.

Perhaps a little too confident, Tsukka turns her back on Hoshi to tag, but gets leveled with a German suplex instead. Hoshi tags Maruko and the latter hits a trio of running dropkicks on Tsukka for 2. Tsukka reverses a scoop slam to take over, calls Tsukushi in, then lifts her partner from crossfire powerbomb position into essentially a spinebuster onto Maruko for 2. Tsukka immediately locks in a crossface while Tsukushi holds off Hoshi, and makes Maruko claw and scrape to get to the ropes to break. Double dropkick by Tsukka and Tsukushi gets 2 when Hoshi breaks up the pin. Attempt of the same on Hoshi is countered with a double clothesline and Tsukushi rolls outside.

Hoshi and Maruko go up top in opposite corners and hit subsequent missle dropkicks on Tsukka for 2. Tsukushi comes in to help, but gets caught with a spinning uranage by Maruko, then Tsukka eats one as well for 2. Tsukka pushes Maruko into the ropes from the mat but the followup rollup is again countered, this time by Hoshi hitting her “rollin over downed opponent” as Tsukka spun around for the rollup. Maruko tried to follow with a roll of her own but Tsukka had brought her legs up so the two just kind of got tangled. Maruko pulls her up and hit a uranage for a close 2. Tsukushi and Hoshi fight to the outside and Tsukka counters another uranage into a rollup for 2. Tsukka tries to cave Maruko’s chest in with a kick for 2. Unfortunately for the resilient Maruko, the veteran immediately locks in a double arm stranglehold and Maruko has no where to go and no choice but to give up.

Decent tag match with Tsukushi doing a ton to forward her issue with the reigning champ and Maruko showing a lot of heart before succumbing to Tsukka’s onslaught. Not everything clicked here, but it was a strong, well worked match regardless with great effort all around.

 

4) Risa Sera vs Maya Yukihi

Both members of Azure Revolution seem a little tentative to lock up against each other here, starting with a double overhand wristlock that Risa initially gets the better of but Maya begins to power back out of. Risa doesn’t like the way that’s going so boots Maya in the midsection, snapmares her over, then locks in a bodyscissors. Risa really works it by bridging up repeatedly a few times, then breaks goes into a camel clutch. Maya makes her fight to apply it and then struggles to escape. Slow beginning but they’re telling a story with it and it’s working so far.

Risa just pounds on her partner for a bit, including forearms to the back and dismissive kicks to the chest when Maya tries to strike back from her knees. Several hair-mares and choking in the corner from Risa follow. Interesting to see Risa playing the dominant, uber-confident veteran putting here partner in her place a bit here. Wonder if this was already foreshadowing subsequent Risa’s climb up the card.

Boston crab cinched in for a while, then converted into Risa’s sweet hanging version (holding her opponents arms) when Maya tries for the ropes. Once Risa breaks and picks Maya back up the latter tries to reverse a whip, but Risa simply stomps on Maya’s foot. Risa off the ropes, but Maya levels her with a shoulder tackle for Maya’s FIRST offensive move of any kind in the match a good five minutes in.

Whip into the corner followed by a running knee to Risa by Maya, then a scoop slam and an elbow drop for 2. Seems a bit early for a chokeslam attempt and sure enough Risa fights it off easily, however after she hits the ropes Maya counters with an STO for 2. Hitting the ropes seems to be a bad idea in general for Risa this match. NICE transition by Maya, grabbing Risa’s arm into a cross armbreaker attempt as Risa kicks out. Risa keeps her hands clasped and reaches to the ropes with her feet for the break. Risa counters a hammerlock with a drop toehold and hits her signature repeated running knees to the back for 2.

Forearm exchange, with Risa largely absorbing Maya’s and her own knocking the latter back the ropes each time. Risa drops Maya to her knees with a trio of shots, but Maya jumps up and rolls Risa into a full cross armbreaker this time for a split second before Risa’s long legs get the ropes. Maya staying on the arm, slamming it repeatedly into the mat. She whips Risa towards the corner, but it’s reversed and Risa hits a running elbow followed by the running knees to the downed Maya, then pulls her out of the corner for 2.

Fireman’s carry reversed into a sunset flip for a close 2 for Maya, then she savate kicks Risa in the head as the latter rises for another 2.  Maya rolls Risa into another crossarmbreaker, and they both sell it like crazy as a possible finish with Maya cranking it and Risa screaming in pain and bouncing around as much as she can until her legs finally get the ropes. Maya selling exhaustion, which delays her just enough for Risa to catch her with a dropkick. Swinging side slam follows for 2. Fireman’s carry slam and Risa goes for the cover, but Maya with a surprise small package for 2. Running double knees against the ropes by Risa sets up the Ayers Rock (sitout Fireman’s carry slam) for 3.

Interesting match. They worked a lot in and made it feel fuller and longer than its ten minute length. Maya looked better than I’ve ever seen her here, selling well and working the arm the whole match with laser focus setting up one big moment where it felt the obvious victor might actually be in jeopardy. Risa dominating the entire first half of the match was something different and made her seem a dominant force, something that was presumably built on on their way to crowning her champion. These two are capable of more, but good, tight main event here.

 

Roundtable

As usual couldn’t follow the discussion, but there seemed to be a lot going on. Yuuka was pouting and giving Misaki a hard time about something (with Misaki laughing) until Tsukka stepped in and said something that cheered Yuuka up. Misaki and Yuuka then cheerfully shook hands and slid back off to the side together. Maruko was really emotional about something a little later. Tsukushi taunted Yuuka about something, leading to the latter standing up and the two facing off for a second. Once everyone’s had a chance to speak, Maruko leads the “Happy Ice Ribbon” cheer to wrap things up.

 

Short show, with just 40 minutes of ring action, but as usual Ice Ribbon packed those minutes and it was quite enjoyable. Nothing really must see, but four good matches that all felt different and highlighted different styles

 

Vol 708: February 13, 2016 in Tokyo, Japan

 

1) Exhibition match: Saya vs Yuuka

Exhibition matches in IR are 3 minute time limit contests for trainees to face regular roster members in preparation for matches on the main show. This was Saya’s first exhibition match, so the first look at her work for any audience. Her opponent is Yuuka, who I’ve often complimented as one of the most impressive rising stars in the business.

Nice touch as since this is an exhibition Saya is in sweats and Yuuka is wearing an IR t-shirt over her normal gear. A fair bit of  quick counter wrestling early followed by Yuuka putting the newbie through the paces with snapmares, strikes, whips, etc. Saya did get flashes of offense here and there: scoop slam, dropkick, etc. Also did a great reversal of a Yuuka forearm into a backslide and several close rollups as the match ended. Saya was tentative in the opening seconds (outside of the counters, which looked great), with really weak elbows and a few glances towards Yuuka to get her bearings, but she got past that quick and looked very good overall in this short showcase. Looking forward to seeing her matches as part of the main roster.

2) Miyako Matsumoto & Risa Sera vs Tsukasa Fujimoto and Akane Fujita

The team of Miyako and Risa will always amuse me greatly now after Miyako’s force conscription of Risa during IR vol. 701. The shenanigans start right away, as it looks to be Risa and Akane to begin, but Risa wants Tsukka, but when Tsukka obliges Miyako decides she wants to start as well and pushes Risa back into their corner.

At the bell Miyako runs past a confused Tsukka and knocks Akane off the apron as Risa runs in and hits Tsukka with a forearm, then they doubleteam Tsukka. Amusing. Doubelteams go as normal for Miyako’s partners: Tsukka is whipped to the ropes and hit with a kick from Miyako as Risa holds her partner in the air, then they try the reverse and Miyako is too weak to keep Risa up and drops her on her head. The way Miyako’s cracking up I’m not sure that was planned, but it certainly fit Miyako’s character either way.

Tsukka shows the traditional IR respect given to Miyako by her opponents, namely hair-maring her all over the place then choking her in the corner. Match slows down just a little bit as Tsukka and Akane take turns working over Miyako. The Dancing Queen eventually tries to fight back with the world’s weakest forearms (character detail, not a screw up). Tsukka responds with a hard double chop that sends Miyako scurrying around the ring, to the outside, then trying to crawl towards the back. She runs back towards the ring… check that, AROUND the ring, but Tsukka catches her and it’s back inside for more punishment.

Miyako eventually comes off the ropes with her flying double chop for 2 on Akane and then finally gets the tag to bring Risa in. Risa gets her opponents set up in opposite corners and bounces back and forth between them doing her running elbow followed by running knees in the corner spot on each in turn. Fun sequence. Tsukka sent out and Akane faceplanted for Risa’s triple running double kneedrop spot for 2. Akane reverses a whip and hits Risa with a double chop to create an opening to tag and Tsukka’s back in.

Dropkick in the corner by Tsukka sets up the running version, but Risa charges out of the corner and catches Tsukka with a dropkick of her own. Intense forearm exchange leads to dodging each other off the ropes, then Tsukka tries a rana but Risa holds on and pulls back into a Boston crab variation. Running double knees against the ropes after a rope break, but Tsukka fights out of the Ayers Rock and hits her rollup into a kick to the chest spot.

Tsukka up top and Akane runs over to block Miyako, but the latter amusingly comes in the ropes as Akane was going out to block her and gets in between Tsukka and Risa. Tsukka just nails her with the missile dropkick instead, and Risa boots her partner back out of the ring. BOO to Risa’s lack of gratitude for such a self sacrificing angel.

Another hard strike exchange which Tsukka gets the better of and then whips Risa to the corner for a running dropkick followed by a running forearm by Akane, then Risa falls down in the corner and Tsukka hits the running dropkick again. However as soon as she’s back up Risa hits the spinning side slam for 2. Tsukka’s out of it and Risa nails Ayers Rock, but Akane comes in to break up the pin at 2. Miyako chases Akane out and Risa goes up top in her own corner where Miyako tags in. This can’t be good.

Sure enough, Miyako slams Risa to the mat even though Tsukka had already moved, then rolls forward (still holding Risa’s arms) so she ends up sitting on the mat with Risa in the same position directly behind her. Tsukka kicks the generously presented back (Risa’s) repeatedly while Miyako covers her head as if she’s the one at risk (while being shielded by Risa). Eh, serves Risa right for booting Miyako after she took the missile dropkick in Risa’s place. 😉 Tsukka hits the far ropes and aims to kick Miyako’s chest, but Miyako rolls out of the way. Of course Risa was still right behind her so she took the full force of Tsukka’s kick. Tsukka tries a cover but the ref explains there’d been a tag and Risa’s not legal.

Miyako emphasizes that Tsukka needs to pay attention to her with another baby forearm, so Tsukka pounds on her. Tsukka hits the ropes, but Risa’s still in the ring so Miyako shoves her partner into a shoulder tackle on Tsukka. TEAMWORK, YAY! Miyako puts Tsukka into a corner and directs Risa into a doubleteam version of Risa’s running elbow, then Risa hits the spinning side slam as Miyako goes up top. The ref wants nothing to do with helping Miyako balance, so she calls Risa over. This has taken so long that Tsukka ALREADY has her legs straight up to block as Miyako poses.

Before we can see if Miyako would jump anyway Akane comes in and attacks. Tsukka knocks Risa out of the ring, Akane nails the powerslam, and a Tsukka kick to the chest gets 2. Tsukka locks in a double arm stranglehold and wrenches back. Miyako looks to be fading when Tsukka loses grip on an arm and Miyako frantically tries to escape, but Tsukka gets the hold again. I expected the end right there (especially with Akane blocking Risa from coming in at every turn), but Miyako struggles close enough to get her feet on the ropes to break. Big audience reaction for her endurance there.

Tsukka calls for the Venus shoot, but Miyako ducks underneath and gets her trademark rollup… for 2, as Akane gets by Risa and saves. That would have been quite the upset. Shining wizard gets 2. Tsukka fights back with an enzugiri, but Risa comes in. Ayers Rock, but she hit Miyako with Tsukka’s feet while spinning around. She drags Miyako into a cover for 2 as Akane’s back in to save again.

Risa sends Akane back out and Miyako tries to hold Tsukka in place for Risa’s top rope double knees with a rather gingerly applied armbar.  Risa lands on her feet as Tsukka rolls out, but she blames Miyako and Tsukka dropkicks Risa from behind as they argue, sending Risa into Miyako. Tsukka floats over both and uses Risa’s weight to help pin Miyako, but still only gets 2. Akane shoulder tackles Risa and sends her back outside. Miyako tries to get her pinning combo on Tsukka, but it’s reversed and Tsukka pins Miyako with her own move for the victory. Risa sympathetically yells at an already visibly upset Miyako after the match. If only Miyako had had a more understanding, less selfish partner. 😉

This was a ton of fun, with everything I like about Miyako’s style of comedy in matches interwoven with fantastic action from Risa and Tsukka. Akane’s role was limited, but she did well with what she was given. Some great false finishes in there too that added to the immersion.

 

3) Kyuri and Tsukushi vs The Lovely Butchers (Hamuko Hoshi and Mochi Miyagi)

Tsukushi gets another opportunity across the ring from the champ, but this time Hoshi has her regular partner in her corner. Kyuri and Mochi start and the latter uses her size advantage to control her tiny opponent for a bit until Kyuri escapes a headlock with a headscissors, gets up, and simply kicks Mochi in the head when the latter tries to pose. Disclosure: I am generally disposed against the Butcher’s gimmick and their posing routines so get a big smile on my face whenever anyone attacks them during it. Yay Kyuri!

Tag brings in Tsukushi, but Mochi levels them both with a shoulder tackle off the ropes. Hoshi in and stereo whips set up stereo splashes and butt blocks in opposite corners, but Tsukushi and Kyuri hit dropkicks to their opponents backs during the gloating portion. Tsukushi lines the Butchers up face down and she and Kyuri take turns running on both of their backs. Then Tsukushi pushes the ref into doing it. Might be the one time I don’t complain about an interfering ref. 🙂 Pig face in the ropes on both Butchers, then double chops with them still tied up.

Kyuri and Hoshi head back out and Tsukushi decides the best way to press her commanding advantage is to try to scoop slam Mochi, who has 50 lbs on Tsukushi. Unsurprisingly this tactic does not work, and Mochi reverses the slam and tags Hoshi to completely reverse the momentum of the match. Hoshi splashes for 2, but Tsukushi counters with a headscissors, dropkick, and scoop slam on Hoshi. Ok, it was a good idea that time. Also reminds us how deceptively strong Tsukushi is.

Tag to Kyuri, who hits a shotgun dropkick and then tries to power Hoshi over in back bodydrop position.  Not so much. Hoshi gets her Boston crab variation and turns so she faces Tsukushi on the apron, who looks on in disgust. Kyuri struggles to the ropes for a break. She then absorbs some Hoshi palm strikes and tries to judo throw the latter, but Hoshi sets down to block and tries a short arm clothesline, only to have Kyuri duck it and hit a stunner then complete the judo throw for 2. Great sequence.

Kyuri tries to grab Hoshi’s arm out of the kickout, but Hoshi rolls through and whips Kyuri to the corner. Splash attempt is reversed into a one legged monkey flip and Kyuri goes for a cross armbreaker. Mochi comes in and splashes Kyuri, but Kyuri just stacks Mochi on top of Hamuko and locks the cross armbreaker on BOTH. Ref allows it, but is clearly only asking Hoshi if she gives up. Mochi rolls back onto Kyuri trying to get the ropes, and it moves the whole pile just enough that Hoshi gets her leg there for a break.

Kyuri hits the ropes but gets caught by a Hoshi shoulder tackles, then a tag leads to Mochi’s triple Earthquake splashes for 2. Kyuri flips out of torture rack position into a Fujiwara armbar. Mochi fights to the ropes as Tsukushi holds off Hamuko. Back and forth a bit until Kyuri hits her slingblade like clothesline three times in succession for 2. Tag and Tsukushi hits a high crossbody from the tope, but rolls all the way to Hoshi’s corner and attacks her, allowing Mochi to get up and ambush Tsukushi from behind. Splash in the corner misses when Tsukushi escapes to the apron  and she goes right back to beating on Hoshi.

The annoyed Butchers bring her back in the ring for a doubleteam, but she catches them both with a dropkick, and goes back to beating on Hoshi. She ducks a retaliatory clothesline and pushes Hoshi into Mochi, knocking Hoshi out of the ring and leaving Mochi in the corner for a running forearm from Kyuri follwed by the seated crossbody from Tsukushi. Tsukushi hits the ropes but gets caught by Mochi on a crossbody attempt, and Mochi hits a nice spinning side slam.

And we’re back to the nonsense, as Mochi hits the running belly to the face then tags in Hoshi for one of her own for 2. They fight over a waistlock until Tsukushi rolls forward with Hoshi and floats around into a seated abdominal stretch. Hoshi eventually powers into a roll toward Tsukushi to get out of it. Tsukushi up to the top rope, but Mochi grabs her from the apron and Hoshi pulls her into position for a Samoan drop. Hoshi up to the middle rope, but Tsukushi rolls inside the splash attempt. Crossbody from the top on Hoshi by Kyuri, then a missile dropkick from Tsukushi from a different corner for 2. Codebreaker by Tsukushi into a lungblower by Kyuri, who holds Hoshi over her knees for Tsukushi to hit a double stomp off the top rope. Fantastic. Gets 2 as Mochi saves.

Tskushi hits the ropes to attack Hoshi, but Mochi cuts her off with a Thesz press. Sandwich splash on Tsukushi, then a double backdrop suplex for 2. Northern lights get 2 for Hoshi as Kyuri saves. Kyuri clothesline takes out Mochi, then a Hoshi lariat returns the favor. Hoshi caught off the ropes by a Tsukushi dropkick for 1, then a Hoshi lariat gets 1 on Tsukushi. Tsukushi hits the ropes and runs into a standing splash for 2. Running belly to the face counters with a rana rollup for 2. Sweet move as Tsukushi jumps into a doublestomp on Hoshi’s chest as Hoshi kicks out.  Tsukushi tries a headscissors roll, but Hoshi sets down on it for 2. Hoshi hits the ropes and does her horizontal roll over Tsukushi… for the win?! Huh.

Wasn’t that into this at first, but it really picked up as it went. The Butchers are a good tag team when their not playing to their gimmick. The last phase of the match was all about the champ and her upcoming challenger, and I REALLY didn’t expect either to drop a fall here. Not sure whether it hurt Tsukushi’s momentum going into the title shot (no one really expected Hoshi to lose in her first defense anyway and there was still a month to build it) and some unpredictability is nice, so I’ll call this a reasonable choice. I’d like to see more of Tsukushi and Kyuri as a team. Tsukushi is pissed after the match, and Hoshi taunts her a bit as we fade out.

 

4) Yuuka vs Maruko Nagasaki

Thrilled to see these two get a main event spotlight. Maruko attacks Yuuka from behind during the latter’s entrance and hits a dropkick in the corner as the bell rings. She sends Yuuka to the outside and grabs a chair (?!) and this is already way off from what I expected. Yuuka ducks the chair strike and hits a forearm to put Maruko against the apron, then goes all the way to the backstage entrance for a running start for another forearm. Maruko moves and Yuuka hits the apron. Scoop slam, then Maruko picks Yuuka up and slams her into the seats in the crowd as people scatter. She then drags Yuuka to the backstage entrance and slam her head into some scaffolding.

Maruko marches her opponent right back down to ringside for another head slam (into the apron this time) and we’re back into the ring with Maruko in complete control. Scoop slam, then Maruko grabs Yuuka legs and forces her shoulders down for 2, then flips over into a Boston crab as Yuuka kicks out. Yuuka twists her body around trying to force herself to the ropes, but Maruko drags her to center of the ring and sets back down just as she gets close. Yuuka claws back to the ropes for the break. Maruko up to the top, but Yuuka cuts her off with a forearm and slams her down, then nails a running dropkick in the corner. Maruko forearm ducked and Yuuka locks in an abdominal stretch. Yuuka has her arms locked and is rocking back and forth with it as Maruko screams in pain to actually sell this as a legitimate attempt to win. Small things like that make a huge difference.

Maruko brushes the ropes with her fingertips, but Yuuka falls back without letting go to turn it into an upside down Gargano Escape. Maruko makes the ropes to break. Running forearm against the ropes for Yuuka, but Maruko fights out of the crosslegged fisherman’s suplex and hits a forearm. Maruko keeps ducking Yuuka’s attempts to retaliate and hitting more of her own forearms, but Yuuka lands a running one to put Maruko down, but the latter rolls out of the way of Yuuka’s diving version. Rollup gets 2 for Maruko. Small package for another 2. Another small package for another 2. She just wearing Yuuka down here. Dropkick lands and Maruko goes up to the top rope and hits a missile dropkick for 2. Uranage in the center of the ring and Yuuka just barely kicks out before 3.

Yuuka shifts her weight to avoid another Uranage, so Maruko with a forearm strike and hits the ropes, only to eat a dropkick. Yuuka with a crossbody from the top for 2, then tries the crosslegged fisherman’s again, but Maruko breaks and counters with a spinebuster for 2. Both slow to get up. Maruko with some forearms, but hits the ropes and is LEVELED by a Yuuka forearm off the rebound. Yuuka’s beautiful diving forearm off the ropes gets 2. Yuuka  finally hits the crosslegged fisherman’s for a close 2.

Scoop slam and Yuuka goes up for a moonsault, which connects for 3! Aftermath is cut short and we fade out quickly as Yuuka seems to be grabbing the ref and pointing to her knee. Looked like she came down on it hard during that moonsault.

Great little main event. It started hot with an unexpected brawl then turned into the heated in-ring contest I expected letting two young wrestlers with HUGE potential show what they can do. I enjoyed this a lot and they packed a ton into a seven minute spotlight while still telling a strong in-ring story and without resorting to an illogical spotfest. Looking forward to longer matches between these two in the future.

 

Roundtable

Seemed it’s usual amusing comments with setup for future events and matches from what I could tell. Tsukushi definitely had some choice words for the reigning champion (after which Tsukka was cracking up). Risa leads the “Happy Ice Ribbon” cheer and we’re out.

 

Overall

These two dojo shows are quite short, but they don’t FEEL short and they pack a ton of action in without feeling rushed, as well as showcasing numerous different styles. These honestly aren’t really important shows, but they are good shows with interesting matchups and I recommend this as another thoroughly enjoyable disc from IR (as well as a particularly strong pickup for Yuuka fans).

The New Year’s show at the Ice Ribbon Dojo was the last IR show I saw during my trip. My live thoughts can be read here. This dvd also contains a second show that took place a couple weeks after I left.

Vol 701: January 3, 2016 in Tokyo, Japan

Everyone comes out in turn for a few words to open the show (while IR’s standard music plays), ending with new Ice Cross Infinity Champion Hamuko Hoshi.

1) 235 vs Kyuri

I’d been previously impressed with Kyuri, but 235 hadn’t really been given much opportunity to shine on the previous shows I’d seen. Nice to see her in a singles match here. Stalemate on a lockup to start, then 235 starts a forearm exchange. Great energy from both to fire up the crowd right away. 235 gets the advantage, snapmares Kyuri over, then grabs a chinlock (almost a seated sleeper). She really cranks at it and adds a bodyscissors to keep it from losing the crowd. Kyuri makes the ropes to applause.

They fight over a scoop slam, which the diminutive Kyuri eventually gets. She hits the ropes a few times, stepping on 235 with each pass, then hits a cartwheel splash for 2. 235 tries to fight back but Kyuri maintains the advantage for a while, targeting 235’s arm with various submission holds. 235 fights off a fisherman buster attempt and hits three of her sequential running crossbodies for 2. Flying crossbody from the top for another 2. A trio of rolling vertical suplexes ends with a bridging pin for 2.

A nice judo throw from Kyuri gives her the advantage back, and another sets up a fisherman’s suplex with bridge for a close 2. 235 gets no breathing room as Kyuri immediately locks in a crossarm stranglehold variation (with her leg adding pressure) for the win. Very good little five minute match. They made the most of the time they were given.

2) Miyako Matsumoto and Tsukasa Fujimoto vs Azure Revolution (Risa Sera and Maya Yukihi)

Miyako immediately grabs a mic and seems to be complaining about her partner. I missed it live, but she points to a camera at ringside (that followed her around during and after the show) and her objection seems to have something to do with that. She then clearly insults a “shocked” Tsukka as the other team cracks up. Miyako then grabs Risa Sera and declares them teammates, leaving Maya to join the abandoned Tsukka. Highly amusing. Miyako’s a force of nature. It’s cool that this was easy to follow even without speaking Japanese / understanding Miyako’s statements. 

So our new match is:

2) Miyako Matsumoto and Risa Sera vs Tsukasa Fujimoto and Maya Yukihi

 The way the other three competitors sell bemusement at living in Miyako’s reality is fantastic, as is Tsukka’s expression when Miyako offers her the prematch handshake. Azure Revolution squares off to start with a test of strength, which is even until Risa breaks it to crank the arm and send Maya off the ropes. Shoulderblock collision and nobody budges. Second and the same. They both hit the ropes for the third, and Risa sends Maya down, but Maya back up quickly for another stalemate then Maya returns the favor and finally levels Risa. Crowd’s appreciative and they both tag out.

Tsukka looks ready to kill Miyako and the latter doesn’t help matters by repeatedly shoving Tsukka. They lock up and proceed to trade hammerlocks, taunting and jawing at each other the entire time. Tsukka ends that with a side headlock takeover, Miyako headscissor counter, Tsukka kips up out of that and they square off to applause. Miyako poses and nods, while Tsukka shoots her opponent a disbelieving look as if Miyako is trying the very limits of her patience and good nature. Indeed Tsukka foregoes the lockup to just kick Miyako in the midsection and whips her into the corner. Running forearm from Maya, then Tsukka directs her to cut off Risa and nails a running dropkick on Miyako in the corner.

The bell rings and the match’s stipulation takes effect, as a letter is announced and pinfalls can only be attempted after a move starting with that letter. Tsukka freezes as she pauses to think and Miyako runs out of the corner with a double chop for 2. Tsukka snapmares Miayko and hits a hard kick to her back, then locks in a camel clutch, aims Miyako at her cameraman on the outside, and pulls back Miyako’s nose to mock her. Miyako objects loudly. Tsukka just beats on Miyako for a bit, including choking her against the ropes. But it’s Miyako, and Miyako continues to whine as Tsukka does it, so the crowd cheers.

Miyako down in the corner and Tsukka sets up for a running move, but the bell sounds again and the momentary pause by Tsukka gives Miyako an opening to hit another running double chop for 2. Great spot as Miyako called out a different name for the exact same move used earlier to get it to count for the stipulation. Tsukka was in a similar match on the Risa Sera Produce show and showed the same trouble there for this type of improvising. It’s a nice character trait / minor weakness for the veteran and well established ring technician to have. 

Tag to Risa and Tsukka gets the better of a forearm exchange, then ties Risa up in the ropes for the pig face humiliation. She hits the far ropes and nails the still tied up Risa with a dropkick, but her cover doesn’t count. Tsukka calls for the next letter, and again thinks too long giving Risa a chance to get up and slam her. Risa hits her repeated running double knee drops to Tsukka’s back, but the ref doesn’t accept “Sera Risa” before the move name as qualifying for the letter and won’t count the pin. Risa calls for a side suplex, which Tsukka fights off and tries to steal as a valid move, but Risa counters in the air and falls on Tsukka for… a pin that doesn’t count. They continue in that vein a bit through another letter change until Tsukka gets a hurricanrana rollup for a valid 2, then tags out to Maya.

Maya comes in strong, but pauses on another letter change and gives Risa enough time to move out the way of a charging elbow. Hilarious bit follows as Risa again tries to convince the ref on something absurd, this time that messing Maya’s hair counts as a submission attempt. A pair of side kicks from Maya gets 2. She tries to lock something on Risa, and Tsukka cuts off Miyako on the save, but a letter change leads to tandem camel clutches instead. Nice work from the ref, who makes it clear he’s ignoring Tsukka’s hold on Miyako since they’re not legal and only checking Risa for submission. Tsukka eventually lets go, kicks Miyako out, then leaves the ring herself. Maya pauses, at a loss, then hits a few weak forearms as she ponders what to do next. Decided, she hits the far ropes but once again they’ve given Risa time to recover and Maya is nailed with a dropkick.

Miyako in and I’m dying of laughter as she decides the best qualifying move is to repeatedly kick Maya low. Tsukka comes in to swat at Miyako in protest and the ref refuses to count it anyway. Whip to ropes and Maya comes off with a hard shoulderblock to Miyako. Scoop slam and the letter changes to “ma.” The crowd murmurs in anticipation, and sure enough with Miyako down Tsukka and Maya eventually decide to do Miyako’s own Mama Mia posing routine.  Risa comes in to break up the pin at two after the finishing double splash. Tsukka knocks Risa back out, and the letter is changed to “su.”  No pause at all this time as Maya goes up for “Supa Mama Mia!” An irate Miyako gets up before Maya’s balanced on the top, and stops her to boos. However the crowd forgives her when it’s obvious she’s going to go for her own instead. The way she always makes the ref help her balance for the pose up there is fantastic. Sadly (and expectedly) the splash fails as Maya gets her boots up. Small package by Maya for an extremely close 2.

Miyako actually holds her own in a forearm exchange with Maya for a while, then pushes the ref into a shoulderblock on Maya when the latter hits the ropes (DQs are very rare in Japan, even when refs are assaulted). Letter change to “shi,” and knowing Miyako’s arsenal I can guess the awesomeness that awaiting. Sure enough, double knees in the corner from Risa sets up Maya for the Shining Wizard. Tsukka saves. Slam by Miyako (after another letter change) and Risa hits a brutal flying double knee drop from the top. Miyako up top (with more ref help) and hits “Happy New Year Mama Mia!” doublestomp for the win!

Miyako’s delight as she does victory laps as Dancing Queen plays (and ignoring both the ref and her partner who want to raise her arm) is fantastic, as are Tsukka’s attempts to trip Miyako on every pass. Tsukka eventually trips Miyako and the ref raises just Risa’s hand in victory as Miyako pulls herself off the mat. There was more live, with Miyako posing to celebrate and Tsukka losing her patience and dropkicking Miyako right out of the ring.

Total comedy match, and another example of how good IR in general and Miyako in particular are at it. Again the humor was wrestling based and related to trying to win, which keeps immersion in the show as a whole strong. Some of this played a little better live where the “thinking pauses” didn’t seem quite as long and sometimes awkward, but overall this was great fun.

In particular the individual proficiencies regarding the match style, with Miyako mostly getting it, Risa thinking quickly but often to poor effect, Maya thinking slowly but to good effect, and Tsukka just not being able to deal, were highly amusing.

 

3) Hamuko Hoshi, Yuuka, and Maruko Nagasaki vs. Aoi Kizuki, Akane Fujita, and Mochi Miyagi 

Hoshi is opposite both the former champion Aoi, and Hoshi’s regular partner Mochi (who was Hoshi’s upcoming challenger for the belt). Hoshi and partners ambush their opponents before the bell, and perform stereo buttblocks in three different corners, followed by stereo bulldogs. Apparently Hoshi and Mochi are legal, as that’s the pin the ref counts. Tower pose on top of Mochi, which Aoi breaks up.

Aoi’s team stacks up their opponents on the mat, then Mochi splashes them with Akane on her back, and Aoi finishes with her trademark pose with a foot on the whole pile. Akane trying to do the pose too while being part of the pile is amusing.

Everyone extra exits and we’re left with Mochi and Maruko in the ring. Mochi locks in a body scissors then repeated rolls back to bring Maruko off the mat and slams her back down. Roll to the side gets 2. Tag to Aoi for some hairmares, then an exchange of Maruko forearms vs Aoi’s windmill double chops.  Maruko eventually backs Aoi up with a flurry, but Aoi power poses while walking forward and absorbing more forearms to push Maruko back across the ring. More forearms, countered with a clothesline, but Maruko moves out of the way of Aoi’s senton. Maruko wins a fight over a scoop slam for 2. Whip by Maruko into the corner reversed, but Aoi’s charge misses. Dropkick for 2.

Yuuka in with repeated running dropkicks for 2. She forearms Aoi’s partners off the apron and calls her teammates in. Maruko with a running forearm to Aoi but stays in position, then Yuuka forearms MARUKO with Aoi still behind her. Yuuka then gets into the corner as well and calls for Hoshi to splash all three of them. Aoi is cracking up at the “strategy,” safely cushioned by her two opponents.

Hoshi ties up Aoi in the ropes and Yuuka lays in some forearms, but Aoi shakes them off, reverses position, and lands some of her own. Off the far rope but Yuuka gets free and levels the approaching Aoi with a forearm. Aoi right back up with a power pose, but clothesline ducked by Yuuka, but Aoi cartwheel’s out of being spun around and hits a dropkick. Fun sequence.

Aoi crossbody to Yuuka’s midsection in the corner. Tag to Mochi. Aoi slams Yuuka, then she alternates her running senton with Mochi’s Earthquake splashes in a nice spot. Aoi counts a super fast 3, but the ref only gets to 1. In annoyance the ref counts a super fast 4 on Aoi to get her out of the ring. Splash in the ropes by Mochi followed by a quick leg cradle for 2. Yuuka reverses a whip but misses a dropkick when Mochi holds on to the ropes. Maruko in and knocks Akane off the apron, but Aoi just shrugs off the forearm. Nice double dropkick on Mochi by Maruko and Yuuka. Twisting doubleteam suplex for 2.

Running dropkick in the corner by Yuuka followed by a tornado DDT for 2. Tag to Hoshi. Mochi fights out of a fireman’s carry, and we get a series of running shoulderblock stalemates, then an energetic forearm exchange. Good way to build Mochi a bit as Hoshi’s equal before her title shot. She wins the exchange and hits the ropes, but knocks Hoshi back into a rebounding shoulderblock of her own that wipes out Mochi. Running belly to the face attempt is countered with a shot from Mochi’s whip (in full view of ref, still getting used to that) and a rollup gets 2 on the champ. Slam in the corner and a Vaderbomb get 2 for Mochi.

Tag and Akane comes in for the first time. Running forearm to Hoshi in the corner, but when Akane goes back for speed Hoshi follows and nails Akane with a clothesline in the far corner. Splash from the middle from Hoshi, but Aoi stops her when she goes up top. Slam off the top and a Texas cloverleaf by Akane while Aoi and Mochi cut off Hoshi’s partners. After a rope break, Hoshi gets the better of Akane with a hard clothesline to the back and hits the running stomach to the face for 2. Tag to Maruko, who hits a series of running dropkicks for 2. Akane tries to reverse the smaller wrestler’s scoop slam attempt, but Maruko reverses the reversal into a small package for 2. Yuuka in with a top rope crossbody, Hoshi with a lariat, then Maruko hits an uranage. Aoi and Mochi get by Hoshi and Yuuka to break up the pin at 2.

Maruko calls for another uranage, but Aoi stops it and hits a flying clothesline. Mochi follows with a Vaderbomb that sets up a brainbuster by Akane, but Hoshi and Yuuka save. Deep single arm stranglehold by Akane is broken up by Hoshi. Mochi takes Hoshi out with a Thesz press and everyone spills outside to leave Akane and Maruko alone again. Akane seems to go for a powerslam, but Maruko fights to her back then drops down to roll her up for 2. Small package for another 2, sunset flip reversed by Akane for 2, but then completed by Maruko for 2. Maruko off the ropes but runs into a big shoulderblock. Akane picks her up for the powerslam for 2.999. Sitout version gets 3.

Not everything here was as smooth as they would have liked, but it was a lot of fun, featured several story threads, and had very good action overall.

Roundtable features Aoi’s “graduation” announcement that she will be leaving Ice Ribbon and going freelance after IR’s 1/9 show and a match against Maruko. Maruko is emotional charged up and crying throughout. Aoi slams her (and then Tsukka, who tries to interfere) and does her trademark pose to “cheer up” Maruko.   She then calls everyone else in for the “Happy Ice Ribbon” cheer while still standing on the pile of Tsukka and Maruko (who are cracking up).

Kurumi comes out with a cake for Akane as Happy Birthday plays. Akane says a few words, blows out the candles, blocks Risa from potentially slamming the cake in her face, then leads another “Happy Ice Ribbon” cheer to close the show.

A lot of wrestlers got a chance to shine here, and this show highlighted both the comedic and technical aspects of wrestling that IR is so good at.

 

Vol 703: January 16, 2016 in Tokyo, Japan

This show was after my trip, so this is my first time seeing it.

1) Maruko Nagasaki vs Maya Yukihi

Forearm exchange right away. Maya throws them hard and the crowd oohs at Maruko absorbing them. After taking Maya down with a dropkick Maruko’s a little lost for a second as she tries to figure out where Maya’s going to position herself, then goes for another, which Maya kind of absorbs to take over. Maya in control for a while with what in the US I’d call heel tactics (choking Maruko with her foot against the ropes, dismissive kicks to the face, etc) but in IR this seems a common form of taunting from nearly everyone when facing a younger or less experienced competitor.

Maruko reverses a scoop slam at one point but Maya right back on offense with a running knee followed by a shoulderblock. Then she works variations on a Boston crab for a bit. After escaping Maruko takes over with running dropkicks (and does a nice jumping sunset flip out of the corner for 2 in the middle of them). Uranage gets a close 2, but a second is blocked for a chokeslam attempt, but Maruko reverse that into a rollup for 2. Schoolboy gets 2 for Maruko, but Maya kicks right out of that into a Rings of Saturn, which is then turned into a triangle choke for the submission. Short match that was almost all Maya and was very basic. Still fine though and had some nice sequences at the end.

 

2) Miyako Matsumoto vs Yuuka

Chain wrestling to open, which Yuuka continually gets the better of. She’s so smooth in the ring, especially for her experience. Miyako as normal works posing in at every opportunity, and as usual does it once too often and eats a dropkick during the stalemate. A fired up Yuuka tries to slam Miayko, but the latter reverses, forces Yuuka to pose, and gets a schoolboy for 2. Hairmare into the corner and Miyako chokes away at Yuuka while badmouthing her. Scoop slam gets 2.

Miyako goes for an abdominal stretch and Yuuka really tries to spin out of it/turn it around, which Miyako eventually stops with a flurry of back chops and secures the hold. In a great touch she grabs Yuuka’s left arm to further twist and prevent Yuuka from using it to get the ropes. Yuuka gets her foot to the bottom rope for the break, so Miyako rolls back into a cover for 2. Yuuka fights up and hits a couple running dropkicks into the corner for 2. Forearm exchange and I love the consistency with which Miyako’s shots always affect her opponent less than their’s does to her.

Yuuka backs Miyako up to the ropes with more forearms, hits a running one against the ropes, hits another to knock Miyako down in the center, then lands her sweet diving version. I love that sequence. Miyako reverses at 2 and eventually twists Yuuka into a Rings of Saturn. Miyako’s taunting and Yuuka’s screaming in pain really enhance the submission attempts. Yuuka uses her legs to power over towards the ropes, but Miyako again grabs the extended appendage and pulls Yuuka’s right leg back to further tie up the youngster. Yuuka desperately struggles and gets the rope break with her left leg. Another nice touch: Yuuka makes sure to sell pain in her arms after she escapes and as Miyako picks her up for a slam.

Ref assisted Super Mama Mia attempt, but Yuuka’s up and hits the far corner to shake the ropes and knock Miyako off balance. Running dropkick sends Miyako tumbling to the apron then the floor, gibing Yuuka a chance to recover her arms for a second. She pulls Miyako back in and to the center then goes up for a flying crossbody for 2. Slam and she goes up again for the top rope version of her diving forearm, but Miyako gets the boots up. Miayko then unwisely starts another forearm exchange, but catches Yuuka at the end of it off the ropes with the double chop for 2.

Yuuka tries to reverse a whip into her float over backslide, but Miyako rolls with and cradles for 2. Miyako then tries HER trademark rollup, but Yuuka reverses this time for another close 2. As Miyako is trying to get up from that Yuuka immediately rolls her up with the 120% rollup for the win. Miyako’s right shoulder was clearly up and Miyako rightly throws a fit complaining (though also falsely claiming she was in the ropes), but it was out of sight of the ref. Don’t know if that was a slight miscue or an angle, but given what the ref saw it was the right call to count the 3. Really enjoyed this, as both are favorites of mine and they had great chemistry as opponents. The little touches from both to enhance the match were excellent.

 

3) Kyuri and Hamuko Hoshi vs 235 and Mieko Tanaka

Interesting pairings. Opponents from Vol 701’s opener square off to start, with some nice back and forth chain wrestling including exchanging hammerlocks, waistlocks, side headlocks, etc.  Eventual stalemate leads to them both tagging out, and in contrast to their technical display Hamuko and Meiko come in charging each other. Meiko summersaults over the top to reverse a corner whip, shoulderblocks Hoshi to the midsection from the outside, then goes up top. Hamuko rushes in and Meiko leapfrogs from the top into the center of the ring. They duck each other’s clotheslines then Meiko drops down, only to have Hoshi drop down beside her for the “Seductive” posing routine. Meiko’s startled and stumbles back to her corner. She rushes Hoshi and gets tripped, and another pose by Hoshi, which 235 thankfully interrupts with a kick.

Some nice double teaming follows from Meiko and 235 to give them the advantage, but Hoshi takes back over with a bellybutt on Meiko after 235 leaves and traps Meiko in the corner for her rubbing belly on opponent’s face spot. Personally I can’t stand Hoshi’s gimmick and the associated moveset, so I spend these parts of her matches waiting for them to get on with itthe rest of the match Thankfully we get a tag to Kyuri once Meiko’s done being tortured and making retching noises. Wait, I spoke too soon as Meiko’s sent to the corner for doubleteam buttblocks. Bulldog by Hoshi followed by Kyuri’s cartwheel splash gets 2.

Hoshi leaves the ring and Meiko immediately gets the better of Kyuri, escaping a scoop slam attempt, nailing a dropkick in the corner, then getting a slam of her own for 2. Back and forth for a few moves then Meiko tags out after hitting a dropkick, putting us back to 235 vs Kyuri as in the beginning. They trade slams, then hard forearms, and 235 gets the better of it backing Kyuri up to the ropes and unloading with with about 20 in a row. 235 then hits her triple running crossbody sequence for 2.  Suplex attempt countered by Kyuri into an octopus stretch, then she converts into a crucifix for 2, countered by 235 into a cradle for 2, followed by a judo throw from Kyuri for 2. Very nice.

Tag to Hoshi and a big splash on 235 for a close 2. Trademark Boston crab follows as Kyuri keeps Meiko away. 235 makes the ropes. Up again and she ducks Hoshi’s clotheslines, mocking the latter with her own poses after each one. However Hoshi catches 235 on her shoulders after a crossbody attempt, but 235 struggles to Hoshi’s back and applies a sleeper. Hoshi drives 235 into the corner to break, but 235 goes right into a victory roll from that position for 2. Tag to Meiko and she UNLOADS on Hoshi with shoulderblocks in the corner. Kyuri stops her from going up top and Hoshi gets a fireman’s carry, but Meiko fights down to her feet. Hoshi chops prompt a flurry of headbutts from Meiko, which leads to a 235 top rope crossbody followed by a missile dropkick from Meiko for 2.

Meiko can’t get Hoshi up for a fireman’s carry, so resorts to a scoop slam instead and goes back up. Hoshi avoids the senton and almost a slingblade from Kyuri on Meiko sets up the running belly to the face for Hoshi. 235 gets by Kyuri and saves. Lariat ducked but the back one isn’t, but Meiko then counters a Hoshi charge with a spear for 2 (Kyuri saves). Some more back and forth then Hoshi finally lands the Samoan drop she’s been going for for 2.  Splash from the top rope (with Meiko halfway across the ring) gets the win for Hoshi.

Not everything clicked here, but great effort all around regardless and still a decent match with 235 and Meiko getting some nice offense on the champ before Hoshi put them away. Like I’ve said about Yuuka, Kyuri is also amazing for her age and experience.

 

4) Avid Rival (Misaki Ohata and Ryo Mizunami) vs Akane Fujita and Tsukushi

Always nice to see Avid Rival in IR. Good learning opportunity for Akane here, as both her opponents and partner all have much more experience than her. Misaki and Tsukushi start. Quick paced, high intensity counter wrestling for a couple minutes that gets nice applause when they stalemate. Misaki looks a little more wary of Tsukushi then when they started as they both tag out.

Mizunami holds her ground as Akane hits all four sides in succession trying to knock the former down with running shoulderblocks. Then they both hit the ropes and stalemate a couple times, until Ryo knocks down Akane on their third collision. Nice sequences from the power wrestlers. Mizunami keeps control for a bit, then Misaki comes in for a big double slap with Ryo holding Akane in the ropes. Mizunami’s developed incredible charisma to go with her excellent in ring skills and she and Misaki compliment each other so well as a tag team.

Tag to Misaki and the beatdown and mocking of Akane continues. Quick switch back to Mizunami and she grounds Akane with a side headlock, eventually transitioning into a camel clutch and calling Ohata in. After knocking Tsukushi off the apron, Misaki jits the ropes several times for momentum and ends with a dropkick to Akane’s face. Then they switch positions to Akane’s dismay (Misaki applying the camel clutch and Ryo running the ropes) for another dropkick to Akane’s face for 2. Mizunami with her crowd pleasing “firing up” posing into a corner clothesline spot for 2.

Akane fires back with forearms, but a scoop slam attempt is reversed by Mizunami. Akane recovers again though to catch Mizunami off the ropes with a double sledge, then rolls into her corner to tag Tsukushi. Tsukushi dropkicks Mizunami into a corner then recovers from Misaki swatting away a dropkick to headscissor Misaki into the same corner Ryo’s recovering in for a running dropkick. Scoop slam on Misaki, then she drop toeholds Ryo into splashing Misaki and doublestomps Mizunami in that position.

Misaki rolls out and Ryo’s had enough of Tsukushi, lifting the smaller wrestler over her shoulder and ramming her into Avid Rival’s corner. Tag brings Misaki in legally and she splashes Tsukushi then hits her crossbody to seated opponent in the corner after Tsukushi drops down. Misaki up for one of her gorgeous top rope crossbodies but Tsukushi moves and Misaki eats the canvas. Hard dropkick in the corner and now it’s time for Tsukushi’s version of the seated crossbody. Loving the back and forth nature of the match.

In a great bit, they going into what look like it would be a forearm exchange, but Tsukushi’s too quick so everytime Misaki tries to rear back for her shots Tsukushi lands another of her own instead before Misaki can strike. After the flurry Tsukushi hits a JUMPING KILLSWITCH (her variations on that move always drop my jaw, and kudos to Misaki for taking that) followed by a vicious dropkick to the face with Misaki laying against the ropes.

Tiger supex (or perhaps another killswitch) countered into  german attempt, countered into a snapmare to set up a seated dropkick off the ropes, but Misaki rolls back out of the way to try one of her own, but Tsukushi rolls back from THAT, and nails the seated dropkick to Misaki’s face for 2. Tremendous sequence. Tag to Akane and she further wears out Misaki with scoop slams. After Misaki fights one off Akane whips her into a dropkick by Tsukushi. Tsukushi then climbs the ropes to get into position crouching on Akane’s shoulders, then Akane walks her over to Misaki and Tsukushi hits a double stomp from Akane’s shoulders.

Misaki stuggles back up and tries to fight back with a spinning sledge but Akane ducks, and nails a forearm. However when she hits the far side of the ring Mizunami, who had crept into the ring moments earlier, wipes her out against the ropes with a clothesline then Misaki hits a seated Akane with a crossbody. Misaki up top and hits the diving crossbody this time for 2. Tag to Mizunami and the powerhouses trade forearms. Cheapshot kick to the back by Tsukushi when Mizunami hits the ropes followed by a jawbreaker across them turns the tide, and a Tsukushi dropkick followed by a shoulderblock by Akane sets up the powerslam for 2.

Mizunami fights off another slam and weathers some forearms, then catches Akane with a spear as Misaki comes in to simultaneously land a clothesline. Running legdrop gets 2, then Misaki nails the spinning sledge to send Akane into another Mizunami spear. Tsukushi breaks up the pin with a top rope doublestomp to Mizunami’s back (unfortunately not really doing her partner underneath Ryo any favors). Tsukushi tries to fight off both members of Avid Rival with forearms, but runs into a picture perfect 3D.

Misaki kicks Tsukushi out of the ring and Mizunami goes for a dragon suplex, but Akane fights out and hits a back body drop for 2. Scoop slam blocked once again by Mizunami, who then wears out Akane with elbows to the face. She’s caught off the ropes though with a powerslam that gets Akane 2 as Misaki makes the save. Akane calls for the end and hits the ropes, but is leveled with a Mizunami lariat.

Tsukushi saves, but pays the price as Misaki comes up behind her and hits a beautiful deadlift German to send her back outside. As Akane struggles to her feet Mizunami measures her and then hits a huge lariat for the win. Excellent main event. Akane held her own and we got the great tag match to be automatically expected from the other three.

 

As usual I couldn’t follow much of the roundtable, but it was interesting that Misaki and Ryo participated. With Tsukka missing Hoshi led the proceedings. Akane conducted the “Happy Ice Ribbon” cheer to close out.

 

Overall

Two really good shows here make this dvd an easy recommendation. It would actually be a good disc for newcomers to IR, as it showcases the various styles they feature as well as nearly all of their current stars.

 

December 28, 2015 in Tokyo, Japan

This was a special Ice Ribbon show produced by Risa Sera and with the title “Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter… Deathmatch.” It featured three matches with unique stipulations and heavy comedic overtones. My live thoughts can be read here.

In contrast to the other Ice Ribbon dvds I’ve reviewed, this one has commentary. It was done live by Hirotsugu Suyama and retired wrestler Mio Shirai on the house mics and was audible for the live audience. They banter a bit to open the show.

Then the titles run, showing “Risa Sera produce… Psychic phenomenon Deathmatch,” and a pre-recorded piece with Risa talking and interspersed images of her and other wrestlers fighting off some sort of apparition in a forest. Then a few highlights of Risa’s career play followed by her running down the card for this show (including a couple clips of season-related weapons being gathered).

We fade back to the venue and Risa comes to the ring to introduce the show.

1) Tsukasa Fujimoto, Maruko Nagasaki, and Tsukushi vs Akane Fujita, Maya Yukihi and Mochi Miyagi ***

As with the other IR releases I’ve seen, ring intros are not shown and instead we get a clip of Risa talking about this match and a “title card” shown for it. Even the wrestlers were laughing a bit at the running commentary. I believe the stipulation here was the pinfalls had to be related to the four seasons somehow to count. I was a bit lost live (though still liked it). Let’s see if it’s easier to follow now.

Tsukka and Mochi start. They trade wristlocks and hammerlocks and so far I’m finding the commentary more distracting than I did live. Tsukka with a snapmare into a seated position and a hard kick to Mochi’s back to get control. She tries to pick up Mochi for a slam (from suplex position) a couple times with little success as Tsukushi fires up the crowd in support. Mochi almost reverses it, but Tsukka fights out of it and finally gets Mochi up and slams her. Nice, simple sequence that gets a good crowd reaction. Execution is everything.

Tsukka covers but the ref and commentators inform her the slam doesn’t qualify. Tsukka sells being at a loss, then suddenly gets an idea. Maruko and Tsukushi rush the opposite corner to cut off Akane and Maya while Tsukka shockingly puts Mochi on the second turnbuckle facing outward and calls for a powerbomb. Great show of strength and she gets Mochi out to center of the ring in position, but Mochi ends up falling on her in Earthquake splash position instead. Tsukka quickly reverses a whip and then dropkicks Mochi to retake control, then tags in Maruko.

Maruko perhaps unwisely goes for a slam, which Mochi reverses. Mochi then covers Maruko and puts her own arms out (sort of an “airplane” position), and after the ref considers it for a second and exchanges comments with Mio he decides to count it. Gets 2. Mochi calls Akane in, climbs on her back, then they splash Maruko together. The ref starts counting but Mochi is trying to get Akane out since she’s not legal. She calls in Maya and makes her do the same thing, which Maya barely accomplishes because of Mochi’s weight. Mochi forcibly rolls Maya off Maruko and covers for 2. Tag brings in Maya legally.

She hits Maruko with a pair of slams (a LOT of those so far this match) but Maruko reverses a third attempt into a small package, which apparently doesn’t qualify, so no count. Maya tags Akane once she gets free. Akane slams Maruko and the crowd laughs at the commentary. Akane ties up Maruko with her own arms and legs and sits on her, which is good enough for the ref to check for a submission. Akane now spanking Maruko. Ref still checking with Maruko as she tries to wriggle free. She finally does, then ducks a clothesline by Akane, hits a dropkick, and tags out to Tsukka.

Both Tsukka and Tsukushi come in, with Tsukka climbing a neutral corner and Tsukushi crouching under her. Missile dropkick to Akane by  Tsukka followed by a running crossbody to the now seated Akane by Tsukushi. Tsukushi puts Akane back up into a seated position for a Tsukka dropkick. Nice sequence. Tsukushi knocks her opponents off the apron and she and Tsukka hit a double suplex on Akane. Tsukka then hooks TSUKUSHI in a crossfire powerbomb position, and spins her up so fast she ends up clutched to Tsukka facing the other direction, and Tsukka comes down on Akane essentially using Tsukushi as a weapon.

There’s a fair bit said about that on commentary as Tsukka pauses for a second, then she lays into Akane’s back with a series of kicks. A vicious one to the chest… doesn’t qualify and no count is made on Tsukka’s cover. The gimmick of the excellent ring technician Tsukka instinctively going for covers after certain moves and thus getting thrown off by the stipulation is  amusing and fits nicely.

Her confusion gives Akane a chance to recover and reverse a whip, leveling Tsukka with a double axe handle which the ref counts after some words from Mio. Tag to Mochi and she hits her Earthquake splashes sequence (kind of – no real jumping this time and she looks like she’s stopping and sitting on Tsukka instead of splashing her). This also counts and she gets 2. Tsukka powers out and she looks as annoyed/surprised that those pins were counted as she does worn down.

Forearm exchange. Tsukka eventually ducks one of Mochi’s, hits the ropes, and lands a beautiful hurricanrana rollup… which isn’t counted. Tsukka releases it with a frustrated scream while grabbing her head and looks like she’s about to lose her mind. She’s now soliciting advice from the crowd on moves while shushing Mio. Tsukushi coaches her through an idea from the apron, only for Mochi to catch her off the ropes and just swing her away to crash on the mat. Mochi splashes Tsukka’s back against the ropes, then rolls Tsukka back and places her legs over Tsukka’s for 2. Ok, given my adoration of Tsukka and lack of understanding I’m just going to pretend the ref is biased.

Tsukka with her wheelbarrow rollup into a hard kick to the chest spot. And she’s finally had enough and tags out to Tsukushi. Crossbody off the top to Mochi, then Maruko comes in. They whip Mochi into the ropes but she runs through the double clothesline and takes them both down with a shoulderblock off the rebound. Tsukka eats a clothesline on her way in to help. Tsukushi and Tsukka are on their knees next to each other and simultaneously eat the running belly to the face. Tsukushi spinning around like a top and both selling it like molten death made that move look impressive to me for the very first time.

Powerbomb attempt by Mochi but Tsukushi drops behind her and rolls her up, but pulls Mochi all the way to standing, works her way into Code Red position, then follows it all the way through into a jackknife cover. Akane and Maya get by Maruko and Tsukka to save. Tsukushi made that complicated exchange look fluid and natural. Tsukushi with a flurry of stiff looking forearm shots and hits the ropes, but eats a huge Thez Press from Mochi followed by a side Russian leg sweep for 2. Mochi grabs Tsukushi’s head and falls backward to ram it into her belly as she falls (ugh) but Tsukushi shakes it off for a second and lands a double stomp before collapsing. Both roll to their corners and Maruko and Maya come running in off tags.

Maya swats away a dropkick and hits a running shoulderblock, then covers Maruko off a slam. I think this is the first time that team makes a cover without a count. Maruko fights back and we get another forearm exchange. Nice touch: Maruko’s so light Maya’s forearms always send her back to the ropes, but Maya only moves a little when hit at first then steps back more and more after each as Maruko gets fired up. Tsukka and Tsukushi catch Maruko at the ropes after one of Maya’s shots and push her off for momentum into a dropkick that takes Maya down. Cover without a count, and Tsukka runs in to slap some sense into the back of Maruko’s head. They whip Maya into a neutral corner, then Tsukka, Tsukushi, and Maruko hit running dropkicks on Maya in the corner in sequence.

Tsukka coaches Maruko on what to do and the crowd gasps, an a second later I understand why when Maruko hits a standing summersault onto Maya. Akane saves. Maruko looking for a uranage but Maya fights it off. Whip to the corner reversed but Maruko goes up and over into a sunset flip when Maya follows. 2 count.

Maya recovers and lays Maruko out with a chokeslam, then hits a running summersault for 2 as Tsukka and Tsukushi save. They rush Maya, but get caught with a double leg lariat and sent out of the ring. Akane in to help and hits a sitout slam on Maruko. Maya up top for a hard swanton onto Maruko and gets the win.

This played better live for me, where I got more caught up in the action and wasn’t as aware of the commentary or the billion scoop slams. And no doubt I would have gotten a lot more out of this if I understood Japanese and could have followed the stipulation. Outside of SUMMERsault splashes being acceptable the season related aspect was lost on me.

Still an enjoyable opener though, which blended a humorous concept into a competitive match nicely. Tsukka was fantastic conveying the basic idea of what was happening with her not quite getting the hang of the stip and her mounting frustration though facial expressions and body language, and it added a lot to the match (even if the pacing suffered a little when wrestlers had to stop and “think about” what to do next). The action in general was quite good too.

 

2) Cell Phone Destruction Tag Match: Miyako Matsumoto and Neko Nitta vs Yuuka and Hamuko Hoshi ***3/4

Talk about high stakes. 😉 The loser of the fall will have their cell phone destroyed. The phones are verified before all being turned over to the ref as Mio and Hirotsugu banter. Handshake between the teams and Miyako and Yuuka start, but Miyako grabs a mic.

A second stipulation was added shortly before the show that if the match went to any kind of no contest/draw Risa Sera’s phone would be destroyed instead of one of the participants’. I had been wondering why the four involved wouldn’t just agree to run out the clock or something to save their own phones at Risa’s expense, and to my delight that’s exactly what Miyako suggests. Everyone seems on board, as Yuuka practices summersaults, Hoshi does her pose routine, and Neko plays/lounges in the ropes. Miyako herself does handstands in the corner, then practices balancing on the top (and freaks out as Yuuka and Hoshi playfully shake the ropes to mess with her).

As they begin more stretching / playing around, Risa comes running out with a mic to plead her case. Hoshi then takes the mic from her and it seems they’re asking the crowd who’s phone they want to see destroyed. The crowd twice responds “Miyako” instead of “Risa” and the Dancing Queen freaks out as the match begins for real. Poor Miyako’s perfect plan ruined.

Yuuka hits a running dropkick on Miyako for 2, followed by a shoulderblock from Hoshi for the same. Then NEKO gets in on the Miyako bashing and hits her own running dropkick and covers, but the ref won’t count because they’re partners. Miyako’s suitably pissed and bullies Neko into a neutral corner where she throws a temper tantrum and stomps on Neko’s back a bit. The ref calms them down and Miyako goes to the apron, shoving Neko towards their opponents on the way out. Yuuka stays in for the other team and they reset.

Side headlock by Yuuka out of a collar and elbow tie up. She’s sent into the ropes but knocks Neko down off the rebound, then shows off the summersault rolls she was practicing earlier to avoid a biel (nice touch). Neko responds in kind, then swats away a dropkick, but Yuuka kips up and lands an armdrag. Neko sweeps her legs, Yuuka pushes her off, then the opposite in turn, and we have a momentary stalemate. Quick, smooth sequence of wrestling. Yuuka doesn’t delay much though in landing a dropkick to retake the advantage and tagging in Hoshi.

She summersaults under a right hand from Neko and it’s “seductive” posing time. Neko saves me by going full cat mode, rolling around Hoshi and swatting at her playfully until grabbing her leg. Hoshi responds with a double axe handle.  Neko fights up then forcibly sends Hoshi face first into the mat, and follows with ramming Hoshi’s head down several more times. Camel Clutch, broken by the ref when Neko decides to scratch Hoshi’s face.

Hoshi tied up in the ropes and Neko hits the far ropes for speed, but then comes to a stop, climbs up behind Hoshi, and scratches her face again. She calls Hoshi “busu” (roughly translates as ugly girl) then tags Miyako. Miyako’s comes in with energy, but immediately has Hoshi reverse a whip and send her into a neutral corner. Hoshi then applies the insult to Miyako, followed by a running splash and Hoshi’s butt blocks. Bulldog gets 2.

Miyako “fights back” with thrust chops to Hoshi’s chest, which are all ignored as Hoshi calmly stands there and takes them. However when she retaliates Miyako ducks behind her and forces her to do the Mama Mia pose, then sends her face first to the mat. Miyako hits the ropes and goes for a double stomp, but as her feet hit Hoshi’s belly Hoshi rolls away and Miyako falls backward and hits her head. The announcers are losing it on commentary laughing. Belly to the face, but Miyako responds with a double thrust to the belly, crawls to her corner and aggressively tags in Neko.

Running forearm in the corner, then Neko tries to side slam Hoshi, but she’s too big. Instead Neko ducks behind and pulls Hoshi across her back for an attempted submission. Yuuka comes in to break but gets cut off by Miyako, who puts her in an abdominal stretch (and pushes down on Yuuka’s head to make the hold look painful). The ref puts a count on Miyako since neither she nor Yuuka legal, and both holds are broken. Neko goes up to the second turnbuckle and hits a shotgun dropkick on a kneeling Hoshi and follows with a wheelbarrow rollup for 2. Hoshi catches her off the rope with a standing splash to regain control. Running belly to the head gets 2.

Tag to Yuuka an she comes in with a big running dropkick to Neko in the corner, but Neko claws her face. Yuuka ducks three tail shots and counters a fourth by clapping in front of Neko’s face, which knocks Neko cold (I’m definitely missing something there) and the match only continues because Miyako dodges past Hoshi and just barely connects with a kick on Yuuka to save Neko. Yuuka off the ropes but Neko lands the spinning tail shot this time (OUCH!) then side slams Yuuka for 2. Neko tags Miyako then climbs their corner for a top rope shotgun missile dropkick. Miyako covers for 2.

Miyako forearms Yuuka against the ropes, but of course eats a dropkick when she bounces off the far ropes to attack. Both up and Yuuka easily gets the better of a forearm exchange, then ties Miyako up in the ropes for a hard running one. Miyako stumbles to the center and gets knocked down by another, then Yuuka hits a sweet diving version to the prone Miyako for 2. Yuuka op top but Miyako dodges the crossbody attempt and Neko comes in for a running back elbow. Double Shining Wizard (from opposite directions) gets an incredibly close 2 on Yuuka.

Miyako drags Yuuka in position as Neko holds off Hoshi and goes up top. She has the ref steady her and gets the pose for the Super Mama Mia, but Hoshi breaks free and gets Miyako across her shoulders. Yuuka up and nails a dropkick to Miyako’s head as Hoshi falls into a Samoan Drop. Nice double team. Hoshi pulls Miyako up to standing and Yuuka hits a beautiful top rope crossbody. Neko gets by Hoshi to save the pinfall.

Miyako starting to recover and catches Yuuka off the ropes with an ankle dropkick, but Yuuka fights off the rollup Miyako usually follows with. Neko in and they whip Yuuka into the far ropes, but she ducks the double clothesline and shoves Miyako into Neko. As they’re still tangled she goes for a running dropkick, and Miyako shoves Neko into it to save herself. She then has Neko hold Yuuka for a running forearm, but Yuuka gets free and Neko takes it. Miyako doesn’t seem to care much. Yuuka and Miyako fight over a waistlock and Miyako seems to get control and holds Yuuka for a Neko forearm, but then decides just to shove Yuuka into Neko instead.

Yuuka goes for her bridging backslide on Miyako, but Miyako counters and hooks the leg deep for 2. Miyako then gets her signature rollup but Neko’s had enough of her and breaks up the pin at 2 (to cheers). Ever reasonable Miyako tries to reconcile by slapping Neko in the face. Neko directs Miyako out of the ring but the latter swings instead and Neko ducks behind her and hits a lungblower. The odds are not good for the Dancing Queen now. Hoshi comes in with a lariat and Yuuka hits a crosslegged Fisherman’s suplex, then everyone (including Neko) piles on Miyako for the pin. This is why you shouldn’t annoy your partner too much.

Afterward there is the cell phone destruction ceremony. Hoshi and Yuuka sit in one corner happily cradling their returned phones, as Miyako’s phone sits on a table in the center of the ring and Neko holds her in another corner as she dejectedly contemplates her phone’s fate. Kurumi comes out with hammers and Miyako loses it in the corner, desperately trying to crawl away from Neko. Yuuka, Hoshi and Mochi come over to block and help keep Miyako back. The phone gets a ten bell salute and I’m losing it as Yuuka and Hoshi use their returned phones to document the death of Miyako’s.

Miyako grabs a mic and pleads for mercy to boos and laughs, trying to pull Mochi with her towards the center of the ring. Kurumi and Mochi eventually hammer Miyako’s beloved phone into oblivion and as Dancing Queen plays and poor Miyako faints. There was more to the hammering than what was shown (including Yuuka getting a shot in) but the point was made.

Ice Ribbon continues to prove that they know how to do comedy right, and Miyako in particular is a master. The key is everything was still related to the match that was happening and the action was still great. The post match ceremony was hilarious, and this whole thing was entertaining from start to finish.

 

Pre recorded interview with clips talking about the first Risa Sera Produce show and the “Human Hair Death Match” Risa had against Maki Narumiya, as well as setting up tonight’s main event.

3) 60-minute Four Seasons Death Match featuring Risa Sera ****1/4

This is essentially an Ironman match for just Risa, with her opponent changing after each decision. Each will be bringing some sort of season related weapon with them to be used. Risa comes out with a ladder and props it in the corner to do her prematch playing to the crowd. She’s in awesome new gear for this, with black Aikido pants, a white tube top (with clear straps), and flower patterned forearm sleeves.

Tsukushi is the first opponent and comes to the ring with a couple bags full of balloons. She dumps them around the ring and it seems they’re filled with pollen (or maybe dust). The bell ring and Tsukushi immediately dropkicks Risa into a corner, then gathers a couple balloons and makes Risa hold them while seated in the corner. Running dropkick to the balloons pops them against Risa’s chest, releasing the contents into her face.

Tsukushi places some balloons on the mat and pulls a stunned Risa in front of them, but Risa has more than enough time to collect herself and catches Tsukushi off a crossbody attempt from the top, spins her around to Risa back, and slams her “on” the balloons. Unfortunately the balloons were kind of blown away as they fell and none popped. Tsukushi suffering the effects of the slam though, so Risa scoops her up and tries again, but again the slam fails to pop any balloons. Risa shows good natured frustration and the crowd is amused.

Risa sets up Tsukushi in the corner holding a couple balloons, and the double knees finally allow her to explode some (although one popped before Risa got there). Risa covers for 2. Forearm exchange gives way to charging each other with balloons, and they pop into both wrestler’s faces to trigger dual sneezing fits and they both tap out for a draw.

Risa’s still coughing and sneezing as Isami Kodaka comes out as her second opponent carrying a barbed wire baseball bat. Odd cut jumping from Isami coming out of the curtain to just as he was entering the ring. Couldn’t have been more than a few seconds. Not sure the purpose served or why anything would be cut at all from a match specifically advertised around the fact of being 60 minutes long.

He backs Risa into a corner and hits a shot with the bat to her midsection, then sends her into the ropes but Risa ducks a swing at her head and rebounds with a dropkick. Risa sends him to the corner instead of grabbing the bat and  her evades her subsequent charge, then run to the opposite corner and back for momentum to nail a running boot. Risa rolled out of the corner into a seated position and hit with a dropkick.

Isami retrieves the bat, hit Risa in the stomach, then rolls the barbed wire across her back. He hits her in the back then positions her sitting in the corner and does a batting warmup routine that the crowd gets into. He swings away from Risa but lets go on the backswing and the bat flies into Risa (which the crowd liked less). Parabola diving forearm in the corner and the ref declares him “safe” (guess he was running the bases). Risa kicks out at 2 then evades a top rope stomp, hits a dropkick, then hits a pair of her running double knee drops for 2.

She slowly powers Isami up onto her shoulders for a DVD in a great spot for 1. She rushes him against the ropes and doesn’t quite get backdropped over, but Isami recovers nicely and grabs Risa to finish powering her to the floor. Sliding dropkick and Isami’s out too. They trade several suplex attempts without breaking their hold on one another and Risa finally get Isami over in a great show of strength. They brawl into the bleachers and apparently falls count anywhere as Isami gets 2 off a kick. He goes to the top of the bleachers and dives on to Risa (at the botom) with a BRUTAL looking double knees for a 3 count. Risa’s looks to be out cold.

Hamuko Hoshi swims to the ring wearing a cap and goggles as Risa struggles to get up on the floor. She rolls Risa in, slams her in the center of the ring, and locks in her Boston Crab variation. Risa with a nice counter consisting of doing a pushup and then extending her legs to flip Hoshi off of her. Risa grabs Hoshi’s legs and locks in the same hold she was subjected to moments before. Hoshi attempts to swim towards the ropes using various strokes, then Risa grabs her arms an impressively lifts her into Risa’s standing Boston Crab with Hoshi suspended in midair. Hoshi holds out so Risa drops her, then tries a whip but Hoshi bounces back with a shoulder block. Ten minutes gone announcement and it already feels like Risa’s taken a lot of punishment.

Running belly to the face connects and Risa bails, then they brawl all the way out the door. I wasn’t one of the fans who followed so this is new to me. There’s a child’s swimming pool set up outside, and after some back and forth Hoshi slams Risa into it. Risa pops right back up, selling the cold of the water more than the slam, and she then forfeits to prevent Hoshi from doing it a second time. Given this was December and all the fans are in heavy coats I’d have done the same thing in Risa’s place. She splashes some of the wrestlers and fans standing around with the remaining water to convey how cold it is.

Back inside music hits for Risa’s next opponent, and we get another slight cut to Yuko Miyamoto entering the ring. Can just the men’s entrances not be shown or something?  Risa is soaking wet and has rolled back into the ring and is kneeling in a corner. Yuko has brought a mini garden rake and a pail full of something that not immediately obvious. He tosses out of the ring and takes her right back outside, slamming her face first into the pool this time and she comes up momentarily selling not being able to see. She clears her vision quick though and jumps back from Yuko dumping the pool towards her. He grabs a side headlock and drags her back inside, then rolls her into the ring.

Yuko grabs the pail and demonstrates that it has what appears to be sand inside. He swings it around like a shot put (without letting go) towards Risa but she ducks and runs to a safe corner. He tries it again but she escapes again. So he decides just to dump the pail on her instead, but Risa blocks and they struggle with the pail suspended between them above their heads. For a second they veer to the side and look like they’re going to dump it on the ref, but Risa ends the standoff with a kick to the midsection. The pail is down and Risa hits the ropes only to be hip tossed over the top rope to the entranceway (she holds on to Yuko’s arm though and he comes with her).

They fight over the pail again on the ramp, teasing it going dumping on the crowd, then Hirotsugu gets involved and it becomes a three-way standoff. They go down the stairs and into the crowd (ending up right behind me). Yuko kicks at Risa and shoulders Hirotsugu away, taking control of the bucket. He goes to throw the contents at Risa, but she moves and Hirotsugu takes the full hit. Risa bring Yuko with the now empty pail back to the ring. Risa hits the ropes but Yuko grabs the pail and nails her right in the head, then rolls her up with a bridge for the pin.

Another mini-cut and Neko Nitta’s out covered with sandpaper around her midsection and holding even more. Risa can barely stand and tries to beg off, but Neko whips her into a corner and hits a running splash with the sandpaper. Whip to the opposite corner for the same and a piece of it has stuck to Risa’s back, so Neko helpful removes it by dragging across Risa’s shoulder blades. Then across Risa’s sternum. Neko tries to back suplex Risa onto another piece, but Risa counters with a slam onto it instead. Risa grabs Neko’s extras and places them in the center of the ring while Neko makes an expression of “whatever you’re thinking of doing please don’t.”  Risa grabs Neko’s legs, drags her over, and applies a Boston Crab on top of the sandpaper as Neko freaks out.

Neko doesn’t give up, so Risa turns her over and drags her back over the sandpaper, then covers for 2. Neko gets to her feet and grabs a side headlock, then drags sandpaper across Risa’s face while in the hold. Risa reverses and gets her own side headlock on Neko, but Neko’s still holding the sandpaper and rubs it across Risa’s exposed midsection to force a break. Risa’s exhausted and down on her knees, so Neko grabs sandpaper in both hands and rakes them across Risa’s back a couple times. They struggle for control, but Neko eventually stretches Risa across her back (and the sandpaper there) for a submission win.

While Risa tries to recover in the corner Akane Fujita comes out next, and dumps a garbage bag full of igakuri all over the ring. Risa does not look pleased at this after just having dealt with the sandpaper. Akane starts throwing them at Risa, with the latter frantically trying to dodge. Amusing moment when one sails by her towards the crowd and Akane apologizes profusely. Risa very gingerly trying to navigate around the ring to avoid them, but Akane catches her and tries a slam. Risa fights it with every fiber of her being and tries to whip Akane, but it’s reversed, and Akane hits the rebounding Risa with a shoulder block to send her back first onto the igakuri.

Akane’s pleased with herself and an angry Risa dares her to try it again, so Akane hits the ropes, but Risa uses a drop toehold instead and Akane goes down headfirst. Risa tries to prepare for a igakuri throwing war, but Akane’s wearing gloves and she isn’t so she can’t pick any up and Akane gets a bunch of free shots. It keeps Risa at bay until she decides just to suffer through it and rushes Akane with a kick to take over. Risa calls for a slam but after a couple of unsuccessful tries Akane reverses into her own. Risa selling major pain and igakuri are stuck to her. Akane then hits a powerslam for 2. Risa tries to turn the tide with a dropkick, but of course she hits the igakuri covered mat as well and both wrestlers are selling the effects. Risa pulls Akane up though and hits a DVD for the pinfall.

Yuuka and Maruko come in as attendants and try to sweep up the igakuri, but the next competitor is already coming out. Amusingly it’s Tsukasa Fujimoto, carrying a much larger broom as her weapon. As Risa recovers in the corner, Tsukka kindly sweeps all the igakuri out of the ring herself. Mio and Hirotsugu keep the crowd laughing during this, and make several comments Tsukka responds to as she sweeps.

When she’s done Risa bows to her in thanks and respect, then Tsukka starts their portion of the match by switching to an overhand grip on the broom and swinging at Risa. Risa ducks, then jumps a low swing and steps on the broom to prevent further use. Tsukka goes for a enzugiri, but Risa ducks and Tsukka lands on the broom. Risa starts a forearm exchange and hits the ropes, but Tsukka gets the broom again and nails Risa with it off the rebound.

Snapmare into a hard kick on a seated Risa, then Tsukka decides to scratch at Risa’s already red back to boos. Hirotsugu has something to say about that that makes Tsukka pause and look to the commentary table in disbelief, then she responds to a “Se-ra! Se-ra!” crowd chant by grabbing the broom again. She ties Risa in the ropes and indicates she’s going to spear Risa from behind with the broom, but Risa moves and tries the same thing herself. This time Tsukka moves, but Risa still has the broom, and she levels Tsukka with it. Nice to see, as I was disappointed earlier when Risa never even tried to retaliate with the barbed wire bat.

Risa signals for the end and seems to want a back suplex on the broom, but Tsukka reverses, tries a regular suplex, then sends Risa into the corner when that fails. Running dropkick puts Risa down into seated position, then Tsukka backs up again and hits another. Cover gets 2 and Tsukka beautifully hangs on to the arm Risa kicks out with and turns it into a stranglehold. Risa powers out and flips Tsukka forward, but Tsukka rolls right back up and slams Risa near a corner. She grabs the broom and goes up top, straddling the broom witch-style to fly off onto Risa. So awesome. Risa moves but Tsukka recovers quickly and hits another broom shot to Risa’s chest. She then shoves Risa outside and all the way to the start of the entrance ramp, then goes back in the ring herself, gets a running start and launches the broom towards Risa.

Risa ducks to the side to avoid it, picks up the broom herself, then drops it for some reason and leaves it to rush the ring. The jockey for control until Risa hits a back slam for 2. Risa hits the ropes but is tripped by Kurumi, who then comes in the ring. Tsukka seems to explain that Kurumi (Walnut) is somehow a permitted season themed weapon. Enzugiri by Tsukka, German suplex by Kurumi, and a jackknife cradle gets 3 for Tsukka.

She celebrates with Kurumi on the outside while Maya brings Risa a drink and Mochi Miyagi’s music plays. Another mini-cut and I’m just going to ignore them from here on since no action is being lost. Mochi has brought mochi as her weapon. Cute, if likely ineffectual. Mochi kicks Risa as the latter gets distracted by the thirty minutes elapsed announcement, and then dumps the individually packaged mochi around the ring. Risa looks confused. Mochi places her on top of it, hits a light Earthquake splash, then does her airplane cover for 2.

She starts throwing the mochi at Risa, which the latter sells like getting hit with rocks. One misses Risa and nails the ref in the legs and he also sells serious pain for a moment. Risa grabs some herself and they throw at each other a bit (Risa’s aim being quite off though), then Mochi pushes Risa to the mat (kind of gently) in the corner and slaps her stomach. Then piles mochi on Risa and goes up for a Vader Bomb. Mochi sells like her own belly was also seriously damaged by landing on the snacks.  Risa tries to throw another one at Mochi but misses, then grabs a handful but essentially ends up just tossing them to Mochi. Mochi rushes Risa and beats her over the head with a mochi, then applies a sleeper while stuffing a still wrapped mochi into Risa’s mouth (which Risa had to remind her to do) for the tap out.

Yuko Miyamoto is back again, and takes the collected bag of igakuri swept up early and dumps it in the ring again. He then goes over to Risa corner where she still has a mochi in her mouth, pulls it out, unwraps it, then stuffs it back in and chokes Risa. She resists tapping out so he pulls her to the center and locks in a sleeper. He then turns her around and measures a chop, which comically hits only to make Risa spit the mochi at him, which knocks him back first onto the igakuri.

He rolls out and after taking a momment to recover Risa carefully picks up some igakuri and throws them at him. She then goes outside herself and hits Yuko across the back with a chair. He responds by throwing an igakuri into the audience. Risa indicates some of the crowd should move, then whips Yuko into the vacated chairs. Another chair shot to his back and another igkuri thrown into the crowd in frustration.  And one more of each for good measure. Risa starts throwing the igakuri at Yuko, but Isami has come out to the entrance ramp and is throwing some at Risa.

Risa is chasing Yuko with the chair, so he hides behind Hirotsugu. Risa hesitates and Yuko kicks her in the midsection, then grabs both her and Hirotsugu in headlocks and takes them down into the crowd. Hirotsugu hides behind Risa as Yuko gets another bucket of sand, but when he comes back around and throws it Risa dodges and Hirotsugu takes the full brunt again.

Risa’s back near the ring, and Yuko grabs a table from under it and hits Risa across the back.He then sets it up on the floor, puts Risa on it, and goes up to the top turnbuckle. However Risa meets him up there and a kick to the head sends him tumbling into the ring (and onto the igakuri). Risa dumps a box of seashells and looks to DVD Yuko onto them. He sets down and she can’t get him up onto her shoulders for a bit, but she eventually powers him up (to the crowd’s delight) and hits the move for 2. Risa hikes up her billowing pants to climb the turnbuckles, but Yuko moves and her double knee hits the seashells. Oklahoma Stampede on the seashells, but Risa shocks the crowd with a close kickout.

Moonsault attempt avoided, but Yuko lands on his feet. He catches Risa coming in and looks to powerbomb her through the table on the outside, but Risa escapes and dropkicks him to the apron. Risa follows and asks people to clear out, then sets up for a scoop slam through the table. Yuko blocks, nails a huge right hand to put Risa out on her feet, then hits a tombstone driver through the table for another win. Risa might need to be scraped up with a spatula for the next opponent.

Isami Kodaka’s is back again, and brought a snowboard this time. He rolls Risa into the ring and goes for an immediate cover. Smart given what she just went through. Kickout at 2. Isami takes exception to the igakuri and kicks large batches them out of the ring and Neko runs back and forth on the outside trying to block them from hitting the audience. Another cover for 2 on the worn out Risa, and now he gingerly picks an igakuri up and throws it at the announcers. Third cover for 2 without any offensive moves on Risa.

He slams her in the center of the ring and the ladder Risa brought out at the start finally comes into play. He sets it up upside down leaning against the middle turnbuckle and forms a ramp. He kicks Risa a little farther away from it, and in a great touch Risa sells the igakuri she ends up rolling over. Isami grabs the snowboard and goes up to the top, but the snowboard catches as he tries to ride to down the ladder so he essentially jumps onto it then off of it immediately into a splash on Risa. Risa holds on and kicks out just before 3.

Isami repositions the ladder for another try, this time balancing it against the top turnbuckle. He rolls a still stunned Risa closer and goes back up with the snowboard. This time it catches at the top instead of bottom so he essentially runs down the ladder and splashes Risa. Not to be deterred, he goes up a third time and this time the snowboard cooperates, as Isami rides it down the ladder into a splash on Risa. I didn’t mind the repeated spot here as this is something that could believably go wrong for him within the in ring story and he was landing something on Risa each time which accounts for her staying down between attempts. Risa kicks out and he’s not done yet.

He puts the snowboard aside and stands the ladder right side up in another corner. Lots of time spent between his moves, but Risa’s been beaten on so long it makes sense he’d be confident and wouldn’t be in a rush. He powers her over into a vertical suplex then forearms her as she tries to get up and waits to see if she has anything left. Risa answers that with a strong forearm, but Isami responds with a hard one of his own. Risa stays on her feet and they exchange some more. This is a fantastic way to show Risa’s fortitude at this point.

After one to many from Risa Isami has had enough, ties her in the ropes, and grabs the snowboard. He tries to ride it into a move but gets no distance, ends up just standing in front of Risa, and they bow to each other. He tires again with the same result, then simply pushes the snowboard into an empty corner. Risa’s had enough of patiently waiting to be attacked, and boots him in the gut. He responds in kind though then drops her with a short windup punch. They fight for dominance in suplex position and Risa lifts him into a gorgeous Falcon Arrow. Cover gets 2 and Isami’s in real trouble for the first time.

Risa pulls him to center and sets up the ladder. The ring seconds steady it as she climbs all the way to the top using the turnbuckles. Isami kips up though, and runs up the other side of the ladder. She tries to knock him down with a trio of forearms, but he holds on and responds in kind. Risa ties again, and a slap across the face sends him down to the mat. Risa comes off the very top rung with the double knees. Isami kicks out just before 3. Risa up and shaking feeling back into her legs after that high risk move.

She picks Isami up and fights for a DVD, but he blocks and they go into a forearm exchange. The energy they’re still showing and the hard hits they’re giving each other is impressive, especially from Risa. Risa staggers after a running forearm and they exchange a pair of hard slaps.

Risa knocked to her knees but won’t stay down and hits four forearms in succession, but eats the windup punch and is taken down to the mat. Isami grabs her far arm and just cranks back on it with Risa screaming. He leans himself all the way back to the mat still holding Risa’s arm but she won’t give up. The crowd’s going nuts chanting for Risa. She brings her arms back together and rolls into a cover for 2. Isami up quick and nails Risa with a superkick while she’s still on her knees. Scoop slam and he places the ladder on the prone Risa before going up top.

He’s got the snowboard again and lands the double knees on the snowboard on the ladder on Risa. He pulls everything off top of her and covers… for 2. Big ovation and chant for that kickout. Both back to vertical and they fight over a scoop slam, which Risa ends up landing. Running double knee sequence for 2. Risa lays the ladder across Isami and hits another running double knee drop (ouch for Risa!). She pushes the ladder away and covers for 2. Risa pulls some of the seashells out of the corner and looks for a DVD, but it’s reversed into a brainbuster on the shells. The crowd screams for her to kickout and she just barely does.

Isami places her on the turnbuckles and hits a superplex on the shells. Another close escape for Risa as time is running out. Isami sprints up to the top turnbuckle and lands the diving double knees… as time expires! Risa holds him off and survives long enough for a draw to finish the match.

That was insane. The first half or so was heavy comedy, but still featured good wrestling spots among the silliness and started building up how resilient Risa is, which paid off in spades in the second half off the match when things got much more dramatic as she tried to fight off escalating threats. The finishing stretch as she held off Isami and even got some advantages on him was great.  Not everything hit or worked perfectly, but they held it together well, the action was nearly non-stop, and the story was Risa’s endurance. Her performance was amazing, particularly given the shape she was in at the end. As an American fan I had to get used to the idea of the results (1w-7l-2d) not really mattering as much as Risa’s journey. It worked though, and the whole thing was a treat to watch overall.

Risa bows to the mat as the crowd gives her a well deserved chant. She takes the mic and thanks everyone. She’s clearly choked up with emotion and fighting tears as she gives her post show speech. Her left cheek is massively swollen and her chest and back are bright red. Even without understanding the words the mutual appreciation between her and the fans comes clearly through. She invites the IR roster into the ring (and makes a point of including Miyako, who was remaining outside) and asks everyone to stand and participate in the “Happy Ice Ribbon” cheer to close the show.

The dvd fades to a credit sequence featuring various pics from Risa’s career to this point. Once that finishes a post show interview with Risa plays (as she ices her left cheek). Poor Risa has bruises everywhere. Wish I could understand this one.

Hell of a show here, and Risa in particular really went above and beyond. Her performance was as gutsy as it was incredible, and IR’s ability in general to mix comedy into their shows so flawlessly and still have intense wrestling at their core impresses me to no end. The variety of atmosphere, match types, and action across their shows is a testament to the great talent level of their roster.