Riki Choshu vs Yoshiaki Fujiwara

Riki Choshu and Yoshiaki Fujiwara. Two of the most iconic, influential workers in the history of Japanese wrestling. Choshu was the innovator of the Scorpion Deathlock, blazed a trail for a faster pace of heavyweight wrestling, and was probably the first major 'outsider heel' in puro with his All Japan run. Fujiwara was one of the granddaddies of shoot-style, his influence traceable to every current indy fed who runs quasi-shoot stuff, and was also the original guy to come out to Flight Of The Valkyries. They were on opposites sides of the ring plenty throughout their careers, most notably during the late '80s when both guys were at the peak of their ability and popularity, and New Japan was in one of it’s golden eras. I had originally planned on just revisiting their match from 1987, but thought I might as well revisit a couple others too while I’m at it.

Riki Choshu vs Yoshiaki Fujiwara, 9/6/87 

This was an ass-stomping and a half. Fujiwara doesn’t even wait for Choshu to get in the ring and he is all over him with brutal headbutts and punches to the face. Choshu is busted open early and proceeds to eat more of this beating before turning the tide with some stiff blows of his own. These guys were not fucking around and you feel the hatred. Both dudes have like 2 actual wrestling moves all match but use them as well as any minimalist worker, both desperately going for their respective finishes as soon as they get in deep water. The lariat countered into an armbar is such a beautifully simple counter, but it still rocks 35 years on. But we are mostly we are here for the violence, and when Fujiwara gets his comeuppance and starts bleeding, his face is pissing crimson. Choshu then kills him dead with a couple big lariats and the ref calls a KO, which is about as decisive as a stinky 80s finish gets. Fujiwara started this fight, but Choshu ended it. Compact, spiteful, double juice, violence, 2 larger than life superstars – this match rules.

 
Riki Choshu vs Yoshiaki Fujiwara, 4/1/94

Hey it’s these guys at the Tokyo Dome. This started with much more of a feeling out process, with Choshu obviously having the power advantage and Fujiwara using his superior technique. It doesn’t take long for Fujiawara to start being his wonderful dickhead self and adding some spice to the match. Both guys are manly and absorb some big shots while refusing to back down, and we get another big armbar moment after Fujiwara baits Choshu in. Cruddy finish with Fujiwara kicking at out 3.1, but otherwise this was solid, if the least of the 3 matches here.
 
Riki Choshu vs Yoshiaki Fujiwara, G1 Climax 6/8/94

This was a lot more ground-heavy than the previous 2 matches. It reminded me of those UFC bouts where a top tier wrestler keeps a guy with no mat ability down and just keeps on him to neutralise the stand-up. I much prefer the sections with these guys standing up and putting the boots to each other, but Fujiwara containing Choshu and beating him with his superior wrestling was clever. Him trying to bait Choshu in to the Scorpion so he could catch a leg was a crafty little moment. Fujiwara making Choshu tap was an upset, and the way they got there was pretty neat, though I wish there wish there was more ass-stomping to go with it.