Hell yeah, now this is more my speed. And as good as this match is it's not even close to being match of the night. Sasuke/Liger is an easy *****. Liger/Hyabusa is good too.
Also, I thought at first that that was Jushin Liger guy (of ROH fame) at ringside until I remembered that it's the real Liger.
Ahhh man, me (5'5) and my pal (6'5, over 300lbs at that point) used to study this match and many Benoit matches. We were feuding at the time (ended up feuding for around about a year, which is pretty impressive by backyard terms - become quite a popular feud in UK. The UKBYW scene blew up pretty big at that point after having a prime-time documentary on us. Had over 50 people alone add me on MSN the day after it was aired. Absolutely crazy.) and really wanted to start offering a different style other than just hardcore, which was par for the course at the time.
I still remember us often starting matches with a few tie-ups, me getting shoved down and my pal doing the 'come fucking get some' taunt that Benoit does. Then in our blow-off, we started with him doing 2 shove-downs from a tie-up, and I took off me top/pants to reveal my old skool attire, tied up again, and I shoved HIM down for one of the first times and taunted like crazy after.
It definitely taught us a little bit about psychology and gave us some different directions to work in.
I think what i'm trying to say is, this match is really cool and influential towards me!
I love the booking of Super J Cup '94. Megastar Liger puts relative unknown Sasuke over in the semis and then Liger's rival goes over Sasuke, setting up natural Liger/Sasuke Benoit/Sasuke and Liger/Benoit rematches later. Tremendous.
Nah, but I could jump off a 50ft building! :) Nah in all seriousness, it kind of went with the trends of pro wrestling at the time. Deathmatch, strong-style, technical, story working.
If you want to see a bit of what we were about, here's a video someone put together of me: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6EM8OwbwXBQ
And here's one of our shows (Xtreme Public Battles) in a ring. I'm the guy in the LA Kings jersey: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eeIqsA-CUf8
Was that the documentary that made it out to be a big underground scene and then featured fights that were just a couple of fat guys hitting each other whilst a handful of their mates looked on?
Hey, this is a great match and good luck to you if you're influenced by it. But I have a hard time drawing any parallels between this match and any backyard wrestling.
Benoit/Sasuke, masters of their craft displaying amazing athleticism Backyard wrestlers ...... not so much
Yeh, admittedly the documentary tried to focus on the 'danger' aspect, as you'd imagine. It was funny getting interviewed. They'd corner you in to saying things you didn't want to say. I was meant to be one of the 'main characters' in it, but I guess I didn't give them enough material to work with. They also told me to stop changing my hair style, despite not paying me. I ended up with 3 different hair styles (2 of which were a different colour) haha
And I wasn't really trying to draw comparisons. We could never get anywhere near those two legends. It was more just some of my memories, to be honest. And thought i'd at least back it up with some footage! :)
That Pegasus fellow looks awfully familiar... in all seriousness, he's looks like he's carrying a bit more weight (I opened a quick WCW match with Malenko for a quick comparison) then he did in his prime. Wouldn't that be a negative for the J-Cup scene, or was he already "bulking up" for the American run.
I'm not entirely sure why, but I still don't like to watch Benoit's matches; I guess I just can't break the association. Still, I remember this being an amazing match. I thought it was particularly insane when Sasuke hit the missile dropkick from the top rope to the outside of the ring--which, from that distance, basically amounted to a flying double-stomp to the face. I don't think I've ever seen anyone use that spot before or since, but you could do it in the THQ games and I made sure to hit it every possible time.
To me, one of the best matches ever. I love the Super J Cup style of booking. Even though it's pro wrestling (i.e. predetermined), they treat it like a SPORT that deserves respect. And thus, you better create that illusion. WWE could learn a thing or two just watching the pomp and circumstance surrounding the match as much as anything.
Imagine WWE retreading Benoit DVD's if he hadn't fucked it up..
vs. Scorpio Superbrawl vs. Sasuke, J-Cup vs. Hart, Owenitro '99 vs. Angle wm17, '01 vs. Austin, Edmonton '01 vs. Edge & Mysterio 1, late 2002 vs. Edge & Mysterio 2, late 2002vs. Angle, 1/03 Rumble 2004 vs. Michaels & HHH, wm20 '04
vs. Michaels, 5/04
i know most of these are on Hard Knocks, but still.. the man is an awesome DVD.. a Benoit/Taker run at the streak at Mania could've been dope..
Nice! Saw this on the Benoit DVD, this is one of my favorite matches ever. Crazy intensity and Sasuke was ON this night.
ReplyDeleteIt was on Chris' own DVD from 2004...
ReplyDeleteHell yeah, now this is more my speed. And as good as this match is it's not even close to being match of the night. Sasuke/Liger is an easy *****. Liger/Hyabusa is good too.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I thought at first that that was Jushin Liger guy (of ROH fame) at ringside until I remembered that it's the real Liger.
I think he knows.
ReplyDeleteSuch an awesome match
ReplyDeleteAhhh man, me (5'5) and my pal (6'5, over 300lbs at that point) used to study this match and many Benoit matches. We were feuding at the time (ended up feuding for around about a year, which is pretty impressive by backyard terms - become quite a popular feud in UK. The UKBYW scene blew up pretty big at that point after having a prime-time documentary on us. Had over 50 people alone add me on MSN the day after it was aired. Absolutely crazy.) and really wanted to start offering a different style other than just hardcore, which was par for the course at the time.
ReplyDeleteI still remember us often starting matches with a few tie-ups, me getting shoved down and my pal doing the 'come fucking get some' taunt that Benoit does. Then in our blow-off, we started with him doing 2 shove-downs from a tie-up, and I took off me top/pants to reveal my old skool attire, tied up again, and I shoved HIM down for one of the first times and taunted like crazy after.
It definitely taught us a little bit about psychology and gave us some different directions to work in.
I think what i'm trying to say is, this match is really cool and influential towards me!
can you do a snapmare?
ReplyDeleteI love the booking of Super J Cup '94. Megastar Liger puts relative unknown Sasuke over in the semis and then Liger's rival goes over Sasuke, setting up natural Liger/Sasuke Benoit/Sasuke and Liger/Benoit rematches later. Tremendous.
ReplyDeleteNah, but I could jump off a 50ft building! :) Nah in all seriousness, it kind of went with the trends of pro wrestling at the time. Deathmatch, strong-style, technical, story working.
ReplyDeleteIf you want to see a bit of what we were about, here's a video someone put together of me:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6EM8OwbwXBQ
And here's one of our shows (Xtreme Public Battles) in a ring. I'm the guy in the LA Kings jersey:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eeIqsA-CUf8
Was that the documentary that made it out to be a big underground scene and then featured fights that were just a couple of fat guys hitting each other whilst a handful of their mates looked on?
ReplyDeleteHey, this is a great match and good luck to you if you're influenced by it. But I have a hard time drawing any parallels between this match and any backyard wrestling.
Benoit/Sasuke, masters of their craft displaying amazing athleticism
Backyard wrestlers ...... not so much
Yeh, admittedly the documentary tried to focus on the 'danger' aspect, as you'd imagine. It was funny getting interviewed. They'd corner you in to saying things you didn't want to say. I was meant to be one of the 'main characters' in it, but I guess I didn't give them enough material to work with. They also told me to stop changing my hair style, despite not paying me. I ended up with 3 different hair styles (2 of which were a different colour) haha
ReplyDeleteAnd I wasn't really trying to draw comparisons. We could never get anywhere near those two legends. It was more just some of my memories, to be honest. And thought i'd at least back it up with some footage! :)
Sorry still can't watch Benoit matches.
ReplyDeleteYeh, I do get you. I got over it about a year ago though. I can do Benoit matches again.
ReplyDeleteI can watch them just fine. I couldn't for about the first year and a half, but I am back to enjoying his work.
ReplyDeleteHe apparently is in the new WWE Encyclopedia so the WWE seems to slacking on his banishment as well.
ReplyDeleteI could watch junior wrestling from this era....well, forever. Just mind blowing.
ReplyDeleteThat Pegasus fellow looks awfully familiar... in all seriousness, he's looks like he's carrying a bit more weight (I opened a quick WCW match with Malenko for a quick comparison) then he did in his prime. Wouldn't that be a negative for the J-Cup scene, or was he already "bulking up" for the American run.
ReplyDeleteI'm not entirely sure why, but I still don't like to watch Benoit's matches; I guess I just can't break the association. Still, I remember this being an amazing match. I thought it was particularly insane when Sasuke hit the missile dropkick from the top rope to the outside of the ring--which, from that distance, basically amounted to a flying double-stomp to the face. I don't think I've ever seen anyone use that spot before or since, but you could do it in the THQ games and I made sure to hit it every possible time.
ReplyDeleteTo me, one of the best matches ever. I love the Super J Cup style of booking. Even though it's pro wrestling (i.e. predetermined), they treat it like a SPORT that deserves respect. And thus, you better create that illusion. WWE could learn a thing or two just watching the pomp and circumstance surrounding the match as much as anything.
ReplyDeleteMy advice...don't watch it. Sucks 4 u though cuz thats a "killer" match!
ReplyDeleteI demand a catalyst documentary. Could we call it "tits and jiggles"?
ReplyDeleteI've seen it a ton of times. I was a HUGE Benoit fan, I just don't watch them anymore because they make me angry and sad.
ReplyDeleteOh - I see what you did there....
ReplyDeleteWhat happens with the crowd after the final pin...sounds weird....like they're getting choked.....
ReplyDeleteNot really. WWE never stopped mentioning him from a historical perspective. They just don't promote him.
ReplyDeleteI don't know, I can separate the first 40 years from the last 3 days.. Benoit owns, sue me..
ReplyDeleteThat springboard clothesline was a cool move of Benoit's that I wished he didn't phase out.
ReplyDeleteImagine WWE retreading Benoit DVD's if he hadn't fucked it up..
ReplyDeletevs. Scorpio Superbrawl
vs. Sasuke, J-Cup
vs. Hart, Owenitro '99
vs. Angle wm17, '01
vs. Austin, Edmonton '01
vs. Edge & Mysterio 1, late 2002
vs. Edge & Mysterio 2, late 2002vs. Angle, 1/03
Rumble 2004
vs. Michaels & HHH, wm20 '04
vs. Michaels, 5/04
i know most of these are on Hard Knocks, but still.. the man is an awesome DVD.. a Benoit/Taker run at the streak at Mania could've been dope..
He was in the first WWE Encyclopedia, too.
ReplyDeleteOh ok, I didn't know that.
ReplyDeleteIt's gotta be PAC.
ReplyDelete