NJPW Road To Destruction 9/23/93

[Deleted]

New Japan Pro Wrestling Presents
ROAD TO DESTRUCTION!

Taped: September 23rd, 1993
Air Date: Whenever You Trade for this VHS
Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan @yokohama Arena

Not For TV:
Michiyoshi Ohara defeated "Angelico Blanco" Jinsei Shinzaki via pinfall off a power bomb at 6:28.

Takaiwa Return Match
Shinjiro Ohtani, Manabu Nakanishi & Black Cat defeated El Samurai, Tatsuhito Takaiwa & Yuji Nagata when Nakanishi made Takaiwa submit to the Argentine Backbreaker (Torture Rack) at 12:31.

Ultimo Dragon & Corazón de León (Los Amigos) defeated Hiro Saito & Norio Honaga when Dragon pinned Saito off an Azteca Suplex Hold at 9:01.

Televised Portion:

Grudge Match
"Super Rookie" Jun Akiyama

Vs.

Tatsutoshi Goto (Fuyuki-gun)

Red Shoes Unoo is the official, so obviously that storyline is in play throughout the match. Very similar story to their previous meetings (back in June and in the tag just last month) in that much of the bout is Goto bullying the heck out of Akiyama throughout the bout. Jun has fellow young lion Yuji Nagata in his corner here, while Goto has rudo young lion Satoshi Kojima at his side. Akiyama gets a few red hot comebacks to keep the crowd into things, getting a near fall mid way through the bout off a jumping elbow smash and a quick small package. A backslide gets the same, as this crowd is hot for an Akiyama upset. We REPEAT the spot with Akiyama countering a backdrop suplex by shifting his weight and landing on top, and even get a quick count from Unoo BUT Goto still kicks up before 3. Kojima grabs the officials attention seconds later as Akiyama has Goto rolled up for what seems to be 3 but we've got no official. Akiyama then hooks him up for an Exploder but Goto's able to elbow his way to freedom. Eye rake gets him a warning, and we've got an argument with Unoo that allows Kojima from the apron to grab Akiyama by the back of the neck and pull 'em throat first across the top rope!

Nagata tries to get involved at this point, and this only leads to Akiyama's demise as Kojima has now loaded up the elbow pad and enters the ring to take his foe out with a loaded lariat! Goto could pin him right there, but instead opts to hit another backdrop suplex (one of many throughout the match) and covers for 3! No upset here tonight, as Goto STEALS one from the rookie sensation.

Your Winner: " Tatsutoshi Goto in 8:57 (4 shown) via pinfall. "

Post Match- Nagata hits the ring to cover up Akiyama after the match, and takes a beating for his troubles before promptly being tossed out of the ring. This feud continues here tonight on the ROAD TO DESTRUCTION.

Grudge Match

"El Ave de las Tempestades Jr." Eddie Guerrero (Los Amigos)

Vs.

"Lil' Nasty" Koji Kanemoto

Gran Hamada's backing up Guerrero, with Liger backing up Kanemoto. Former partners collide here with an extra special touch as Guerrero wears his Black Tiger II mask to the ring, and Kanemoto wears his Tiger Mask mask as well with each man removing said mask during introductions. Fun little story with Guerrero over powering Kanemoto at points BUT Kanemoto living up to his nick name with a few stiff kicks here and there keeping Eddie on his toes. Fun dive sequences to boot with an Guerrero springboard Asai senton from the second rope to the floor and Kanemoto with both a suicide dive and a stiff baseball slide. Finishing stretch see's Koji score with a Tiger Suplex Hold for two. He tries again for another one only for Guerrero to take control off a low blow. Kanemoto's set up on top with Guerrero right up there after 'em, top rope black tiger bomb (crufix sit out power bomb) is TEASED only for Kanemoto to counter in mid air to a top rope frankensteiner! A second tiger suplex hold follows and KANEMOTO DEFEATS GUERRERO!

Your Winner: " Koji Kanemoto in 13:54 (7 shown) via pinfall. "

Post Match- Guerrero & Hamada attack after the match, and Liger saves bringing us to our NEXT contest

Non-Title

IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Champion: Jushin "Thunder" Liger

Vs.

Gran Hamada (Los Amigos)

What kicks off with a hot lucha exchange, becomes a battle of strikes between Hamada's deadly headbutts and Liger's trademark shoteis (Palm Strikes). It's fun as all hell, a few dives to the floor, some great mat sequences. Hamada NEARLY gets the submission by side stepping a palm thrust at one point and taking Liger down to the mat with a fujiwara arm bar. Liger gets a near fall sometime later off a Liger Bomb and another off a fisherman's buster. Hamada counters a charging Liger in the corner with a set of boots followed by a tornado DDT out of the corner, cover gets 'em two. Ref bump, and we've got the crutch in play but Liger's able to wrestle it away from 'em, ALMOST gets so retribution by Guerrero snatches it from 'em. Kanemoto and Guerrero end up brawling into the crowd at this point.

Hamada's got the crutch and after a shot to the gut it's broken over Liger's back! Ref's back up for a German suplex and a close two count as Liger JUST manages to kick out just before 3. Liger makes his comeback off a running palm strike. Shinzaki hits the ring at this point and is cut off by the official... KEEP YOUR EYE ON ULTIMO DRAGON who's on the apron and here we go FACE FULL OF GIMMICK... ERR... POWDER TO THE EYES BY DRAGON! Rolling reverse cradle from Hamada and that's it! GRAN HAMADA HAS PINNED THE IWGP JR. HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION!

Your Winner: " Gran Hamada in 11:01 via pinfall. "

Special Attraction

Haku (Los Amigos)

Vs.

Power Gladiator

Fun little moment see's Ultimo Dragon ride Haku's shoulders to the ring for this one. As for the match itself? It's exactly what it appears to be, hard hitting and stiff as FYUCK from the moment the bell sounds. There are moments where it ain't pretty, but those moments are made up for with a few stiff headbutts, a Haku superkick, and some RIDICULOUS knife edge chops from the Power Gladiator. Haku gets a near fall off a diving headbutt from the second rope for two. Power battles back with a POWERful lariat for an extremely close two count. Another superkick out of nowhere gives Haku the advantage briefly. Over the shoulder power slam gets two. Tijuana (Tongan) Deathgrip is applied on the follow up and things look BLEAK for the Power Gladiator! His shoulders get pinned to the canvas BUT HE KICKS OUT AT 2! Power begins to, well POWER out of the hold, and the former Kensuke Sasaki eventually makes it to his feet and breaks the hold to a nice reaction. Few stiff chops only for Haku to answer back with a Mongolian style chop and a quick headbutt. He ATTEMPTS to fire 'em off into the ropes but it's reversed and Sasaki catches him on the rebound with a quick powerslam!

1...

2..

3!!! Haku kicks up JUST AFTER 3, but that's it! Power Gladiator with a HUGE singles victory here tonight on the Road to Destruction!

Your Winner: " Power Gladiator in 7:37 via pinfall. "

[Deleted]

Extended Ad Break

Once we're back we're treated to a very special announcement. October 8-29th are the dates set aside for the THIRD ANNUAL SUPER GRADE TAG LEAGUE! In just a few short days on our Samurai TV coverage of DESTRUCTION the amount of teams for said tournament will be announced, BUT RIGHT HERE we've got some teams to announce for you:

FORMER IWGP TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS:

The Hell Raisers: POWER & AWESOME GLADIATOR

Interm IWGP Tag Team Champions

King's Road: Johnny Ace & "Dr. Death" Steve Williams

Former IWGP Tag Team Champions

The Musketeers: "Genius" Keiji Mutoh & "Mr. G1" Masahiro Chono

Our final team to announce at this time gets a special introduction. First we're treated to selected highlights from the CMLL promotion in Mexico as NJPW is proud to announce, a more bulkly former Junior heavyweight NOW heavyweight returning from his learning excursion JUST in time for the Super Grade Tag League. You once knew him as Hiroyoshi Yamamoto, but from here on out he answers to...

HIROYOSHI TENZAN!

Tenzan will be teaming with Hiro Saito in the league, and with that we've got words from..

Hiro Saito!

Saito says for some time now he has tried to be a "nice guy" but Hiroyoshi Tenzan has reached out to him, and has inspired him to DITCH "Mr. Nice Guy" and return to the Saito of old. He says when Tenzan left he promised to return as the greatest villain NJPW has ever seen, Saito claims he has seen Tenzan, and what Yamamoto lacked in skill, TENZAN more than makes up for in BOTH SKILL & ATTITUDE! The true villains will win the Super Grade Tag League, then go on to take over ALL of NEW JAPAN!

Video package detailing the formation of Fuyuki-gun and the reunion of former partners turned enemies Masahiro Chono & Great Muta (now Keiji Mutoh) is shown. We get words from both the Fuyuki-gun team (Norton & Fuyuki) & Mutoh & Chono. This thing is personal fans, and it's up next!

Grudge Match

"Macho Body" Hiromichi Fuyuki & Scott "Flash" Norton (Fuyuki-gun)

Vs.

"Mr. G1" Masahiro Chono & Keiji Mutoh

It's a brawl from the moment the freaking bell sounds. Mutoh & Chono dominate at the very start at this one, as we're brawling all around ringside. Mutoh leaps out onto Norton out on the floor and gets caught, but there's Chono with a baseball slide onto his own partner to shift the momentum and bring Norton crashing back first into the guardrail just like that! Few more fun spots like this, even one where Fuyuki is caught in the corner and eats a handspring elbow from Mutoh and as he stumbles out of the corner he eats a Yakuza kick to the jaw from Chono! The heels, well Fuyuki mainly, rallies back with a low blow from Chono and some out and out rulebreaking (eye rakes, back rakes, and some cheap shots from Goto from the floor), and Norton's in to keep some arse for a good stretch. Quick tags in and out keep Masahiro in trouble on the heel side of the ring, but Chono's a crafty one as he's able to remove the turnbuckle from outside the officials view, and one drop toehold later, Norton eats a face full of buckle to a nice reaction. Chono has some fun with a series of low blows, showing that his baby face turn has NOT affected his bad assery. Mutoh gets the hot tag and cleans house for a bit, before nearly falling to a Fuyuki lariat. Fuyuki and Norton work over Mutoh for a bit now, busting out the old Footloose double team as Norton elevates Mutoh on his shoulders allowing Fuyuki to come in off the top with a flying hip drop, cover gets two as Chono is there to save.

Things keep breaking down, with brawling all around ringside, and all four men wearing crimson mask. Chono manages to dump Norton into the crowd off a series of Yakuza kicks and a lariat over the rail! He buries him in some chairs before headed back into the ring as Fuyuki has Mutoh set up on the top rope, perhaps looking for a superplex. Chono is there with a low blow and elevates Fuyuki onto his shoulders, DOOMSDAY HOOKING HART ATTACK STYLE CLOTHESLINE! No cover instead Mutoh heads to the top rope.. MOONSAULT CONNECTS! No cover yet again, as Mutoh instead TAGS TO CHONO (who set himself up in the corner), STF IS APPLIED!! Norton's on the outside thinking of saving, BUT MUTOH SLING SHOTS HIMSELF OVER THE TOP ONTO NORTON WITH A CROSS BODY BLOCK! Fuyuki tries to hold on, BUT CAN'T! FUYUKI SUBMITS! FUYUKI SUBMITS! FUYUKI SUBMITS!

Your Winners: " Masahiro Chono & Keiji Mutoh via submission at 19:54 (12 shown)"

Post Match- Norton gets put over strong in the post match as he attacks BOTH Mutoh & Chono from behind, laying each of them out with a pair of lariats before showing tremendous power by carrying Fuyuki to the back. We *CLIP* backstage where Fuyuki cuts a promo about losing the battle, but winning the war, far from serious as he's a total goof with him saying that Chono's days are STILL NUMBERED, Norton threatens to rip heads off and we *CLIP* to Mutoh & Chono treating their wounds with ice packs, jist is they want singles matches and I'm sure they'll get 'em.

Championship Skirmish

IWGP Heavyweight Champion: Genichiro Tenryu (WAR) & Interm IWGP Tag Team Champions: King's Road (Steve Williams & Johnny Ace)

Vs.

1993 G1 Winner: "Macho Dragon" Tatsumi Fujinami & IWGP Tag Contenders: Shinya Hashimoto & Super Strong Machine

Doesn't get any bigger than this. Hashimoto in particular is riled the fuck up at the start here, trying to get to the man who defeated him for the IWGP Title: Tenryu, but his own corner holds him back. Pretty heated bout, even during the feeling outstage there's that extra stiffness that makes the issues at play feel legit. The home team has the early advantage, but Williams puts a stop to that by catching Machine in an out of nowhere belly to belly. Machine plays baby face in peril for a bit, but with the crowd behind him is able to break free of the corner and toss Tenryu a mild beating before tagging out to Hashimoto. Tenryu gets heat by tagging out each and every time Hashimoto is tagged in, but does have some fun exchanges with Fujinami during the bout that puts them about even. Near the end we've got brawling out on the floor as Ace is left with Machine. Ace Crusher is attempted only for Machine to shove him off just as Hashimoto makes his way to the apron, Hashimoto then DRILLS Ace with a roundhouse out on the apron and a dazed Johnny wanders into Machine who acts quick scoring with his trademark Devil Windmil Suplex to give his team the hard fought victory in just over 15 minutes!

Your Winners: " Tatsumi Fujinami, Shinya Hashimoto & Super Strong Machine in 15:15 via pinfall. "

Before our main event we get clips of "Lone Wolf" Barry Windham winning the Greatest 18 Heavyweight Championship from Masahiro Chono at WCW's Great American Bash, we also get clips of his various defenses of the title (against Arn Anderson & Diamond Studd respectively). From there we get clips of Hiroshi Hase's tremendous run during the G1 Climax making it all the way to the finals with huge victories of Hashimoto, Muta & Chono before losing to Fujinami. Promos from each man air, with Windham saying he'll NEVER LOSE this title, and proclaiming himself the King of Japan. Hase talks about his quest to win back gold for NJPW starting here tonight, and ending with defeating Tenryu.

Greatest 18 Heavyweight Championship

Champion: "Lone Wolf" Barry Windham 3rd Defense (WCW)

Vs.

"The Golden Lights" Hiroshi Hase

The crowd is SUPER hot for Hase, chanting his name before he even makes his way thru the curtain. Windham plays old school heel on his way out to the ring, flipping off the fans as our announcers randomly talk about the Four Horsemen. I should point out that Antonio Inoki is at ringside on commentary here. Lots of fun mat exchanges during the feeling out process, with Windham sneaking in a few right hands here and there for some heat. Although the early going is all about each man working the others leg, Windham's main line of attack becomes an attempt to put Hase asleep with a sleeper hold. Hase keeps either breaking free or making it to the ropes. Just under 5 minutes in and Windham is caught off the ropes and PLANTED with a Golden Armed Bomber (Uranage) but rolls to the floor before Hase can cover. First near fall comes off a Windham bulldog, with Hase popping up just before 3. Hase makes a huge comeback hitting a few jaw breakers before scoring with a German Suplex for 2. Uranage gets attempted seconds later but Barry counters with a few stiff elbows to the side of the neck, big piledriver follows and a cover earns 'em 2.

Figure four gets locked in for a bit, and it's a super fun moment here with Barry taunting Hase and Hase REFUSING to quit and making it to the ropes. Irish whip gets attempted BUT HASE PULLS HIM INTO A URANAGE! No cover, instead Hase uses this opportunity to regain his composure. Shaking his hips ala Rick Rude to a nice reaction before hooking Barry up... GIANT FREAKING SWING!!!! 20 rotations as the crowd counts along! Barry rolls to the outside as Hase sells the dizziness for a bit before heading out himself. Windham surprises his foe by charging and ramming 'em back first into the ring apron. Back in the ring for a few back breakers before setting him up on top... SUPER PLEX COMING UP... NO! HASE BATTLES FREE SHOVING WINDHAM TO THE MAT! He leaps looking for an axehandle, BUT WINDHAM SCORES IN MID AIR WITH A RIGHT HAND TO THE JAW! Windham shoots 'em into the ropes seconds later, FLYING LARIAT CONNECTS! Cover...

1...

2...

KICK UP!

Barry argues the count a bit before slowly lifting Hase to his feet... BUT HASE PULLS HIM IN AND SCORES WITH ANOTHER URANAGE! Cover...

1...

2...

WINDHAM POPS THE SHOULDER JUST BEFORE 3!

Hase pulls him up and sets him up again... A SECOND GOLDEN ARMED BOMBER CONNECTS!!! No cover instead he pulls him up and sets him up... NORTHERN LIGHTS SUPLEX, NO! WINDHAM COUNTERS WITH A SHOT TO THE GUT! IMPLANT DDT CONNECTS! Barry covers...

1...

2...

HASE GETS HIS FOOT ON THE BOTTOM ROPE JUST BEFORE 3!!!

Windham argues the count yet again before going back on the attack, he shoots him into the ropes.. SLEEPER HOLD! HASE'S IN TROUBLE... BUT LOOK AT THIS HE CHARGES THE CORNER AND PUSHES OFF, WRESTLEMANIA 8 STYLE HERE FANS AS HE'S GOT WINDHAM'S SHOULDERS ON THE MAT...

1...

2...

3!!! HASE WINS!! HASE WINS!! HASE WINS!! HIROSHI HASE IS THE NEW GREATEST 18 HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION! THE TITLE IS BACK IN THE HANDS OF NEW JAPAN!!!

Your Winner AND NEW Champion: " Hiroshi Hase in 21:28 via pinfall. "

Post Match- A teary eyed Hiroshi Hase is presented the title and a trophy by both NJPW owner Antonio Inoki & President Seiji Sakaguchi. Hase gets on the microphone and pours his heart out to the fans, letting them know that this is the greatest moment of his career, and he's JUST GETTING STARTED. Channeling the winner of Fujinami & Tenryu's DESTRUCTION main event to a huge reaction.

We wrap things up by looking back on everything we've seen and reminding fans to join us on Samurai TV in just a few short days for "DESTRUCTION: FUJINAMI Vs. TENRYU"!

[Grape Ape]

Haku as a member of the Los Amigos cracks me up, Tijuana Deathgrip and all. In a match with the Power Gladiator, I wouldn't expect anything lss than the hard hitting, super stiff match that we were givien. Bet they'll both be feeling that match for the next few days at least. Nice win for PG.

The announcement of the Tag League and some of the teams entering looks great. Current and former tag champions being involved makes this big but will their involvement be bigger than Yamamoto/Tenzan's return and claim of becoming the greatest villain NJPW has ever seen? Should be a fun ride.

Windham and Hase pulled out some big guns in their match and both looked great but Barry's reign as the Greatest 18 Champ HAD to come to end here to Hase. You've solidly built Hase as a both great in the ring, resiliant but as a fan favorite since starting. Windham as a gaijin champion and a member of the Four Horseman makes it an even bigger win.

Looking forward to the Road To Destruction.

[somethingsavage]

Ditto on the point about Haku and Los Amigos in general. Pass me a shovel, 'cause I'm digging everything about that crew.

Hase is fitting as the next Greatest 18 Champ. Not sure what happens with the belt moving forward, but this was a feel-good moment to get the belt back onto familiar soil. Windham served his purpose as champ & actually had a lengthier (and more significant) run than I'd originally figured. Looking back, it was an enjoyable experiment that I'd say worked in favor for both WCW and New Japan.

Still find myself rooting for the Machine and Hashimoto, especially since it seems like they'll be doing some frequent teaming for the foreseeable future. Solid win to continue their momentum. Cotonelle tissue? 'Cause they're on a roll? =D

Really like what ya did with Kanemoto & Eddie here, using the masks & everything. Fun stuff.

"Macho Body" Fuyuki? Paha. That's awesome.

Sort of surprised to see ya booking Mutoh & Chono together this suddenly & so soon, but coming off the heels of their ultra-intense program - they'd look like the world's greatest combo right now. They're a certified super team, and fans would be filling the seats to see 'em together this way.

[Deleted]

Glad to see Hase get that win after coming so close in the G1 Climax. He makes for a great champion right now, and glad to see Windham serving a purpose here. The lack of appearances actually worked to make the match feel like it meant more. I think a better story could have been told with all these outsiders having the belts, but lack of time the last couple of months and it is what it is, though not like that still cannot be done with Tenryu, Williams, and Ace. Wish I could have given the title change more acknowledgement, but whatever as I am pretty sure most readers here do not thoroughly read 75% of what I post anyway and would not catch the acknowledgement it did get regardless lol. Could be something to revisit maybe as a 1 time rematch though at some point if timing works out whether in WCW or New Japan, although not to give up anybody's hopes reading this, pretty sure it won't on either of our ends.

Likwise as above, was surprised to see Chono and Mutoh already teaming up given the intensity of their programming against each other. Just feels like it went from months of trying to kill each other to this, and maybe Mutoh should have some reservations and trust issues or something. Honestly though, I think everybody would see through that it was going there anyway to them teaming, so cutting to the chase is also not the worst decision either. It is not on the level of absurdity of Hogan driving a truck into The Rock and then a month later, they suddenly have mutual respect for each other and were teaming without reservations lol, but fans seemed to eat that up too and that is what matters. Point being fans would want to see this team, so pretty sure anybody that did think they should not yet be teaming just like that, probably would pretty quickly ignore their own opinion to see it.

Kanemoto and Guerrero might just have stole this show in the second match. Would be hard top them going 13 minutes from an action and pace stand point, and the mask bit was good too. Nice work with the cornermen leading into the next match as well. Hamada taking that non title match over Liger would be a big notch in the cap of Los Amigos and they seem to be making a case for top stable at some point in the future.

Haku and Sasaki would be stiff as hell, but at that point in the card, it is exactly what is needed.