Interesting Funkai match from Japan (v. Ultimo)

[Johnny Danger (Godz)]

www.youtube.com/watch?v=rlWP_2esDqE

Found this while browsing youtube. It features a young Sho Funaki (in delicious rainbow sherbert tights) vs Ultimo Dragon, from Japan's WAR promotion, looks to be early 90's. Most American fans would hate this match as the majority of it is slow paced mat wrestling, but I enjoyed it. Its a good back and forth match that even sees Ultimo steal Funaki's finish (Fisherman's Buster) and use it against him.

One thing to note, around the 3 minute mark Funaki appears to take offense to a stiff kick and the two stop cooperating with each other, but, this could just be them masterfully working the crowd. In any event, enjoy and comment here. I wish WWE would utilize Funaki. (And I wish they hadn't wasted Ultimo)

[wrath]

I've always thought Funaki is much better than people give him credit for.

[Spankymac is sick of the swiss]

Dude, Funaki's singlet there is epic.

["Hollywood" Cactus Matt]

admiralcrunchy said:

wrath said:

I've always thought Funaki is much better than people give him credit for.

Indeed

x2

And if I may be so bold ... I think Funaki > Michinoku.

[wrath]

cactusmatt said:

admiralcrunchy said:

Indeed

x2

And if I may be so bold ... I think Funaki > Michinoku.

I dunno if I would go that far but..

Togo > Taka/Funaki

["Hollywood" Cactus Matt]

wrath said:

cactusmatt said:

x2

And if I may be so bold ... I think Funaki > Michinoku.

I dunno if I would go that far but..

Togo > Taka/Funaki

Eh, maybe you have a point. Granted, I've only seen their work in the U.S., but Taka just seemed like kind of a spot monkey. Maybe I should look up some of their Japan stuff.

[Johnny Danger (Godz)]

They may not have been the most effective version, but my favorite Kaientai of all time is the dubbed over Funaki and Taka.

[heffer111]

i wouldnt say WWE wasted him, he came for his 2 goals 1. performing as msg, and 2. performing at WM, they granted him both wishes and he slipped up twice at WM, that with being an older wrestler with some detrimental injuries, i dunno, doesnt seem like they couldve done much

[Johnny Danger (Godz)]

heffer111 said:

i wouldnt say WWE wasted him, he came for his 2 goals 1. performing as msg, and 2. performing at WM, they granted him both wishes and he slipped up twice at WM, that with being an older wrestler with some detrimental injuries, i dunno, doesnt seem like they couldve done much

Well, they could've, gee, I dont know...put the crusierweight title on him as opposed to putting it Chavo Guerrero Sr and a woman who wasn't over and hadn't been on TV for months? (And I LOVE Jacquelyn but still.)

But, no, Vince was mad because Dragon doesnt speak amazing english and isn't a flippy dippy guy like Rey. Hmm, try watching the guys you hire before you hire them some time, genius.

[wrath]

Ultimo should have been a bad guy. That way he could have at least had matches with Rey.

[Johnny Danger (Godz)]

wrath said:

Ultimo should have been a bad guy. That way he could have at least had matches with Rey.

They were hinting at this by having Tajiri help Ultimo win a match or two, that Ultimo might be recruited into Tajiri's "yakuza" but, OF COURSE, it went nowhere and was never mentioned again.

["Hollywood" Cactus Matt]

Just be glad they didn't make Ultimo unmask. That would have been the real tragedy.

[Johnny Danger (Godz)]

cactusmatt said:

Just be glad they didn't make Ultimo unmask. That would have been the real tragedy.

Actually, they kinda did, apparently.

Was looking for the link to the story but apparently i've lost it. Anyhow, a friend of mine showed me some news a couple years ago that apparently Stephanie McMahon told Asai he was "too cute" to wear a mask and he unmasked in Japan with a new gimmick in preparation for a WWE return that never happened.

I cant find anything to confirm this however so it may be NEWZ

['Sweet n' Sour' A. A. Estrada]

godz said:

cactusmatt said:

Just be glad they didn't make Ultimo unmask. That would have been the real tragedy.

Actually, they kinda did, apparently.

Was looking for the link to the story but apparently i've lost it. Anyhow, a friend of mine showed me some news a couple years ago that apparently Stephanie McMahon told Asai he was "too cute" to wear a mask and he unmasked in Japan with a new gimmick in preparation for a WWE return that never happened.

I cant find anything to confirm this however so it may be NEWZ

You left out the part where he gave her a slap that would make Inoki proud.

[Johnny Danger (Godz)]

vanvader said:

godz said:

Actually, they kinda did, apparently.

Was looking for the link to the story but apparently i've lost it. Anyhow, a friend of mine showed me some news a couple years ago that apparently Stephanie McMahon told Asai he was "too cute" to wear a mask and he unmasked in Japan with a new gimmick in preparation for a WWE return that never happened.

I cant find anything to confirm this however so it may be NEWZ

You left out the part where he gave her a slap that would make Inoki proud.

What? That actually happened?

Or is that just a joke I'm not getting....

[Ultimo Chocula]

Wow. Smackdown's number one jobber is a better wrestler than it's champion. Whodathunk?

[Johnny Danger (Godz)]

ultimochocula said:

Wow. Smackdown's number one jobber is a better wrestler than it's champion. Whodathunk?

::raises hand, looks around slowly, waiting::

[Spankymac is sick of the swiss]

godz said:

ultimochocula said:

Wow. Smackdown's number one jobber is a better wrestler than it's champion. Whodathunk?

::raises hand, looks around slowly, waiting::

*Raises hand* Right here, chief.

['Sweet n' Sour' A. A. Estrada]

*raises hand, since he can now do so without being left alone and laughed at*

[mysterydriver]

...

Should I try and derail the subject?

...

Sure...

SuperUltimo didn't sell the leg! This is worse than Kennedy/Batista! Bah!*



_{*This is a joke...please don't hurt me.}