KINGDOM: Birth Step 2 6/20/1997

KINGDOM PRO-WRESTLING: Birth Step 2

Yoyogi National Gymnasium, Tokyo, Japan

6/20/1997 3,300 in Attendance

We begin this next step in the birth of THE BATTLE FIELD THAT IS KINGDOM and are greeted by some absolutely stellar opening aesthetics. The KINGDOM theme begins and we are met with images of all the extremely tough dudes on the permanent roster. There is a calmness that follows the opening here that the first show didn't have, as we are met with images of the beautiful Yoyogi Gymnasium which was constructed for the 1964 Olympics (mostly used for aquatic events). After a little digging, there are actually 2 gymnasiums within the structure and I am pretty sure KINGDOM events were held in the smaller second gymnasium with an official capacity 3,202 (but they probably were selling standing room tickets that pushed the attendance above that).

It even has a suspension roof!

Next we see images of all the KINGDOM dudes working out and getting ready for the show (including a smiling Sakuraba!) followed by a fighter parade. All the KINGDOM roster is here with numerous visiting fighters (Nikolai Gordeau has graced us with his presence once again so we have trouble in the near future). We hear a few short speeches from the likes of Hiromitsu Kanehara and Yoji Anjo (I dont know why this dude is so over even after the Rickson Gracie incident), but really the main focus of all of this is the KINGDOM branded tracksuits. They are a lovely blue, red, and white.

Man these are some nice tracksuits

But now we have our first bout! This one is gonna be between Billy Scott and Shunsuke Matsui! Matsui in the last event unfortunately was KO'd by Nikolai Gordeau's “high kick then awkwardly sit on your neck” maneuver so hopefully this one works out better for him! Billy Scott is his opponent, an alumni of UWFi and a trainee at the UWFi dojo under Billy Robinson, and for these reasons I think this guy is going to be sick as hell. He discusses in a badly done but quite endearing pre-match interview that the use of these black fingerless gloves (its interesting seeing how excited fighters were about them before they were standardized) will really help him because in the UWFi he couldn't punch to the head which left him at a disadvantage to strong kickers. Billy Scott runs an MMA and Catch Wrestling instruction facility in Kentucky these days, its good to know that this stuff is still being taught and put in to practice in modern combat sports! Another plus of Scott: he's rocking a nice little mullet.

This one begins and we are at a flaming hot pace! Instant back and forth on the ground until Scott demands Matsuit to get up. We end up with Scott on his back with Matsui standing in his guard, but he's quickly admonished for striking Scott in the head since they are not both on the ground. Scott grabs a heel hook but Matsui fights out, this is a constant back and forth struggle. They are hooking and trading positions, constantly looking for something to twist or a choke to dig in.

They are back on their feet and Scott has some very solid striking abilities, so Matsui quickly brings it to the ground. Scott forces Matsui to the ropes for the first break. This striking is definitely shoot as Scott misses with a thunderous uppercut and Matsuit gets a huge takedown into a choke, and Scott is barely able to get to the ropes. As they stand up, Scott lands a clean right upper cut that scores a knockdown. Matsui gets up but has a bad cut under his left eye. The doctors clean him up a bit and we are back to the action. This match has probably been my favorite so far in this KINGDOM of Shoot and we aren't even done yet. Single leg from Scott but Matsui stuffs it and takes the back as we get a comical yet effective moment of Billy Scott running away out of the clinch. They immediately hit the ground but Scott gets the ropes. Scott hits a great belly to belly suplex to a huge WOW from the crowd and the commentators are so excited! Note on the commentators: I think their audio is being played for the crowd to hear? I'm not sure of this (the audio quality could just be off) but if its true that will be another quirk of this wrestling Kingdom.

First time we see blood in KINGDOM

Scott's reaction while realizing the match still isn't over

After a failed rear naked choke attempt by Scott, Matsui slips out the backdoor and mounts from Scott's back, landing huge punches. Matsui has now turned it into another rear choke but Scott gets the ropes and is down to only 2 points! Back standing we see Matsui hit a very well controlled double leg takedown, lifting Scott right off his feet. Matsui is trying to get a leg lock submission now but Scott turns it into a SHOOT STYLE SHARPSHOOTER! WOW this is a great bout, and just as I am wowed Matsui gets his own lock on and Scott is forced to the ropes. He's down to one point at this point! They hit the ground once more and Scott snatches a heel and forces Matsui to the ropes.

Belly to Belly!

Both guys are very tired from this lightening pace and its just adding to the shoot feel of this bout (but maybe its really real?). AND OUT OF NOWHERE Scott gets the arm bar for the win! Both men embrace after the best bout so far in Kingdom. We get the usual aftermatch interviews and Scott is talking it how much he likes these MMA gloves and how dangerous this style of fighting is. Billy Scott then drops the name of his trainer Billy Robinson who also trained many of the dudes of UWFi and Kingdom. Billy Scott has a great personality and I look forward to his future matches. Matsui is in high spirits but is way fucked up lol.

Excitement...

Defeat...

OH NO Here comes the big man Nikolai Gordeau with a pre-fight interview! He talks about his ground skills getting better and he also talks up KEINICHI YAMAMOTO, his speedy opponent. “If I have to end it on the ground, I'll do my stuff” says Gordeau ominously (he also has a very anxious, ominous entrance theme!). Let's not dilly dally any longer because I think this will be, at least, interesting!

(Something I noticed right from the get go with Yamamoto, and all of the other UWFi/Kingdom dudes, is that they are jacked as hell. This is not to say that the other shoot-style promotions didn't had juiced up huge dudes (RINGS had the wonderful Dick Vrij of course), but these KINGDOM guys are like WWE built.)

Nikolai is back to his gi pants and kickpad ways

Right out the gate we get WILD kicking from Gordeau until Yamamoto cliches up (Gordeau is already breaking the rules by holding the ropes while pushed up against them). They clinch for sometime before they break and Yamamoto lands a nice counter punch to Gordeau's completely missed cool karate kicks. Yamamoto is really out controlling Gordeau with his superior technique, always grabbing Gordeau's wrists and shutting down his offense. THEN BAM Yamamoto pulls Gordeau down and taps him out with a big ankle lock! That was much quicker than I expected. Keinichi Yamamoto is quite enthused at his win and Gordeau seems quite sad while he laments about how fast Yamamoto was. He even apologizes and promises to do better next time (don't feel bad man, its ok ;__; ).

Don't cry man!

ALRIGHT the next match is the mighty Yuhi Sano (another big buff dude) against this mysterious American guy named Mark Hall. In his pre-fight interview he has an absolutely terrible attitude and even moans about having to do an interview. “I just go out there and BANG man, what happens happens!” “Too many rules for me... I think they are doing me a favor.. We'll see what happens. Don't know and don't care. I really don't have time for any more talk right now.” This guy seems like a total jerk and I really hope Sano will put the smackdown on him. Sano on the other hand seems like a pretty cool dude and is very confident for this match!

He literally just complains a bunch

Big Dude Sano

OK so here's a weird thing: neither guy is wearing the MMA gloves. Perhaps this match has a different rule set? Maybe it was at the request of the complaining Hall? I'm not sure but one thing I am sure of is that Yuhi Sano has a very nice intro theme, complete with some nice bass and sax. They are kicking but seemingly keeping their hands open so maybe full punching is not allowed here since there are no gloves? I remain unsure. So far there has been no real contact made in a very tepid showing. Hall throws a wild spinning kick but nothing lands. Sano brings Hall down by catching a kick and Sano is now in Hall's guard. They are grappling but not much progressed has been made, I think the ref might demand action soon. Sano is really working to get out of the guard, WOAH OK Hall is hitting Sano in the head from the ground while on his back but it seemed like head punching wasn't allowed earlier? The rules here remain mysterious!

No Gloves!

Sano is standing now in Hall's guard and is punching his stomach as we hear Hall's coach screaming out orders. Maybe this is a real fight after all! Sano out of nowhere grabs a leg lock for the win (couldn't see though because the ref was in the way!). Yuhi Sano does a back flip to a huge crowd reaction as the rockin' KINGDOM theme plays. They hug after the bout and head to the back. Hall says he'll be back and will be more prepared, but he honestly seems to be begging for another fight. Real weird thing all around!

RIP

Yuhi Sano's reaction to his big win over Mark Hall

HEY its the big dawg Nobuhiko Takada chatting for a good while with the commentator of KINGDOM about what I can only assume are important updates on his injury (his shoulder was completely taped up at his exhibition match at Birth Step 1) and this great little promotion he's got going here. Another thing to note: the KINGDOM tracksuits are great and on both of these shows Takada has insisted on wearing them.

WE CUT BACKSTAGE and what is this!? ITS THE BIG CHICKEN HIMSELF Naoya Ogawa! Hated by many, loved by me, Ogawa is a favorite of mine who unfortunately has been slandered in the revisionist history thesis of “Inokiism killed NJPW” that has become popular these days (it is a thesis based in pure conjecture and really lacks any material analysis of economics, cultural trends, capitalism, etc.). Short story: I think people should seek out Ogawa's ventures in pro-wrestling as they range from wacky off-beat comedy to huge stadium-popping fights. WAIT now Antonio Inoki himself is here! Inoki and Takada shake hands in the locker room. Since everyone is suited up here, I can only imagine what sort of agreement is being made but it seems serious. Ogawa and Takada then shake hands to the excitement of the press! Ogawa never fought in Kingdom, so maybe this was an aborted attempt at Inoki testing the Shoot-style waters. Later in 1998, Inoki himself would found the Universal Fighting-Arts Organization aka UFO (which I will also be covering on this blog) where Naoya Ogawa, Tiger Mask 4, Gerard Gordeau, Don Drye, Kazunari Murakami, and others would battle in a similar worked MMA style to that of Kingdom.

[Fun fact: Gerard Gordeau and Tiger Mask 4 were in Ogawa's corner representing Team UFO in the famous incident where he shot on Shinya Hashimoto which lead to a massive brawl in-ring. This invasion angle is often not mentioned in contemporary discussions of the incident. Inoki had created a worked MMA style promotion (a womb for the Inokiism style) so that it could invade NJPW. This was the real beginning of the Inokiism era of NJPW.]

But let's not linger as we have Yoshihiro Takayama going up against Masahito Kakihara! Kakihara was a thrill in Birth Step 1 but Takayama was less than spectacular so hopefully this will balance out at least. Takayama is giving a backstage interview in a great UWF sweatshirt and an even better KINGDOM branded trucker cap. This dude is cool as a cucumber but I think everyone knows that at this point. Kaki gives a nice little interview as well. He comes out to the ring in his great blue and green while the UWF theme blares.

Cool as a cucumber

Unfortunate news everyone, this bout is uh... not good. Much of this match is spent with Takayama riding Kakihara's back and then Kakihara sitting in Takayama's guard. The ref demands action at multiple points in the bout as well. There is one entertaining moment where Takayama lifts up Kakihara from back guard but Kakihara catches a leg. Takayama forces the rope break and as we stand up we have short (and sloppy) striking exchange that leads to a choke being applied by Takayama for the win! That last section perked me up but most of the match was quite dull. Sadly, Kakihara loses again.

WE ARRIVE at the final bout between Kazushi Sakuraba, friend of all, and the personally dreaded Yoji Anjo! I'm too harsh on Anjo, he has some great matches in this era of shoot, but I dislike his whole thing... if that makes sense. OK WAIT Anjo had the KINGDOM logo shaved into the back of his head, thats a fucking power move. Maybe he's beginning to win me over but we'll see if that ever transpires. Sakuraba has a nice little interview that seems pleasant but I am not sure what was said.

Yoji Anjo just having a big laugh

I am really excited for this one and the crowd is as well! They are chanting both fighters names at the beginning and Anjo makes this silly face at the crowd. I wonder if he knows he will be overcome as ace of Kingdom by the ultimate shooter? Very fun little ground sequence to begin and we get a standing stare off to the crowds bemusement.. Now we are up striking and Anjo is throwing big kicks, but Saku is able to dodge a big right hook and take him down. Anjo tries to roll Saku over but Saku maintains control of the arm and holds on. They are back up and Saku has Anjo in the corner clinch. Saku is trying to get that arm with all his might and finally manages an arm bar but Anjo slips out into top control on the ground. This bout is great so far with both guys being very active both standing and on the ground. Sakuraba is beginning to crank a Kimura but Anjo gets to the ropes.

Back to standing, Anjo hits big leg kick. They clinch and return to the corner, but Anjo is able to force Saku strraight down (that kingdom logo on the back on his head is sick I cant lie). WAIT Anjo gets a big heel lock in but Saku gets up and somehow makes it onto the top of Anjo. The pace of this ground work is fast, and really puts what occurred in the Takayama vs Kakihara match to shame. LOL Anjo accidentally committed an ESCAPE by holding onto the ropes while on the ground so he's has lost 2 points now. Back to standing Saku attempts a takedown but Anjo stops it and slaps on a choke. Sakuraba fights out and gets a rope break and the crowd seems pretty hyped. They are in the corner again and Sakuraba tries to suplex Anjo but fails and is put in a front facelock. It gets broken up in the ropes and the ref separates them. BOOM gnarly strikes from Yoji Anjo which Sakuraba attempts to alleviate by clinching but in the process get hits so hard he loses a point due to knockdown. OK back up and WTF Saku hits the FUCKING biggest crustiest German Suplex on Anjo's neck. Sorry that one really just blew me away, the crowd shrieked as this move occurred. Saku grabs an arm but Anjo rolls out and locks in a kneebar FOR THE WIN.

THE FINAL SEQUENCE:

HOLY MOLY I do not think that was as good overall as the Billy Scott and Matsui bout, but that Anjo strike sequence followed up by an incredibly high angle, high energy German Suplex from Sakuraba capped off the show so well.

Before we leave the Yoyogi Gymnasium after this Birth Step 2 ends, Nobuhiko Takada has a few words with the commentator. I assume its about the next event and whatever occurred with Inoki and Ogawa earlier. Calm yet anxious music plays us out as we are shown recaps of the bouts and are shown some shots of the KINGDOM gym (ya know cuz its shoot-style). Birth Step 2 has left us with some answers but even more questions. We now know that the scary dude Nikolai Gordeau is actually a big softy who just wants to put a good fight, a fact that alluded me during the first Birth Step. Billy Scott kicks ass and his continued presence in Takada's KINGDOM will be well earned. Anjo still annoys me but I have come around to him. However, what happened there with Takada and Ogawa? What kind of deal was struck? What did Inoki have planned?

Maybe we will have more answers to these questions when we meet again for the final step of KINGDOM's birth: BIRTH STEP 3 at the Yoyogi National Gymnasium! See ya there!