Recommendations

[howard]

Hi,

I'm kind of new to Puroresu and was wondering if anyone could recommend some classic, must see matches. I'm familar with some Japanese wrestlers from their american work and would like to see what wrestling from Japan is like. Also, I'd really appriciate it if someone could let me know what Japanese Wrestling Federations are worth following. Thanks for youe time
Howard

[Ganso]

Well on the topic of with puro organizations to follow; It depends on which wrestling style interest you. If you're a fan of Lucha Libre you should follow Michinoku Pro, Osaka Pro or Toryumon. If you like the stiff, strong style watch the heavyweights of All Japan and New Japan. If you like the Garbage or "Hardcore" style catch up on some Big Japan, or older FMW. If you like the Mixed Martial Arts shoot style, you can check out Pride, RIGNS, and Pancrase. I hope i was of some help.

[Hom3R]

The jr matches topic and the Heavyweight match topic got good recommendations on must see matches.

[Luds]

Hi,

here are links to the 2 IWJP Heavyweight Title History tapes that I bought. They contain the history of the Main title in New Japan. You can see the long list of matches...

These contain matches from pretty much ALL champions in New Japan heavyweight title history: from Hulk Hogan, Antonio Inoki, Tatsumi Fujinami, Riki Choshu, Vader, Salman Hashimikav, The Great Muta (motoh), Shinya Hashimoto, Keiji Mutoh, Nobuhiko Takada, Kensuke Sasaki.

The tapes covers the history, starting from the 87 (where the IWJP title was awarded during a tournament) to Sasaki's first reign as champion in 1997, and the feud against the nWo Japan.

Note that you will see wrestlers that would later become champion, like Masahiro Chono, Scott Norton, and other big names like Ric Flair.

I highly recommend these tapes. (NOTE THAT THE SAME TYPE OF TAPES ARE ALSO AVAILABLE FOR THE IWJP JUNIOR HEAVYWEIGHT TITLE)

http://www.wrestlingemporium.com/cgi-bin/viewit.cgi?7
http://www.wrestlingemporium.com/cgi-bin/viewit.cgi?491

ENJOY

[LizardKing]

I'd suggest starting where I started - getting arguably the greatest card organised - the Super J Cup 1st Stage (1994). It has the best junior wrestlers from New Japan, Michinoku Pro and FMW and a couple of great, great matches. It also has Chris Benoit, Dean Malenko and Eddie Guerrero on - some familiar faces to make the transition to Puroresu smoother. It will also introduce you to such greats as El Samurai, Jushin Liger and Great Sasuke among others. It was my first Puroresu video, and I haven't looked back since.

[Hom3R]

Super J Cup 94 was great. It was one of the first tapes I bought and the first one I watched and it got me hooked on jr puro.
I also recommend Misawa - 5* matches.......they really are 5 star.

[kobashi]

I started with AJPW Super Power Series 1999 with the awesome ***** Kobashi vs. Misawa bout. Some people say it is hard to get into All Japan but I clicked staright away and it is one of my favourite tapes. It would be good to start with because it also has some familiar names them being Hayabusa, Jinsai Shinzaki and Bart Gunn.

Then I gto Super J Cup 1994 which is probably the best card ever! A must have for any newbie. It epitomises everything what puro is about. From the amazing final to the brilliant start with all the guys coming out to that awesome music!

So they are two I reccomend.