Frontier Martial Arts Wrestling (FMW) has continued to surprise audiences of the United States with their special brand of hardcore wrestling action. Started in 1989, the third tier Japanese Wrestling organization has captivated American audiences with their brand of wrestling that includes blood, barbed wire, fire, high flying, technical acrobats and larger than life wrestling superstars in the kind of matches you will never see in the WWF.
A new shipment of DVDs has been released on American shores and are as exciting as ever. War of Attrition - Egos Collide, a title that takes place after the devastating events of Judgment Day. Considered to be one of their biggest shows of the year, the November 23, 1999 event featured some of ECW's biggest stars and WWF's biggest star, Shawn Michaels intertwined into FMW's more popular storylines that set the stage for even bigger things to come.
At Judgment Day, Masato Tanaka defeated Fuyuki in an electrified steel cage match that allowed Tanaka to win the WEW World Title and also drive Fuyuki out of FMW. At the same time, H, also known as Hayabusa, battled Mr. Ganosuke with HBK as the special guest referee. H defeated his former partner and friend in the last match of their long, bloody, very personal feud. Mr. Ganosuke shook hands with H to end the match, as both men promised that their partnership would bring something new to the FMW audience for years to come. This brings us to our latest DVD, which brings viewers highlights of some key events that took place between Judgment Day and FMW's next big event, Backdraft.
The DVD begins with highlights of some pretty cool matches as Axel Rotten takes on his hardcore equivalent Kintaro Kanemura in a match featuring forks of all things. Balls Mahoney does battle with Masato Tanaka in a match that features interference from Axel Rotten and a sign of respect as the match ends, something that will play a major role in FMW for the next year to come. ECW and FMW do battle again as highlights of a Crazy 8-Man Tag-Team Match is shown as Balls, Axel, Tajiri and Super Crazy take on members of Team No Respect, Nakemura, Kanemura, Jado and Gedo. This match features highflying spots from Tajiri and Super Crazy as well as the hardcore stylings of Balls Mahoney, Axel Rotten and Kanemura. Another sign of things to come as the FMW-ECW War is far from over.
After highlights of those interesting matches, things really heat up and the new storylines of FMW begin to take shape. From here on out, FMW earns my respect even more than ever before, constantly switching things up and garnering my interest with innovative storylines and exciting action proving that War of Attrition - Egos Collide is a perfect name for this DVD. Awesome.
This is what they meant by the clash of egos. Since defeating Fuyuki and sending him out of FMW, Masato Tanaka has sensed that despite his loyalty to FMW, the fans and his friends have turned against him. He believes they are cheering H and former heel wrestler, Mr. Ganosuke. He feels that FMW is giving these two wrestlers the majority of the title shots and forgetting about Tanaka. Tanaka states that H used him in his battles and tossed him aside like garbage when Ganosuke offered his hand in friendship.
The accusations didn't bother the new team as H and Ganosuke defeated Ooya and Kuroda for the WEW World Tag-Team Titles. Both men stated that they understood Tanaka's anger, but believed that he would understand that they were all still teammates and Tanaka would get over it. Since that time, H, Ganosuke and Tanaka were forced to team up against members of Team No Respect. After the team got the victory, Tanaka refused to celebrate with his teammates and walked away. This animosity led to Tanaka teaming with Kuroda to battle the WEW World Tag-Team champions in a brutal battle for the titles.
The match started off with Tanaka and Ganosuke exchanging vicious slaps across the face. Tanaka landed a Vicious Spear and for much of the beginning for the match, he and his tag partner work on a weakened Ganosuke. Ganosuke fought back and using an STF Submission Maneuver only to have Tanaka reverse it to take total control. Tanaka landed a vicious looking Dragon Leg Screw, on Ganosuke's leg as Kuroda worked on Ganosuke's arm. However, everything changed as H is tagged into the match and used his highflying maneuvers to crack skulls. First, H landed a Somersault Press on Tanaka followed by a Slingshot over the ropes into a Legdrop. H demonstrated his power with a Fisherman Bomb with a two count followed by a Famouser; he ended with a Tiger Driver. Ganosuke then got into the ring, and the tide turned once again as H is revealed to be the strength of the team.
Ganosuke fought back and landed two Brutal Belly to back Suplexes on Kuroda, but the tough-as-nails Kuroda stood up after each shot, only to get hit with a powerful Clothesline and a two count. This was an exciting match with many two counts that could have easily turned into three counts had it not been for the remarkable strength of each combatant. These guys were wrestling extremely stiff for throughout the match. Things would continue to heat up as H hit a beautiful Frankensteiner on Tanaka. Ganosuke would showed that larger people can be great technical wrestlers, wrapping up his opponent for a two count. However, Ganosuke's move was one-upped when Tanaka hit a combination DDT and Stunner on H and Ganosuke. Tanaka continued with a Diamond Duster, a flip into a Diamond Cutter. However, Tanaka made the mistake of allowing Kuroda to get involved.
Kuroda started off well, but H took over the match, landing the Falcon Arrow and a two count followed by the 450-Degree Firebird Splash and another two count. H then hit the H-Edge and another two count. Finally, H landed a H-Thunder, a Piledriver like maneuver that allows H to pin Kuroda and get the victory. Tanaka upset and made another challenge, before grabbing an ECW shirt and walking out with Balls Mahoney and Axel Rotten. H promises to make Tanaka aware that FMW is his home.
As this was going on, Fuyuki made his return. Forced to leave FMW, Fuyuki found another way to come back to the company. Fuyuki went to America and held discussions with Paul Heyman, owner of ECW (today, a WWF personality). ECW had a working relationship with FMW and sent wrestlers to appear on their show. Fuyuki came back to FMW as a member of ECW Japan, a new organization that he created. Upon his arrival into FMW, Fuyuki asked wrestlers to join his new group to battle FMW. This led to an 8-Man Tag-Team War between the two branches.
In the match, H, Mr. Ganosuke, Ooya and Ricky Fuji took on Fuyuki, Balls Mahoney, Pitbull and a large female wrestler Kyoko Inoue. The match was intense as H was brutalized, first with a fork from Balls and then Fuyuki, who bites the popular Japanese star. Adding insult to injury, even the woman wrestler powerbombs H. ECW Japan really dominated the FMW squad in this match. There were moments when FMW shined and it looked like they could pick up the victory when Ricky Fuji landed a Bodypress on Balls Mahoney. When Fuji gets up, the powerful woman hits him with a nasty Lariat Clothesline that leveled Fuji. Fuyuki followed it with another Lariat Clothesline, scoring the win and giving ECW Japan First Blood in their war with FMW.
As this was all going on, many wondered where Tanaka would stand in this new feud. A loyal FMW wrestler, Tanaka left for ECW where he won the World title at one time. Would he defend ECW's honor against FMW or rejoin his old friends upon his return? Masato Tanaka returned to FMW on Christmas Day, 1999, and told reporters that he loved FMW and would not be a part of Fuyuki's group, although he still affiliated himself with the American ECW.
Tanaka was putting up his WEW World Championship against the upstart new FMW star. Tanaka never forgot that Kuroda cost him his tag-team match against H and Ganosuke. The beginning of the match was violent, taking place in the stands. Kuroda immediately went after his stiff Kuroda Clothesline and came charging after Tanaka, but Tanaka ended up hitting Kuroda with a Clothesline of his own. Despite the fan's presence, both wrestlers did not hold anything back, landing backdrops and dropkicks. At one point, Tanaka suplexed Kuroda, who went tumbling down the stairs. Tanaka was basically manhandling Kuroda. Tanaka then hit a Double-Arm DDT and a Tornado DDT from the top ropes, but he could only get a two count for his efforts.
Kuroda was not about to go out with a whimper and moved out of the way and locked Tanaka's feet as he ran for a Forearm Smash, thus sending Tanaka to the mat. Kuroda paid homage to Chris Benoit, landing a Triple German Suplex on Tanaka and scoring a two count. The two grapplers exchange Suplexes and Stiff Clotheslines, before Tanaka hit Kuroda with an awesome looking Razor's Edge Powerbomb and a two count. Tanaka even hit his patented Diamond Dust, but couldn't finish off his opponent. The action got fast and furious and at one point as both wrestlers missed some brutal shots. Kuroda then unloaded with a Kuroda Clothesline out of nowhere and scored the upset win to take the WEW World Title.
Tanaka left FMW to go to ECW. Commissioner Arai followed him there and confronted Paul Heyman about signing Fuyuki to an ECW contract. Heyman and Arai exchanged words and Balls Mahoney attacked Arai, telling Big Sal to Avalanche him against the wall. Arai was left with his answer and when he returned to FMW, he let all wrestlers know that they must put aside their differences and destroy ECW Japan.
However, they were fighting a losing battle. ECW Japan was destroying everyone in their path. Fuyuki and the powerful woman wrestler, Inoue actually beat H and Mr. Ganosuke thanks to interference and a knocked out ref to capture the WEW World Tag-Team Titles. In a match for the WEW World Title, Fuyuki virtually destroyed Kuroda thanks to the constant interference of his ECW coalition. However, he didn't win the title, because H made a save and a wild brawl ensued between the FMW and ECW Japan stables. Masato Tanaka came out and attacked Fuyuki and announced to the happy fans that he hated Fuyuki more than anyone in FMW. H went to shake Tanaka's hand, happy to have his friend back, but Tanaka slaped it away and let him know that while he will never obey Fuyuki, he will reorganize ECW and defeat H and his colleagues.
In another match, H defeated Fuyuki. Afterwards, the whole ECW camp comes into the ring, led by Tanaka and beat down Fuyuki, telling him it is time to retire. Tanaka stated that ECW Japan is dead and that the real ECW will reign supreme. H stated that Fuyuki is no longer his target and all that stands in his way is Tanaka.
H and Mr. Ganosuke were set to battle Tanaka and Balls Mahoney. The match begins with Balls Mahoney viciously laying out H with a Nutcracker Suite Piledriver maneuver from the top ropes. H had to be dragged to the back and Mr. Ganosuke had to do battle with the ECW squad on his own. As the match progressed, Fuyuki runs into the ring and makes a big save, attacking Balls Mahoney and evening the odds. Despite how even things look, ECW took control and Tanaka threw Ganosuke onto a table and landed a big Running Forearm onto Fuyuki. Tanaka went back outside and strangled Ganosuke with a video cable. Fuyuki fought back and attacked Balls while Ganosuke hit a Missile Dropkick on the ECW and Independent Icon.
As things shifted back in favor for FMW, Tracey Smothers hit the ring for ECW and turned things back into a three-on-two advantage. Then out of nowhere, H came back to the ring with his mask back on, as Hayabusa. He immediately landed a Somersault Press on Tanaka before hitting his patented Centon-Asai Moonsault. However, Tanaka fought back hitting both Hayabusa and Mr. Ganosuke with a Gore. Tanaka landed a Splash from the top ropes, followed by one from Balls, then Hayabusa hit a Falcon Arrow only to get a two count. Hayabusa landed a Shotai Palm Blow, but Tanaka responded with a Roaring Forearm and the Diamond Dust to score the pinfall. Fuyuki turned face and Hayabusa returned, but neither helped FMW score the victory.
Highlights of this match were shown and Mr. Ganosuke was a bloody mess. Ganosuke put up a good fight, but Tanaka won with the Diamond Dust. H returned to the ring and challenged Tanaka. Before the challenge was complete, Mr. Ganosuke slaped his friend across the face. Ganosuke grabed the mic and says that while it may not be the best time to ask this question, he wanted to know what he actually is to H. Ganosuke wanted to know if he was nothing more than a foil for the ever-popular H. It looked like Ganosuke would go back to his heel ways, but H assured him that everything will be finished when they go to Backdraft. Tanaka attacked H with a chair to end the program.
This DVD was awesome. There was just so much going on here. I was amazed at how much they were able to pack onto this DVD. There were even two bonus matches as Flying Kid Ichiara took on Kanemura and H and Mr. Ganosuke battle Ooya and Kuroda in a WEW World Tag-Team Title match. The best part of this DVD was that it leaves you wanting more and I could not wait to find out what happened between H and Tanaka and what happened between H and Mr. Ganosuke at Backdraft. Readers will have to wait until the next issue. FMW is definetly one of the most innovative wrestling federations in Japan and the rest of the world. That, my friend, is not just my opinion; it's a straight up fact. FMW rules the roost.
Send your comments and or questions to JMinners@ybfree.com.