As many fans are aware, Megumi Fujii is a world famous martial artist and MMA fighter known as The Sambo Queen. Back in 2003, Mariko Yoshida worked out at Fujii's dojo. They became very good friends and Fujii agreed to face Yoshida in a pro wrestling match in ARSION in May 2003. I have this match on DVD (thanks PUNQ) and for someone who had never been in a pro wrestling match before, Fujii was pretty damn good. Obviously Yoshida agreed as Fujii has appeared on a couple of Yoshida's Ibuki shows including the Mar. 19 Shin-kiba 1st Ring show. Yoshida has also used veteran amateur wrestler Akiko Nakni. I guess she is showing respect to these women and setting an example for the young wrestlers on her shows. If business is good, I wouldn't be crazy about her doing that. But Ibuki is an extension of Yoshida's Gym and is kind of a hobby for her so it's OK. Here's what happened at the show.
Ayako Sato suffered a broken leg so she was replaced by Yoshida trainee Hiroyo Matsumoto in her very first match against Mai Ichii. It was a five minute exhibition. Matsumoto is 20 years old and has a background in judo. She has been training with Yoshida since January and will make her official debut this summer. Apparently Hiroyo did OK on short notice.
K-DOJO's Bambi has been training at Yoshida's Gym. Many fans are now familiar with Bambi's cutoff jeans look. So when she came out for her match vs Ayumi Kurihara in a one piece white bathing suit, the crowd in attendance went nuts. Bambi's suit is definitely reminiscent of joshi legend Mimi Hagiwara. Of course no one will ever confuse Bambi for Mimi in the ring. But Bambi won the match with a diving senton at 13:51. And don't worry. I'll give you some pics to look at. Maybe it's a new birth for Bambi.
Here's another wrestler with a new look. No more afro for Kyoko Kimura. She has dreadlocks now. Her opponent is Atsuko Emoto. After having her lip split open by Emoto's missile dropkick, Kimura won in 24:58 with boots to the back of the head known as Big Boots. Maybe it's a new beginning for Kimura too.
The main event was a two of three fall tag match with Mariko Yoshida & Shuu Shibuya vs Megumi Fujii & Natsuki*Head. Yoshida won the first fall over Natsuki*Head with the Spider Twist in 7:38. Fujii won the second fall over Shibutani with a knee lock in 4:17. Shibutani won the third fall with a back drop over Natsuki*Head in 9:00. Yoshida said afterwards that she wants the young wrestlers to understand the kind of intensity it takes to be successful in joshi and her friend Megumi Fujii illustrates that perfectly. Shibutani said she was very happy with the victory and now she wants to face Natsuki*Head in a singles match. The next Ibuki show will be on May 6 at the Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse. Here's the results of the show and a link to some pics at Yoshida's website.
IBUKI - 3/19/06 - Shin-kiba 1st Ring
EXHIBITION:Mai Ichii - draw - Hiroyo Matsumoto
Bambi def. Ayumi Kurihara in 13:51
Kaoru Ito & Cherry def. Leon & Tomoka Makagawa (Ito over Nakagawa in 19:56)
Kyoko Kimura def. Atsuko Emoto in 24:58
Mariko Yoshida & Shuu Shibutani def. Megumi Fujii & Natsuki*Head 2 falls to 1 (Yoshida over Natsuki*Head in 7:38, Fujii over Shibutani in 4:17, Shibutani over Natsuki*Head in 9:00)
http://www.yoshidamariko.jp/IBUKI20060319.htm
No comments:
Post a Comment