By: Jeff Brown

Photos: Masahiro Kubota

GanJo and Kitsune had a joint super show at Shin-Kiba 1st Ring on January 28. Yuna was seeking revenge against MICHIKO in a rematch for the KITSUNE title; there was a mix of wrestlers from all over the joshi world joining the Ganbare crew in an evening that celebrated wrestling.

Here are some impressions from the evening at 1st Ring.

MICHIKO vs. Yuna Manase – KITSUNE World Championship Match

Another masterclass performance from Yuna Manse, who is not just a pro wrestler but a storyteller who can control a crowd like a conductor with an orchestra.

During the ring introductions, MICHIKO and Yuna both had a nervous energy that just exploded with shoulder blocks before going to the floor where MICHIKO hit a tombstone piledriver. Yuna struggling to climb into the ring and falling off the apron and in danger of being counted out in the opening minutes of the match was a poignant moment. It’s the attention to detail that places her in the upper echelon of wrestling minds.

MICHIKO is perfect as the ice-cold killer who has no problem being the bad guy and, in fact, enjoys it. She drops Yuna with a brutal forearm to continue the beatdown. Yuna comes alive and hits a nasty backdrop, and now MICHIKO is in trouble. She bombards her various lariats and pins her after she nails her with the sliding lariat, regaining the Kitsune belt.

A rematch from December, and now they are tied one and one, this series is a must-see as these two create magic together.

Yumehito Imanari & Chanyota vs. Keisuke Ishii & Miyavi Echika 

Chanyota and Echika both have a cool demeanor and are very charismatic. Echika is very good and in time will be an amazing wrestler, and Chanyota is a star.

Ishii had no problem with the intergender sequences and played into the booing as he beat up Chanyota. Imanari has lots of fire when getting tagged in, which helped make this an enjoyable tag bout, and that led to a chop war with Echika. Chanyota returns to the action and taps out Echika with a knee bar.

This mixed tag action was a solid way to follow such a big opener.

Moeka Haruhi vs. Arisa Shinose 

Right after the bell, these two squared off in a mean strike exchange before Moeka got the upper hand. Arisa fired back with a crossbody and a bulldog; she has wild intensity and is very vocal in her matches. Moeka regained control with a straightjacket choke and followed up the rope break with knees to the head. Arisa has one last burst of defiance and lands a body press off the top. Moeka answered back with a series of double foot stomps (including off the top rope) to pin Arisa; a strong singles match from two wrestlers that may not be on everybody’s radar. 

Tae Honma & AKARI & Yappy vs. Mochi Natsumi & Yuki Mashiro & Grizzly Fujitaki 

A multi-tag, which was a wonderful mix of comedy and hard-hitting wrestling (often occurring simultaneously).This is especially true with some of Mashiro’s eye poking, which included jumping off Mochi into a diving eye poke.

Funny violence is a key element of Ganbare but also places like Ice Ribbon or Prominence. Tae, Yappy, and AKARI are three incredible smooth workers that can adapt to any situation or place on the card; they are acutely aware of what notes to play as a match progresses. Mochi, Mashiro, and Grizzly were even more unpredictable and revealing in being menaces inside Shin-kiba. Tae gets Grizzly in a roll-up for the win.

All six are fantastic and put on the perfect semi-main event match. 

YuuRI & Ayame Sasamura vs. Kohaku & Nanami

A continuation of the theme of the semi-main, this had a perfect balance of lighthearted spots and serious tag team action.

It started out with lots of shenanigans around ringside, but the second half of the match turned up the intensity as all four put on a main event-level performance. This included lots of big moves and last-second saves right up until the final seconds when the bell rang. It was a satisfying outcome with evenly matched competitors going to a time limit draw.

The match was a strong bookend to the show and a showcase for everyone involved. 

The show closed with Yuna taking the microphone from YuuRi which led to the sign-off with everyone in the ring while Yuna, Honma, and others sang her theme by Nanase Aikawa.

This card was very fast-moving and really fun. The fact that Kitsune brought in freelancers as well as talent from Ice Ribbon, WAVE, Diana, 2AW, P.P.P.TOKYO, Prominence, Asuka Pro, Pure-J, GLEAT, and, of course, Ganbare, all on one card, made the evening special.

One of Kitsune’s goals is to put a spotlight on the incredible talent in joshi who aren’t regulars in the big companies while bringing together American and Japanese cultures.