A Review by Kevin Wilson
Date: May 4th, 2015
Location: Yokohama Radiant Hall in Kanagawa, Japan
Announced Attendance: Unknown
It isn’t too often an Ice Ribbon event is immediately available to review, so while their shows aren’t always great I had to take the opportunity to review them in a timely fashion. This is a big show for them, as they have two titles on the line as well as a hardcore match involving Kodaka and Miyamoto. Here is the full card:
- Tsukasa Fujimoto vs. Yuka
- 235, Aoi Kizuki, and Maya Yukihi vs. Akane Fujita, Makoto, and Miyako Matsumoto
- Mio Shirai vs. Mochi Miyagi
- Hamuko Hoshi vs. Tsukushi
- Triangle Ribbon Championship: Neko Nitta vs. The Winger vs. Kyuri
- Kankuro Hoshino, Masato Inaba, and Risa Sera vs. Maki Narumiya, Isami Kodaka, and Yuko Miyamoto
- ICEx Championship: Kurumi vs. Sawako Shimono
Onto the matches!
Tsukasa Fujimoto vs. Yuka
Fujimoto kicks Yuka to start and they trade blows, big dropkick by Fujimoto and she throws Yuka by her hair. Crab hold by Fujimoto, she releases the hold and kicks Yuka in the back. Stretch hold by Fujimoto and she hits a scoop slam for a two count cover. Irish whip by Fujimoto but Yuka rebounds out of the corner with a crossbody. Dropkick by Yuka and she hits a tornado DDT for barely a two count. Yuka goes up top and she hits a missile dropkick for another two. Elbows by Yuka but Fujimoto dropkicks Yuka while she is in the ropes. Fujimoto applies a crossface, she picks up Yuka and kicks her in the back. Fujimoto goes for a PK but Yuka ducks it and hits a scoop slam. Fujimoto goes up to the second turnbuckle but Yuka joins her and hits a Frankensteiner. Yuka goes back up and she hits a diving crossbody for two. Fujimoto and Yuka trade elbows until Fujimoto plants Yuka with a dropkick. Backslide by Yuka with a jackknife, but it gets a two. Fujimoto rolls up Yuka for her own two count, she picks up Yuka and hits an enzigieri. Dropkick by Fujimoto in the corner, body slam and she gets a two count. Fujimoto goes up top and she hits a missile dropkick for two. Fujimoto applies a Gokuragatame and Yuka has no choice but to submit. This was what it needed to be, Fujimoto as the veteran controlled but Yuka got in her spots to try to sneak in the win. The end was never in doubt but it was still fun to watch and a solid opener. Mildly Recommended
235, Aoi Kizuki, and Maya Yukihi vs. Akane Fujita, Makoto, and Miyako Matsumoto
Kizuki and company attack before the match starts, and Makoto is attacked by literally everyone with rolling sentons. Things settle down with Makoto and Yukihi in the ring and Makoto tags in Matsumoto. Matsumoto goes for a Rainmaker but Yukihi ducks it. Matsumoto tags in Fujita and Fujita elbows Yukihi in the corner. Yukihi gets away and tags in 235 and 235 hits a crossbody. Another crossbody by 235 to Fujita, 235 applies a sleeper but Fujita jumps back to get out of it. Senton by Fujita, she picks up 235 but 235 applies a sleeper again. Matsumoto breaks it up. Matsumoto and Fujita throw 235 into the corner but 235 chokes Fujita. 235 hits a DDT out of the corner and she covers Fujita for two. 235 tags in Yukihi and she dropkicks Fujita. Scoop slam by Yukihi and she kicks Fujita for a two count. Yukihi applies a stretch hold but Matsumoto breaks it up. Irish whip by Yukihi, reversed, and Fujita clubs Yukihi in the chest. Powerslam by Fujita and she tags in Makoto. Makoto shoulderblocks Yukihi and chops her into the corner. Makoto applies a stretch hold but Yukihi gets to the ropes. Back bodydrop by Yukihi but Makoto avoids the dropkick attempt. Doublestomp by Makoto followed by a cartwheel double knee for a two count. Dropkick by Yukihi and she tags in Kizuki.
Mongolian Chops by Kizuki to Makoto but Makoto avoids her when she charges in. Kizuki applies a backbreaker, she goes off the ropes and hits a senton for two. Kizuki and Makoto trade elbows but Makoto hits a spear. Makoto tags in Matsumoto, Fujita comes in too and they all dance around Kizuki. Kizuki avoids the body press attempt but Matsumoto gets her feet up when she goes for her own body press. Crossbody by Matsumoto but it gets two. Makoto comes in and hits a double knee, then Matsumoto hits a Shining Wizard for a two count. Matsumoto slams Kizuki in front of the corner and goes up top but she falls off. She tries again but she misses the diving body press. Running crossbody in the corner by Kizuki, scoop slam, and Kizuki hits a diving senton off the second turnbuckle for two. Neckbreaker by Matsumoto, and Yukihi dropkicks Matsumoto. 235 hits a diving crossbody on Matsumoto and Kizuki hits a Northern Lights Suplex for two. They trade pin attempts, Makoto comes in but Kizuki lariats both of them. Kizuki hits a German suplex hold on Matsumoto and she gets two. Kizuki goes up top and she nails a Swivel Diving Body Press for the three count! This was pretty basic but it had some bright parts. It got enough time that each got a chance to shine, as best as they can anyway. Not all six of these wrestlers are very good but the weaknesses are hidden in six man tags. Watchable but not much more than that.
Mio Shirai vs. Mochi Miyagi
They trade elbows to start and Miyagi hits a scoop slam. Miyagi wraps up Shirai’s legs but Shirai knocks her off and rakes Miyagi’s face in the ropes. Shirai boots Miyagi in the back of the head but Miyagi hits a dragon screw leg whip. Lariat by Miyagi in the corner but Shirai applies a necklock over the top rope. Shirai climbs up top and she hits a missile dropkick. Necklock by Shirai but Miyagi gets to the bottom rope. Body avalanche by Miyagi and she hits a second one for a two count. Running belly bump by Miyagi and she hits a reverse splash for two. Miyagi picks up Shirai but Shirai applies a sleeper. Miyagi hits a back bodydrop followed by a Lou Thesz Press for two. Miyagi goes up top but Shirai joins her and hits a superplex. Shirai goes off the ropes, Miyagi blocks the knee but Shirai rolls her up with the Zundamochi Clutch for the three count! Not a big Miyagi fan but this was kept short. Very skippable match, even though I do like Shirai.
Hamuko Hoshi vs. Tsukushi
Tsukushi dropkicks Hoshi to start the match but Hoshi hits a shoulderblock. They trade armdrags, side headlock takedown by Tsukushi but Hoshi gets out of it and poses. Belly claw by Tsukushi but Hoshi shakes her off. Tsukushi throws down Hoshi by her hair and she runs on Hoshi’s back. Tsukushi twists up Hoshi in the ropes and she delivers a dropkick. Hoshi hits a scoop slam followed by a body press for a two count. Hoshi throws Tsukushi into the corner and Hoshi hits a lariat. Butt bumps by Hoshi but Tsukushi dropkicks her in the back. Elbows by Hoshi and she applies a crab hold, but Tsukushi gets to the ropes. Tsukushi goes off the ropes and she hits a spinning headscissors. Hoshi falls out of the ring, Tsukushi goes up to the top turnbuckle and she hits a plancha down onto her. Back in the ring Tsukushi goes up top and she hits a missile dropkick for a two count. Tsukushi applies a camel clutch then a leg lock but Hoshi gets to the ropes. Tsukushi goes up top but Hoshi joins her. Tsukushi elbows Hoshi back down and she hits a diving crossbody for a two count. Tsukushi goes up once again and she hits a diving footstomp for a two count. Tsukushi goes for a suplex but Hoshi pushes her off and hits a lariat. Running belly bump by Hoshi, cover, but it gets a two count. Hoshi and Tsukushi trade elbows, Tsukushi goes off the ropes and she hits a hurricanrana, but Hoshi rolls through it. Jackknife by Tsukushi but that gets a two count. Tsukushi goes off the ropes but Hoshi hits a lariat, but Tsukushi barely gets a shoulder up. Hoshi picks up Tsukushi but Tsukushi hits a victory roll. Samoan drop by Hoshi, she goes up top and she hits a diving body press. Hoshi waits for Tsukushi to get up and she nails a lariat, picking up the three count. I like Tsukushi but Hoshi doesn’t do a lot for me, she works better in comedy matches. Tsukushi was plucky though, I will give her that, but still not a good match.
(c) Neko Nitta vs. Kyuri vs. The Winger
This match is for the Triangle Ribbon Championship. Winger is double teamed to start, double Irish whip and Nitta dropkicks him. Kyuri hits lariats on Nitta and she hits a scoop slam on Nitta for two. Kyuri applies a cross armbreaker but Winger covers Kyuri for a two. Winger punches Kyuri and stomps on Nitta before throwing Kyuri by her hair. Nitta rolls up Winger but Kyuri breaks it up. Kyuri grabs Nitta but Winger throws Nitta into the corner. Winger hits a backdrop suplex on Kyuri but Nitta hits a headscissors on Winger. Dropkick by Nitta to Winger, Kyuri goes up top and hits a diving crossbody on Winger. Nitta hits a backstabber on Kyuri, she barely connects with a dropkick and covers Kyuri for two. Leg Clutch Hold by Kyuri on Nitta but it gets two. Nitta hits an uppercut on Kyuri but Kyuri rolls her up for two. Winger is back but Kyuri gets him in a small package for two. Fisherman suplex hold by Kyuri on Winger, but it gets a two count. Winger rakes Kyuri in the eyes and he hits a scoop slam. Winger picks up Kyuri and he hits a piledriver. Nitta comes up from behind and applies Ne Kohistral on Winger for the three count. Nitta is still your champion! This was sloppy and not good, and odd role for Winger to say the least. Not very well structured.
Kankuro Hoshino, Masato Inaba, and Risa Sera vs. Maki Narumiya, Isami Kodaka, and Yuko Miyamoto
Inaba and Hoshino attack Kodaka to start the match, knocking him out of the ring. Sera brings in Narumiya and Narumiya is triple teamed until Miyamoto and Kodaka return to help out, and the action spills out to the floor. Miyamoto rolls Sera into the ring and he tags in Kodaka. Kodaka hits Sera with a chair and covers her for two. Kodaka tags in Narumiya, stomps by Narumiya to Sera and she tags in Miyamoto. Miyamoto rakes Sera’s face in the ropes and Kodaka dropkicks her. Miyamoto tags in Kodaka and Kodaka scoop slams Sera onto some chairs. Kodaka puts Sera in the corner and he throws the steel chair at her before hitting a running elbow. Kodaka tags in Miyamoto, elbows by Miyamoto and he goes up top, but Sera blocks the chop. Sera slaps Miyamoto and she hits a scoop slam, giving her time to tag in Hoshino. Lariat by Hoshino, Kodaka comes in with Narumiya but Hoshino spears both of them. Irish whip by Hoshino and he hits a body avalanche to Miyamoto followed by a STO. Hoshino gets a ladder and puts it in the ring, and he scoop slams Miyamoto onto it. Hoshino goes for a senton but Miyamoto moves and tags in Kodaka. Kodaka gets more chairs and he hits a side Russian leg sweep on Hoshino and then Inaba onto it. Kodaka grabs Sera and he does the same to her, but onto a ladder. Hoshino tags in Inaba and Inaba hits a diving hip attack on Kodaka.
Suplex by Inaba, cover, but it gets two. Kodaka and Inaba trade elbows, lariat by Kodaka in the corner and Miyamoto delivers a dropkick. Kodaka goes up top but Inaba avoids the dive and hits a lariat. Inaba and Kodaka fight for suplex attempts, which Kodaka gets the better of. Kodaka tags in Narumiya while Sera is also tagged in. Sera hits a Schwein, she gets a chair and hits Narumiya with it. Double knee by Sera, cover, but it gets a two. Hoshino and Inaba come in and Narumiya is triple teamed. Sera sets up a ladder and she slams Narumiya in front of it. she goes up the ladder but Narumiya joins her. Superplex off the top of the ladder by Narumiya, cover, but it gets two. Narumiya and Sera trade elbows, drop toehold by Narumiya and Kodaka hits a Tiger Feint Kick. Spear by Narumiya, cover, but Inaba breaks it up. Kodaka dropkicks Inaba out of the ring and sails out onto him with a tope suicida. Miyamoto then grabs Hoshino and hits a Yankee Driver off the apron through a table. This leaves Narumiya and Sera in the ring, Narumiya slams Sera to the mat and covers her for two. Narumiya puts a ladder on the mat, she picks up Sera and delivers the Yuruneba onto the ladder for the three count! If you don’t like intergender matches, don’t watch this match. This one got plenty of time and generally was good, I like Narumiya a lot but don’t get to see her much so that helped. The women were game for anything and overall it was solid, although not spectacular. Mildly Recommended
(c) Kurumi vs. Sawako Shimono
This match is for the ICEx Championship. They lock knuckles to start and Kurumi works a headlock. Shimono gets out of it, Irish whip by Kurumi and they both try for shoulderblocks with no luck. Shimono finally knocks Kurumi over, elbow by Shimono and she covers Kurumi for two. Shimono puts Kurumi in a Mexican Surfboard but Kurumi gets out of it, and Kurumi hits a shoulderblock. Kurumi throws Shimono to the mat by her head (she has no hair) and hits a scoop slam. Kurumi applies a crab hold but Shimono makes it to the ropes. Irish whip by Kurumi but Shimono hits a judo throw before applying a cross armbreaker. Kurumi gets into the ropes and Shimono hits a lariat in the corner. Jumping knee by Shimono but Kurumi comes back with a dropkick. Shoulderblocks by Kurumi and she hits a somersault senton for two. Kurumi applies a cross armbreaker but Shimono wiggles to the ropes. Waistlock by Kurumi but Shimono gets into the ropes, Kurumi goes off the ropes and Kurumi hits a body avalanche. Cannonball by Kurumi while Shimono is against the ropes, Kurumi goes up top but Shimono moves out of the way of the dive. Shimono applies a cross armbreaker but Kurumi gets a hand on the ropes.
Kurumi and Shimono trade elbows until Shimono hits a Samoan Drop for two. Seated senton by Shimono and she hits a second one for another two count. Lariat by Shimono and she hits a second one for a two. TKO by Shimono but Kurumi kicks out. Shimono goes off the ropes but Kurumi hits a drop toehold. Body avalanche by Kurumi but Shimono applies a small package for a two count. Shimono goes off the ropes but Kurumi catches her with a behind-the-back slam for a two count. Kurumi picks up Shimono and hits a body avalanche in the corner followed by a running shoulderblock. Kurumi picks up Shimono and hits a German suplex hold, but Shimono gets a shoulder up. Kurumi slams Shimono, she goes up top and she hits a diving body press. Kurumi goes up again and she nails the Nut Cracker for the three count! Kurumi is still your champion. This was a good match, main issue is it didn’t feel like a title match/main event. Part of that is the one hard camera and the crowd, that does tend to hurt the atmosphere a bit watching from home. But there never was a sense of desperation from either one and even though Shimono hit some good moves she never appeared to be on the cusp of winning. Kurumi just dominated the last 30 seconds or so of the match without as much as a hope spot for Shimono. The action was crisp and there was no wasted time, and overall it was solid, it was just missing something. Mildly Recommended
Final Thoughts:
As I have mentioned many times before, events with just the one hard camera never come off as good on video because the impact of the moves is just harder to feel and when the action goes to the outside the camera sometimes can’t see it. That being said there were a handful of good matches here and a handful of ones that weren’t good, so definitely a mixed bag. Plus the show was missing anything resembling a must-see match. Not a worthless card as there was some entertaining stuff, but as a whole I can’t really recommend it.
Grade: C-
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event reviewed on 5/6/15
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