Marvelous’s second day in Sapporo had found itself a title match for the main event as Magenta faced the challenge of Unagi Sayaka and Brooke Havok. Outside of that, the card promised another fun show from the Marvelous roster’s trip up north. Let’s see if it was right to do so.
Hamuko Hoshi defeated Tomoko Watanabe and Miyuki Takase in a three-way
In what must have been a nice change for her, Tomoko Watanabe did not open this three-way by being ignored, which had recently become a recurring theme. She did, however, wander off to be sick. It was a rude response to Hamuko Hoshi’s sexy poses and set off a chain of events that culminated with the three of them wandering around the venue, getting into mischief. Takumi was dragged into action, Watanabe was removed from the mats, and Ham’s head ended up in a cooler. There was a real sense that everyone was in the mood to piss about.
It made this match feel like a natural successor to Hoshi’s fun with Chikayo Nagashima the day before. Once again, the veterans realised they didn’t need to work hard to have a good time with this crowd. On a warm day in front of a non-Tokyo audience, it was enough to go out and make them laugh, messing around and getting up close and personal with everyone. I struggle to take against something where everyone seems to be having this lovely a time.
That included Chigusa Nagayo on commentary. She chuckled her way through the antics before going wild for the Ham Roll that got the win. It was a lovely soundtrack to a jolly good day out, and while I wouldn’t say you have to see it, there is a chance it will put a smile on your face.
Verdict: A Lovely Time
Titus Alexander, Leo Isaka & Starboy Charlie defeated Noriyuki Yoshida, El Cucuy & Jiah Jewell
In what’s become a Marvelous tradition, it was time for Noriyuki Yoshida to chop the shit out of Leo Isaka. It’s a facet of their yearly trip north that I’m sure Leo would happily leave in the past, but he’s not that lucky. The big lad towers over him, and every single chop sounded like hell as the crowd gasped and applauded. It’s funny. You can be the smartest wrestling fan in the world, but there’s a simple satisfaction from watching someone be chopped until their chest lights up like a bonfire that never goes away.
That interaction and Yoshida having a good showdown with Titus elevated this a notch above the lad’s match from the day before (the only difference was Cucuy subbing in for Gurukun Mask). I’ve no idea how hyped Alexander is in America (I’m very out of the loop with that scene), but he always impresses me on these Marvelous tours. He’s got a good mix of flashy offence and stuff that looks solid and laid in, so I hope he is getting attention from the right places. The more Marvelous representation around, the better.
I also, as a small note, really enjoyed Jiah Jewell’s attempts to cover for standing around waiting for a dive by making it look like he was checking on his partner Cucuy. It was both funny and sweet, and the kind of touch that shows he’s thinking a step ahead of most. Sadly, he was also the one who got bundled up by Leo for the win, a finish that came a bit out of nowhere, to the extent that they never managed to play his music afterwards, Chig filling the silence by repeatedly yelling, ‘Oh my gosh’. That blunder aside, this was a decent match. Nothing special, but I had a good time.
Verdict: Better Than The Day Before
ChikaTak (Chikayo Nagashima & Takumi Iroha) defeated Mio Momono & Ai Houzan
If there was ever any doubt about Mio and Ai being cut from the same cloth, watch them bicker about who would start this match, decide to both go for the cheap shot and instantly be cut off. Mio is too experienced to be considered a feral wrestling child any more, but just because she’s grown up doesn’t mean those instincts aren’t still there.
And this match showed Ai at her best. Sadly for her, that means she got beat up a lot. After an early stiff elbow to Takumi, ChikaTak decided she was to be punished, slapping every inch of exposed skin repeatedly. Even Chigusa Nagayo’s boos and her attempt to take a swing at Takumi didn’t halter their bullying, as Ai writhed around, trying her best to escape their joyful beating. Thankfully, she’s a tough wee nut, and when she did finally get loose, she made sure to get her revenge, delivering some vindictive slaps of her own. She earned those ones.
Of course, as always, when you pit Mio and Takumi against each other, they will shine. Even on a summer holiday show like this, they can’t help getting tetchy with each other, the tension amping with every interaction. It’s something Mio has clearly been pondering as she introduced a new tactic, a flurry of Dragon Screws and a Figure Four suggested she’s been watching her Rika Tatsumi tapes. Ai assisted, delivering a headbutt to Iroha’s knee (ineffective) and latching on an ankle lock (better, and also led to a cool spinning heel kick escape from Takumi), but this was Mio’s mission, as she prodded for weaknesses ahead of their October showdown. Unfortunately for her, she’s unlikely to catch Takumi with the Yoshitonic the way she did here, hitting it as Iroha bent down to pick up Houzan. It was still a great spot, though.
The action did return to Ai at the end, as she came agonisingly close to getting a three off her mentor Nagashima but sadly fell short. Then, when ChikaTak unleashed both barrels, she didn’t stand a chance. Still, this was another in a string of great performances from Houzan and easily the best pure match across Marvelous’s two days in Sapporo. They smashed it, and if you’re going to pick one thing to watch, make it this one.
Verdict: Great Stuff
Magenta (Maria & Riko Kawahata) defeated Unagi Sayaka & Brooke Havok to retain the AAAW Tag Titles
I wanted to like this so much. A main event title match seemed like the perfect chance for Havok to step up, and I’m always rooting for Unagi to impress me in non-comedic circumstances. Throw in that Magenta are consistently one of the best tag teams around, and I was desperate for everything to click. Sadly, it just didn’t.
And this was a very different prospect for Magenta. Previously, they’ve wrestled veterans pairing where they’ve been forced onto the defensive. This time, up against a first-time team, things were on an equal footing. Except, I’m not sure they should have been. Really, this should have been handed over to Magenta, letting them control the action as Unagi and Brooke tried to come together to spring the upset. Unfortunately, and this is the problem I have with much of Unagi’s serious fare, they didn’t do that. Instead, they went back-and-forth, trading momentum in a way that meant nothing ever really hit home for me. They spent a lot of time swapping moves without ever settling into a narrative or a hook that kept me gripped. It all felt a touch empty.
There were good moments littered throughout, little touches like Riko kicking at the arm Maria had in a submission, but none of it was ever sustained. Instead, it was summed up by Kawahata and Unagi’s exchange that seemed to have hit its climax, screaming for them both to tag out and bring in fresh faces, only for it to keep going, stumbling along and leaving Brooke and Maria on the apron. It’s not a problem I’ve had with Magenta matches in the past, but there was a sense here that they were missing a guiding hand. It needed someone to take their ideas and funnel them in a direction that was more impactful than what we got.
To be clear, this wasn’t a disaster. There were awkward moments, Brooke tagging in and running straight into Tommy being a big one (especially with how protective both fans and wrestlers are of their favourite ref), but nothing atrocious. It was unfocused, which meant it slid off me rather than getting its hook lodged in. Trim down some of its excesses and ramp up Magenta’s share of the action just a touch, and you might have a good match here. As it was, I suspect this will go down as the least well-remembered defence of Riko and Maria’s reign.
Verdict: Not Magenta’s Best
Overall Show
The semi-main event is the match to watch here, but I also enjoyed the opener, and despite my criticisms, Marvelous fans will want to see the main. If you watch it and enjoy it more than me, let me know! I’d like someone to convince me it was better than I thought and that I should give it another go. Either way, this weekend was another enjoyable Marvelous trip to Sapporo, and I’m already looking forward to next year.
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