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Post by elliott on Dec 3, 2017 17:19:25 GMT -5
Kiyoshi Tamura vs Volk Han (RINGS – 9/25/1996)
The first ever match between two of the greatest wrestlers of all time. I’m probably the biggest fan out there about Tamura’s UWFi run. But it took about 18 seconds for Volk Han to become the best Tamura opponent ever. This will be my lowest ranked match of their trilogy, but it is still a stone cold lock to make my top 50.
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Post by microstatistics on Jan 6, 2018 4:45:29 GMT -5
Top 50 for me as well and I actually prefer this to 1/22/1997. This is more resilient underdog vs. the maestro compared to the later bouts where Tamura is more of a threat. Mindblowing sequences and off the charts struggle.
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Post by Cap on Jul 21, 2018 15:46:00 GMT -5
This is actually my favorite of the trilogy three big matches I have seen between these two. This is a little more gritty and chaotic as Tamura is clearly the underdog and I think that sets this apart from what I might call the two more "mature" matches the following year. I love that Han is working for the Kimura most of the match (from him picking Tamura up with it early to him finishing with a variation). He keeps hunting that elbow in a really compelling way. The submissions here are brilliant and creative and more than that the transitions and sweeps are so quick and interesting. I actually watched this and the 1/97 match three times back to back before I really came to terms with my preference for this.
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Post by superstarsleeze on Jul 28, 2018 20:02:09 GMT -5
This is my favorite of the trilogy also. The strategy and distinctive styles make this fight amazing. Double wrist locks and ankle crosses galore. A dark horse for number one.
Volk Han vs Kioyshi Tamura - RINGS 9/25/96
Volk Han in all his glory double wristlock rips, ankle crosses galore and him taking a straight front kick to the gut. Tamura is a great opponent because he is so energetic and feisty. That opening double wristlock rip is godly. Tamura is a champ for taking that. As soon as Tamura wriggles free, it is right into the ankle cross. This is Volk Han 101 and it looks great because of Tamura's energy and struggle. I love how Han has an answer for everything. Tamura goes for a legbar to counter the ankle cross and Han goes for the cross armbreaker. Han grabs heel and had good control, but squanders the control and on the takedown almost cost himself by ending up in a cross armbreaker. Han is able to counter into an amazing double wristlock and forces him to go for the ropes. Amazing ability to stay on offense by Han. Han has great takedown defense for Tamura who tries to switch up by shooting for a double leg. These are great opponents because Han is so cool under pressure and Tamura is feisty. Han can get cocky though like his showy pulling arm through Tamura's legs and Tamura catches him with a heel hook forcing the rope break. Han grabs a choke and of course his ankles get crossed so you believe a submission is possible. They end up in the ropes and Tamura gets charged with an rope escape. Weird. DEEP Tamura single leg crab then floats into an armbar. Great struggle in this. I loved Han's short leg scissors amazing bend. I love when wrestlers figure-4 random body parts. Always looks amazing. Another tremendous Han spot is when Tamura tries to apply a figure-4 to his leg and leaves his arm just out there and Han grabs a cross armbreaker. Tamura is just writhing around in pain and flaying. It really feels like a finish and I know Han has finished a match like that before. Just great drama. Han goes up 4-1 in rope breaks and then in classic Han runs into a straight front kick for the knockdown. That sort of levels the playing field and looks like Han could fall after controlling the first portion of the match. Tamura is working so hard. Look at how much effort he does getting a side headlock and the way every single muscle is focused on making a Volk Han head pop. Han slaps the taste out of his mouth and gets a knockdown. Tamura tries desperately for a choke, but Han is able to grab his favorite hold, the double wristlock.
Amazing match! Before I always I thought I liked and appreciated shoot style, but I could never really love it as much as traditional pro wrestling. I loved this! The struggle and energy were off the charts. I liked the strategy and the distinct characters. The matwork was incredible and the way he kept going for double wristlocks and ankle crosses gave the match a touchstone that a lot of shoot style matches lack. Highly recommended. *****
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Post by cactus on Nov 19, 2021 2:54:12 GMT -5
This was like watching two pissed-off octopuses going head to head. The matwork here is so quick I had to check to make sure my video wasn't sped up! Volk Han locks in a hammerlock in seconds and then decides to scoop Tamura up with it and drop him on his damn head! Tamura is outmatched here. Both guys are able to lock on a submission within seconds and the tide of the match can change with one wrong move. Tamura is eventually able to keep up and this pisses Han right off, so he decides to start laying in the strikes. Han lays in the palm strikes and kicks with a lot of ferocity. Not only was the matwork here god-tier, but the narrative of Tamura having to prove himself against a more seasoned opponent gave me something to really get my teeth into. ★★★★¾
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Post by puropotsy on Mar 20, 2023 17:37:13 GMT -5
Great submission battle. I’ve watched RINGS in the past (I even did a series of reviews called The Volk Han-A-Thon) but it’s been years and I’m not as acclimated to shoot-style as some. But this is amazing stuff. I love the early back-and-forth for submissions with Han getting the advantage in rope-breaks even if they’re both countering. Tamura fighting back to get a rope-break and a knock-down off a huge kick is a great hope spot. Then Han gets a rope-break and a knockdown and then finishes him off with an armbar. Great re-introduction to the style for me. I am going to watch it a second time as well…
Second viewing thoughts: So ya this really rules. That early fury when they’re both going for the kill. Then Han getting his knock-down from SLAPS!!! That last gasp with the rear naked choke by Tamura and then Han’s armbar being a counter. Love love love this.
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