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Post by bossrock on Aug 16, 2019 18:45:40 GMT -5
Watching more Joshi was one of my biggest goals for the GME project, and while I'm not sure I would say Ozaki was "the best", she definitely stands out the most. Obviously the trilogy of tags with Kansai against Toyota and Yamada are classics, but the tag against Hotta and Inoue was arguably better. So not only was she terrific in workrate-heavy tags, but as a singles wrestler she might be one of the greatest character workers ever. Next-level charisma and the ability to project herself as one of the most sadistic and violent brawlers ever. Her comeback against Nagayo in the '94 match is basically something you would see in a horror movie and she pulls it off better than anyone could ever dream of. She somewhat reminds me of Tenryu in that her execution isn't great but it adds to her appeal as a violent fighter.
It's a shame Joshi took such a big hit in the GWE list because Ozaki deserved to be on it.
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Post by elliott on Aug 17, 2019 4:30:04 GMT -5
I thought I voted for Ozaki during GWE and it turns out I didn't and that sucks. I've been pretty disappointed by the little bit of post 2005 Ozaki I've seen. She was still really good as late as 2001 or 2002 in GAEA & Oz Academy. At her peak I'm not sure she was one of the 10 best wrestlers in the world, but I think that says more about the talent worldwide. She was an awesome wrestler. I see what Boss is saying about the execution being a little sloppy adding to the appeal but I think Tenryu is the wrong comparison. Ozaki was so much more emotive and actually probably had a bigger toolkit. If I had to compare peak Ozaki to anyone, I'd say she's like a cross between Sabu & William Regal with a dash of Sasha Banks. If that sounds like something that would interest you, check out Mayumi Ozaki  |
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Post by bossrock on Aug 17, 2019 7:23:57 GMT -5
with a dash of Sasha Banks. If that sounds like something that would interest you, check out Mayumi Ozaki I've heard the Sasha comparison before and I definitely see it. Wouldn't surprise me if she was a fan. |
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Post by Cap on Aug 18, 2019 8:21:45 GMT -5
Ozaki is one of my favorite wrestlers to watch, even when she isn't one of the outright best. She added a very distinct and almost singular ethos to matches. She was crazy and dangerous and skilled, a really fantastic villain. She has a charisma that makes her stand out in even the most chaotic and star studded stages, more than making up for any issues with execution (though I agree a little "sloppiness" here and there is a net positive for her). She is hard to take her eyes off of in all the big tag matches with Dynamite vs Toyota and Yamada. I particularly think she is fantastic in the 11/26/92 tag match, holding together a little side feud with Toyota within the match. The real shining moment for her though - for me - is the street fight with Dynamite. I count that as one of the best individual performances in all of wresting, truly brutal, chaotic, and at times unsettling.
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Post by elliott on Aug 18, 2019 15:53:16 GMT -5
Its really impressive how dangerous Ozaki comes across while being the smallest person in the ring more often than not. She was like Allen Iverson.
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