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“It used to be better.” – The Lapsed Fan Pro Wrestling Podcast
Previously on The Lapsed Timeline:
The Lapsed Navigation – NOAH Departure 2000 Weekend
While last time, it was said that the next major Pro Wrestling NOAH event would be featured on this timeline, there’s been a change of plans. Every meaningful indy and puro chapter available from the rest of 2000 is getting featured here.
Why is that? Quite simple: this is all building to the flagship of this entire journey… The Lapsed ROHbot.
Founded in April 1997, right in the thick of the Monday Night War, the underground wrestling scene got a new player in the Tri-State area in the form of Jersey All Pro Wrestling.
With ECW and WCW still going, the federation still managed to have some key players in independent wrestling history, but has never been known to have established any meaningful footprint.
However, the story of ROH cannot be told without all the Northeast indies that came before it, including JAPW. With that in mind, since this federation apparently never left a strong enough footprint to entice someone to provide a thorough, historic retrospective in written or audio format, the best education on this federation is to get a general overview of the early 2000s indies scene in general.
Exile on Badstreet #3: Rebirth of the Indies
While the podcast provided above doesn’t hold up to modern times in terms of ethical analysis of outdated storylines or provide any truly thorough detail of a federation, saga, or act, it provides a general overview spanning from 2000 to 2003-04, with federations including JAPW, ROH, CZW, XPW, IWA-MS, APW, and more.
While this chapter of The Lapsed Timeline is being referred to as The Lapsed Journeyman, know that is due to more than one federation being highlighted here in the month of August 2000.
With this being the first chapter that spotlights JAPW though, this can also be recognized as the first chapter of Some Lapsed Days in Jersey.
We head to the NYC metro region on the Jersey side of the border, pitting two of the defining underground acts of the 2000s against each other in a match-up that sadly never reached any the grandest stages of any level or region.
The following content is available on Independent Wrestling TV.
Low Ki vs. Homicide
JAPW Night of the Main Events
August 19, 2000 – Sayreville, NJ
From the get-go, these two carry an aura on them that very few (if any) of their other colleagues on this card carry, and they live up to their undeniable charisma with an incredibly intense, lengthy lockup battle, the kind that isn’t seen as often as it should. Shortly afterward, Homicide takes a powder to escape an early Dragon Sleeper, selling the severity that such a submission would bring to the Notorious 187.
Homicide takes a knuckle lock and turns it into an STF, but Low Ki quickly reaches the ropes. Low Ki gains the advantage thanks to a Crossbody, and they take turns cutting each other off. Low Ki’s Rolling Koppu Kick gets no reaction though, showing that it hadn’t been established to any degree yet.
Homicide avoids a Corner Handspring Kick, but eats some standard kicks and then surprises his trainee with a Dragon Screw, focusing on the right leg as a result. Homicide at this point is the de facto heel, back talking the ref, talking shit to Low Ki, and letting his manager Don Montoya interfere.
Homicide cuts off Low Ki’s comeback and Ki Crusher attempt, dropkicking the right knee. He keeps the focus on that body part, a brilliant strategy. Low Ki teases a comeback in the corner, only to get Dragon Screwed from the top rope, allowing his trainer to continue working the right leg. Homicide locks on a submission on the corner post, and Low Ki’s screams of agony are cream of the crop, showing how ahead of the curve he was this early into his legendary in-ring career.
The ref is pissed when Homicide won’t break the STF at the count of five, which is a nice story even with the crowd not into it, mildly laughing when Homicide spits back. Montoya introduces a chair, leading to an argument between the ref and Homicide. After shoving the ref off, Low Ki hits a Roaring Elbow onto the chair into Homicide’s face twice, and sadly this doesn’t get anything resembling a hot reaction.
With Low Ki in control, Montoya provides the distraction, allowing Homicide to hit an Overhead Suplex. Low Ki finds his right knee being targeted yet again, and Homicide even applies a Stretch Muffler for good measure. Low Ki is tremendous in using his left foot to break the hold, but the damaged right leg cuts his momentum short, getting Powerbombed on a Yakuza Kick attempt.
Homicide prematurely assumes Low Ki taps out to the STF, then hits an undramatic Tiger Driver for a near-fall. In the corner, they take each other down when Homicide low blows Low Ki, only for Ki to desperately hit a Release Dragon Suplex, bringing both down in exhaustion. Homicide quickly taps out to the Dragon Sleeper, but Montoya distracts the ref, and there’s no heat for this even as Ki springboards onto Montoya outside.
Low Ki takes multiple lariats in order to go down, showing great resiliency in the process but getting no reaction from this Tri-State crowd for it. Homicide’s trash-talking also gets no reaction, and Ki’s ability to land the Ki Crusher doesn’t itself get a reaction, but it briefly triggers a chant for him that doesn’t sustain.
Low Ki prepares for Kawada Kicks, saying he’ll knock out Homicide. However, this is a ref bump spot, as Homicide puts the ref in harm’s way, leading to Montoya interference and some JAPW nobody I don’t give a shit about striking Low Ki with the chair. Homicide hits the Kudo Driver for the win, the hurt ref counting it.
A nothing special match that may have been better served taking place at the time in an ECW ring, this wasn’t helped by the subpar crowd and Montoya involvement. Even in the post-match as Homicide continues attacking Low Ki, there’s no substantial heat for this. As the post-match continues, my interest only decreases more with Da Hit Squad showing up.
If this is the best that JAPW can offer in the early 2000s (and with it being the only match selected on this card, that’s more than likely the case), then this will end being a strong contender for the redheaded stepchild status of The Lapsed Timeline for quite some time.
Rating: less than ***
A palette cleanser is needed after that disappointingly above average match-up, so we head to the Land of the Rising Sun with one of the most acclaimed matches of the puro scene in 2000.
It’s time to Open the Lapsed Gate!
First founded in 1997 in Mexico, Toryumon would expand to Japan in 1999, blending in elements of puro, lucha, and sports-entertainment by founder Ultimo Dragon. Now known today as Dragon Gate, this federation brought something different to the puroresu table.
That’s the best table-setting I can provide. I do not consider myself to even be educated on this federation to an amateur degree, so it may be best to seek out the likes of Rob Naylor, Voices of Wrestling’s Case Lowe, and PWTorch’s Alan Counihan for a background to this feud. This match is simply being included due to its acclaim and to erase the stink of JAPW less than a week earlier.
Hair vs. Mask
SUWA vs. Dragon Kid
Toryumon Japan Estacion Del Sol Day 1
August 24, 2000 – Tokyo, Japan
Dragon Kid attacks SUWA during his ring entrance, getting this contest started in a hurry outside the ring. The heat for this one is tremendous, as the combatants obviously hate each other and the Korakuen Hall crowd is totally with it. Once they get in the ring, the hatred continues, SUWA using an eye rake and chewing on Dragon Kid’s mask to get the advantage. SUWA’s corner basement dropkick is a thing of beauty, looking nasty on Dragon Kid, the torn mask only enhancing the story told.
SUWA cuts off Dragon Kid’s comeback, crotching him on the top rope and kicking the rope. Dragon Kid’s lightweight size makes it look more epic, allowing him to shift up and make the low blow look more devastating before bumping. SUWA’s immediate pinfall attempts at every opportunity are a huge breath of fresh air too, displaying how much of a priority this is to get this over with and embarrass his rival.
Dragon Kid makes a spectacular comeback while in the Tree of Woe, evading a baseball slide and then crunching up and hitting a Senton from the top rope onto SUWA outside. The comeback is short lived though, as SUWA cuts him off in the corner with a Powerbomb and places his feet on the ropes for the victory, celebrating with stable-mates.
However, another masked wrestler that I don’t fully recognize (perhaps Ultimo Dragon?) demands the match to be restarted, not wanting that bullshit finish, and the crowd is excited. SUWA has the early advantage on the restart still though, cutting off Dragon Kid right away.
SUWA hits an absolutely FANTASTIC shotgun dropkick, which Dragon Kid bumps for like a million fucking dollars. This is just phenomenal shit, SUWA owning this match in one of the greatest heel performances I’ve ever seen. It also appears SUWA is targeting Dragon Kid’s midsection, a smart decision after the shotgun dropkick and to keep the HOF-worthy junior heavyweight slow and grounded.
SUWA makes the same mistake as Psychosis at Bash at the Beach 1996, going for the Super Splash Mountain Powerbomb, only for Rey Mysterio to be channeled with the Hurricanrana counter. Despite his damage, Dragon Kid wastes no time keeping up the offense, hitting a Springboard Inverted Buff Blockbuster, as well as a Springboard Quebrada. SUWA shoves the ref in the way on the next springboard move attempt.
With the ref down, Dragon Kid hits a Stone Cold Stunner counter, but gets attacked by SUWA’s stable-mates. However, Dragon Kid resiliently kicks out and then help arrives, and the crowd continues to be totally into this classic. THIS is some sports-entertainment that actually means something to the audience, unlike so much of the American underground scene back then.
With all the other parties having brawled away from ringside, SUWA regains control, but can’t put Dragon Kid down. SUWA eats a fantastic Spike Hurricanrana, but Dragon Kid is too damaged to seamlessly turn it in a pin or to follow-up with a standard pin. SUWA tosses him on another Elevated Stone Cold Stunner attempt, only to get cut off by being tossed into the nearby turnbuckles.
After evading a Top Rope Hurricanrana, SUWA hits an absolutely sensational lariat for a near-fall. SUWA motions that he’s ready to finish this, going for a Powerbomb but turning Dragon Kid’s Spiked Hurricanrana into a Sunset Flip for a fantastic near-fall, SUWA cockily not putting a full effort into the actual pin-fall attempt and assuming that would end it.
They cut off and evade more devastating maneuvers, until Dragon Kid blocks an apparent Superplex attempt, turning it into a Tornado Stone Cold Stunner and then finishing off SUWA with a Top Rope Frankenstein pin, a perfect finish to this gem.
In the post-match, streamers are thrown, only for Dragon Kid to be attacked. This post-match attack admittedly kills the crowd rather than incite it, but the video jumps forward to SUWA agreeing to get his haircut in the middle of the ring, honoring the stipulation. SUWA offers a hug and handshake, only to attack everyone present and flee, not having his hair fully cut. I’d expect nothing less from SUWA.
As mentioned, a genuine classic and one of the finest matches of 2000, well worthy of being in the conversation with other puro and WWF classics of that year. This is a must-see piece of business, featuring great performers in front of a great crowd, paying off a great story.
If this is what Dragon Gate was like back then, this timeline might get even more congested. Consider my palette cleansed.
Rating: ****½
The major takeaway from this is quite obvious: Fuck JAPW and make time for SUWA vs. Dragon Kid.
Despite their contrasts, they both prove in different ways how it used to be better. On one hand, there’s not one damn match two decades later on the indies that interests me as much as Low Ki vs. Homicide in the early 2000s; on the other hand, Toryumon presented an arguable work of art in storytelling, showcasing what a gem SUWA was in his career that would be much shorter than his fans hoped for.
Next time on this journey, The Lapsed Timeline stays put in the Land of the Rising Sun, as we take a look at what AJPW is up to in the wake of the exodus that led to NOAH’s birth.
Of course, there’s one last thing to address. With this partially being the first entry of Some Lapsed Days in Jersey, it’s time to spotlight a wonderful organization in the Garden State that goes above and beyond for our best friends.
Today’s charity spotlight:
St. Hubert’s Animal Welfare Center
https://www.sthuberts.org/
Twitter – Facebook – Instagram
Founded in 1939, this organization has grown to serve 18 municipalities throughout New Jersey, serving as an animal rescue shelter and offering countless other services to assist animals in need. Having since also merged with the Humane Rescue Alliance, St. Hubert’s has become the largest animal services provider in the region. In addition, this organization has a **** rating on Charity Navigator, along with a score of 98.23 out of a possible 100.
For more than 80 years, St. Hubert’s Animal Welfare Center has been dedicated to helping any animal in need, regardless of species, size, or temperament. With a people-focused, community-based approach, we treat every animal as an individual and emphasize specialized care for both animals and their families.
St. Hubert’s operates three animal welfare campuses: Madison, North Branch and Noah’s Ark and provides progressive animal control services in 18 municipalities in New Jersey. We support the communities we serve with programs that help animals stay with their families, such as pet food banks, vaccine clinics and emergency pet boarding.
But we’re more than the local shelter. Through our merger with the Humane Rescue Alliance in Washington, D.C., we are the largest provider of animal services in our region, touching the lives of over 100,000 animals each year.
Our WayStation program is the nation’s preeminent transport program and has moved over 20,000 pets from areas of need to places of opportunity through a network of more than 90 sheltering organizations. Through our Give Back program, we have invested more than $350,000 back into our source shelter partners whose communities are often struggling under the weight of pet overpopulation so that they can address the root causes in their own community, based on their unique needs.
As an Alliance organization, we are committed to:
- A highly skilled workforce that welcomes the unique contributions our team and community members make based on their diverse perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences
- Personalized adoption counseling and services
- Rescue and care of homeless, abused, and neglected animals
- Increased access to discounted veterinary services, such as low-cost vaccines and spay/neuter surgeries, and pet food support for pet guardians who are experiencing financial insecurity
- Community support programs that help pets stay with their families
- Advocacy work that prevents suffering and strengthens the human animal bond
- Customized behavior and training programs
- Comprehensive cruelty investigations and humane animal control services
- Targeted programs that create future generations of animal advocates
- Outreach and education to inspire peaceful coexistence with the wildlife
Together, we support families and advocate for positive change to create a world where all animals can thrive.