The Lapsed Navigation - NOAH Great Voyage 2000 [12/23/2000]

READER COURTESY: This review was over 6 pages on Google Docs.

“It used to be better.” – The Lapsed Fan Pro Wrestling Podcast

Previously on The Lapsed Timeline:
The Lapsed Journeymen – October-December 2000 (NJPW, AJPW, Indies)

After numerous entries covering multiple dates, if not months, we get a chapter more focused on a single event, and it’s the biggest one in Pro Wrestling NOAH’s short history. With a historic debut, a rematch from the company’s opening weekend, and another chapter in one of AJPW’s greatest rivalries of the 1990s, this is a ~~fully~~ truly loaded triple main event to close out 2000, emanating from the Ariake Coliseum in Tokyo!

How big is this show? Here’s what the dirtsheets were reporting.

“The biggest show in the short history of the company on 12/23 at the Tokyo Ariake Coliseum was considered a big success, as it sold out 12,000 tickets well in advance, and was said to have been the best of all the major shows of the past week.” – Wrestling Observer Newsletter (Dated January 1, 2001)

No extra table-setting needed, it’s time to dive into the triple main event!

The following content is all available to stream on DDT Universe.

NOAH Great Voyage 2000
December 23, 2000 – Tokyo, Japan
(PPV Air Date: December 24, 2000)

In the under-card, the takeaways are that Takashi Sugiura made his debut and impressed, being compared to WWF Champion Kurt Angle. Yoshihiro Takayama pulled off an upset win in singles action against Akira Taue.

Shinya Hashimoto’s Pro Wrestling NOAH Debut
Takao Omori vs. Shinya Hashimoto

This is the first time I’ve seen Hashimoto, so please excuse any ignorance I may have, although I’ve looked through the Observers and Wikia’s Fandom site to get some surface-level knowledge on the legend.

Yoshihiro Takayama passes by Hashimoto in between their different singles matches backstage. A shame that particular singles match never took place.

Incredible glorified squash. After a heated strike exchange at the beginning that has the crowd popping, Hashimoto gets the advantage by taking Omori down. He continues getting the better of Omori, knocking him down with kicks. I’m sure this is obvious to those who grew up on Hashimoto – it’s crystal-clear what an influence he was on Samoa Joe. From the gear to the physique to the body language to the strikes, I’m so glad I’ve embarked on this part of this journey, as it’ll now give me a better education on Hashimoto, and also a deeper appreciation for his influence on Joe.

When Omori makes a comeback, it’s incredibly energetic and the crowd is totally behind him, but it’s not for long when Hashimoto brings back the devastating standing roundhouse kick, once again knocking down Omori. Just several minutes into this, Hashimoto puts Omori down for the three-count via a Brainbuster. Just like Akiyama vs. Kobashi months earlier, fuck having a barnburner. I’m in love with Hashimoto now and am interested in seeing if Omori rises up or remains in this gatekeeper role that he proved himself excellent at. This is how you bring in a legend and keep him at that status, as Omori lost nothing out of this.

In the post-match, Hashimoto gets a mic; unfortunately, I’m not educated on the Japanese language at all to interpret his promo. I can say that once again, I’m disappointed that he didn’t challenge Takayama to a future singles match, as he was there outside during the match and checking on Omori afterwards.

Rating: ***1/2

Vader vs. Mitsuharu Misawa

Vader decides to take the mask off and give middle fingers to Misawa at the opening bell, and it’s returned in kind by the icon. Vader’s sense of confidence is just oozing here after things didn’t work out quite as well as hoped for in WWF. Holy fucking shit I can’t believe how high Misawa goes on a German Suplex and the head-and-shoulder-drop he takes. Would it have really been that unfathomable just to do a full rotation to land on his knees and front torso instead? Nonetheless, this definitely has the big match feel that we wish was more common 20 years later.

I hope Kevin Nash was watching, as Vader throws Misawa down with a gorgeous Jackknife Powerbomb. Vader also shows off his submission skills, applying a modified Kimura Lock, which is smart to try preventing an Island Driver and other finishers from Misawa later. In the short-term, it immediately pays off when Misawa makes a comeback with forearm strikes from the right arm, trying to shake off the pain. But Misawa’s comeback here is outstanding, delivering a German Suplex receipt, suicide dive, and diving elbow off the apron. As someone who’d previously seen mostly Misawa near the end, his athleticism here is really impressive considering the physical toll he’d taken throughout the 1990s.

Misawa targets Vader’s left arm with a Cross Arm Breaker, perhaps trying to take out anymore Powerbomb attempts later. His focus remains on that joint, only for Vader to cut him off. They brilliantly tease Vader trying to hit another German Suplex on him, then Vader uses his fresher right arm to scoop up Misawa and deliver a one-armed Powerbomb. This is just tremendous.

Vader continues the attack, using the fresher right arm to deliver a chokeslam, only for Misawa to target his left arm again with an Inverted Cross Arm Breaker. The psychology in this match is something to behold and be studied at all training schools. Misawa tries clubbing that left arm some more using his damaged, bandaged right arm, but there’s clearly not enough firepower as Vader cuts him off with a strike to the head (Vader uses his fresher right arm of course.)

The psychological brilliance continues when Vader successfully hits a Vader Bomb moments later, but his left arm is too damaged to pin Misawa. The damaged left arm also keeps him from the necessary balance to climb all the way to hit a Top Rope Moonsault, so he improvises and hits a beautiful Second Rope Moonsault for a near-fall, continuing to sell that left arm as the crowd chants for Misawa.

Misawa comes back and continues targeting Vader’s left arm in addition to throwing other strikes, eventually knocking down his fellow former AJPW Triple Crown Champion with multiple forearm strikes for the victory. This finishing sequence reminds me of another match that would come years later around Christmas, and I look forward to catching up to it eventually to make the comparison.

This was a brilliant big match. It didn’t need to be an all-time classic, as it delivered everything I wanted – phenomenal psychology and selling, genuine displays of hatred, and a furious finishing sequence from a determined Misawa to claim the victory. I so wish there could’ve been a crossover arrangement with WCW at this time so these two (and the participants of the next match) could’ve worked Starrcade 2000.

Rating: ****

Jun Akiyama vs. Kenta Kobashi

I absolutely love Akiyama’s flashy robe; he’s earned the flamboyant peacock-strutting after kicking off this company as its ultimate winner, and most importantly, it suits him well. (Akiyama’s entrance not shown in the embedded video.) Kobashi looks absolutely pissed and determined walking the apron ramp, again showing how all the little things he’d do should be a part of every wrestling school’s film study.

After the opening lock-up, Kobashi gives a clean break, almost daring Akiyama to try taking advantage. Akiyama takes the bait, only to get chopped down for his trouble. A perfect opening to this grudge match if I’ve ever seen one. Then they have a great blocking sequence, showing they’d scouted each other before reaching a stalemate to the crowd’s approval.

Akiyama gains the advantage when he uses a Knuckle Lock to hit a modified Northern Light Suplex. After the rope break, Kobashi is just fire with corner strikes, including a spinning back fist. They take it outside and Akiyama evades another chop, instead kicking the Hall of Famer over the guard rail. I like the Snake Eyes he gives Kobashi on the guard rail; damage Kobashi’s chest enough, then perhaps his arm mobility deteriorates, which marginalizes his strikes. Akiyama keeps up the attack on Kobashi’s chest and shoulder too, showcasing a wise strategy. Then he delivers a DDT on the apron ramp, followed up by what resembles a running Superman Punch that would make Roman Reigns proud.

Kobashi makes a comeback when he blocks Akiyama’s suplex attempt on the apron, instead reversing it to force Akiyama to bump on the ramp. Akiyama blocks the spinning back fist and attempts a Wrist Clutch Exploder Suplex off the ramp to the floor, but Kobashi blocks it and lands a DDT instead. Kobashi sees this as an opportunity to target Akiyama’s neck, hitting a leg drop and another DDT inside the ring. That’s a wise strategy too to set up Akiyama for the various head-drop suplexes or maybe even the Burning Hammer should the situation call for it.

Akiyama scouts more DDT attempts, only to get lifted up higher than usual to eat a spiked one. At this point, Akiyama is looking outclassed, so damaged and exhausted. When he attempts a comeback with a running knee strike in the corner, Kobashi just blocks and shoves him down, damaging that neck even more. Kobashi also applies a headlock, but Akiyama can’t break it, not even when he backdrops Kobashi. This is a textbook example of an icon weathering an early storm and having the determination to maintain control. They really make this headlock meaningful; even though it doesn’t pop the crowd, they get so much out of it, from Akiyama’s failed attempts in breaking it to Kobashi getting in position for near-falls. It’s not a rest hold in any way here.

Kobashi finally gives up on the headlock and moves on, which proves to be a mistake. Akiyama evades a suplex and goes after Kobashi’s bandaged right knee to even the match. Once they get up though, it turns into a suplex-fest, each hitting signatures before Kobashi is forced outside due to a Busaiku Knee. That was a fantastic brief, little exchange to keep the crowd on its toes, similar to a hope spot when someone has an extended control segment, while also showing each other they still had some bombs in the tank.

Akiyama changes his focus to Kobashi’s right arm, and to say Kobashi’s selling is absolutely brilliant is about as shocking as a New England Patriots comeback throughout the 2010s. Akiyama even puts Kobashi’s arm under his knee, jumping from the apron to deliver a knee drop onto the guard rail. This is exactly the vicious strategy Akiyama needs if he wants to prove that the Departure 2000 victory wasn’t a fluke. Inside the ring, Akiyama applies a Kneeling Arm Breaker, and also certainly inspires Pete Dunne and Bryan Danielson by working on Kobashi’s fingers as well. That’s how to take out Kobashi’s chopping and striking ability.

That’s followed up by Akiyama forcing a Hammerlock submission to Kobashi in the ropes. Kobashi has a hope spot by using his left arm to chop, but Akiyama ain’t succumbing to that shit. He goes for a Cross Arm Breaker, which Kobashi manages to block so Akiyama goes for a submission that Kobashi turns into a pin attempt for himself. Kobashi is lucky that when Akiyama successfully gets the Cross Arm Breaker applied, his foot’s on the ropes immediately for a break.

Akiyama is undeterred, driving Kobashi’s right arm on top of a corner post and wrapping it around a guard rail as he kicks it, then just keeps up the attack in the ring. However, Kobashi seizes an opportunity to cut off Akiyama with a sudden Sleeper Suplex. Kobashi though lacks the arm strength to Powerbomb Akiyama on the apron ramp, getting backdropped on it for his trouble. He hits his right arm even more upon hitting a spinning back fist, but manages to hit what should for all intents and purposes, be the deciding moment in this match, head-dropping Akiyama on the ramp with a Half Nelson Suplex.

Kobashi instructs the ref to not allow a count-out victory for himself, instead dragging Akiyama in the ring to finish him off. The struggle he shows to eventually hit a Powerbomb is once again brilliant, and that’s also a bridge pin near-fall. Although Kobashi is damaged and exhausted, he’s got the necessary adrenaline rush to hit the Black Crush for a near-fall. That speaks volumes about Akiyama here since Kobashi would rarely use that. Akiyama teases that he’ll finish off Kobashi with a sudden Wrist Clutch Exploder Suplex, but Kobashi manages to hit a lariat for a near-fall as the crowd is buzzing.

Kobashi goes for a Top Rope Moonsault, only for Akiyama to seize the opportunity and throw Kobashi down with a Release Powerbomb. However, Akiyama is too damaged and exhausted to go for a pin, instead hitting a Running Knee Strike to the back of the equally exhausted Kobashi’s head. Akiyama tries hitting his finisher on the ring apron, even hitting Kobashi’s knee to prevent it being blocked, but instead they both go down to the floor. Instead, Akiyama removes the outside mat to hit his finisher on the floor, only covered by a nearly paper-thin mat. Akiyama returns the no-count-out victory favor, instead forcing Kobashi in the ring to the crowd’s respect before indicating he’d finish the Hall of Famer.

Akiyama hits a Lifting Dirty Deeds/Paradigm Shift before a Top Rope Elbow Strike from behind to Kobashi, then goes for the Exploder Suplex. The crowd pops huge when Kobashi kicks out of all that punishment, rallying behind him. Akiyama’s guillotine choke is cut short when Kobashi once again lands in position for his foot to be on the rope. Kobashi now has Akiyama’s Exploder scouted, but only enough adrenaline to briefly block it, this time eating one from a higher angle for an even hotter near-fall. I’d have seriously thought that was the finish to this classic had I been in attendance.

Akiyama crotches Kobashi, hoping to deliver a Super Exploder Suplex, but gets knocked down for his trouble. Kobashi is absolutely exhausted though, collapsing to the mat. Akiyama kicks out of a lariat for another hot near-fall, and Kobashi is absolutely sensational in his struggle to get to his feet, then delivers a vicious up-close lariat for an even hotter near-fall. Kobashi’s left eye socket is now swollen, adding to his dramatic exhaustion and selling of his right arm, Akiyama attempts a comeback only to eat a spinning back fist from Kobashi’s right arm. Although Kobashi is still selling it, he gets the adrenaline to hit a fucking BURNING HAMMER. Oh my fucking god I wasn’t expecting that finish!

In the post-match, they shake hands once they’ve both reached their feet, and Kobashi’s left arm just looks terrible. I’m not sure my fantasy of Starrcade 2000 being pushed back a week later for these guys to work that show would’ve been quite so realistic after the damage in this barnburner.

An absolutely outstanding match with a phenomenal finish, this was one for the ages and an exceptional finish for the company’s founding year (I’m aware there was a much lighter card the following day.) I came into this with the feeling that Akiyama should’ve won again to truly cement him as the ultimate top dog, but with the brilliant structure and pacing of this awesome piece of business, it was the right move for Kobashi to make the comeback and still be the face of the company overall. Even in defeat, Akiyama’s stock continued increasing, and although I’ve not watched the acclaimed decade that is 1990s AJPW, it’s difficult for me to fathom this not being Akiyama’s best match of his career up to this point, and that it might still be two decades later.

Rating: ****1/2

Thumbs way the fuck up for this triple main-event. As an overall package, these three matches delivered more than the three that headlined Fully Loaded 2000 just five months earlier. While the highs were equal in comparison, the lows were far from it, with Omori vs. Hashimoto absolutely blowing away Kurt Angle vs. Undertaker. This also didn’t have the anchoring expectations that new talent would be put over; the closest case to that was with Akiyama, who even in defeat to Kobashi, wasn’t fully defined yet as being a notch below in the hierarchy as had been done with Chris Benoit and Chris Jericho, since he had already gotten clean wins over Kobashi, Misawa, and Akira Taue throughout the year.

Lastly, I’ll mention again that I wish somehow, someway, there could’ve been a crossover with WCW; my belief is that it’d be a huge boost to the fledgling NOAH, while providing some depth and all-time great performers to the weakened WCW.

In fact, I will use this opportunity to provide a brief fantasy booking.

Had I been in charge of WCW by mid-2000, I’d have jumped through whatever hoops necessary to convince Misawa to do cross-promotional business. (Obviously, WCW would be a drastically different company than it was in reality back then.) Here’s what I’d have in mind.

Air the five big matches from Departure 2000 and Great Voyage 2000 on Turner TV, perhaps on Thunder. This would at least give NOAH some TV exposure in America while waiting for it to happen back home.
These matches would all be part of the build to Starrcade 2000 and without interfering with NOAH’s creative plans.
Reach what I believe would be a fair agreement on both sides for Starrcade 2000, perhaps lending some talent for Great Voyage 2000 in exchange and set the stage for a strengthened relationship going into 2001.

Now the cross-over matches for Starrcade 2000 (pushed back to New Year’s Eve 2000)

Jun Akiyama vs. Rey Mysterio, Jr.

- - Mysterio’s biggest career match to date, he’d put on an incredible underdog performance but Akiyama’s size advantage and experience in bigger matches would prove the difference-maker. With this decision, WCW gets to elevate Mysterio while giving Akiyama a strong showcase win after his defeat to Kobashi.
  - Also, can you imagine Mysterio taking an Exploder from Akiyama?

Sting & Kenta Kobashi vs. Ric Flair & Mitsuharu Misawa

- - A true dream partner tag team match that doesn’t just bring two worlds together, but two of the defining rivalries of those worlds. With this match-up, it puts four all-time greats all in the same match together, and the match-ups are truly delicious: Sting vs. Flair; Sting vs. Misawa; Kobashi vs. Misawa, and the most anticipated of them all, Flair vs. Kobashi.
  - This would lead to singles dream matches down the road, and most importantly, either Kobashi or Misawa would get the victory over Flair or Sting respectively; with the decision left to Misawa in the negotiations.

- Leon White’s beef with Paul Orndorff (that led to Vader’s departure five years earlier) would be squashed behind the scenes to make this happen.
- A legitimate dream match that sadly never happened, it’s two generations in WCW colliding for the company’s top prize in the most important match of the year. Vader is an obvious recognized name for American mainstream viewers, providing new but familiar depth after being gone for half a decade. His presence would be fresh and stand as a much different test than anyone else that Goldberg had faced before. Since NOAH’s creative plans also would be left untouched, Vader would come into this match even more irritated than usual after losing to Misawa the week before.
- In return for putting over Akiyama plus either Kobashi or Misawa, the agreement is that Goldberg goes over clean here in a strong title defense, entering 2001 still the face of the company. The hope is also that perhaps way down the road, he may even collide with other top stars from NOAH, both in Japan and America. I know I’d have paid to see Goldberg vs. Kobashi.

Back to reality. Just one week after the last major puro show of 2000, a new annual tradition has begun for the American independent scene in Northern California. Bay Area-based All Pro Wrestling (APW) held the first-ever King of the Indies tournament in Galt (a town between Stockton and Sacramento), with Christopher Daniels winning the whole thing to go along with his Super 8 tournament victory earlier in the year. In particular, his quarterfinal match against Boyce LeGrande and the tournament final against Donovan Morgan were described as “show-stealers.” [Since there’s no acceptable quality of both matches available to stream, they will not be reviewed on this timeline.]

As we close out one of the defining years in wrestling history, let’s take a quick look at the even bigger (and incredibly depressing) stories developing on the other side of the Pacific.

“-A key source claims that several groups have expressed interest in buying ECW. The source says Paul Heyman has entered into negotiations with several groups with the intent of selling the company. Some of the talks have become serious enough that Heyman and some of the groups have signed confidentiality clauses regarding the negotiations. In recent weeks, Heyman has confided to friends that he would gladly sell the company and move on to a life outside of wrestling. However, the source says that each of the interested parties has told Heyman they want him to stay on as creative director, which he is apparently willing to do. Within the past few weeks, Heyman has told numerous associates that he would love to rid himself of day-to-day control of the company and go back to writing television while developing and working with talent. As reported in previous issues, Heyman has two demands for any potential buyer. First, the buyer must honor all existing contracts with talent. Second, the buyer must assume the company debt, which one source estimated as being between $6 million and $7 million.

-When asked to comment on the previous story, Heyman gave the TORCH his exclusive comments. “I refuse to neither confirm nor deny any discussions I’ve had regarding this company,” Heyman said. “I feel that it would be counter-productive to do so. With all due respect and appreciation toward the public’s intense interest in our well-being, my responsibilities and obligations and desire to disseminate information all lean toward the people who have stuck with us inside this company. In other words, f— off, I’m not talking.” When asked how he would feel about working for someone else, Heyman told the TORCH, “With a big f—in’ smile on my face and a dollar in my pocket.”” – Pro Wrestling Torch #633 (Dated December 23, 2000)

“-Wrestler reaction varied regarding last week’s TORCH story detailing Heyman’s negotiations to sell the company. Some wrestlers believe that Heyman planted the story as a way to help with slumping morale. Others were excited about the news and the thought of working for a new owner. Surprisingly, some wrestlers say they don’t care if Heyman remains in charge of the creative end of the company. Those wrestlers said the only thing they care about is receiving their paychecks on time. While most admit that they would like to see Heyman stay on, they added that they would rather see him sell the company and leave than reject any offer that didn’t involve his staying. In recent weeks, Heyman has insisted to friends that he will sell the company to anyone, regardless of whether they want to retain him as creative director.” – Pro Wrestling Torch #634 (Dated December 30, 2000)

“ECW wrestlers are continuing to accept independent bookings to make up for the lack of shows ECW has been running. Most wrestlers say they are not clearing the dates with Tommy Dreamer as Heyman recently asked them to do. Some of the wrestlers say they no longer feel the need to ask Heyman’s permission since he is so far behind on pay…” – Pro Wrestling Torch #635 (Dated January 6, 2001)

“For whatever this is worth, the latest timetable I was given for an announcement if the [sale of WCW] goes through (there are plenty of rumors it is already done but we’ve heard so many rumors that at this point I’m not going to believe anything until the announcement) is in the 1/15 to 1/29 time frame. A lot of people expected that if the deal was done, the announcement would be made on 1/8. There is expected to be a major company facelift, but what that entails isn’t known. If/when Eric Bischoff gets the company, he’ll probably at that point at least give vague blueprints of his battle plan” – Wrestling Observer Newsletter (Dated January 8, 2001)

As we move forward to 2001, we will begin with the annual biggest event in all of puro, as we head to the Tokyo Dome. Coming soon afterward will be a further exploration of the American independents and what other potential world-class talents are falling under the radar as WCW and ECW appear to be headed anywhere but in a positive direction.

See you next time with The Lapsed Lion King of Sports!

Now for one last bit of business, which is to spotlight those in need in the country of Japan.

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