MOTW 33: Riki Choshu vs Genichiro Tenryu (Grumpy Old Man Edition)

“MOTW #33: Riki Choshu vs Genichiro Tenryu (Grumpy Old Man Edition)” - ink & digital illustration

Hi pals! We’re back for the 33rd instalment of the ‘Match of the Week’ illustration series & I’ve got another weird one for you!

This delightfully gruff affair took place on March 15th, 2003 for Choshu’s ill-fated ‘Fighting of World Japan Pro-Wrestling’ promotion’s WJ MAGMA01 Series 2003 (Day 1) at Korakuen Hall.

So I went down another strange rabbit hole for this one. Venturing into the strange land of ‘World Japan’. Now I ventured with some trepidation as I’d heard that most of ‘WJ’ was quite disappointing but some of their cards just looked too intriguing to pass up! (Big Vito vs Kensuke Sasaki on this same show for example). I’ve always loved the epic feud between Choshu & one of my all-time favourites (& everyone’s fav grumpy old man wrassler) Tenryu dating back to Choshu’s invasion of All Japan in the 80s. But i’d never seen any of their clashes post ‘93.

Now you might ask why I picked this one rather than their all-time amazing 80s & 90s matches. A fair question. But I find something so much more interesting about Choshu vs Tenryu - "Grumpy Old Man" edition. Especially since in this era, Tenryu is pretty much the best ever at that. This takes place about 10 years after their much lauded ‘93 bouts & is just so fascinating to watch! It’s just wild, violent, surly old man hatred from start to finish that just keeps escalating in one of the greatest sub 12 minute matches that I ever did see! Lariats, chairs, a table is thrown, a sweet punch & slap exchange & some killer old man brain busters! This match really is the definition of "Middle Aged & Crazy". This might not be for everybody but it sure was for me!

Highly recommended if you dig seeing some middle aged Japanese gentlemen beefin' on one-another.

ENJOY!!

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