MOTW 91: El Desperado vs Jun Kasai
"M.O.T.W. #91: El Desperado vs Jun Kasai" - ink & digital illustration
this week we take a deep dive into one of contemporary Professional Wrestling's most interesting & highly acclaimed rivalries!
This shockingly emotional body horror crimson-soaked thrill ride of a Death Match took place on September 12th, 2022, the main event of Just Tap Out's 'TAKA-Taichi-Despe Mania' event at the beautifully designed Yoyogi National Gymnasium #2 in Yoyogi, Tokyo.
So having just had the latest instalment in this stellar rivalry, I thought I needed to do it properly & go back to the start. Kicking it off with their really great 2019 Korakuen introduction (& Despe's 1st ever Deathmatch!), followed by Part II in this incredible Match of the Year Candidate from 2022. And oh my gosh, I definitely get what everyone was raving about!
This match & rivalry really is so interesting that I'll barely be able to scratch the surface. But the key of it I think is the magic of spreading the wonder of #DeathmatchWrestling to those outside of the grimey, culty circles of those who already love it. There is just so much creativity here. An indoctrination into a new world for Despe ...& one that he has taken to like a duck to water.
I've long been a fan of the Crazy Monkey, dating back to first seeing him in CZW. Same for Despe in his amazing NJPW Jr. Heavyweight Division matches. But man, this is such an amazing fusion.
The post match & symbolic rose really capped this off as one of the most visually striking matches that I have seen in recent memory. So I felt like I needed to do a little something extra to commemorate this special moment & truly wonderful Pro Wrestling match.
Not for everyone (though you may be surprised how much you enjoy it), HIGHLY recommended!
ENJOY!!
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