Young Lion Cup

New Japan Pro Wrestling
Spring Flare-Up ’87
スプリングフレアーアップ’87
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Kōrakuen Hall, Bunkyō, Tōkyō, Japan
20th March 1987
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No English commentary

Line-up:
Young Lion Cup
Referee: Tatsumi Fujinami
Masahiro Chōno vs Shin’ya Hashimoto
—
IWGP Tag Team Title League
Akira Maeda & Nobuhiko Takada vs Keiji Mutō & Shirō Koshinaka

It’s off to Japan for a foray in New Japan with their Spring Flare Up series finale. This is somewhat of a unique event, as the ‘Flare Up’ series name has never been used again and likely reflects the rivalry between NJPW and former-UWF talent, and the culmination of both tournaments. A Young Lion Cup Final? Shin’ya Hashimoto faces Masa Chōno!? Young guys at this stage of their careers, but this should be a pleasure to take in. Two thirds of the future Tōkon Sanjūshi (literally Fighting Spirit Three Musketeers) face off in the middle of the ring to show who is the best of the Young Lions! Let’s go!

Masahiro Chōno vs Shin’ya Hashimoto
Young Lion Cup Final, Referee: Tatsumi Fujinami

These two previously went to a 20-minute draw on the 16th of March, and Hashimoto comes into this match with 37 points whereas Chōno has accumulated 32. Other competitors in the round-robin were Tatsuo Nakano, Yūji (Masakatsu) Funaki, Yōji Anjō, Osamu Matsuda (El Samurai), Akira Nogami, Ken’ichi (Hisakatsu) Ōya & Akira Katayama. Hashimoto is coming in with the advantage, but both men won their previous matches and have equal momentum for the final. After a brief and modest introduction the future legends face off in the famous bare-bones black trunks of the NJPW Dōjō.

Hashimoto gains a quick advantage, but Chōno replies after composing himself. A fast-paced technical exchange, avoiding rope breaks and keeping a steady flow. Hashimoto benefits from physical exchanges, whereas Chōno excels with submission techniques. Kimura lock employed. Hashimoto is forced to use the ropes to get the break, and then a desperate leg-scissor to take Chōno by surprise. Chōno looks very comfortable on the mat, even when in a tough hold he is very capable of finding an escape. Hashimoto wisely goes to open-palm strikes and body kicks, both men collapsing to the mat. Huge chest kick by Hashimoto, really taking advantage by slamming Chōno hard. Perhaps unwisely going for an armbar, which Chōno easily counters and is able to return to his feet.

Shin’ya seems to be on a mission to prove he can mat wrestle, at risk of losing his overall advantage. Hashimoto attempts a Kimura lock, but it’s Chōno using the ropes now to escape. A single leg crab forces Hashimoto to the ropes in response. A beautiful back suplex by Masa, a diving front dropkick then a heaving Samoan drop! Single leg crab forces Hashimoto to the ropes again, a great flurry of offense! Chōno follows up with a butterfly suplex and a Boston crab in the middle of the ring, but somehow Hashimoto manages to get to the ropes again.

Shin’ya reverses Chōno’s underhook and eventually catches him with a sleeper, transitioning to a triangle choke. Lovely stuff, Shin’ya in control. Hashimoto releases the hold but has a plan! Flurry of body kicks and a reverse spin kick, and a beautiful snap belly-to-belly suplex! Chōno is barely hanging on! Crazy suplex-lift body slam and a perfect jumping heel kick, fans thought it was over but Chōno kicks out again! Great comeback Shin’ya! Lovely bridging fallaway slam from Shin’ya! Chōno kicks out, and suddenly scores the win with a small package cradle! ■

Hashimoto is momentarily angry but composes himself, as Masahiro Chōno is crowned Young Lion Cup winner! Beautiful trophy! We get a sporting handshake between the Musketeers.

Akira Maeda & Nobuhiko Takada vs Keiji Mutō & Shirō Koshinaka
IWGP Tag Team Title League Final


This is the final of the IWGP Tag Title League, put together after the titles were vacated when then-champions Tatsumi Fujinami and Kengo Kimura split as a team. Takada & Maeda are in plain black trunks which state their no-frills MMA-style which they have brought over with them from the doomed UWF organisation. Takada is a catch-style grappler and Maeda an accomplished karateka who have accumulated 17 points. Mutō and Shirō bring pro wrestling to the fight and have accumulated 18 points, so could be tseen as the slight favourites. Other teams in the league were Rick Steiner & Steve Williams, Osamu Kido & Yoshiaki Fujiwara, The Sheepherders, George Takano & Tatsumi Fujinami, Kendo Nagasaki (Kazuo Sakurada) & Mr Pōgo.

Huge crowd reactions for both teams, tense atmosphere! Takada notably with the taped fingers if you are struggling to keep track of who is in the ring.

Takada immediately tries to kill the match, Shirō however is able to dodge his head kicks. Eventually Shirō lures Takada into a grapple and takes him down, it looks like it will be a proverbial striker vs grappler showdown until Takada snatches the arm, Shirō barely escaping. Mutō gets tagged. Mutō and Shirō lose a chance to double team, but Mutō is confident in engaging Takada on the mat. Takada swipes a kick instead of allowing a clean break, and almost a sumo style exchange results in Mutō being backed to Maeda in the corner. Clean tag in for Maeda, fans are hot for this so far! Maeda quickly has Mutō in danger, a cross arm breaker and leg lace, making it look easy. Wise tag to Shirō who is immediately reeling from Maeda’s body kicks, hitting air on a flying heel kick, but then catches Shirō’s hip attack in mid-air to fold him into a German suplex!!

Shirō is fired up after getting lit up by Takada’s strikes, employs a figure four neck lock and a slick tag to Mutō who flies in with a diving knee drop! Nice series of reversals, Mutō with a wild dropkick and back suplex to slow Takada down. Mutō ends up on the apron taking kicks. Beautiful belly-to-belly to Mutō to allow Maeda back in, merciless head kicks. Maeda busts out a crossface chickenwing, much to my surprise, really nice grip. Mutō’s forced to rope break and gets a spinning heel kick for his trouble. Shirō snatches a tag as Mutō goes flying!

Maeda catches Shirō and teases a scorpion deathlock before getting Takada back in. More submission attempts from Takada, a cross armbreaker sees Shirō squeak to the ropes and gets pummeled again by kicks. There’s simply no respite for Mutō & Shirō here. An interesting powering-through body slam by Takada, and here comes Maeda to add to the suffering. Shirō ducks a huge rolling kick in the corner and locks in a Boston crab! Takada jumps in and blasts a defenceless Shirō with a reverse spin kick to break it up, the referee lets it roll. Maeda uses a pretty dangerous looking double underarm suplex, almost dropping Shirō on his noggin. Casual leg lace applied, Shirō easily escaping and Mutō in to deliver a vicious brainbustaaahhhh, then missing his patented handspring elbow in the corner. Takada and then Maeda rain in the kicks. Mutō tries to return this to a grappling match, using a Greco-Roman lock-up and going for a judo throw, unable to take Maeda off his feet. Shirō resorts to an old fashioned backbreaker to get Maeda down!

Takada tags in and smashes Shirō with a snapping tombstone piledriver! Shirō somehow survives this but finds himself in a scorpion deathlock! Slow escape via ropes but Takada is merciless, reapplying the move, forcing a second rope break. Head kick! Reverse heel kick! And a head kick from Maeda! Dragon suplex! Shirō saved by Mutō but remains in serious trouble! A beautiful spinning heel kick by Maeda forces another Mutō save. I don’t know how Koshinaka is still in this but he almost steals the win with a small package! Unclear if it’s a 3 count, but Mutō gets a hot tag and hits his momentous moonsault! Maeda is forced to make the save now! A brutal spike piledriver by Mutō and Shirō! Takada in peril but is able to use his kicks to create distance and avoids a dropkick from Shirō. Maeda lands a beautiful reverse heel kick across the neck but Shirō almost pins him with a backslide! Takada is in and hits a back suplex! A lot of saves required at this stage in the match, it feels like almost any move could put anyone away!

Mutō gets tossed out by Takada who tries to get Shirō in the scorpion deathlock again, but Shirō shrinks and pulls Takada down into a pinning combo! It’s 3! Or is it? Yes! ■ Shirō snuck the win!

What a great match! Keiji Mutō & Shirō Koshinaka are the new IWGP Tag Team Champions! The crowd is jubilant! Shirō himself had to check it was a 3 count. Both teams shake hands as the title belts are presented with the tournament trophy. A fitting main event and a high bar of quality set by New Japan.

Highlights:
Where to start? Legends early in their careers!
A fitting climax to the Young Lion Cup, which is a lovely trophy.
An excellent climax to the IWGP Tag Title League.

Thoughts:
Two great matches from a series finale makes me wish I had the entire show. This IWGP Tag Title League is not to be confused with the Japan Cup or World Tag League. I kind of wish NJPW showcased the Young Lions like this nowadays.

Verdict: Watch these matches. Now.

First match available here on NJPWWorld.
Second match available here on NJPWWorld.