Masakatsu Funaki vs Kikutaro (AJPW, 12-13-2009)

AJPW Fan Appreciation Day, Tokyo, Japan

This is a request via Ko-fi.

Kikutaro SQUARES UP. Funaki kicks him in the leg and Kikutaro goes right down selling like death has come for him. The count is on but he’s up at nine, bravely.

Kikutaro SQUARES UP AGAIN. But he’s hobbled and flinching badly every time Funaki makes even a move toward him. Kikutaro tries to check a kick, but Funaki kicks him anyway. Down again. Another count. Kikutaro up at eight.

Funaki comes right in with a series of kicks this time, Kikutaro holding onto the top rope and begging for a break. Kikutaro is very upset about this behavior from Funaki. And holding his ass, which hurts now.

Kikutaro wants a knuckle lock. Or at least he wants it more than he wants to be kicked. Funaki easily overpowers him. Kikutaro goes off the ropes for a shoulderblock, Funaki doesn’t budge. Funaki goes down when Kikutaro hits the ropes, and Kikutaro just stops. Snapmare from Kikutaro, off the ropes, ELBOWDROP! Cover faked a few times, so the referee, in frustration, kicks Kikutaro down.

Funaki up, more embarrassed than anything. Kikutaro leaves the ring, he doesn’t want this smoke. He exits through the crowd, bowing before he goes all the way. Now he’s being chased back to the ring, even though he doesn’t want anymore. Well, not chased, more ordered and dragged against his will.

Back in now, Kikutaro goes for a single leg, but Funaki just rides him easily. Funaki going for the arm, Kikutaro hanging on for all he’s worth. He covers up with Funaki in a full mount, now Funaki takes the back. Kikutaro still just defensive as he can be. Funaki slaps him in the head lightly a few times, just toying with him.

Funaki going for the cross armbreaker, but Kikutaro blocks. Funaki tries to slap the hands open, but bless Kikutaro, he’s really blocking. And then Funaki gets it, but not even full effort. Kikutaro rolls into a triangle from Funaki. Kikutaro manages to get the rope with his foot.

Funaki up and bouncing, Kikutaro down and worn out. Kikutaro begging for time in the corner. And mercy. And he shouts something I know to be funny because people laughed. Funaki sends him to the other corner, misses his charge, but blocks Kikutaro trying to lift him.

So Kikutaro rakes the eyes, then goes for a running bulldog, only to be easily shoved off onto his ass. Funaki with a chop, Kikutaro comes back. They’re trading overhand chops. Kikutaro with a right hand to the jaw and Funaki goes down! DDT from Kikutaro!

Kikutaro calling for the finish. He talks a bunch with Funaki in a front facelock. I understand none of it, but he wants a brainbuster here. Funaki just suplexes him over finally. Big slap from Funaki, trading shots again. Kikutaro tries some misdirection, but Funaki just left hand slaps him down.

Funaki goes for the mask, but Kikutaro gets pissed and takes his shirt off. He’s ready to fight! Kikutaro talking shit! Funaki a bit taken aback. Koppu kick from Funaki, now the triangle again and Kikutaro quickly taps out in pure defeat.

Rating: 3/5. I don’t generally go for Comedy Wrestling but Kikutaro is actually good at it, actually funny, and actually fun to watch. Mixing him with Funaki for a match like this is pretty much just a guaranteed good time. It’s short, sweet, and never gets too stupid or dull.