ALL JAPAN PRO WRESTLING
CHAMPION CARNIVAL 2019 NIGHT 10
APRIL 16, 2019
ACT CITY HAMAMATSU
HAMAMATSU, JAPAN

Watch: AJPW.TV

GIANNI VALLETTA (2) DEF. YUJI OKABAYASHI (4)

Well if anybody was going to have a passable match with Valletta, it’s Okabayashi because he can do the stiff brawl matches better than almost anyone. There’s not much to this match. Valletta does his brawling outside and his biting. Okabayshi, bless him, tries to make this match into something with lots of Lariats chops, and even a deadlift vertical suplex.

The finish comes when they are they are in the corner. Valletta bites Okabayshi for the seemingly millionth time in this match and when the ref goes to break it up, he gets shoved and is out of it for a few seconds. That’s enough time for Valletta to hit a low blow and follow that up with a punch with his chain wrapped around his hand for his first win in the tournament. **1/2

ATSUSHI AOKI (2) DEF. YUMA AOYAGI (4)

A really fun veteran vs. young wrestler match. Aoki takes control early and works over Aoyagi’s left arm which will be a factor throughout this match.

Aoki remains in control most of this match working over Aoyagi’s left arm. Aoyagi at points his diving cross bodies and tries unsuccessfully for German Suplexes. After managing to avoid several submission attempts from Aoki, Aoyagi manages to lock in the End Game but Aoki makes the ropes. Aoyagi goes for another German Suplex attempt but Aoki counters with a Key Lock. Finally, Aoyagi hits a German Suplex, and then goes for a second which lands. Aoyagi is picking up Aoki to complete the Rolling German Suplex spot but Aoki rolls Aoyagi into a cradel before he can land his third German Suplex for the win. This was tons of fun and at 10 minutes, it never got boring.. ***1/2

JOE DOERING (4) DEF. TAKASHI YOSHIDA (6)

This match started out with a shoulder block fest. Then they do brawling everywhere in and out of the ring. Oh and lots of Lariats from both guys. The finish sees Doering hit a Cross Body out of nowhere for the sudden pin. Not much to say other than this was a perfectly acceptable brawl. Yoshida fans may get more out of this than me. **3/4

SUWAMA (6) DEF. DAICHI HASHIMOTO (4)

After watching this match, I have can say Hashimoto is the most disappointing wrestler in this tournament. While Valletta is a much inferior worker, at least his matches are kept short. This match went 22 minutes.

Hashimoto was over though. Lots of screams of “Daichi!” from women in the crowd. Also if you think Will Ospreay screams too much, check out Hashimoto in this match.

Hashimoto takes control of this match and very slowly works over SUWAMA for a while. SUWAMA, I should add, did try in this match and hustled to try to make something of this match. And he didn’t completely come up empty.

The finish was pretty good with Hashimoto kicking out of a Backdrop and then landing a nasty looking Shining Wizard to the back of SUWAMA’s head. They trade a bunch of moves like Lariats and Enziguris and SUWAMA ducks a Shining Wizard then hits a Lariat and Backdrop hold for the win. The finishing stretch saved this match but it was a slog to sit through all the stuff to get there. **3/4

FINAL THOUGHTS

Nothing worth watching except for Aoki vs. Aoyagi and it’s ten minutes that just flies by. One of the weaker nights of the tournament so far.