MADUSA VS. AKIRA HOKUTO

In 1995 WWF formed a women's `division' around Alundra Blayze and imported Joshi stars from Japan (namely All Japan Women's Wrestling) when she returned a year previous to this event WCW created a WCW Women's Championship. The division consisted of her and a group of Joshi wrestlers (but this time from GAEA wrestling in Japan) the tournament began 4^th November edition of Nitro and the winner of this match is the inaugural champion. Akira is accompanied by Sonny Onoo and Kensuke Sasaki for this match, who it turns out she was married to at this time. Lee Marshall, Dusty Rhodes, Bobby “The Brain” Heenan and Tony Schiovane are cosy at the announce desk.

AKIRA HOKUTO VS. MADUSA

WCW Starrcade 1996 (29^th December 2006)

Akira Hokuto pulls Madusa from the turnbuckles during her entrance to kickstart the match.. Madusa is sent across the ring by her hair, then back again. She reverses an irish whip, pulling Hokuto to the mat by her hair before anything resembling a wrestling move can be completed. Madusa sends Akira across the ring but gets tripped by Onoo. Akira Hokuto brings Madusa over to the corner, lifting her off the ground for a cobra clutch, but releasing before she's disqualified. Akira Hokuto stands on the middle rope but is caught with a handstand hurricanrana. Madusa is distracted by Onoo, leaving her in position for Akira to choke her with the middle rope. Akira Hokuto drags Madusa to the middle of the ring and locks in a sharpshooter, the one time I wish for a Montreal Screwjob finish, it doesn't happen. Hokuto transitions into an STF. Akira releases the crossface, pulling Madusa's other leg back and biting her foot as the fans chant “USA” but Dusty only notices on commentary after the referee asks for the release. Akira slams Madusa's knee into the mat slams Madusa into the mat and then covers but Madusa bridges out of it after 1. That was pretty cool, actually.

 

Madusa runs the ropes, bringing Hokuto down to the mat, slams her and covers. Akira has her hand in Madusa's face and they get to their feet as commentary reflect their own incompetence onto referee, Nick Patrick. Madusa is lifted into a choke, Akira holds it until the 4 count then slams her down, continuing to choke her with her shin on the mat. Madusa kicks Akira in the head, but gets choked again, and bent over Akira's knee backward. Am I still reviewing wrestling here...? It turns out so, as Akira Hokuto gets a Northern Lights suplex, but Madusa gets her shoulder up after 1. Madusa tries to escape the armbar, but Akira brings her to her feet and sends her off the ropes. Madusa counters with a terrible DDT attempt, she tries to slam Akira but Akira slides out, getting another 1 count from a bridging german suplex. Akira Hokuto runs into a boot in the corner and Madusa hits a tornado DDT, which Schiovane calls a bulldog. A powerbomb by Madusa gets her a nearfall, so she tries another but this time Akira Hokuto shifts her weight and lands on Madusa for another nearfall.

 

The commentary stutter around saying “breasts” as Akira kicks Madusa in the chest, the second attempt gets caught, Madusa gets a bridging german suplex for a nearfall. Madusa climbs to the second turnbuckle but is met with a superplex by Hokuto. That's the second cool thing I've seen all match, it could have gone terribly but it gets her a nearfall. Akira Hokuto climbs the ropes but is met with a running dropkick, sending her to the floor. Kensuke goes to check on her, which needs the referee's attention and gives Sonny Onoo time to run in and hit Madusa with the American flag, less than a foot away. Akira Hokuto hits a missile dropkick and a brainbuster for the win.

WINNER: AKIRA HOKUTO

I wasn't particularly excited about covering this match, as you can probably tell. My feelings were justified by this match. Madusa bridging out of the pin and Akira's superplex were the only things I could consider `highlights' the nineties were a different time for women's wrestling. – As a match, it's * ½ stars, but personally, I'd rate it 0/10