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With a career lasting 33 years, Osamu Kido was one of New Japan's longest standing wrestlers, competing on it's debut show in 1972 as a young man, and plying his trade in the New Japan ring for many years after that. Although he never reached the status of an Inoki, Sakaguchi or Fujinami, he was one of the most respected members of the roster, and always wrestled good matches. As a trainee of the great Karl Gotch, he was a technical wizard, displaying a vast array of mat techniques and using them to outfox opponents. After years of active service, he decided to call it a day on November 2nd, 2001. Antonio Inoki acted as a doorman, collecting tickets, and the event was vintage New Japan, an unmatchable blend of heavyweight and junior heavyweight matches. One more time. Kido would step through the ropes, reuniting with three other Showa stars to conclude a glorious career.
Special participation:
Gran Naniwa
NJPW "OSAMU KIDO RETIREMENT SHOW", 11/2/01 (WPW)
Yokohama Bunka Gymnasium
4,500 Fans - No Vacancy
1. Kendo Kashin beat Katsushi Takemura (2:24) with a cross armbreaker.
2. Masahito Kakihara & Gran Naniwa beat El Samurai & Masayuki Naruse (13:26) when Kakihara used a cross armbreaker on Samurai.
3. Manabu Nakanishi & Yutaka Yoshie beat Kenzo Suzuki & Hiroshi Tanahashi (14:04) when Nakanishi used an Argentine backbreaker on Suzuki.
4. Kensuke Sasaki beat Osamu Nishimura (6:25) with a cross armbreaker.
5. Osamu Kido Retirement Match: Osamu Kido & Riki Choshu vs. Tatsumi Fujinami & Kengo Kimura went to a draw (10:00) when the time limit expired.
6. Masahiro Chono & Hiro Saito beat Hiroyoshi Tenzan & Satoshi Kojima (15:48) when Hiro used a senton bomb on Kojima.
7. Keiji Muto & Jushin Thunder Liger beat Yuji Nagata & Minoru Tanaka (15:13) when Liger used a brainbuster on Tanaka.
Points of note:
Kashin continued his rampage of quick, easy victories, today putting away Takemura in only 144 seconds with a cross armbreaker.
Young lion prospects, Kenzo & Tanahashi, were given one of their biggest tag matches to date, and managed to take the strong team of Nakanishi & Yoshie over 14 minutes before Suzuki tapped out to Mr. Unbelievable's Argentine backbreaker.
Sasaki and Nishimura faced each other in singles competition for the first time since late March, Kensuke's rampage continuing when he applied a cross armbreaker suddenly for the tap out.
Osamu Kido's career came to an end when he teamed with Choshu against the legendary team of Fujinami & Kimura, the latter making a rare appearance himself. Because of a 10 minute time limit, they had to race quickly for victory, but despite Kido almost finishing off Kengo with a wakigatame, time expired. All four men shook hands and left the ring, Kido's send-off scheduled for later.
TenKoji's slump continued when they lost to Chono & Hiro in the semi final. Both were suffering injuries, which were targetted by the cunning opposition, Tenzan's ribs and Kojima's right elbow. Out of nowhere near the end, Hiro delivered a vital part attack to Chono! Knowing an opportunity like this wouldn't come every day, he quickly dropped a senton on Kojima for the big personal victory, and then sided with TenKoji, leaving Chono furious!
In an all-star main event featuring stars of the old generation against stars of the new generation, Muto & Liger met Nagata & Tanaka. It was the old generation who won today, Liger spiking Tanaka with a brainbuster for the 3 count.
Following the main event, Kido and the New Japan roster returned to the ring for a farewell parade. He received many gifts and a message from his trainer, Gotch, was read. Kido talked about his long career, and announced he would remain with New Japan as a junior instructor, teaching new students what was taught to him so long ago. After the traditional 10 count bell gong, Kido was tossed in the air by the wrestlers, then carried to the back on Nakanishi's shoulders.
Back to: "SURVIVAL 2001" (10/12/01 to 10/28/01)
Forward to: "G1 TAG LEAGUE 2001" (11/16/01 to 12/11/01)
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