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"DREAM * WIN" returned for it's 2001 installment, with another special theme at the mecca of pro wrestling, Tokyo Korakuen Hall. This year's lineup featured nine matches, all relating to the same concept. Nine young wrestlers (Block B) were to choose envelopes, in which would be the name of an established star (Block A), including many veterans. Said star would be their opponent at Korakuen, with young wrestlers given the chance to make their dreams come true. The young wrestlers nominated their opponents in the following order: Masahito Kakihara (vs. Kensuke Sasaki), Dolgorsuren Serjbudee (vs. Hiroyoshi Tenzan), Kenzo Suzuki (vs. Kazunari Murakami), Wataru Inoue (vs. Satoshi Kojima), Hiroshi Tanahashi (vs. Manabu Nakanishi), Masayuki Naruse (vs. Yutaka Yoshie), Minoru Tanaka (vs. Osamu Nishimura), Katsushi Takemura (vs. Jushin Thunder Liger), and Katsuyori Shibata (vs. El Samurai).
Special participation:
Kazunari Murakami (UFO)
NJPW "DREAM * WIN", 12/23/01 (SXW)
Tokyo Korakuen Hall
1,904 Fans - Super No Vacancy Full House
1. Hiroyoshi Tenzan beat Dolgorsuren Serjbudee (8:17) with a crab hold.
2. Katsuyori Shibata beat El Samurai (8:14) with a Dragon suplex hold.
3. Yutaka Yoshie beat Masayuki Naruse (8:40) with a backfist.
4. Jushin Thunder Liger beat Katsushi Takemura (10:35) with a shotei.
5. Osamu Nishimura vs. Minoru Tanaka went to a draw (15:00) when the time limit expired.
6. Satoshi Kojima beat Wataru Inoue (11:07) with a lariat.
7. Kazunari Murakami  beat Kenzo Suzuki (3:51) by referee stop.
8. Kensuke Sasaki beat Masahito Kakihara (0:32) with a grounded headlock.
9. Manabu Nakanishi beat Hiroshi Tanahashi (9:42) with an Argentine backbreaker.
Points of note:
The master of the Mongolian chop, Tenzan, met young Mongolian wrestler, Serjbudee. Fittingly, they traded Mongolian chops, but Tenzan's experience was too much for the rookie, and he forced a submission.
The only Block B wrestler to win a match was Shibata, as he scored a big win by pinning El Samurai. After sliding out of an armlock, Shibata surprised the masked veteran with a Dragon suplex hold for the victory!
Naruse tried to outfox the much larger Yoshie with kicks and submissions, but the super-heavyweight's strength was just too overwhelming, and he defeated the former IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Champion with a backfist.
Liger continued the success for the veterans, pinning Takemura following a shotei.
Top heavyweight technician, Nishimura, faced top junior technician, Tanaka. In a ground-based match, neither man was able to break the other down enough for the win, and the 15 minute time limit expired.
Wataru gave a very spirited effort against Kojima, taking the heavyweight over 11 minutes and troubling him, but a mauling lariat put an end to his hopes, Kojima sealing the win.
UFO's Kazunari Murakami faced Kenzo, two months after KO'ing his partner, Tanahashi. Once again the "Terrorist of Heisei" was victorious, mounting Suzuki with punches and forcing a referee stoppage.
An issue from the New Japan vs. UWF-I feud was revitalized, as Sasaki and Kakihara met for the third time. Previously, they were 1-1, having traded wins in the mid-1990's, but the gap between them today was evident, as Kensuke destroyed Kakihara in just 32 seconds. Following the match, Sasaki's Tokyo Dome opponent, UFO's Naoya Ogawa, made an appearance and provoked him, causing sparks to fly.
In the main event, top young lion prospect, Tanahashi, faced Nakanishi. Tanahashi, like his fellow young lions, tried hard and won the support of Korakuen, but Mr. Unbelievable's strength and experience were too much, an Argentine backbreaker winning him the match.
Miscellaneous:
It finished 7-1-1 in favour of Block A, the experienced group. The only young lion to win was Shibata, while Tanaka forced a draw out of Nishimura.
The official annual New Japan awards were presented at the show, Keiji Muto capping off a wonderful year by monopolizing the three majors prizes.
MVP: Keiji Muto
Singles Best Bout: Keiji Muto vs. Yuji Nagata (8/12)
Tag Team Best Bout: Keiji Muto & Hiroshi Hase vs. Yuji Nagata & Jun Akiyama (10/8)
Technique Award: Osamu Nishimura
Fighting Spirit Award: Satoshi Kojima
Outstanding Performance Award: Yuji Nagata
Young Lion Award: Hiroshi Tanahashi
Stuart's 2001 Awards:
Heavyweight MVP: Keiji Muto
Junior Heavyweight MVP: Minoru Tanaka
Tag Team MVP: Hiroyoshi Tenzan & Satoshi Kojima
Singles Best Bout: Minoru Tanaka vs. Takehiro Murahama (4/20)
Tag Team Best Bout: Hiroyoshi Tenzan & Satoshi Kojima vs. Mike Barton & Jim Steele (12/11)
Technique Award: Yuji Nagata
Fighting Spirit Award: Satoshi Kojima
Young Lion Award: Hiroshi Tanahashi
Back to: "G1 TAG LEAGUE 2001" (11/16/01 to 12/11/01)
Forward to: "WRESTLING WORLD 2002" (1/4/02)
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