The Urban Ken Archive #2

(Written by yeelord)

    And we're back! I've watched another three Urban Ken matches and oh boy, these are some banger matchups! Unfortunately I can only provide one link as the other two are confidential. I think you'll enjoy the link I have provided though, as it's certainly a must-watch matchup.

    At this point in Kenny's career, he's made quite the name for himself, and it shows in how much he shines at this point. He's a very simple, yet very exciting wrestler that's worth all of your time! With this said, let's get into the matches

Daijiro Matsui vs. Urban Ken (BattlARTS: Nov. 26, 2000) Watch

   It's the battle of the matching gears as PRIDE's (and Takada Dojo's) own Daijiro Matsui takes on our boy who's sporting some new gear! The new gear won't last long, which is a shame as I kind of prefer it over his longer trunks. Ken has packed a lot more energy on this night and it shows as soon as the bell rings. 

    Yes, Urban Ken just speared Daijiro fucking Matsui across the damn ring... and it really sets the pace for this match. The only time this match slows down is when Daijiro leaves the ring to catch a breath. Even then, he teep kicks Ikuto Hidaka for no apparent reason other than because he can! Daijiro proved that he can be a menace if you try to take things on the mat throwing punch after punch. The ref has to separate him but he wouldn't comply. Ken does his usual schtick but Daijiro was quick to adapt to all of it. Quickly he applies a beautiful Rear Naked Choke to Ken which forces the tap out. Absolutely gloriously booked matchup in which both men got both of their shit in, it was back and forth up until the end, and had everything I could ever ask for in a match. Wondering how long this match went? 4:50. Four minutes, fifty seconds. This is quite possibly the best sub-five minute match in wrestling history. Go check this out right now!

Rating: 9/10 (Amazing) 

Alexander Otsuka vs. Urban Ken (BattlARTS: Dec. 3, 2000)

    Huge match for Kenny! He's going up against one of what I call the "Big Three of BattlARTS". The other two being Yuki Ishikawa and Daisuke Ikeda. Yes, I'm aware Ikeda was in NOAH at this point, but still. Anyway, this match went nothing like I had expected it to go. In fact, KENNY is the one who dominates this match! Yes! Almost the entire match is just Kenny showing us why he was an absolute unit not to be underestimated. Unfortunately for Otsuka, that's what he had done, underestimated. For about 5 minutes straight Ken is just giving everything to Otsuka. All of his signatures were in play here. That is until Otsuka thought to himself "Wait, what the hell am I doing?" and bonks Ken with a headbutt, sending him crashing to the mat. Otsuka had taken back his ring, locking Ken in a brutal looking half crab. Not too long afterwards Otsuka made Ken tap. Loved this match, especially when you're doing this specifically to watch Ken. This is a great match if you want to get a feel for Ken's moveset, I recommend checking this match out if you know where to find it

Rating: 7/10 (Great step in Ken's short career)

Hisakatsu Oya vs. Urban Ken (FMW: Feb. 23, 2001)

    Wait, FMW? Yes, Urban Ken had only worked 2 more matches for BattlARTS before going out on his own for a little bit before retiring. He did a few dates for Big Japan Pro Wrestling before making his way to FMW where he worked the entire Winning Road 2001 tour. Before then, he made his debut here at the very last day of the Cluster Battle 2001 tour taking on fellow matwork hero Hisakatsu Oya. The commentators are shocked at the arrival, surprisingly enough and Kenny's even sporting some new ring gear; a Dog Collar with a very long chain, classic.

    Onto the match... I don't really have to say about it. It was very back and forth and submission heavy. They didn't do much else besides trade submissions. I'll admit it got a bit boring after a while until Ken decided that he had enough of that and starting doing his slaps and spears. That didn't last very long either as Oya had caught him with a beautiful Backdrop for the three count. Slow, a bit boring in the beginning, but toward the end Ken had picked up the pace. Decent enough match if you love slow wrestling, though!

Rating: 6/10 (Very slow for the first 5 minutes)

    
    Another three matches down and we're almost 2 months to Kenny's sad retirement already. He's been very entertaining so far and I cannot wait to watch some more Urban Ken in FMW! See you next time! Stay Tuned!