Minoru Suzuki - A personification of awesomeness, or simply overrated? • Strong Style Symphony Archive

Anwin · by **Anwin** » Tue Jul 07, 2009 9:53 pm

If there has been a similar discussion before, I apologize for that.

After seeing some of his Pancrase matches, and some of his job at NOAH and AJPW, I think that Minoru Suzuki is probably the best wrestler of AJPW these days, and one of the best wrestlers in the whole puroesu realm right now.

However, after seeing that stinker against Muta for the TC of last year, I wonder if there's someone who disagrees with my vision of Minoru, and thinks that probably he's not that great.

So, I ask you all, what do you think of Minoru. He got all to be considered one of the greats of puro right now, or maybe he's not that awesome after all?

AKINAN · by **AKINAN** » Tue Jul 07, 2009 9:56 pm

I think we can all say that Minoru Suzuki is one of the most charismatic dudes in puroresu and hes a great wrestler. You watch his inter gender matches where he teams with AKINO and those two get along so well, too funny together. He has many traits

rjones2818 · by **rjones2818** » Tue Jul 07, 2009 11:01 pm

And don't forget his legendary matches against MechaMummy!

His match against Minowaman wasn't too bad either, considering.

driogoun · by **driogoun** » Wed Jul 08, 2009 2:12 am

Any complaints about Suzuki have to do him phoning a particular match in. When he's hitting on all cylinders, he is really fun to watch.

The guy can work with just about everyone and is insanely charismatic. He's even had good matches with Muto, just that stinker of a TC tournament was pretty awful.

LARMORE · by **LARMORE** » Wed Jul 08, 2009 4:04 am

The personification of awesomeness.

Duh.

wOOt · by **wOOt** » Wed Jul 08, 2009 7:14 am

He belongs in AJ, he helps save it.

AKINAN · by **AKINAN** » Wed Jul 08, 2009 7:38 am

wOOt wrote:He belongs in AJ, he helps save it.

Yes, Yes he does

Suzuki for champ is what i say

The Diamondhead · by **The Diamondhead** » Wed Jul 08, 2009 9:36 am

He's a real character and a great wrestler at heart, but tends to mail it in rather often.

manjiimortal · by **manjiimortal** » Wed Jul 08, 2009 10:47 am

I love Suzuki as much as the next guy, but he struggles in long matches. However, he's awesome in tag matches!

AKINAN · by **AKINAN** » Wed Jul 08, 2009 10:59 am

manjiimortal wrote:I love Suzuki as much as the next guy, but he struggles in long matches. However, he's awesome in tag matches!

Spot on.

I recomend AKINO/M.Suzuki vs. Mechamummy's TAKEMURA AID - Really funny when Suzuki runs the ropes three times and then just does a little kick in Mummys face. The announcers and the crowd were really good and laughed their heads off. AKINO really put her own magic into the match too...she got a Suzuki Haircut

and then tried to get the ref on her side in her own way..

club · by **club** » Wed Jul 08, 2009 11:23 am

Remember Zach Arnold's MiSuzuki hate campaign from way back? ::)

Suzuki's a fountain of charisma personality, and his facial expressions make it really easy to follow the story of the match whether you underatsnd Japanese or not. He is pretty hit and miss though. When he's on he's on, when he's not... the less said the better.

Jamie OD · by **Jamie OD** » Wed Jul 08, 2009 4:54 pm

Love the guy's personality, just a complete prick who doesn't give a toss about how hard you hit him. He's the perfect straight man to comedy guys too, going as far as to do some wacky impersonations for Nosawa's shows.

L.G Rod · by **L.G Rod** » Wed Jul 08, 2009 8:04 pm

He has charisma yes, but I can't remember the last great match he had.

manjiimortal · by **manjiimortal** » Wed Jul 08, 2009 8:35 pm

L.G Rod wrote:He has charisma yes, but I can't remember the last great match he had.

2009.03.14 Minoru Suzuki & Taiyo Kea vs Suwama & Shuji Kondo, World Tag-team Championship.
I'd say this was the best AJPW match of this year.

L.G Rod · by **L.G Rod** » Wed Jul 08, 2009 8:39 pm

manjiimortal wrote:
L.G Rod wrote:He has charisma yes, but I can't remember the last great match he had.

2009.03.14 Minoru Suzuki & Taiyo Kea vs Suwama & Shuji Kondo, World Tag-team Championship.
I'd say this was the best AJPW match of this year.

Should I? Nah too easy.

AKINAN · by **AKINAN** » Thu Jul 09, 2009 1:17 pm

That match was good but i dont think it was the best AJ has had all year, i think Minoru vs. Kaz Hayashi for the Jr title was the best match all year for AJ

MutoFan83 · by **MutoFan83** » Thu Jul 09, 2009 6:35 pm

He may be the best persona in Japan today but to be honest he doesn't have great matches hardy ever.

Anwin · by **Anwin** » Sun Jul 12, 2009 8:50 pm

I love his Triple Crown defense against Nagata. A lot of hate and intensity to have that match in my personal Top 5 of 2007...

OrangeCrush99 · by **OrangeCrush99** » Mon Jul 13, 2009 5:03 am

I think his best in-ring days are behind him but his promos are pretty damn funny. He could easily be a comedian or one of those omnipresent tv personalities you see on all the Japanese quiz and variety shows.

Tradition Rules · by **Tradition Rules** » Mon Jul 13, 2009 5:47 am

He can still work a solid match,...when he wants too.

When he first came back to pro-wrestling, he never bumped. a main reason why his matches sucked when he first returned. He doesn't do much of it now, but in bigger matches he will on occation.

I think he should add the kick-pads to his ring gear again.

LARMORE · by **LARMORE** » Mon Jul 13, 2009 11:32 am

Just like Muto and Kawada, Suzuki being selective about when he bumps will give him a longer career. It's the smart way to approach wrestling.

Some people (not you, TR) complain that Suzuki doesn't do enough and/or bump enough, but would they rather him be in the shape Kobashi and Takayama are in from years of unnecessary and excessive bumps? Or worse, have his career cut short like Misawa's?

indigo · by **indigo** » Mon Jul 13, 2009 12:31 pm

percentage of zomg 5 stars matches is so overrated.

AKINAN · by **AKINAN** » Mon Jul 13, 2009 12:32 pm

To me Suzuki is just fine how he wrestles, he still does good stuff and is very charismatic. What more could you want

club · by **club** » Mon Jul 13, 2009 2:21 pm

LARMORE wrote:Just like Muto and Kawada, Suzuki being selective about when he bumps will give him a longer career. It's the smart way to approach wrestling.

For sure. Suzuki's at his best when he's slapping the piss out of young uns, not falling on his head.

Anwin · by **Anwin** » Tue Jul 14, 2009 4:49 pm

club wrote:
LARMORE wrote:Just like Muto and Kawada, Suzuki being selective about when he bumps will give him a longer career. It's the smart way to approach wrestling.

For sure. Suzuki's at his best when he's slapping the piss out of young uns, not falling on his head.

Indeed. Even if his match against Muta sucks shit (nothing compared with his Triple Crown defense against Mutoh), his best showcase is being a disrespectul bastard with a certain love of beating the shit out of the youngers.

Although, I would love to see a dream match of sorts against Angle. A clash of styles and personalities that would make an uber-awesome match.

The Hater · by **The Hater** » Tue Jul 21, 2009 3:59 am

Anwin wrote:
club wrote:
LARMORE wrote:Just like Muto and Kawada, Suzuki being selective about when he bumps will give him a longer career. It's the smart way to approach wrestling.

For sure. Suzuki's at his best when he's slapping the piss out of young uns, not falling on his head.

Indeed. Even if his match against Muta sucks shit (nothing compared with his Triple Crown defense against Mutoh), his best showcase is being a disrespectul bastard with a certain love of beating the shit out of the youngers.

Although, I would love to see a dream match of sorts against Angle. A clash of styles and personalities that would make an uber-awesome match.

You guys make him sound like Hardcore Holly, except more entertaining.

Spender · by **Spender** » Mon Aug 10, 2009 8:31 pm

club wrote:Remember Zach Arnold's MiSuzuki hate campaign from way back?

Suzuki's a fountain of charisma personality, and his facial expressions make it really easy to follow the story of the match whether you underatsnd Japanese or not. He is pretty hit and miss though. When he's on he's on, when he's not... the less said the better.

I remember Zach Arnold's MiSuzuki hate campaign quite well. I also remember Stuart's.

Crew316 · by **Crew316** » Mon Aug 10, 2009 10:25 pm

Suzuki's theme music & entrance is better than 70% of the wrestlers in Japan right now. When he wants to go, he can still go, and like people have said, who can blame him for preserving his health? Especially when you consider he was a Pancrase guy who did the legit thing vs guys like the Shamrocks, Bas Rutten, etc. He's more than paid his dues.

Sir-C4 · by **Sir-C4** » Tue Aug 11, 2009 1:00 pm

Anwin wrote:I would love to see a dream match of sorts against Angle. A clash of styles and personalities that would make an uber-awesome match.

I've been saying that for the last two years.

Mr. Levity · by **Mr. Levity** » Wed Aug 12, 2009 7:53 am

Crew316 wrote:Suzuki's theme music & entrance is better than 70% of the wrestlers in Japan right now. When he wants to go, he can still go, and like people have said, who can blame him for preserving his health?

I'll second those comments. His theme music is insanely awesome, and he creates an amazing atmosphere whenever he steps into the ring. He's super-charismatic, can work a good/great match with anyone, and is a pleasure to watch.

The first Minoru Suzuki match I ever saw was his GHC Title contest with Kenta Kobashi in 2005 - good start, eh? From the opening bell, I immediately wanted Kobashi to knock Suzuki's head off due to his ridiculously cocky attitude and general demeanour ... so I guess he did his job as a heel pretty damn well. By the end of the match, I felt like I'd seen quite an epic. Nowadays, Suzuki doesn't annoy me so much, as I've learned to appreciate his attitude and style.

L.G Rod · by **L.G Rod** » Wed Aug 12, 2009 8:00 am

My favorite of his entrances were at the Tokyo Dome and at CMLL in Arena Mexico.

MutoFan83 · by **MutoFan83** » Wed Aug 12, 2009 8:35 am

I've gotten so many non wrestling fans into Kaze ni Nare its ridiculous.

Epyon · by **Epyon** » Wed Aug 12, 2009 10:11 am

Would anyone else agree with me that Suzuki is a big part of the stabilization that AJ has had since 05? they are running more shows, have more consistent storylines, and seem to actually be somewhat profitable now. And an argument can be made the MS was a big part, with his title reign and all around consistent performances.

Yay or Nay?

LARMORE · by **LARMORE** » Wed Aug 12, 2009 4:24 pm

Most definitely yes.

MutoFan83 · by **MutoFan83** » Wed Aug 12, 2009 4:32 pm

Yeppers.

Also, AJPW has been the most consistently well booked Japanese fed since around then. If only they had epic or even good matches on every show. *sigh*

Super Muta · by **Super Muta** » Thu Aug 13, 2009 2:55 pm

I enjoy most of Suzuki's matches but for whatever reason Im not a fan.

Anwin · by **Anwin** » Sun Aug 16, 2009 2:06 pm

I'll go with yes. Minoru Suzuki has a big role in the salvation of All Japan.

Now, it's time to see if All Japan can build up to the future. Mutoh and Suzuki won't be around forever, and Suwama can't take the burden of carrying All Japan all alone by himself.

Epyon · by **Epyon** » Sun Aug 16, 2009 4:09 pm

I gotta disagree. Look at their cast of young uns, the KY pair, Soya, Senada. A great cast of gaijins in ZODIAC and Doering, and also the occasional Canadien from BCW. I think AJ just needs to get more word of mouth, maybe more tours, to try and start being a force like they once were.

indigo · by **indigo** » Tue Aug 18, 2009 12:30 am

jethro · by **jethro** » Tue Aug 18, 2009 12:34 pm

Mr. Levity wrote:From the opening bell, I immediately wanted Kobashi to knock Suzuki's head off due to his ridiculously cocky attitude and general demeanour ... so I guess he did his job as a heel pretty damn well. By the end of the match, I felt like I'd seen quite an epic. Nowadays, Suzuki doesn't annoy me so much, as I've learned to appreciate his attitude and style.

As if you're reading my mind!

Zodiac vs Minoru suzuki - theres one hilarious part was after the match Minoru did the Zodiac pose

Sullivangate · by **Sullivangate** » Thu Aug 20, 2009 11:20 pm

Minoru shall sell our souls on Ebay.

LARMORE · by **LARMORE** » Thu Aug 20, 2009 11:21 pm

Who the hell would buy the nimble souls of those dumb enough to doubt Suzuki?

indigo · by **indigo** » Thu Aug 27, 2009 12:33 pm

hahaha spam

25:17 · by **25:17** » Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:44 am

Suzuki is the personification of awesomeness and the living definition of bad-ass