Toukon Shop Keiji Mutoh & Masahiro Chono DX figure set review

Welcome back to the largest source of Puroresu collectibles information on

the web.

For blog #132, we'll be taking an in-depth look at another exciting figure two
-pack released by Toukon Shop in the late 1990's. Get ready to turn heel with
the Keiji Mutoh and Masahiro Chono NWO Japan DX figure set.

                        

Released in 1998 as part of Toukon Shop's "Strong Style Tag Figure Collection",
this two-pack would mark the first time figures of Keiji Mutoh and Masahiro
Chono would be packaged together.

The included Keiji Mutoh figure features a brand new head sculpt of Mutoh
and is the first figure ever to feature Mutoh with a full beard (the only other
figure being the12 inch version released by TAKARA around the same time).

Both Mutoh and Chono come with a pair of removable ARISTRIST (Chono's
official clothing line) necklace pendants.

Keiji Mutoh switched his orange trunks in the late 1990's for Wrestling tights
adorned with an array of graphics representing Mutoh's shocking heel-turn to
the NWO Japan stable.
The text on Mutoh's left pant leg reads "IF ANYTHING SHOULD
OCCUR".

                                


Wrestling trivia:
Mutoh's official heel turn took place on September 23rd, 1997 for New
Japan Pro-Wrestling's "NJPW G1 Climax Special 1997 - Tag 11 ~ Grapple
Climax" event which featured a tag match between Masahiro Chono & The
Great Muta against Kensuke Sasaki and Kazuo Yamazaki.

During the match, Masahiro Chono accidentally hit The Great Muta (
Keiji Mutoh's Wrestling evil alter ego) causing Muta to become enraged
and leave the ring abruptly.

Keiji Mutoh would return to the ring a short time later (stripped of his Muta
attire) and finish the match with his patented Moonsalt - shocking the Wrestling
world by celebrating in the ring with the members of the NWO Japan.

At long last, Keiji Mutoh had finally become a "full" member of the NWO.



                                  

The side of Mutoh's left pant leg also includes the NWO logo.

Mutoh's right pant leg reads "NONE OF YOUR TRICKS WITH ME"
(there's also an "A" beyond Mutoh's right knee pad).

The text on Mutoh's right knee pad reads "STUN"

...and the text on Mutoh's left kneepad reads "SLAM" (most likely a reference
to Mutoh's rib breaker and moonsalt).

Both figures also contain two matching staff accessories which are also
removable.

Next up is "Mr. Blackjack" himself: Masahiro Chono!

Masahiro Chono is featured for the first time ever in action figure format with

his black ring gear.
                                     

Masahiro Chono's shades are also removable.

As IWGP tag team champions, both figures include two IWGP championship
tag belts ...with the NWO logo spray painted over them!

I'm sure the U.S. NWO faction would be proud.

Keiji Mutoh and Masahiro Chono would become IWGP tag team champions
by defeating Kensuke Sasaki and Kazuo Yamazaki once again on October 19th,
1997 - less than one month after their last bout.