FMW LAST FIGHT Merchandise Ad

For Blog #212, I thought everyone would get a kick out of this original merchandise ad for
Japanese hardcore promotion FMW.


LAST FIGHT - THE FINAL SERIES


On May 5th, 1994 Atsushi Onita lost a match to fellow AJPW alumni Genichiro Tenryu at
FMW's 5th anniversary show; forcing Onita to retire for the second time in his Pro-Wrestling
career.

Almost a year to the day, FMW staged LAST FIGHT, which was billed as Atsushi Onita's
retirement match on May 5th, 1995. The LAST FIGHT show drew 58 thousand fans; the
largest crowd in FMW's history.

Included below is a magazine ad I scanned myself from the era that features various pieces of
LAST FIGHT merchandise for sale:

ポスター
Poster (top left corner) - 800 yen ($7 USD each):
Four different designs. Two Atsushi Onita collages promoting the LAST FIGHT card
along with posters of Megumi Kudo and Tarzan Gotoh.

テレホンカード
Original Telephone Card (top right corner) - 1200 yen ($10 USD each):
Phone cards that use the same graphics from the previously mentioned posters.

キャップ
Cap  (bottom left corner) - 2500 yen ($22 USD)
Black baseball cap with the LAST FIGHT logo. Also contains the caption
"THE FINAL SERIES FMW".

ビッグサイズタオル
Big Size Towel (bottom middle) - 5000 yen ( ($45 USD)
No mention of size. I'd estimate beach towel scale.

記念Tシャツ(ロゴマーク)
Commemorative T-Shirt  (Logo Make) (bottom right) - 3000 yen ($27 USD)
The LAST FIGHT event t-shirt. Includes Onita's name along with "Final Count
1995.5.5." (the date of the LAST FIGHT event).

記念Tシャツ(イラスト)
Commemorative T-Shirt (Illustration) (bottom right corner) - 3500 yen (31 USD).
Event t-shirt that contains an excellent illustration of Atsushi Onita. Probably my
favourite piece of merchandise next to the LAST FIGHT cap.



Closing thoughts:

Just about anything deathmatch related from the early 90's in Japan is highly collectible
these days. Especially W*ING and FMW related. This was the era where the bloody
feuds of the past were taken to a whole new level with barbed wire, explosions, flame
engulfed rings, thumbtacks and even pools of baby piranhas. The very antics tape traders
feverishly sought out decades ago.

Next to ring used weapons and ring attires from legends like Atsushi Onita or Hayabusa,
some of the most collectible items are original show banners. So, I'd imagine the Big
Size LAST FIGHT towel would probably be the most collectible item from the above
list.

Well, I hope you enjoyed today's scan. More reviews on their way!

HAO Collection Hayabusa (White ver.) figure review

For Blog #205, we'll be rising like a Phoenix with HAO Collection's Hayabusa (White Ver.) figure.

In 2005, Japanese toymaker HAO Arts Office added Hayabusa to their HAO Collection line of soft
vinyl figures. Hayabusa came in two variants: the standard red variant and the white version.

The white Hayabusa version is a limited edition with an estimated production run (in typical
Japanese figure fashion) of only 500 pieces.

Hayabusa is sculpted in a "spreading wings" taunt.

             

Hayabusa's unique ring mask is a mixture of traditional ninja garb mixed with a phoenix motif.


                      

Even the facepaint Hayabusa around Hayabusa's eyes has been faithfully recreated. The same
can also be said for the large wing tattoo on Hayabusa's chest. I believe this is also the first
(and only figure example) that contains Hayabusa's chest tattoo.

A nod to Hayabusa's hardcore matches in FMW, the HAO Hayabusa figure's upper torso is covered
with gig marks.



Hayabusa's pant legs contains a red phoenix decal.

Even Hayabusa's Japanese tabi footwear (which are commonly associated with ninja attire)
is present.

A similar design is also available in Mogura House's Hayabusa DX figure.

The detail continues with Hayabusa's ponytail, pants decals and even the lace holes in
Hayabusa's mask.



The gig marks continue on the back of the Hayabusa figure.







I can't think of too many Japanese figures outside of Hayabusa and Keiji Mutoh/The Great
Muta that contain body scars.

                       

Gold foil paint accents adorn Hayabusa's mask, arm guards and waistband.

The arm guards themselves contain a feather-like design going back to Hayabusa's Phoenix
motif.

HAO were even kind enough to include the ear holes of Hayabusa's mask with a mesh-like
design for the darker paint.

Hayabusa stands about 6 inches tall in height; making him one of the largest Hayabusa figures
available (next to the 12 inch INSPIRE Hayabusa figure and FMW Hayabusa plush figures,
of course).

                     




Articulation, the Hayabusa HAO figure contains moving joints at the waist, arms and neck.

                          

                     

The top of Hayabusa's mask with slicked back hair and gold accents.



Closing thoughts:

From his complex mask design, era-accurate ring attire, chest tattoo and gnarly body scars,
the HAO Collection Hayabusa figure is easily the most detailed collectible you can find
of the hardcore legend. At about 6 inches tall, it's also one of the largest Hayabusa figures
you can buy today.

Out of the original HAO Collection figure line, Hayabusa was the the only hardcore Wrestler
to be included; a star of the original FMW who stands alone in the HAO Collection.

Maybe one day 16d and HAO will get around to making figures of other Japanese hardcore
legends such as Atsushi Onita, Tarzan Goto, Megumi Kudo, Mitsuhiro Matsunaga or even
Mr. Pogo to name a few.

Tiger Jeet Singh KING OF TOY figure review

Tiger Jeet Singh KING OF TOY figure review


In the mid 2000's, Japanese toy company KING OF TOY released
a small line of figures based on legendary Pro-Wrestlers exclusively
in Japan.

the KING OF TOY figures were made of soft vinyl material, stand
about 6" in height and feature incredible detail.

Today, we'll be looking at one of the exclusive KING OF TOY
variants based on the bloodthirsty tiger himself: Tiger Jeet
Singh!

 This particular variant features Tiger dressed in his classic NJPW
attire with green trunks, black Wrestling boots, green/white socks
and a special. brown coloured turban!

Tiger's entrance turban is made of real cloth fabric that can be unraveled
and re-wrapped however the collector desires.

What's even cooler is Tiger's famous Saber sword accessory. The Saber's
blade is bendable and fits perfectly between Tiger's teeth and fingers!

Recreate Tiger's fearsome saber-slashing, blade-biting entrance ritual in style!

Remove Tiger's turban and saber accessories and he's ready to apply his
patented Cobra Claw technique on an unfortunate opponent!

                            

                             

Tiger includes articulation at the waist, arms, neck and wrists.     





The Tiger Jeet Singh figure was licensed by Japanese Wrestling promotion
IWA Japan.


Closing thoughts:
________________________________

From the fully-poseable cloth turban, ultra-cool, bendable saber
sword and Tiger's vicious facial expression,  the KING OF TOY

Tiger Jeet Singh figure is simply awesome in it's own right.

Quite simply, this is the most detailed and LARGEST Tiger
Jeet Singh figure ever released!