Welcome back to ChocoPro and to another weekend round-up of the comings and goings of Ichigaya’s favourite wrestling company. The brakes don’t work on the ChocoPro train and we found ourselves with another two manic shows full of tag team action and another chaotic triple threat. For #229, it was a double helping from the tag team division as Masahiro Takanashi and Shin Suzuki battled Chie Koishikawa and Sayaka then in the main event, Best Bros took on Kaori Yoneyama and Yuna Mizumori. For #230, we’d have the aforementioned chaotic three-way between Sayaka Obihiro, Baliyan Akki, and Choun Shiryu before getting to the main event fight between Warm Caterpillars and Tokiko Kirihara and Yuna Mizumori. There was a lot to play for as pride and potential title opportunities lurked. Let’s get into the action.


ChocoPro #229

Masahiro Takanashi & Shin Suzuki defeated Chie Koishikawa & Sayaka via Muffler Hold on Koishikawa

Up first tonight was more of the unique tandem of Big Boss Masahiro Takanashi and his biggest fan, the Headstand King, Shin Suzuki. They were opening the show with a bout against the fourth gen’s biggest hitters, Chie Koishikawa, and the Smiling Violence, Sayaka. It would be heavy hits vs crafty technicality. Just who was going to win the exchange? No one’s ears won, that was for sure. Suzuki and Koishikawa were louder than ever, filling the studio with energy as everyone grappled. We saw Takanashi and Suzuki mimic the high-energy offence of Koishikawa but their alien interpretation just got them wrecked by the fourth-gen, both getting cracked by demon strikes. This run didn’t last though and soon Koishikawa was the one bullied as Suzuki turned the tables on her. Eventually, Sayaka was unleashed and started downing everyone with forearms and slams. Her violence counter was going up and she was really taking it to her foes. Takanashi took out her knees and the tide turned again as both teams went into overdrive with the double-team. Both sides showed some excellent coordination but it was Takanashi and Suzuki who took the win by isolating Koishikawa and tapping her out with a Muffler Hold. Suzuki showed off a nastier edge here and I’m all for it. He was still deviously creative but much more cunning and ruthless. It seems Takanashi is rubbing off on him. It made for an excellent opening contest and some really fun moments. Again though, boo to Koishikawa taking the L.

Best Bros (Baliyan Akki & Mei Suruga) defeated Kaori Yoneyama & Yuna Mizumori via B3 on Mizumori

The first show was capped off by some Best Bros action. The second-best team in the division were being tested by a team that boasted brains, brawn, and a good dose of insanity as they battle the odd pairing of Kaori Yoneyama and the Tropical Pineapple Monster, Yuna Mizumori. Akki and Mizumori have had their fair share of scraps but what was going to happen when Suruga and Yoneyama collectively lost their minds? This was a whole lot of fun to watch. It started standard enough with some smooth technicality between Suruga and Mizumori before going off the deep end as we saw the teamwork Yoneyama and Mizumori were bringing to the match. Best Bros obviously ruined that party but it was far from easy. Suruga spent a large portion of the match trying to put the apple hat on everyone and Akki ended up being the punching bag a fair few times. Even then, the match was never beyond anyone’s reach. We had four pros doing pro things and having a blast doing so. Mizumori and Yoneyama had a very unique rhythm going and it really put Best Bros through their paces. Momentum was always just one counter away from shifting, forcing referee Suzuki to always be on his toes. It was a very close match with a crafty B3 getting the win as the pair rolled up Mizumori. This match had so much energy and I hope to hell it ain’t the last time we see Mizumori and Yoneyama teaming up. They may not have been successful but that was purely down to who they were facing. If they needed proof that they’d brought the fight, they just needed to see the condition they’d left Akki in.


ChocoPro #230

Choun Shiryu defeated Baliyan Akki & Sayaka Obihiro via Bombs Away on Obihiro

Show two kicked off in explosive fashion by unleashing another madcap three-way on the Chocolate Square. Baliyan Akki, the Super Asia champion was going to have to fend off the former champ, Choun Shiryu, and the Iron Chef Sayaka Obihiro. There would be fire on all sides for Akki, was he going to escape this match without giving away a title opportunity? Well, technically yes but he also did walk out of the match as the winner either. This was another triple-threat where everyone got a great job making the most of the spotlight. It was as dynamic as ever with all three fighting for their place in the match and the Dragon cleverly and dominantly stealing the win from Akki. There’s not much to say for this one, it was a massively chaotic and enjoyable triple-threat that saw Shiryu get one over on the champ.

Tokiko Kirihara & Yuna Mizumori defeated Warm Caterpillars (Mei Suruga & Chie Koishikawa) via Wall-Run Splash on Koishikawa

Last but not least, our second main event. This time it would be the Warm Caterpillars filling the top spot as Chie Koishikawa and Mei Suruga prepared to tangle with the mixed power and technical of Yuna Mizumori and the Comaneci Master, Tokiko Kirihara. Mizumori had already eaten one loss to Suruga this weekend, was a second about to follow? Things started competitive between Suruga and Kirihara and remained just as hyped as Koishikawa and Mizumori traded. The Caterpillars got the better of Mizumori, trapping her for a chopping count along but Kirihara soon got the better of them with a double Comaneci. This hot streak didn’t last as Suruga was back to causing trouble and trying to destroy Kirihara’s leg. Kirihara tried to do the same with an Ankle Lock and once again, dinged her with the crane. Much like the last main event, this too was an absolute whirlwind of tag team turmoil as Suruga tried to control the match and everyone else had to deal with it.

Mizumori and Kirihara proved to be worthwhile enemies and Koishikawa was on fire when given the chance to burn. It all made for another mix of chemistry and styles as both teams brought the heat. Even though they don’t have the best track record, The Warm Caterpillars always have fun matches but they just weren’t quite the match for the cunning and power of the Tropical Comaneci. This one felt like it could end at any second as both teams were throwing bombs and wrecking the house. It took everything in Mizumori’s arsenal to keep Chie down as she eventually crushed her with the wall-run Splash. It was a big win for Mizumori and a crushing blow to Suruga’s anniversary streak. Next up is the Apple Girl anniversary show. See you then.

All images courtesy of Gatoh Move, FlyingVTrigger, DOGU, Chie Koishikawa, Videos courtesy of Gatoh Move YouTube

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