Cover The Indies #4

Happy new year everyone!
So, I've been thinking about renaming this little series to “Cover The Indies.” Why? Because there hasn't been much actual sleaze in it, and focusing on the indies feels like a better fit moving forward.

Enjoy!

TAKA Michinoku vs. Gamma (Osaka Pro, 02/01/2003)

WATCH

We've got two major names here, arguably among the most prominent ever featured on this blog. TAKA Michinoku (K-DOJO) and Gamma, and Osaka Pro regular at that time, squared off in a singles match after tensions betwen them boiled over during a tag bout the previous month.

Gamma wasted absolutely no time at the start, nearly stealing the win within seconds. Fantastic start with a flash pin attempt, powerbomb and a suicide dive through the ropes all in the opening minutes. This is the stuff we're here for, folks! The match ruled: Fast-paced junior heavweight action between two masters of their craft. Gamma was a perfect prick, but TAKA firing back with the same attitude and taunts made it even better.

The finishing sequence was a blast. TAKA went for the submission, but Gamma flat out refused to quit, clawing his way to the ropes before charging back with some nasty lariats. They traded some stiff kicks and strikes until TAKA finally locked in the Just Facelock and put Gamma down clean. Really fun ride!
RATING: 7/10

Hikaru Sato vs. Reiya Igarashi (OSW, 04/12/2025)

Yes, folks, rub your eyes in disbelief: Osaka Style Wrestling actually made tape on TwitCasting! Independent Puroresu legend Hikaru Sato appeared in the opener of their April 12th show, facing OSW rookie Reiya Igarashi, who has already gained experience in promotions like HEAT UP, Secret Base and Sportiva, to name a few.

This was a pretty decent match overall. Hikaru Sato was his usual self, mixing solid grappling with shark kicks against the rookie, who clearly needs more reps at this stage of his young career. Still, getting in the ring with someone like Sato is definitely a step in the right direction for him.

Igarashi didn't do anything particuarly notable here, though I did enjoy the moment when he demanded a kick to the back from Sato to show his passion and fire. The GIF above captures the coolest spot of the match when Sato's transition was slick and made for a fitting finish to a bout that wrapped up in under ten minutes. Good to watch!
RATING: 5/10

BUKI & Takahiro Tababa vs. Shogun Okamoto & Yann Skoric (IMPACT, 05/25/2025)

It is not often that we get to see footage of the Nepal Openweight Tag Team Championship being defended. A title as mysterious as the promotion it comes from: EXIT, a true hidden gem of our beloved indie sleaze.

I have to admit I was a bit disappointed with the match. BUKI looked completely broken down, like he could fall apart at any moment. Almost everything he did relied on weapons or very basic pro-wrestling formulas. The best moments came from Tababa and Shogun Okamoto, trading heavy forearms and headbutts and even starting things off with a sumo-style stance, which was really cool.

Frenchman Skoric wasn't involved much either here, but when Okamoto tagged him in, he looked good. Skoric threw some solid forearm smashes and kicks before ultimately being taken down by everyone's favourite meatball Takahiro Tababa. Speaking of Tababa: he was head and shoulders above everyone else in this match.
RATING: 3.5/10

Kazuhiro Tamura vs. Yumehito Imanari (DDT, 04/24/2009)

WATCH

DDT's Boys project was similar to New Japan's many attempts to establish a subsidiary promotion for young and upcoming wrestlers within its ranks. At the fourth edition of Boys, a young Yumehito Imanari, just four months into his career, opened the show against Kazuhiro Tamura, a student of the legendary Kiyoshi Tamura and now better known for his work in HEAT UP.

You have to love a match like this. A fiery, energetic young prospect went at a more experienced opponent with pure intensity, throwing everything he had into his attacks. Imanari knew he couldn't match Tamura's technical game, and after a brief burst of offense, Tamura took control. He punished Imanari early with stiff kicks and a relentless focus on targeting the left arm.

Tamura's kicks were brutal, each one looking like it could shatter Imanari from the inside. Still, Imanari's ring awarness stayed sharp, as he desperately reached the ropes after being caught with his already damaged arm. He even came close to stealing the match with near falls, but Tamura shut the door moments later to secure the win in a very fun bout.
RATING: 6/10