FMW: The Flying Assassin (DVD, 2001)

This DVD is the 8th installment of Tokyo Pop's FMW DVD series and is, as the title says, all about international
wrestling star, Hayabusa!! This DVD is hard to come by online, and is no longer in stores. The price for this
title will only get higher from here so grab it while you can. The DVD starts off with a montage of Hayabusa that
leads you into the opening monolog by John Watanabe, and his new partner, Dan Lovranski. This DVD is the
turning point in the series. No more Snake Sisters, no more jokes (that I thought were funny), no more
alternate Japanese Commentary, less full matches and no more Eric Gellar, which is unfortunate.

After the opening monolog we go into a video featurette of Hayabusa's best moves. After a little more talking
from good ol' John and the new guy (who gets WAY too excited) we go into a subtitled interview with Hayabusa himself.
Hayabusa discusses his moves, his time in Mexico, learning a signature move from 2 Cold Scorpio, returning to
Japan and becoming one of the biggest stars ever. It's time for the first of only 3 matches on the DVD.

Hayabusa vs. Masato Tanaka
This match is great. Hayabusa and his at the time partner, Tanaka, work really well together. Now you
may be asking why are two partners fighting so hard to advance. Two reasons: The winner of this
tournament fights Mr. Gannosuke for the Title, and maybe more importantly, both men have scores to settle with Gannosuke.

Hayabusa travels to Taiwan to further his skills and become a better wrestler. And now we go into the second of 3 matches.

Hayabusa vs. 'The Gladiator' Mike Awesome
After beating Tanaka, Hayabusa now faces one of his greatest rivals ever, The Gladiator. Now fans of
ECW and WCW know Mike Awesome fairly well for his size, power and ability to fly like a Luchador,
and also for his unparralelled rivalry with Masato Tanaka for the ECW Heavyweight Championship. For
fans that are new to FMW, you're going to be wowed. For long time fans of FMW you know the kind of
matches these guys can pull off together. This match is possibly the best on the DVD.

Now we get a video history package for Hayabusa and Mr. Gannosuke, including reinactments of the two
as college roomies watching their first FMW tape, going together to the training facility, paying dues and
learning to wrestle. It goes into the two wrestling eachother at Kawasaki Stadium before they came up with
their gimmicks, Eiji going to Mexico and becoming Hayabusa, Honda becoming Gannosuke and going
to IWA with Tarzan Goto and Ichihara, Hayabusa coming back to Japan to take part in the 1994
Super J-Cup during which Lovranski says Hayabusa fought Sabu in "these deadly matches." Now, anyone
who's SEEN the Tournament knows full well Sabu was NOT in it, and it was not "deadly." Again, not trying
to shoot on the guy, just saying. Do your research before you embark on such a large scale project that will
be seen by millions of people. Anyway back to the DVD. Now we go into Gannosuke coming back with
Ichihara in an almost invasion type of angle and beginning the HUGE feud with his former best friend, Hayabusa.

Hayabusa vs. Mr. Gannosuke
This is the final match on the DVD and is well worth the wait. This is a rematch from their match on the
Yokohama Deathmatch DVD (See my review) and is hard hitting, revenge feuled brawling peppered nicely
with some High Flying action from Hayabusa.

If this review was helpful, please rate it and see my other reviews!!