@@jadoc3767 The short answer is mostly. Fujiwara-Gumi (I'm talking 3/91 to 2/93, the era I've researched and focus on- their golden era) was a pro wrestling organization that used real grappling and striking techniques (although their strength by far was grappling). They would train brutally in the gym, and they would spar for real in the gym (at least grappling). The actual event matches were usually planned in advance concerning the winner and means of victory. Then the wrestlers would freestyle the match, basically sparring at 50%, until the match was to end. Some guys liked to wrestle stiffer, other guys liked to go easier. That said, the group had several real fights in 1991, and by 1992 a significant percentage of matches (but still a minority) were actual real fights. I've had the honor of interviewing many of the top Japanese and Americans (still with us today) who competed in that era. Some of the guys still do the kayfabe thing for various reasons, but some of the top guys like Fujiwara, Funaki, and Shamrock were very open with me about what went on. Shamrock, for example, had I think 19 matches there during that era, with two of them being real fights.
If anyone were able to make one of the most dangerous men of the era pass out, who wouldn't act like that? Also, This is Suzuki first and only win over Ken out 5 total matches.
@@TheRealKSmith In sanctioned MMA matches, Minoru Suzuki has faced and beaten Ken Shamrock twice, beating him both times, with one of them winning the King Of Pancrase title.
@@adamfitzgerald911 from what I searched before, I remember seeing they tied many times and Minoru only having the one win out there handful of matches listed.
This was rigged for shamrock to lose. Clearly if you have any knowledge of grappling or martial arts he was just playing with him. This was political and Japan needed a symbol to show Japan can beat USA.
This was from Pro Wrestling Fujiwara Gumi, a "shoot style" promotion in Japan. Lots of "shoot style" promotions heavily influenced MMA and how it's presented, but many of them were predetermined. I believe this one was predetermined or a "work", since Fujiwara wasn't known for his love of legitimate matches. However, it wasn't "scripted", as it was very much improv wrestling.
