Product ReviewsFMW: The Flying Assassin (DVD, 2001)

Beyond the Mask of Hayabusa!!!!

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!!Read full review...

Great view of Hayabusas career!

This is a review of Haybusa: Flying Assassin:

The DVD starts out with some commentary by Hayabusa as well as some of his best moves. Man, do I miss FMW.

1. Hayabusa v Masato Tanaka – Wow… This match had it all. There was literally nothing that could be done differently. A joy to watch. RATING – 10/10

2. Hayabusa v The Gladiator – Yet another good match here. Nothing wrong with it, but to me fell short of the one above. Gladiator [Mike Awesome] was such an amazing talent, so sad to see him go when he did. It was matches like these that showed how much potential he had. RATING – 9/10

3. FMW Double Title Match: Mr. Ganosuke v Hayabusa – What a great way to cap off the video. Long standing feud from friends and training partners. Great story told here. Very exciting match, great pace. RATING – 10/10

Overall, this DVD only suffers from being short. I can let that slide though on the count that the matches are all nearly perfect. I miss wrestling like this. OVERALL RATING: 10/10Read full review...

Great FMW action

All the matches on this dvd are better than average. Hayabusa is a great wrestler.

Verified purchase:  Yes | Condition: new | Sold by: wholelotsyfun

Thank you so much

Awesome

Verified purchase:  Yes | Condition: new | Sold by: bleachboy900

Awesome movie, I love Hyabusa.

I'm a big wrestling fan and love the Japanese way of wrestling. The wrestlers really put their all in their matches and the fans really have resect for them.

Footage/3 Matches

Great footage! Was a little disappointed that there were only three matches though! Hayabusa is the best!