 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
April Hunter "A Queen Amongst Kings" DVD Review
By Brett Schwan
Available at AprilHunter.com
April Hunter's "A Queen Amongst Kings" features April Hunter in some of her matches from Japan as well as the US. It also features tons of behind the scenes footage and music montages.
The DVD opens with clips from a hot photo shoot with April Hunter as well as footage from matches against Tracy Brooks, La Felina (Gail Kim), Nikki Roxx, Simply Luscious, Trinity, and more. The clips are accompanied by "Tainted Love" by Marilyn Manson. Excellent video to whet the appetite for more April Hunter.
First match is for the CSWF Women's Championship as April Hunter faces Trinity. The legendary Mike Tenay is doing commentary for this match which is an added bonus. April dominates the majority of the match but misses her "Head Hunter" finisher. Trinity quickly climbs to the top rope, only to miss her Shining Star Moonsault. The two women trade chops. Trinity whips April into the ropes where Crowbar trips her. Crowbar holds April's leg as Trinity covers her for the pinfall. I saw this match in person and liked it then. I loved it even more with the commentary by Mike Tenay.
Next up is a match from the A to Z Title Tournament featuring April with Mima Shimoda vs Momoe Nakanishi. This was billed as "The Centerfolds vs. Submission Wrestlers". Momoe looks like Mini me next to April. April opens up with a series of boots and some outside help from Mima. April misses a running clothesline into the turnbuckles and Momoe goes berserk with drop-kicks. April rallies back and hits the Slyk Slam for a two count. Momoe counters with several hair beals and some submission holds. Momoe throws April over the top rope, to the floor, and follows up with a cross body off the top rope. Back in the ring, Momoe hits two missile drop-kicks before she is tripped and held by Mima. April goes for a clothesline but hits Mima and is rolled up for a two count. April hits numerous powerbombs on Momoe, including one into the turnbuckles, for several two counts. April hits her Head Hunter and follows up with a powerbomb attempt which is reversed into a hurracanrana by Momoe for the pin. An outstanding match with a great effort put forth by both women. The all white ring looked as if it were made of ice. A beautiful site. I was thrilled to see footage from this tournament as I had heard a lot about it but had seen nothing from it until now.
Another great series of clips from April Hunter matches in A to Z are played with Evavescence's "Bring Me To Life" as the soundtrack.
A tag team match from WXW is up next. Personally, I was happy that this match was on the tape because I missed the match in person. April Hunter and Tracy Brooks defeated Sumie Sakai and Ranmaru. April completely overpowers Sumie. Ranmaru is afraid to tag in. Once April makes the tag, Ranmaru decides she will tag in as well. Ranmaru with a series of drop-kicks on Tracy. Sumie Sakai then ran in and did her now infamous Camel Clutch. April came in and clotheslined and sideslammed both opponents. April hit the Head Hunter on Sumie for the pinfall. Great to see April in the ring with Sumie and Ranmaru.
April Hunter vs Leo - na from A to Z is the next match on the DVD. Leo-NA starts off fast with a barrage of kicks and punches that lead up to a spear. April with a modified version of the Widow's Peak for a two count. Leo-NA with two missile drop-kicks only to be hit by an April Slyk Slam. Beautiful German suplex by Leo. April is whipped into the turnbuckles, Leo-NA follows her in but is met with a boot to the midsection. April hits the Head Hunter for the pin.
Next we are shown some phenomenal footage from the making of the movie "Home Sweet Battlefield". Footage of April in action from numerous fight sequences.
April Hunter and Slyk Wagner Brown defeat The Dirty Rotten Scoundrelz to become the new JAPW Tag Team Champions in the next match on the DVD. Both teams hit all their signature moves from the Head Hunter to the Dirty Rotten Driver to a Slyk moonsault to the floor onto the DRS. The finish came when KC Blade put April Hunter on his shoulders (ala the Doomsday Device) as Negro comes off the top rope he misses an elbow as April rolls up Blade for the pinfall.
From A to Z in Kawasaki, Japan, April teams with Shimoda to face Yoshida and Leo-NA April and Shimoda with some double team work with April hitting a nice standing moonsault. Yoshi and Leo fight back and put April in a crossface indian deathlock combination. Great psychology throughout the match as they continuously work on April's arm. Fast paced and action packed. Yoshida with a Swanton on April but April was able to fight back and hit the Head Hunter for the pinfall.
Another great music video featuring clips of April from WXW, JAPW, USA Pro, ACW and more highlights of April in the US including footage of Team SWB vs. Outkast Killas (Oman & Santiago Diablo) and April vs. Ariel for the JAPW Women's Title.
We now are treated to some great behind the scenes diary footage of the US gals invading Japan. "Visiting the Land of the Rising Sun - April and Allison's Video Diary" included a visit to the legendary Ribera Steak House as well as a tour of April and Allison's spacious (and to see how non spacious it was you have to see this footage) room. We also see the menu for Domino's pizza (complete with corn) and a visit to McDonalds.
Even the closing credits were hot with images of April interlaced within them.
The video is priced at $20 while the DVD is $23. For that price, you get 2 hours plus of April Hunter footage that you can not see anywhere else. You get to see April in action against some of the best women in Japan as well as the US. April has mastered the moonsault, standing moonsault, Head Hunter, her version of the Trantula and her submission armbar. How she hasn't gotten picked up by the WWE while women like Jackie and Trish (who no offense, have little if any actual in ring ability) are wrestling weekly is beyond me.
April Hunter is one of the premier women wrestlers on the indy scene today and it amazes me that she is not booked in more places. This DVD is a must see for the April fan, women wrestling fans, or fans of wrestling in general. Check out April's Site for more great merchandise as well as her schedule, photos, and much more!
