More randos...
Bryan Danielson vs. Low Ki (PWG, 1/5/2008): This match was for Danielson’s PWG World Championship. This is “classic” Danielson when he was a bad ass, globe-trotting World Champion who controlled matches using his technique and toughness, a very different character than the one he played in the WWE. Danielson and Low Ki had quite a bit of history on the indies but this was their first match in a few years according to Cagematch. Lots of great submission holds by Danielson on display and Low Ki’s kicks and strikes are great, but I would’ve liked a few more “high spots” to get away from the somewhat repetitive submission-based wrestling that made up the majority of this 25+ minute match. Unlike an ECW or AEW crowd, the PWG fans seem a little reserved and quiet for most of the action, which doesn’t really help the atmosphere or the presentation. I liked the finish a good bit as it felt very earned and like a big moment for the winner, but I wouldn’t consider this “must see.” (3/5)
Mitsuharu “Tiger Mask II” Misawa vs. Kuniaki Kobayashi (6/21/1985,AJPW ): Tiger Mask and Kobayashi both get loud pops to start the match and there’s another big one as soon as the bell rings. Kobayashi hits a big kick early and then tosses Mask to the floor. He whips him into the rail and Misawa takes out the whole structure! Kobayashi looks like he may go flying off the top, but opts not to. Another spinning heel kick to the back of the head when Tiger Mask gets back in the ring, but Tiger Mask hits a beautiful dropkick of his own and then a scoop slam and an elbow. Very hot opening to this match before Misawa applies a headlock to slow things down. Some good technical wrestling follows with both guys countering and reversing wristlocks using their agility. Misawa does a wild flip to avoid getting tripped up by Kobayashi but gets grounded anyway with a body scissors moments later. Misawa sweeps Kobayashi’s legs and then hits a beautiful crossbody and a big flying clothesline before applying a head scissors of his own. Kobayashi escapes and pulls Tiger Mask’s arms behind his back. Misawa reverses the hold. When Kobayashi regains control, Tiger Mask kicks out of it and Kuniaki is sent to the floor and into the very flimsy guardrail. Back in the ring, Kobayashi hits some big kicks and then a tombstone piledriver for 2. Sunset flip by Misawa for 2. Misawa goes for a dropkick but Kobayashi doesn’t fall for it. Kobayashi back body drops him, but Misawa lands on his feet! Another big kick by Kobayashi but the action continues at a breakneck pace and Tiger Mask hits a somersault kick off the top for a very close 2 count! Back suplex by Kobayashi and then another heel kick. Dropkick on the arena floor by Tiger Mask and then a somersault dive to the floor by Tiger Mask! Wow. This crowd is going wild for all of this too. Kobayashi makes his way back into the ring and gets scoop slammed again. Misawa goes to the top and hits another missile dropkick, but once again, only gets 2. Fisherman suplex by Kobayashi for 2 and another and this one gets him. A terrific match, maybe just a hair short of “must see.” I was surprised to learn that Dave Meltzer considered this the best match of 1985. (3.5/5)
Nick Bockwinkel vs Curt Hennig (AWA, 11/21/1986): Is it controversial not to gush over this match? Not to consider it the best 60 minute match of all time? Maybe I’m just too “modern” of a fan, but this one lost me for stretches, especially during its first half. It is during this first half of the match that the babyface/babyface dynamic worked against it as Bockwinkel and Hennig trade holds for lengthy stretches but I don’t really register any “heat.” If you’re a fan of the sport of pro-wrestling, you might find all this to be riveting, but as someone who enjoys a bit more sizzle, I wasn’t as drawn into it. The second half is markedly better as Bockwinkel and Hennig’s selling really comes into play and we eventually get Hennig sporting a full crimson mask. Still, there were occasions when I’m not sure I understood why Hennig didn’t make attempts to cover the champion, especially after hitting him multiple times with “The Axe.” It can not be understated how good Hennig and Bockwinkel’s selling is by the end of this match and, in terms of submission-trading and technical wrestling, I can see why people would consider this one of the greatest matches of all time. It didn’t live up to the hype, unlike the Steamboat/Flair marathons or even some of the recent ones in AEW, which tend to incorporate more action and rely less on lengthy mat-based wrestling. Nearing “must watch” territory, but not quite there and a hard match to recommend. Maybe the best way to describe it is as an “acquired taste” that only connoisseurs of pro-wrestling can truly appreciate. (3.5/5)
Jumbo Tsuruta vs. Genichiro Tenryu (6/5/1989, AJPW): This one is for Jumbo’s Triple Crown Championship. Definite “big fight feel” as both guys get the streamer treatment before the match starts. Stan Hansen is shown outside the ring, watching from a seat. A strike exchange to start and Tenryu almost gets him with a german suplex. Tsuruta applies a headlock and repeatedly cranks it. Tenryu gets him to the corner and hits him with some chops. Tsuruta with a bulldog for 2 and then applies a sleeper/cobra clutch. Jumbo goes for the flying knee again, but once again Tenryu counters it. Jumbo does land the big boot and then another after some hard Tenryu chops. A beautiful elbow drop by Jumbo gets 2 and its back to the clutch. He releases the hold only to stomp and pound on him and Tsuruta begs him to get to his feet, taunting his dazed opponent. A series of axehandles to the back wake him up and Tsuruta maintains the pressure with some more stomps before bringing the fight out of the ring. Whip into the guardrail and another axehandle by Tsuruta. He rolls him back into the ring and Tenryu lands a vicious clothesline and then a huge crossbody on the floor! Tenryu rolls Tsuruta into the ring and unloads some stiff strikes before applying a leghold that also leads to some nearfalls due to the leverage and Jumbo’s shoulders being down. Tenryu repositions and is just clobbering Jumbo in the jaw with forearms! Dang. Stiff kicks to the back from Tenryu, but Jumbo counters with an overhead belly-to-belly and a cover for 2. Jumbo reapplies the rear clutch as Hansen watches on from the apron now. Tenryu gets his foot on the rope and the hold is broken. Jumbo lands the running knee but only gets 2. Jumbo wants a powerbomb (or piledriver) but Tenryu back drops him. Tsuruta maintains control with another double axehandle and stomps followed by an abdominal stretch. Tenryu uses his strength to flip him over and he’s got Jumbo’s arm, but Tsuruta reaches the ropes. Tenryu follows it up with a series of chops and then a pair of headbutts than send Jumbo to the floor. Tenryu with another big running clothesline for 2 and then another round of chops leading to a strike exchange. Jumbo cracks Tenryu in the side of the head and Tenryu is holding his ear. Tsuruta goes for a suplex but Tenryu resists. Irish whip into the corner and a big running knee from Jumbo! This time the back suplex works, but he can’t make the cover in time. Jumbo with more axehandles and a nasty forearm off the ropes, but Tenryu gets his foot on the rope during the subsequent pinfall attempt. Flying lariat by Tsuruta for another nearfall. Jumbo lands a bulldog but again Tenryu kicks out. Bodyslam by Jumbo and then an absolutely ridiculous knee drop off the second rope. He goes for the cover, but Tenryu’s got his feet on the ropes. Jumbo with another knee drop from the second rope and then another. Again, though, Tenryu is just too close to the ropes. A Lou Thesz press leads to another two count, but Tenryu is just too tough. Jumbo with another knee to the back of Tenryu’s skull and then a hard-fought back suplex by the champ that only gets 2. He goes for another Lou Thesz Press but Tenryu drops him onto the top rope, giving him a little bit of time to recover. Jumbo maintains control, though, and lands another high knee off the ropes for 2. I use to think a high knee as a finish was really dumb when Brutus Beefcake used it in WCW, but Jumbo’s are awesome. He goes for another in the corner but Tenryu dodges him, hits a heel kick, and then rolls him up for 2. Tenryu with a stiff clothesline and then a piledriver attempt but Jumbo back drops him instead. Jumbo attempts another belly-to-belly, but Tenryu counters it by locking his leg and they both tumble to the mat. It wasn’t pretty, but it was effective and “real.” Bodyslam by Tenryu and then he misses a back elbow drop from the top rope. Tsuruta with more axehandles but he is clearly exhausted. He comes off the ropes but Tenryu catches him and sends him neck-first into the top rope and then follows it up with another clothesline and another heel kick…but Jumbo is still standing! Tenryu with a powerbomb! That looked great but only got 2. Tenryu tries another, but Jumbo resists…only for Tenryu to finally pull it off! We’ve got a new champion! Hansen raises Tenryu’s hand in victory. Jumbo attempts to shake hands with the winner but Tenryu essentially brushes him off. There’s very little to criticize in this match. I think knowing the context and the characters would’ve made me more excited, but the crowd certainly made it clear how big of a moment this was and Jumbo is incredible throughout. I think the one thing missing was Tenryu’s emotion and selling, which are a bit more subdued. He comes across as a super tough competitor, but there’s something still kinda “cold” about his in-ring demeanor compared to the plucky, often over-the-top underdog babyfaces I’m used to watching. Considered by many to be one of the best matches of all time, I would consider this “must-see” but maybe just short of being a true masterpiece, mainly just due to that lack of visceral, emotional “feeling” that other matches have. (4/5)
Tomohiro Ishii vs. Keisuke Yamada (3/10/1998, WAR): Dang this one starts off stiff with both guys slapping the heck out of each other. There’s a cut in the action early - probably for a commercial break - and when we return, they are whacking the tar out of each other. Things go from crazy to super crazy once they go to the outside and Ishii sends Yamada into a whole bunch of empty chairs, then proceeds to hit him with a pair of brutal chair shots and a DDT on the floor. Seriously sick stuff. Another cut and we’re back in the ring and somehow Yamada is not only alive but in control of the match. Yamada sends Ishii into the chairs now and then into the post before bashing him with a chair and then practically murdering him with one to the back of the head followed by a jumping DDT on the apron onto a chair. Again we get a darned jump in the action and now its Ishii in control. Ishii hits a standing suplex for 2 and then destroys Yamada with a clothesline. He lands a piledriver and goes to the top, connecting with a beautiful headbutt…but somehow only gets 2! Yamada fights back but gets caught in a german suplex for another nearfall. Another cut in the action and when we’re back Yamada hits an insane clothesline. Yamada goes to the top, but Ishii keeps cutting him off and eventually brings him down with a superplex for another nearfall. On the mat, they butt heads and then Yamada just waffles him with a slap. Another strike exchange and then an enziguiri by Yamada and another for good measure. Flying knee drop from the top by Yamada but Ishii kicks out. Ishii with an insane cradle, but the fight continues and Yamada hits a DDT from the top rope to end the match. Ishii attacks after the bell, refusing to accept the loss. The two men continue brawling outside of the ring, making it clear that this rivalry is far from over and deeply personal. Ishii throws a chair into the ring with absolutely no regard for who else it decapitate. It’s kinda unfair to grade this match because so much of it wasn’t shown. The version we get is all killer-no filler and brutal, insanely physical and personal from the very start with seemingly neither man taking any sort of break. I’m not sure if watching the full match would leave me thinking that neither guy was doing enough selling, especially Ishii (at one point, he somehow no sells having the edge of a chair ran into the back of his head), but I could also see this match working because it played out like a genuine, hate-filled fight where pride, anger, and passion were driving every minute and giving both men the ability to withstand the extreme punishment they were being put through. Based on what we do get, this is an insanely fun 8-minutes of wrestling, but not “must see” because we don’t get the full story. (3.5/5)
Kerry Von Erich vs. Jumbo Tsuruta (05/22/1984, AJPW): This was a best 2-out-of-3 falls match for Kerry’s NWA World Championship. I’ve not seen a ton of Jumbo matches and I’m really only familiar with Kerry’s work as the Texas Tornado in the WWE, which is considered by most to be after his prime (he lost half of his leg in 1986). A collar and elbow to start followed by a series of wristlocks and reversals before Kerry hits a dropkick. Good wrestling follows, very spirited and tight. Tsuruta applies a headlock and it is super snug, but this is no “resthold” as Kerry works hard to try to maneuver out. Kerry sends him to the ropes, catches him with an arm drag, and then applies an arm bar, but Tsuruta brings him up in a fireman’s carry and sits him on the top rope. Tsuruta starts delivering some strikes and Kerry sells them huge and, after some struggle, gets lifted for a suplex. Kerry grabs a wristlock and wails on Tsuruta but gets caught with a crossbody for 2 by the challenger. Tsuruta applies an abdominal stretch and then rolls up the champ, but Kerry gets a shoulder up. This leads to both guys trying to apply submissions on the mat with Kerry working for a Claw but unable to lock it in. Great psychology there! Kerry isn’t able to apply to Jumbo’s head, but he applies it to his stomach and Tsuruta sells the agony. Jumbo fights him off and we’re back to a straight fight. Tsuruta grounds the champ and applies a half nelson and then a front facelock, but Kerry lifts him up and sets him on the top rope. I like the mirror show of disrespect there. Things are heating up for sure when Kerry shoves Tsuruta and then Jumbo does the same back. Von Erich goes for a single leg but can’t get it and ends up in a waistlock. Jumbo hits a flying knee and nearly sends Kerry out of the ring and then hits another that does the trick. Kerry climbs back and tries for a sunset flip but only gets 2. Jumbo hits a heel kick and then a back suplex and scores the first fall. I kinda wish he had strung together more offense to earn that pin, but 2-out-of-3 falls matches have their own logic as the champion might choose to eat a pin in order to get a “breather.” Both guys go to their corner to recover and strategize, giving this much more of a realistic, “sports feel” than most pro-wrestling matches. Jumbo comes out swinging, beating down on Kerry with big forearms and sending him into the turnbuckle. Von Erich is busted open and staggers around, dazed and woozy from Jumbo’s big right hands. Kerry hits some kicks and some punches and forearms of his own and then a snap mare and a knee drop. He applies a sleeper and Jumbo goes down to the mat as Kerry’s blood drips on his face. Jumbo gets to his feet and brings Von Erich into the corner but Kerry hits him with another explosive dropkick! Von Erich goes for a Claw, but Tsuruta catches him and beats him down in the corner. The ref finally pulls him away to let Kerry recover but Tsuruta continues to control things, landing a big vertical suplex for 2. We get a head-on collision that sends both guys to the mat and Tsuruta hits a piledriver but Kerry kicks out at 2! Big uppercuts by Jumbo, but Kerry is still fighting and we get an epic strike exchange and then the Claw! Tsuruta tries to fight his way out, but he’s brought to the mat. Jumbo manages to somehow bridge out of it, but Kerry won’t let go of the hold and he pins him the second time to even the match. Kerry won’t release the hold after the bell, but finally lets go and Jumbo needs help from his corner men, really selling the damage here by having to be revived by having water poured over his head. I’m not sure this kind of presentation would work in today’s climate, but that’s the cumulative effect of nobody’s finisher being treated as truly dangerous. Kerry comes out swinging and attempts another Claw but Jumbo blocks it and then slides out to the floor. Von Erich whips him into the corner but runs into a knee and then Jumbo goes after Von Erich’s hand, bashing it against the turnbuckle and stomping on it. Great psychology there as the champ is now without his greatest weapon. After doing some more damage to Kerry’s hand on the outside, Jumbo brings him in with a vertical suplex for 2. Von Erich eventually makes something of a comeback, hitting a back suplex and then a piledriver. He misses a falling back elbow from the top and then gets waffled by a knee strike before Jumbo applies a boston crab. They end up spilling out of the ring, each guy trying to pull the other to the floor with Kerry applying a Claw but Jumbo back-suplexing him out of it. A double-countout is our finish, which is a disappointment after an otherwise very good contest. As much as I love Von Erich’s performance in this match and how much of a competitive battle this was with moments of absolute brilliant psychology and selling from both guys, the finish is so deflating that it is hard to recommend seeking this out. (3.5/5)
Samoa Joe vs. Necro Butcher (06/11/2005, IWA-MS): This is an absolutely brutal but relatively short death match. There's a noticeable botch when Joe attempts a powerslam in the stands, but it kinda doesn't matter because there is so much stiffing and violence going on that it all comes across as crazy anyway. I like that this match doesn't rely on too many weapons - though there is ample use of chairs and the guardrail - and that the most vicious moments are really just when Necro's head is getting dropped and slammed onto concrete. I also thought the runtime was sort of perfect in the sense that it felt realistic. A match like this shouldn't last 30 minutes, but they do all the time in AEW and even back in the day when the WWE would do similar types of Last Man Standing matches (Triple H and Shawn Michaels had at least two I can recall). These sorts of matches aren't generally my cup of tea, but this was a very entertaining and violent match that also featured some fun commentary from CM Punk and Eddie Kingston. Worth checking out. (4/5)
Jushin Thunder Liger vs. Ultimo Dragon (01/04/1993, NJPW): These two guys should've and could've had an all-timer, but they don't. I am not scared of lengthy submission-based stretches of wrestling to build-up to the more high-octane stuff, but the early mat wrestling was outright boring after the first 4-5 minutes. Dragon has two noticeable botches that also hurt the match and because the match is really told in thirds - the mat wrestling stretch, Dragon's heat, and then Liger's comeback - I found myself becomingca increasingly impatient to see Liger take control and steer this match in the right direction. Liger's offense is so good that he is able to do so, but then he does something that makes no sense like a lazy cover. A very underwhelming and disappointing match because of the talent involved. (2/5)
"Speedball" Mike Bailey vs. Will Ospreay (10/21/2023, TNA): The TNA crowd is super into this from the very start, which is unsurprising considering that Bailey and Ospreay were/are considered to be among the two most entertaining wrestlers on the planet. This match was named TNA's Match of the Year in 2023. The high spots are spectacular, as one might expect, but I also dug Bailey's kicks and his reverse hurricanrana might be the best I've seen. I haven't seen a ton of Ospreay matches outside of his AEW run, but he's his usual level of terrific in this match, his offensive sequences seamless and full of signature offense. I really loved the way Ospreay hit the Hidden Blade coming out of a strike exchange, but was surprised he didn't go for the cover immediately after (which sort of made the match feel a bit too much like an "exhibition" and not like a contest between two guys both trying to actually win the match). Bailey's Ultimate Weapon finish is an unreal move that I hadn't seen before. Ospreay's second Hidden Blade to the face of Bailey was insane, but Bailey came back with a crazy moonsault-into-double knees move that was brutal. Bailey followed it up with a "fisherman buster" off the top rope (another move I'd never seen before), but Ospreay came back with a Styles Clash and then a Storm Driver 93' (Tiger Driver 91') that should've ended the match but didn't. Ospreay hit him with a third Hidden Blade and then a Storm Breaker to finish him off, but it felt a little "hat on a hat" to me. (4/5)
Akira Taue vs. Mitsaharu Misawa (4/15/95, AJPW): The crowd is electric for this match and hugely on the side of Misawa, chanting his name multiple times throughout the contest at a deafening level. Not being super versed in Japanese wrestling or the back story behind a match like this certainly hurts it in the sense that it takes a bit of post-viewing research to fully understand what you've just watched. It is critical to understand that Misawa had suffered a broken orbital bone prior to this match, which is why Taue's targeting of his eye gets such tremendous heat. It is also important to note that Taue was on a bit of a win streak coming into this tournament final, effectively building him up as a huge challenge for Misawa and maybe even something of a "favorite." Misawa is a great babyface here, super tough and resilient, but Taue was arguably even more impressive as the nasty monster heel who won't stay down either. Great physicality throughout and some cool "big moves" including Taue landing a chokeslam from the apron onto the floor to get a huge reaction. I also liked all the various suplexes (including a back suplex from Taue that also brought Misawa from the apron to the floor). My only real gripe might be that, while everything looked good and crisp, I tend to like a bit more variety in my action and, though its not necessarily the wrestlers' fault, some shoddy camera work that hurt the production and had me guessing what exactly happened (including a pretty important nearfall where Misawa getting his foot under the rope wasn't caught at all). (4/5)
Samoa Joe vs. Low Ki (10/5/2002, ROH): This is Samoa Joe's debut for Ring of Honor as he had been "hired" by Christopher Daniels' heel Prophecy stable - if I'm not mistaken - to take out Low Ki. Joe may have been making his debut for Ring of Honor here, but you see no lack of confidence at any point, which is pretty remarkable. He and Low Ki proceed to have a super hard-hitting match with both guys nailing each other with strikes from beginning to end. Joe's signature offense wasn't yet fully known or appreciated by the live crowds yet, but a bunch of it can be seen here in slightly different or not-yet-perfected form. I'v read reviews that compare this to an MMA fight and while I wouldn't necessarily go that far, it is very, very different than what the WWE was doing at the time and, in terms of mainstream US wrestling, a good decade ahead of its time (at least). The kickouts at 1 are not my favorite thing, but they do make it clear that these two guys are super tough - as if eating a bunch of open palm slaps to the face and chest wasn't enough evidence - and I'd argue that the match is maybe a touch "one dimensional" because it is, literally, just two guys slapping and kicking the crap out of eachother with a few submissions and suplexes thrown in, but overall, this is a really good, almost great match that falls just short of "must see" for me. (3.5/5)
Mitsuharu Misawa vs. Stan Hansen (08/22/1992, AJPW): I've been enjoying watching more and more All Japan wrestling from the 1990s and have generally enjoyed everything I've seen so I expected to be blown away by this. Unfortunately, it felt like it was stuck in one gear for most of its duration. There are stray moments of brilliance and the crowd is absolutely electric for this, but every time it seems like it is going to go from "just good" to "great," it stalls out again and we get another rather boring sequence or someone selling on the mat or on the floor for too long. Hansen's work on Misawa's shoulder, for example, is terrific...but I'd argue that it is almost too much to make Misawa's comeback believable. After the beating that Misawa takes, it should take a tremendous amount of varied offense and huge moves to put down Hansen and I felt like we never really got that sustained flurry of high-impact offense. The finish felt a bit abrupt and "out of nowhere" too, though that could be because I'm not super familiar with Misawa's signature stuff. After reading so many other reviews of this match, its clear that I'm not in the minority who felt underwhelmed by this match. (3/5)
Mark Calloway (as "Punisher" Dice Morgan) and Bam Bam Bigelow vs. Shinya Hashimoto and Masa Saito (03/02/1990, NJPW): The selling point of this match is to see Calloway working pre-Undertaker, though I'm sold on basically any match involving Hashimoto. I did not remember Masa Saito being this huge, but he is seriously beefy here and I'm guessing he was equally as big a few months later at Starrcade 90' (one of the few other shows I've reviewed that he worked). Anyway...this certainly isn't "must see" but the future Phenom is arguably more impressive here than in any of his WCW matches as he shows a ton of energy, goes off the top rope twice, and hits a nice-looking jumping leg drop. It's also fun to see him get his chest chopped by Saito and to also have to withstand some of Hashimoto's always-deadly offense. Bigelow is clearly the more experienced of the two and the better worker at this point (was he ever not would be a question worth debating). No worse than average. (2.5/5)
Nick Bockwinkel vs. Wahoo McDaniel (08/28/1983, AWA): Nick Bockwinkel is one of the best bumpers/sellers I've ever seen and this is a remarkable performance. There's no commentary on the video of this match, but you don't really need it because the action is so good and the crowd is so enthralled. Even Heenan, on the outside, is terrific as a heat magnet, his facial expressions and body language incredibly expressive. Wahoo's offense isn't going to blow you away, but Bock's selling makes every chop and punch look devastating. The transitions are smart as the champion has to use a chair and part of the guardrail to bloody Wahoo and mount any sort of offense. Bock's split-legged sell is a thing of beauty and he utilizes a half-dozen times. This is a brawl and a great one and, despite its brevity, feels like a real battle and like Bockwinkel barely survived it, needing to use a chair to hold onto his title. (4/5)
Sangre Chicana vs. MS1 (09/23/1983, EMLL): This is a Hair match. MS1 starts the match on top, stomping and beating down on Sangre on the outside of the ring. Within the first minute, Chicana is bleeding. MS1 comes back out of the ring after doing some gloating and just decks him with a huge right hand. That didn't looked pulled one bit. Chicana looks like he's been legitimately hurt and can't even get into the ring because MS1 keeps blocking him with kicks and then beating him up outside the ring. MS1 hoists him up and dumps him in the ring and then sends him into the corner before they continue their brawl on the outside. Great splash from MS1 for the first fall. Chicana regroups on the outside as MS1 continues gloating in the ring. Again, MS1 attacks on the floor and dumps him back into the ring before leveling him with another huge right hand. Chicana's selling comes off a little "extra," but he's also a total bloody mess and the "big selling" adds more than it detracts. When Chicana finally gets a punch in, it is a HUGE deal and then he connects with another and then another and then hits a nasty dive to the floor! Great desperation spot there and badass babyfacery. Chicana wins the second fall by countout. Chicana comes out swinging for the final fall, blasting MS1 with a right hand and then bashing him into the apron. Both guys are now awfully bloody. They spend a fair amount of time just "selling" the blood and the exhaustion from this fight. Compared to today's wrestling, this match has a fraction of the action you'd get in even the slowest, safest WWE match. MS1 hits a suicide dive to the floor and gets a 2 count after both guys roll back into the ring. MS1 tries an interesting roll-up I'm not sure I've seen before but only gets 2. A third attempt gets another 2 count as Chicana continuously leaves himself open for pin attempts. Senton by MS1 for another nearfall. MS1 briefly applies a chinlock before hitting a beautiful double-underhook suplex for 2. MS1 goes for another dive to the floor but Chicana is able to step aside and the heel practically throws himself into the chairs at ringside. Throughout the match, Chicana is constantly slapping himself in the head. I'm not sure if that was to keep the blood flowing or to energize himself. Chicana then hits another suicide dive and this one connects big time. At this point, this match has maybe featured 6 total "moves," but one could never describe either man's efforts as "lazy." Chicana makes a cover but only gets 2. MS1 with a body slam and then a failed splash. Chicana with a pin attempt but only gets 2. MS1 attempts a somersault senton from the top but Chicana rolls away and then applies a cool-looking submission and that's it. I've seen this match ranked as people's all-time favorite and while I thought it was very good, I didn't love it as much as I thought I would. There are lengthy gaps before the big "spots" if you can even call someone leveling someone with a right hand a "spot." The dives are great, for sure, but nothing revolutionary. This match is beloved because of the undeniable drama and the viciousness of the fight and the "visuals," but this is a top 100 match for me, not top 50. (3.5/5)
Negro Casas vs. El Hijo Del Santo (07/18/1987, WWA): This is a Hair vs. Mask match so the stakes are high for both men. Solid mat wrestling to start this one off with an especially good head scissors by El Hijo. The first fall happens super fast and feels a little "unearned," especially as the referee takes his time even getting in position (making the pinfall feel more like 7-8 seconds and not 3). Casas shows off for the crowd before the next fall and then comes out swinging with a dropkick. Casas maintains control, delivering punches and a snap mare out of the corner. El Hijo's bumping is great as he takes an extra "bounce" at times. El Hijo finally gets a break when he comes off the ropes with a running knee and then gets a flurry going, getting Casas to submit via a surfboard after Casas takes an awesome "legs-first" bump off the ropes. Again, it doesn't feel like these falls are as "earned" as what you get in American or Japanese wrestling, but that's the genre, I guess? El Hijo keeps the heat on, but Casas cuts him off with a right hand and then runs him into the ring post. Casas with a huge dropkick and then a catches Del Santo off the ropes and Alabama Slams him back to the mat (I'm sure that's not what they called that move in Mexico). Casas tries to rip off El Hijo's mask and the referee desperately tries to stop him. El Hijo Del Santo gets a series of nearfalls but gets cut off by a brilliant cartwheel-into-a-back elbow move by Casas. Wow. Sick move. Big dive by Del Santo to the floor! Del Santo tries for a crossbody back in the ring but Casas evades him. Casas goes to the top rope but falls off and Del Santo hits a somersault for 2. He attempts a cobra clutch but has to settle for another surfboard. This time Casas is too close to the ropes. A back body drop sends Casas to the floor and Del Santo launches himself with a huge crossbody to the floor! We see crazier moves today, but that was still excellent. Back in the ring and Casas regains control with a body slam. He goes to the top rope but Del Santo is right behind him and brings him down with an Electric Chair. Del Santo applies the clutch, but Casas resists and it takes some struggle to fully apply the hold. He is wrenching on Casas back and this one is over! Great, great match that makes me want to see much more from both of these guys. (4/5)
Pegasus Kid & Negro Casas vs. El Hijo Del Santo & Villano III (01/25/1992, UWA): The match starts with Benoit and Casas beating down on the babyfaces and the referee having already lost control. Benoit with a big crossbody early on Del Santo and Casas gets the first fall with a half-crab. The editing of this match makes it come across as a bit choppy with the camera angles jumping so much that it feels like there are seconds of the match being cut off. That being said, the action is almost uniformly terrific and spell-binding, especially when Casas and Del Santo are in the ring together. Benoit is clearly a little bit "off" at times - there's an awkward exchange with Villano around minute 5 - but its not too atrocious. The babyfaces get the 2nd fall when Santo applies a surfboard and Villano hits Casas with a bunch of fists. Awesome. Into the final stretch, the heels work on the babyfaces with Benoit trying his best to de-mask Villano. Cheap heat or not, its effective. With Villano locked up in the corner, Casas hits him with some big fists. Benoit attempts an axehandle but Villano dodges it and he hits his own partner instead! On the floor, Casas and Del Santo brawl it out and Casas gets sent to the guardrail. In the ring, Villano gets 2 with a cradle. Villano with a big DDT but he only gets 2 as well. Casas breaks up an abdominal stretch and now its him and Del Santo back in the ring together. Casas attempts his cartwheel back elbow but Del Santo dodges it. Big legs-first bump from Casas and he goes to the floor only for El Hijo to launch himself with a huge crossbody! Wow, that was like a 15-second re-encapsulation of the match between them I just watched and it was excellent. Villano gets the victory moments later when Benoit misses a flying headbutt. I can't imagine that leading to a finish in 2024, but it worked well here. Fun stuff. (3.5/5)
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