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)
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