Akira Hokuto & Shinobu Kandori vs Aja Kong & Bull Nakano 3/27/94
In the year preceding this match, Hokuto and Kandori had been bitter enemies having had two classic and brutal matches against one another. As Hokuto bickered with Kandori, she was German suplexed by Kong. Hokuto was dominated during the opening minute. Hokuto tagged Kandori rough to play up the tension between then. Kandori tagged Hokuto by slapping her, but before they could come to blows their opponents attacked them and dominated then in wild outside-the-ring action, including the use of a table and a piece of the ringside barricade. Back in the ring Hokuto was dominated by Kong and Nakano until she caught Nakano with a piledriver. Kandori tagged in at 8:41 by kicking at Hokuto. Kandori's main move early on was an armlock on Nakano which generated good heat. Kandori and Hokuto did a great job playing their underdog roles while also showing their toughness. Hokuto shockingly won a slapfest with Kong at 15:30 and then piledrove Kong on the announcer's table as Kandori brawled with Nakano back towards the entrance. Kong and Nakano eventually got the better of their opponents outside the ring. At 17:50 Kandori did not seem to care that Hokuto was in trouble. Nakano dominated Hokuto for a few minutes with moves such as a sharpshooter until Hokuto trapped Nakano upside down in the ropes at 22:05. Kandori picked up where Hokuto left off on Nakano and gained a couple near falls on her. In a cool spot, Kandori had a cross-armbreaker on Kong, Nakano tried to hit Kandori with a top rope legdrop, but Kandori sat up and Hokuto trapped Nakano in a submission hold of her own. Hokuto then picked up where Kandori left off with a cross-armbreaker on Kong, but Nakano then successfully hit Hokuto with a top rope legdrop. Nakano gained near falls on Hokuto with a powerbomb and with a piledriver-like move except she held Hokuto in back of her. Nakano gained a near fall on Hokuto with a top rope legdrop. Kong gained a couple near falls on Hokuto before Kandori tagged in. Kandori was double-temaed by Kong and Nakano in brutal fashion and Kong gained a dramatic near fall. Kandori briefly held Kong in a sleeper amidst great heat. Nakano missed a tope suicida on Kandori, who sidestepped her. In another cool spot Nakano went for a double lariat on both opponents but Kandori caught her with an armbar and Hokuto tied her up on the other side with an STF, although Kong quickly broke them up. After more great action Hokuto gained a dramatic near fall on Kong with a DQ bomb and another with a second DQ bomb. At 35:13, Hokuto gave Kong a third DQ bomb and pinned her. Afterwards, Kandori slapped Hokuto's hand in a begrudging sign of respect. A super match, best of the event. Great in terms of action, but not quite an all-time classic in that category. As a story match, however, it was at least entertaining, at most times compelling and exciting, and at times phenominal. Very effective and memorable. ****3/4