ALL JAPAN PRO WRESTLING 30

March 2, 1997

1. All Japan Triple Crown Title: Mitsuharu Misawa (c) vs Steve Williams

They teased each other’s big moves early. Misawa hit a tiger driver very early in the match. Misawa dropkicked Williams out of the ring and hit an elbow suicida. Williams dropkicked Misawa’s left knee and rammed it into the ringpost. Williams focused his work on Misawa’s left knee for a while. He applied a half crab on Misawa. Williams hit a corner splash and dropkicked Misawa in the corner. Misawa fought back with a DDT and landed a bunch of stiff elbows. Misawa landed a couple kicks and German suplexed Williams for a near fall. Misawa gave Williams more elbows but Williams knocked him down with a right hand. Williams gained a near fall with a doctor bomb. Misawa countered a backdrop driver and fell on top of Williams for a near fall. Williams fought back and gained a near fall of his own. Williams press slammed Misawa head first onto the top turnbuckle and dropped him on his head with a released German suplex. Williams applied a sleeper on Misawa. Misawa fought back with some elbows and a German suplex. Misawa gave Williams another German suplex and a stiff elbow for a near fall. Williams blocked a tiger driver attempt and Misawa gave him a roaring elbow but Williams responded with a desperation right. Misawa landed a bunch of elbows but Williams responded with a belly to belly suplex. Misawa gained a near fall with a tiger driver and another after a couple elbows. Misawa then gained a near fall with another tiger driver. Misawa gave Williams a tiger driver ’91 and pinned him at 27:52 to retain the title (19:23 aired). A very disappointing match by most standards that can be applied to this match. The work was very stiff, but also unfocused and sluggish at times, especially on Williams’s part. A good match, but very disappointing. This pretty much confirmed that Williams was past his prime. ***

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