ALL JAPAN PRO WRESTLING 30
August 31, 1997
1. Kenta Kobashi vs Hiroshi Hase
Kobashi gained a near fall with a superplex. He attempted a giant swing but Hase countered. Kobashi gave Hase a brief giant swing. Hase caught Kobashi and gave him a urunage. Hase then did a 13 revolution giant swing. They exchanged chops at ringside and Kobashi slammed Hase on the floor. Kobashi attempted a powerbomb on the floor but Hase fell on top of him. Hase hit a top rope dropkick and applied a figure 4 leglock for a lengthy time. Kobashi fought back and exchanged chops with Hase. Hase gave Kobashi a stun gun and a bulldog. Hase gained a near fall with a dragon suplex as heat picked up. Kobashi gave Hase a released German suplex for a near fall. Kobashi landed several chops but Hase continued to attack Kobashi’s left leg. Kobashi DDTd Hase and gave him a clothesline. Kobashi legdropped Hase but Hase fought back and gave Kobashi a back suplex and a northern lights suplex for a heated near fall. Kobashi hit a DDT but Hase responded with three high kicks. Kobashi hit a second rope Samoan drop and a powerbomb. He gained a near fall with a second powerbomb. Kobashi landed a bunch of roundhouse chops and pinned Hase at 32:49 after a lariat (12:13 aired). Based on what aired, it looked like a **** match. Hase wasn’t in his 1994 form, but was in great shape and was not carried.
2. All Japan Double Tag Team Title: Steve Williams & Gary Albright (c) vs Mitsuharu Misawa & Jun Akiyama
Albright German suplexed Misawa early and Williams powerbombed Misawa. Williams scored with a couple corner splashes on Misawa for a near fall. Williams press-slammed Misawa. Albright gave Misawa a double underhook suplex for a near fall. Albright applied an abdominal stretch on Misawa and turned it into a slam. Akiyama intervened with a top rope elbow strike on Williams and dropkicked Albright. Misawa and Akiyama elbowed Williams and Misawa gave him a tiger driver followed by a German suplex by Akiyama for a near fall. Williams blocked a jumping knee and gave Akiyama a dragon screw and a spinebuster for a near fall. Albright powerbombed Akiyama but Misawa intervened and attacked both champions. Misawa hit a top rope dorpkick on Albright and a jumping kick. Misawa gained a near fall on Albright with a top rope elbow strike. Williams was knocked out of the ring by a double dropkick and Misawa gave him an elbow suicida. Akiyama gave Albright an exploder and Misawa gave him a tiger splash for a near fall. Misawa went for a tiger driver on Albright but Williams intervened with a lariat and a doctor bomb on Misawa. Albright applied an STF on Misawa. Albright and Williams gave Akiyama a back suplex/nodowa combo and went to give it to Misawa but Misawa hit them both with elbows. Williams dropped Misawa on his head with a backdrop driver and Albright pinned him at 8:42 after a brutal dragon suplex. An all-action match and a perfect match at that. Albright and Williams had a chance to exploit their strengths while their weaknesses were completely hidden. ****1/4
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