ALL JAPAN PRO WRESTLING 30
September 8, 1996
1. All Japan Double Tag Team Title: Mitsuharu Misawa & Jun Akiyama (c) vs Steve Williams & Johnny Ace
Akiyama and Ace began with lots of counters of each other’s big moves. They exchanged elbows after which Akiyama took Ace down. Ace legdropped Akiyama and gave him a lariat. Williams dropkicked Akiyama but missed a corner splash. Misawa got the better of Williams with a couple elbows but Williams fought back. Misawa powerslammed Williams and came off the top rope but Williams dropkicked him in mid-air. Misawa gained a near fall on Williams with a German suplex. Williams gained a near fall on Akiyama with a lariat and another with an Oklahoma stampede. Misawa entered the ring but Williams met him with a lariat. Misawa fought back and DDTd Williams. Misawa gained a near fall on Williams with a tiger splash and another with a tiger driver. Misawa briefly applied a facelock on Williams. Williams fought back and gave Misawa a backdrop driver. Akiyama gave Williams a northern lights suplex on the floor and gained a near fall back in the ring. Ace gained a near fall on Akiyama with a top rope clothesline and another with a DDT. Ace gave Akiyama a rocker dropper for a near fall and a second rope powerslam for another near fall. Williams and Ace continued to dominate Akiyama as the pace slowed. Williams gained a near fall on Akiyama with a lariat. Akiyama fought back with a jumping knee on Williams and a lariat on Ace. Misawa elbowed both opponents and kicked Williams out of the ring. Misawa gave Ace a flying lariat and a second rope clothesline for a near fall. Ace blocked a tiger driver attempt but Misawa maintained the advantage. Ace gave Misawa an Ace crusher on the top rope as Williams whipped Akiyama into the barricade. Williams gave Misawa a dragon screw and applied a half crab. Misawa fought back with a couple elbows on Williams. Akiyama gained a near fall on Williams with a top rope dropkick. Akiyama gave Williams a jumping knee, an exploder and a second exploder for a heated near fall. Ace came in and powerbombed Akiyama and Williams gained a near fall. Ace gained a near fall on Akiyama after a doomsday device. Ace and Williams then gave Misawa a doomsday device. Ace gained a near fall on Akiyama after Williams gave him an Oklahoma stampede. Ace gained a near fall on Akiyama with an Ace crusher. Misawa caught Ace and German suplexed him after which Akiyama gained a near fall. Akiyama gave Ace two exploders for a dramatic near fall. Williams intervened and gave Akiyama a doctor bomb. Misawa hit Williams with a bunch of elbows but Williams then dropped Misawa on his head with a backdrop driver. Ace gained a near fall on Akiyama with a doctor bomb. Ace gave Akiyama a cobra clutch suplex and pinned him at 28:47 to win the titles (23:00 aired). Almost a disappointment after their near-epic three months earlier. The fan heat was weak for the first 20 minutes and the work wasn’t as focused as you would expect. The work improved in the last 5 minutes and turned this into an excellent match. ****1/4
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