THE MOSS COVERED THREE HANDLED FAMILY CREDENZA

ARTICLE #26
FEBRUARY 4, 2002

The Michinoku Pro 6-Man Tag Team Match

8/22/93: Great Sasuke, Taka Michinoku & Battle Ranger vs Super Delfin, Jinsei Shinzaki & Gran Naniwa

Delfin and Taka exchanged armdrags. Shinzaki repeatedly rammed Sasuke�s head into opposite turnbuckles and gave him a Vader bomb in the corner. Delfin won a criss cross exchange with a lariat on Taka. Delfin gave Taka a tilt-a-whirl headscissors. Taka caught a charging Delfin out of the corner with a belly to belly suplex and dropkicked him out of the ring. Taka atomic dropped Delfin at ringside. Naniwa got the better of Taka and gave him a bulldog and a DDT for a near fall. Delfin got the better of Sasuke with a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker. Shinzaki did his rope walk into a flying chop on Taka. They did the spot where Delfin gave Taka�s arm a pumphandle over his shoulder. Naniwa then grabbed Battle Ranger and Delfin gave him repeated pumphandles as well, then did that to Sasuke as well. However, Taka then gave Delfin Naniwa�s arm unbeknownst to Delfin, who then pumphandled Naniwa�s arm in a comedy spot. Naniwa went to walk out but Delfin caught up to him and kissed him on the lips. Back in the ring Sasuke and co. hit a triple huracanrana on their opponents for a near fall. Taka hit a great springboard plancha on Shinzaki who was knocked over the barricade. Ranger hit an Asai moonsault onto Naniwa. Sasuke then hit his space flying tiger press on Delfin. Ranger powerbombed Naniwa and dragon suplexed him for the pin at 22:56 (5:34 aired). My guess was that they topped ***. The heat was spotty but they were very young at this point (Taka 19, Naniwa 17, Shinzaki had less than 3 months as a pro I think). What aired was very entertaining and athletically impressive; an indication of things to come.

11/20/94: Great Sasuke, Sato & Shiryu vs Super Delfin, Jinsei Shinzaki & Gran Naniwa

Naniwa impersonated Hulk Hogan early (in terms of posing, not in terms of work). Naniwa armdragged Shiryu and worked on his left arm. Shiryu then armdragged Naniwa. Shiryu and Naniwa picked up the pace with a solid exchange of offense. Shinzaki press slammed Sato after which they exchanged chops. Sato dropkicked Shinzaki out of the ring and teased a plancha. Delfin won a criss cross exchange with a dropkick on Sasuke and gave him a corner splash. Sasuke whipped Delfin into the corner but Delfin fought back with a superkick and a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker. Shiryu gave Naniwa a tilt-a-whirl armdrag but Naniwa fought back with a bulldog. Naniwa did his own rope walk and kept going for an elbowsmash but Shiryu kept moving and Shiryu shook the middle rope causing Naniwa to fall to the canvas. Shiryu dropkicked Naniwa out of the ring. Delfin gave Sato a tilt-a-whirl headscissors but Sato fought back with a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker. Sasuke spin kicked Shinzaki out of the ring. Shinzaki caught Sasuke on the apron and did his rope walk spot into a flying chop on Sasuke. Shiryu flipped Naniwa with an armdrag. Shiryu kicked Naniwa and armdragged Delfin, then both Delfin and Naniwa chopped Shinzaki when Shiryu moved. Delfin and Naniwa kept chopping Shiryu, who kept nipping up and ultimately kept faking them out in a comedy spot. Shiryu atomic dropped Delfin and dropkicked him out of the ring. Sato got the better of both Naniwa and Delfin, and made them crash into each other. Delfin elbowsmashed Naniwa when Sato moved and Sato walked over both their bodies. Shinzaki did a big splash but hit his partners when Sato moved. Delfin and Naniwa double booted Shiryu and hung him upside down in the corner where Delfin stood with one boot on Shiryu�s crotch. Naniwa gave Shiryu an airplane spin and imitated Rick Rude�s hip swivel but then fell down due to dizziness. Shinzaki held Shiryu and Delfin dropkicked him, then Shinzaki applied a Boston crab while Delfin stood on Shiryu�s head. Naniwa applied a camel clutch on Shiryu. Shinzaki dropkicked Shiryu, atomic dropped him and applied a sharpshooter. Delfin set up for the pumphandle spot on the apron. Naniwa fed him Shiryu�s arm and then Sato�s arm but Sasuke reversed the momentum and fed Delfin Naniwa�s arm for a pop. Naniwa started to leave but Delfin caught up to him and kissed him on the lips. Delfin forearmed Naniwa when Sato moved and Sato dropkicked Delfin out of the ring. Shiryu gave Shinzaki a flying bodypress but Shinzaki fought back with a modified Russian legsweep and a Rock bottom for a near fall. Shinzaki and Delfin double teamed Shiryu, then Sasuke and Sato intervened while Naniwa piled on top of the faces for a near fall. Sasuke and co. hit simultaneous huracanranas on their opponents for a near fall. Shiryu dropkicked Shinzaki out of the ring and hit a plancha from the middle rope inside the ring. Naniwa hit a plancha on Shiryu. Sato hit a slingshot somersault senton onto Naniwa from the ring to the floor. Delfin hit a plancha on Sato. Sasuke hit his uncatchable Asai moonsault on Delfin but sailed over the barricade. Shinzaki hit a space flying tiger press on Sasuke to culminate a hot sequence. Delfin gave Shiryu a tornado DDT and a Delfin catch for a near fall. Sato and Shiryu dropkicked Delfin and Shinzaki out of the ring and hit simultaneous tope suicidas. Sasuke gave Naniwa an in-ring quebrada for a near fall and a powerbomb for the pin at 21:40. A really fun match, although they were still learning. This was a bit longer than it should have been as they compensated for their limitations early on with a bit too much stalling and comedy. They did show plenty of athleticism towards the end. They would still mix workrate with comedy and stalling for about another year, but continually improve to the point that the workrate became an increasing focal point of their product. ***1/2

4/2/95: Great Sasuke, Sato & Shiryu vs Super Delfin, Taka Michinoku & Gran Naniwa

Shiryu and Naniwa started with a very similar sequence to the 11/20/94 match. Naniwa and Shiryu had a decent exchange on the mat. Shiryu scored with a snapmare and they traded armdrags. Taka gave Sasuke a snapmare and a sharp dropkick to the head and applied a half crab. Sasuke countered with a leglock of his own on Taka. Sasuke gave Taka a spinning mule kick but Taka fought back with an enzuguiri. Taka and Sasuke exchanged chops but Taka knocked Sasuke out of the ring with an elbow. Delfin gave Sato a tilt-a-whirl headscissors but Sato then gave him a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker. Taka belly to belly suplexed a charging Sasuke and hit a great springboard top rope kneedrop. Sasuke spin kicked Taka out of the ring. Shiryu bounced off the ropes with an armdrag of Naniwa and dominated him in a somewhat comedic exchange. Naniwa fought back and did his middle rope walk into an attempted elbowsmash but Shiryu shook the rope and Naniwa fell to the canvas. Shiryu dropkicked Naniwa out of the ring. Sato won an exchange of blows with Taka and threw him across the ring. Delfin gave Sasuke his spinning tilt-a-whirl backbreaker. Delfin won a criss cross exchange with a lariat on Sasuke. Delfin hit a mule kick but Sasuke knocked him out of the ring with an enzuguiri. Shiryu monkey flipped Naniwa and gave him a comedic spinning headscissors takedown. They did the kip-up spot with Shiryu and drew a pop from the crowd. Shiryu atomic dropped Delfin and dropkicked him out of the ring and (more or less) into Sakie Hasegawa�s lap at ringside. Shiryu was triple teamed. Taka lifted Shiryu and Delfin dropkicked him. Taka held Shiryu in a Boston crab as Naniwa held a camel clutch and Delfin stood on Shiryu with one foot. Naniwa and Delfin suplexed Shiryu and Taka gave him a springboard splash. Delfin applied a sharpshooter on Shiryu and then a camel clutch grabbing his mask. They did the pumphandle spot where Delfin worked on Shiryu�s arm, then Sato�s, but Sasuke fed Delfin Naniwa�s arm. Naniwa walked out, Delfin caught up with him and kissed him on the lips (this was before Goldust). Delfin and Naniwa elbowsmashed Taka when Sato moved out of the way. Sasuke then hit a top rope splash on all three opponents as did Shiryu for a near fall. Sato dropkicked Delfin out of the ring. Naniwa sent Sato into the ringpost and Delfin did the same to Sasuke. Taka gave Shiryu a tilt-a-whirl slam for a near fall. Taka and Delfin applied somewhat of a double inverted surfboard on Shiryu, but Sato and Sasuke then applied leglocks on Taka and Delfin and turned the heels up into the air. Naniwa got in between Sasuke�s team and his own and gained a near fall. Sasuke & co. gave their opponents simultaneous huracanranas for a near fall. Shiryu hit a slingshot somersault plancha on Taka, Naniwa hit a plancha on Shiryu, Sato hit a tope suicida on Naniwa, Delfin hit a plancha on Sato, and Sasuke hit his uncatchable Asai moonsault on Delfin, sailing over the barricade in the process. Taka then hit a spectacular springboard plancha onto Sasuke over the first barricade at ringside. Taka gave Sato a springboard dropkick for a near fall. Sato powerslammed Taka and hit a top rope senton for a near fall. Naniwa gave Sato a lariat. Sasuke gave Naniwa an in-ring quebrada for a near fall. Sasuke attempted a powerbomb but Naniwa countered with a huracanrana for a near fall. Sasuke gave Naniwa a handspring elbow and hit a tope con hilo. Delfin gave Shiryu a tornado DDT and a Delfin catch for the pin at 22:27. In many ways, particularly the comedy spots and layout, this was similar to the 11/20/94 match. However, there was slightly less stalling and more athletic spots in this one. Also, many of the big sequences were more complex than that match as were the dives at the end. There were also more near falls at the end. While comedy would always have a place in these matches, the shift from comedy to workrate would continue over time. ****

3/16/96: Great Sasuke, Tiger Mask IV & Shiryu vs Taka Michinoku, Gran Naniwa & Super Delfin

Tiger won a test of strength against Taka. Taka got the better if Tiger on the mat but Tiger held his own. The pace picked up and Tiger hit Taka with some of the trademark Sayama kicks. Shiryu and Naniwa had a solid exchange on the mat. Sasuke got the better of Delfin by working on his leg but Delfin held his own with heelish tactics. Sasuke showed his athleticism in fighting back. Delfin applied a half crab of sorts on Sasuke but Sasuke countered with a leglock of his own. Delfin fought back with an enzuguiri. Taka hit a running elbow on Tiger in the corner but Tiger fought back with a flying headbutt and a bunch of quick kicks. Tiger missed a spinning mule kick but caught Taka in a sleeper. Taka escaped but Tiger gave him a spinning mule kick and hit a tope suicida. Naniwa and Shiryu exchanged armdrags and other moves at a quick pace. Naniwa gave Shiryu a bulldog and went for a German suplex but Shiryu countered with a low mule kick. Naniwa recovered and gave Shiryu a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker. Delfin won a criss cross exchange with an armdrag on Sasuke and also hit a dropkick. Sasuke fought back with a cartwheel into a cross bodyblock for a near fall. Delfin gave Sasuke his spinning tilt-a-whirl backbreaker. Tiger ducked down in a criss cross exchange but Naniwa elbowsmashed him and then gave him a lariat. Tiger hit a second rope cross bodyblock on Naniwa for a near fall and mule kicked Naniwa out of the ring. Delfin superkicked Shiryu, gave him a lariat and hit a tilt-a-whirl headscissors. Shiryu fought back with an atomic drop and dropkicked Delfin out of the ring. Taka attacked Sasuke with an elbow and gave a charging Sasuke an overhead belly to belly suplex. Taka jumped off the top rope but Sasuke dropkicked him in mid-air. Taka ran at Sasuke but Sasuke backdropped him over the top rope to the floor. Delfin and Naniwa double-teamed Tiger and double-booted him. Tiger fought back against Taka with a cool flip into a cross armbreaker. Tiger threw a couple kicks but Taka caught him and applied a leglock. Sasuke intervened and applied a leglock on Taka. Delfin got the better of Sasuke and gave him a lengthy vertical suplex for a near fall. Naniwa did his walk across the middle rope into an elbowsmash on Sasuke for a near fall. Taka lifted Tiger and Naniwa gave him a second rope clothesline for a near fall. Taka applied a Boston crab on Tiger and Delfin then applied a camel clutch. Naniwa hung Tiger upside down in the corner and Delfin stood on his crotch. Naniwa and Taka spike piledrove Tiger and Naniwa gained a near fall. Delfin dropkicked Tiger and Naniwa hit a second rope splash, then the heels triple teamed Tiger in entertaining fashion. Naniwa snap suplexed Tiger and Taka hit a springboard kneedrop after which Naniwa gained a near fall. Tiger knocked Taka out of the ring with a spinning mule kick and also knocked the other heels out of the ring with kicks. Sasuke hit his Asai moonsault on Taka and Shiryu hit a somersault tope suicida on Delfin in the corner. Tiger then hit a plancha on Naniwa. Back in the ring Naniwa caught Sasuke on the top rope and gave him a top rope huracanrana for a near fall. Naniwa gave Sasuke a doctor bomb for a near fall. Naniwa went for his spinning doctor bomb but Sasuke countered with a huracanrana for a near fall. Sasuke went to powerbomb Naniwa but Taka intervened with a springboard dropkick on Sasuke. Tiger back suplexed Taka and tombstoned him, then hit a spectacular top rope headbutt for a near fall. Tiger attempted a flying bodypress but Taka dropkicked him in mid-air. Taka gave Tiger a brainbuster for a near fall and gained another near fall with a Michinoku driver. Taka hit his amazing springboard superquebrada on Tiger for a pop. Delfin went for a tornado DDT but Shiryu landed on his feet and rolled up Delfin for a near fall. Delfin attempted a German suplex but Shiryu again landed on his feet. Shiryu missed a lariat and Delfin back suplexed him for a near fall. Delfin hit a mid-air tornado DDT on Shiryu for a near fall and gave Shiryu a tornado DDT out of the corner. Delfin gave Shiryu a Delfin catch for a near fall. Sasuke hit an in-ring quebrada on both Taka and Naniwa for a near fall. Taka elbowed Naniwa when Sasuke moved. Sasuke powerbombed Taka for a near fall. Shiryu dropkicked Delfin out of the ring and hit a somersault tope suicida. Sasuke then hit a tope con hilo on Naniwa. Back in the ring Tiger gave Taka a tiger suplex and pinned him at 26:53. This was perhaps the match that defined the Michinoku product for the years to come. They were still learning, so the first half was a bit slow and unspectacular for the most part, but the build was solid and reasonably well-paced. However, the defining segment was the final five minutes, which were fantastic and very comparable to the final five minutes of some of the best matches in Michinoku Pro history. Sasuke was the star, but Taka was really sharp and Shiryu�s dives were so crisp. Tiger showed his potential and Delfin and Naniwa were their usual solid selves. ****1/2

2/14/97: Great Sasuke, Gran Hamada & Gran Naniwa vs Taka Michinoku, Dick Togo & Men's Teoh

This is the best match I have ever seen in person. Despite the tiny crowd of 300-350, these 6 put on a world class match. Not their most spectacular match, but just as flawless as any of their other classics. The match began with the usual simple but quick action. Togo and company did several of their signature triple team moves. Taka was an early standout due to his heelish poise. Togo and Hamada had a smooth and occasionally stiff exchange of moves, climaxing with Hamada hitting a tope. Sasuke was sharp in an exchange with Men's Teoh. Hamada also did the spot where someone tries to backdrop him but he lands on his feet. Togo's work was both stiff and athletic. At one point he also tried to take Sasuke's mask off. Taka and Togo spike-piledrove Hamada at 9:08 after which Togo gained a near fall. Teoh gave Naniwa an exploder for a near fall. Togo German suplexed Naniwa and Teoh full-nelson slammed him for a near fall. Taka gained a near fall on Naniwa with a brainbuster. Hamada gained a near fall on Taka after a suplex. The heels did a triple team powerbomb on Sasuke for a near fall. Sasuke hit an in-ring quebrada on both Togo and Teoh for a cool near fall. Sasuke hit Taka with his Asai moonsault. Hamada tornado DDTd Togo and gave him a top rope huracanrana for a near fall. Teoh gave Naniwa a backdrop driver for a near fall. Naniwa gave Teoh a spinning doctor bomb for a near fall. Sasuke gave Taka an in-ring quebrada for another near fall. Taka gave Sasuke the Michinoku driver but Sasuke dropkicked him in mid-air. Taka hit a springboard plancha on Sasuke for a pop. Togo and Teoh gave Naniwa a double impact for a great near fall. Togo gave Naniwa a powerbomb followed by his top rope senton for the pin at 16:57. The combatants received a well-deserved standing ovation afterwards. ****1/2

2/15/97: Great Sasuke, Gran Hamada & Gran Naniwa vs Dick Togo, Taka Michinoku & Men's Teoh

This was the usual spectacular match from these guys. While it wasn't quite as flawless technically as their match the previous night, it was significantly more spectacular. All three faces dominated Taka at the start of the match. All three heels delivered successive elbows to Sasuke. Togo nailed Naniwa with a corkscrew bodypress. Hamada gave Teoh a loose version of an exploder and applied an armlock. Naniwa and Hamada both applied Fujiwara armbars on Taka at the same time. Togo gave Naniwa a senton for an early near fall. Sasuke suplexed Taka for a near fall. Teoh and Sasuke had a fast-paced exchange ending when Teoh powerslammed Sasuke for a near fall. Hamada and Togo exchanged stiff chops and Togo gave Hamada an enzuguiri. The heels triple teamed Naniwa in entertaining fashion. Taka clotheslined Naniwa off the second rope for a near fall. Togo gained a near fall on Sasuke with a brainbuster. Teoh gave Sasuke a jumping spinning DDT. Taka and Teoh gave Naniwa a top rope foot stomp and Togo followed with a somersault senton. Teoh gained a near fall on Naniwa with a double arm suplex. Teoh powerbombed Naniwa with the help of his partners. Togo gained a near fall on Hamada after a spike piledriver. Togo suplexed Hamada for another near fall. Taka gave Sasuke a great top rope missile dropkick. Teoh went to powerbomb Sasuke but Sasuke countered with a huracanrana for a near fall. Sasuke gave both Taka and Togo an in-ring quebrada for a near fall. Sasuke hit his Asai moonsault on Teoh. Taka hit a plancha on Sasuke. Hamada gave Togo a tornado DDT for a near fall and a huracanrana for another near fall. Sasuke gave Taka his space flying tiger press. Naniwa gave Teoh a spinning doctor bomb for a near fall. Hamada gave Togo a tornado DDT off the apron to the floor. After more near falls back and forth, Sasuke powerbombed Taka and scored the pin at 19:17. The last 5 minutes were breathtaking and the match was never boring. ****1/2

4/13/97: Great Sasuke, Gran Hamada & Masato Yakushiji vs Dick Togo, Taka Michinoku & Men's Teoh

Sasuke and company dominated Taka at the start of the match. Taka's team triple-teamed Sasuke in their usual entertaining style. Togo gained an early near fall on Sasuke with a senton. Yakushiji was briefly dominated by his opponents. Yakushiji gave Togo a huracanrana and a crazy tilt-a-whirl armdrag for a pop. He also gave Taka a tilt-a-whirl armdrag. Hamada and Teoh exchanged chops. Taka went for a backdrop but Hamada landed on his feet in a great spot. Sasuke and Teoh had a brilliant fast exchange won by Sasuke. Yakushiji gave Teoh a spinning headscissors from underneath the bottom rope to the floor. Togo got the better of Hamada but Hamada gave him a huracanrana for a near fall. Taka and company triple-teamed Sasuke and did their spot where Togo kneeled on top of Sasuke as the others held him. Teoh hit a spinning DDT on Sasuke. Taka gave Yakushiji a brainbuster for a near fall. They triple-teamed Yakushiji in spectacular fashion and Togo gained a near fall. Togo hit a second rope somersault senton on Yakushiji and Teoh back suplexed him for a near fall. Taka and Togo gave Hamada a spike piledriver. They and Teoh then gave Yakushiji a triple-team powerbomb and Teoh gained a near fall. They tried to powerbomb Sasuke but Sasuke countered with a huracanrana on Teoh for a near fall. Sasuke hit an in-ring quebrada on Teoh and Taka for a near fall and an Asai moonsault on Togo, sending himself over the barricade and into the front row. Taka hit a springboard plancha on Hamada and Yakushiji gave Teoh a top rope dropkick for a near fall. Yakushiji moonsaulted Teoh for another near fall. Teoh gave Yakushiji a tornado DDT and a powerbomb for a near fall. Togo powerslammed Hamada for a near fall. Hamada gave Togo a flying tornado DDT for a near fall. Togo powerbombed Hamada for a near fall. Hamada gave Togo a top rope huracanrana and Yakushiji gave Togo a top rope spinning huracanrana. Yakushiji hit a tope suicida on Togo. Taka belly to belly suplexed Sasuke and hit a top rope missile dropkick. Taka gained a near fall on Sasuke with a Michinoku driver. He jumped off the top rope but Sasuke dropkicked him in mid-air. Sasuke gained a near fall on Taka with an in-ring quebrada and pinned him at 16:57 with a tiger suplex. ****1/2

10/10/97: Super Delfin, Masato Yakushiji & Naohiro Hoshikawa vs Dick Togo, Men�s Teoh & Shoichi Funaki

Delfin got the better of Teoh early and kicked him. Hoshikawa gave Teoh a bunch of kicks but Teoh no-sold them. Teoh elbowed Hoshikawa and gave him a high kick in the corner. Hoshikawa gave Funaki a shouldertackle in the corner and attempted a hiptoss but Funaki pushed him to the mat. Hoshikawa won an exchange of strikes against Funaki with an elbow. Yakushiji suplexed Funaki but Funaki fought back. Togo hit a slingshot somersault senton on Yakushiji and gave him a kneelift. Togo missed a running elbow in the corner and Yakushiji gave him a great tilt-a-whirl twice around into an armdrag for a pop. Teoh got the better of Hoshikawa with heelish tactics. Funaki dropped Hoshikawa neck first on the top rope twice. Funaki applied a sleeper but Hoshikawa quickly countered with one of his own and swung Funaki around. Hoshikawa aimed a kick at Togo but Togo knocked him down with a chop. Teoh and Togo gave Hoshikawa a double-team elbowsmash. Togo hit a corkscrew bodyblock off the top rope on Hoshikawa. Hoshikawa fought back and Delfin attacked Togo�s leg. Delfin and Togo had a slugfest but Teoh and Funaki intervened to give Togo the advantage. Delfin recovered and gave Funaki a lariat. Delfin dropkicked Funaki and Funaki bailed out of the ring. Teoh powerslammed Yakushiji for a near fall. Togo gave Yakushiji a brainbuster of sorts for a near fall and powerbombed him for another near fall. Togo and Teoh hit running lariats in the corner on Yakushiji. They gave Yakushiji an actual choke suplex and Teoh gained a near fall. Teoh kicked Yakushiji and gave him a tornado DDT. Funaki gave Yakushiji a Saito suplex for a near fall. The heels triple teamed Yakushiji. Teoh applied a modified octopus on Yakushiji. Togo applied an STF on Yakushiji as the heels held Hoshikawa and Delfin at bay. Teoh gave Yakushiji a high kick and a vertical suplex for a near fall. Teoh threw a bunch of punches but Hoshikawa German suplexed him. Teoh blocked a dropkick and gave Hoshikawa a high kick. Funaki tombstoned Hoshikawa for a near fall and gave him a brainbuster for another near fall. Togo belly to belly suplexed Hoshikawa three times for a near fall. Funaki gave Hoshikawa a cradle suplex for a near fall. Togo dropped Hoshikawa on his head with a released German suplex and Teoh then gave Hoshikawa a backdrop driver. Togo and Teoh then repeated that sequence on Yakushiji, leaving Delfin as the only face able to fight. Togo and co. triple teamed Delfin, including Funaki hitting a stunner. Funaki fought back against Togo with a lariat and knocked Funaki off the apron onto the announcers� table with another lariat in which Funaki took a great bump. Yakushiji gave Teoh a top rope somersault dropkick and Hoshikawa hit a top rope missile dropkick on Teoh for a near fall. Delfin hit a plancha on Togo. Hoshikawa gave Funaki a roundhouse kick and a northern lights suplex for a near fall as heat picked up. Hoshikawa German suplexed Funaki for a near fall. He attempted a dragon suplex but Funaki kicked him low and rolled him up for a near fall. Yakushiji snap suplexed Funaki and hit a second rope moonsault for a near fall. Teoh applied a Teoh lock on Yakushiji as Funaki held Hoshikawa at bay. Teoh went for a roaring elbow, Hoshikawa gave him a high kick but Teoh responded with a lariat. Yakushiji gave Teoh a top rope spinning huracanrana and Hoshikawa hit a flying DDT on Teoh for a near fall. Funaki and Teoh gave Hoshikawa a double stunner and Funaki gained a near fall. Delfin attempted to German suplex Funaki but Togo dropkicked him from behind. Togo powerslammed Delfin for a near fall. He powerbombed Delfin but Hoshikawa got the better of Togo. Delfin rolled up Togo for a near fall. Togo hit Teoh when Delfin moved and Delfin gave Togo a flying tornado DDT for a near fall. Delfin gave Togo two tornado DDTs and a Delfin catch for a near fall. Yakushiji gave Togo a top rope dropkick and Hoshikawa German suplexed Togo for a near fall. Delfin clotheslined Togo and pinned him at 18:42 with a Delfin catch. This was so close to being a classic, but missed one or two breathtaking moves or near falls needed to reach that level. This was very similar in some ways to the matches the Michinoku crew had in ECW except for the spectacular dives. The work was really good with great fast sequences and hot moves and near falls. Also, the story of Hoshikawa and Yakushiji as an underdog team of sorts under the leadership of Delfin really worked in this match. Hoshikawa wasn�t very spectacular, but very solid and showed great fire. Everyone else produced as expected with the heels at their best. Perhaps the last near-classic 6-man tag team match in Michinoku Pro, at least in the golden era since the promotion would fall on tough times soon after this. ****1/4

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