THE MOSS COVERED THREE HANDLED FAMILY CREDENZA

ARTICLE #55
OCTOBER 7, 2002

Honorable Mention 5: The Final (???) Cut

Well, recently I finally updated my top 100 matches of the 90s list, and with the update comes the latest matches that missed the cut. A total of 8 matches were added or deleted, but I've decided to keep only 6 of the 8 deletions for Honorable Mention status, since the other two were overrated a bit beforehand. In looking at the some new top 100 candidates, I came across one match for this article that I haven't already looked at in a recent Credenza article, so in total 7 matches are reviewed here. I've decided, like before, to keep the original review for the 6 previously watched matches, mainly because my views on them haven't changed much if at all, and because this is more of a recap article than one meant to introduce my new views on matches. Of course the exception is the Great Muta-Hiroshi Hase match, reviewed in my usual recent detail, which I recently viewed when trying to come up with an improved top 100 list. While it never made the top 100, it came VERY close and compared favorably with other honorable mention matches. Keep in mind the first 6 matches were reviewed in either 2000 or 2001, so my write-up of them isn't nearly as detailed or as generally solid as my more recent material.

12/8/96 WWWA World Title: Manami Toyota (c) vs Kyoko Inoue

This was perhaps their best paced and most psychologically sound match, but it was also their least intense. That said, this was a super match that measured up nicely to their previous classics. Toyota started out fast until Kyoko dove backwards off the second rope with an elbow. Toyota then dove off the top rope with a flying bodypress. Kyoko gave Toyota a giant swing and dominated her for the next few minutes with the usual submission holds. Toyota gave Kyoko a couple second rope dropkicks and slammed her on the ringside table. Toyota dropkicked an upside down Kyoko in the corner twice. Kyoko then dominated Toyota using more submission holds such as a camel clutch. Toyota gained a near fall with a rolling cradle. Kyoko German suplexed Toyota off the second rope but Toyota then kicked her off the top rope to the floor. Toyota went for her missile dropkick but Kyoko cut her off. Toyota gained a near fall with her Toyota roll and gave Kyoko a top rope missile dropkick. Toyota met Kyoko's knees on a moonsault attempt. Toyota nailed Kyoko with her springboard plancha but not smoothly. Toyota gave Kyoko a springboard somersault plancha through a table. She gained a near fall with a German suplex but Kyoko came back. Toyota gained a great near fall with her ocean cyclone suplex but then Kyoko gained a near fall with a lariat. Kyoko gained a near fall with her Niagara driver. After more near falls back and forth, Toyota gained a near fall with a German suplex. Kyoko gained a great near fall with another lariat and a very dramatic near fall with a Niagara driver. Toyota gained a near fall with her ocean cyclone suplex. Toyota went for it again but Kyoko countered and German suplexed Toyota for a near fall. After gaining a great near fall with a tiger driver, Kyoko used a torture rack dropped into a side powerbomb and scored the pin at 24:52 to win the title. Super final ten minutes with great moves and heat. ****1/2

1/4/92: Manami Toyota vs Toshiyo Yamada

Although they had faced off in great singles matches before, this was the first of three genuine classics these two would have against each other. On its own this was a super match, but not nearly as amazing as their 8/15/92 epic. Neither woman had reached their peak by this point, but both would later in the year. Yamada gained an early advantage with her stiff kicks. She dominated the early minutes with her matwork. Yamada maintained the advantage until 5:40, when Toyota went on offense using her boomerang attack and two second rope dropkicks for an early near fall. Toyota focused her attack on Yamada's legs for a couple minutes. Yamada's kicks continued to be sharp and varied, and she used them along with matwork and submissions to hold Toyota at bay for several minutes. Yamada held Toyota in a reverse Gory special and gained a near fall at 14:50. Yamada gained a near fall after a superkick and another after a back suplex as action picked up. Toyota gained a near fall with a northern lights suplex and another with a German suplex. Toyota gave Yamada three second rope dropkicks for a near fall. Yamada came back with a spin kick and several kicks in the corner. She gained a near fall with a DDT. Toyota German suplexed Yamada for a near fall at 23:08 and gained another near fall with a double arm suplex. Yamada applied a Texas cloverleaf on Toyota at 24:30. Yamada gained a near fall with a belly to belly suplex and applied a camel clutch-like chinlock. Toyota dropkicked Yamada four times and hit a double arm suplex for a near fall. Toyota gained a near fall after a top rope dropkick. After more exchanges of offense and near falls, time expired at the 30 minute mark. Both women petitioned for five more minutes and got them. Toyota gained a near fall with a moonsault. Yamada gained a near fall with a top rope spin kick and another with a back suplex. The two exchanged near falls at a quick pace but time expired again as Toyota gained a near fall with a moonsault bodyblock. They were then granted a second five minute overtime. Toyota German suplexed Yamada for a heated near fall. Yamada hit Toyota with several kicks and gained a near fall after a spin kick. Toyota attempted her superquebrada but Yamada moved and Toyota crashed onto two ring attendants. Toyota German suplexed Yamada as time expired for the third and final time after 40 minutes of action. Good job done in terms of positioning them as evenly matched against one another. ****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

3/16/97: Great Sasuke, Gran Hamada, Gran Naniwa, Super Delfin & Masato Yakushiji vs Taka Michinoku, Dick Togo, Men's Teoh, Shoichi Funaki & Masayoshi Motegi

Super match that was the usual top-notch spotfest from these guys. Super spots, amazing execution, and a fairly logical sequence to the spots. The heels did some of their unique team spots early on. Other than that, wrestlers were mainly paired off in the opening minutes. The wrestlers were more patient than usual in terms of tossing out their big moves, but the work was solid and well-paced. Sasuke was an early standout with his agility. The heels dominated the majority of the first half of the match. The action picked up with Sasuke and Taka brawling throughout the gym. Others followed suit briefly. Teoh and Togo spike-piledrove Hamada on the arena floor. Teoh and company did several cooperative spots at the expense of Naniwa, including Togo kneeling on his back while Taka and Teoh held him. Teoh gave Naniwa an impressive tornado DDT in the middle of the ring without using the ropes. Togo sentoned Yakushiji for a near fall and gave him a released German suplex for another near fall. The pace quickened and the stretch of hot moves and near falls began. Yakushiji attempted a moonsault but met Taka's knees. Teoh powerbombed Naniwa for a near fall. He went to do that move to Sasuke but Sasuke countered with a huracanrana for a near fall. Sasuke scored a near fall on both Togo and Motegi with an in-ring quebrada. Sasuke gave Taka his uncatchable Asai moonsault. Yakushiji followed that with a tope on Motegi. Delfin and Hamada hit simultaneous tornado DDTs on Teoh and Funaki. Taka belly to belly suplexed Sasuke but Sasuke then hit a quebrada for a near fall. Taka hit a top rope missile dropkick followed by a springboard superquebrada on Sasuke. After more spots and near falls, Motegi powerbombed Yakushiji and pinned him at 22:27. Excellent final five minutes. ****1/2

11/27/97 1997 Real World Tag League: Mitsuharu Misawa & Jun Akiyama vs Hayabusa & Jinsei Shinzaki

This was a shockingly great match considering that Hayabusa and Shinzaki are not the most polished workers around. Misawa and Akiyama almost completely hid their weaknesses and carried them to their best match ever. There was little to no heat early on, but that was because noone gave Hayabusa and Shinzaki a chance of winning. Hayabusa worked over Misawa's arm as television footage began. Misawa dropkicked Shinzaki out of the ring. Shinzaki superkicked Misawa and gave him a Vader bomb for an early near fall before applying a nerve hold. Hayabusa flew over the top rope and legdropped Misawa. Akiyama came in but Hayabusa came off the tope rope with a bulldog. Akiyama gave Hayabusa a northern lights suplex and a piledriver for a near fall. Hayabusa got the better of Akiyama outside the ring. Misawa came in and he and Akiyama dominated Shinzaki for a stretch. Hayabusa gave Akiyama a springboard elbow and a spin kick for a near fall. Akiyama came off the second rope with a knee to Hayabusa. Misawa gained a near fall on Hayabusa with a lariat. Hayabusa gained a near fall on Misawa with a German suplex. Shinzaki and Hayabusa did a series of top rope moves on Misawa ending with a top rope headbutt by Shinzaki for a near fall. Misawa turned a Shinzaki powerbomb into a huracanrana. Akiyama gained a near fall on Shinzaki with a northern lights suplex. Shinzaki hit Akiyama with a backwards dropkick for a near fall. Hayabusa gained a near fall on Akiyama as Shinzaki knocked Misawa out of the ring with a top rope missile dropkick. Hayabusa gave Misawa a superquebrada and Shinzaki followed with a space flying tiger press. Hayabusa gave Akiyama a firebird splash for a near fall. Hayabusa then gave Akiyama his phoenix splash for a great near fall. Akiyama gave Hayabusa a top rope elbow for a near fall. Those two traded more dramatic near falls before Akiyama gave Hayabusa an exploder and scored the pin at 21:34 (15:30 aired). The body of the match was solid and the last five minutes compared favorably to any All Japan classic. ****1/2

7/9/96: All Japan Double Tag Team title: Mitsuharu Misawa & Jun Akiyama (champions) vs Toshiaki Kawada & Akira Taue

A world-class match, although a notch below their match six weeks earlier as that match had richer psychology, more action and bigger near falls. Kawada dominated Akiyama early on and powerbombed him for an early near fall. Misawa took back the advantage and hit his 360 twist tope on Kawada. Taue hit a tope suicida on Misawa and dropped him neck-first on the ringside barricade. Taue and Kawada dominated Akiyama for a stretch towards the middle of the match, gaining a few near falls on him. Taue gained a near fall on Akiyama with a powerbomb although he later hit a lariat on Taue and tagged Misawa. Kawada got the better of Misawa and applied a stretch plum as Taue held Akiyama at bay. The challengers dominated Misawa and every time Akiyama would try to intervene, Kawada would kick, chop or lariat him for his efforts. Taue gained a near fall on Misawa after two back suplexes. Kawada dropped Misawa on his head with a backdrop driver for a heated near fall. Akiyama tagged in and looked strong against both opponents. He hit a tope on Kawada as Misawa gave Taue an elbow suicida. Akiyama gave Kawada an exploder but Kawada retaliated with a jumping kick, yet Kawada hurt his leg in the process. Taue was going to give Akiyama a nodowa off the apron but Misawa made the save. Taue gave Akiyama a dynamic bomb for a near fall. He gave Akiyama a released German suplex but Misawa knocked him down with an elbow. Misawa and Kawada had a dramatic exchange of offense but Taue then gave Misawa a nodowa and a sick released German suplex for a great near fall. Misawa hit a released German suplex on Taue after Akiyama elbowed Taue and gained a near fall after another German suplex. Akiyama German suplexed Kawada and Misawa tiger suplexed Taue for a great near fall. Misawa German suplexed Taue again and scored the pin at 26:50. Kawada was the best of the four in terms of offense-based psychology while Akiyama looked great in his underdog role. ****1/2

12/14/92: Great Muta vs Hiroshi Hase

This was the much-acclaimed rematch of their memorable and bloody 9/14/90 match. Muta spewed the mist but Hase caught him with a couple clotheslines and a urunage. Muta left the ring but Hase whipped him into the barricade. Hase rammed Muta into a table and whipped him into the barricade again. Back in the ring Hase hit a top rope bionic elbow and chopped Muta repeatedly. Hase gave Muta a gutbuster and slingshot him onto the top rope. Hase applied a wristlock and elbowed Muta's arm. Muta fought back with a roundhouse kick and a spinning mule kick. Muta tackled Hase and they had a criss cross. Muta chopped Hase and gave him a spinning savate kick. Muta applied a half crab and crossed Hase's legs. Muta pulled Hase's legs back and then applied a Mutalock adding a rear chinlock in a bridge position. Hase countered and applied a headlock on a bridged Muta, and raked his face as well. Hase gave Muta a couple boot scrapes and punched him. Hase chopped Muta and gave him more boot scrapes. Hase gave Muta a neckbreaker for a near fall and Muta rolled out of the ring. Muta repeatedly stalled at ringside looking under the apron for something. Back in the ring Hase suplexed Muta for a near fall. Muta countered a suplex, punched and chopped Hase. Muta threw Hase out of the ring and whipped him into the barricade. Muta gave Hase a handspring elbow against the barricade. Muta gave Hase a top rope chop and threw him out of the ring again. Muta kicked Hase and bulldogged him on the exposed concrete floor. Muta chopped Hase, snapmared him and hit a power elbow. Hase chopped Muta and headlocked him, but Muta countered with an atomic drop of sorts that sent Hase over the top rope to the floor. Hase sold his knee at ringside, and Muto atomic dropped Hase onto the barricade, with Hase's injured knee hitting the barricade upon impact. Hase caught Muta on the top rope and superplexed him. Hase German suplexed Muta for a near fall. He ran Muta's face across the top rope in a heelish spot that drew a pop, so Hase did it again. Hase missed a dropkick as Muta held onto the ropes. Muta threw a chair into the ring and it grazed Hase. Hase tried to use the chair but the ref tried to grab it, and in the process Muta attacked Hase. Muta hit Hase with the chair and gave him a backbreaker. Hase caught Muta on the top rope attempting a moonsault and pushed him out of the ring, with Muta nearly crotching himself on the top rope in the process. Hase clotheslined Muta off the apron. Muta grabbed a hammer from under the ring and threw a chair into the ring. Hase shoved the ref aside and hit Muta with the hammer, then held the hammer in his mouth to mock Muta's usual mannerism. Hase attacked Muta with the hammer (or crowbar, some metal tool). Muta began to bleed, and bleed huge. Hase bit Muta's head wound, and Muta's head really began to gush juice. Hase punches Muta repeatedly and but him again. Muta fought back but missed a handspring elbow. Hase piledrove Muta and bit him again. Hase dropped Muta neck first across the top rope and applied a sleeper. By this point Muta's blood was all over Hase's body. Hase gave Muta two yakuza kicks and applied a sharpshooter. Hase high kicked Muta twice but Muta stood his ground. Hase gave Muta another high kick and chopped him twice. Hase missed another kick and Muta gave him a Saito suplex. Muta gave Hase four back suplexes but missed a moonsault. Hase gave Muta a urunage for a heated near fall and a powerbomb for another near fall. Muta countered a urunage with a bunch of elbows and dragon suplexed Hase for a very heated near fall. Muta gave Hase a second dragon suplex for a near fall. Muta gave Hase a backbreaker and moonsaulted him for the pin at 23:04. This was the type of hardcore match that would appeal to a wider audience, because while there was a ton of blood loss from Muta, the focus went back to wrestling during the closing stretch. Actually the bleeding added to the body of the match, as Hase showed he could match Muta's thirst for violence that had emerged in their match two years earlier. Hase also showed why he was one of the top 5 or 10 workers in the business as this might have been the best singles match of his career. Combine that with the fact that Muta had not yet developed a lazy streak and was really up for this match, and the result was a memorable, classic showdown. Muta was clearly the favorite going in (had he ever lost in Japan as Muta yet???), a much bigger star than Hase. But Hase proved he could match Muta not just in terms of violence, but with technical excellence as he suplexed Muta all over the place and used submissions such as the sleeper and sharpshooter effectively. A definite classic, but was it top 100 material? I think it falls just short as it wasn't as technically flawless as the 8/11/91 Muto-Chono match, but it's very close, and probably depends on one's taste. Also the best Great Muta match ever. ****1/2

Next Article: Best of WWE Summerslam 2002

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