Kenta Kobashi vs Stan Hansen 7/29/93
Nothing innovative or athletically stunning in this match, just lots of stiff work with great intensity. Kobashi played his fiery underdog role to absolute perfection while Hansen might have had the best match of his career. Kobashi attacked Hansen at the bell and DDTd him on the arena floor to pop the crowd. Lots of stiff chops and slaps back and forth, especially from Kobashi as he maintained the advantage for the first several minutes of the match. Hansen attempted to fight back several times, but Kobashi maintained his dominance. Hansen turned things around with a boot to the face of a charging Kobashi and a powerbomb on the arena floor. Like Kobashi, Hansen's offense was really stiff, albeit a bit simpler. Kobashi won a brutal slapfest. Hansen was great at selling both on offense and defense. Kobashi gained a near fall with a DDT and applied a sleeper. Hansen surprised Kobashi with a backdrop driver for a great near fall. Kobashi hit four consecutive legdrops, including one off the top for another dramatic near fall. Kobashi gained a very close near fall with is moonsault. Hansen fought back with an enzuguiri. Kobashi gained more near falls on Hansen as the crowd got really into the match. Kobashi went for a moonsault but Hansen stopped him. As Kobashi was sitting on the top turnbuckle, Hansen knocked him to the mat with a brutal lariat that nearly took his head off. Hansen then scored the pinfall at 22:34. A vicious, grueling match with both men playing their roles flawlessly. Hansen worked great as the aging veteran who was outquickened by the younger opponent yet every bit as stiff with his work. *****