All Japan Triple Crown: Toshiaki Kawada (champion) vs Kenta Kobashi (challenger) 6/12/98
Not their best match, but one that lived up to the standard one would expect from these two. The emphasis here was more on psychology and selling, and Kawada was at the very top of his game to the point that he was almost carrying Kobashi. About the last 18 minutes of this match aired on television. Footage began at the fifteen minute mark with Kobashi dropping Kawada on his head with a brutal half nelson German suplex. Kobashi powerbombed Kawada and then gave him a tiger suplex for a near fall. Kobashi came off the middle turnbuckle but Kawada met him with a jumping kick in mid-air, but then began selling the damage to his own knee. Kawada maintained the upper hand for a stretch, dropping Kobashi on his head with a backdrop driver. Kawada told a story of being the dominant champion yet being unable to defeat his top challenger, even with moves such as his signature powerbomb. Kawada gave Kobashi another backdrop driver about 22 minutes into the match. Kobashi was unable to sustain any offense for another few minutes until he dragon screwed Kawada and hit a desperation lariat for a near fall. Both men exchanged chops until Kobashi powerbombed Kawada for a dramatic near fall. Kobashi gained another near fall with a moonsault. Kawada fought back with his trademark kicks. Kawada applied an armlock as fan heat intensified. Fans seemed to buy the move as a potantial finisher because both men were selling the armlock so well. Kobashi hit another desperation lariat but sold like his arm was hurt. Kobashi hit another lariat for a dramatic near fall. Finally, he gave Kawada another lariat and pinned him at 33:49 to win the Triple Crown. The win was also noteworthy because it was the first time Kobashi pinned Kawada in a major singles match. ****1/2