All Japan Triple Crown Championship: Toshiaki Kawada (champion) vs Kenta Kobashi (challenger) 1/19/95
This was the expected world class match with really good heat, although it was just a notch below their sequel on 10/18/96. The pacing here was definitely slower and the move set less spectacular. Both men did a good job of selling the grueling nature of the match, especially Kawada. The first several minutes were slow with neither man getting a sustained advantage. Kawada German suplexed Kobashi at 10:11. He then dropkicked Kobashi's knee and further worked on his leg. Kobashi gave Kawada a cross between a legdrop and an axe kick. Kobashi dominated the next few minutes, although he did sell the damage to his knee exceptionally well. Both men stiffed each other with their chops. Kobashi chopped Kawada several times in the neck before knocking him down. Kawada powerbombed Kobashi at 26:00 but came up limping slightly. He managed to give Kobashi a backdrop driver. The two briefly fought outside the ring. Kobashi came off the top rope but ran into a kick to the stomach. Kawada also hurt his leg doing that move. Kobashi then focused his attack on Kawada's damaged leg over the next several minutes. Kobashi used a sharpshooter to attempt a submission. Kawada dropkicked Kobashi's weakened leg and so both men were hobbled. Kawada stiffed Kobashi with a series of kicks and chops. The action picked up soon after that as Kobashi gave Kawada a backdrop driver. Kobashi missed a moonsault. Kawada floored Kobashi with his trademark kick and gained a dramatic near fall with a powerbomb. Kawada gave Kobashi a backdrop driver and applied the stretch plum. Kobashi used a rolling cradle for a near fall. He gained more near falls with a powerbomb, lariat and a moonsault. Kawada gave Kobashi a vicious dragon suplex for a great near fall. Kobashi gained a near fall with a German suplex. Kawada went to powerbomb Kobashi when time ran out at 60:00. Super psychology oriented match that was better on a second viewing. *****