All Japan Triple Crown Title January 22, 1999: Mitsuharu Misawa (c) vs Toshiaki Kawada

This was far from their best match, but was one of their most amazing efforts considering that Misawa was banged up and Kawada broke his arm 8 minutes into the match. The match started slowly and then the two exchanged various blows with neither man getting a sustained advantage. Misawa knocked Kawada out of the ring and nailed him with an elbow suicida. Misawa hit Kawada with a slew of elbows and gave him a back suplex. Kawada gave Misawa a boot to the face that knocked him off the apron to the ringside barricade. Another boot to Misawa knocked him over the barricade to the front row. Misawa turned a Kawada powerbomb into a huracanrana, but Kawada stiffed him with a boot to the face. At 8:30, Kawada broke his own arm when he gave Misawa a spinning back forearm to his head. Amazingly, the match continued. Kawada German suplexed Misawa but Misawa fought back and gained a near fall. After another exchange of blows, Misawa gained a near fall with a tiger driver. Misawa continued his dominance of Kawada in and out of the ring. Misawa gave Kawada a tiger suplex but Kawada came back with a backdrop driver and a jumping kick for a near fall. Kawada attacked Misawa's leg and applied the stretch plum. Kawada gave Misawa a slew of knees in the corner. Kawada applied the figure four leglock to attempt a submission. Misawa fought back and knocked down Kawada with a roaring elbow. Kawada gave Misawa a pair of jumping kicks for a dramatic near fall. Misawa gained a near fall with a German suplex. Kawada gave Misawa a brainbuster for a near fall. Kawada went for a powerbomb, Misawa went for a huracanrana, but Kawada blocked it and dropped Misawa straight on his head with a ganso bomb. Kawada gave Misawa a jumping kick. He then gave Misawa a brainbuster and scored the pin at 24:15 to regain the Triple Crown. It was amazing how well Kawada did with the broken arm. An incredible and gutsy performance. ****1/2

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