10/31/98 All Japan Triple Crown Title: Kenta Kobashi (c) vs Mitsuharu Misawa

This was their typical classic match with super spots, pacing and selling. Kobashi was heavier than ever coming off a knee injury, yet he had a super outing nonetheless. Misawa dropkicked Kobashi out of the ring but met a dropkick himself when jumping off the ring apron. Kobashi worked on Misawa's neck for a stretch and gave him two backdrop drivers for a near fall. Misawa gave Kobashi his elbow suicida about 25 minutes into the match. The two had an exchange of stiff chops and elbows. Misawa German suplexed Kobashi and elbowed him. Misawa then scored a near fall on Kobashi with a tiger driver. Both men lariated each other as Misawa came off the top rope. Kobashi gave Misawa a brutal half-nelson German suplex and then powerbombed him head-first on the top turnbuckle. Kobashi dragon suplexed Misawa for a dramatic near fall. Kobashi lariated Misawa for a near fall and gained another after a top rope legdrop. Kobashi again went to powerbomb Misawa head-first on the turnbuckle but Misawa countered with a huracanrana. In the biggest spot of the match, Misawa gave Kobashi a tiger driver off the ring apron to the floor. Both men sold that move huge. The two exchanged chops and elbows again. Misawa gave Kobashi two somersault legdrops and a tiger driver 91 for a super near fall. Misawa and Kobashi elbowed and lariated each other at the same time at the 40 minute mark. Misawa won another exchange of stiff blows and gained a near fall with a tiger driver. Misawa used a running elbow for a great near fall. Misawa then knocked Kobashi out with a series of killer elbows and scored the pin at 43:29 to regain the Triple Crown. Super finish and Misawa's elbows are the most credible in the business. Also, there was great psychology playing off the finishes of their previous classic matches. *****

TOP 100 MATCH LIST
HOME