10/21/97 All Japan Triple Crown Title: Mitsuharu Misawa (c) vs Kenta Kobashi

From a technical standpoint this is probably their second best match against each other trailing only their epic from the previous January. This match had all the spots and drama you would expect from these two. Misawa gave Kobashi an Ace crusher as television footage began and then gave him an elbow suicida. Misawa continued to dominate the action and won an exchange of strikes. Kobashi turned things around and hit a plancha for a pop. Kobashi attempted a powerbomb but Misawa turned it into a huracanrana for a near fall. Kobashi's chops to Misawa's neck were brutally stiff. He powerbombed Misawa for a near fall. Misawa gave Kobashi a cool reverse kick reminiscent of his days as Tiger Mask. Misawa then hit a plancha on Kobashi, hitting him with his elbow in the process. Misawa gained a near fall on Kobashi with his tiger driver. Kobashi gave Misawa a great German suplex dropping him on his head and then locked him in a sleeper. In the move of the match, Kobashi powerbombed Misawa, dropping him head first onto the top turnbuckle. He then gained a dramatic near fall after a pair of German suplexes. Kobashi powerbombed Misawa and then moonsaulted him for a great near fall as fans started to go nuts. Misawa fought back with an elbow and a rolling kick. Misawa used his unique version of a tiger suplex on Kobashi. The two exchanged stiff blows with Misawa coming out on top. The two lariated each other in a dramatic spot. Misawa dragon suplexed Kobashi and gained a near fall with a tiger driver and another with a rolling elbow. They exchanged blows again and Kobashi gained a near fall with a lariat. Misawa elbowed Kobashi for a dramatic near fall before pinning him at 32:55 after a tiger driver. Super match that built in spots, drama and selling as it progressed. Basically the two best workers in wrestling delivering their expected potential quality match. *****

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