All Japan Double Tag Team Title: Mitsuharu Misawa & Kenta Kobashi (champions) vs Toshiaki Kawada & Akira Taue (challengers) 5/21/94
Although I only saw the portion that aired on television, the greatness of the match could not be denied. Great heat and work the entire way, and the near falls took place during the bulk of the television time. The match was already heated as television footage began. Kobashi dropkicked Kawada in the knee at 20:00 to reprise the main storyline of their 12/93 Tag League final. Misawa gained a near fall on Kawada with a tiger driver. Taue looked strong against Misawa, gaining a near fall before deferring to Kawada. Misawa and Kawada had a great exchange of kicks and elbows about 25 minutes into the match. Taue gained a near fall on Kobashi with an impressive looking boot to the face. Kobashi's chops against both opponents were stiff as hell. Kobashi moonsaulted Taue, but injured his knee in the process. Misawa gained heat by applying his facelock submission on Taue as Kobashi held Kawada back with a sleeper. Kawada gave Misawa a backdrop driver for a near fall and gained a very dramatic near fall with a high angle powerbomb. Kawada gained another near fall on Misawa with a powerbomb. Kawada dropkicked Kobashi in the knee in a cool revenge spot. Kobashi gained a close near fall on Taue with a German suplex, and Misawa gained an even more dramatic one with a tiger driver. Kawada dropped Kobashi on his head with a backdrop driver. Kobashi moonsaulted Taue and pinned him at 40:28 to win the match and retain the titles for his team. Super match with quicker than usual pacing and an unusually animated crowd. Taue was great in that everything he did was basic, but his execution was sharp on everything he did. A real gem that showcased everything that makes the All Japan style great. *****