All Japan Triple Crown Championship: Mitsuharu Misawa (champion) vs Toshiaki Kawada (challenger) 5/1/98
These two put on another classic match, although it was not quite as memorable as two of their previous epics. Still, considering that both men were not at their physical best, they turned in a super effort. Kawada went to superplex Misawa but Misawa got up and Kawada kicked him in the face instead. Kawada gave Misawa a brainbuster and a legdrop for an early near fall. Kawada attempted a powerbomb but Misawa countered with a huracanrana, yet Kawada came back with another boot to Misawa's face. Kawada and Misawa traded brutal elbows with Misawa getting the better of that exchange. Misawa gave Kawada a German suplex but Kawada later gave him his trademark jumping kick. Kawada gave Misawa a backdrop driver but Misawa fought back with a series of elbows. Misawa German suplexed Kawada for a near fall. Misawa gained another near fall with a tiger driver. Kawada gave Misawa a dragon screw and applied a half crab. Kawada continued his attack with a figure four leglock. Misawa fought back with a series of elbows. Misawa gained a near fall on Kawada with a tiger suplex. Kawada kicked Misawa's strong arm and then gave him a boot to the face. Kawada attempted a submission with a cross armbreaker. Misawa gained a dramatic near fall on Kawada with a tiger driver. Kawada nailed Misawa with a lariat for a near fall but Misawa surprised Kawada with a tiger suplex and then a German suplex for a near fall. Kawada hit a rolling kick and then a jumping kick at the 25 minute mark for a great near fall. Kawada German suplexed Misawa and gave him a jumping kick. He gave Misawa a German suplex and another jumping kick followed by a brainbuster for a super near fall. Kawada scored a great near fall with a powerbomb before powerbombing Misawa a second time and scoring the pin at 28:05. Fans went nuts for Kawada's first major singles victory over Misawa. A fitting end to All Japan's first Tokyo Dome supercard. ****1/2