All Japan Misc. Tape Reviews

All Japan TV (6/5/90) - Stan Hansen vs. Steve Williams
This is off a cheap tape (because of the poor quality) of miscellanous All Japan and New Japan TV matches. Though they're not all classics, for the price the tape was well worth it. I especially love the half blue/half red ring, it really adds a great dimension to the tag matches and at least it isn't neon green.
First out comes a very mobile Steve Williams in his red singlet, then Stan Hansen who whips the crowd into a frenzy - literally. They do quick intros, then the Texan rushes in. Nothing pretty here, just a lot of fists and Hansen gets a boot in to win the initial brawl. Doc's taken down and Hansen drops an elbow and sinks in a reverse chinlock. Williams rolls out of it and plants a knee.
Hansen rolls out and Williams composes himself and quickly pounces him on the floor. The veteran gets the edge though and posts the Oklahoma Stampeder. Williams returns the favor by posting "The Lariat's" knee and the brawl on the floor continues. Back inside they exchange knees and Hansen goes on the offense.
After missing a shoulder tackle in the corner, Williams goes after the arm. A simple hammerlock takes Hansen down, then the two roll around and out to the floor again. The Bad Man from Borger regains the advantage briefly, but Dr. Death fights right back. Hansen grinds him d down with a Fujiwara Armbar, but Doc rebounds with headbutts!
Another scrap on the mat allows Hansen to regain the edge as the two begin exchanging headbutts. Finally Hansen hits his stiff body slam and a hard elbowdrop for a 2 count. He flings Doc back outside, but is the one that gets posted this time. Williams continues with hard knees to a kneeling "Larait," who rolls back out. Where the Good Doctor beats on him somemore and sends him over the guardrail.
Back inside, the knees continue and Hansen's clearly in trouble. Williams is unrelenting with stomps and fists, but he allows big Stan to get to his feet. The Texan hits a running bionic elbow that stuns Doc, but appears to piss him off more then anything. He pounces a prone Hansen and bloodies him with stiff punches.
The ref gets them out of the ropes and Hansen is able to get back up. Both these guys are exausted, but Stan taps into his gaijin spirit(?) and kneelifts Doc. Williams' youth allows him to bounce back and control the action some more with more brawling and a bodyslam for a 2 1/4. A snap suplex gets a 2 1/2, so he goes back to beating down the bloody veteran.
Higuchi back Williams out of the corner, but he charges back in...into a boot that is. "The Lariat" rushes him with a shoulder tackle and starts a little beatdown of his own. Williams is still in it though, until a headbutt dazes both combatants. Doc goes for a slam, but Hansen rolls him up for a nearfall. Doc gets right back up and hits the slam and then a sliding dropkick that sends Hansen out to the floor.
Outside, Williams pulls back the padding and goes for a piledriver, but Hansen struggles back and reverses it. Hansen rolls back in and tries to catch a breather, but Dr. Death is right back at him with a Flying Double Axe Handle. Hansen spills back out and they resume the brawl on the floor. Williams shows he's not the slug he'd be in a few years by hitting a nice dropkick. Then he goes for a over-the-shoulder post thing, but Hansen gets out of there and its Williams that eats the steel.
Hansen climbs back inside and fixes his left elbowpad...wonder what he's gonna do? He sprints at Williams and lunges, but the Oklahoman ducks and Hansen flies out to the floor! After a quick breather, Doc hustles the Texan back in and gives the signal...for the Oklahoma Stampede. Hansen is scooped up one buckle, but Hansen slips out the backdoor and Doc meets the opposite corner. Williams turns around stunned and is clobbered with the super-stiff Lariat for the 1,2,3 Stan Hansen win at around the 15 minute mark.
Now that was a gaijin brawl! These guys went pretty much full-tilt with no real rest holds or extended breaks for a long time for two men their size. Not much in the way of moves, but this is the kind of hard-fought, hard-hitting fight that you only see every once and a great while. I love Hansen and Williams was good back here, so it was cool to see them have a nice pier-sixer.
Rating: ***1/2

All Japan TV (6/5/90) - Jumbo Tsurata vs. Terry Gordy
Two of my favorite men in black, these guys were not in what I'd call their primes (though with Gordy it's debatable), but they aren't far removed from them either. This is like one of Gordy's best matches and for Tsurata its just another in a long line.
Tsurata takes it to the mat with a headlock and they do some work there. Misawa is shown looking on as Gordy gets a shot at the Triple Crown that he's been chasing so valiently. They get back up and start getting some motion in, until Jumbo levels the former Freebird with a his high knee for a big pop. Gordy rolls out for a head check.
Back in, the big Georgian decks Jumbo with a hard lariat for a two count and keeps him down with a Butterfly Lock. They do an interview with Misawa...huh?...Triple Crown match goin' on guys. Gordy dominates the length of the interview with another lariat-nearfall-rest hold combination. He gets caught though as Jumbo hits a kneebreaker. They do an interesting slow application of a Boston Crab, which they work beautifully.
Gordy finally manages to get ahold of Jumbo's legs, but the champ gets to the ropes. Gordy tosses Jumbo with a bodyslam and then bulls him over with a shoulder block for a two count. Back to the chinlock again, but Jumbo fights out of it with some elbows. Then he hits the Jumbo Lariat for a 2 1/2. Gordy beats the champion to his feet and hits a lariat of his own for a 2 1/2 of his own. Back to the chinlock.
Jumbo fights out of it again, but has to avoid another lariat to hit his signature Back Suplex. He's still dazed and a slow cover only gets a 2 count. Back up, Jumbo rushes Gordy with a Thesz Press for a 2 3/4. Jumbo comes at him again this time with a piledriver (one of Terry's favorites), but again only a nearfall. A swinging neckbreaker gets the same result. Tsurata's getting very tired, but needs to pick it up. He hoists Gordy for a Dropping Powerbomb, but doesn't have a high cradle and only gets a 2 1/2.
The old man's frustrated and tired. Gordy takes advantage by rebounding with a lariat for a 2 1/2 and then a back suplex of his own for another 2 1/2. The gaijin knows he's got to get it done now and hits a big powerbomb for a 1..2..NO! 2 9/10! Gordy goes for another, but Tsurata kicks wildly and escapes. He sneaks behind him and hits another back suplex, but Terry kicked off the rope so it hurt Jumbo too.
They struggle to their feet and Jumbo rushes for another Thesz Press, Gordy's ready though and takes him backwards, hotshotting the champ. Gordy crawls on top, but only a 2 1/2. Tsurata sells the hotshot a little too well. Gordy sends him in for the powerslam, but Tsurata gets the jump and body presses him for another nearfall. Tsurata sends Gordy in and ducks his head...DDT!...1..2..3!! New champion! Terry Gordy wins his first Triple Crown at around the twenty minute mark. "Freebird" plays over the speakers as Steve Williams congradulates his partner and some crazy fan is even waving the Bars & Stars.
This was a shocker to me the first time around because I didn't realized it was when Gordy won the titles (and he'd just died a few weeks earlier). I liked the end, but there were way too many nearfalls. Tsurata's attempt to put Gordy away midway through was pretty tense, but Gordy's was kind of overkill. The heat was excellent, which isn't surprising and they seemed genuinely stunned by the win. Sadly both these men were taken from us to soon in life, but they were fantastic wrestlers.
Rating: ***1/2

All Japan TV (6/8/90) - Terry Gordy vs. Stan Hansen
The first title defense against Stan Hansen, who scored the win over Steve Williams (as covered above). This time the stakes are higher as he's the champion and their at the Budokan. Hansen's sporting his blue trunks (and I don't know why), but he looks primed for battle.
They do some corner stuff and Hansen blasts Gordy with his lariat early. "Bamm Bamm" rolls out, but Hansen isn't one to let that stop the action. He posts Gordy and rolls him back in, where he prepares the big lariat. The fans are pumped, but Terry's still got his wits about him and grabs onto the ropes. Hansen rocks him loose and tosses him in, but Gordy ducks and hits Stan with a DDT! Hansen flops around like a fish and Bamm Bamm covers for the 2 3/4.
The crowd is into this one and Gordy covers again, but only gets a 2 1/2 the second time. He starts stomping and kicking Hansen, who drags himself to the ropes. "The Lariat" hangs on for dear life, but the champion just beats on him some more. This makes for an interesting mini-story in the match. Gordy can't get Hansen off the ropes, he jumps outside and pummels him with punches, but Stan rolls over to the other ropes. Back inside Terry uses elbowdrops and finally Hansen rolls out to the floor.
Terry gets a breather in before going out and sending the Bad Man from Borger back inside. He signals for a finish and tries to get Hansen in a move, but the big Texan fights free. He attempts again, but can only just get Hansen halfway up. He makes a pin attempt, but that doesn't get him anywhere either. Finally he goes for a lariat, but Hansen ducks and applies a sloppy cradle for a 2 count.
Gordy is pissed off now and starts hammering on his former tag partner. Hansen again grabs the ropes, which adds to the champ's frustration. Finally he gets Hansen free, but misses a short lariat allowing Hansen to hit his own (and hit is really an understatement). Gordy goes down hard and Hansen falls on him 1,2,3. New champion in Stan Hansen at around fifteen minutes.
Steve Williams comes in to consol his partner, but ends up beating up the new champion. The exausted Hansen fights right back though and when Gordy jumps in, he picks it up another notch. Finally he rolls out and separates the two, but they quickly overwhelm him again and they cut to a commercial.
Biggest complaint here is the length, but because it was TV and both guys had really tough matches the previous week, it's understandable. This had a better story then either of last week's matches with Hansen just hanging on and hanging on, then hitting the lariat out of nowhere. Gordy would win it back a few weeks later, but I don't have that particular match. I loved the part where Hansen would not get off the ropes and just frustrated Gordy more and more. Hansen had very little offense, but an enthralling defense that made this match really unique.
Rating: ****

All Japan TV (6/8/90) - Mitsuharu Misawa vs. Jumbo Tsurata
I have both of Misawa and Tsurata's big matches and many regard this as the better of the two. These guys had one of the greatest stories ever that gave Jumbo a respectful send-off and Misawa a convincing step into the #1 spot. From what I understand, Tsurata's matches with Tenryu marked his peak in wrestling, but these ones are nothing to sneeze at. He plays the grumpy old man and Misawa is the company's future ace, this is probably the greatest top spot transition ever.
Misawa's wearing a stylish silver jacket, while Tsurata's got the same old black "Jumbo" ring jacket. The fans cheer both, it's not like either deserves to be booed, Misawa's an exciting up-and-comer and Jumbo's a legend in his own time.
They lock up and the bigger, stronger Tsurata shoves Misawa away. The size dynamic added a lot to this feud (if only Hogan-Kidman could've used this and made their feud credible). Another tie-up, another shove. Tsurata grabs a headlock, then runs over his smaller opponent, then bodyslams him like he's nothing.
Jumbo decides to speed things up with a rushing high knee, but misses and is dropkicked. He lands a big boot to hault Misawa's offense, then gives him the Jumbo Lariat for good measure. Tsurata punishes Misawa, but the youngster reverses the Back Suplex and gets a two count. Jumbo is sent outside and Misawa feigns him with his flipover the ropes, but catches the stunned veteran with a dropkick off the apron. Jumbo looks down and out.
After they both get up, Misawa sends Tsurata over the guardrail with a big elbow. Misawa knocks him off the apron with another elbow, then hits his Running Pescado for a big reaction. Tsurata climbs back in slowly, still holding his head. Misawa attacks it with elbows and knees, then pulls the old man down with a front chancery. Jumbo fights back though and locks on a double armbar from behind.
One of my least favorite puroresu sequences, but its tolerable. Misawa reverses, then reverses Jumbo's reversal, Jumbo kneels, Jumbo fights back, Jumbo reverses, Misawa flips foward with a dropkick. Its actual a better than average resthold, but I prefer headlock. Misawa immediate grabs a single arm and works a hammerlock. They dance around, then Tsurata walk to the ropes. Misawa breaks slowly then slaps the old man!! Nice Japanese disrespect there, Jumbo looks at Misawa in disbelief and the youngster has his pokerface on.
After a tie-up goes into the ropes, Misawa smacks Jumbo again. Enough of this, Jumbo throws a knee out of the next lockup and follows with his High Knee. He wants to punish the young punk and hooks an Abdominal Stretch. That doesn't last long with Misawa hooking on his own, but the stronger Jumbo muscles his way to the ropes, then tosses Misawa over the top.
Outside he throws Misawa into the guardrail and then throws him back in. He hits a big Butterfly Suplex for a two count, then grabs a reverse chinlock. Misawa gets tossed around some more with a Guillotine Drop, but the second is met with a Misawa dropkick. The youngster follows up with a body slam and missile dropkick for a two count.
Misawa seems uncertain of what to do as he's tired and Jumbo's still kickin'. He hits a Gutwrench Suplex, a weak Spin Kick, then a Frog Splash for the 2 1/2. The youngster decides to use his speed with a High Cross Body, but Jumbo counters with his strength and savvy by hot shotting Misawa for a two count. Jumbo continues with a piledriver for another two. A Thesz Press gets a 2 1/4 and Tsurata looks frustrated.
He drops a big knee, then fires a beautiful dropkick and covers for a two. A big boot gets the same and Jumbo knows he needs to pick it up and looks to the buckles. Misawa almost cuts him off, but is knee'd in the face. Tsurata goes for a Butterfly Suplex, but the youngster fights free. Tsurata goes to the top again and is almost cut off yet again, but is able to hit a Flying Knee for a hot 2 3/4.
Tsurata goes for a powerbomb, but Misawa fights it, Jumbo brutes him up though and drops him hard for a 2 3/4. Tsurata's frustration continues and he throws some elbows, but Misawa hits a backslide for the two count. Misawa dropkicks Tsurata off the apron and follows with an AWESOME plancha that sees him jump almost the full-length of the ring and Jumbo is dead.
He resurrects and climbs back into the ring. Misawa nails him with a jump kick, then another, and then slips behind with a waistlock. Tsurata elbows him off and rushes with a Jumbo Lariat, but Misawa ducks and rolls him up from behind with a Japanese Legroll for the 1..2..NO! A stiff spin kick sends Jumbo back down and Misawa goes up for another Frog Splash...but Jumbo gets the knees up.
Jumbo scrambles on top for a two count and looks heart-broken. A hard bodyslam is followed by a Boston Crab that is obviously close to the ropes. Jumbo doesn't care and hits a big Jumbo Lariat for a 2 1/2. Tsurata's dissapointed, so he hits another, but this one only gets a 2 1/2. The exaustion is taking its toll, but Jumbo looks hungry. A Lariat in the corner then he sets up for the Back Suplex, but Misawa kicks off the top rope. Tsurata sells it like severe head trauma. Both rise slowly and Misawa is already behind him, so he nails the German Suplex for the 2 9/10. Things are heating up.
Misawa pulls Jumbo up and butterflies the arms, only to be backdropped and covered for a two count. Tsurata recovers first and rushes with a High Knee, catches his breath, and signals for yet another Jumbo Lariat. He sends Misawa into the corner, but the youngster goes for the Tiger Mask headbutt and is met with an elbow. Jumbo's sells his arm being hurt and goes for a dropkick, but misses and is crotched on the ropes. Misawa pulls him up and goes for a suplex, but decides on the German Suplex. Jumbo reverses and falls on top and gets a two, but Misawa reverses that for the 1..2..3.
Kobashi, Kawada, and even Taue (whose on Jumbo's team) congradulate Misawa, who just got the biggest win of his career at that point. Kobashi looks genuinely happy for his buddy, unlike Kawada (does he ever look that overly happy?), maybe they're teasing things early...um...no they're not.
This match deserves some serious kudos. Jumbo is my lord and savior and I worship him, anybody who thinks older guys can't put over youngsters and still look like a million bucks watch this f'n match! The false finishes got trying at times, but early 90s All Japan could do that and it's just a small thing. They didn't do one endless see-saw finish sequence, but rather one controlled and then went for it failed and the other got a chance. It had both guys showing some aerial skill and a lot of endurance. Then Misawa got his big win at the end, but it left room for a rematch because it wasn't a hands-down victory.
Rating: ****3/4

All Japan TV (?/?/90) - Stan Hansen vs. Kenta Kobashi
Clearly not what their `93 classic is (perhaps Hansen's greatest match and maybe Kobashi's), but this one is a nice taste. Kenta's young here and definately 10x as mobile as he would be in ten years. Hansen's just starting his last good years and is willing to make a youngster look good, even as the elder statesmen champion (what a professional).
JIP...Kobashi's working over the champion's arm probably hoping he won't fall to the Lariat like so many others. Hansen manages to struggle to his feet, but Kobashi is unrelenting, now using strikes. The Bad Man from Borger finally pulls him in for a snap suplex, but Kobashi grabs his arm before either can get up. Hansen starts agitating Kobashi with liver chops, goading the youngster into a brawl he can't win.
Hansen beats him down adds some stomps and kicks then an elbowdrop (with his right arm, which hasn't been targeted) for a two count. A stiff bodyslam and another elbow get the same result. The frustrated Texan tries again, but finally Kobashi hammerlocks his arm to give himself some space.
Hansen fights to his feet, so Kobashi attempts a powerbomb, only to be backdropped and punched in the face. The Texan continues the assault and no-sells a spin wheel kick and delivers a piledriver that gets him another two count. He springs off the bottom rope with another hard elbowdrop, but only a 2 1/4.
Looking to be in disbelief, "The Lariat" pulls Kobashi to his feet. Kobashi answers with a high side kick to Hansen's face. The veteran no-sells and slaps the youngster. Kobashi slaps him right back and they exchange a few, until Hansen grabs him and punches him! He nails the stunned Kobashi with a suplex/DDT move that gets him a 2 1/2 again to his surprise.
Hansen seems unsure of what to do allowing an opening for the challenger. A spin wheel kick sends big Stan down and a legdrop keeps him there for another legdrop from the bottom rope for a hot 2 1/2. Kobashi, with determination in his eyes, bodyslams the bigger champion and goes up for a Flying Splash...1..2..NO! Kobashi looks a little disheartened and starts pounding away on the legendary brawler. After staggering him with punches, Kobashi rushes with a shoulder tackle, but is sidestepped and slammed facefirst into the mat!
Hansen gets a few quick gasps of air, then runs over the youngster with a Football Tackle. The arm is raised as Kobashi fights his way to his feet. The challenger turns right into a Stan Hansen lariat that knocks him inside out. Its elementary here, a dead Kobashi is pinned without so much as a flinch for the 1,2,3.
Only about 8 minutes shown of this one, I am yet to find any sort of offical time, but I'm guessing around another 5 minutes. I doubt the intital stuff added a whole heck of a lot, unless Kobashi went right at the arm, but I doubt it (they wouldn't have cut key action like that). The arm attack psychology was excellent, especially for a match of this length (note to the WWF - you can have good psychology in an 8 minute period, maybe they just lack the talent that knows how to do it so susinctly). That aside, Kobashi did his job very well and Hansen did a good job selling his disbelief in the youngster's fighting spirit.
Rating: ***1/4

All Japan TV (?/?/90) - Misawa & Kawada vs. The Olympians
A continuation of Misawa-Tsurata, this time with their respective tag partners included. The two youngster look so young here it's strange, while Yoshiaki Yatsu isn't a punching bag (as we are used to seeing him be in recent years). He's the only one I don't care much for, but he isn't bad or anything, just not on the level of the other three.
It starts with the two seconds going at it. Kawada's technique against Yatsu's power, then Yatsu's technique. Its slow going, until Yatsu throws some knees and slaps Kawada. He shows why he's "dangerous" forcing the former Olympian to cower and even nails Tsurata on the apron. The vets regroup, but Kawada wants to fight.
Finally Jumbo is tagged in to straighten out the youngster with a High Knee (a surprise elbow to Misawa) and elbows. Kawada does a Tiger Mask body press out of the corner and lunges to tag his partner. The heat meter goes from "4" to "9" in about .8 seconds.
When they met last Misawa scored his first pinfall over Jumbo and cemented his status as the company's future ace. "MIS-A-WA! MIS-A-WA!" The youngster gets his licks in quickly with a Spinning Lariat that rocks the veteran. He continues with elbows and a barrage of kicks that get him a two count. Kawada is brought back in and they work over Jumbo together, Kawada gets a two count as well, then locks on a Triangle Chokehold.
Jumbo fights free and is pissed! He hits a stiff bodyslam, but Yatsu signals himself and is tagged in. A Backdrop is followed by beautifully realistic Gutwrench Suplex for a two count. Yatsu decides to do some matwork with a few stomps thrown in before tagging in the much more accomplished Jumbo.
Tsurata hooks his Boston Crab, until Misawa makes the wise save. Kawada rebounds with a hard lariat that knocks the sweat of Jumbo's chest - I love when that happens. Misawa comes in, on fire with a big elbowdrop, then a high dropkick and finally a nice-looking Gutwrench for a 2 1/2. He locks on a front chancery, transitions into a cradle and then into another Triangle Choke. Tsurata escapes it again the same way, but Misawa doesn't repeat his partner's error.
Jumbo grabs a headlock and tags out to Yatsu. He's had time to decide his scientific attack that he couldn't mount early and kicks Misawa's left knee several times and then applies a Standing Figure-Four. Kawada insulted by the ridiculous nature of the move kicks his partner free from it. Yatsu hits a kneebreaker and executes a Kneeling Figure-Four - that's better!
Tsurata comes back in and he and Yatsu do an Olympic wishbone. Then he locks on his Boston Crab. Misawa finally fights free, so Yatsu checks back in, but is met with kicks. A stiff spin kick floors him and Kawada is tagged. After a few more kicks a suplex is attempted, but it ain't gonna happen...so Kawada knees and kicks him in the head a few times. The suplex is tried again and fails again. Kawada hits a koppou kick and tags out in frustration.
Misawa continues with the strikes and goes for a Boston Crab, but Yatsu fended it off. Kawada comes back in and Misawa suggest they do a double suplex, which works of course and even gets a 2 1/2. More cowering by Yatsu means more stiff strikes by Kawada, including another sweat-goes-flying lariat for a 2 count. Jumbo stomps Kawada hard to break the count allowing Misawa to aid his partner with a Flying Body Press. Kawada continues kicking, but is caught in a Back Suplex. They both make hot tags and the fans love it.
Misawa ducks the Jumbo Lariat and goes for the German Suplex, but has to break the hold. So he cradles for a two count. He hits a Tiger Mask Springing headbutt (what the Rayo de Jalisco?) and a senton. Jumbo escapes outside, but is hit with a running pescado. Back inside, Kawada checks in with a missile dropkick for a 2 1/2. A Fisherman Suplex gets the same result, then Misawa returns with a Frog Splash for a 2 3/4, they're getting closer.
Small Package by Misawa = 2, Spin Wheel Kick by Kawada = 2. Jumbo comes right back at him though with a big boot and a high knee, allowing him to tag. Yatsu hits a funny jumping lariat and a powerslam for a two count. An ugly bulldog gets the same result, then he fails twice to hit a piledriver(?), so he goes for another bulldog. Misawa saves the aesthics of the match by dropkick Yatsu, who now must tag.
Kawada looks at his corner as Tsurata comes in slowly, but rushes him with a lariat and then tags. Misawa comes in with over half a dozen elbows, but still finds himself on the receiving end of a Jumbo Lariat. Kawada spares him from the Back Suplex, but he has to make the tag. Kawada hits a Moonsault Press (wtf?) for a two count.
Yatsu finally comes in and takes out Misawa...oh no. Jumbo hits another High Knee and looks for the Back Suplex, but Kawada reverses for a nearfall. The youngster is looking good and goes to the top. Jumbo's up and takes out a leg allowing him to ascend and descend with Kawada in the clutches of a Super Back Suplex and a win for the Olympians.
Solid twenty-four minutes of tag team wrestling. I love Jumbo Tsurata, Misawa made himself look like the future ace he was and so did Kawada for that matter. I love Jumbo Tsurata. Yatsu also did his role very well (playing a weak link/punching bag). Did I mention I love Jumbo Tsurata. I remember before seeing him, I'd see his moveset on websites and see pictures and was like what's the big deal? This guy is puroresu's best non-company running wrestler. I guess that means he's better then Kenta Kobashi and Keiji Muto. The youngster looked very good here creating the illusion that they may go over, though Misawa German Suplexing Yatsu would've been nice. Regardless this is one of the best tag matches I've ever seen, possibly the best of the early 90s.
Rating: ****1/2

All Japan TV (?/?/90) - Masa Fuchi vs. Tsuyoshi Kikuchi
One of All Japan's longest running feuds between their two top native juniors (before Ogawa became took Kikuchi's place). I actually like both these guys okay, Fuchi plays his role very well and Kikuchi is a good lil' worker, who is best at bumping around and selling a beating. Oddly he never beat Fuchi for the title until mid-96! And Fuchi held the title from 10/89 to 5/93, so this was just another win in the line of defenses.
Fuchi comes out to the timeless "Danger Zone" by Kenny Loggins that he still uses to this day! Kikuchi looks so youthful, but I can't say the same for Fuchi who's still not by any means "young" here.
Clip! Fuchi is on the advantage, but Kikuchi is battling back and hits a suplex. He is quickly up top and flies off with a missile dropkick. Up again...another dropkick takes down the veteran champion. Kikuchi scrambles on top for the 2 3/4. Undeterred, he scoops up Fuchi for a Fisherman Suplex, but again only a 2 3/4.
He decides to go back to the top and hit another missile dropkick. Fuchi is hit hard, but he bounces back up. Then he backdrops a rushing Kikuchi over the top rope and to the floor. The old man's in trouble and can barely kick away the challenger, who attempts to drag him out. He does go out after him though, sends him into the steel, then body slams him on the hardwood.
Kikuchi climbs back in, but is quickly thrown out the opposite side. Fuchi stomps him coming back in and bodyslams him yet again, followed by a Boston Crab. Kikuchi gets to the ropes, so Fuchi brings him in thhe center for another bodyslam-crab combo. The young challenger sells the Crab like he's been knifed in the lower back and Fuchi struggles to keep it on, eventually opting to tug on just one leg. Finally Kikuchi gets to the ropes.
Fuchi pounds away weakly, so Kikuchi comes back with some hard slaps that Fuchi contemplates with his drunkard selljobs (which I adore). The challenger ascends the top rope, but Masanobu catches him or does he...Kikuchi falls on top for a 2 count. He beats Fuchi up and locks on a half crab of his own, but he champ's close to the ropes.
Another crab, anotheer escape. Kikuchi tries for a German Suplex, but the ropes come into play again, until the ref kicks Fuchi's hand off them and Kikuchi hits the suplex for a 2 3/4. He sneaks in behind and goes up for a Victory Roll, but Fuchi drops down early for the cradle and another nearfall. He beats Kikuchi up but misses an enzugiri, he connects with a second, which allows him to hit his back suplex for the 2 3/4. Fuchi pulls Kikuchi back up for a German Suplex and gets the 1,2,3.
About fourteen minutes shown, so I'm sure the beginning (probably boring Fuchi offense) was all that was chopped. Fuchi looked pretty much as on would expect here, nothing too much, though he really made the Boston Crab spot in the middle really good. His drunken selling is so that I can't deduct points for it, but luckily Kikuchi did some real deal selling. I don't know why he never won the Junior title, in fact he only ever won the All Asian Tag with Kobashi and the junior title the one aforementioned time.
Rating: **3/4