Misawa 5 Star Bouts Volume 1
So with Generation Next I brought myself completely up to date with my ROH reviews. I’m now waiting on World Title Classic and Survival Of The Fittest to carry on with those. In the meantime, I figured it was time to finally delve into some puro, and where better to start than with the absolute classics of puroresu, 90’s AJPW. Featuring three of the greatest workers of all time (Mitsuharu Misawa, Toshiaki Kawada and Kenta Kobashi) and a host of support characters in their greatness, I’ll do a review of the two Misawa comps I have (neither of which feature any of his early work as Tiger Mask II, or some of his earlier work with the likes of Tsurata, Hansen, Gordy and the like) and take it from there. Enough talking, take it away Misawa-san.
Mitsuharu Misawa/Kenta Kobashi/Jun Akiyama vs Toshiaki Kawada/Akira Taue/Yoshinari Ogawa
Misawa is a tag team partner slut, he’s been through more than you’d care to remember. Kawada himself was the first one before he got fed up of playing understudy to Misawa…hence their inevitable feud with each other. He’d go on to partner Kobashi and Akiyama…they too would get fed up of being ‘that other guy’ and sod off…and Ogawa stepped in last and is the least able of the three. None of that is relevant to this match…but it popped into my head so I thought I’d write it down.
Akiyama and Ogawa to kick us off. Akiyama gets in a dropkick and goes for a sleeper, but no dice and we have a stand off. Running forearm in the corner drops Ogawa again, before we bring Kobashi in and he drops a leg for 2. Ogawa manages to bail and bring in Taue…and he shunts Kobashi down as Kenta tried to pepper him with chops and kicks. LARIAT from Taue gets 2. Kawada comes in…and Kobashi tags Misawa, and HERE’S where the money is, as crowd and commentators murmour in excitement. High kicks from Kawada, then a forearm…YAKUZA KICK! Incredibly, Misawa no sells and nails Kawada with an elbow then a dropkick. He rolls over the ropes in a fake…DIVING ELBOW OFF THE APRON! Taue and Kobashi are fighting in the ring…AKIYAMA WITH A PLANCHA ON KAWADA!
Misawa drops a senton on Kawada, then tags Akiyama but he gets muscled over with a throw then KICKED IN THE FACE! Taue back and he breaks out a high knee. Elevated half crab applied, and Kobashi tries to break it with kicks – NO SOLD! Kobashi bulldogs him instead and that breaks the hold instead. Ogawa comes back in and he attacks Akiyama’s ribs with knees and stomps to the chest. Kawada back in and he beats on Akiyama in the corner. HARSH kick to the ribs surely takes all the wind out of him, before Kawada goes to the Lion Tamer. Akiyama makes the ropes, but his ribs and back have to be feeling the effects of that. Taue next, and he suplexes him, then goes to an abdominal stretch. Tag to Ogawa who floors him again with a jawbreaker…snap suplex from Akiyama, and he makes a tag to Misawa.
Tilta-whirl backbreaker gets Misawa a 2. Kobashi tagged once more…and he hits a running, spinning suplex! Inverted DDT backbreaker, followed by a half crab, as now Misawa’s team isolate Kawada and Taue’s little b*tch much like they did to Akiyama minutes earlier. Misawa in again, and he slaps on a camel clutch. Ogawa gets placed on the top, but he fights free, hits a dropkick and brings in Kawada. KAWADA KICKS…NO SOLD! Elbows from Misawa…REVERSE HEEL KICK FROM KAWADA! Stalling vertical suplex for 2. Taue is tagged back and he drops Misawa over the turnbuckles with a snake-eyes. Heel kick from Misawa, and he makes the tag to Kobashi…the pace is quickening folks. Kobashi can’t get Taue up for a brainbuster, and takes a DDT. Ogawa back, and he clubs away at Kobashi enthusiastically. Kawada in…KNEE STRIKE DUEEEEEEL! KAWADA KICKS…KOBASHI WITH A HIGH KNEE. Kawada blocks an attempted kick in the corner then puts him in a chinlock. Misawa in to confront Kawada…AND THEY DECIDE IT’S TIME TO ELBOW EACH OTHER IN THE FACE! Kawada tags Taue then whips Kobashi into a lariat. DOUBLE POWERBOMB….and both Akiyama and Misawa have to save there. Misawa and Kawada go at it again, and Kawada gets stiffed all the way to the floor.
Ogawa suplexes Akiyama on the floor, meanwhile, Kawada is still down. Back in the ring, Kobashi takes a jumping enzi kick from Taue, and Ogawa covers for 2. Kawada is back in the match and he comes back kicking away and Kobashi. HEAD DROP BACK SUPLEX…and again Akiyama has to save. Taue whips Kobashi into a Kawada lariat. Kawada attempts to return the favour, and Kobashi dropkicks Taue out of nowhere. CHOKESLAM FROM TAUE! He goes for a second, but this time Kobashi counters with a Russian legsweep. Simultaneous clotheslines and they’re both down.
Misawa and Kawada tagged again. Misawa misses a lariat, and gets two from Kawada as punishment. He ducks a third – GERMAN SUPLEX SCORES! Akiyama in and he tries to German suplex Kawada, but gets a kick to the head. Ogawa once more and he back suplexes Akiyama for 2. He goes for a second, and it’s countered into a crossbody. Akiyama misses a forearm in the corner, and Ogawa scampers out to Taue. Snake-eyes over the top rope, then a simple throw gets Taue 2. He goes for a powerbomb but Akiyama counters and tags Kobashi. SHOULDER BLOCK off the top connects. SHORT CHOPS…NO SOLD! Taue dropkicks Kobashi, then gives him another snake-eyes over the top rope. Ogawa tagged back, and he scores 2 with a fisherman suplex. Kobashi with a lariat, and he almost puts it away with a rolling cradle. Pumphandle powerbomb draws Taue in to save. Kobashi to the top rope but Taue stops him as Misawa and Kawada fight again. Misawa back suplexes Ogawa…WHICH SETS HIM UP FOR KOBASHI’S MOONSAULT! Kobashi pins Ogawa at 25:44.
Rating - **** - Well it’s not 5*, but it’s a damn good match, and a wonderful introduction to what these men are capable of. Kobashi was the real work horse of the match, and I was glad he got the winning fall. The Misawa-Kawada interactions were awesome, and the match was effective in that we saw them go at it, but nowhere near enough to spoil a one-on-one showdown between the two. Ogawa looked by far the worse talent on show, which to those familiar with his work, isn’t massively surprising. Akiyama, on the other hand, looked a far brighter prospect. He looks solid even this far back, with some wonderful selling and facial expressions.
Mitsuharu Misawa/Kenta Kobashi vs Toshiaki Kawada/Akira Taue
The series of tag matches between Misawa/Kobashi and Kawada/Taue are considered by many people to be the finest series of tag team bouts ever. You’re about to find out why I promise you. I dig Kawada’s ‘DANGEROUS’ shirt…This is 1993 by the way…
Misawa and Taue kick us off, and they trade some early stiffness, intermingled with the occasional wrestling hold. Atomic drop from Taue – FOREARM from Misawa. Kobashi tagged and they double dropkick Taue. Dropkick through the ropes from Kobashi…rope roll into the DIVING ELBOOOOOW from Misawa! Back in the ring, Taue gets a sequence of knee strikes together, then tags out to Kawada. They go chop-for-chop, until Kawada decides it’s time to elbow Kobashi in the face, then drop him with the reverse heel kick. Taue in again and he manages to get up for a dropkick. Low heel kick from Kobashi and he makes the tag to Misawa. Cyclone lariat from Misawa gets 2. Kobashi tags in, and Taue chops him in the head to gain an advantage. One drop suplex later we have Kawada in the mach again. LARIAT drops Kobashi for 2. Taue tags back and clotheslines Kobashi down multiple times the sends him to the floor.
Kawada joins him to whip him into the rail…then scoop slam him right there on the floor. In the ring, Kawada lets Kobashi taste the sole of his boot…and that pisses him off – until Kawada scoop slams him then kicks him in the spine. Half crab applied (with a boot right on Kobashi’s head)…and of course it’s extra bad because Kawada is always cranky. DDT from Taue, before Misawa comes in to try and help out. Taue ducks a lariat from Kobashi – CHOKESLAM GETS 2! Snake-eyes into Kawada’s boot, before Toshiaki himself returns to the ring. Neck chops fell Kobashi repeatedly…KNEE STRIKES…PUNCH FLURRY! Kawada breaks out some stiffness because Kobashi tried to fight back! KOBASHI TAKES KAWADA DOWN AND PUNCHES LIKE A MANIAC AT THE KNEE. He tries to get a hold of it – ENZIGURIIIII!! Taue shoves Misawa off the apron, so Misawa throws him out of the ring and tags in.
KNEE STRIKES FROM KAWADA – NO SOLD BY MISAWA! TIGER DRIVEEEER…ONLY GETS 2! Lariat buys the injured Kawada some time, and he tags out to Taue. Taue goes on a snake-eyes rampage, but Misawa blocks the chokeslam. Kawada in – CHOKESLAM/BACK SUPLEX COMBO! Powerbomb from Taue gets 2. LARIAT from Kobashi, but Misawa comes right back with elbows for both his opponents. Kobashi tags in, and he hits his trademark short chops and a shoulder block on Taue. Swinging neckbreaker DDT’s for Akira…then he gets dropped throat-first over the ropes to make up for how often he does that move. MOONSAULT SCORES…2 COUNT ONLY! He wants it a second time, but Taue blocks the scoop slam that sets it up…running neckbreaker floors Kobashi.
Kawada is back – HEAD DROP BACK SUPLEX! Kawada appears to have hurt his ankle/knee executing that move. He goes for it a second time but gets a Russian legsweep. Misawa tagged…and he walks right into the reverse heel kick. HEAD DROP GERMAN SUPLEX FROM KAWADA! Nasty version of the abdominal stretch, so Kobashi tries to break it, but Taue rumbles in to put him in a sleeper. Kawada has Misawa in a dragon sleeper, but he hasn’t quite choked him out. Taue has Kobashi caught in an abdominal stretch in the corner…but Kobashi finally frees himself and saves Misawa. Kawada goes for a powerbomb – BUT HIS KNEE GIVES OUT! Misawa tags Kobashi, and he goes right for a dropkick to that knee. HALF CRAB!! TEXAS CLOVERLEAF! Misawa puts Taue in a facelock to stop him thinking about a save…but somehow Kawada makes the ropes. Powerbomb from Kobashi, but just like Taue earlier, it’s only good enough for 2. To the top rope again…AND THIS TIME THE MOONSAULT MISSES! Kawada tries to tag but Kobashi grabs his leg. Misawa in and he hits a senton then goes to the top – FROG SPLASH! He looks for the Tiger Driver again, but Kawada escapes. MISAWA WITH A TIGER SUPLEX FOR 2! Kobashi tagged and he looks for his shoulder block, but it’s met with a high knee. ENZI FROM KAWADA…LARIAT FROM KOBASHI! Taue puts his hands on Kobashi…so Misawa comes in and we have SIMULTANEOUS GERMAN SUPLEXES! Kawada manages to back drop Kobashi, and Taue cuts him off as he was going for a tag and back suplexes him. He gets a ROARING ELBOW from Misawa. Misawa hauls Kawada up FOR A HEAD DROP GERMAN! ELBOW SUICIDA ON TAUE! Kobashi hauls Kawada up…HEAD DROP BACK SUPLEX! Kawada is finally dead at 24:42.
Rating - ***** - And that, my friends….was kick-ass fantastic. See Kawada, Kobashi and Misawa all at their most ruthless here…and it’s all amidst a superb selling job from Kawada. He was wonderful as the victim in this match, as he took damn near 15 minutes of abuse before finally being put away. The knee injury weakened him, but in the end it took being dropped on his head repeatedly and often to finally get the three count. Interestingly, that’s two matches, and twice it’s been Kobashi that’s taken the victory…the lengths to which AJPW go to keep the Misawa/Kawada interactions minimal to hype their feud is incredible. Kobashi and Misawa get stupidly big trophies and a fat check.
Mitsuharu Misawa/Kenta Kobashi vs Toshiaki Kawada/Akira Taue
Because one time wasn’t enough, it’s time for another dose of awesomeness from these four.
JIP with Kawada kicking Kobashi in the face. Enzi kick sends Kobashi tumbling to the mat, but he refuses to be taken over with a back suplex, and he dropkicks the knee. Misawa tagged…Kawada blocks the Tiger Driver, but get dropkicked to the floor. ELBOW SUICIDA CONNECTS! Kobashi retrieves Kawada…AND MISAWA GIVES HIM THE TIGER DRIVER…FOR 2! Kawada manages a desperation enziguri kick, then tags Taue in. He goes for a snake-eyes, but Misawa floors him with an elbow. Misawa goes for the cyclone clothesline, but gets thrown down by Taue. He looks for the chokeslam but Kobashi makes the save. Bulldog drops Misawa before Taue tags Kawada back in. Neck chops, then short kicks in the corner have Misawa flat on his ass. Yakuza kick connects, but Misawa blocks a dropkick….ELBOWS…KAWADA KICKS! Misawa elbows back…and we have a staredown. MORE ELBOWS…KAWADA GOES DOWN! Kobashi tagged and he trades chops with Kawada. Neck chops from Kobashi, but he can’t muscle Kawada up for a suplex. Reverse heel kick from Kawada, and he tags out. JUMPING Yakuza kick from Taue gets 2. Kobashi opens up on him in the corner with chops, but Taue finally manages to throw him away and shoulder block him over. Kobashi counters out of a chokeslam, then drops him with a DDT. He throws in a second for good measure, then drops a leg across the back of the head. Scoop slam…which is the set up for the MOONSAULT!! But it hurt Kobashi’s knee and he has to tag out. FLYING ELBOW from Misawa, then the cyclone clothesline for 2.
Springboard reverse elbow from Misawa, and he goes for a facelock…whilst Kobashi captures Kawada in a sleeper. Kawada finally fights free of that and breaks Misawa’s hold…BUT KOBASHI CATCHES HIM AGAIN! Misawa goes back to his facelock as Kobashi and Kawada fight on the floor. Misawa goes to the top rope but gets caught by Kawada before Taue suplexes him off the ropes. LARIAT from Kawada. Misawa blocks the chokeslam from Taue, but gets another lariat from Kawada. HEAD DROP BACK SUPLEX…KOBASHI MAKES THE SAVE! POWERBOMB ON MISAWA…ONLY FOR 2! Will poor Kawada ever pin Misawa? KAWADA KICKS…A SECOND POWERBOMB – AND AGAIN KOBASHI SAVES! Taue throws him outside so Kobashi suplexes him out there. Kawada goes for a third powerbomb and gets his head taken off by Kobashi. Kawada goes for a back suplex, but Misawa rolls over into a crossbody for 2. ROARING ELBOW FROM MISAWA! Kobashi tagged, and Kawada goes right to his injured knee with a dropkick. SO KOBASHI KICKS AT KAWADA’S INJURED KNEE! Back suplex isn’t enough to put Kawada away though. Reverse heel sweep from Kawada, before he tags in Taue.
He muscles Kobashi onto his shoulders but Misawa stops that…HEAD DROP GERMAN…AND TAUE ONLY JUST KICKS OUT! TIGER DRIVEEEEER…KAWADA SAVES! Kobashi to the top rope – MOOOOONSAAAAAUUUULT…TAUE KICKS OUT AGAIN! He goes up for a third moonsault AND MISSES THIS TIME! That hurt his knee again and Kawada makes it worse by BACK SUPLEXING HIM ON HIS HEAD. Kawada sends Misawa to the floor…CHOKESLAM/BACK SUPLEX COMBO…AND KOBASHI KICKS OUT! TAUE WITH ANOTHER CHOKESLAM…and Misawa saves. He takes a Yakuza kick but Kobashi floors Taue with a running neckbreaker. Misawa hammers on Kawada and they both go down from a German suplex attempt…KOBASHI WITH A POWERBOMB ON TAUE…ONLY FOR 2! Kobashi HITS A THIRD MOONSAULT! He finally gets the pin at 21:27 shown…
Rating - ****1/2 – Had we not JIP’d (I guess we missed something between 5-9 minutes) that would probably have been 5*…absolutely insane stuff. Certainly as good if not better than first match between these four (and that’s saying something), with a far more explosive conclusion. They had the fans buying everything as a finish for damn near 5 minutes at the end, and it had such an epic feel for it. What really summed it up was Kobashi needing so many moonsaults to get it done…rather than seeming like overkill, it epitomised just how much of a struggle the match was.
Mitsuharu Misawa vs Toshiaki Kawada
Here we go, and this is what many believe to be the single greatest match of all time. Misawa defends his Triple Crown against his biggest nemesis, Kawada. We’ve seen Kawada fail to get it done in a variety of tag matches…but Kobashi has won the match every time. Now he has Misawa one-on-one can he get the illusive win and the assortment of ugly looking belts that go with it?
It’s on folks, and the crowd is going apesh*t for this before they’ve even touched each other. Kawada grabs the ropes to avoid a shoulder tackle from Misawa, but then the defending champion steps out of the way as Kawada looks for a Yakuza kick. Chops from Kawada…YAKUZA KICK…REVERSE HEEL KICK! Kawada gets the first knockdown…HEAD DROP BACK SUPLEX FROM MISAWA! How about THAT for an opening exchange? Kawada works an armbar, but Misawa flips out of that and elbows him in the face. Dropkick knocks Kawada to the floor. Misawa rolls the ropes in his trademark fake, then does it back the other way to avoid Kawada again. To the apron for the diving elbow BUT HE GETS MET WITH AN ELBOW TO THE FACE FROM KAWADA! Clothesline on the floor knocks Misawa down again and Kawada takes a chill back inside the ring. Facelock from Kawada, then stomps and kicks to the neck and shoulder that Misawa injured on the floor. Half crab applied, with foot on Misawa’s head naturally. Kawada is just unloading stiffness on Misawa, and he has busted his ear open by kicking him in the head so damn hard. Sleeper hold on the mat as Taue and Kobashi (amongst others) watch on from the floor. MISAWA KICKS AT KAWADA’S KNEE! That wheel is chronically injured, and Misawa had to go to it out of desperation, because he was really struggling. It’s his turn to trap Kawada in a half crab…and Kawada breaks that with a kick to the face. Misawa continues to work the knee without mercy, keeping Kawada screaming in pain on the mat, even though he continually tries to break the holds with kicks.
‘KAWADA’ chants from the crowd, but the man himself can barely stand. He goes back to the shoulder, if only to get his knee some respite. Both go for suplexes, but neither can do it due to their respective injuries. Crescent kick from Misawa drops Kawada, but Kawada drives him back into the corner before he can hit the Tiger Driver. Dropkick from Misawa – NO SOLD…KAWADA KICKS HIM SQUARE IN THE FACE! JUMPING ENZI CONNECTS! Misawa back body drops out of a powerbomb attempt but gets dropkicked in the back of the head. KNEE DROP TO THE SHOULDER! Not the smartest move Kawada will ever bust out, but it was effective. Neck chops continue the attack to Misawa’s injured body parts.
Kawada again tries a powerbomb, but gets his knee swept from under him. Kawada blocks the crescent kick BUT GETS CAUGHT WITH AN ENZI KICK and down he goes! Kawada blocks the Tiger Driver…then the Tiger suplex…MISAWA BLOCKS THE ENZI KICK...and Kawada gets knocked down with a dropkick. TIGER DRIVEEEEEEEEEEEER ONLY GETS 2! Misawa to the top rope for the FROG SPLASH…BUT AGAIN KAWADA KICKS OUT! The fight spills to the floor again briefly, but Misawa throws Kawada back in then heads back upstairs. He goes for the diving elbow BUT GETS CAUGHT WITH AN ENZI KICK ON THE WAY DOWN! Kawada again tries to battle through the knee pain for a powerbomb but can’t. ELBOWS FROM KAWADA…YAKUZA KICK…LARIATOOOOOOO! HEAD DROP BACK SUPLEEEEEEEEEX! He pulls Misawa up AND POWERBOMBS HIM TO HELL…STILL MISAWA KICKS OUT!!!
More enzi kicks from Kawada BEFORE HE HITS A HEAD DROP GERMAN SUPLEX! Misawa is so dead after that he rolls outside and lies in a heap on the ground. Kawada brings him back inside FOR A SECOND POWERBOMB…MISAWA REFUSES TO BE COUNTED DOWN! He looks for a third powerbomb but Misawa goes to the ropes. Stretch plum from Kawada! He is cranking on that son of a b*tch, but Misawa refuses to give it up. Crowd don’t want this to end either as we approach 30 minutes, as they chant ‘MISAWA’ and try to bring him back into the match. He obliges with an elbow…and both men are down. Cyclone clothesline from Misawa, but after all the abuse, unsurprisingly he’s very slow to capitalise. GERMAN SUPLEX!!! The commentator is literally having multiple heart attacks by this point! TIGER SUPLEX…KAWADA KICKS OUT!!! Misawa wants another German but Kawada fights his way free – THEN DROPS HIM WITH A CAPO KICK! A SECOND ROLLING CAPO KICK SCORES…and again Misawa has to flee to the floor to recuperate. Finally he comes back in, and they’re knackered but decide it’s time to stiff each other again. ROARING ELBOW BLOCKED…KAWADA HEADBUTTS AND KICKS…BEFORE MISAWA FINALLY CONNECTS WITH THE ROARING ELBOW! VICIOUS elbow strikes from Misawa – ROARING ELBOW ONE MORE TIME! Kawada blocks the Tiger Driver and gets a few kicks in. Misawa blocks a capo kick attempt and knocks him down with another elbow. HEAD DROP TIGER DRIVEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEER!!!! MISAWA WINS!! 36:01 is your time…and dear God I’m exhausted…
Rating - ***** - Five stars, and if it were possible I’d give it more. Honestly, it is IMPOSSIBLE to argue that this shouldn’t be considered one of the greatest matches of all time because it is. Personally I’m still undecided as to whether I prefer this or one of Misawa’s epic clashes with Kobashi (seen on the second tape)…but that’s my opinion. Either way, this is, honest to God, one of those matches you simply HAVE to see if you’re a fan of pro-wrestling. Actually talking about the match now, it’s a multi-layered, spectacularly violent thing of beauty. Lovely psychology to start with, as Kawada attacks Misawa’s shoulder, whilst sustaining heavy damage to his ever-problematic knee. All this played wonderfully to a climax at around the 25 minute mark when Kawada busted out the powerbombs and everything else in his arsenal to put Misawa away. Somehow he survived, and beyond that, the two battered, exhausted warriors just tore into each other (and the house down), dropping each other on their heads repeatedly and often, and just stiffing the sh*t out of each other to get the win. The head drop Tiger Driver was just sheer lunacy, and the perfect way to round this bout off.
Mitsuharu Misawa/Kenta Kobashi vs Steve Williams/Johnny Ace
Good idea here, as this match gets slipped in to allow us time to recover from the sheer viewing ecstasy of the Misawa/Kawada classic. And when this match is considered one of those matches you chill out to and get your breath back following something like Misawa/Kawada, you know this tape is excellent. I cannot stand Dr. Death’s US work (particularly in the WWE) since his style, frankly, looks hideous in a sports-entertainment environment, but in Japan he is a great worker. Haven’t seen much of Ace outside the two tag matches on this tape so I can’t comment massively on him…he has just stepped into Jim Ross’ old position as WWE’s head of talent. You’d have to be a truly abysmal wrestler not to have a decent match with Misawa and Kobashi though…or so it seems.
We JIP once more, with Kobashi tagging in Misawa to go at it with Ace. Cyclone clothesline from Misawa gets 1. Misawa peppers Johnny with kicks and sends him to the floor, where Kobashi joins him and slings him into the guardrail. POWERBOMB/CROSSBODY COMBO from Misawa and Kobashi! Kobashi slams Ace, and looks to go up for the moonsault. Ace tries to stop him so gets NECK CHOPS. Again he stops Kobashi going for the moonsault, and Williams finally makes the save. Back suplex from Ace takes Kobashi down, as Williams whips Misawa into the crowd barrier. ELBOW FROM WILLIAMS INTO A HEAD DROP GERMAN FROM ACE! Ace slams Kobashi now and tries to head upstairs, but it’s Kobashi’s turn to stop that. Williams in to slam Kobashi…AND ACE HITS A MOONSAULT FOR 2! Williams in with a big lariat, then a body avalanche in the corner. Belly to belly suplex gets 2. Williams charges Misawa as he tries to interfere, then PLANTS Kobashi with a spinebuster for another 2. Williams to the top rope, but Misawa grabs his leg. Ace pulls Misawa off the apron, as Kobashi climbs to the top…SPINNING BELLY TO BELLY SUPERPLEX BY WILLIAMS! MISAWA SAVES BEFORE THE THREE! TIGER DRIVER ON DR. DEATH!
Williams manage to tag Ace, and he knocks Misawa off the apron before Kobashi can tag. FULL NELSON SLAM on Kobashi for 2. Shortarm clothesline…INTO A STUNNER! Ace goes for a gutwrench powerbomb but Kobashi lands on top of him. Tag to Misawa, but he gets YAKUZA KICKED! Springboard reverse elbow from Misawa. He catches Ace in a sleeper hold, and Williams staggers in to rescue his partner. Kobashi pulls him out, and Misawa puts Ace in the sleeper again. Misawa goes for a monkey flip on Ace, but Williams lifts him onto his shoulders – ELECTRIC CHAIR DROP! Williams barges Kobashi out of the ring then orders Ace to the top rope. DOOMSDAY DEVICE! Kobashi saves before the three count can be made. Williams rocks Kobashi with a dropkick, but Kobashi comes right back and dropkicks him in the knee. Ace is going upstairs again BUT GETS MET WITH AN ELBOW TO THE FACE from Misawa! ROARING ELBOW SCORES! Williams is still down feeling his knee on the floor, so Ace has to kick out by himself this time. Misawa looks for the Tiger Driver again…AND KOBASHI COMES IN…SO WE GET A DOUBLE TIGER DRIVER OVER THE KNEES! Williams saves at the last possible second there. Kobashi slams Ace…MOONSAULT NAILED…FOR 2! Leg drops from Kobashi, but Ace pulls him off the top rope as he goes for another moonsault. Big boot from Ace – LARIAT FROM KOBASHI! Ace ducks a spinning chop from Kobashi, then chops him in the face. Kobashi gives him a TIGER SUPLEX for 2! Running shoulder block from Williams, but Misawa stops Ace making the tag. He kicks Doc’s knee then tries to drag him to the floor. POWERBOMB FROM KOBASHI…ACE KICKS OUT AGAIN! Kobashi to the top rope, where Williams attempts to cut him off but gets stopped from Misawa. PESCADO ON MISAWA! LEG DROP OFF THE TOP ROPE FROM KOBASHI! Kobashi pins Ace at 17:34 shown, and he rounds off his appearances on this tape with a 4-0 record. He’s won, and secured the winning fall in all of the matches he appeared in…clever way to build the next star joining Misawa and Kawada at the very top level.
Rating - **** - Much more of an American style match, with less psychology (all though the fact that we appeared to have joined this match half way through may be the reason for that) and tag format, instead, these four went all guns blazing, throwing each other around and delivering much excitement. It has to be said, Johnny Ace didn’t look particularly spectacular, but as I said before the match, he’s in there with Misawa and Kobashi, he doesn’t need to be great to have a great match with those two guys. It’s unfortunate we joined this some way in, because we appear to have missed the bulk of Williams’ work in the match. Aside from saving Ace’s ass from various pin attempts, he barely featured in the 18 minutes of action we saw here.
Mitsuharu Misawa vs Akira Taue
So Kawada’s buddy Taue gets a shot at Misawa now. Can he succeed where Kawada failed, and topple the great man himself? Taue is really a special athlete. He’s big, ungainly and doesn’t look especially talented. However, looks are deceiving, as he works damn hard, sells like a trooper, and considering how big and seemingly uncoordinated he is, he really moves his ass around the ring. Interesting contest in prospect here as he steps out of Kawada’s shadow and takes the spotlight for his own.
Crowd is pumped for this, and Taue scores the first knockdown with a shoulder tackle. He goes for the snake-eyes, which Misawa blocks – but then he blocks an elbow attempt from Misawa. Taue steps aside from Misawa’s dropkick attempt off the second rope. Misawa blocks the chokeslam…Taue blocks the cyclone lariat and Misawa rolls to the floor. TAUE SOARS THROUGH THE ROPES WITH A TOPE! Crowd chant for Taue as he brings Misawa in and starts chopping him down with hard lariats. Misawa avoids a Yakuza kick and a lariat, then drops Taue for the first time with the cyclone clothesline. Sleeper from Misawa, but Taue reverses into a facelock. He’s had by far the better of these opening exchanges.
Taue drops Misawa throat-first over the top rope, and that’s not a popular move. He does it for a second time, and Misawa holds his throat in pain. Stretch plum applied as Taue continues his dominant start to the contest. Misawa floats out of a suplex, but gets dropped once more with a DDT for 2. Taue goes for a powerbomb, but Misawa hurricanrana’s him for 2. Misawa avoids another big boot and fires back with elbows and kicks. Crescent kick sends Taue to the floor – ELBOW SUICIDA! The Japanese commentator enjoyed that. Taue inside and Misawa goes to the top rope – DIVING ELBOW GETS 2! Ferocious elbow strikes from Misawa, and he looks for the Tiger Driver. Taue blocks so he takes a spinning elbow strike against the ropes, and he is DEAD!
Taue goes to the floor and takes an age to get back inside…and when he does he takes a spinning back suplex for 2. Misawa wants a Tiger suplex, but Taue hooks his foot in the ropes. Eye rake from Taue because he’s getting desperate…and the fans HATE that! HOTSHOT into the top turnbuckle leaves Misawa dazed, and he walks right into Taue’s dropkick. That takes the fight to the floor, where Taue whips Misawa into the rails. No sold by Misawa, who elbows then climbs onto the apron. Taue catches him – BACK SUPLEX OFF THE APRON TO THE FLOOR! Taue hauls Misawa onto the apron again…but Misawa elbows him in the face and escapes the chokeslam attempt. Enziguri from Misawa, then a senton. FROG SPLASH SCORES but doesn’t put Taue away. Taue ducks a roaring elbow but gets a German suplex instead. TIGER DRIVER!! TAUE KICKS OUT! Misawa goes for a second, but Taue uses the ropes to escape it. They fight over a suplex, and Misawa gets lifted onto the apron. A palm strike knocks him loopy…CHOKESLAAAAAAAAAAAM OFF THE APRON! Taue eventually manages to get Misawa back in the ring, but the time elapsed just allowed Misawa enough leeway to recover and kick out of a pin. Misawa rocks Akira with an elbow then goes back to the floor for more respite. Back inside again with a GERMAN SUPLEX FROM TAUE…FOR 2! Misawa blocks the chokeslam, but takes another DDT. SITOUT POWERBOMB…BUT MISAWA KICKS OUT! Roaring elbow knocks Taue down, and again Misawa needs a breather so heads to the floor. Misawa placed on the top rope, but he ROLLS THROUGH a chokeslam off the top. Taue blocks another Tiger Driver and goes for the chokeslam once more. Misawa doesn’t let him do that and eventually floors him with another roaring elbow. GERMAN SUPLEX ON TAUE! TIGER DRIVER ONCE MORE…BUT TAUE KICKS OUT AGAIN! Taue goes to the eyes again because once more he’s on the back foot. TIGER SUPLEX FROM MISAWA…FOR 2. TIGER SUPLEX NUMBER 2 puts Taue down at 27:10.
Rating - **** - For my money that went a little too long and exposed one too many of Taue’s weaknesses. Don’t get me wrong, it’s still a great match, but at 27 minutes long, Taue seemed to plod through this match, and visibly had very little left in the end. He’s not the most charismatic of performers at the best of times, and his lack of facial expression and physical charisma in this was irksome. In fact, I’d go so far as to say that Misawa carried him to this. Misawa bumped like a maniac on the floor, and really made Taue look like a threat at times…although the Tiger suplex finish is somewhat weak for me. I liked the cunning sly tactics both were using when they were in trouble. Taue went to the eyes when he was on the back foot, whilst Misawa continually rolled out to the floor and lied there, forcing Taue to waste time and energy bringing him into the ring again. Interesting, and unique match, but a long way off the heights of Misawa/Kawada.
Mitsuharu Misawa/Jun Akiyama vs Steve Williams/Johnny Ace
We end this compilation with half an eye on the content of tape two, because as you may notice, Misawa is now partnered by Akiyama, not Kobashi. By this point, Kobashi had grown tired of wrestling in Misawa’s shadow and had gone solo. This means it was Akiyama’s time to step up, and he partners Misawa here. Williams and Ace are once again the opponents, but I’m far more interested in seeing them this time, because if Akiyama can look impressive against these guys, you know he’ll look different class with guys like Kawada, Taue and Kobashi. Last match of the tape…here we go.
Akiyama and Williams start, and Akiyama attempts to go right to Williams’ leg, trying to roll him into a leglock, but no dice there. Williams swats an Akiyama dropkick aside and runs through him with a shoulder tackle. Misawa and Ace involve themselves, and we have a fourway staredown. Scoop slams from Williams, then a snap suplex for 2, before he tags Ace into the match. Elbow drops from the gaijin, so Misawa makes the save for his partner. Misawa to the top rope for the DIVING ELBOW STRIKE on Williams. He’s tagged in legally now and hits the cyclone clothesline on Ace for 1. Ace escapes an early Tiger Driver, and Williams enters to DROP MISAWA ON HIS HEAD WITH A TIGER SUPLEX! Ace to the top rope (we may have had a CLIIIIIIIIIIP then) but he gets caught, and Misawa tags back out. Jumping knee from Akiyama gets 2. He drops a leg then goes for an exploder suplex, but Williams stops that. Ace tags Williams in and he trades blows with Akiyama. JUDO THROW wipes Akiyama out. More strikes which Williams gets the better of, before he press slams Akiyama over the top rope and pins him for a 2 count. Ace and Williams stomp on Akiyama on the floor, before Ace LARIATS him down out there. More probably clipping, with Williams still in control of Akiyama. Akiyama tries to fight back, but Williams grabs him with a double leg takedown. Front facelock from Williams, his body between Akiyama and the tag to Misawa. Powerslam on Akiyama for another near fall. Akiyama gets a reverse heel kick from Ace, then a body avalanche from Williams. Ace hits a springboard forearm as he’s been tagged in. ROCKER DROPPER on Akiyama gets 2. Akiyama gets a back body drop on Ace, but takes a lariat from Williams. MISAWA WITH A GERMAN ON WILLIAMS!
Tag to Misawa and he beats Johnny Ace to the floor. Roaring elbow sends Williams through the ropes as well. CORKSCREW PESCADO ON ACE! But he’s right back into the ring…ELBOW SUICIDA ON WILLIAMS! Akiyama feeds him Ace for the TIGER DRIVER! Ace kicks out, so he gets a FROG SPLASH…and still he refuses to be pinned. Bridging German suplex gets Misawa 2 before Williams saves. Doc lifts Akiyama to the floor but walks right into the crescent kick. WILLIAMS WITH A GUTWRENCH POWERBOMB ON MISAWA! Ace tries to steal the glory and pin Misawa, but can’t get it done. He tags in Williams who peppers Misawa with his shortarm clotheslines. Akiyama saves before he can hit another gutwrench powerbomb, and Misawa grabs the ropes so Williams can’t dump him on his head with a back suplex. Tag to Akiyama who misses a forearm smash in the corner. He avoids a body avalanche, then drops Dr. Death with a dropkick. Belly to belly throw on Ace, but Williams blocks an exploder attempt. HEAD DROP BACK SUPLEX ON AKIYAMA! Williams tags out to Ace, who uses an elbow drop to stop Misawa tagging. Misawa eventually gets in there with both Americans at the same time, and gets double suplexed for his trouble. DOOMSDAY DEVICE ON MISAWA! Now Misawa and Akiyama are both down and out on the floor. Williams just muscles Akiyama back into the ring where Ace again goes for selfish glory and only gets 2. It’s announced 20 minutes have gone when my timer only has 18, so the clipping is minor. ACE CRUSHER ON AKIYAMA! POWERBOMB DROPS HIM AGAIN…AND MISAWA MAKES THE SAVE. WILLIAMS WITH A HEAD DROP GERMAN ON MISAWA! Akiyama counters a Williams powerbomb – COBRA CLUTCH SUPLEX FROM ACE…for 2! Misawa is back and he German suplexes Williams, then elbows Ace into a German from Akiyama. EXPLODER ON ACE…and Williams has to save his ass. Williams ducks a roaring elbow…THEN GETS DROPPED by an Akiyama throw. Ace is too beaten up to run the ropes, and almost gets pinned when Akiyama hits him with a bridging northern lights suplex. EXPLODER SCORES AGAIN…and Williams again has to bail his partner out. Misawa takes him outside AND GIVES HIM THE TIGER DRIVER ON THE FLOOR! Misawa invades the ring to give Ace a TIGER SUPLEX! Ace blocks one more exploder attempt, but gets dropkicked – EXPLODER SCORES ONCE MORE…AND STILL ONLY GETS 2! ONE MORE EXPLODER SUPLEX…AND ACE IS FINALLY DONE! Akiyama wins it at 22:54 shown.
Rating - ****1/2 – Way better than the Misawa/Kobashi tag with the two Americans…although we saw more of this match than we saw of the Kobashi one. Awesome finish, with Akiyama and Misawa just going nuts to put away their plucky opponents. Williams tenacity in both his matches on this tape have impressed me, but his partner, Johnny Ace seems a little lacking at times. Akiyama didn’t look as good as Kobashi, but grew with the match and was really hitting his stride by the end. This one could’ve gone another 5 minutes and not lost me, as I felt Misawa and Williams were pretty under-used in the match.
Tape Rating - ****1/2 – Absolutely phenomenal tape, with every match being a classic (at worst). The middle portion of this tape fires one epic after you after another, with the two awesome Misawa/Kobashi/Kawada/Taue tag matches, followed by the Misawa/Kawada match which can justifiably claim to be the best match ever. The other matches on the tape provide able support, however, ending the tape with the Taue match, and two tags featuring the somewhat inept Johnny Ace take a modicum of the shine off…but like I said…**** is the worst rating given on this tape…you need some Misawa in your life believe me folks.
Top 3 Matches
3) Mitsuharu Misawa/Kenta Kobashi vs Toshiaki Kawada/Akira Taue (****1/2)
2) Mitsuharu Misawa/Kenta Kobashi vs Toshiaki Kawada/Akira Taue (*****)
1) Mitsuharu Misawa vs Toshiaki Kawada (*****)
And in a cool rounding off to a wonderful tape reviewing experience, I accidentally leave my tape running, and where the Misawa comp has been taped over something else, we join 1980’s NWA…and it’s time for the ‘I Quit’ match between Ric Flair and Terry Funk…AWESOME! Hosting is Jim Ross and Gordon Solie. Ring announcing is Gary Michael Capetta…I’m not reviewing it, but yes, sweet match. There’s more old 1980’s WCW/NWA on here, but I’d rather sleep than watch it…