This match was too rich with incident for me to attempt a play-by-play. But they continued with the theme of neither team being able to gain the advantage for more than a few moves. I loved how hard they fought over simple holds and how every strike had extra mustard on it. Tenryu delivered brutal strike exchanges with both Yatsu and Choshu. In another neat moment, Jumbo grabbed Tenryu from the apron so he wouldn't bounce off the ropes into a lariat and then stormed into the ring and dropped Choshu with a big boot. After a lot of hard grappling in the first 15 minutes, the last 15 was all heavy blows, big moves and nearfalls. Like a lot of draws, this reached a climax and then went on for a few minutes. The crowd sensed it, losing a little steam. But I liked the actual last spot, with Choshu trying a powerbomb on Tenryu as if to say, "Fuck it, I've exhausted my own repertoire." Anyway, I can't imagine this failing to make the set.

 

1986 All Japan TV Disc 25

Real World Tag League: Riki Choshu & Yoshiaki Yatsu vs. Genichiro Tenryu & Jumbo Tsuruta (12/6/86)

 

This was simply fantastic and this match that at its peak was as high end as it gets regarding tag matches with everyone just leaving all they had in the ring. How can you go wrong with 30:00 of action with these four at this time, you can't. These guys just pounded each other with all their might and this is a slam dunk nomination.

Riki Choshu/Yoshiaki Yatsu vs. Jumbo Tsuruta/Genichiro Tenryu, 12/6/86 (TV 25)

- Sounding like a broken record but really digging the early ground work and double teaming from both teams. I also notice that the matches usually pick up right after Choshu’s initial Scorpion Sharpshooter attempt. I don’t know how it will play out on the set but some spots like Yatsu’s elbow drop during Choshu’s Scorpion and the Lariat breakup of the Scorpion may wear thin when these matches are put all in a row. Nice little spot I appreciated here… Jumbo throws Yatsu outside where Tenryu would usually take him apart. .However, Yatsu immediately slides back in the ring to reset the match. I can appreciate choshu punching Tenryu in the face. Things get real hot after Tenryu and Yatsu brawl outside. I was hoping for more blood but oh well. It will be hurt however by no clear story in the match or defining moment. I also felt the end was awkward with partners on different pages and opponents not cooperating. I guess I like the idea that Tenryu bled but they didn’t really destroy the cut. I don’t know if it was the length but the match just felt epic but it didn’t feel memorable.