Takano apparently looked too happy to be alive during the intros, because Tenryu and Hara immediately commenced to taking some years off his clock with brutal lariats, chops and spine kicks. Great burst of offense from Misawa off the hot tag. I loved the spot where he faked the dive, let Takano whip Hara into the guardrail and then ran down the apron to hit a tope con hilo. Misawa's growing stature was apparent from the way Tenryu and Hara sold for him. I also liked that Takano got in some receipt shots on Tenryu and Hara before they inevitably put him away. This was similar in structure to a lot of the Tenryu/Hara matches vs. lower ranked teams, but it was a standout version. Low end nomination.

 

1988 All Japan TV Disc 18

Early on, it was a contest who could deliver the nastiest lariat. However, after the nasty beginning, they went more straight ahead tag wrestling and my mind began to wonder. Good match but at this stage, you have to make a hell of an argument to put it on the set over other matches.

Revolution (Ashura hara & Genichiro Tenryu) vs. Shunji Takano & Tiger Mask II (8/20/88)

 

Damn I wish I knew what Hara was saying to Takano before the match but I'm sure it was hate filled because Hara didn't fuck around. Revolution then proceeded to beat the holy fuck out of Takano and this match is already awesome. This went on quite a while until Takano finally answered back with some slaps then tagged in TM who was great in these matches against Revolution as he brought the hard hitting offense along with his high flying style. Takano would then come back and got his revenge from his earlier beating as well and this was good stuff. TM would eventually get his ass kicked as well with Hara nearly taking his head off with a lariat. The stretch run for this was very fun with everyone working at fast pace and Takano finally getting put out of his misery. I'm with Childs on this one as this was really fun stuff and my type of Revolution match where they kick fucking ass. This moves forward easily.