The early going of this is strange as they go back and fourth working basic holds. On the surface that's not bad and it does result in a good escape from Saito, but Hennig working a bearhug on Saito was a stretch. They do a good sleeper spot and Hennig hits a crossbody for a nearfall off the break. Hennig ends up eating a good side Saito suplex and bitches when this doesn't get a three leading to another good nearfall on a roll up. Hennig takes a huge bump off of a kick to the face on a corner charge. Saito's follow up offense is strong and well executed. Both Saito and Hennig can really sell a simple punch or thrust well and that makes the transition spots really cool. Hennig with a fucking crazy twisting bump off of a double shoulderblock spot. Saito ends up going back to the sleeper which I thought was a sound touch of psych as he had nearly won the mach with it earlier. They end up going to a silly ref bump finish from here but the body of this was pretty strong. I didn't think this was a home run, but this was good enough to have others take a look at.

Curt Hennig vs. Mr. Saito (12/27/84)

 

Slow start to this as they work some holds but it picks up after Saito gets pissed about Hennig using a bearhug on him and starts beating his ass before putting a sleeper on him. Curt does a good job of selling this and runs Saito into the turnbuckle to break free then hits a cross body block for a nearfall then keeps up the pressure until he eats a Saito Suplex for a nearfall as Hennig gets his foot on the rope. Saito whines to the ref and allows Hennig to get an O'Connor Roll for a nearfall before he goes to a boston crab. Hennig would throw Saito into the corner but would meet feet to the face giving Saito the advantage and he would work over Curt really good which is made better by Hennig's great selling of the pain. Curt gets some hope spots including a nearfall off a sunset flip over the apron back into the ring until he eats a shoulder by Saito that he does a twisting bump for which looked good. Saito goes for the sleeper but Hennig fights back until he misses a dropkick but Saito would go up top allowing Hennig to come back and throw him off the top. Saito would drop down as Hennig ran the ropes and he would hit the referee knocking him down. Both men then knocked down the referee and Saito threw salt in Curt's eyes before locking on the sasorigatame which by this time the referee called for the bell and DQed both men. This was good but low-end at best.