Talk about it here.

Another interesting glance at Kobashi and Ace as a team. They are the aggressors for most of this with Taue as FIP, which mildly surprised me. Ace also takes the fight to Jumbo just to make this even more strange. I don't know if it's a case of Kobashi just not taking nights off or Jumbo being in an unusually giving mood, but this is really, really one-sided. It starts to get more competitive toward the end, but Jumbo and Taue working even with Johnny Ace, even if Jumbo does pin Ace, is an odd sight. Fun match.

Fun stuff. Ace looked as good as I've ever seen him, apart from having a noticeably shitty Ace Crusher...which is a bit of a problem, but maybe it was just a fluke. Tsuruta and Taue's comeback was maybe a bit rushed, but structurally this match was fine. Just, as mentioned, a bit odd. It could be selection bias but at this point Kobashi honestly seems to be coming across as more of the #2 man on Misawa's team than Kawada.

This was odd to see this as a lot more of 50/50 encounter until Jumbo's big run at the end. This was really good action but this was kind of odd from a position standpoint.

Man, Kobashi was kind of a badass here. That lariat to knock Jumbo off the apron was something else. I actually think Jumbo was really good in general against guys who had no chance to beat him. He had a way of being generous while putting the match away decisively enough to uphold the hierarchy. It's one of his stronger points.

Ace Crusher did look weak. Match seemed to take a pause when he hit it as him and Kobashi were doing well up to that. Then Jumbo quickly takes things over and while Ace fights off briefly, Jumbo gets the win.

This almost seemed like a coming out party for Ace and Kobashi as a team; they took the fight to Jumbo and Taue, particularly Taue, and did everything but secure the win. It's a shame that Ace, being a gaijin, didn't fit in the Misawa/Jumbo saga, as he could have been an important supporting member of Misawa's group based on this performance.

 

One question: Some posters refer to the Ace Crusher. Would that be Johnny's name for the Doomsday Device, or is it another move altogether?

It's the stone cold stunner variation he uses, Garretta.

 

(Hey, look at me - Actually bring something useful to an All-Japan chat!)

I was going to say it feels like Kobashi hasn't quite been elevated to the level of the other 3 yet, but then he comes off as a pretty big deal here, so nevermind I guess. I'm wondering when he kind of joins the other guys permanently. I was expecting kind of a squash here by Jumbo and Taue, but that's not what happened. Pretty good match, obviously not on the level of the previous big tag, and not as good as the Fantastics match either, but another cool one to add to the Ace/Kobashi run. Also, Ace looked good again here!

I had no idea Ace was this good in 1990. Jumbo is probably the best ace ever in terms of giving guys lower on the totem pole chances to shine.

Jumbo Tsuruta & Akira Taue vs Kenta Kobashi & Johnny Ace - AJPW 10/7/91

 

I should watch a Johnny Ace shoot and read an interview he did because I would be interested to know what the Four Corners like as people outside the ring. He is by far the most mediocre talent All Japan had but he still could hold his own with the best wrestlers of all time, which is saying something. The Ace Crusher looked more like a shitty Stunner than a Diamond Cutter in this match, but overall I thought Ace was pretty good in this match.

 

Loved the beginning with Kobashi trying to dive on Jumbo but eats a knee as we JIP. Jumbo sells the knee, but then gives him repeated kneelifts. All of sudden, Taue loses control and Johnny Ace of all people is world beater. He is killing Taue with dropkicks. Taue plays face in peril so weird. He kinda just ragdolls. Kobashi just takes him up and powerbombs him at one point and then moonsault. Not a lot of hope spots or selling. I felt like Jumbo & Taue were phoning it in more than being giving. The one heated section was Jumbo finally starts to interfere after like 5-7 minutes and Kobashi blasts him off the apron with a Lariat. Jumbo gets the hot tag and Johnny Fucking Ace of all people overwhelms him with slaps. WHAAAAAAAT??? Ace Crusher and they do a finish run on Jumbo. Before Jumbo gets a Thesz Press and goes home pretty quickly pinning him with a back drop driver.

 

Unexpected layout. Felt more like an offensive exhibition for Kobashi & Ace and Jumbo just showed up at the end to win the match. Taue had this one in cruise control also. Kobashi & Ace looked pro here.