Ricky Santana vs. Kensuke Sasaki (February 1989)

Sasaki! Weird! Obviously Japanese guys worked PR. We’ve seen a number of them. But Sasaki is a weird one for some reason. Fun basic opening portion with Santana controlling with rope running armdraggy stuff. Thhey work it up and down and its good stuff if again super basic stuff. Back from commercial with Sasaki in charge. Sasaki slows down Santana with a nerve hold and sleeper. Well, don’t worry Sasaki fans. Its February 1989 but he hits maybe the hardest chops I’ve ever seen in my life. They are ridiculous. Santana’s comeback is more fun basic offense. Salt in the eyes gets Sasaki DQd. This was fun. Interesting look at Sasaki at this time period.

I thought Santana's work on the arm was good. He showed good fire when it was needed and sold well when it was called for. Sasaki is good here, but he doesn't fit the mold that Japanese guys are supposed to fit in the 80s outside of Japan. That is to say, he isn't a "martial arts master". Fun young guys match that gives you an idea of how they built up midcarders.