This was really good. Clearly, it was all hands on deck after the split. That meant reverting Fuchi into a main event player instead of a comedy worker and turning Kea into a Triple Crown challenger. Kea had a few things going for him, namely his athleticism and his striking, and he could also sell. Tenryu put on a master class in terms of taking a mid-level guy and treating him as a credible challenger. Again, this was noticeably stiff which seems to be a trend with post-split All Japan. Some people might argue that Kea should have rocked Tenryu a bit and threatened to almost take the titles, but I don't know if he had really earned that yet. This match was about showing that Kea belonged at the table not propelling him into the hottest thing in the company. And it was a damn good fight to boot. 

All Japan Triple Crown Champion Genichiro Tenryu vs Taiyo Kea - AJPW 3/3/01

Tenryu’s first title defense since winning the vacant Triple Crown October post-split. Until Mutoh & Kojima show up full-time, Tenryu & Kawada needed Kea to step up. Kea is still pushed after this but becomes a clear second priority to Mutoh and Kojima. This drew 4500 with a Kawada singlets match against Nagai on the undercard not bad. The numbers they drew in 2001-2003 are pretty crazy given the split. 
 

First thing to note is I didn’t have a complete version of this I think I lost 3 ish minutes to GAORA TV commercials from 2001 that popped me. I will just come out and say it and I prefer their 2002 Budokan match more than this but this was still very good. What was more interesting than the match was Kea’s offensive strategy. He was wrestling just like 21st Century Mutoh. Dropkicks to the knee, Dragon Leg Screws and a Figure-4.  No Shining Wizard. I always earmarked 21st Century Mutoh Reinvention starting with Kawada Carnival match in April. This indicates to me it started earlier. When did Mutoh reinvent his style and introduce the Shining Wizard?

Kea’s shine is ho-hum he establishes he can kick and work a headlock. Tenryu has enough of this and starts the match rocking with his usual shit: Stiff chops, catching Kea with a Powerbomb, lariat and general dickishness. Tenryu misses a Kappou Kick in the corner. Kea dropkicks the knee. TENRYU LIGHTS HIS ASS UP WITH A POTATO! Kea is able to dropkick the knee again now repeatedly. Dragon Leg Screw! Mutoh time baby! Love the struggle over the Dragon Leg Screw it make mean so much more. Figure-4! Tenryu makes the ropes and we get a commercial break. We miss how Tenryu gets back off offense. A pretty damn good fire fight breaks out. TENRYU IS PELTING HIM WITH POTATOES! Northern Lights Bomb is not enough because Kea has fighting spirit.  Kea does the Kawada collapse on an Irish Whip. Couple Slugging Lariats get the job done for the champ.

Was Tenryu ever in trouble? No. The point was too show that Kea was a game opponent with heart. They would use this strategy plan to yield even better results with Kojima next year. *** 1/2