Jumbo Tsuruta & Yoshiaki Yatsu vs. Stan Hanson & Genichiro Tenyru (PWF/Int. Tag Ttitles) (10/20/89)

- Hansen had a bandage covering his back. Does anyone know why? Maybe I should watch these things in chronological order or something. I don’t remember ever actually paying attention to Yatsu. This was coasting along just fine until Jumbo and Tenryu go toe to toe and then things heat up with both guys laying in stiff shots. I must admit, I like Hansen much better with a smaller partner who can get beat up while he comes in to make the save. Watching him and Brody have no-sell contests just isn’t my thing. The middle of the match had Jumbo and Yatsu attack the back after Hansen missed a lariat, tumbled outside and rammed his back into the railing. Honestly, I don’t think I can remember Hansen taking this much abuse and actually sell it. After the tag, the next 15 minutes are spent going back and forth with both teams getting the upper hand and then squandering their opportunities. Really hot ending but the camera misses Hansen’s lariat that puts Yatsu out. Well, that bad camera work sucked but the match didn’t. Nomination.

 

(AJC 194)

That was one of the strangest bandages I've ever seen; it covered Hansen's entire back. He looked like a burn victim, but then it came off and I saw no evidence of injury. This was an unusual match in that Jumbo and Hansen endured the two long sections of punishment. I enjoyed Tenryu acting as the badass regulator (he hit a vicious lefty lariat when Hansen whipped him into Jumbo), and I actually thought Yatsu did a nice job as the energetic second banana trying to keep his team in the match. I was surprised how little offense Jumbo threw, though he did have a few stiff exchanges with Tenryu. Bummer that the camera man missed the last lariat, but I agree with a mid-level nomination. Hard to go too wrong if you have this group working hard for 20 minutes.

AJPW World Tag Titles: Jumbo Tsuruta & Yoshiaki Yatsu vs. Stan "The Lariat" Hansen & Genichiro Tenryu (10/20/89)

 

Hansen's whole back is taped so that should be focused on here at some time. This had good back and forth action start with everyone laying in the shots especially Jumbo & Tenryu when they are against each other. Jumbo would catch Hansen with a diving axehandle to the back on the floor and that started the backwork as they ripped off the bandage. Jumbo & Yatsu were ruthless working over Hansen who was selling really good and getting the crowd ready for when Tenryu would get the tag with Tenryu being great at attacking Jumbo before he tagged in. This would then turn into a battle with both teams getting nearfalls and not able to take their opponents out with Akira Fukuzawa going crazy along with the crowd. Yatsu would end up eating a big lariat that the camera missed for the finish but that doesn't detract from this match as it was pretty damn great. Definite nomination.