All Japan Classics 166

 

Shoehi Baba & Hiroshi Wajima vs. Rusher Kimura & Goro Tsurumi (3/27/88)

- If you speed this match up by 2x, it actually looks like they are moving at normal speed.

 

Stan Hansen vs. Genichiro Tenryu (PWF/UN Titles) (3/27/88)

- I am interested to see how they wrestle this one. Tenryu had a bandaged forehead and of course, Hansen exploits the cut early. This one is interesting because Tneryu always seems one step too slow to take advantage of any momentum he gets and Hansen controls the match as the aggressor early on. Later in the match, when Tenryu is in control, it is one of the few times where I have seen Hansen appear damaged by his opponent. It really is a sign that Tenryu has arrived when Hansen looks beat and convincingly so. The stretch run of this match is just as hot as the 1st matchup with Tenryu trying for the powerbomb and Hansen hitting the lariat but was too close to the ropes. Too bad Hansen gets disqualified by shoving the ref. Bad ending to another great match. This is definitely a nomination though.

 

Jumbo Tsuruta vs. Bruiser Brody (International Title) (3/27/88)

- I’ll be interested to see if anything has changed from 1982 to 1988. You can always tell when Brody is going long. They don’t go to the outside until at least 15 minutes after the match has started. The end was really hot with Brody getting the clean pin after the big knee and his title win but his no-selling can drive a man crazy. I have mixed feelings on this match. They did great at building the end but it was so slow until they decided to do the big stuff leading to the end. On the fence leaning toward no.

Giant Baba & Hiroshi Wajima vs. Rusher Kimura & Goro Tsurumi (3/27/88)

 

This was what you would expect and Budokan loves Baba vs. Rusher.

 

NWA United National Heavyweight Title/PWF Heavyweight Title: Genichiro Tenryu © vs. Stan "The Lariat" Hansen (3/27/88)

 

Tenryu has the Double Crown right now and this is the rematch from 3 weeks earlier and good to see Lord James Blears back doing the reading before the match. This starts like the last one but this time there is a new wrinkle as Tenryu has a wound on his forehead from previous action and Hansen goes to work on that forcing the juice. Tenryu would get more offense early in the match as well as he would work over Hansen's right arm and his ribs with some vicious kicks with Hansen taking quite the beating. Hansen would come back though with a piledriver before Tenryu would paintbrush him with a slap followed up by a hard lariat to the face taking him down. Tenryu followed that up with an enzuigiri and a powerbomb for a nearfall with the Budokan going crazy but Hansen would again bullrush Tenryu into the corner before nailing him with a lariat with Tenryu getting his foot on the ropes to save himself. Hansen then destroyed him with another one but this time he pulled Tenryu up so he could punish him some more. Joe Higuchi would try to stop Hansen but he would get pushed down on numerous occasions then pounded on Ashura Hara as he tried to help out. This was another awesome match between these two and a definite nomination.

 

NWA International Heavyweight Title: Jumbo Tsuruta © vs. Bruiser Brody (3/27/88)

 

This starts slow with both men working holds until Jumbo hits a high knee then sending Brody to the floor where he would post him. Jumbo would then hit three big enzuigiris on Brody as he returned to the ring for a nearfall. Brody would send Jumbo to the floor though where he would slam him into the ringpost then went for a piledriver on the floor but Jumbo would counter with a backdrop. Jumbo would then hit another high knee while Brody was on the apron sending him back to the floor where he would hit his piledriver. Jumbo would hit more big moves on Brody until Brody hit a desperation cross body block for a nearfall but ended up eating yet another Jumbo piledriver in response. Jumbo then climbed up top to hit a big high knee followed by a sweet backdrop driver with Brody getting his foot on the rope to save himself. Jumbo then went for his Thesz Press but ended up eating a Hot Shot and Brody followed with the King Kong Kneedrop to get the big win on Jumbo. Budokan erupted as Brody was back on top in All-Japan with fans throwing confetti!!! in the ring chanting his name. Lord Blears would give Brody the belt as Jumbo was helped to the back and Brody was hugging everyone showing tons of emotion then he goes into the fans and hugs on them!!!!!!!! which was awesome since he terrorized them forever. The story of the match overshadowed the actual work in the match as you had Brody returning home just 5 months earlier and now getting back on top by defeating the #1 man in the company who threw out everything he could to beat Brody but Brody's will kept him alive giving him the chance to get the victory. I think personally this is an easy nomination.