Posted March 13, 200817 yr comment_5429446 All Japan Classics 147 Masa Fuchi vs. Pete Roberts (NWA Int'l Jr Title, 5/5/87) - This is a match of different control segments. First, they work the knucklelock sequence that I mark out for. Next, Roberts controlled Fuchi in a head scissors and this was great while it lasted. Fuchi escapes and starts working on Pete's arm to counter. I am loving the hell out of this match so far. These guys are holding a clinic on how to keep the matgame interesting. Roberts reverses the armbars into a hammerlock and they work out of that positiion for awhile before the momentum picks up. They do a great stretch run where they counter each other and try to put each other away. Fuchi wins the match after an enziguiri (where Roberts does a clown flip bump) and a German suplex pin. I was expecting a decent match that I didn't mind watching before I got to the dreaded Wajima matches. I ended up with a nomination. Ric Flair vs. Hiroshi Wajima (NWA Title, 3/12/87) - Man, Flair was working hard in this one. Seriously, I am really starting to hate watching Wajima. Before he just annoyed me. NOw I want to pass the fast forward button and I still have the Hansen match to go. Anyway, I would consider this a really good Flair carry-job and Wajima was the Japanese brromstick. Lets see if Hansen can get Wajima a nomination. 3. Stan Hansen vs. Hiroshi Wajima (PWF Title, 4/23/87) - Wajima's strategy is to work on Hansen's lariat arm but he doesn't do anything particulalry interesting with the arm. Hansen mixes it up occasionally even brawling through the crowd in the middle of the match to keep the crowd into it. I think these matches would be so much better if Wajima didn't move in slow motion. He swung Hansen in for an Irish whip and it took forever for him to hit his back elbow. Hansen whipped him into the rail and it took a minute ofr him to run into it. The match ended in a countout when Hansen gave Wajima a back suplex outside and they both fell over the guardrail. I know they were trying in this match but the execution left something to be desired.
September 9, 201015 yr comment_5455478 NWA International Jr. Heavyweight Title: Masa Fuchi © vs. Pete Roberts (4/5/87) This was just a terrific wrestling match with both men ruling it on the mat. This was so different than almost all the matches I've seen so far from AJ and this is a definite nomination. NWA World Heavyweight Title: "Nature Boy" Ric Flair © vs. Hiroshi Wajima (3/12/87) Wajima is easy top 10 on the shittiest Flair opponents list. I will say this about Wajima, the Budokan loves him here so he had that going for him. God damn Flair is so awesome, him selling the greco-roman knucklelock like death was tremendous then you have Wajima getting in a sumo stance and Flair hitting the floor as fast as he could. Flair put on a helluva show here making Wajima seem like a competent opponent and I think we need to put this as an extra as a tribute to the greatness of Flair. PWF Heavyweight Title: Stan "The Lariat" Hansen © vs. Hiroshi Wajima (4/23/87) This just didn't work as Wajima is so shitty I can't buy him even hanging with guys like Hansen.
