Posted May 29, 200817 yr comment_5431787 1. Tiger Mask vs Kuniaki Kobayashi (6/1) I know some people consider Kobayashi a better opponent for Sayama than Dynamite, and this match illustrates some of the reasons. Kobayashi used matwork and strikes to ground the super-athletic TM. TM teased several rallies with his spinkicks, getting the crowd pumped each time. Things got chippy about 15 minutes in as they slugged it out mid-ring. Match was more even after that with both guys landing big moves outside the ring to foreshadow the finish. Crowd was really hot by the end. TM hit a nasty release German on the floor, and Kobayashi couldn't beat the count. This was a smartly worked match, with Kobayashi using a sensible strategy against the high flyer and conveying some real viciousness. Definite nomination.
August 7, 200817 yr comment_5433748 I remember liking this series when I first watched it (I think this match may be on Schneider comp #1), but figured this wouldn’t age well. Well I was wrong, you get the sense Kobayashi might be Tiger Masks best NJ opponent, as he seems to be good at slowing the pace down instead of trying to work as fast as Sayama, so when the match gets big, it feels big. Good build, super hot end run and great finish. Here is a Tiger mask match I can whole heartedly endorse. (Also on NJ Classics 137)
August 12, 200916 yr comment_5442731 I loved the teases early on that Childs mentions including where Kobayashi ends up outside and gets the hell out of dodge before TM can even think of flying out on top of him. Add the fact that they eventually hit hot moves on the outside only for the finish to be decided by a countout and this goes on the set. ONe of the few times a countout finish adds to a match and doesn't detract.
