Posted June 11, 200817 yr comment_5432175 New Japan Classics 101 Tiger Mask vs. Dynamite Kid (4/23/81) - You don't have to like DK and Sayama but there is no doubt that there is a clear distinction between what they were doing and what was going on before them at the Jr. level. The speed and precision in which they were executing their moves is even more pronounced after watching 40+ hours of 70s All Japan and early NJ. Even with the pretty sequences, there is still enough nastiness to make this interesting. DK is natural at being an asshole and plays the role with stiff shots, tearing at the mask and ramming TM into the rail outside. I don't like the fact that 1981 NJ is full of contact-light dropkicks that send a guy flying over the top rope. Give it a rest already. The match was less than ten minutes but they packed enough in to make this a nomination. Antonio Inoki vs. Stan Hansen (NWF Title) (4/23/81) - Early on, some really nice looking sequences between the two as they grapple for control. In one sequence, Hansen turns a test of strength into an armbar, gets clubbed by Inoki and responds with a leg sweep that Inoki then counters with a head scissor takedown to regain control. Nothing real fancy but it just seemed like both guys were playing it smart. After getting abused (inlcuding a piledriver), Inoki hiptosses Hansen and holds on to apply an armbar. It is clear Inoki needs to keep Hansen grounded because he keeps getting abused whenever they are standing. The end was a little sloppy. Inoki missed an enziguiri so he had to try it again. Thankfully, Hansen didn't sell it. Inoki does pick up the clean pin after he knocks Hansen down with a knee form the top rope, followed by a knee drop to put him away. Again, I didn't like this much as the previous matchup but enough for a nomination.
