Posted June 11, 200817 yr comment_5432177 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. (NJC 101)
May 28, 200916 yr comment_5439987 Decision Match for the vacant NWF Heavyweight Title: Stan “The Lariat” Hansen vs. Antonio Inoki (4/23/81) Okay it doesn’t get much better than the fucking live rock version of INOKI BOMBAYE and this was a million billion stars then we get the live version of Hansen’s them and this is more awesomeness. The title was vacated after a no contest between the two 6 days earlier so this match determined who would be champion. I think they should bring back using the national anthem before the main events in wrestling as it adds even more to the spectacle. This had a methodical start with both men jockeying for control before Hansen started working over Inoki with his roughneck style including a piledriver that would send Inoki to the floor. Inoki comes back in the ring and says fuck this so he hiptosses Hansen before locking on the jujigatame which popped the crowd. Hansen would break free and hit a dropkick for a nearfall so Inoki again pissed off decides to start kicking at Hansen’s left leg and wants to keep him grounded. Inoki would soon lock on the cobra twist which would pop the crowd again but Hansen again would break free. Hansen would soon hit the Lariat for a nearfall that would get the crowd buzzing for Inoki who would fight back with a couple of enzuigiris with one whiffing and the other one hitting clean. Inoki would then finish off Hansen with a knee off the top rope on a standing Hansen then another kneedrop to finish off Hansen. Both men shook hands after the match and Inoki celebrated to a huge pop. This was a fun match although not a great one but this deserves to move forward.
June 20, 200916 yr comment_5440937 Yeah, this would have to go on for the live version of Inoki's entrace music, even if the match sucked. Fortunately, they delivered a typically excellent outing. Lots of simple, but nifty brawler vs. wrestler exchanges, some of which Will described. Hansen sold so well for Inoki without ever dropping that badass vibe that he could slip in something nasty at any moment. I thought the ending was great, with Inoki kicking out after the lariat and using the knees from the top to fell the big cowboy. I like this pairing enough that I could see putting four or five matches between them on the set. Easy yes.
August 28, 200916 yr comment_5443420 This isn't a high end match between the two, but it was damn fun, with the cool matwork start the big lariat near fall and the double knees finish. Add that to the spectacle of the band rocking out the entrance music and the pillows being thrown in the ring this should make a set.
