Excellent TV debut for the man who would be Liger. They exchanged holds early, with Yamada working the leg and Kosugi the arm. Nice, tight matwork and when it threatened to drag on too long, Yamada popped the crowd with a few high spots. He really had them in the palm of his hand when he kicked out of several big moves and fought to counter a tight headcissors. I thought he might pull the upset when he reached the ropes and popped up to hit a tombstone on Kosugi, but Kosugi survived and eventually caught Yamada in a roll-up. Yamada made a great underdog at this point because he was tiny (damn, he roided up later) but already had great moves and a sense of how to infuse drama. I'd have nominated this anyway, but I think it really belongs on the set given that it's an early peak at an all-time great.

 

Match appears on NJ TV 4/26/85 and NJ Classics 189

Shunji Kosugi vs. Keichi Yamada, 4/18/85

- A lot less laying around than the other JIP match. Yamada feels things out early and then goes to town on the arm. Kosugi also seemed much more active trying to reverse moves and escape holds (including the dead lift into the corner). Switching the focus from the arm to the leg was awkward and the only reason I could come up with was because the arm wasn't working. However, it works for Kosugi because he takes advantage. This is some of the better mat wrestling from juniors I have seen. Even after Yamada's big dive out, he keeps limping along and Kosugi is still favoring the arm. BIg stretch run with Kosugi nailing bombs to put Yamada away and Yamada shocking him each time. This is an easy nomination for me.

Kosugi was pretty awesome here what ever happened to him, I loved all of his nasty throws and that full bridge with just his neck was spectacular. That had to be one of the better double clotheslines I have seen. Really good match which should make a set.