This one didn't quite have the intensity of the NJ/UWF matches from the previous week, but it was still excellent. Murdoch worked Inoki's arm most of the way and mixed up his attacks enough to keep it interesting. Inoki sold the damage well. I kind of liked that Inoki played the puncher/quick strike guy to Murdoch's grinding tactician. When Murdoch couldn't put Inoki away by normal means, he tried for repeated countouts (and drew juice in the process) to build tension for the finish. The only slip-up came when Inoki appeared to pin Murdoch with his second-to-last move. The crowd believed the match was over and thus, failed to react fully to the actual finish. Not a big gripe but with so much comeptition, I think the finish will knock the match down many ballots. Definite nomination as the biggest singles match these guys had in the decade.

 

Match appears on NJ TV 6/19/86 and on NJ Classics 236

This was tremendous, I loved Murdoch constantly going for countout wins, and all the little goofy bumping things he brings to the table. I could see the kind of blown finish keeping this out of my top 20, but no doubt this belongs on a set and fans of Murdoch will dig the fuck out of it.

Yep, Murdoch working the arm/shoulder is a thing of beauty. Fuck Ole Anderson. Murdoch is the king of working a part and ripping an arm out of socket. If I ever got antsy, Murdoch would pull something out of his bag of tricks to keep it moving so I never got bored. After Inoki's first enziguiri, the match shifts into overdrive with big moves and nasty counters. Completely fucking awesome. Murdoch's 2nd round of arm work was even nastier than the intro work. The hot run after Inoki blades seals the deal. Even with the flubby finish, this might hit my Top 20. Just an epic match.