They worked this in three-minute rounds. Slick back-and-forth work early with neither guy able to gain the upper hand for long. They made good use of the format when Black Tiger used his towel from the first round break to choke Liger and take control. Liger was also saved by the bell after a big superplex from Black Tiger in round four. At times, they ignored the structure and worked a regular juniors match but that was OK too as both guys were on their game with the more intricate offense. This was one of my favorite Black Tiger matches from the decade and an easy nomination.

 

NJ Classics 348

European Rules for the IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Title: Jushin Thunder Liger © vs. Black Tiger (Mark Rocco) (7/12/89)

 

These two had some really fun matches in England so this has potential. Liger’s mask now has horns and it looks less like a fencing mask now. It’s fun watching Liger face former Tiger Mask enemies Kobayashi & BT and working them using actual ring psychology and not spotfu like TM. I loved BT bringing out his towel at the end of round 1 using it to choke Liger too bad he didn’t hide it better. BT would accidentally punch the ringpost with Liger smashing it again that BT sold greatly for like a minute before shaking it off and going back to work on Liger. Liger would hit a tombstone piledriver followed up with a nice swanton bomb on BT for a nearfall. Round 2 would end as both men brawled on the floor that Liger was winning so BT was saved by the bell. BT upped his cheating here to start Round 3 as he brought out his water bucket and smashed it over Liger’s head twice. BT then removed the ringpost but that would backfire as Liger threw him into it back first with BT doing a front flip. BT would fight back though and would end Round 3 on the offensive meaning he didn’t have to cheat to start Round 4. BT was on the offensive this round hitting his own avalanche-style brainbuster for a nearfall to end the round. Liger was still down to start Round 5 so again BT starts on the offensive even breaking out the Ivan Koloff knee to the back of the head off the top rope. This woke Liger up though who traded big spots with BT including BT hitting an electric chair drop from the middle rope for a nearfall then his version of the tombstone piledriver followed up by a somersault senton for a nearfall. Liger said fuck it at this time and nuked BT with the Liger Bomb to win the match. Sorta anti-climatic finish there and after the initial crowd pop for the nearfall there was almost complete silence. This was a damn fun match thanks to BT heeling it up and I think this should go on the block.

Kris covered it pretty well, great match. I loved Black Tiger spilling water and then slipping. The Liger bomb for the finish was awesome. This should make the set.

What disc did you watch this on?

Sky-A 129

1st round- Both guys come out aggressive but after bing abused for a few seconds, BT controls most of the round even giving us a Pedigree. I love how the high-flying Liger feels he has to slow it down by tying BT up on the mat and after getting popped by a couple of punches, pounds on Tiger until the round is over. So faar, so good but nothing spectacular.

 

2nd round- BT showing some evil by choking Liger out witth his ring towel and trying to keep it hidden form the ref early on. Brawling outside was strong with BT missing a punch and hitting the ringpost. didn't affect him for long since he goes back to punching Liger inside showing little damage. However, his abuse of Liger in the ring was pretty fucking good. Liger end sthe round brawling with BT outside again and I can't tell if BT missed Liger when flying or if they acted as if BT dodged it. It doesn't matter since neither guy bothered to sell the big move either way.

 

3rd round- BT is awesome using another prop (water bucket) to smash over Liger's head. Great sequence where BT avoids the turnbuckle by sliing under it but Liger crotches him on the ringpost and as BT recovers, he starts untying the turnbuckle pads. This leads to both guys using the corner to theirr advantage. Sweet. They end the round going back and forth by attacking and countering each other. This was probably the best round so far with the first two rounds having glimpses of cool shit but displaying the worst in Junior tendencies.

 

4th round- BT uses the rope from the turnbuckle pad as his prop of choice for Round 4 and his heel tendencies have been pretty awesome so far. BT controls nearly the entire round by slowing it down and nearly winning the match with a superplex before Liger is saved by the bell after the kickout. The slowest round of them all but also didn't include anything stupid like the first two rounds.

 

5th round - No props by BT this time around but Liger is selling the effects of the last round. Liger makes a quick comeback before BT lifts his knees after a Liger dive. They continue the round going back and forth until Liger hits the Liger bomb for the pin.

 

--- I am going to disagree with the panel but I thought this match was really uneven. You had some absolute awesome things going on with BT using the props and the turnbuckle sequence. Then you had the worst in juniors wrestling with the no-selling of big moves, awkward/blown spots, forgetting events from earlier rounds (why bother working on BT's hand when he didn't sell punching the ringpost?), four freaking Tombstone set-ups. I don't think this is anywhere near a slam dunk but I think it will be a big hit with some wrestling fans. However, it reminded me of a match I nominated earlier where it has both the best and worst of juniors wrestling. I expect that kind of shit from Black Tiger but not from Liger who has been an ace at telling stories in the ring. I vote no.