I like the idea of closing the set with a big-time slugfest between one of the most important guys of the '80s and the guy who would rule the '90s. This basically had all the pieces you'd want in a match between these two. Hash kicked the hell out of Choshu and showed tremendous fire in refusing to go down from his lariats. Choshu hit all of his big stuff but then showed he could dig deeper when that wasn't enough to put away the upstart. Their '90s matches built on this and upped the intensity even more, but this was an excellent match-up of Young Lion vs. The Man. Definite nomination.

 

NJ Classics 373

Man was Hashimoto's selling of the lariats awesome, it may have even been better then Fujiwara's. Choshu is so good at these epic main events, and Hashimoto was really his heir to this kind of thing. Great stuff and a perfect way to end a set.

The first two lock-ups tell you eerything you need to know about this match. Hash headbutts Choshu to let him know he will not be intimidated and then Choshu slapped Hash a couple of minutes later to let him know he will not be disrespected. heavy shit. The shots these guys laid on each other were pretty brutal and this felt like a big time main event. I love how Hash keeps working the arm, hoping it will soften the blow of a Choshu lariat. There are some awkward moments... you can tell the triangle choke isn't over as a submission yet since the crowd went silent. the end was as loud as I have ever heard any crowd. This will finish somewhere in the middle of my ballot but it belongs on the set. Another nomination.