Posted June 29, 200916 yr comment_5441308 Antonio Inoki & Tatsumi Fujinami vs. Animal Hamaguchi & Rusher Kimura (1/6/83) We are heading to the end of the NJ/IWE feud as the focus has moved onto Choshu’s Army. Fujinami gets worked over hard to start and the crowd is really hot for the NJ guys especially when Inoki gets his first tag in. IWE guys then take over on Inoki and they get some time to shine especially Rusher who had the best perm in wrestling at this time although Ivan Putski gave him a run for his money. Fujinami then gets tired of their shit and hits an enzuigiri on Rusher followed up by a good exchange with Hamaguchi setting up Inoki to come back in to take control. I loved the double arm wringer spot on Rusher and Fujinami showed some great fire following this before eating a piledriver by Hamaguchi although Fujinami would soon plant him with a backdrop suplex. I loved Rusher & Hamaguchi working as the Japanese version of Dennis Condrey & David Shultz here against the Japanese version of Bill Dundee & Jerry Lawler. The ending sequence was really fun and put this match over the top for me as a nomination. Rusher then cuts one of his trademark awesome promos afterwards. This goes on the block.
June 29, 200916 yr comment_5441313 This didn't click for me on the same level. I thought Fujinami and Hamaguchui were good, but I've never been much of a Kimura fan. Though it was a fine match with a good atmosphere, I'll vote no.
August 10, 200916 yr comment_5442662 January 6, 1983, Tokyo - Korakuen Hall Antonio Inoki & Tatsumi Fujinami vs. Rusher Kimura & Higo Hamaguchi - Fujinami was ripping shit up in the beginning. Whether it was squaring off against Kimura and hitting the enziguiri or the little stretch with Hamaguchi. At one point, Hamaguchi is going for the bulldog, gets rammed into his own corner and Fujinami has a backdrop driver waiting for him as he stumbles back. Pretty sweet stuff. The end was better in theory as it looks like Inoki barely connected with the enziguiri to put Hamaguchi out. Part of me really liked this match but I am completely on the fence.
September 27, 200916 yr comment_5444581 I liked this enough to second the nomination, but probably not enough to use a pick on. Animal Hamiguchi was a blast in this working over both guys and taking big bumps, and I always enjoy Rusher chopping people.
