Posted June 30, 200916 yr comment_5441334 4/24/89 Salman Hashimikov vs. Bam Bam Bigelow (Sky A 125) This was a really fun two-minute match. Bam Bam dropkicked Hashimikov at the bell and hit an enzuigiri when Hashimikov shot and took his leg. The Russian sold being flustered by the big dude's agility. But then he caught Bam Bam in a fireman's carry and drilled him into the mat for a quick win. Not enough for a nomination but a blast while it lasted. 4/24/89 Strong Machine/George Takano vs. Hiroshi Hase/Shiro Koshinaka (Sky A 125) Way too my-turn-your-turn in its structure. These guys hit a lot of nice offense as you might expect. But the attack never focused on one guy long enough for any sympathies to develop. They just never drew me in. 4/24/89 Jushin Liger vs. Kuniaki Kobayashi (Sky A 125) This might have been Liger's first match in the suit. It was solid but not one of his best. Kobayashi always excelled at grounding and punishing a flashy opponent. And Liger upped the stiffness for his final rally, nailig four straight rolling kicks. But there was nothing that would make it stand out from the great middle class of junior action. 5/25/89 Masa Saito vs. Vladimir Zarasov (Sky A 125) Another short but fun match with one of the Russians. Basic story was that Saito couldn't best Zarasov on the mat, so he turned to pro stuff like his lariat to seize the advantage. Once he hit his suplex, it was curtains for Zarasov. Not something for the set but not a bad way to pass seven minutes. 5/25/89 Shiro Koshinaka/Naoki Sano vs. Kuniaki Kobayashi/Hiro Saito (Sky A 125) The more heelish team spent most of the match kicking Sano's ass, with Kosh playing cheerleader and periodic savior from the apron. Sano countered with a burst of action every so often and in the end, took the match with a roll-up. This was focused and contained plenty of action but again, it didn't really stand out.
