Posted August 8, 200916 yr comment_5442629 #189 8/26/97 April 18, 1985 Shinji Kosugi vs. Keiichi Yamada -A lot less laying around than the other JIP match. Yamada feels things out early and then goes to town on the arm. Kosugi also seemed much more active trying to reverse moves and escape holds (including the dead lift into the corner). Switching the focus from the arm to the leg was awkward and the only reason I could come up with was because the arm wasn't working. However, it works for Kosugi because he takes advantage. This is some of the better mat wrestling from juniors I have seen. Even after Yamada's big dive out, he keeps limping along and Kosugi is still favoring the arm. BIg stretch run with Kosugi nailing bombs to put Yamada away and Yamada shocking him each time. This is an easy nomination for me. Tatsumi Fujinami vs. Strong Machine #1 -Machine #1 attacked Fujinami with some good looking power offense (highlighted by a few chunky lariats.) Fujinami countered by going after his leg. They got the crowd really into it with the build to the finish, exchanging high-impact moves and counters. Machine's manager tried to end it by throwing powder at Fujinami, but he ducked and it hit Machine instead, allowing Fujinami to win with a roll-up. Machine and his manager argued afterward. Match worked as both a stand-alone and as a twist in the Machine faction angle. Nomination.
