This was a blast. They had a readymade story with Jumbo taking on his two biggest rivals aided only by a near-rookie. And these guys knew what to do with it. There haven't been many (if any) better fiery underdogs than young Kobashi, and he was great here, eating brutal offense, then firing back with flurries of slaps and some beautifully timed dropkicks. Jumbo did some good work from the apron, cheering on the youngster and lending a jumping knee or a double axehandle when needed. Eventually, Hansen managed to get Jumbo out of the ring with a lariat and that left Kobashi alone with Tenryu, which of course, meant trouble. They stuck to the basic story throughout, each guy played his role and the action kept up for 20 minutes. So it added up to an easy choice for the set.

Samurai Retro Classics #4 (Kobashi Special)

Genichiro Tenryu/Stan Hansen vs. Jumbo Tsuruta/Kenta Kobashi, 7/15/89 (Retro 4)

- Fun way to start off with all four brawling outside the ring. With the heavy hitters, it is hard to see someone other than Kobashi taking the fall. Pretty evenly matched contest early on. I like how Jumbo works on the lariat arm of Hansen first and then Kobashi comes in and does the same. After getting clubbed by Hansen, I love how Kobashi fights back, showing early signs of the character he would be so effective with throughout the 90s. Finally, after giving Kobashi some shine, Tenryu just mauls the poor bastard with knees and strikes but Kobashi keeps fighting. Nice stretch run with Hansen and Jumbo fighting on the outside and Tenryu left with Kobashi inside. Tenryu executes the powerbomb and Kobashi is done. Unlike some other matches with hot endings, this didn’t have the lull early on that has plagued so many All Japan tags. Good, solid nomination that will be hurt by the fact there are so many good tags in All Japan.

Stan "The Lariat" Hansen & Genichiro Tenryu vs. Kenta Kobashi & Jumbo Tsuruta (7/15/89)

 

Kobashi getting a huge match early in his career so you know he is jacked up emotionally. This is a brawl at the bell as Kobashi jumps Hansen and Jumbo/Tenryu have their usual war with Kobashi getting bashed by Hansen with a steel chair and Jumbo hitting a high knee so hard he hurts himself. Korakuen is molten for Kobashi when he squares off against Tenryu and he held his own with Hansen even selling good for him which was awesome. The early part of the match was good back and forth action with Kobashi taking punishment but staying strong. Jumbo would get an advantage working over Hansen's left arm with Kobashi following him up before Tenryu comes in and he just slaps the fuck out of him numerous times with Jumbo cheering him on from the apron. Tenryu would finally get enough of the pesky Kobashi and started beating his ass along with Hansen. Jumbo would come back in though to get the advantage back but it wasn't long before everything was back to even with both teams trading offense. Hansen & Jumbo would go to the floor as Kobashi & Tenryu battled it out in the ring with Tenryu finishing off Kobashi with a powerbomb. I loved this match so much as everyone was awesome in their roles here especially Kobashi who showed he was a future star. This is a definite nomination.