Basically, Gordy and Hansen wanted to take out Kawada, the weakest of the herd, so they could face Tenryu 2-on-1. They worked the the hell out of that simple plot. First, Kawada had to establish himself as a threat with some nicely timed kicks and lariats that staggered his larger opponents. But then, Hansen and Gordy started working his leg. Kawada managed to tag Tenryu but in a great moment, Hansen knocked Tenryu off the apron with a lariat and went right back to Kawada's leg. Kawada spent most of the second half out of play but tried to stagger back every few moments so Tenryu would have a chance to fight one-on-one. Tenryu staged a great last stand and almost had the crowd believing when he powerbombed Hansen. But Gordy replied with his own powerbomb and after a western lariat from hell, it was over. This is one of the best known matches we'll review for this set, and it absolutely deserves its rep. Every guy played his perfectly, and the crowd ate it all up. Slam dunk.

 

Samurai Retro Classics #5 (Hansen Special)

It would be pretty hard to argue against the inclusion of this one! This is just awesome all the way through and really builds and builds. Once Hansen/Gordy dispatch of Kawada, they go to work dismantling Tenryu and BOY do they beat the snot out of him. Hansen was all about the nasty elbow drops and kicks to every inch of the body. Gordy would lace in some nasty forearms and lariats, and he just took a beating. Tenryu’s comebacks were well-timed and never seemed preposterous, and Kawada feebly trying to help before being easily dispatched each time spelled a certain eventual doom for Tenryu. The hope spots were great, the beatdown was great, Kawada was a fiery babyface and everything about this was really great. STRONG NOMINATION!

 

(AJC Retro #5)

Stan Hansen/Terry Gordy vs. Toshiaki Kawada/Genichiro Tenryu, 12/16/88 (RETRO 5)

- Now, we have Tenryu in the Jumbo role and Kawada in the Tenryu role from 5 years earlier. So, of course Kawada gets his ass kicked. The difference is Terry Gordy is 100x the wrestler that Gordy ever was. Plus, as someone who is willing to do a job, you have no idea who will win this thing. Great action throughout with everyone following their roles but at one point Kawada knocks Hansen out of the ring and follows up by flying on top of Stan. Later on, Stan gets his revenge by brutalizing him on the outside. With Kawada damaged, the gaigin have their way with Tenryu. Same result as 1983 with Tneryu being laid out with the lariat but a much more satisfying story within. Does anyone know what the big knock on this match was? I remember a major criticism like someone being the wrong guy in or something. Anyway, Strong Recommendation.

Real World Tag League - Finals: Terry "Bamm Bamm" Gordy & Stan "The Lariat" Hansen vs. Toshiaki Kawada & Genichiro Tenryu (12/16/88)

 

Kawada is in the biggest match of his career and he is the whipping boy for the gaijin to start but he would hit a spin kick that Gordy sold like death to get the tag to Tenryu. Tenryu then proceeds to have some hard hitting action with the gaijin before Kawada comes back in where he gets some offense to establish himself but again he becomes the punching bag before hitting a big desperation lariat on Gordy and getting the tag to Tenryu. This would start some really solid back and forth action with Kawada holding his own against the gaijin especially Gordy who he has in trouble numerous times. Tenryu would work FIP surprisingly as Kawada tries to shake off a leg injury on the floor and he would get pummeled with Gordy getting a powerbomb on Tenryu but Kawada jumped in the ring to break it up. Hansen proceeded to work over Kawada's left leg on the floor before going back to Tenryu who was valiantly trying to fight back even getting Hansen in a kneebar that Gordy had to save him from submitting. Tenryu keeps fighting as Kawada wants to help him but the gaijin jump to the floor to take potshots at him and he puts up an awesome fight nearly beating them all by himself many times. Hansen would eventually nuke Tenryu with a lariat to win the match as Kawada just couldn't get back in the ring. Tremendous match and a definite nomination.