Posted May 23, 201015 yr comment_5451146 Was this ever a pleasant surprise. They spent the first 10 minutes or so on the mat. All-Japan crowds rarely seemed charged up during such sequences, but the fans really responded to how hard these guys worked down there. When Dean got Fuchi in a Fujiwara armbar, the crowd treated it as serious submission possibility. Even Kabuki looked good working in and out of holds. Then, when they picked up the pace over the last five minutes, every guy hit his stuff with snap. Fuchi nailed one of the brothers with an enzuigiri. Dean fired off some spectacular dropkicks. And Joe's finishing Northern Lights suplex was beautiful. Damn, they produced a really satisfying 15 minutes. Maybe I'm overreacting to them exceeding expectations, but this at least deserves a look from the full panel. 1989 All-Japan TV Disc 1
June 21, 201015 yr comment_5452185 Joe & Dean Malenko vs. Masa Fuchi & Great Kabuki, AJ TV 1/5/89 (TV1) - Fuchi has been one of my favorite guys to watch in All Japan so far so I am loving all the early Fuchi sequences with Joe. Dean and Kabuki do some cool shit in and out of holds like a fucking ballet. Now Joe and Kabuki do some cool shit and this is the stuff that is right up my alley, keeping shit moving, making me hit the rewind button, twisting mother fuckers up. Joe ties Kabuki in a crossface like move so Fuchi just kicks him in the back to break. Joe goes back to the arm. Both guys tag out and Fuchi and Dean have a go with both guys doing some more cool shit. However, this time, Fuchi has Dean tied up. Dean fights back with Joe’s help but once Joe tags in, Fuchi gets the tag to Kabuki and Kabuki gets a nice thrust kick but tags out to Fuchi and Fuchi and Joe start going for the two counts. Eventually, Joe hits a northern lights suplex and that ends the match. I wish this would have lasted longer but I enjoyed the match. No complaints and a nomination from where I stand. I have enjoyed Fuchi, the Malenkos and Kabuki in All Japan so I don't view it as exceeding expectations but living up to them. Hell, after this and Texas, I fully expect people to revisit thier thoughts on Kabuki.
October 13, 201014 yr comment_5457199 Dean & Joe Malenko vs. Masa Fuchi & The Great Kabuki (1/2/89) This was a damn good wrestling match and a good change of pace from all the wars I've been watching between Jumbo & Tenryu. Everyone was solid on the mat even Kabuki who wasn't out of place here surprisingly and I agree with Will that Kabuki's reputation should change a little from this project as he wasn't just nerve holds and superkicks. It also helped that this match was at Korakuen who the fans there would get into these types of matches unlike some other buildings who would've shit all over it. I think this moves forward.
