Tenryu and Baba started it off with a fierce exchange and for the rest of the match, Tenryu slapped or chopped Baba every time he got near him on the apron. The crowd was desperate to see the old man get his hands on the punk champion. Fuchi became sort of a surrogate for the people, hurling himself into harm's way over and over to get retribution for his beloved boss. His story actually became the spine of the match. Would he overreach one time too many in his zeal to attack Tenryu? It turned into a hell of a show overall, with lots of nasty exchanges, some great saves from the apron and plenty of oohs and ahs from the fans. Baba looked great, keeping his appearances short but impactful. Strong nomination.

 

1989 All Japan TV Disc 21

Giant Baba, Rusher Kimura & Masa Fuchi vs. Genichiro Tenryu, Toshiaki Kawada & Fuyuki, AJ TV 9/24/89 (TV21)

- I really enjoyed the opening act with Fuchi’s mouth busted open form some nasty kicks by Tenryu. Early on, the highlights mainly include Fuchi’s sections but Baba and Rusher do decent jobs keeing the match moving and it helps that Footloose sell big for them. Baba’s offense doesn’t look bad at all here and he is moving around pretty well in this match at least. Ten minute sin and I have enjoyed the hell out of this match. Ooh nice kick to Rusher’s head by Kawada. Speaking of Rusher, he is using the headbutts like a champ. I don’t know why but Tenryu decides to take It outside and attack Fuchi with furniture. Fuchi getting his ass kicked has really been the highlight of this match… whether it is a big bump, blood spitting out of his mouth or a sick facial expression after getting plowed by one of Footloose. It just wouldn’t be right if he didn’t get the pin or get pinned in the end. Real hot finish with some nice hope spots for Fuchi but he gets put away with a powerbomb from Tenryu. This was awesome and Baba-Rusher are having a helluva run for 1989. NOMINATION.

Revolution (Ricky Fuyuki, Toshiaki Kawada, & Genichiro Tenryu) vs. Giant Baba, Masa Fuchi, & Rusher Kimura (9/15/89)

 

Korakuen is jumpin for this one at the intros so this should be great. It's matches like this one that were in Baba's wheelhouse at this time as he could come in do his big moves then tag out. Baba & Tenryu starting off against each other was fun as Tenryu always had a chip on his shoulder against Baba still trying to prove himself and then you had Fuchi who was trying to work as the Robin to Baba's Batman while serving as an agitator to Tenryu who would bust Fuchi's mouth open with a chop early in the match. Everyone else is fine in their roles as well and this had some good back and forth action with a very hot stretch run with Korakuen going nuts for the nearfalls especially the ones involving Baba. This is an easy nomination.