FUJIWARASMIRK

Genichiro Tenryu & Stan Hansen vs. Terry Gordy & Steve Williams (AJPW Excite Series 1990 – Day 10, 3/6/90)

There are two halves to this match.

The first half is an out-and-out tag title slugfest between four of the meanest workers not just in All Japan, but in the world at the present moment. The pace is franting, with guys on both sides steamrolling into the opponent with the speed and force of a freight train. There’s a consistent sense of chaos in the proceedings, as these behemoths circle in and out to cause interference, double team the legal opponent, and break up pin attempts. Limbs are aimed at body parts with careless precision, a wonderful paradox. Tenryu and Hansen, the champions, are arguably the greatest superteam in wrestling, and this environment suits them perfectly, but it becomes more and more evident as the match wears on that the newly formed Miracle Violence Connection are just as dangerous in this setting as well.

The second half is what I like to call the Tenryu-in-peril section.

Truthfully, it isn’t really a match split in two as I would lead you to believe; the Tenryu-in-peril section is more like the last 6 minutes of a 17 minute match. Nevertheless, this part of the match is so distinctive that I think it warrants being discussed as the second and final act. Tenryu accidentally hits his partner with an enzuigiri that sends Hansen tumbling off the apron and Tenryu clutching at his leg. The challengers immediately take advantage of this, stomping at the leg and applying as much pressure as possible. They even punch at the leg, a surefire way of worming yourself into my heart.

It’s a fascinating performance from Tenryu, the current frontrunner for WOTY, who hasn’t really had to show the range to be this vulnerable so far in the year. Obviously, like everything else, he’s great at this as well, selling the pain of the two-pronged attack wonderfully.

The interesting thing about this match, and what I think pushes it over the top as a blowaway great match, is the fact that Hansen never tags back in. Gordy and Williams know they’re on the cusp of winning the tag titles here, and they also know that keeping Tenryu in while neutralizing the raging Texan with the bionic forearm is their best shot, so they do just that, to the immense irritation of Hansen. Eventually, Gordy distracts him on the outside just long enough for Williams to submit Tenryu mere moments before Hansen could wail on him with a chair (which he does anyway after the bell rings, because why not?)

An already incredibly match made even better by a white-hot postmatch angle, in which an enraged Hansen attacks his partner, leading to current Triple Crown champion Jumbo Tsuruta coming out to save his former partner and Tenryu to attack both men before limping off. Not only were new foreign champions crowned, but the main event scene has never felt bigger in Shohei Baba’s promotion.

Rating: ****1/4

Chavo Guerrero, El Dandy & El Texano vs. Americo Rocca, Angel Azteca & Javier Cruz (EMLL Super Viernes, 3/9/90)

For as much attention as I’ve given to AJPW and even UWF 2.0 so far in this project EMLL just might be the most consistent promotion I’ve followed so far, and this match is exemplary as to how. Following tempers flaring up between Dandy and Azteca last week after an embarassing loss to a team of Fuerza Guerrera and Jerry Estrada down a hurt Pierroth Jr., this match sees Dandy and his other partner, El Texano, on the rudo side alongside Chavo Guerrero. They’re rudos by formality, really; the action inside the ring never gets too heated or chaotic, and moreso feels like an exhibition for the most part.

When Azteca and Dandy lock up, though, sparks fly.

Every time the two share the ring, it’s a sight to behold. The other pairings are good, none of them detract from the match whatsoever, but it’s obvious where the money is at here. They go at it on the mat in the early going and it’s some of the most compelling pure wrestling in the promotion, a true display of technical skill that only the best of UWF 2.0 has matched to this point.

They’re just as great off the mat as well, launching at one another with hefty dropkicks, hitting beautiful hip tosses, and running the ropes with grace. They especially feel like equals in the third fall, with both men struggling to gain the upper hand in the finish as they go for pinfalls and try to counter the others’ into their own, leading to a an Azteca roll-up off an attempted figure-four.

Only a taste of what’s surely to come for these two, but an exciting glimpse into their rivalry for certain.

Rating: ***1/2

Brian Pillman & Tom Zenk vs. Bobby Eaton & Stan Lane (NWA World Championship Wrestling, 3/10/90)

Doesn’t reinvent the wheel by any means, but sometimes the classics are the classics for the reason. I mean, really, who could complain about Midnight Express bumping like pinballs for over babyfaces and executing perfect heat segments, and Brian Pillman looking like the next big American babyface, selling his ass off for the veteran team and being a house of fire on the comeback?

Tom Zenk is also in this match.

The Z-Man isn’t awful, but it’s very clear the disparity between him and the other three men in the match at any given moment. He’s supposed to be the Gibson to Pillman’s Morton, but when he’s throwing these shitty armdrags in the ring he makes Gibson look like Tito Santana. Still, it’s never enough to derail the proceedings in any meaningful manner, just puts a ceiling on it that is cemented by the DQ finish. Well-worth watching regardless, especially as a case builder for the three great wrestlers in it.

Rating: ***1/2

Jushin Thunder Liger vs. Pegasus Kid (NJPW Big Fight Series ’90, 3/19/90)

A bit of an awkward matchup in that Liger is just entering his peak while Benoit is a ways away from his, but it works all the same. It’s mostly a success because the latter already has his trademark aggressiveness and intensity, throwing himself into Liger with all of his offense; the punches, the chops, it all looks as great as it always would. He’s also not afraid to bring some power into this juniors match, lifting the champion off of a headscissors attempt and dropping him right on his back. Liger himself impresses with his work on the mat as well as a beautiful dive to the outside. Everything is done fundamentally sound, it just lacks that special feeling that makes something like Liger/Sano in January feel like a true classic. However, when we’re talking about wrestlers on the calibrr of these two, it’s still well worth recommending for those willing to watch it.

Rating: ***1/2

Bret Hart vs. Rick Martel (WWF on MSG Network, 3/19/90)

Much like Buddy Rose, Martel was one of the standouts of the 1980 project, and now finds himself a decade removed from that tag team with Piper and in a WWF landscape with larger than life characters like Hulk Hogan and Ultimate Warrior roaming. Unlike Rose, though, Martel doesn’t seem to be too far away from his peak as a worker, even though he’s arguably miscast and underutilized as a heel in this Model character. He really commits to the bit with Rude-esque posturing and powdering on the outside when he gets caught off guard by a young(ish) Bret Hart ready to break out into the singles division. Similar to Benoit, it’s impressive how close the Hitman already is to the finished product; his work on Martel’s arm doesn’t look at all dissimilar to how he would approach a match as WWF champion in 1994, constantly in attack mode, dropping him down to the mat, baiting him into exposing the limb for further damage. I especially love when he has Martel in an armlock and he wrenches the hold back a little, it just makes the match feel realer which maybe be Hart’s greatest calling card. Being that this is a match on a US card fresh out of the 80’s, and Bret isn’t quite getting pushed as a singles worker, this obviously ends in a BS double countout finish, but regardless it’s a valuable glimpse into two greats of both the past and the future at this point in time.

Rating: ***1/4

El Dandy vs. Angel Azteca (EMLL Super Viernes, 3/23/90)

This is billed as tecnico vs. tecnico, but I’m not sure if Dandy got the memo.

With tempers flaring up after a trios match the previous week, these two get at it early, and the intensity never lets up, least of all on Dandy’s end. He is relentless in this match, jumping on Azteca immediately like a bat out of hell. He takes immense pleasure out of punishing his new masked rival, oftentimes with the use of his trusty right hand. You can feel the anger in his fist as he cocks it back and socks Azteca with it, as well as his indigination towards Azteca and the whole state of affairs as he sidearms the weapon. Dandy rips at Azteca’s mask numerous times as well, blurring the line between what would traditionally be considered a respectful exhibition given the crowd dynamic; indeed, by the end, the Arena Mexico crowd is firmly behind Azteca and against Dandy.

Of course, given who these two are, it’s only natural that the mat-based elements of this work as well, picking up on where they left of in the previous week’s trios match. It’s obviously not the focal point of the match as it maybe will be down the line for them, but every hold applied here looks great. Azteca is usually the one utilizing the element, being that Dandy is the one throwing fists like pistons, eventually scoring a submission for the second fall, which only serves to further enrage Dandy, who throws Azteca into ringside with zero regard for his well-being.

The only real drawback to this match, in my eyes, is how it ends, as it seems like they came up with some sort of draw in order to continue the feud. Still, as far as appetizers for a main course down the line, you’ll probably find no better than this one throughout the entire year.

Rating: ****

El Satanico vs. Jerry Estrada (EMLL Super Viernes, 3/23/90)

This was a hair vs. hair match, and I think you could surmise that just through guesswork if you watched it. These two go all out through all three falls, utilizing everything in their toolboxes (high flying, matwork, limbwork, and of course brawling) to their advantage.

Satanico really is a cheat code, isn’t he? I mean, he’s known as one of the greatest rudos in the history of lucha libre––because he fucking is, of course––so it would only be fair that he wouldn’t take to the role of tecnico nearly as strongly, right? Yet, while I wouldn’t dream of saying tecnico Satanico is the same kind of beast as rudo Satanico, he’s still so damn good at it, it’s crazy. Take, for instance, in the first fall when he hits a wicked dive off the apron directly onto Estrada on the outside, something I’ve never seen from him before. Or, in the third fall when he’s selling his ass off for Estrada’s sick armwork, always making it matter and feel like a weakness that he needs to overcome to keep the physical symbol of his pride. It’s a damn fine performance from one of the true greats, the first time it really feels like he gets to stretch his legs in a match so far this year.

Even still, it may not be the best performance in this match.

Jerry Estrada at his peak is one of the coolest bump freaks in wrestling history, and he applies that directly to this match. I mean, the man fucking decks Satanico in the second fall and the weight of it sends HIM flying through the ropes; how am I NOT supposed to love that? And hell, I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention his daredevilesque flying plancha to the outside that nearly paralyzes the man, it’s such good shit.

Of course, he’s more than just that, capable of even going fist for fist with Satan himself. He’s such an awesome prick to, driving his knee directly into a downed Satanico’s face and then ragdolling him around the ring for good measure. For as fast as Satanico finished the first fall, you would think it happened in a completely different bout the way Estrada dominates the majority of the next two. As soon as he sees a target in Satanico’s weak arm he takes advantage in incredibly varied ways; punching it, kicking it, throwing it into the ringpost, even tying it into the ropes. For as good as Satanico’s selling is here, the actual work done on the arm is so creative and interesting while always feeling in spirit with the action that happened previously and the stakes of the apuestas. It’s funny, then, that this ends on a backslide by Satanico of all things, a reminder that even in matches as heated, personal, and lopsided as this one, the basics can never fail you. Maybe could have done with some blood to really elevate this, but still surely one of the best matches of the year without a doubt.

Rating: ****

El Hijo del Santo & Espanto Jr. vs. Black Man & Blue Panther (UWA 3/25/90)

In a way, this is a sleeper hit for me in that I had not seen this hyped anywhere, not even the PWO forums. On the other hand…look at these names. Are you really shocked at this match being great? Santito and Blue Panther are two of the, to be conservative, ten greatest luchadors in history, and Espanto Jr. not terribly far behind them. Additionally, Santo and Panther have always been––and would continue to be––great dance partners, and this match is not an exception. Their grappling exchanges are wonderful, entrancing to the eye, constantly engaging me with every counter. I go fucking nuts for that Santito hurricanrana, man, it just never gets old how fast he gets it off and the fluidity in his movement. Black Man and Espanto Jr. are naturally paired together initially and their stuff is also good but it’s grittier and less polished than their respective partners’. Moves and holds aren’t executed with the same level of grace and precision with them, but it adds variety to the match to me. The dynamics switch in the second fall between the 4, and with the dance partners flipped, so too is Espanto Jr.’s switch, unloading punches that devolve (or evolve, depending on your perspective) the match into a brawl of sorts. Black Man tears at the invaulable Santo mask, and Panther lands a beautiful pin combination to win the rudos the second fall, leading to a frenetic third full of hair pulling, double-teaming, and glorious, glorious punching. Panther and Black Man just go to town on the tecnicos, jawing at fans all the while. It almost feels in the vein of the southern tag in the way it’s worked, all the way down to the ref holding back Espanto Jr. while the rudos take advantage of the distraction. Of course, once Santito gets an opening he immediately takes advantage, grabbing a chair outside and nailing Black Man and Panther with it before his former rival turned partner hits a plancha to the outside. Santito’s comfort zone is in the sky, so he hits a soaring dive on Panther for good measure. An errant dropkick from the masked wonder unfortunately hits Espanto Jr. in the face, and that’s all it takes for old tempers to flare up as he sides with the rudos to beat up Our Hero, tearing at his mask in a fit of rage. Genuinely one of the best matches I’ve seen in this project, and one I was caught completely off guard by. Absolute recommendation for anyone looking for great lucha.

Rating: ****

Doom vs. The Steiner Brothers (NWA Power Hour, 3/30/90)

Four hosses doing hoss shit. It really doesn’t get much simpler than this, folks. This is for the NWA World Tag Team titles, and it’s exactly my type of shit. Short and to the point, I could watch the Steiners, Ron Simmons, and Butch Reed do power moves on one another all day long. Simmons in particular is impressive to me; the way he kind-of stooges despite being such a large and intimdating figure is so good, and most of his stuff on offense looks real good too. He’s not where he would be a year or even two years later, but he absolutely looks like a guy with a bright future in WCW. Butch is more basic, unsurprising given his older age and wear-and-tear, but he’s still fun in there. The Steiners, obviously, are fantastic in this setting. Scotty’s lariats in particular are fucking AWESOME, and the suplexes all rule too. They aren’t asked to do much as far as selling a beating goes, but when they get hit with the weight of Doom you can feel it for sure. Doom wins the titles through interference from their manager, a younger(er) Teddy Long, an interesting and bold choice given the Steiners’ pedigree and Doom’s relative novelty, but given how good this was in large part due to them, it feels warranted in my eyes.

Rating: ***1/4