MItsuharu Misawa vs Toshiaki Kawada (AJPW - 6/3/1994)

Maybe the most hyped match ever and still manages to easily live up to the hype for almost everyone.

The main talking points are pretty famous: Kawada throwing everything at Misawa, Misawa attacking the knee for the first time ever in pure desperation, the work on Misawa's injured neck, the bloody ear, tons of cool counters because of how well they had each other scouted, an all time great crowd, the most exciting color commentary ever, the legendary finishing stretch and maybe the best finish ever. El Clasico it is. Top 20 lock.

While I'm not sure this is the greatest AJPW match of all-time or even the best match of 1994, this is still a terrific bout and incredible case study in escalation and psychology. You have the busted ear of Misawa forcing him to go for Kawada's leg, Kawada needing to use the other leg for his heavier strikes, both mens' increasing desperation to put the other away, and ultimately Misawa's earlier gameplan that more or less clinches his victory. Misawa's character of simply being the best is certainly at play here, but Kawada's inability to really deliver on his kicks is ultimately his downfall.

Borderline top 10 candidate and at least a top 20.

No matter how many times I've seen it, that TD '91 still makes me cringe. Although I do appreciate how that was the move there was no return from.

1994-06-03 Mitsuharu Misawa vs. Toshiaki Kawada [Triple Crown Heavyweight Championship] (AJPW @ Nippon Budokan in Tokyo, Japan)
One of the greatest singles matches ever in pro wrestling history. Misawa was the All Japan Triple Crown Heavyweight Champion. Kawada was his main rival. The fans were really into this match. A guy in the crowd even left his seat to jump up and down on the stairs near his seat. For years, most of us Western puroresu fans have been told on several the message boards and websites that this match is THE greatest pro wrestling match ever. While that idea has perhaps been challenged in recent years, it remains an all-time classic for sure. It was a stiff match, Misawa juiced hardway from his ear. When I think of all-time great pro wrestling matches, this is certainly one that comes to mind very quickly. Misawa worked over Kawada’s legs, which is the main source of Kawada’s offense. Kawada sold it tremendously, to the point of collapsing when trying to kick Misawa. The crowd starts to get behind Kawada, because he’s the underdog at this point. Kawada is not an ordinary challenger by any means and he finds the strength and determination to fight back. The selling was phenomenal by both workers. The crowd gradually got louder and louder. The moves progressively got bigger and bigger. I’d say this truly is a six-star match. When Kawada got in control, the crowd got behind Misawa again. This is at the very least one of the five greatest pro wrestling matches ever worked and I’m willing to consider this for the #1 position. It may sound weird, but this is possibly the fifth time I have watched this match, but I’ve never enjoyed it as much as the most recent time I viewed it. With that in mind, I’d like to recommend everyone to (re-)watch this match and consider this match for your top 5.

For me 6/9/95 is the match that lives up to the impossible hype of being heralded as the Greatest Match of All Time. To me this match is still a ***** stone cold classic, but I don't see it as a contender to the #1 spot. I think the beauty of the match is the match is how they build to that first Powerbomb as a nearfall. It is a play off 5/21/94 and there Kobashi saved Misawa. Now there's no Kobashi. So it becomes a great question of "Will Misawa Kick Out or Wont He?" whenever you have fans asking themselves that you are fucking money. Other than that, I see this as a classic workrate match in the spirit of competition. It does not have the hate and almost shoot-intensity of 6/9/95. It is not as emotionally moving either. It will be in the Top 50, but I dont know where.

Triple Crown Champion Mitsuharu Misawa vs Toshiaki Kawada - AJPW 6/3/94

I am writing this part after I have written my review. I think what makes this match so special is that build to the First Powerbomb I rave about below. I think the whole pro wrestling business, wrestlers & fans alike, have been chasing that Nearfall high for 26 years now. I have not seen this match in 7-9 years. I remembered three things: Misawa's Insane Elbow Barrage, Tiger Driver '91 and that Powerbomb. That Powerbomb had Hydrogen Bomb Heat. You will see the very first people to ever chase that Dragon were Misawa & Kawada when Kawada after a couple more moves hit a second Powerbomb. Didnt have the same heat, brutha. Only mistake in the match. They chased the Dragon. They didnt need to. Ever since the Japanese style has been imported to America, Americans have been chasing that Dragon, man. Let me tell you something, no one is coming close to that Powerbomb.

The Greatest Match Ever? I have seen this probably ten times over the course of 2006-2011. I dont think I've seen it 9 years and definitely not in 7 years. It has a huge reputation and I just watched 5/21/94. Lets fucking go!

They trade bombs to start. Kawada catches with Misawa with his famous Spinning Heel Kick, but Misawa counters into a Back Drop Driver. Kawada is left clutching his head on the apron. Kawada decides to slow the pace down with an arm bar. Sensible given that he could have lost the match with that Back Drop Driver and so I understand being tentative. Misawa clocks him with an Elbow. Misawa is decidedly more offensive-minded. Perhaps he was spooked by Kawada taking him to a draw in April and that Kawada almost pinned him on 5/21. This plays against Misawa who sends Kawada packing. Misawa is on a fast break. When he dives off the apron and Kawada nails him on the chin! A common Misawa transition that I believe at the time is novel. We saw this in April. Kawada trucks him with a Lariat on the outside. Kawada focuses on the neck and head. Lots of various kicks to Misawa's face and wicked & nasty. I missed the kick that caused it but as Misawa takes a powder, you see Misawa's ear is bleeding. Kawada was blasting him. Kawada just keeps kicking Misawa and finally Misawa has enough starts kicking the shit out of Kawada's knee. From a kayfabe standpoint, very smart as it takes away Kawada's best weapon and you could tell he was pissed about how much he was getting kicked. From a non-Kayfabe perspective, very smart because Kawada is absolutely sublime at selling the knee.

Misawa locks on a Single Crab and in a great moment Kawada kicks him right in the mush with his free leg. Talk about body control that was unbelievable. Still Misawa stays on top of him. There's a great almost Super Tiger/Fujiwara like spot from Misawa where Kawada is so tentative on the stand up that Misawa just fucking picks him apart with a three kick combination that leaves Kawada laying. It is the closest thing I have seen from All Japan shoot style. Genius. Misawa is living Kawada's head rent-free. The best part is Misawa just walks away as if to say. Count his ass out like if it was a shoot fight. Misawa looks for single leg pick up and Kawada cracks him in the back of the head/neck to level the playing field. Seems like a good time to take a break from the review. I dont agree with people that say Misawa was desperate in this match. I see a Champion that's cool as a cucumber. The Misawa-Jordan comparison is so apt. They are just two champions of supreme confidence. I didnt see the knee work as desperate. I saw it as STOP FUCKING KICKING ME YOU FUCKING ASSHOLE! He was more pissed than anything else. I see Kawada's action as far more desperate. Thats the difference between the two. It is not talent. It is what is going on between the ears. Being able to maneuver behind Misawa and deck from in his weak spot was genius and shows Kawada still has his wits about him. I remember the finish stretch quite well, but it is murky how we get there so lets see what happens!

They meander a bit after this until they get to this point when Misawa pops off his first Elbow! Down goes Kawada! Down goes Kawada! Then theres this cool moment when Misawa dropkicks Kawada, but he doesnt get all over it, it is more like a shove than a strike. Kawada rebounds off the ropes and SMOKES him with a boot to the face. He follows it up with a Jumping High Kick and Misawa is out! Down goes Misawa! Down goes Misawa! Kawada even checks him. Picks up his head and Misawa slumps back down. Kawada covers for two. Then begins one of the most epic struggles in history to hit a move. Kawada tries for the next 5 minutes or so to hit a fucking powerbomb. Misawa does everything in his power to avoid this powerbomb. It is such great pro wrestling. Kawada first attempt, his knee is still fucked. He who hesitates is lost. Misawa back drops out. Kawada responds with a dropkick to a Misawa who is on his knees. Misawa just goes full dead man's float on us. For the first time, since I have started my All Japan re-watch Misawa looks fucked. Like I have no idea who is going to overcome. Great selling by both men after Kawada's knee drop. Kawada goes to town on Misawa's neck with chops still only two. Kawada goes for the powerbomb a 2nd time still nothing doing. Kawada Kicks Misawa and rifles him with a Cowboy Kick. Frustration is building in Kawada. Goes for the Powerbomb a 3rd time, Misawa double legs him and STOMPS him in the head. Very similar to the attack on Kawada's knee. This screams to me STOP KICKING ME IN THE FUCKING HEAD, YOU FUCKING ASSHOLE! They have a big stand up fight. Looks like Kawada has more left when Misawa snaps off a kick to the face ala Kawada and he is bleeding from the ear more profusely but the Ace is back in charge. Now it is Misawa turn to be thwarted bot for the Tiger Suplex and Tiger Driver. Kawada goes for his great equalizer the Jumping High kick and Misawa blocks with his arms. Great Dropkick to the mush and it is Misawa, NOT Kawada that lands the first big bomb. A Tiger Driver for 2. Now a Frogsplash for two. Has Kawada choked the match away? Misawa FACELOOOOOCCCKKKKK. Misawa releases. Kawada just rolls out to the floor because he is spent. Misawa sends him back in. Then...

As Misawa is coming off the top rope, Kawada leaps up and hits that signature Jumping High Kick, his version of the Roaring Elbow. It took everything Kawada had to hit that. Misawa still wont go up for the Powerbomb. Punch to the face. Misawa comes back with a freakin' elbow. Kawada has to FIGHT THROUGH MISAWA'S VAUNTED ELBOW BARRAGE to finally STEAMROLL him with a Lariat. WOW! EPIC! DAAAAANGGGGGGEROOOOUSSS BACK DROP DRIVER! KAWADA THROWS MISAWA DOWN WITH A MASSIVE POWERBOMB! 1-2-NO! The greatest nearfall in the history of pro wrestling. The way they built to it in this match and playing off 5/21 where Kawada had Misawa beat with the Powerbomb, but Kobashi saves together makes this the best nearfall. That nearfall is why this is a ***** classic. That nearfall embodies everything great about 90s All Japan.

My complaint is here and it is super nitpicky, but they kept Kawada on offense. There was no way they could recapture the magic of that powerbomb. Misawa should have started his comeback immediately and in America, he would have had. In All Japan, they can go a little long. A couple more Jumping High Kicks, A WICKED German, a second Powerbomb and Stretch Plum none of it feels as heated as the first Powerbomb. It is a all great work. Misawa bump on the German is amazing he just goes limp and lands on his head. Then sells it like a million bucks. Awesome work! Stretch Plum is so logical given the head/neck. It is super nitpicky but I think Misawa needs to go back on offense sooner. I think you do a second Kawada finish run after the Kappo Kicks.

Misawa starts rattling off those elbows. Spinning clothesline. He is getting into that groove. He feels like a Tom Brady-led Patriots squad driving down the field with two minutes left ready to break the heart of the opposing team. German Suplex! Kawada is folded in half. Kawada is just a deer in the headlights. It's happening. Brady will break you. Tiger Suplex 1-2-NO! Even Tom throws an incompletion now and then. Misawa is not too worried as he fixes his Elbow pad. Loved Kawada's desperate struggle to avoid the German suplex, chop to the neck, KAPPO KICK! The Kappo Kick popped me huge in Dr. Death match and it did so again here. There's life in Kawada! Kappo Kick again! Misawa rolls to the outside. Misawa looks fucked.

The moment where Misawa is standing on the outside and Kawada is on one knee in the ring and they are staring daggers into each others' eyes is just epic. Both men know what they need to do. Misawa looks like a more confident. Kawada BLOCKS the elbow. Kawada bullies him in the corner. Kawada is going all Vader on Misawa but with Kicks. Misawa EXPLODES OUT OF THE CORNER WITH A HUGE ELBOW! ROARING FUCKING ELBOW! HOLY FUCKING SHIT! HOW IS KAWADA NOT KNOCKED THE FUCK OUT! MISAWA WITH AN UNGODLY, UNHOLY ELBOW BARRAGE! MISAWA BLOCKS THE KAPPO KICK! ELBOW TO KAWADA! TIGER DRIVER '91~! FOR FUCKS SAKE!

I still think Tiger Driver '91 looks gnarlier than the Ganso Bomb! How the flying fuck was Kawada still conscious after all that. Misawa was fucking furious! All Japan is so good at working finishing stretches that take you on this roller coaster ride. The build to that first Powerbomb was great. Then the build to Misawa's win was great because those Kappo Kicks came out of nowhere. When they fought, they fucking went after each other. That was the stand up fire fight we wanted to see since they brawled in the middle of that tag match with Akiyama and Fuchi. So is this the greatest match of all time? I dont know. It is definitely a contender. What hurts it is the beginning. I am a big believer in the beginning of the match is just as important as the end. That first 15 minutes is not wrestled at *****-caliber. There are other matches in totality I think are better, but from that build to the Powerbomb to the Insane, Ungodly Misawa Elbow Barrage it is hard to find something better. Definitely going to have a think on this. *****

Happy 27th anniversary to this bad boy. Still one of the greatest matches ever.