Holy Demon Army vs. Burning (AJPW - 10/11/1998)

This is Burning's first big match as well as the only complete match between these two teams on tape, and it's a doozy. It's not an uber-classic like 6/9/95 or 12/6/96, but it's comfortably on the next level down. The opening minutes are solid but not blowaway great, although there is a pretty fantastic struggle over a wristlock between Kobashi and Taue. The match picks up in a major way after Akiyama injures his ankle on the guardrail. Kobashi punching Kawada in the face to break up a half crab on Akiyama followed by Kawada dropping supine axe kicks on Akiyama's head is the kind of sequence you watch wrestling for. The stretch run contains some of the finest King's Road exchanges ever committed to film. Kobashi desperately trying to drag Akiyama to his corner only to eat a big boot is an awesome spot late in the match. Throw in some classic borderline-comical rudo selling from Kawada and you have a bona fide classic.