Choshu & Saito vs Takano & Machine (NJPW - 3/16/1989)

DId whoever requested this match for the google drive end up watching it? If so, what do you think? I need to revisit this one. Last time I watched it I remember being a little underwhelmed by the first half and then absolutely blown away by the 2nd.

I'm the one who requested it, and I did watch it. I was mainly interested in seeing the opening portion of the match because the version on Ditch's website has that part clipped out. Having seen it in full, I understand why. At first, I thought it was perfectly acceptable early feeling out. But then it just kept going on and on until I was begging them to get on with it already. That part didn't drag as much for me on a recent reviewing, but it still would've been better if had lasted about five minutes rather than close to ten. Of course, things pick up once Takano gets busted open. Takano's selling and the tandem offense from Choshu and Saito were both great, but it made me realize the importance of hope spots in tag matches. If the FIP is just being beaten down without things like tag cut-offs and partner saves to break it up, I'm going to lose interest after a while. The closing stretch was the best part of the match. I loved Takano's desperate dive to break up a pin as well as his plancha to nowhere. Good match overall. No shot at my list, but I'm glad I was able to see it in its entirety.