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Post by elliott on Dec 7, 2017 20:59:35 GMT -5
Jushin Liger vs Naoki Sano (NJPW - 8/10/1989)
Classic match from the best singles feud in Juniors Wrestling History. Their January 1990 match will make my final list and this has as good a shot as any other contenders. This match sticks out because of Liger's one armed performance. His selling is just remarkable. You get the great spots and violence these two are capable of, but this is all about Liger's selling.
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Post by Cap on Dec 8, 2017 8:11:14 GMT -5
Second
Easy second. Really great match with some top notch selling going on. This really is a well balanced match that has just about everything you want and what a lot of people tend wax nostalgic for these days. Liger is going to have a lot of nominations (because he is great) so I'll be interested in seeing where a top performance from him lands.
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Post by childs on Jan 17, 2018 20:31:05 GMT -5
Love, love, love this match, maybe more than the fantastic blowoff from the following January. Liger delivered the all-time limb-selling performance. But as we watched footage for the DVDVR project, I was struck by what a fresh jolt Sano delivered to the jr. division. What a ridiculously great year for New Japan and wrestling in general, and this match was one of the crown jewels.
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Post by joeg on Jan 21, 2018 14:07:06 GMT -5
Fourth.
Will be on my list. The greatest selling of an arm ever. For that it is on the list. Oh yeah and if I remember correctly, there was mask ripping and blood. So its on the list.
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Post by microstatistics on May 2, 2018 1:45:43 GMT -5
Don't really know what to say except that it has maybe the greatest selling performance in the history of pro wrestling. Must see.
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Post by The Crimson Mask on Jun 27, 2018 16:12:14 GMT -5
What an incredible match. The Pro wrestling Only contributors have such a vast knowledge of wrestling history and hidden gems it's truly a fantastic resource. This match has that great sense of build and exhaustion which is missing from such a lot of modern wrestling. Fabulous stuff.
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Post by superstarsleeze on Jul 21, 2018 19:16:08 GMT -5
This match will almost certainly make it based on Liger's selling & match influence/importance
IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Champion Jushin Liger vs Naoki Sano - NJPW 8/10/89
Jushin Liger's magnificent selling has been much discussed and raises this match to all time classic status. I loved the first match so much with Liger beating the shit out of Sano only for Sano to kick his head off then the double knockout finish. Here Sano rips off Liger's arm and beats him with it.
The beginning of the match with them just kicking each other in the head during lock ups outta nowhere was bitchin. Sano reverse thrust kick gives him his first opportunity at the left arm and Liger selling the hell out of it. Liger makes ropes. Liger is wearing shoulder pads...was he injured in an intervening tag match?
Liger hits a kappo kick but Sano makes it back to the arm. The heat segment is glorious. Love the fake out Irish whip into just snapping his arm down or Ligers prone selling with his dead arm limp by his side.
The match changes complexion when Sano hurls his body to the outside but smacks his head against the concrete busting himself open. Sano abandoned strategy and paid for it. Young dude in a championship match got to leave it out on the table.
Liger's broken wing selling is great his offense of kicking Sano straight in the Open wound. I don't think that gets discussed enough is that he matches violence with violence. Loved the pile drivers!
Liger makes the cardinal mistake of putting his opponent On the top rope. Never let your opponent have the high ground. Sano hits a missile drop kick and hits that splash to outside. Great transition. Finish is double hot. The struggle over the German duplex ending in a Fujiwara armbar. Ligers hope spots were great. Loved the trio of armbar, German and super back duplex (play off the double KO spot). Great finish!
Heated, energetic, violent, sublime selling blood from Sano and a raging climax. Maybe a hotter transition back to Sano is keeping this from the full Monty. Just doesn't feel that level but goddamn this is just insanely great pro wrestling. ****3/4
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Post by mvz on Jun 18, 2021 4:56:41 GMT -5
Great selling and great finishing stretch. This will make the cut for me. Sano has a dangerous aura about him. With every Liger match I see he impressed me more. My recollection of my introduction to him way back in wcw Was that he was a high flyer, but he is so much more than that. Great selling, great fire, is ready to throw down.
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Post by violentbydesign on Sept 13, 2021 4:12:09 GMT -5
Does anyone know where I can find this match?
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Post by puropotsy on Jun 10, 2023 16:48:41 GMT -5
Great closing stretch here showing that these guys were made for each other. Liger’s early outfit is a little odd to watch but in a fun way. Amazing blend of high-flying and submission work.
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