Akira Taue vs. Toshiaki Kawada (AJPW - 4/8/1995)
Mar 12, 2019 4:15:37 GMT -5
Post by fxnj on Mar 12, 2019 4:15:37 GMT -5
Absolute masterclass in storytelling here. I kind of feel like I watched a different match than the people who make this out as nonstop action from the opening bell. If anything, they seemed kind of timid from the start as Kawada just did a few chops before trying to work some holds. I guess the early story was that they were tag partners and both guys wanted to win without hurting the other too much. They start looking for big moves relatively early as well, which makes me think they just want a quick win without killing the other guy. Through all this, though, a theme starts to emerge that Taue really has Kawada scouted, as he repeatedly finds ways to counter Kawada's moves better than anyone seen thus far.
As the action starts to escalate, I notice a really nice detail in play in how Taue knows refuses to engage Kawada in striking battle, presumably because he knows he can't win, and always finds some other move to catch Kawada off guard. Of course, it's gonna take more than a few nice counters to take Kawada down, and Taue does turn in a really good sympathetic performance when Kawada gets a chance to unload. Still, Taue just keeps surviving and Kawada starts selling the frustration as he just can't seem to put Taue away.
This all leads to an amazing, beautiful moment late in the match when they're both on the ring apron and Kawada is ruthlessly high kicking away at Taue. Kawada is clearly flustered whilst Taue holds the ropes to stop from falling down, but you get this sneaky feeling from when he defiantly hoists himself up that this is exactly where he wants the match to be. And just like that, he catches Kawada with a nodowa off the apron and pretty much has him beat right there. This match would be a classic just for that sequence alone. Anyway, Kawada tries to roll around for a bit to stall, presumably in an attempt to run down the clock, but there's no escape from Taue. Pretty soon thereafter, Taue hits the dynamic bomb for an incredible upset win.
Bit of a slow burner, but they definitely paid everything off by the end. I'm not sure if I'd call this clearly better than their 1/91 match as it lacks the same visceral punch, though it's definitely a deeper match from a standpoint of selling and psychology. By no means is this a bad match from an action point-of-view, but it's the cerebral aspects that put it over the top ****1/2
As the action starts to escalate, I notice a really nice detail in play in how Taue knows refuses to engage Kawada in striking battle, presumably because he knows he can't win, and always finds some other move to catch Kawada off guard. Of course, it's gonna take more than a few nice counters to take Kawada down, and Taue does turn in a really good sympathetic performance when Kawada gets a chance to unload. Still, Taue just keeps surviving and Kawada starts selling the frustration as he just can't seem to put Taue away.
This all leads to an amazing, beautiful moment late in the match when they're both on the ring apron and Kawada is ruthlessly high kicking away at Taue. Kawada is clearly flustered whilst Taue holds the ropes to stop from falling down, but you get this sneaky feeling from when he defiantly hoists himself up that this is exactly where he wants the match to be. And just like that, he catches Kawada with a nodowa off the apron and pretty much has him beat right there. This match would be a classic just for that sequence alone. Anyway, Kawada tries to roll around for a bit to stall, presumably in an attempt to run down the clock, but there's no escape from Taue. Pretty soon thereafter, Taue hits the dynamic bomb for an incredible upset win.
Bit of a slow burner, but they definitely paid everything off by the end. I'm not sure if I'd call this clearly better than their 1/91 match as it lacks the same visceral punch, though it's definitely a deeper match from a standpoint of selling and psychology. By no means is this a bad match from an action point-of-view, but it's the cerebral aspects that put it over the top ****1/2
