Masahiro Chono vs. Rick Rude (NJPW - 8/12/1992)

This had such an epic, big match feel. The whole tournament had built up to this match. Rick Rude has been killing the New Japan favourites, including Shinya Hashimoto himself, with the knee drop off the top rope. He’s firmly been established as a threat, his gimmick is over like a rover and gets instant heat. Chono has battled his way through both gaijin wrestlers and NJ Wrestlers like old rivals like Muto. Rude is at his peak. Chono is at his peak. The NWA Heavyweight title is on the line in front of a molent hot Ryogoku crowd. A ton of the New Japan roster is out at ringside in support of Chono. It just makes me so excited.

Chono, if he didn’t have me on his side before, he certainly did after he did the hip swivelling taunt to Rude. I must admit that I loved the early mat work with Rude doing the British style headstand counter, Rude pulling the hair for the cross bow & arrow attempt was great subtle heel work and it transitioned really well into the main component of the body of the match - Chono working on the knee of Rude. Taking out the key move for Rude plus setting up the STF in the process. Such smart wrestling. Rude’s selling was particularly excellent. The slow climb for the knee drop, allowing Chono to recover and slam Rude was such a good spot. This has all the classic Rude spots and with all the drama added on top, it all came across so perfect. The last ten minutes with Chono kicking out of the knee drop to a big pop and then mounting his comeback was all epic. The funny thing was that I was expecting the STF so the actual finish genuinely stunned me. Your mileage may vary on a few iffy spots where they were figuring out a few things and a certain pace but I was really hooked into the match. ****3/4