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Post by elliott on Dec 8, 2017 20:24:34 GMT -5
Stan Hansen vs Giant Baba (AJPW - 2/4/1982)
One of my personal favorite matches ever. If this was a favorites list it would be a top 5 contender. It takes about 25 seconds for Baba to become a better opponent for Hansen than Inoki was after years of trying. This is just everything you could want. A big huge spectacle with two massive dudes working basically a sprinty brawl. I love this so much. Not a lock for my list, but something I will strongly consider.
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Post by Cap on Dec 9, 2017 15:47:06 GMT -5
Second
I am not sure this cracks my list, but I wouldn't blame anyone for putting it on, so I am happy to second it. Baba is such a talent and you can see it when he is in there with a guy like Hansen. This is larger than life.
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Post by stunninggrover on Jan 4, 2018 21:43:48 GMT -5
One of my favourite All Japan matches from the early 1980s. The crowd was really into this big match. Baba sold Hansen lariat like he was about to break into pieces. I would like to see this match on the nominations list.
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Post by puropotsy on May 30, 2018 18:38:14 GMT -5
This was a great progression from striking to stretching each other out to brawling around ringside and back in. Hansen seems to have been changing the business at this point.
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Post by superstarsleeze on Jul 22, 2018 15:42:49 GMT -5
Two of the biggest icons in the business, just two months after Hansen jumped. Not going to make my list, but damn just a HUGE match.
PWF World Heavyweight Champion Giant Baba vs Stan Hansen - AJPW 2/4/82
Huge fight feel to this one! Hansen had just debuted for the company about two months ago in one of the all-time great angles and instantly was the biggest gaijin star in the company. This is just the natural progression. I still have to mention Baba's body. It is so weird. The giant head and boxy torso with those weirdly skinny arms. He looks so fragile and I was scared with him going up against Hansen. This was a more reserved Hansen. But Hansen at 75% is still going to hit you fucking hard he is just not flying all over the place. He was also more willing to bump for Baba. The story of the match was simple: Baba wanted to take out the Lariat arm of Hansen and Hansen wanted to ground the Giant and set up for The Lariat. Opening Shine was great with Baba nailing some big boots and then a Russian Legsweep. Hansen did a great job making Baba feel like a Giant and so he kept him on the ground. He was working the leg in hopes of taking out his base. Baba was fucking awesome working the arm. He got Hansen into his really nasty predicaments. Baba also loved using the big overhand chop as the equalizer. Loved the finish run with them running all over the place with Hansen finally nailing the Lariat. Baba just gets steamrolled. The crowd lets out an audible gasp. The crowd was super into this. Baba was so over. They were popping for him. The brawl outside the ring post-Lariat was great as Hansen first overwhelms Baba and they go to double countout. He is nailing young boys with Lariats and then Baba sends him packing.
Just a huge Clash of the Titans feel that does not overstay its welcome. Really sensible story with two huge, larger than life characters. I loved the tension of the Lariat. It was this cloud of impending doom that loomed over the match. When would it happen? BAM! He nails it. Really great big time match. ****1/4
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Post by headcheese on Sept 6, 2018 17:28:27 GMT -5
A fun match with good arm work to try to stop the Lariat, the crowd is really hot and interested crowd. Probably will not make my list.
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