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Post by elliott on Dec 11, 2017 22:48:51 GMT -5
Andre the Giant vs Killer Khan (NJPW - 4/1/1982)
This is one of the best Monster vs Monster clashes ever and a match I absolutely adore. Heel Andre in Japan is the greatest thing in wrestling history bar none. He is able to make career monster heels like Stan Hansen and Killer Khan legit underdog babyfaces. Killer Khan is probably the weirdest Ricky Morton ever but he is amazing in this selling from underneath and making his awesome comeback. Two of the best characters in wrestling history having an amazing match.
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Post by Cap on Dec 13, 2017 18:01:07 GMT -5
Second
Such a strange monster vs monster match, but one that I really enjoy. I really started understanding just how great Andre was when i started thinking about and rating matches (just for myself). The same - though to a slightly lesser extent can be said for Khan. This winds up being such a fun and deceptively (i think) great match with a unique dynamic.
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Post by mvz on Jan 6, 2018 16:02:23 GMT -5
This match was a revelation in so many ways. Andre was great heeling it up. He seemed to relish it. Khan as an underdog babyface was stunningly effective. I don’t know if it was the weird dynamic or what, but every move felt really important and the match was very dramatic. This will probably be a keeper for me.
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Post by stunninggrover on Jan 12, 2018 23:55:41 GMT -5
Great heel performance and great selling by Andre. This was when Andre was still in his prime. Arguably the best New Japan match from 1982.
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Post by puropotsy on Jun 1, 2018 19:54:03 GMT -5
This was an epic war. I love Killer Khan and I love Japanese Heel Andre which makes this a dream match. The working over of Andre's ankle by Khan was brilliant, combined with great brawling and Andre keeping his monster presence throughout making it feel like it could still end at any time,which it eventually did. The narrative that Andre didn't like being a heel should be challenged as a falsehood as he seems to be having way more fun in Japan than in the U.S. It's like Japan was his artsy stuff and the U.S. was his mainstream stuff.
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Post by superstarsleeze on Jul 22, 2018 11:18:25 GMT -5
Andre rules the school! Heeling it up like a mutha. This match is in rewatch pile. It is on the outside looking in but things can change! You all love Khans's performance but I found it dry. Hmmmmph definitely need a rewatch.
Andre The Giant vs Killer Khan - NJPW 4/1/82
Holy shit! Andre was amazing in this. The best individual performance I have ever seen him have. The spot where he has Khan in a chinlock then Khan complains of a choke only for Andre to demonstrate the move on the ref and then blatantly choke Khan in the corner is great. I love Andre complaining to the ref he is not counting fast enough. The spot where he big boots Khan while coming in the ring is cool as fuck (saw it against Hansen too). The first half of the match you don't understand how Killer Khan even has a chance against Andre who is killing it. Khan just starts letting out these Rebel Yells and going for the eyes! At this point he just needs to survive. He then goes after Andre's left leg with kicks and wrenching it against the ropes. Andre delivers an all-time great selling performance. He is a wounded grizzly the rest of the match. He lets out these bellows and just will randomly swipe at Khan. He has enough strength to still dish out the punishment. He will just chop to keep Khan back and he is so naturally powerful this keeps him back. Andre moves to a lot of ass-based offense just using his weight to crush Khan. Khan's only hope is to got back after the leg at every turn. My one complaint is that the match does kinda spin its wheels. Andre is not really trying to defeat Khan, like I see no progression in his offense down the stretch. Khan can always go back to the leg, but Andre does not seem to have a game plan to beat Khan. I love the moment when sits on Khan and tries to get up only to bellow and fall back down. The crowd is so invested in every single time Andre falls down. It is great! Andre log rolling to the outside to buy time is awesome. I love Andre in Japan what a great heel! He just sticks Khan's head in the ropes and chokes him out. No offense to Khan, but he was totally overshadowed by Andre's performance in this. Andre big boot and attempted splash shows some progression in offensive strategy to put Khan out of his misery. I loved the double chop sequence with Andre covering up only for Khan to go up top. Andre lowers his hands slowly as if to say "is it over" and here comes Khan. Khan tries again this time Andre slams him off the top and then drops his ass on his head! Awesome finish! Dusty gives him a beer and he is pumped!
My two issues with the match is they kinda spun their wheels in the middle of the match and that Khan's performance is just kinda there. I don't think he had anything much unique. Wow! One of the all time great selling performances from Andre coupled with an all time great offensive heel performance. That is pretty incredible because for a heel to give such an amazing selling performance. Cant praise Andre enough in this match. ****1/2
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Post by jetlag on Jan 3, 2024 16:41:31 GMT -5
Great match because both guys committed 100% to their roles with Khan the fired up underdog babyface and Andre being the menacing monster. Khan selling for Andre as this dangerous monster was really great, he sold a simple kick from the Giant as if he got hit by a cannonball. Also was amused by Andre initially acting invincible pretending to not even notice Khans attacks. Andres heelwork was pretty fucking awesome too, talking trash, swaggering, cranking vicious holds like a giant Regal. Andre immediately going for the double arm lock to stop Khan from hitting the Mongolian Chop and then hitting a cool suplex was some awesome pro wrestling. Legwork was basic but still looked great due to Khans constant attacks and Andres textbook perfect selling. Andre going from intially invincible, then knocked loopy by Khans deadly chops and finally hobbling around and struggling after getting his legs worked over was some mighty fine, believable pro wrestling. Dug how something as basic as Khan getting a knee up to counter an Andre attack got huge reactions. Andre instinctively trying to block the Mongolian Chop onslaught is one of those super simple touches that almost nobody thinks to do anymore but it adds a lot. Devastating finish. Basic action but the psychology was executed to perfection.
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