Misawa/Kawada vs. Jumbo/Taue (AJPW 11/29/1991)

Second.

I find it interesting that the tag matches in the Jumbo/Misawa feud pale in comparison quality-wise to the six-mans when the reverse is true of the Misawa/Kawada feud. The main issue, I think, is that Jumbo's main tag team partner was Taue, who was still a work in progress at that point. He wasn't as terrible as he's sometimes made out to be, but he was a clear step or two behind the other main eventers and had to be protected and hidden somewhat, which is easier to do in six-man matches. Well, it turns out that the last iteration of this particular matchup is the classic I was looking for. One of the things that sets it apart is Taue's marked improvement as a worker. There are moments of awkwardness, like when he hits a facebuster and then tap dances over to his corner to tag out, but he's fully embraces his role as Jumbo's goon and carries himself with noticeable swagger. Also, there's a stronger hook to build a match around in the form of the shiner on Misawa's right eye. Jumbo sets the table at the outset when he tries to sucker punch Misawa in the ropes but is rebuffed. Several minutes later, Jumbo hits a kitchen sink with even more mustard than usual, leading to a stretch of work on Kawada's midsection that he sells brilliantly. The shot of him gasping for air and struggling to hold himself up in the ropes after an elbow to the gut particularly stands out. Misawa has Taue in the facelock with about ten minutes to go, but he leaves himself unable to protect his face in the process, finally giving Jumbo the opportunity he needs to tee off. From there, he channels his inner Bill Dundee as he targets Misawa's eye with punches and rakes his face across the top rope and guardrail. Taue gets into the act as well, inadvertently foreshadowing his strategy in the 1995 Carnival final. As far as I'm concerned, the cardinal sin in wrestling is wasting the viewer's time. Taking 30 minutes or more to tell a story that could just as well be told in 15 is intolerable. In this case, though, while there were some lulls in the action, there was enough urgency and direction throughout that it never seemed as if they were dragging things out to get to the time-limit draw. Rather, it felt like both teams were going for the win and just happened to run out of time.

I thought the 9/90 tag mostly hinted at greatness and only occasionally reached it. Also, they were more blatant in telegraphing the draw. It's really good, but it takes more than really good to be worth 45 minutes of my time. The 11/91 tag provides more bang for the buck as well as more bang period. Trust me, this is the good shit right here. I wouldn't steer you wrong.

This absolutely ruled. Misawa comes in with a black eye. He’s a house of fire, unleashing a flying headbutt and a tope on Jumbo to start and later hitting a beautiful dropkick, I believe on Taue. Then Jumbo decides to be a prick and runs Misawa’s eye along the top rope. Twice. And then rubs his elbow into it. For good measure, he also runs Misawa’s eye along the guardrail. We get some Taue vs Kawada excellence late in the match. The finishing stretch has Jumbo and Misawa battling for pinfalls when the time expires. Wonderful stuff.