WWF Jr. Hvwt Title vs. NWA Intl Jr Hvwt Title-2/3 Falls: Tatsumi Fujinami vs. Steve Keirn, New Japan, 2/1/80
Always like a match where the matwork feels like a real struggle and it does here. Good psychology, as rather than just transition from mat stuff to more high-impact moves with no rhyme or reason, Keirn turns it into a slugfest after his failure to out-wrestle Fujinami. Hits another gear after Keirn rips off the bandage (which I always like), and the match stays red-hot from the end of the first fall through the entire second fall. Not as fun as the tag match, but still very solid.
WWF Jr. Hvwt Title-Tatsumi Fujinami (Ch) vs. Dynamite Kid, New Japan, 2/5/80
What a fantastic match. Just a joy to watch. It combines all the positive aspects from the tag match involving both, as well as the bandage-ripping and clubbering from the Keirn singles. Dynamite's insistence on trying for the octopus is a little bit annoying (there should be a sign, “you must be THIS tall to attempt this submission”) but there is so much to like here. The crowd's super into it. The shrieks of dismay when Fujinami whiffs on the dropkick and the dive to the floor are great. Dynamite comes out of it looking quite strong as well. Easily the best match yet in 1980.
1980
1. WWF Jr. Hvwt Title-Tatsumi Fujinami (Ch) vs. Dynamite Kid, New Japan, 2/5/80
2. Tatsumi Fujinami & Kantaro Hoshino vs. Dynamite Kid & Steve Keirn, New Japan, 1/18/80
3. WWF Jr. Hvwt Title vs. NWA Intl Jr Hvwt Title-2/3 Falls: Tatsumi Fujinami vs. Steve Keirn, New Japan, 2/1/80
4. Lord Alfred Hayes vs. Bobby Heenan, AWA from St. Paul, 1/13/80