dawho5

Patriot does get to look good here and Landell looks phenomenal. The cockiness really was necessary to build sympathy for Patriot, because he's not going to generate it on his own. Patriot's post-match promo is actually pretty good. I could see him as a no-nonsense midcard babyface in WCW or WWF at the time.

Cornette really makes this into something far better than Global was going to get from anyone else. I can understand his wanting to stay out of the Big 2 at this time. Both are a complete mess.

Why is Sting not being looked at as a credible challenger? beyond Windham, who else do they actually have that could fill that role? Also, it would cement Lex as a heel because he's going after STING of all people.

Really good studio match that you knew Embry was going to get involved in. Some really good post-match shenanigans by the heels and Jeff Jarrett punching a woman. I'm sure she wasn't no lady though.

I wasn't a huge fan of the barbecue, but it was an effective way of getting the point across. Lawler's fireball on Leatherface was pretty sweet though.

Embry's promo after the announcement is tremendous. The return to MSC is welcome, and I too was waiting for somebody to come out and destroy the plaque.

At the very least Hogan and Warrior had a direction to go instead of the usual Warriors/Hulkamaniacs nonsense. But to be fair they did still go off on some tangent about down among the bones or whatnot. Maybe the Jake stuff is more tied in than we think?

Up until now I have believed firmly that Jake could pull anything the WWF wrote for him off. Not everything, just most of it. Especially with the comparison to the Warrior/Hogan/Sid crap that aired on the same show, this does not work.

Original Airdate December 22nd, 1985 (Originally airing in Spanish on WAPA Channel 4 in San Juan, Puerto Rico. This broadcast is translated to English where applicable.) The opening montage featuring highlights of Carlos Colon, Chicky Starr, Invader 1, Invader 2, Invader 3, Abdullah the Butcher, Hercules Ayala and Dutch Mantell plays. Carlos Colon doing a cartwheel and coming up fists at the ready leads to the WWC logo as the music ends. NWA and Capitol Sports Presenta Los Campeones De La Lucha Libre Con Tus Luchadores Favoritos De Fama Mundial Rickin Sanchez and Hugo Savinovich sit smiling at the commentary desk in Coliseo Municipal Pedro Rodriguez Gaya De Catano. Rickin: Hello again lucha libre fans. We've got another great show for you this week. My cohost, as always, is the one and only Hugo Savinovich. Hugo: We're one night away from our HUGE show in Roberto Clemente Coliseum!! Rickin: The show is all sold out, but it will be released on video tape sometime in February. Hugo: Tonight we have a LOT of matches! Rickin: Yes we do, and a rare appearance by Carlitos Colon on TV. Hugo: And another Chicky Starr's Sports Shop! Rickin: Yes, Hercules Ayala will be Chicky's guest tonight. I cna only guess that won't go very well. Hugo: I wouldn't bet against you on that! Los Mercenarios are wrestling in a tag team match tonight!! They have been scouting out many men, I wonder who their target is! Rickin: I have a feeling we'll find out when the unfortunate victim does. Ricky Santana will be joining me for a short interview before his last tune-up match leading into tomorrow night. Our newest addition, Rambo, will be competing as well. Hugo: He impressed me a lot with his skill and aggression last time! Rickin: Huracan Castillo Jr. and Miguelito Perez are shceduled in a tag team match as well. Al Madril will be joining me to talk about his match tomorrow nigth before he wrestles. Hugo: You never seem to like talking to him. Rickin: I don't enjoy talking to grown men who act like difficult children. New NWA WWC Carribean Tag champions Pirata Morgan and MS-1 will have a non-title match tonight. Hugo: That should be fun! They are a great tag team!! Rickin: And our main event tonight will see Carlitos Colon in singles action. He will be joining me at the desk to get a final word in on the situation with los Infernales and Chicky Starr. Hugo: Does he HAVE to have the final word?!? Rickin: Carlitos Colon is the most accomplished wrestler in the World Wrestling Council. He has earned the right Hugo. Hugo: And when Chicky Starr earns that right will you respect it?!? Rickin: If he learns the value of heart, self-sacrifice and hard work I will. Huracan Castillo Jr. and Miguelito Perez are being led to the ring by Miguel Perez. Hugo: They have been looking like an experienced team their last few matches. Very good teamwork and communication. Rickin: They have. They seem to be getting better as they go. Hugo: Success as a team can have it's downsides. One member the other can start to feel like they are carrying a heavier load! Rickin: Very true, but Miguel Perez has been around a long time and he knows both of these young men very well. It seems like he keeps them on the right path. Hugo: The right path for some! Rickin: Fair enough Hugo. Both teams are ready and we're ready to start with our first match of the evening. Los Tejanos vs. Huracan Castillo Jr. & Miguelito Perez Teamwork by Castillo/Perez overwhelms los Tejanos early. Perez hits a big powerslam for a two count that is broken up. Perez holds a Tejano from behind, controlling both arms, as Castillo climbs up top. A missile dropkick from Castillo finishes the match. Castillo/Perez by pinfall in 5:35 after an assisted missile dropkick Hugo: WOW!! What a dropkick by Castillo!! Rickin: Very devastating move for sure. Something Boyd and the Crusher will have to look out for. Hugo: No way Perez can hold the Crusher like that! Rickin: If they wear him down enough, maybe. It would be a difficult task though. We'll be right back with Ricky Santana at the desk and in the ring. (Commercial Break) 0-8:30 Rickin: I am joined by a young man who has had the opportunity to train with some of the biggest stars in lucha libre. Ricky Santana, how does it feel to workwith the likes of Hercules Ayala, los Invaders and Carlitos Colon? Santana: It's great Rickin! I mean, I learned a lot when I traveled around the world for a few years. But these guys are on another level. Maybe it's just that I had to get the basics before anybody could start teaching the more difficult aspects of lucha libre. Rickin: There are some, namely Hugo, who would say that you were listening to the wrong men. That men like Al Madril and Chicky Starr might be better suited to teach you how to deal with those who fight dirty. Santana: Maybe, but there's a right way and a wrong way. I don't like shortcuts Rickin. I think you need to earn what's yours, not take it because somebody isn't looking. Rickin: A very good attitude to have. You'll do well with that frame of mind, perhaps not right this instant, but it will come. Santana: Thanks Rickin. Hugo: No way he beats Dutch with that kind of nonsense attitude! Rickin: He might not beat Dutch tomorrow. Dutch made a very good point last week that he has a large experience advantage. Hugo: And will do ANYTHING to win!! Rickin: Yes. However, willingness to use illegal tactics to gain the advantage has yet to keep young wrestlers from losing completely. Every young wrestler is going to take their losses. Hugo: Just makes it a little easier to avoid is all!! Rickin: There is a cost for that, Hugo. Ricky shakes hands with Isaac Rosario and there is the bell. Isaac Rosario vs. Ricky Santana Santana with armdrags to start off. He works an armbar before hitting a series of chops. Rosario makes a short comeback, but ends up being dropkicked over the rope. Santana hits a sliding dropkick as Rosario uses the apron to pull himself up. A running crossbody after a crisscross gets 3 for Santana. Ricky Santana by pinfall in 4:48 with a running crossbody Rickin: Good effort by Ricky Santana. he showed us a few things we hadn't seen before. Hugo: It DOES look like that work he's doing is paying off! Rickin: I noticed you didn't meniton who he was working with. Hugo: As did I!! Rickin: Up next Hercules Ayala will pay a visit to Chicky's Sports Shop. Following that we will see los Mercenarios in action. Don't go anywhere lucha libre fans. (Commercial Break) 8:30 - 15:30 We cut to a shot of a limo pulling up on a golf course. Chicky Starr gets out of the limo. Footage is shown of Chicky Starr playing various sports and wrestling. Now cut to the Sports Shop set with Victor the Bodyguard leading the way in. Chicky has a golf club in hand and he sits down in one of 2 chairs. Victor hands him a microphone. Starr: Here we are on the eve of December 23rd. There is so much to talk about! Myself and los Infernales have a match against los Invaders and Carlitos Colon. When we win, Carlitos Colon will be forced to vacate his NWA WWC Universal championship! AND not one of the four men we face will be able to hold a title for 6 months in the WWC! Do you think any of this was an accident? I pushed los Invaders and Carlitos Colon into accepting these terms. What comes after is even better. Chicky pauses Starr: Now I know there are those of you thinking, but what happens if your team loses Chicky? First, los Infernales must leave the World Wrestling Council. Second, something that Don Pedro Castillo added all on his own, I will lose all my hair. If, and I can't tell you how unlikely this is, IF we lose I will put a chair down on the floow of Roberto Clemente Coliseum and invite Commissioner Pedro Castillo out to personally cut my hair. I am that confident we will win. We have the tag belts already, Colon's Universal title is next! Chicky gives a big grin and sits back. Starr: And now on to another big match. My good friend "The Latin Lover" Al Madril did everyone a favor and removed Victor Jovica from active competition. For doing this he was challenged to a taped fist match by one Hercules Ayala. Mr. Ayala is here today and he is my guest today. Come right in Mr. Ayala. No need to worry. (Ayala walks in and sits down, looking around suspiciously.) Starr: Nothing to fear here. This is a place to talk, not fight. I find it interesting that you challenged Al to a taped fist match, Mr. Ayala. Are you unaware that the rules prohibit closed fists in a match? Ayala: Funny, I've seen you use plenty of closed fists. Starr: That's me. I break the rules. You, however, go around pretending to be an upright citizen. Ayala: You do know that in a taped fist match closed fists are 100% legal, yes? Starr: Given that I've seen you use a closed fist every match I've seen you in, maybe you look at all of your matches as such? Ayala: I thought I was here to talk about my match with Al Madril, not be insulted by a coward. Starr: I will not stand this rudeness! You are a guest on my show! Ayala: You expect me to stay civil when all you do is insult me? Al Madril runs up from behind and clobbers Ayala with the belt. Starr: No, I expect you to look at me like an idiot while Al hits you. We'll be back with an extra special Chicky's Sports Shop next week fans. My guest is a surprise and I'm not telling! Victor, Madril and Chicky Starr walk off the set with Madril and Starr joking back and forth. Rickin: That is just... Hugo: HAH! How did Ayala now see that coming?!? He might be just as much of a musclehead as Al and Chicky say he is! Rickin: Chicky Starr and Al Madril are about as low as it gets. He has an interview show, not a platform to set up ambushes for his friends. Hugo: You have to use what you have creatively! Rickin: Hugo.... Hugo: Here come los Mercenarios! Rickin: The crowd has certainly soured on them since their debut. Hugo: Yes, but not to the point of throwing things at them constantly. It's almost like they are waiting to find out who they mean to hurt. Rickin: I would agree, they have gotten some cheers due to their brawling style. Hugo: So there are some fans who get it! Rickin: Mr. X and Y are playing it safe, staying in their corner. Hugo: Last team that tried to get the jump on los Mercenarios went face-first into everything at ringside within the first minute! Rickin: There's the bell, here we go. Mr. X & Y vs. los Mercenarios Mercenarios brawl their way to controlling the match, ignoring the referee to use double teams whenever they feel like it. A clothesline by Mercenario 2 leaves Mr. Y near the ropes and he is pushed ot the outside. Rib breaker by Mercenario 1 sets up the running splash by 2 for the 3 count. Los Mercenarios by pinfall in 5:21 after a rib breaker/splash combo Rickin: Another win for los Mercenarios. Hugo: They seem to be getting a lot of those!! Rickin: They will run across somebody they can't bully. Hugo: Big men fight like big men. It's only the rare few that are as agile as Abdullah Tamba or Bam Bam! Rickin: I see your point Hugo. Up next we will hear from Barrabas. I may as well just hand him the microphone when he walks up. Hugo: Would make things easier! Rickin: And Rambo will be in singles action. We'll be right back. (Commercial Break) 15:30 - 24:30 Rickin: We're back and Barrabas has joined us with all of his clients. Rickin walks over and hands the microphone to Barrabas before sitting down. Barrabas nods and begins. Barrabas: The big night is almost here. First things first. Castillo and Perez, I hope you're ready to face a team of MEN! Jonathan Boyd and the Crusher have you outclassed in every way. Bigger, more skilled and with a better manager! I was around for Miguel Perez's career. The man was never much of a thinker inside the ring or out. If he's the guy calling the shots it's already a win for us. Barrabas pauses and smiles as the crowd starts booing. Barrabas: And little Abdullah....you poor man. Bam Bam has you by 100 pounds. You may be able to run over most of these little guys Abdullah Tamba. But Bam Bam will be your BRICK WALL and stop you dead in your tracks. The best part of all of this is that you will get destroyed right in front of Abdullah the Butcher. Mark my words, the next time you see me these 3 men will be recognized as the most dangerous group in all of wrestling, not just the WWC! Barrabas drops the mic on the ground and walks off with his three charges. Garbage pelts them until Bam Bam starts looking around angrily. Hugo: I don't know, I thought Abdullah Tamba held his own against Bam Bam for the few minutes they faced each other! Rickin: A few minutes isn't a match with not partners to tag out to. Tamba is at a 100 pound weight disadvantage, which has to be something he's not used to. Hugo: Very true! He'll have to hope he is agile enough to outmanuever Bam Bam! Rickin: That does seem to be his best hope. Here comes Rambo out to the ring to a good amount of cheers. Hugo: He did impress in his debut. Very well-rounded wrestler! Rickin: Yes, and he seems to have the fans on his side. Hugo: That won't last! Unless he goes out of his way to ally himself with los Invaders and Carlitos Colon. Rickin: That's not true. There have been Americans who have come in here and gotten cheered without any alliances. Hugo: I suppose. Bruiser Brody has gotten plenty of cheers in his time! Rickin: Yes he has. The referee has called for the bell. Armandito Salgado vs. Rambo Rambo uses a little more technical wrestling this time to augment the forearms, punches and kneelifts. He again hits the brainbuster DDT for the three count. Rambo by pinfall in 4:28 with the brainbuster DDT Rickin: That is a very dangerous move. I'm sure the other wrestlers have taken note of that even after only two matches. Hugo: Yes, they tend to look for moves like that as far as what to avoid! Rickin: Much like Carlitos Colon's figure four. Hugo: Or Al Madril's piledriver!! Rickin: I...I guess. Speaking of Al Madril, he'll be joining me after the break before taking on el Vikingo. We'll be right back after these messages. (Commercial Break) 24:30 - 32:00 Rickin: Welcome back lucha libre fans. I am joined at this time by NWA WWC champion Al Madril. (Breaking in) Madril: It just burns you up to say that doesn't it? Rickin: Mr. Madril, your blatant attack on Hercules Ayala on Chicky's Sports Shop has to be regarded as a cheap shot. As confident as you seem about this match, your actions suggest otherwise. Madril: Well, it looks like I'm in the principal's office again. I'm sorry Mr. Principal, I'll do it gooder next time. Rickin: You didn't answer the question. Are you truly as confident about beating Hercules Ayala as you seem? Madril: After ringin' his bell with this here? (Points at the belt.) You know I am! The guy's probably sittin' home icing the stitched up back of his head right now. How is he gonna deal with these two big bad sons a'bitches right here (holds up his hands)? Rickin: As much as I enjoy our little chats, Mr. Madril, this hardly seems different than the last two times you've talked about this match. Madril: Cuz nothin' has changed Mr. Prinicipal. Oh, and I know you love 'em. Why do you think we talk so much? Rickin: Did he just admit that he schedules interviews to torture me? Hugo: I think he did! Rickin: The fans are telling him exactly how I feel on his way to the ring. Hugo: I don't think he cares! Rickin: There is that to be said of Al Madril. He is not a man who continually looks for the approval of others. Something that can't be said of Chicky Starr. Hugo: People should love Chicky! Rickin: According to you, they should love Al Madril as well. Hugo: True! Rickin: .....and we're ready for action as the bell rings. El Vikingo vs. NWA WWC Carribean Champion Al Madril (Non-title) Madril is all over Vikingo with punches and has to be pulled off of Vikingo by the ref from the corner multiple times. He casually gives into the referee's demands, only to go back to being more vicious each time. Madril drags Vikingo outside and busts him open on the ring post. back in the ring a piledriver puts a bloody Vikingo away. Al Madril by pinfall in 4:46 after a piledriver Hugo: There's Hercules Ayala! He's a little unsteady! Rickin: But Carlitos Colon is right behind him and he seems to be talking him out of running to the ring. Hugo: Al is inviting both of them! Rickin: Cooler heads have prevailed. Ayala needs to let himself recover as mich as possible before tomorrow night. Hugo: I wanted to see a brawl! But to be fair, I think we'd have seen los Infernales and Chicky Starr come out! Rickin: That is very likely.We'll be right back with the NWA WWC Carribean tag Team champions Pirata Morgan and MS-1 in a non-title match. Don't touch that dial. (Commercial Break) 32:00-40:00 Hugo: We're baaaack! Rickin: Mr. W and Z are in the ring. Pirata Morgan and MS-1 seem to be trying to goad the fans into throwing more at them. Hugo: Do you think there is a Mr. V and U? Rickin: I tend not to worry about it. Hugo: Really? Morgan and MS-1 look very confident as champions! Rickin: They are a formidable team. They could have won those belts without the interference of Chicky Starr. Hugo: Better to be sure! It was a major blow to the confidence of their opponents tomorrow night!! Rickin: There is some truth to that. Chicky Starr is a master manipulator, but I think los Invaders and Carlitos Colon will beat the odds. Los Infernales have reached the ring and we're ready to go. Mr. W & Z vs. NWA WWC Carribean Tag team Champions Pirata Morgan & MS-1 (Non-title) Infernales use illegal tactics and brawling to dominate. Morgan slams Mr. Z down and holds him in place for a senton off the top rope by MS-1 for three. Pirata Morgan & MS-1 by pinfall in 5:05 with a top rope senton Hugo: Another big win for los Infernales! They can't lose tomorrow night!! Rickin: They have the momentum going in, that's for sure. Hugo: AND they have Chicky's grand plan!! Rickin: A grand plan that can fall apart if he or one of los Infernales get pinned. Hugo: Won't happen! Rickin: We'll have to find out tomorrow night. Up next it will be my pleasure to talk to Carlitos Colon before his match. Don't mis it lucha libre fans. (Commercial Break) 40:00-46:30 Carlitos Colon navigates a sea of joyous fans roaring and blowing their horns on his way to the desk. Rickin: Your fans are as pleased to see you as ever. Colon: I love seeing them as well Rickin. Every arena we travel to I make time to talk to the fans after the show. Rickin: Things have been going badly for your side in this war, Carlitos. It seems like Chicky Starr has manipulated things in his favor. Colon: He definitely has. But you know the one thing he can't do? Defeat me in a match. He found that out, so he hatched this big plan to get the belt taken away from me in other ways. Rickin: I agree that it is a despicable way to go about winning a title, but it seems to be working. Colon: I hate to agree with you, but yes. Things have gone his way leading into this very big match. I've known Invader 1 for years. Invader 2 and 3 for a little less, but all 3 have been incredible allies. No matter what the odds they will give 100% and come through when they need to. Rickin: Something I have seen as well. It's a big reason these fans are behind the four of you like they are. Colon: We know and we love these fans right back for it. We've been down and out, but thye haven't abandoned us. That's something we have that Chicky Starr can never take from us. It will keep us going when everything else looks lost! Tomorrow night we are going to send los Infernales packing and help Commissioner Pedro Castillo give Chicky Starr the haircut of his life! Nothing left! The crowd roars it's approval for Colon and horns are blown in quick succession as Colon mimics shaving his own head on his way to the ring. Rickin: Colon has this crowd riled up. Hugo: They do love him!! Rickin: He did make a good point. Chicky Starr may be able to scheme his way into a good situation going into a match, but the fans will always be there for los Invaders and Colon. Hugo: Did los Invaders a lot of good when Chicky brought in his bat! Rickin: That's fair, but I doubt there will be any element of surprise happening inside that big cage. Hugo: Hmm, probably not. Unless.. Rickin: The area under the ring will be checked thoroughly before the match. Hugo: Hmm..HEY! Ricky Santana and los Invaders are at the top of the aisle with chairs! Smart move!! Rickin: Yes, los Infernales and Chicky Starr have made sure to keep los Invaders or Colon from gaining any momentum. This should keep interference away. Carlitos is in the ring and here we go with the main event. Frank Conners vs. Carlitos Colon Colon hits a big jumping headbutt within the first minute. He goes after the leg with elbow drops and puts on the figure four. Conners is quick to tap out and Colon helps the young American up as the crowd is roaring it's approval. Carlitos Colon by submission in 3:18 with a figure four Rickin: As expected there are Chicky Starr and company. Hugo: Nowhere to go though! Rickin: Chicky Starr is livid. He's giving los Invaders and the fans around the entrance a piece of his mind. Hugo: Don't worry Chicky! Tomorrow night will still go great!! Rickin: We're out of time fans. We'll see you in a week and show you everything you need to know about the Roberto Clemente Coliseum show, as well as give you the card for our Three Kings Day show in Pachin Vicens Coliseum in Ponce on January 6th.

One detail I haven't seen mentioned yet is the way Muto runs after being whipped to the corner by Vader. It's this awesome half stumble, half run that suggests he's just been propelled into the corner. I'll agree Muto didn't sell a ton, but I honestly don't think you can expect him to. Not in the more traditional way of selling that we're used to. He has his own way of doing pretty much everything and he shows vulnerability when he needs to here. Loved the vibe of the match with Vader laying in a huge beating and Muto taking it, but firing back with his own big shots to even things up. The homage to the Fujinami finish is nice and Vader is still very protected coming out of the match. Easily the best match of the tournament so far. I know you might be thinking, why did the Chono/Hash match have to be a draw after the finishers didn't work and not this one? In answer I would point to the direction the match takes following that stretch. Hash/Chono they go back to weardown holds and basics to rest up for a bit. This match they go right back to trying to put one another away with the moves that make sense to do so.

It looked to me like something that could have happened in Dragon Gate. They got pretty goofy with the multi-man spots. At this point in time I don't think it is possible to "ruin wrestling". The stuff you like is on DVD somewhere, so watch that and don't bitch real loud about what you don't.

Second fall was way too fast. I'd put this at really good, not great. But that isn't to say I'd never watch it again either. Atlantis almost catching on the ringpost for his dive was a little scary.

Hara was way off all match, I'd agree. Too short and one-sided to be anything but a squash. Of the boss.

This is great work from both that gets both over. But the idea that they didn't work it like a draw is just not clicking for me. Once their first striking battle ended and went nowhere I had my suspicions. Then Chono gets the STF and Hash hits every one of his finishers and it's still going? At that point there is no other finish. I don't think it detracts from the match, and I think it's the right finish for both of them. This tournament seems like it was booked to put Muto, Chono and Hash over big and a well-executed draw here has all kinds of good future implications.

Not a fan of this one. Muto blows off the leg selling way too fast for me. I like what they are doing in putting Muto and Chono over though. And the continuous roll-ups should actually pay off once in a while. Maybe something besides three straight inside cradles, but that's a minor quibble. Good enough match that serves it's purpose.

Yeah, what Nintendo said. If you can work the system and get your paydays, more power to you. I won't be in the audience or buying the DVDs, but that hardly matters.

That LeDuc v King Tonga feud is going to come to a head soon. Seems like it would be a pretty great underrated feud to me.

Observer Hall of Fame, two time IWGP Jr Heavyweight champion, WCW Cruiserweight champion (before that title was devalued), J Crown winner, numerous title reigns all over Mexico and Japan. How on earth is Ultimo Dragon underrated and by whom? Hardly underrated by people on here, but I'll throw in Steve Grey and Jon Cortez. I should clarify. I've seen a lot of folks on this site and elsewhere who think his stuff has aged badly and that he was all flash and no substance. Part of which I can understand as guys like Liger, Mysterio, and Samurai were more consistent. But I think his peak matches are pretty dang high and are proof that he brought more to the table than just flashy moves. I guess that goes back to the problem of how we define "underrated" and by whom? I will actually put myself up as one of these. And I think it's due to that pendulum deal mentioned earlier. Younger me LOVED Ultimo Dragon, one of my favorite WCW guys. But the more I watched, the more it just disappointed me seeing him whenever it came up. I started seeing things that soured me on him and did almost a complete 180. I won't say he's a superb junior heavyweight, but he's not actively bad....usually..

That is a great compliment to give anyone. I know Kabuki is not a huge favorite, but the man knows how to throw an uppercut.

I was watching this and thinking it was really good, intense matwork for the majority of the bout. Everything was earned and well-executed. And I find myself liking Nogami because he's good and able to hang with Liger on the mat as well as adding a few things of his own to the mix. But I think the reason Nogami didn't pop is that he doesn't bring a whole lot of emotion into anything. He's just out there doing stuff. And there's no problem with what he's doing, it's just lacking any kind of meaning beyond running through spots. He gets to look good and plucky though in surviving long enough to win. At least with Honaga, we get a guy who is absolutely desperate to beat Liger for the belt. He may not have the technical prowess or highspots of Nogami, but there is emotion for Liger to react to.

I thought Vader bumped a little too much right at the opening bell. Finish was good for the dynamic of the rivalry and match, and keeps Vader strong going forward. I get this feeling I'm going to not want to see another sharpshooter/scorpion deathlock for a long time after this tournament.

Didn't think much of the early match. They definitely turned it around for the finish, first making it look like Choshu was going to put Chono away after Chono had worked to wear him down. Then Chono gets that second wind and makes it count. I'm guessing that even in 1991, Chono hated being introduced anywhere other than last.

Worthless match that Jake tries hard to save. Post-match angle is fine, but we all know what's coming. They still make Andre out to be a threat on commentary.

Haku does look really good. I'd have liked to see him in either AJPW or NJPW. Everyone was laying in their shots, especially Hara with those lariats. Reminded me of the 1988 AJPW tags this is trying to reference, but not quite as good. Looking at the match listings August is pretty loaded too. I doubt this even makes upper half of the month even with Tenryu's post match throwing shit around.

I made a mistake, needs to be January 29th for Brody.