soup23

I think once the feud transitions from lower end New Japan and Koshinaka to higher end with Choshu/Hashimoto, it really takes off. I did like those 10/92 more than you OJ but they do feel like a solid chapter 1 in the overall story arc.

I think anyone championing Hansen, Kawada, Kobashi, or Misawa for wrestler of the year in 1993 has a nuianced argument that goes beyond the great match theory. Hansen had his best singles matches of his career with each of the big three in All Japan in 1993. He performed well almost every time given a chance (Misawa Carny final could be the exception). Kawada turned in one of the best performances ever in 12/3 and was a constant foil clearly establishing himself as the main rival to Misawa. He formed the most dominant tag team in All Japan in the 90's in 1993 and they immediately bolstered the tag divison. Kobashi transitioned from fun upstart to main event player. He worked underdog, fiery athletic juggarnaut vs. Williams and asskicker wanting to prove he belonged. Misawa truly became the ace in 1993 and turned in really great performances almost every time out. The 2/28 Taue defense isn't flashy but showed he could have a "minimalist" title defense against Taue ( who really had no shot of winning) and it still could be compelling. He had two more exacting chapters in the Kawada singles feud and the tag matches were both classics where he was unselfish at times in letting others take center stage but providing highlights when called upon.

Kobashi came into 1993 as a still clear underdog. He hadn't main evented a Budokan on his own yet and even though he was firmly being established as the clear #2, most of his feuds up to that point consisted of being Misawa's buddy or his stuff with Kikuchi. In early 1993, he has a singles match with Taue that is very good and helps Kobashi stretch his legs out against opponents in a singles environment. To that point, Taue was only having as good singles matches with Kawada/Misawa. Kobashi does a great job in the Champion Carnival. The Hansen handheld is a great match that features an even more brutal lariat for the finish. He started heating up a feud with Kawada which was integral in giving Kawada something to do besides perpetually chasing Misawa. May sees him have the last great singles match of Terry Gordy's career in what I do classify as a carry job for Kobashi. Then in June 1 tag, him vs. Kawada really takes center stage in that first tag and Kobashi really becomes the MVP for me in that match. Then we have the 7/2/93 Six Man where he gives a very good performance, the 7/19 match vs. Kawada/Fuchi where him and Fuchi have some more fun junior elements and the topper in the 7/29/93 Hansen match. That Hansen match is the ultimate babyface performance match and Kobashi gets elevated through a lost as you observed. I don't think it can be understated how good Kobashi was here as there are very few instances in wrestling of this elevation of this level. August shows him have a better singles match with Doc than Misawa was able to muster 4 days later. October he gets his chance to headline Budokan and is at least equal to Kawada in the October match to me. Tag League features him again working old man Baba, big guys like Boss Man, and against the four pillars. 12/3/93 will always be Kawada's match but Kobashi was still very good to great in it. The ignorance and hand wringing comes about when you make definitive statements about absolutes. I never stated here that there was NO WAY Kawada could be wrestler of the year. You do that with Kobashi but based on what? That he had a lesser Hansen match in your eyes than Kawada (you are in the minority with that opinion) or that Kawada was better in the 12/3 tag match? ( No one would likely dispute this). There is other highlights throughout the year that help all candidates including Misawa vs. Taue 2/28 or Hansen vs. Misawa 5/93. I don't have a set number of what is the amount of stuff you have to watch to form an opinion as that is where objectivity comes into play. All I am saying is that Kawada does have the 12/3 tag which is better as one thing than Kobashi did the whole year (although 7/29/93 vs. Hansen for me is close) but Kobashi doesn't have something that thuds as much as that Holy Demon Army vs. MVC tag does and Kawada was at the forefront for a lot of the problems presented in that match. Besides Hansen, it feels like Kobashi worked better with foreigners throughout the year almost definitively.

This is outstandingly ignorant given the cherry picking you and Steven have seen. Watch the Kawada/Taue vs. MVC title change to see Kawada give a disappointing performance. And that isn't saying that Kawada wasn't outstanding in 93 and could be a viable pick for WOTY, I am just saying that you have seen 6 Kobashi matches of the 20+ that have made tape.

Thanks Chad. Couple of things - Liger - I know you're only basing it on the years you've covered in detail, but generally do you feel 94 and 97 were his best years in the 90s? He was injured in Sep 94, so I assume your high ranking there is based on the Super J Cup and Sasuke rematch? I remember loving an Otani-Liger match from Feb 97, seemed like a real return to form after his health scare the previous summer. Vader - Again, based on what you've watched outside the yearbooks, were would he rank in 1991-95? I've a ton of AJPW tv from the early 90s. I was going to watch it all in order but might have to pick and choose to get some rating done for next year. LIger is a little odd in that he is prominent at times throughout most of the 90's years but doesn't have that one great year to point through. 94 has the Hashimoto match in 94 which along with the Super J Cup and Sasuke stuff, really feels like more mixed variety. However, 90 has the Sano finale and fun series with Akira Nogami. 91 has the Hase match which I really dug and the PIllman stuff at the end. i fully expect once I go through 92, LIger will be a candidate there with the PIllman match, Pegasus Kid match and Samurai stuff. Even in 1999, it is debatable whether Kanemoto and Otani have eclipsed LIger but he is still right there with them. Vader 91-95 is tougher for the other years. Again, 1992 will be the pivotal point there where i can see if he will have a chance. I am over halfway done with 93 and feel confident that he wouldn't be in my top 5 for that year even though it wasn't necessarily a bad year.

93 with Kobashi has generally been accepted but it really plays out. He had a two ****+ matches in singles just in what you guys just reviewed for All Japan Excite. He also had the Kawada singles match which you were pretty much lower on than anyone but still ranked ***1/2. Big tag matches? He was great in those even though 12/3 admittedly is all about Kawada, the 6/1 tag really helps bolster up Kobashi up to the top. Kobashi also had a great singles match with Terry Gordy and was in a ton of other six mans and tags throughout the year.

The official beginning of the OVW and WWF partnership. Cornette gets announced and gets a big ovation and being named the matchmaker. He has some words for Kenny Bolin an relieves him of his announce duties.

Dirty White Girl gets abducted and DWB doesn't take kindly to that. I am a sucker for DWB promos so this worked for me but there does seem to be a lot going on in Power Pro right now and yet nothing going on at the same time.

Lawler apparently had to cancel a house show to wrestle at MSG. He gives his standard state of address promo.

DWB and TOmmy Rich seem right calling themselves the Memphis Mafia. Doug is on the scene New York Jets jersey and all. Good promo and still a good bill here for the overall angle.

Of years I've went through: 1990: 1. Dandy 2. Satanico 3. Jumbo 1991: 1. Jumbo afterwards there is a ton of candidates 1994: 1. Misawa 2. Kawada 3. Doc 4. Liger 5. Kong 6. Vader 1997: 1. Kobashi 2. Liger 3. Otani 4. Misawa 1998: 1. Kobashi 2. Tamura

Loaded year here. Liger may have been better in 96-97 but its debatable and I don't know if he would make my top three.

Solid if unspectacular match which for 1999 WWF is pretty good. The ref bump and overbooking was eye rolling but hey its the Russo era. Rock fights back and the heat is nuclear. I did appreciate him doing some neat stuff like diving off the top that you didn't typically see. Rock narrowly wins and is immediately attacked by Billy Gunn afterwards setting up their SummerSlam match. **1/ 2

Big upset with the Hardy winning the tag straps. i did like Hayes saying that these guys were the stars in the interview backstage. Was the Droz/Albert stuff WWF response to Lenny/Lodi?

Agree with Tim. that Rock is who we know from the peak period by now and has so much charisma that even though he doesn't say much of consequence here, it was still tremendously entertaining.

A FAKE STING. Bullshit. The announcers of course are confused but are CERTAIN that is the real Sting when he does come down. Nash is unsure and powerbombs him. Savage is an asshole that gets rough with the ladies.. What a complete mess all of this is.

I liked this a lot too and it was neat seeing Meng get some camera time. I didn't think Little Caesars was still relevant in 1999 before they made their comeback.

Looked like Cheetah Kid was Prince Iaukea to me. I agree that this was slightly humorous but didn't serve a purpose at all and could have been cut. Still Eddy has some memorable vignettes in the Georgia Dome.

Incredibly sad promo and video. Bret has been through a lot and is entirely sympathetic throughout all of this. His promo felt extremely sincere and heartfelt.

Thanks for the info Jose. If it was a work, Gary did get beat up badly

Thanks Alex for the upload. I loved the match. I think the final comeback can look too rushed given the king sized beat down that came before but Casas did get some glimpses before and pulled out the heavy arterilly including butting cota and fouling him. The leg work and selling done here was fabulous. The more casas I watch the more I ponder how high on my top 100 he should go. Finish dips this below motyc level but it still around **** 1/4 for me and I comp it to something like Owens vs cena

Bret and cena as draws is not close and I can't see an argument for hart in that regard

This was awful and the closet thing was way over the top.

Sad times for Flair as nothing he says matters which is a far cry from his coronation promo at the beginning of the year in the same building. Buff tried during this run but just wasn't the person to be the new babyface and interject new blood into WCW.

Aw, the last Nitro I ever went to. Their was such deflation seeing the crowd here compared to 7/6/98 and 1/4/99. Even as a 12 year old, it really was alarming to me that WCW was pretty much DOA. Sid's promo here wasn't much and Savage cant even muster up words. Sid keeps wearing the belt. Nash cuts in wearing a Thrashers jersey and TOrrie still giggling in the background. What an awful program all around.