[1996-06-17-NJPW-Skydiving J] Great Sasuke vs Black Tiger

[Loss]

The Great Sasuke defends the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Title.   Talk about it here.

[Loss]

Not really that much of a standout match, and more significant for all the title holders throwing all their belts in the ring to set up the J-Crown in August. Not at all a bad match, but historically significant more than anything.

[Bix]

IIRC one of them allegedly had the flu. How many times had that finish been used in major matches at that point in '96?

 

Also, Storm and Yasuraoka throwing the tag belts in is pretty funny.

 

Anyone know why Delphin's belt didn't end up in the tournament?

[PeteF3]

This was okay, but it was basically Eddy methodically punishing Sasuke before Sasuke pulls out a flash win with that familiar Rey Misterio finish. This felt a little more organic, at least, as Sasuke had already kicked out of a conventional BT Bomb forcing Tiger to try a more souped-up version, which backfired. This felt a lot like Malenko/Rey and Regal/Sting, but not as good as either. Sasuke has fallen off judging by his Yearbook performances, and maybe that was inevitable.

[soup23]

I liked this more than everyone else as while Sasuke isn't at the level he was in say 1994, I have still enjoyed his 96 output. Eddy has really blossomed into someone that gives me a really good match almost every time out. I was surprised actually by the finish here given the finish of the BOSJ that we just saw but it does build up a lot of intrigue for the J-Crown overall. ***1/2

[tim]

Sort of a weird match; Eddy is on offense for the entire match until the end. To his credit he does a good job keeping things interesting.

[Superstar Sleeze]

IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion Great Sasuke vs Black Tiger - NJPW Skydiving J 6/17/96

This blew the Liger matches out of the water! Now this is what I am talking about. Eddie just felt so much confident in this match and looked like a Tiger prowling in the ring against the Indy-riffic Daredevil. Main Event of all Juniors show that drew 13k+ and winner not only wins the IWGP Jr Championship But also a spot in the J-Crown Tournament. Now it makes sense why Black Tiger won the BOSJ 5 days prior. It seems myopic to have him win a major tournament just to legitimize him main eventing one show 5 days later but it was admittedly a huge risk to run an all Juniors show at the Budokan so I don’t blame them and they probably didn’t know he wouldn’t be back that much. 
 

Right from jump you get the impression Eddie came to play. He is using his size and weight to thwart Great Sasuke at every turn. Sasuke maybe the Champion but he feels like the underdog. He is very cautious trying to lock up with Eddie. Eddie is feeling himself. He is in total control. Opening matwork ends with a cross arm breaker and Sasuke powders. Eddie hunts him down and smokes him on the outside. Throws him back in and goes Full Anderson on his ass. Sasuke takes a page out the match 6 days prior against Pegasus and just grabs Sleepers to stymie Tiger and sap his energy. Tiger throws him off and then targets the knee with a vicious dropkick. The way Eddie moves in the Ring this match is night and day compared to the Liger match. Watch that drop-down into the leg lariat. He is moving with intensity. I love it. Sasuke gets a desperation suplex over the top rope to the floor and we get our Sasuke dive for the match a sick Karate Kick from the Ring post to the floor. Eddie is still just ripping suplexes and kicking ass. I loved that he used a Belly 2 Belly twice to set up wristlocks. Drills a Brainbuster. Sasuke knocks him off the top. EDDIE CATCHES HIM INTO A POWERBOMB! This is Eddie’s night! Eddie hits a Sitout Crucifix Bomb. He goes for Splash Mountain…NO EDDIE NO…I have seen this before…Hurricanarana 1-2-3! Hahahah I love it!

How is this match not a classic. Excellent Eddie offensive performance! He is so confident his offense executed with intensity. He was feeling himself. Good on Sasuke to let Eddie cook. The sleeper, the one Karate Dive and the Rana at the end is all he needed. He sold well throughout. Really enjoyed this match. Eddie wrestled King Size but Sasuke hung around…great character work led to a great story! ****